Author: Chuck & Deb

Read Matthew 13.1-17

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13.10)

PROFOUND MYSTERIOUS SIMPLICITY

Remember in the third grade when you put a seed on a moist paper towel in a jar? After sealing it, you and your classmates put the jar on the windowsill. A few days later you began to understand the miracle of how plants grow. Jesus reminds us of that early lesson from grade school. For the casual listener, it may be so simplistic it’s paid no attention. But for those who know the Teacher, it is the beginning of a deeper understanding of life, spirituality, and communing with the Creator of all things. The hungry are left with a nagging curiosity that will only be quenched with the Master’s explanation. And He bids you, “Come, ask your questions and I will reveal to you the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

How are you mastering the art of asking questions of both God and man?

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Read Matthew 12.46-50

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12.50)

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

For the last eight years, we’ve had young soldiers and officers living in our home. Some may ask, “How can you do that? How do you have guests living in your home for days on end?” Well, we don’t consider these guys guests – they’re family. So now that they’re family, it sheds a different light on how we interact and how we prioritize our relationships. For Jesus, there was no tension between biological family and His spiritual family. He saw them all as family. He simply met the needs of each family member as He could, when it was appropriate. He also got help from the brothers and sisters to meet the needs where He couldn’t. Isn’t that how big families work?

How would a family of 12 function differently than a family of four? How does this relate to the spiritual family?

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Read Matthew 12.38-45

But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet…(Matthew 12.39)

SHOW ME YOUR BADGE

The off-duty policeman politely instructed the youth that there were signs posted and that they we loitering. One of the young men stepped forward and said, “What, are you a cop or something? Let me see your badge!” This is exactly the situation Jesus found Himself in when the Pharisees confronted Him. They demanded a sign of His authority and yet there were signs all around them. He had just healed two men. It wasn’t about miracles. Jesus had caught them using the Law to promote themselves and to manipulate the people. Their pride and envy had clouded the fact that they were wrong – whether Jesus had a “badge” or not. We ought to gladly obey the ways of the Kingdom, whether the King is present or not. By the way, the King is always present!

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Read Matthew 12.22-32

“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Matthew 12.30)

CHOOSE YOUR SIDE

Remember playing sandlot kickball, soccer, or baseball when you were a kid? Usually two captains are chosen (the cool guys) and then they pick their teammates, alternating between one captain and the other. After about five or six picks, you could tell which team was going to win and you would secretly pray that the winning captain would pick you. Spiritually, there are two captains: Jesus and Satan (one of them not so cool). And they‘re picking their teammates. But here’s where things are different. First, the Bible tells us which team is going to win. And second, you have a choice on which team you’re going to be on. Now some may say, “I don‘t want either team” or “I don ‘t want to play. By default, that person is automatically put on the losing team. I don‘t make the rules, I just publish them.

How are you helping others pick the winning Captain?

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Read Matthew 12.8-21

But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. (Matthew 12.14-15)

DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR

You can be right and you can be dead right. And when I say dead right, I mean just plain dead. There are some battles that just aren’t worth fighting. Jesus recognized the spiritual ambush that had been laid by the Pharisees. He spoke the truth but then very wisely disengaged from the conflict. Ultimately, He would die for the truth. But now wasn’t the right time. Sometimes we sacrifice relationships, our jobs, or even our lives when it isn’t necessary or prudent. Often, it’s because we had our feelings hurt or were too proud to let it go. A bruised ego is never a good reason to fall on your sword. Jesus was very right about the Sabbath: He’s Lord of the Sabbath. But He doesn’t let being right get in the way of His mission. He chooses His battles wisely.

Where could you win the battle and lose the war?

Read Matthew 12.1-8

“But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.” (Matthew 12.7)

GOING THE EXTRA MILE IN THE WRONG WAY

He told us it was against his religion to go bowling and he couldn‘t play football either. Wow, what a stretch! How do you go from following Jesus to no sports? It sounds like the making of a Pharisee doesn‘t it? This is an age-old mistake of going the extra mile in the wrong way. Legalism is the art of taking God‘s commands and adding additional requirements for the sake of personal piety and then inflicting these “addendums” on others. This is usually the result of a gross misunderstanding of God‘s intent of a particular command. We need to obey His commands but also be very careful not to burden ourselves or others beyond God‘s original intent.

Are there spiritual traditions you practice that you have unwittingly turned in to a “command of God?”

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Read Matthew 11.28-30

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11.29)

THE RIGHT CO-WORKER

I’ve worked with a lot of people over the years. It’s interesting how a co-worker can affect your attitude and productivity. Inevitably, you’ll find folks that make work both invigorating and fruitful. That’s a great combination! Jesus promises such a combination. He asks us to come to Him for rest by taking on His yoke. A yoke is an instrument where two animals are put together for the purpose of labor. It’s hard to combine rest and work unless you understand Who you are being yoked with. It’s Jesus! We become co-laborers with God! Imagine the power and joy we have if we‘re properly teamed with Him! Even the hardest tasks are made simple. Rest isn’t found in inactivity. Rest is found in working with the right person in the right way.

Are you co-laboring with Jesus?

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Read Matthew 11.20-27

Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. (Matthew 11.20)

If you force it, you break it

I ran my own chop shop for bicycles when I was a kid (another confession). That’s where I learned all my mechanical skills. Taking apart bikes and mixing and matching the parts to form “new” bikes. And one of the no no’s in mechanics is forcing things to fit. You’ll strip threads, snap off bolts, and ruin parts. Jesus didn’t force anyone to believe and repent. They saw His miracles, heard His messages but in the end many still didn’t believe. But for some, the message just fit. They received His message like a greased bracket spindle. So as you are sharing the gospel, don’t try to force it. You may have to work a bit but if you start using a hammer, it’s probably not going to fit. By the way, when I started following Jesus, I quit stealing bikes.

Where can you find people eager to hear the gospel?

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Read Matthew 11.7-19

“Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!” (Matthew 11.11)

TRUSTWORTHY MESSENGER

They told me I had just won a million dollars, but the only emotion I was feeling was anger! Why? Because the message came in the subject line of an e-mail and I hate spam. If a guy with balloons, flowers, and an oversized check showed up at my front door, then I would get a little excited. Believing the message really depends on who is delivering the message and how it’s delivered, isn’t it? Jesus affirms John the Baptist in both his message and as a messenger. Jesus said, up to that point, there was no one greater! John was a reliable source of information from God. We have been sent into the world with the same message. (John 17.18) Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Follow the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world! (Matthew 3.1-2, John 1.29,35-37)

Are you a trustworthy messenger in word and deed?

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