Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/22): Matthew 12:1-21.

Oct22

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” Matthew 12:7b.

.

.

REVIEW – After denouncing the local cities Jesus had been ministering in for not being receptive to Him or His message, Jesus turned from fiery judgment to a gentle and lowly offer. “Take MY yoke upon you and learn from Me. MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light. You will find REST for your souls.”

The “rest” Jesus speaks about here points to a permanent condition in God’s grace, apart from the constant striving to do good works.

And this seems to lead directly into today’s reading and two incidents that happened on the Sabbath, the Day of REST.

.

.

Matthew 12:1-2.

As Jesus walked away from the town with His disciples (who had returned from their missionary outreach), they passed through some grain fields. The disciples were hungry, and as they walked, they plucked heads of grain to eat.

(In Deuteronomy 23:25, God permits satisfying immediate hunger this way. However, harvesting grain for profit on the Sabbath was forbidden.

It seems the Pharisees, “the teachers of the law,” didn’t know the difference! “Look,” they said to Jesus, “your disciples are doing what is NOT LAWFUL to do on the Sabbath.”

Sheesh! Talk about showing their ignorance!

.

.

Matthew 12:3-5.

Jesus catches them in this error by presenting two scenarios, showing that using holy things to satisfy man’s hunger (and not PROFIT) was okay with God.

1) Before David was king, he and his men were running for their lives from the crazy King Saul; they arrived at the Tabernacle and requested of the priest that they might eat the “shewbread” that was weekly set before the LORD in the Holy Place.

This was meant only for the ministering priests, but Ahimelech, the priest, was on David’s side and, after learning that he and his men were ceremonially clean, got the bread for them to eat. (He later lost his life for that when Saul heard about it and massacred all the priests in the area.) (1 Samuel 21-22)

Sabbath laws were not meant to restrict acts of necessity or mercy. They were to benefit man and glorify God.

.

2) Jesus also cites the priests in the temple who continue to carry out their duties on the Sabbath, which in other circumstances, “could” be seen as work.

Jesus adds, “I tell you, something greater than the temple is here,” speaking of Himself.

.

“And if you had known what it means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless.'”

Jesus had used the “quote” before in Matt. 9:6, when the Pharisees were condemning Him for eating with tax collectors and “sinners.”

.

Samuel used a similar version to King Saul when he had disobeyed God: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

Hosea 6:6: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

And Micah 6:6-8: “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?? — He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.“

Hearts, not hands, are what God is interested in. Attitudes, not performance.

.

.

Matthew 12:9-14.

Jesus walks on and then enters their synagogue. Then, almost to drive his point home, He heals a man with a withered hand. There. Inside the synagogue. In front of their shocked, angry faces.

“Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath? He asked them.

Will you not help your sheep if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath? Of which is more valuable? A human, made in the image of God, or your animal that you keep for your own profit?

.

The healed man left the synagogue with Jesus, rejoicing at his restored hand. Meanwhile, these biased, envy-filled Pharisees “went out and conspired against Him, how to DESTROY Him.”

.

.

Matthew 12:18-21.

Jesus was well aware of their evil machinations and withdrew from there. However, many followed Him for what He could do for them.

And Jesus healed them ALL, confirming the prophecy about the Messiah in Isaiah 42:1-5.

Matthew says this proved that Israel’s chosen Messiah did not come with political agendas, military campaigns, and great fanfare. He would not try to stir up a revolution.

Instead, he came with gentleness and meekness. He would restore and rekindle those the “world” thought were useless. He would show tenderness and compassion to the lowest, the weak, and the lost.

.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/21): Matthew 11:20-28.

Oct21

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

.

.

REVIEW – Yesterday we saw a message from John the Baptist (in prison) reach Jesus and Jesus’ unusual answer. The fiery “voice in the wilderness” had proclaimed a Messiah of fire and cleansing. But from what John could learn from his deep dungeon, Jesus was a Messiah of compassion, tenderness, healing, and hope. Israel was corrupt and sinful; where was the judgment?

Jesus sent a message through John’s disciples, in the only form the Baptist would fully understand. Jesus sent him ‘scripture in action.’ He showed John that His healing of the sick and disabled, cleansing of lepers, freeing the demon-possessed, even raising the dead, and preaching good news, did in fact fulfill the first part of Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah. (from Isaiah 29 and 35). In the second coming, there would be fire, judgment, and wrath.

Once John heard that report, he KNEW Jesus was indeed the Messiah of Israel.

.

.

Matthew 11:20-24.

(Remember that while the disciples were on their missionary trip, Jesus was also “teaching and preaching” in the cities of Galilee.)

Despite the extraordinary exclamations about his healings, the people did NOT follow Him as Messiah. People then (like today) wanted what they could GET from God and weren’t interested in what they could GIVE.

Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, all cities around the Lake where Jesus centered His ministry, came under judgment for refusing to repent and follow Him. (Later, when Jesus spoke directly to His “home townies”, He would include Nazareth in the condemnation.)

Then that chilling judgment. It would be worse for these (the cities that had experienced Jesus in person and rejected Him) than for Tyre and Sidon, and Sodom. (Ezekiel 26-28 and Genesis 23:3-5)

Wow, I think I might have shaken in my boots to hear that judgment! But then again, except for God’s grace, I probably would have dismissed Jesus’ words and walked away too.

.

Matthew 11:25-27.

After their earlier degrading taunts and name-calling of Jesus, and his vivid judgment on their cities, Jesus saw fit to warn them further, via a spoken-aloud prayer to His Father.

“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the “wise and understanding” and revealed them to “little children”; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will. “

A sure slap in the face for those stuck-up know-it-alls, who had called Jesus a “glutton and drunkard.” (The very Son of God!!)

The precious news of salvation and redemption, of God’s great love that led Him to send Jesus to die, the grace and mercy He showed us through Jesus… these pearls and treasure boxes of gold… were to be revealed only to those with child-like, faith-filled hearts.

.

.

Matthew 11:28-30.

Then this familiar and precious passage:


“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

This beginning echoes the Beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit (the humble), the ones who mourn (about their sin), the meek (not proud), the merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers…).

Jesus isn’t calling people who are simply tired of working and need a vacation in the Bahamas. He is calling those with a heart’s longing for Spiritual rest and peace with God to come to Him.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your SOULS.”

Not only will Jesus help you, support you, and share your “journey” in this life; He will also save you from endless, fruitless efforts to “save” yourself by trying to keep the works of the law (which no one can do).

Resting in Jesus means faith in the very means of His Salvation (His death on your behalf and His resurrection, which shows God’s acceptance of His work).

Come to Him, believe in Him, trust Him! “For (His) yoke is easy and (HIS) burden is light.”

.

.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/20): Matthew 11:1-19.

Oct20

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Matthew 11:3.

.

.

REVIEW – Jesus had sent off His twelve disciples/apostles to learn how to bring the gospel to the Jews in cities and towns. Jesus also empowered them with “signs and wonders” to prove the truth of their message.

He ALSO gave them many things to expect. Just as He Himself was sometimes rejected, or even after a healing, ignored, THEY would experience the same. And more. Eventually, they would follow their master into harsher persecution, arrest, trials, and even martyrdom. They were to be prepared and steady in their commitment. The END would make it all good.

.

.

Matthew 11:1-3.

As His disciples went out, Jesus continued teaching and preaching in the towns of Galilee.

(Imagine this ministry spreading everywhere! People heard of healings, cleansings, and other miracles from all directions. The dead were even being raised. It was a miraculous time. Glory be! Surely the Messiah had come! The news spread far and wide.)

Deep in the dungeon of Herod Antipas’ fortress in Perea (across the Jordan), even John the Baptist heard. He wasn’t sure he was hearing it right. All this compassion and helping people… John hadn’t pictured Jesus that way!

(“I baptize you with water for repentance, but HE will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and FIRE.“ John had preached. “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire!”) Matthew 3:11-12.

So John sent some of his faithful disciples (who brought him food and news in prison) to ask Jesus what was going on.

They said, “Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?” How frustrating it must have been for John, confined, hearing second- and third-hand news without seeing for himself.

.

.

Matthew 11:4-6.

Jesus did not say, “Sure, Cuz, it’s me. That fire-and-brimstone stuff comes later. Stay cool!”

No, Jesus showed and told the messengers from John JUST WHAT the Messiah was prophesied to do at His first coming. Jesus healed the blind, made the lame walk, cleansed lepers, made the deaf hear, raised the dead, and preached the “good news” to the poor.

And John recognized the passages in Isaiah as soon as his own disciples brought back the news.

Isaiah 29:18-19, “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exalt the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 35:4-6, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.”

This describes the Messiah’s first coming. Each of those passages goes on to describe the second coming as well, when evil will be defeated, and the King will rule in justice and holiness.

John had missed that, but when he heard Jesus’ answer, he remembered and realized, YES!! Jesus WAS the Messiah of Israel, the one He’d prepared the way for.

.

.

Matthew 11:7-17.

As John’s messengers left, Jesus turned to the crowd.

“What did you expect to see out in the wilderness?” Jesus asked. “A reed shaken by the wind? A man dressed in soft clothes? NO. But a prophet. MORE than a prophet. John was God’s messenger sent before Me to prepare the way before Me.”

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.”

