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Read Matthew 21.1-11

“When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11)

GUESS WHO

We used to play a game where we would come up behind someone and cover their eyes and say “guess who”. It was a game that was meant to surprise but to also bring obvious joy to the recipient as they recognized the voice of the other person. But every once in awhile, the recipient would guess wrong and it was kind of a letdown. The children of Israel had guessed wrong on their Messiah. “Who is this?” they asked. “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” What a letdown that must have been for God. Jesus wasn’t entering Jerusalem as a prophet, He was entering as the King. Who is Jesus in our lives? A teacher or prophet? Or do we proclaim and treat Him as Who He really is: the King of kings?

How do you treat Jesus as your King?

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Read Matthew 20.29-34

“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” (Matthew 20:34)

COMPASSION COMPARTMENT

I barely know her, but I constantly remember her in prayer. She’s been diagnosed with cancer once again and my heart aches for her. I’m normally not this moved by illnesses, but this one is special. This is the same kind of cancer my wife Deb had. Now, anytime I hear about it, I’m moved to compassion. When I think about it, that same feeling that grips me and causes my insides to twist is the same feeling Jesus had for people over and over again. From the blind men to hungry people, Jesus really cared. Makes me want to broaden my horizons in the compassion compartment.

How are you stretching yourself to be more compassionate?

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Read Matthew 20.20-28

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

LEAVING YOUR HIGH PLACE

In 1722, Count Zinzendorf financed a safe haven on his own property for those being persecuted for the faith. It turned into a small village with many of the new denominations. Unfortunately, it became a hotbed of strife. He and is family moved out of his plush mansion and into the village with the people and began to lead them by reconciling relationships. This act of servant leadership became the Moravian Missionary Movement* that lasted 150 years and sent 2158 missionaries around the world. They had a huge impact on men like William Cary (Father of Protestant Missions) and John Wesley (Founder of the Methodist movement). Zinzendorf led like Jesus: he left his high place and served the people.

How can you use your high place to serve others?

*Movements that Change the World, Steve Addison

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Read Matthew 20.17-19

“As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves…” (Matthew 20:17)

THE INNER CIRCLE

If you ask me to keep a secret, I’ll probably ask you if I can tell my wife. I don’t keep many secrets from Deb because we try to tell each other about everything that happens in life. That’s how close Jesus was to His disciples. He just had to pull them aside and give them the inside scoop on what was about to happen to Him for their sake and the glory of God. I know many of us have this kind of relationship with our spouse. But do we have it with men and woman we are discipling? Is there someone we feel compelled to let into the inner circle for the sake of protection, instruction, or rejoicing? It’s amazing how affirming this act of trust can be. If you’re looking to build a special relationship with a few disciples, let them into the inner circle of your life.

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Read Matthew 20.1-16

“When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us” (Matthew 20:11-12)

DO YOU WANT WHAT YOU DESERVE?

My son Wes had learned a crucial lesson in life. His Gameboy was taken away by his teacher and he wasn’t even playing with it in class like the other boys. When we asked him what he learned from the whole circumstance, he calmly replied, “Life isn’t fair.” Wow! Fifth grade is pretty early to be making that observation. Sometimes you’ll hear people demand justice or complain about not being treated fairly. One of the things we need to come to grips with is that grace is never fair or just. In fact, it’s counterintuitive for us — unless, of course, we personally need the mercy. It‘s God’s prerogative to extend His grace when and how He wishes. Can you imagine what our life and future would be like if we got what we deserved or if God was “fair”? That’s what makes grace so amazing!

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Read Matthew 19.27-30

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)

INVESTING WISELY

After I quoted a Scripture verse to answer his question he said, “I wish I could do that.” “Do what?” I replied. “I wish I could remember where Bible verses are and be able to answer peoples‘ questions like that.” I assured him, “Oh, but you can! It just takes a little time memorizing and you can do exactly what I did.” I could tell by his expression he wasn’t even remotely interested to do the work that it would take to make his wish a reality. There is reward for sacrifice and hard work. Jesus promises as much. It‘s true that God is very gracious and gives to us even what we don’t deserve. But He is also the “Great Multiplier.” See how He exponentially increases our small but important efforts. His ways are always a wise investment.

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Read Matthew 19.16-26

“And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

SAVE YOURSELF?

My son, Chuck, was recently in a firefight in Afghanistan. He told me how bullets kicked up dirt in front of and behind him. His tactics were sound, he was doing the right thing, and yet the enemies bullets still came that close. By the grace of God, he was spared. It only goes to show how impossible it is to completely protect ourselves from danger. The rich young ruler wanted to be saved but he was relying on his own ability. Until, of course, Jesus raised the bar. The standard was set so high that the young ruler was forced to acknowledge that he didn’t have it in him. We need to remember the same: we don’t have it in us. It‘s impossible for us to do enough to save ourselves. Ultimately, our fate rests in the grace of God. Only the mercy of Jesus and His work on the cross is powerful enough to do the impossible.

How does knowing you can’t do enough to earn your salvation effect you?

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Read Matthew 19.13-15

“But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14-15)

BRINGING OUR CHILDREN TO JESUS

One of the greatest mistakes I made in raising my boys was not emphasizing Jesus enough. There were so many things that clouded a clear view of our Lord: ministry, career, religion, school, discipline, finances, recreation, and the list goes on. If I had to do it over again, I would have talked about Jesus as though He were really in the room (and He is) and all that He is and does for us. I would have majored on His teaching and life instead of the classic Sunday school stories of David and Goliath or Noah and the Ark. I would have majored on reading the gospels over and over again until being like Jesus was second nature. Why will we teach our kids about everything else and only give them a little bit of Jesus? My advice to parents today? Bring your kids to Jesus. Make Him the focus of Your teaching.

How often do You talk about Jesus with your kids?

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Read Matthew 19.1-12

“The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:10)

THE MAINTENANCE FREE MARRIAGE

As a Chaplain, I counseled hundreds of couples who had made a train wreck of their marriage. Most expected me to wave a magic wand and “poof” everything was better. Instead, I would lay out a plan for them to work their way back into a healthy relationship. Why do we expect this to be easy? You can see our attitude in the statement made by the disciples, “Man, if I have to work at this thing, I may as well not even start.” Jesus says it could work for those with the gift of celibacy but not for the normal Joe and Josie. Couples need to realize that marriage is work. Love is work. God expects us to be diligent in the labor of love. It’s amazing to see what can happen when we put a little elbow grease into our relationships. There‘s no such thing as maintenance–free marriage.

Are you giving daily attention to your relationships?

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Read Matthew 18.21-35

“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

A DISASTROUS MISCALCULATION

I watched him quickly descend the face of the cliff. He was showing off in front of the students and his Australian Rappel was flawless until he hit the small ledge at the end of the rope. Now, having run out of rope, he would fall another 50 feet because he had misjudged his speed. He survived the fall but his miscalculation cost him dearly. The unforgiving slave in Jesus’ parable made a gross miscalculation, as well. I don’t pretend to understand how to reconcile total forgiveness of all sin and Jesus‘ pronouncement about conditional forgiveness based on forgiving others. But I do know this; I am at the end of my spiritual rope and desperately need to be forgiven for my sins. So I will slow down and carefully forgive others as I have been forgiven. Then I will land safely on the ledge of His grace. Failure to do so could be a disastrous miscalculation.

Who do you need to forgive? Do it today and don’t look back!

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