Category: Meditation

Mat 22:23-28, THE SAME DAY THE SADDUCEES, WHO SAY THERE IS NO RESURRECTION, came to Him and asked Him,  (24)  saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.  (25)  Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.  (26)  Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh.  (27)  Last of all the woman died also.  (28)  Therefore, in the resurrection, WHOSE WIFE OF THE SEVEN WILL SHE BE? FOR THEY ALL HAD HER.”

Again, they tried to test JESUS about the resurrection of the dead which they did not believe in! The bible clearly teaching about the resurrection of the dead; one such scripture is from the book of JOB where he said. (one of my favorite scriptures)

Job 19:25-27  FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES, AND HE SHALL STAND AT LAST ON THE EARTH;  (26)  AND AFTER MY SKIN IS DESTROYED, THIS I KNOW, THAT IN MY FLESH I SHALL SEE GOD,  (27)  WHOM I SHALL SEE FOR MYSELF, AND MY EYES SHALL BEHOLD, AND NOT ANOTHER. HOW MY HEART YEARNS WITHIN ME!

Job knew that after his body is turned back into dust that he shall see GOD in his own flesh; his resurrected body.  King David said…

Psa 17:15, AS FOR ME, I WILL SEE YOUR FACE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; I SHALL BE SATISFIED WHEN I AWAKE IN YOUR LIKENESS.

David knew that one day we shall be made in His likeness, clothed in immortality and untouched by corruption.

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.

JESUS Responded by saying you are mistaken not knowing the scriptures. But I love HIS response that really shut them up!

Mat 22:32-33  ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’ ? GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD, BUT OF THE LIVING.”  (33)  AND WHEN THE MULTITUDES HEARD THIS, THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS TEACHING.

This life is but a moment, fading like the morning mist. Yet through Jesus, a radiant eternity awaits—an everlasting life overflowing with awe and joy, where His glory astounds and His presence satisfies. No more death, no more sorrow. Sickness and suffering will vanish. No more tears, no more hospitals—only the fullness of His provision, and the beauty of dwelling with Him forever.

Mat 22:15-17, THEN THE PHARISEES WENT AND PLOTTED HOW THEY MIGHT ENTANGLE HIM IN HIS TALK.  (16)  And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.  (17)  Tell us, therefore, what do You think? IS IT LAWFUL TO PAY TAXES TO CAESAR, OR NOT?”

These men thought that JESUS was like the other teachers who could be won over with flattery; ‘TEACHER, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE TRUE, AND TEACH THE WAY OF GOD IN TRUTH…’.   “They believed that no matter how Jesus answered, He would be in trouble—either with the people or with Caesar.”! 

Mat 22:18  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “WHY DO YOU TEST ME, YOU HYPOCRITES?

HE knew their hearts and their intentions, yet HE would still answer them!

Mat 22:19-21, Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.  (20)  AND HE SAID TO THEM, “WHOSE IMAGE AND INSCRIPTION IS THIS?”  (21)  They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “RENDER THEREFORE TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR’S, AND TO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S.”

The Pharisees and the Herodians were earthly minded, only thinking of their position and their influence over the people, But JESUS was always heavenly minded!  As the coin was created in Caesar’s image, We were created in GOD’s image! (Genesis 1:27)

The mission of JESUS was to preach the WORD and  to bring as many as would listen to HIS FATHER, in repentance.

Isa 61:1-2  “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;  (2)  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, …

Mat 22:22, WHEN THEY HAD HEARD THESE WORDS, THEY MARVELED, AND LEFT HIM AND WENT THEIR WAY.

The mission of the religious men was to discredit JESUS by any means possible, but they were humbled by HIS wisdom!  In serving Jesus, distractions may come in many forms, but no matter what they are, our gaze must remain fixed on heaven, not drawn to the things of earth!          

Rom 13:11  And do this, KNOWING THE TIME, THAT NOW IT IS HIGH TIME TO AWAKE OUT OF SLEEP; FOR NOW OUR SALVATION IS NEARER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED.

Looking up, HE is almost here!!

As JESUS went into the temple HE was upset and started to overturn tables of the money changers.

Mat 21:13  And He said to them, “It is written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER,’ but you have made it a ‘DEN OF THIEVES.'”

Mat 21:14-15  Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.  (15)  But WHEN THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES SAW THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT HE DID, AND THE CHILDREN CRYING OUT IN THE TEMPLE AND SAYING, “HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID!” THEY WERE INDIGNANT

The religious people were outraged because JESUS healed the sick, and because of the praise of the children.