John was greater than the Old Testament prophets because he actually SAW with his eyes and personally participated in the fulfillment of what the others only prophesied.

“Yet… the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

All believers after the cross are greater still, because they participate in the full understanding and experience of Christ’s actual atoning work (which John only foresaw).

.

.

Matthew 11:12-19.

This next part is a little confusing, but Jesus is probably confirming what He said earlier: entering the kingdom is difficult. “The violent take it by force.” He says, “Everyone forces his way into it.” Meaning the way is truly narrow and hard to travel.

.

Then Jesus says a strange thing. “If you are willing to accept it, John IS Elijah who is to come.” WHOA!

Of course the people KNEW that the prophet of old HAD NOT DIED. Elijah was taken up alive in a chariot of fire. But hadn’t John the Baptist, himself, denied that he was Elijah? What did Jesus mean?

.

Yes, John ‘had come’ “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), but if they had believed, John would have been ‘the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecies’….

Interested? Check out Mark 9:11-13 and Revelation 11:3-6, in light of your knowledge of the Old Testament.

.

Then Jesus compares Himself with John and says people like neither example!

John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said: “He has a demon.”

On the other hand, Jesus came eating and drinking, and they called Him “A glutton and drunkard, and friend of tax collectors and sinners.”

Sheesh!

Thank goodness, Jesus came to please only His Father and do His will… not what fickle people thought He should be and do! Where would we be then??

.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/19): Matthew 10:21-42.

Oct19

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:33

.

.

REVIEW – Jesus sent out His 12 chosen disciples as apostles to tell the “good news” that the kingdom of heaven was near, sending them only to Jewish villages and towns at that time. Jesus also gave them the power to heal, cast out demons, and even raise the dead to verify their message.

He cautioned them that not everyone would joyfully receive the gospel. The apostles would be turned away, slandered, arrested, and dragged into court to testify. But the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say in that moment.

.

.

Matthew 10:21-25.

Jesus’ warnings and preparations for ministry expanded not only to these twelve disciples, who went on a few weeks’ trip; they applied also to them after Pentecost, and even to missionaries to new lands today. All will face opposition, some very serious.

Jesus told them that the Gospel message would divide families. Persecution would cause them to flee family and home, and even face execution. They would be hated for Jesus’ name’s sake.

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved. The disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” What they did to Jesus, they would do so to His disciples. But a welcome “well done, faithful servant,” is waiting in Heaven for the one who endures and/or gives his life.

.

.

Matthew 10:26-33.

But Jesus says not to fear them. ‘Do not fear those who kill the body and cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Then comes the comforting reminder that a believer’s value is greater than that of the sparrows. God knows when each one falls, and we are of much more value than them. He also knows every hair on our head! He knows when our testimony puts us into boiling water… or into the fire.

Jesus’ promise to believers: “Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will deny before my Father who is in heaven.“

So, let us settle it in our hearts now: we should never forsake Him who saved us. With God’s help, we will never blaspheme or curse His precious, holy name.

(Yes, Peter did deny Jesus outside the high priest’s house, and Jesus predicted it. But oh, how he suffered remorse and fear for three days before Jesus met with him, forgave him, and then reinstated him before his brothers.)

.

.

Matthew 10:34-39.

This passage is hard to take in. A sword and not peace? Enemies in your own household?

Yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and faith in Him and His sacrificial death DOES bring peace with God. (John 14:27) But He does not guarantee peace within our families.

And more and more this is the case. Converting to Christ can strain family relationships here in the U.S. In other countries, it can mean converts are cast out from the family, considered dead, and can no longer return. Churches are burned, Christians are persecuted, even martyred for Christ’s sake.

Jesus is warning His followers then and now. How firm is our faith? How resolute are we to stand firm in our testimony? Has our heart truly been “converted?”

.

Being a Christian is no “walk in the park.” It doesn’t mean simply wearing a shirt or a necklace with a cross on it. It doesn’t mean just going to Church… even if we carry a Bible. It’s heart belief.

Then those very chilling but true words.

“Whoever loves father and mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me.”

“Whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

“And whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.“

Hard words to read. Hard words to take in. Do they turn you off? Do they make you say, “He is not worth it.”

Remember a few lessons ago, some wanted to follow Jesus, but turned back when the “following” meant sacrifice – of fortune, or even the assurance of a place to sleep at night.

I pray our hearts will remain steady and sure. Pray that they will!

,

,

Matthew 10:40-42.

After these stern, hard words, Jesus ends this preparation for ministry with some encouraging words.

Sometimes, when you take the Gospel message to a new place, they will receive you with joy and thanksgiving. They will open their hearts, homes, wallets, and refrigerators to you.

You will be a blessing!

And by blessing you, they will welcome Jesus.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/16): Matthew 10:1-20.

