#Matthew20 - Grace in the Vineyard

Click here to read Matthew 20:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

This parable Jesus tells is an incredible picture of God's grace. Why? Because our world is SOOOO bent on earning and getting what we deserve. I'm sure when the workers all took a look at their pay at day's end, they all had different reactions. We don't see it, but I bet the ones who were hired late in the day were very grateful, as the pay was probably much more than they deserved. But the ones who had worked the longest felt liked they deserved more in comparison. When in fact, not only was the landowner fair in that he held up his end of the bargain, he was generous enough to hire them in the first place. He could have left them to fend for themselves. This is an incredible picture of God's grace. For Jews, this was a way for Jesus to help them see that God was full of grace to call the Jewish nation into a relationship with himself, but he was also going to be gracious to Gentiles in these later days, and give to them out of his goodness.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

In verses 20-28, we here that James and John have requested to sit at Jesus's right and left hand in his kingdom. Jesus replies by explaining that his kingdom is not a normal kingdom. Whoever wants to be great should become a servant. This reminded me of when Jesus washed his disciples feet in the upper room in John 13. He showed the disciples what this meant and proved it with his own actions.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I was thinking about the parable again, and how if Jesus were to tell that parable to a group of Christians today, he probably wouldn't change anything. I think there are many Christians who go through life, faithful in their relationship with God, faithful in their church attendance and involvement, and faithful to serving others. But it's still really easy to look at someone who has lived a life full of sin, rebellion, reckless abandon, etc. but later in life comes to know Jesus Christ as Savior of their lives, and feel anger at God for letting them have the full blessing of salvation and grace and eternal life. Kind of like a modern day Jonah reaction. He was waiting for the fire from heaven to burn down on Ninevah, but God had given them another chance when they repented. I have to be careful of that, and rejoice instead when anyone turns to make Jesus the Lord of their life.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

There are many times when Jesus speaks in parables so that it is hard even for the disciples to understand him. There are other times where he speaks almost in riddles. But in verse 17-19, Jesus tells the disciples EXACTLY what is about to happen. "Hey guys, so I'm going to be handed over to the religious leaders, mocked, tried, and crucified. But I will be raised to life on the third day." That is as clear as it gets. My question is, "WHERE WERE THE DISCIPLES ON THE THIRD DAY?" None of them were sitting around waiting for Jesus's resurrection. Mary and other women went to the tomb, but they were expecting a dead body. Was no one paying attention? Maybe they had their iPod headphones in and missed that part. I'm glad the disciples were really dense most of the time because then I don't feel quite so bad, like there's hope for me too. :)

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.agnusday.org/strips/Matthew20v01to16_2011.jpg

#Matthew19 - God's Plan for Marriage

Click here to read Matthew 19:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

The chapter opens up with some Pharisees asking Jesus about divorce. Divorce is a touchy subject today, because it affects a lot of people and becomes very personal very quickly. But what I observed in this passage is that Jesus doesn't just address divorce, he basically reveals God's best plan for marriage. In verses 5-6, Jesus reiterates what God declared all the way back in Genesis about marriage, that it was designed to be between one man and one woman, for life. Anything outside of that design (divorce, adultery, homosexuality, other sexual immorality) is not approved by God. There is no place in the Bible where God speaks favorably of any of these other actions or behaviors. And every time God talks about marriage in Scripture, it says, "husband and wife," or "man and wife."

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Jesus also talks about divorce and adultery in Matthew 5:27-32. He uses almost the same language. And what is notable is that many people read this part about divorce thinking Jesus allows it or even blesses it in the case of sexual immorality or unfaithfulness. When I read it, I don't think he is saying it's somehow "okay" under these circumstances, I just read it to mean that under these circumstances, you are not making your spouse a victim of adultery because they have already committed it. I don't think Jesus ever says divorce is okay.

