Scripture:
Matthew 19:16-22 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Rich Young Ruler
16 Just then someone came up and asked Him, (A) "Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?" (B)
17 "Why do you ask Me about what is good?" [a] He said to him. "There is only One who is good. [b] If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." (C)
18 "Which ones?" he asked Him.
Jesus answered,
Do not murder;
do not commit adultery;
do not steal;
do not bear false witness; (D)
19 honor your father and your mother;
and love your neighbor as yourself. (E) (F)
20 "I have kept all these," [c] the young man told Him. "What do I still lack?"
21 "If you want to be perfect," [d] Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, (G) and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."
22 When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.
Footnotes:
Matthew 19:17 Other mss read Why do you call Me good?
Matthew 19:17 Other mss read No one is good but One&md;God
Matthew 19:20 Other mss add from my youth
Matthew 19:21 Or complete
Cross references:
Matthew 19:16 : Mk 10:17-30; Lk 10:25-28; 18:18-30;
Matthew 19:16 : Mk 10:17; Jn 12:25; Ac 13:48;
Matthew 19:17 : Lv 18:5; Neh 9:29; Ezk 20:21;
Matthew 19:18 : Ex 20:13-16; Dt 5:17-20;
Matthew 19:19 : Ex 20:12; Lv 19:18; Dt 5:16; Mt 5:43; 22:39; Gl 5:14; Jms 2:8;
Matthew 19:19 : Ex 20:12-16; Dt 5:16-20; Lv 19:18;
Matthew 19:21 : Lk 12:33; 16:9; Ac 2:45; 4:35; 1Tm 6:18;
Reflection:
What gives hope and satisfaction to our desire for happiness and security? A young man who had the best the world could offer -- wealth and security -- came to Jesus because he lacked one thing. He wanted the kind of lasting peace and happiness which money could not buy him. The answer he got, however, was not what he was looking for. He protested that he kept all the commandments; but Jesus spoke to the trouble in his heart. One thing kept him from giving himself whole-heartedly to God. While he lacked nothing in material goods, he was nonetheless possessive of what he had. He placed his hope and security in what he possessed. So when Jesus challenged him to make God his one true possession and treasure, he became dismayed. Why did he go away from Jesus with sadness rather than with joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy! See Jesus' parable about the treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 13:44). Selling all that we have could mean many different things--our friends, our job, our "style" of life, what we do with our free time. Jesus challenged the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others for fear that he would lose what he had gained. Those who are generous towards God and others find that they cannot outgive God in generosity. God blesses us with spiritual goods that far outweigh the fleeting joys of material goods. He alone can satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our heart. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking true joy with Jesus?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, you alone can satisfy the deepest longing in my heart. No other treasure can compare with you. Keep me free from being possessive or discontented and give me joy in having you alone as my Treasure and my Portion.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Daily Word - Heaven Is Made Up Of People Like This - Matthew 19:13-15
Scripture:
Matthew 19:13-15 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Blessing the Children
13 Then children were brought to Him so He might put His hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them. (A) 14 Then Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and don't try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this." (B) [a] 15 After putting His hands on them, He went on from there.
Footnotes:
Matthew 19:14 Lit heaven is of such ones
Cross references:
Matthew 19:13 : Mk 10:13-16; Lk 18:15-17;
Matthew 19:14 : Mt 18:3; 1Pt 2:2;
Reflection:
Do you seek to help others draw near to the Lord? The parents who brought their children to Jesus wanted Jesus to lay his hands upon them. They knew of the healing power, both physical and spiritual, which came from Jesus' touch. Jesus, in turn, rebuked his disciples for hindering the children from coming. No doubt the disciples wanted to shield Jesus from the nuisance of noisy children. But Jesus delighted in the children and demonstrated that God's love has ample room for everyone, including children. No one is unimportant to God. He comes to each person individually that he might touch them with his healing love and power. Do you show kindness to the youth you encounter in your neighborhood, home, and church and do you pray for them that they may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, may we never hinder our youth from coming to you to receive your blessing and healing power. Make our youth strong in faith and character that they may follow you zealously. And as we grow with age, may we never lose that child-like simplicity and humility which draws us into your loving presence.
Matthew 19:13-15 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Blessing the Children
13 Then children were brought to Him so He might put His hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them. (A) 14 Then Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and don't try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this." (B) [a] 15 After putting His hands on them, He went on from there.
Footnotes:
Matthew 19:14 Lit heaven is of such ones
Cross references:
Matthew 19:13 : Mk 10:13-16; Lk 18:15-17;
Matthew 19:14 : Mt 18:3; 1Pt 2:2;
Reflection:
Do you seek to help others draw near to the Lord? The parents who brought their children to Jesus wanted Jesus to lay his hands upon them. They knew of the healing power, both physical and spiritual, which came from Jesus' touch. Jesus, in turn, rebuked his disciples for hindering the children from coming. No doubt the disciples wanted to shield Jesus from the nuisance of noisy children. But Jesus delighted in the children and demonstrated that God's love has ample room for everyone, including children. No one is unimportant to God. He comes to each person individually that he might touch them with his healing love and power. Do you show kindness to the youth you encounter in your neighborhood, home, and church and do you pray for them that they may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, may we never hinder our youth from coming to you to receive your blessing and healing power. Make our youth strong in faith and character that they may follow you zealously. And as we grow with age, may we never lose that child-like simplicity and humility which draws us into your loving presence.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Daily Word - Divorce? - Matthew 19:1-12
Scripture:
Matthew 19:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Question of Divorce
Matthew 19
1 When Jesus had finished this instruction, (A) He departed from Galilee and went to the region of Judea across the Jordan. (B) 2 Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. (C) 3 Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?" (D)
4 "Haven't you read," He replied, "that He who created [a] them in the beginning made them male and female , (E) (F) 5 and He also said:
For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh ? (G) (H)
6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate."