Mat 21:16  and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And JESUS said to them, “YES. HAVE YOU NEVER READ, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES AND NURSING INFANTS YOU HAVE PERFECTED PRAISE’?”

They said to JESUS, “DO YOU HEAR WHAT THESE ARE SAYING?” They were willingly ignorant at the theft and desecration of the temple maybe because they got a share of the proceeds?

But I like what JESUS said, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES AND NURSING INFANTS YOU HAVE PERFECTED PRAISE’!  Children are completely dependent on their parents, when they are hungry they cry out, when they are tired they cry out, when they need changing or just need to be held they cry out!

Psa 8:2, OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES AND NURSING INFANTS YOU HAVE ORDAINED STRENGTH, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

There is strength when we cry out to the LORD as little children do. We should always have true humility when coming to the FATHER for anything, HE has an ear for the humble, but pride kept the religious men from seeing the obvious.

Psa 10:17-18, LORD, YOU HAVE HEARD THE DESIRE OF THE HUMBLE; YOU WILL PREPARE THEIR HEART; YOU WILL CAUSE YOUR EAR TO HEAR,  (18)  To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

Matthew 18

Mat 18:1  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “WHO THEN IS GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?”

HIS disciples where thinking about themselves, who among them shall be the greatest? Luke, says it differently.

Luk 9:46-47  Then a dispute arose among them as to WHICH OF THEM WOULD BE GREATEST.  (47)  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him,

JESUS responds to them.

Mat 18:2-4  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,  (3)  and said, “ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS YOU ARE CONVERTED AND BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN, YOU WILL BY NO MEANS ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.  (4)  THEREFORE WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF AS THIS LITTLE CHILD IS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

While HIS disciples were arguing who, among them, will be the greatest in heaven; JESUS points out that humility is the key to enter heaven. They have the wrong mindset an earthly mentality that has nothing to do with heaven! Scripture says

Jas 4:10  HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP.

“Humility is not a character trait to develop, it’s the natural by-product of being with Jesus.” ~ Louie Giglio

Remember, the Creator of heaven and earth, JESUS humbled HIMSELF.

Php 2:6-8, who, BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD, DID NOT CONSIDER IT ROBBERY TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD,  (7)  BUT MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION, TAKING THE FORM OF A BONDSERVANT, AND COMING IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN.  (8)  AND BEING FOUND IN APPEARANCE AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS.

Humility is not weakness, but inner strength and a true sign of wisdom!

Pro 11:2  When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Mat 20:25-26  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.  (26)  YET IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU; BUT WHOEVER DESIRES TO BECOME GREAT AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR SERVANT.

Great men in the eyes of GOD are those that serve, those that are always there to help others and put others first. JESUS healed the masses and feed them even when HE was tired.

Matthew 17:3-9

Mat 17:3-4  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.  (4)  Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR MOSES, AND ONE FOR ELIJAH.”

Just from the face of these two verses how did Peter know who Moses and Elijah were? They didn’t have pictures of the prophets, yet without hesitation Peter knew? 

This is a glimpse of heaven where JESUS, and just like the FATHER revealed to Peter who JESUS was (Matthew 16:16-17) when were in heaven we shall know just as HE is known!

1Co 13:12 NLT, Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, BUT THEN WE WILL SEE EVERYTHING WITH PERFECT CLARITY. ALL THAT I KNOW NOW IS PARTIAL AND INCOMPLETE, BUT THEN I WILL KNOW EVERYTHING COMPLETELY, JUST AS GOD NOW KNOWS ME COMPLETELY.

Mat 17:5-6  While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and SUDDENLY A VOICE CAME OUT OF THE CLOUD, saying, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. HEAR HIM!”  (6)  AND WHEN THE DISCIPLES HEARD IT, THEY FELL ON THEIR FACES AND WERE GREATLY AFRAID.

When GOD spoke to Job it was thru a whirlwind (Job 38:1), when HE spoke to all of Israel at the base of HIS Mountain all the people were afraid!

Exo 20:18-19  NOW ALL THE PEOPLE WITNESSED THE THUNDERINGS, THE LIGHTNING FLASHES, THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET, AND THE MOUNTAIN SMOKING; AND WHEN THE PEOPLE SAW IT, THEY TREMBLED AND STOOD AFAR OFF.  (19)  Then they said to Moses, “YOU SPEAK WITH US, AND WE WILL HEAR; BUT LET NOT GOD SPEAK WITH US, LEST WE DIE.”