Oct16

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.” Matthew 10:19

.

.

REVIEW – As Jesus ministered in Capernaum, the crowd followed; people with illnesses were brought to Him, and seeing their faith… He healed them all. A few days before, Jesus had healed those demon-filled men in Gadara. In response to questions, He taught about His kingdom. It was almost as if He was giving His disciples an “example.”

At the end of yesterday’s reading, we saw a brief summary of His work. 1) He went throughout all the cities and villages, 2) teaching and proclaiming the Gospel of His kingdom, and 3) healing every disease and affliction. He saw the people as sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them.

Then, He spoke specifically to His disciples. 1) The harvest is great, 2) the laborers are few. 3. Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest. And in today’s reading, Jesus does just THAT.

.

.

Matthew 10:1-5a.

Jesus now specifically calls twelve men from the many who are still faithfully following Him to be His Apostles (sent-out ones). He gives them divine authority to do the very things He has been doing, because this will be their work after He is gone – to spread the Gospel, followed by signs and wonders as proof of their apostleship.

They will have authority over DEMONS, and power to HEAL every disease and affliction. (If you read through Acts, you will see this happening too.) At the end of today’s passage, you will see that they will have the Holy Spirit’s help in WHAT to say and HOW to say it.

See how Matthew lists the disciples in pairs. Did Jesus send them out this way? (If so, it’s very interesting to consider who went with whom.) Or was this simply an easier way to memorize their names?

  • Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,
  • James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother,
  • Philip and Bartholomew,
  • Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector,
  • James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus,
  • Simon the Zealot. and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

.

.

Matthew 10:5-15

Jesus sent these men out FIRST to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Even later, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, went to Jews first, then the rest of the world.

They were FIRST to preach that the kingdom had come (in Jesus). They were to HEAL the sick, RAISE the dead, CLEANSE lepers, and CAST OUT demons to verify their message. And they were to go only where the message was accepted. They were not to receive pay, only ‘room and board.’ If the people rejected their message, they were to abandon that work and go on to another.

.

.

Matthew 10:16-20.

This warning and challenge from Jesus will stretch far beyond the days in which He spoke them, into the time after the Church’s birth at Pentecost, and even into our day.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves … so, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.”

And then comes the encouragement and promise.

“WHEN they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

That was probably more than what they wanted to hear as they set out in pairs for the towns in Galilee. But certainly, as these men later scattered throughout the then-known world (and were martyred for their Lord), they would remember Jesus’ words and stand with faith and courage.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/15): Matthew 9:18-38.

Oct15

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Do you believe that I am able to do this? ” Matthew 9:28b

.

.

REVIEW – Jesus healing a paralytic was amazing, but when He said the man’s sins were forgiven, it raised the ire of the watching religious leaders. They said it was blasphemy, because only God could forgive sins. (Well, duh!)

Jesus’ call to Matthew, a tax collector for Rome, brought even more ire, especially when Jesus had dinner with a bunch of Matthew’s friends.

And lastly, the question of fasting caused contention. Jesus had already covered fasting in His sermon, so He said His disciples would fast (later). Then, in a couple word pictures, Jesus compared their old, stiff and dried out “rabbinic standards” of religion that the Jews were trying to keep in their own strength, to the fresh, clean, joy-filled path of faith which He taught.

.

.

Matthew 9:18-26.

As Jesus was teaching, a man (named Jairus) who was a ruler in the synagogue, rushed to Jesus with an epic emergency. His daughter had just died (or was VERY close to death as Mark and Luke tell it). He begged Jesus to come immediately and heal/raise her. He was desperate!

Jesus got up and followed him. so did His disciples and the crowd of needy people. Suddenly Jesus stopped and looked around, and Jairus’ anxiety rose a notch. What was Jesus doing!! His daughter..!

It was just a tired-looking woman, who had kneeled to touch the fringe of Jesus’ prayer shawl. But Jesus spoke to her. “Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.”

What? That haggard woman a “daughter”? What of HIS daughter? ” Jairus must have silently wailed! After a minute or two longer speaking quietly with the woman,

Jesus finally turned and signaled to Jairus to walk on. It wasn’t far now, and when Jesus came to the house, He pushed aside the professioal weepers. “Go away, the girl is not deadd but sleeping.”

They laughed at Him, but He went inside anyway and took the daughter by the hand. The little girl got up alive (and hungry, Luke says).

.

.

Matthew 9:27-31.

As Jesus walked from there, two blind men approached Him, calling aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Blind men. Calling for mercy from the Messiah, for that’s what the title ‘Son of David’ meant. They could only have heard about Him, His miracles, His teaching, but they (among so many unbelievers) recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. And to Him they pled for mercy.