3. What does this mean for my life?

PLEASE DON'T MISS THIS. It would be really easy to read the first two sections and think that I am standing in judgment over people who are divorced as if God hates them. NO. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), but he never stops loving divorced people. Are there second chances for divorced people? ABSOLUTELY. Just like I get second and third chances when I stumble in sin and repent. Is divorce unforgivable? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It is in no way my intent to condemn divorced people, but rather to point out my observations in this passage about God's design and ultimate hope for marriage. I need to remember that for all people, that we are all sinners saved only by grace through faith in Christ. Christians are simply believers who are being transformed into Christ's image daily through the renewal of the Holy Spirit.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

The story of the rich young man is actually kind of puzzling to me. When he honestly asks Jesus what good thing must I do to get eternal life, why didn't Jesus just say, "There's nothing good you can do to earn this, you must simply repent of your sins and believe in me?" Why did Jesus answer him by telling him to obey the commandments? Why did he say he had to sell everything he had? I realize that on some level he was pointing out his deepest sin, which seems to be putting all his trust in his wealth. But there's no follow up. The answer to the man's question from Jesus is, "Sell everything and give it to the poor." Weird. Then there's the challenge of applying this to us. Is every Christian really supposed to sell everything that we have and then give it to the poor? Or is it just for "wealthy people" which would describe a great majority of American Christians (myself included) when compared to the rest of the world. I don't know it's just a weird one.

I'd love to hear some thoughts. Oh, and speaking of marriage, there is a great marriage retreat coming up Feb. 13-15 at Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp which is using the DVD series of "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" by Mark Gungor. CLICK HERE for more info.

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.truthdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/I-DO-Marriage-Series.jpg

#Matthew18 - The Power of Forgiveness

Click here to read Matthew 18:

1. What stood out to you from this chapter?

I noticed a theme in this chapter, two really that caught my attention. The first is sin. Jesus gives a stern warning for anyone who causes a little one to stumble, and uses a hyperbole to illustrate the gravity of sin. (Verses 8 and 9 are also pretty convincing verses that there is a real hell, and it is eternal, and it is fire. Some say that hell is just not living forever, or that it's not painful, it's just drab. But that is not how Jesus describes it here.) But the chapter sort of transitions in that it still talks about sin in the form of a wandering sheep, a debt that can't be repaid, and a hurt relationship. However now Jesus lingers on the need for forgiveness and restoration. The shepherd seeks out the lost sheep and returns it to the fold, the one believer points out the others sin in love and for the purpose of restoration, and the master forgives the servant a great debt.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Jesus words and warnings in verses 8-9 echo, almost repeat word for word, his warnings in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, especially verses 27-30.

Also, the story of the wandering sheep can be found again in Luke 15 as the "Lost Sheep". It is right next to the "Lost Coin" and the "Lost (Prodigal) Son" parable.

3. What does this mean for my life?

When Peter asks Jesus how many times he is supposed to forgive someone, Peter thinks he's aiming high and sounding really righteous when he says, "Up to Seven?" Apparently that was way more than was taught at the time. Jesus answer blows up the glass ceiling of forgiveness when he answers "seventy-seven times," or "seventy times seven." I don't think Jesus means for us to keep track all the way that high. In his culture, (because of Scripture), seven held a meaning of completeness. Multiples of ten, like a hundred, or a thousand, could mean "more than you can count." So when Jesus multiplies 7 times 10 times 7, no matter what the translation it means "more times than you could count. Long story short, this is convicting to me to be quick to forgive. Even if it's not the first time, or the 489th. :)

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

After reading the parable of the unforgiving servant, the last verse is really a shocker. It sounds pretty harsh. My question is, "How do I interpret this last verse truthfully and faithfully to Scripture?" It would be easy to water it down to something like, "So it's important to forgive others, because God loves us." But is unforgiveness in our heart like an unforgivable sin? I don't know. I tend to start interpreting verses as quite literal until other Scripture paints a different picture.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter.

In Christ,
Dan

image from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKUJ08JSb69ejwKwVycJdTN1leXG9xJ6ohHZizDVVKhDag0fOfYt8uWbKkZV3B7Mc494u1kI2K4brausXZO1L8jj324jSPApQXr72ezLvw5IQa9eqvX9WNMrj9XgwnQxoZ_jZ8nHATN4/s1600/seventy-times-seven.jpg