7 "Why then," they asked Him, "did Moses command [us] to give divorce papers (I) and to send her away?"
8 He told them, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts. But it was not like that from the beginning. 9 And I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." (J) [b]
10 His disciples (K) said to Him, "If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it's better not to marry!"
11 But He told them, "Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those it has been given (L) to. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."
Footnotes:
Matthew 19:4 Other mss read made
Matthew 19:9 Other mss add Also whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; [Mt 5:32]
Cross references:
Matthew 19:1 : Mk 10:1-12;
Matthew 19:1 : Mt 7:28; Lk 9:51; Jn 10:40;
Matthew 19:2 : Mt 4:23; 12:15;
Matthew 19:3 : Mt 5:31; Jn 8:6;
Matthew 19:4 : Gn 1:27; 2:18; 5:2; Mt 21:16;
Matthew 19:4 : Gn 1:27; 5:2;
Matthew 19:5 : Gn 2:24; Mal 2:15; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31;
Matthew 19:5 : Gn 2:24;
Matthew 19:7 : Dt 24:1-4; Mt 5:31;
Matthew 19:9 : Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18;
Matthew 19:10 : Mt 10:1; 26:56; Mk 3:7; 16:20; Lk 6:13; Jn 12:16;
Matthew 19:11 : Mt 13:11; 1Co 7:7;
Reflection:
What is God's intention for our state in life, whether married or single? Jesus deals with the issue of divorce by taking his hearers back to the beginning of creation and to God's plan for the human race. In Genesis 2:23-24 we see God's intention and ideal that two people who marry should become so indissolubly one that they are one flesh. That ideal is found in the unbreakable union of Adam and Eve. They were created for each other and for no one else. They are the pattern and symbol for all who were to come. Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce as a concession in view of a lost ideal. Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state before those who are willing to accept his commands. Jesus, likewise sets the high ideal for those who freely renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Both marriage and celibacy are calls from God to live a consecrated life, that is to live as married couples or as singles who belong not to themselves but to God. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. He gives the grace and power to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do you seek Christ and his grace in your state of life?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus Christ, your call to holiness extends to all in every state of life. Sanctify our lives--as married couples and as singles--that we may live as men and women who are consecrated to you. Make us leaven in a society that disdains life-long marriage fidelity, chastity, and living single for the Lord.
Matthew 19:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Question of Divorce
Matthew 19
1 When Jesus had finished this instruction, (A) He departed from Galilee and went to the region of Judea across the Jordan. (B) 2 Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. (C) 3 Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?" (D)
4 "Haven't you read," He replied, "that He who created [a] them in the beginning made them male and female , (E) (F) 5 and He also said:
For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh ? (G) (H)
6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate."
7 "Why then," they asked Him, "did Moses command [us] to give divorce papers (I) and to send her away?"
8 He told them, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts. But it was not like that from the beginning. 9 And I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." (J) [b]
10 His disciples (K) said to Him, "If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it's better not to marry!"
11 But He told them, "Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those it has been given (L) to. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."
Footnotes:
Matthew 19:4 Other mss read made
Matthew 19:9 Other mss add Also whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; [Mt 5:32]
Cross references:
Matthew 19:1 : Mk 10:1-12;
Matthew 19:1 : Mt 7:28; Lk 9:51; Jn 10:40;
Matthew 19:2 : Mt 4:23; 12:15;
Matthew 19:3 : Mt 5:31; Jn 8:6;
Matthew 19:4 : Gn 1:27; 2:18; 5:2; Mt 21:16;
Matthew 19:4 : Gn 1:27; 5:2;
Matthew 19:5 : Gn 2:24; Mal 2:15; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31;
Matthew 19:5 : Gn 2:24;
Matthew 19:7 : Dt 24:1-4; Mt 5:31;
Matthew 19:9 : Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18;
Matthew 19:10 : Mt 10:1; 26:56; Mk 3:7; 16:20; Lk 6:13; Jn 12:16;
Matthew 19:11 : Mt 13:11; 1Co 7:7;
Reflection:
What is God's intention for our state in life, whether married or single? Jesus deals with the issue of divorce by taking his hearers back to the beginning of creation and to God's plan for the human race. In Genesis 2:23-24 we see God's intention and ideal that two people who marry should become so indissolubly one that they are one flesh. That ideal is found in the unbreakable union of Adam and Eve. They were created for each other and for no one else. They are the pattern and symbol for all who were to come. Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce as a concession in view of a lost ideal. Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state before those who are willing to accept his commands. Jesus, likewise sets the high ideal for those who freely renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Both marriage and celibacy are calls from God to live a consecrated life, that is to live as married couples or as singles who belong not to themselves but to God. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. He gives the grace and power to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do you seek Christ and his grace in your state of life?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus Christ, your call to holiness extends to all in every state of life. Sanctify our lives--as married couples and as singles--that we may live as men and women who are consecrated to you. Make us leaven in a society that disdains life-long marriage fidelity, chastity, and living single for the Lord.
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