When Jesus went inside (probably Peter’s home, where His headquarters were, the two men came too, guided by the disciples possibly.

Jesus said, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They answered, “Yes Lord.“

The couldn’t seem but I think a big smile of joy appeared on Jesus’ face and he said, “According to your faith be it done to youl”

And just like that (with no mud or spit) blind eyes could see!

Don’t go spreading the news of this miracle!” Jesus cautioned them. Already the massive crowd prevented Him from moving about as He liked.

But… they went away and spread His fame through all that land. Wouldn’t YOU?

.

.

Matthew 9:32-38.

When He left the house, a demon possessed man was brought to Jesus. The demons had made him mute, but when Jesus cast them out, the man was able to speak again. The crowds went wild! “NEVER have we seen anything like this in Israel!”

But the Pharisee stood in the corner of two buildings, arms crossed over their chests, refusing to to glad or excited by the man’s release. “He casts out demons by the prince of demons!”

.

Probably glad to get out of Capernaum for a while, Jesus and his men went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every affliction.

When He saw the crowds He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless … like sheep with out a shepherd … surrounded by wolves.

.

He said softly to His disciples around Him. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laberers are few, therefore PRAY EARNESTLY to the Lord of the harvest to send out laboreres into His harvest.”

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/14): Matthew 9:1-17.

Oct14

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13b

.

.

REVIEW – As Jesus left the crowd to sail across the Sea, two men ran up and pledged to follow Him. But they were soon found to be all talk and no commitment. On the SE shore of Galilee, Jesus found two more men, desperately consumed by demons who were tearing them apart. Jesus freed them from their possession, and they spread the news of Jesus’ work throughout their land. Two men on opposite ends of Jesus’ journey, so different in their background, current life & possessions, and dedication to Him.

.

.

Matthew 9:1-8.

Back across the Sea, Jesus entered Capernaum again, and immediately some people brought a paralytic to him. When Jesus saw THEIR faith, He turned to the man on the bed. Seeing his deepest need, Jesus spoke aloud, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

How did the paralyzed man react to this inner cleansing? We’ll never know, because right then some religious leaders stepped forward and accused Jesus. ‘This man is blaspheming!”

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do YOU think evil in your hearts? Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Rise and walk’? “But that you may know that the Son of Man has AUTHORITY on earth to forgive sins…” And here Jesus turned to the cripple and said, “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

And the no-longer-paralyzed man got up and went home (healed and forgiven!). When the crowds saw this (no mention of the religious leaders’ reactions), they were afraid and GLORIFIED GOD, who had given men such authority

The religious leaders thought they had no sin; they practiced a righteousness far beyond what God asked… at least in their own eyes. Jesus had not come for such men (or women) as these. They were the kind of pompous men who had already “received their reward.”

No, Jesus had come to save those who recognized their sin and helplessness, personified in the paralytic whose sin tormented his mind. Their seeking Him and their faith received a “reward” from Jesus: forgiveness of sin and relief from their body’s pain.

Who went away from this scene rejoicing, do you think?

.

.

Matthew 9:9-18.

Then, just like that, Jesus walked past the Roman tax booth where Matthew sat, stylus and scroll in hand. Had HE witnessed the paralyzed man healed and forgiven? Was his heart also wretched with sin, with betrayal of his people and his God? Did his eyes meet Jesus’ as the Son of God approached? Were Jesus’ words filled with tender compassion?

“Follow me,” Jesus said.

And Matthew rose (left all) and followed Him. (Just like the fishermen before him.)

.

Like another tax collector saved by the Lord Jesus (Zaccheus), Matthew held a dinner party to honor his new Master and invited all his tax-collector friends. “Listen to this man! Hear his healing words! He has come from heaven for men like us! He will forgive!”

What a joyous dinner!

But outside, some grumbled. They were the very ones who griped at the paralytic’s forgiveness. “Why does this man eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (They might have smelled that good lamb roasting and the garlic-onion-lentils … and were a bit jealous.)

Jesus heard and answered them with a couple sayings of the day. “‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, only those who are sick.’ Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the “righteous”, but sinners.”

Did they read up on what the ancient Rabbis had said, or did they simply disregard everything but their own disdain of this simple Teacher from Nazareth?

.

.

Matthew 9:14-17.

Another accusatory question, this time from John the Baptist’s disciples. “Why do WE and the Pharisees fast, but YOUR disciples do not fast?” (First of all, why were John’s disciples partnering with the uber-strict Jewish leaders? John had once called these self-righteous men “a nest of vipers!’)

All Jews were required by God to fast ONCE PER YEAR, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). That’s it, barring a national emergency.