Even Isaiah, when he saw HIS presence thought he was going to die!

Isa 6:5  So I said: “WOE IS ME, FOR I AM UNDONE! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.”

When we see ourselves compared to the FATHER, we know that we are just dust, deserving of nothing and we can’t even approach HIM because of HIS purity. We are all filthy in HIS presence and we know it!

1Ti 6:16  who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

 Like, Peter I would also be afraid, Yet I also know that GOD, for some reason, loves us tremendously! When we come to HIM we must recognize who HE is, and that were nothing in HIS presence!

Psa 103:11-12  For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;  (12)  As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Like David said, “what is man that YOU are mindful of him”?  Is not who we are but who HE is!

Mat 16:21  From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that HE MUST go to Jerusalem, AND SUFFER MANY THINGS FROM THE ELDERS AND CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES, AND BE KILLED, AND BE RAISED THE THIRD DAY.

That was really the whole reason He came—to take on the punishment that was meant for us and carry it Himself. He didn’t have to, but He chose to, out of love. That kind of grace changes everything.

Even Joseph, back in the book of Genesis, wrote about himself, but also prophetically about JESUS

Gen 50:20  But as for you, YOU MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME; BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD, IN ORDER TO BRING IT ABOUT AS IT IS THIS DAY, TO SAVE MANY PEOPLE ALIVE.

Without the cross we have nothing, no purpose, no hope, no chance to make it to heaven for all have sinned! 

Mat 16:22-23  Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”  (23)  BUT HE TURNED AND SAID TO PETER, “GET BEHIND ME, SATAN! YOU ARE AN OFFENSE TO ME, FOR YOU ARE NOT MINDFUL OF THE THINGS OF GOD, BUT THE THINGS OF MEN.”

Mar 8:32, … Then Peter took Him aside and BEGAN TO REBUKE HIM.

Peter loved JESUS, but Peter spoke as a man would speak to his own son, being scared at the thought of JESUS suffering and being killed. Peter’s comments would be considered appropriate for anyone of this world, But JESUS is on a higher plain. SATAN WOULD LOVE FOR US TO BE LIKE HIM ONLY MINDFUL OF THE THINGS OF MEN, not in the things of GOD! 

But JESUS turned and said, “GET BEHIND ME, SATAN!…”!  Yes, satan spoke through Peter; he allowed that thought that entered his mind to flow freely out of his mouth without thinking who it was coming from! It is not for us to lead, but to follow the LORD, and always mindful of the things of the LORD, not of the things of this world!

Hos 14:9  Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. FOR THE WAYS OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT; THE RIGHTEOUS WALK IN THEM, BUT TRANSGRESSORS STUMBLE IN THEM.

Peter would later write the following with a different perspective!

Act 2:23-24, HIM, BEING DELIVERED BY THE DETERMINED PURPOSE AND FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD, YOU HAVE TAKEN BY LAWLESS HANDS, HAVE CRUCIFIED, AND PUT TO DEATH;  (24)  whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Mat 16:24, Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME.

Matthew 16

In Matthew 15, JESUS healed a multitude of people at the sea of Galilee and also feed four thousand plus people! This was not just a one time thing, HE had healed many people Yet in chapter 16 the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test HIM!

Mat 16:1  Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and TESTING HIM ASKED THAT HE WOULD SHOW THEM A SIGN FROM HEAVEN.

These religious men have seen many signs from JESUS this is why they asked for a sign, but HE didn’t come to amuse and wow them, HE CAME TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURES. These religious men, Knowing the scriptures, were completely blind to it’s fulfillment before their very eyes. 

Mat 16:2-4  He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’;  (3)  and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! YOU KNOW HOW TO DISCERN THE FACE OF THE SKY, BUT YOU CANNOT DISCERN THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.  (4)  A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

These religious men knew the scriptures intellectually, but they never let the scriptures enter their hard hearts!

Mat 16:6-7  Then Jesus said to them, “TAKE HEED AND BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND THE SADDUCEES.”  (7)  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”

Here is own disciples, who knew who HE was, who called HIM their teacher thought HE was annoyed because they didn’t bring any bread!  The religious men were blind to the truth, and HIS disciples lacked understanding!  HE wasn’t annoyed, and it wasn’t another parable for them to figure it out yet they reasoned among themselves!