Over the years, tradition and rabbinic law added 5 or 6 more to commemorate tragedies like the destruction of the Temple and exile to Babylon, etc. The Pharisees fasted ONCE OR TWICE PER WEEK to “parade” their piety. God NEVER asked for this.

(Now there is nothing wrong with your fasting and praying for special reasons in your own life. Do this in private and as unto God. Matthew 6:16-18)

.

Jesus answered them with three illustrations they would recognize. (But would they understand?)

1. No guest fasts as long as “the Bridegroom” is with them. (Jesus). But when the Bridegroom is “taken away from them,” then they will fast (and mourn). Jesus is hinting at his own execution.

2. Again, take a favorite old robe with a big rip in it. (The Pharisee’s old way of striving to please God by works.) You don’t stitch a new piece of material to it. Everyone knows that wool shrinks at the first few washes. The old garment is dormant, but the new piece will shrink and tear the robe even more.

The Pharisee’s old way of striving to please God by works must give way to the new, living way of faith that Jesus teaches.

3. The new wine, which expands as it ferments, will not work in an old, stiff wineskin, but will tear it so it cannot hold the precious drink of joy. New wineskins (a new way of faith) are needed to hold the new “saved by faith alone” teachings Jesus brings.

.

Now whether they understood these illustrations is debatable. Some might see that Jesus was showing them a new way, prophesied by the prophets of old … and follow Him. Most will have their thinking confused, and their anger magnified.

.

.

.

.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/13): Matthew 8:18-34.

Oct13

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Teacher, I will follow you wherever You go.” Matthew 8:19.

.

.

REVIEW –

The Sermon on the Mount revealed that no one could enter into Jesus’ kingdom of heaven by being “good” or doing “good works.” All of them (and we) are sinners, and no matter our attempts and desires to live righteous lives, we can’t. Not even the uber-pious religious leaders could. There must be another way. The desperate leper and the important Centurion pointed to it. It is by faith in Jesus.

.

.

Matthew 8: 18-22.

From His descent down the mountain until late that night, Jesus had been non-stop meeting the needs of the sick, disabled, and demon-possessed, with only a short meal break that Peter’s mother-in-law made.

Early the next morning, Jesus hoped to escape the crowd for some quiet time with His disciples and headed to the boatyard with them. But the masses followed him, with outstretched hands and loud pleas. As Jesus stepped into one of the boats (possibly Zebedee’s), a man called out.

“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Perhaps the man even followed them toward the boat. But Jesus stopped and said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Whoa! The man must have hesitated and thought about that. Did he really want to give up his nice home on the hill beside the Sea, with the wonderful view? Did he want to give up his daily meals and nightly bed? Um… nope. He turned back.

Jesus hesitated again when another man ran up and said to Him, “Let me first go and bury my father!”

“Follow me … and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Wow, that sounds harsh. But in this case, the man’s father wasn’t even dead yet. He probably was still in good health. What the phrase “bury my father” meant was that the man wanted to go home and make sure he got his inheritance when his father did die. THEN, with his inheritance settled, he’d go find Jesus… Or maybe not.

Jesus was asking which was more important to the man. His “stuff” or Himself.

.

.

Matthew 8:23-27.

Jesus finally climbed into the boat with the others, and maybe John and James pushed off before jumping in too. They began rowing out of the harbor into the blue Sea of Galilee. The peace and quietness was wonderful.

Maybe Jesus commented on the things He’d just said to the would-be followers. Maybe He commended these men for leaving “all” to follow Him.

Eventually, Jesus’ exhaustion took over, and He lay down on the bench at the back of the boat. The men rowed on, talking in low voices so as not to disturb Him.

.

And then the storm arrived. That deceptive Sea!! A bit of wind and then a gale. A ruffle on the water, and then it was pouring over the sides. They rowed hard and bucketed out the Sea. And the Sea began to win!!

“SAVE US, LORD! WE ARE PERISHING!” they screamed over the noise of wind and water.

Jesus woke up. (By their calls, not by the storm.)

As the wind whipped His hair and robe, and the water drenched Him, He called, “Why are you afraid, O ye of little faith?”

Then He turned and spoke to His creation, perhaps scolding it as He would a child. “Stop it, now!” Instant obedience. “Yes, Master.” And there was a great calm.

Of course the disciples were “totally wowed!” “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?”

They were about to learn a bit more about the power in His Words.

.

.

Matthew 8:28-34.

Eventually they pulled ashore in the country of the Gadarenes, at the South-Eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. The people of Gadara were Greek-influenced Gentiles (hence the pigs, later). The land in that area was mountainous and came sharply down to the sea. Archaeologists have found several graveyards there.

They had barely had time to pull the boat onto the land and secure it when a pair of demon-crazed men came running and screaming towards them out of the tombs.