Mat 16:8-11  But Jesus, BEING AWARE OF IT, said to them, “O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, why do you reason among yourselves BECAUSE YOU HAVE BROUGHT NO BREAD?  (9)  DO YOU NOT YET UNDERSTAND, OR REMEMBER THE FIVE LOAVES OF THE FIVE THOUSAND AND HOW MANY BASKETS YOU TOOK UP?  (10)  NOR THE SEVEN LOAVES OF THE FOUR THOUSAND AND HOW MANY LARGE BASKETS YOU TOOK UP?  (11)  HOW IS IT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT I DID NOT SPEAK TO YOU CONCERNING BREAD?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

HE expects us to learn and understand the scriptures; that the scriptures point to HIM.  We need to know who HE truly is.

Jer 9:23-24  THUS SAYS THE LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;  (24)  BUT LET HIM WHO GLORIES GLORY IN THIS, THAT HE UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, THAT I AM THE LORD, EXERCISING LOVINGKINDNESS, JUDGMENT, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE EARTH. FOR IN THESE I DELIGHT,” SAYS THE LORD.

Seek the LORD not just intellectually, but with all of your heart, soul and mind!

Jer 29:13  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Deu 4:29  … YOU WILL SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND YOU WILL FIND HIM IF YOU SEEK HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL.

Matthew 15:21-28

Mat 15:21-22  Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  (22)  And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”  

I find it interesting that this gentile woman from a region of Tyre (Lebanon today) knew that HE was the SON OF DAVID, a title of the coming Messiah! Yet HIS own people of Nazareth referred to HIM as the carpenter’s son!

Mat 13:55-56  Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  (56)  And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”

Mat 15:23-24

But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”  (24)  But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  

Most likely HIS disciples were asking HIM to give her what she is asking so she can leave, that is why HE responded “I WAS NOT SENT EXCEPT TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL”.

She wasn’t thrown off by what seemed like his lack of interest, But was more determined to get HIS attention.

As Augustine says, ‘The Word spoke not a word,’ and that was so unlike him. He who was always so ready with responses to the cry of grief had no response for her.” (Spurgeon)

Mat 15:25-27

 (25)  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”  (26)  But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”  (27)  And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”  

“This wasn’t Jesus being harsh with the woman, nor was it a matter of Him only helping His own people—after all, He also healed the Roman centurion’s servant when he pleaded for his servant (Mat 8:5)”. What seemed cold and callous was actually wisdom from above, JESUS knew something about her and used this method to draw out her faith.  She didn’t argue or get offended, but actually agreed with HIM. All she wanted was a little crumb of the blessings that was promised to HIS people Israel that most rejected!

Mat 15:28

(28)  Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

This woman is a great example for us on how to intercede for others. She didn’t say, heal my daughter, but have mercy on me verse 22, and help me in verse 25. Obviously, she was tormented seeing her daughter being tormented! Just like it hurt the centurion seeing his servant suffer was also being tormented himself, because of their love for them! JESUS said

Joh 13:35  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

When our brothers/sisters are hurting, it should also affect us, and we must earnestly pray for them, and not be deterred if we don’t get a response! HE knows what HE is doing, and HE wants us to get involved!

Matthew 15:1-20

The religious leaders in HIS day were upset that JESUS’s disciples transgressed their tradition of not washing their hands when they eat bread!

At work I sometimes eat without washing my hands because there is no place to wash them! But GOD is more concerned of what comes out of our mouth than what comes in!

JESUS said “HEAR AND UNDERSTAND”

Matthew 15:11 NKJV

Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

Matthew 15:15

Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 

Peter apparently thought it was a parable but it’s just simple truth!

Matthew 15:16-20 NKJV

So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? [17] Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? [18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. [19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. [20] These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

What comes out of our mouth always says more about us than anything else! We need to always be mindful of what we say! 

I know I’m guilty of saying wrong things at times, and I notice that once it comes out of my mouth I know I shouldn’t have said it!!

Proverbs 6:14-15 NKJV

Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord. [15] Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

When JESUS heard that they had beheaded John the Baptist HE wanted to be alone to pray and seek comfort from the FATHER!

Matthew 14:13 NKJV

When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

But when JESUS got to that deserted place HE saw a great multitude!

Matthew 14:14 NKJV

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

HIS work had to continue despite the circumstances!  HE healed the sick and feed them!  After that long day of work HE sent the multitudes away.

Matthew 14:23 NKJV

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

As servants of GOD, JESUS will always be our example.  When we’re tired and just want to rest and be alone, HIS work must continue to be our priority! JESUS after a long day work finally got the comfort HE needed from HIS FATHER!

Matthew 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.”

Remember, HIS work should always be our priority! And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men!