WHOA!! The disciples probably wanted nothing more than to get back into the boat and push away… facing a storm rather than these crazies!!

(NOTE: Mark and Luke mentioned only one demoniac. He was probably more aggressive than the other.)

Jesus stood firm. He was the Son of God; who or what did He fear? The super-aggressive demoniac slid to a stop bare inches from Jesus, squirming and contorting and growling.

Finally he shouted, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

He writhed and twisted but finally screamed out, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”

“GO!” said the Lord of the Universe.

The Legion of demons (between 4,000 and 6,000) left the tortured men, clamored into the pigs, and promptly drove them down the steep hill and into the deep end of the Sea.

The disciples stood aghast, the boat’s rope still in their hands.

The herdsmen yelled with fear, threw down their staffs, and fled into the city, returning with a crowd. The crowd had heard all that Jesus had done from the shepherds, ESPECIALLY what happened to the demon-possessed men.

They begged Jesus to — no, not to stay and teach & heal them — but to LEAVE!

And so He did, returning to Capernaum. (Matt. 9:1)

.

Jesus had come all that way to minister to two men. Just two. But in the other Gospel accounts, we know that the miracle was both seen and told throughout the region by those two. TWO devil-possessed men, converted by the power of Jesus’ word, evangelized a REGION. (Read Mark 5:18-22)

Compare these two men with the wannabe followers who had earlier turned back. (Vss.19-22)

.

.

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/12): Matthew 8:1-17.

Oct12

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Truly I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such FAITH.” Matthew 8:10

.

.

REVIEW – We finished the Sermon on the Mount, and saw Jesus preach all the way from the “blesseds” to ‘I never knew you: depart from me, you workers of iniquity.’ Jesus reasoned in such a way that astonished the people. He taught them as one with authority. (Which He had, as God.) He taught that to enter His kingdom, they had to be perfect! Or….

.

.

Matthew 8:1-4.

As Jesus came down from the mount, a great crowd followed Him. But I bet they split away at once when they saw a leper approaching.

YIKES! Let me out of here! They ducked and pushed away, fearing contact with even just a thread of the contagious man’s rags. The most feared disease, and here he was, RIGHT THERE!! What would the Master do?

Well, He didn’t flinch. Even as the man came right up to Him and knealt down. “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”

Notice the words. Not, if You CAN. No, this man had faith in Jesus’ ability. He knew this righteous man was perfectly able to cure his leprosy. No doubt.

But WOULD He? Would Jesus have compassion on this … leper? The very disease that pictured the grossness of SIN in the Bible. This man wanted to be cleansed. He knew Jesus could. He came in FAITH.

AND JESUS STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND AND TOUCHED HIM…

The Holy Son of God TOUCHED this leperous man. (It pictured Jesus stretched out on that cross, vulnerable, enduring the SIN’s contagion of all of mankind. Willingly.)

Did the crowd, standing afar, gasp? Did their eyes bulge? Did they cover their opened mouths with their hands in horror?

But up close, Jesus answered the man. “I will. Be clean.” And instead of disease being transferred to Jesus, health and cleanness flowed into the man. Before his eyes (and those of the crowd), the white patches disappeared; the missing digits, ears, and nose were reformed, until the man was whole.

Stunned silence from the crowd.

“See that you say nothing to anyone,” cautioned Jesus, “but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” (The priest would inspect him, accept the offering, and declare the man clean.)

.

.

Matthew 8:5-13.

From there, Jesus and the massive crowd entered the town. A Roman Centurion came to Jesus with a request. He had a paralyzed servant at home, suffering terribly. In FAITH, he simply stated his need.

Now, normally, this Roman soldier would have been hated and avoided by the Jews, much like the leper. But THIS Centurion loved the Jews (Luke’s gospel tells us), and he had even built the beautiful synagogue in Capernaum for them. But this gave him no “worth” in his own eyes.

When Jesus said He would come to the Centurion’s house to heal the servant, the man said, “No, he was not worthy.” He recognized Jesus’ authority. He stated he was a man with authority too, and when he told soldiers to do something, they obeyed. He said to Jesus, “Only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

SUCH FAITH!

Jesus marveled at it. He told the crowd, “With no one in Israel have I found such faith.”

Then Jesus paused to give them a mini “fire and brimstone” sermon. “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven … while the “sons of the kingdom” will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!”

(And what was the difference? Faith in Him.)

Then Jesus said to the Centurion, “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed.” And it was.

.

.

Matthew 8:14-17.

I’m sure, for a respite from the “maddening crowd,” Jesus slipped into Peter’s house. He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a ferocious fever. He touched her. The fever left. She got up and prepared a meal for them all. Wow! That evening, the people brought many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast them out with a word. He healed all who were sick.

.

Matthew recalls and points his readers to Isaiah 53:4-5: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” Isaiah was prophesying the time when Jesus was crucified, bearing the guilt and curse of sin on the cross.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/12): SPECIAL. (Regular study follows)

Oct12

SPECIAL recap and thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount before today’s Reading in Matthew 8 (next blog post).

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“For I tell you, ‘unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’.” Matthew 5:20.

.

At first glance, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount seems like living a “good” life with all the blessings that follow. In fact, Jesus’ first words were “Blessed are…” Then He looks at the crowds and says, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.” Later, He assures them that their Father knows all their needs and will supply them.

Jesus’ kingdom sounds pretty nice. Let’s all join!

But look deeper. Jesus says the “blessed ones” are only those who humble themselves, mourn for their sin, seek God and His righteousness, are merciful and peacemakers. And especially, they are ‘pure in heart‘.

Salt may be diluted with the dirt around it and become useless. Light can be hidden.

.

HIS kingdom people must not only avoid murder, adultery, flippant divorce, and casual oaths. No, they must not be angry with a brother, or even call him a derogatory name. They must not look on a woman with lust in their hearts. They must hold marriage sacred, as well as the oaths they make. And Kingdom people must LOVE both their friends AND their enemies, even to the point of graciously praying for them.

.

Jesus says they must be PERFECT, even as their heavenly Father is perfect. PERFECT!!!

They must not be like the Pharisees and “practice their righteousness before others.” NO! If they want to enter the kingdom of heaven, their righteousness must EXCEED that of the religious leaders who make a show of following the ‘letter’ of the law but miss its heart altogether.

.

Those who desire to enter Jesus’ kingdom must have their treasures and their hearts in heaven. They must FIRST seek God and HIS righteousness.

They must not be hypocritical in their love and service to others; they must be humble.

They must be givers. They must trust God for everything. They must do only good to others. They must enter at the narrow gate and walk the hard way.

.

Then Jesus cautions the people sternly. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” “On that day, I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me.'”

From blessed to outcast. Why?

.

.

This is the Gospel.

God is holy. He cannot look on sin. (Jesus was born of a virgin, was identified by God as “His Beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased,” and did not sin with any temptation the devil threw at Him.) Jesus is sinless, holy, and God.

But humans from the Garden of Eden are sinful. It’s our nature.

God pronounced a death sentence on sin, so we are doomed without a savior, because there is NO WAY we can be perfect. See Romans 5:23 (For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God).

God allowed Israel to substitute an animal for that death. If they killed a lamb, goat, pigeon, or bull and presented the blood to God, He would “overlook” their sin. The blood represented the creature’s life. But it was temporary.

God promised a Savior who would take away the sin of the world. That Savior was to be Jesus. He would be killed, like that sacrificial animal bearing our sins, and lifted up on a cross, there to be forsaken by God. Why? Because Jesus represented all the sin of every person who would believe on Him through the ages. HE, the sinless Lamb, became sin for us. (2 Cor. 5:21) And God looked away.

But God also ACCEPTED this sacrifice as the atonement for our sins. And He proved His pleasure in the work of His Son, Jesus, by raising Him from the dead and later welcoming Him back into Heaven and onto His throne.

.

This is the Gospel. Holiness. Death. Faith. Atonement/forgiveness, Eternal Life.

.

In studying John, we saw repeatedly that anyone who came to Jesus in faith would not be lost, and He would raise them up (resurrection) on the last day.

.

.

Soooo, what has this to do with the Sermon on the Mount?

The sermon proves to Jesus’ followers that THEY cannot save themselves in any way.

The standard is PERFECTION; their righteousness had to be GREATER than the Pharisees’. Impossible to do by themselves. They needed a Savior. And they needed to BELIEVE in Him.

NEXT… we will see that the first thing Jesus does when He finishes the Sermon and comes down from the mount is highlight two individuals who exhibited FAITH.

Without FAITH, it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6.

For by grace you have been saved through FAITH. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works. Ephesians 2:8-9.

For with the heart one BELIEVES and is justified… Romans 10:9a.

Therefore, since we have been justified by FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1.

.

.

So, to sum up. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount showed Israel their sin and their hopelessness before a holy God. Then He would show Himself as “the Way.” (Nobody comes to God except through Jesus and His death.)

People could believe on Jesus before the cross. They would have to see their need as a hopeless sinner, and Jesus as the Way.

Later Jesus would tell them that He was the Good Shepherd and would “lay down His life for them.” He would also tell them that “No one TAKES my life. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back up again.”

And several times, Jesus told His close followers that in Jerusalem He would be tortured and killed, but He would be raised on the third day.

.

.

Read and Believe in Jesus.

.