Devotional

Mat 23:1-3  Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,  (2)  saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  (3)  Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, BUT DO NOT DO ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS; FOR THEY SAY, AND DO NOT DO.

In this chapter JESUS slams the Scribes and Pharisees for being hypocrites. They teach what the scriptures say but do not do them themselves!

Mat 23:4-7, For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; BUT THEY THEMSELVES WILL NOT MOVE THEM WITH ONE OF THEIR FINGERS.  (5)  But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.  (6)  They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,  (7)  greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

Sometimes people act “holy” just to get attention, as if they’re putting on a show instead of truly living their faith. But real service is quiet, kind, and done with honesty, often without anyone watching.

That said, not everyone who shares their faith publicly is fake. Some people genuinely want to stir others and help them grow.  It’s a tension between “LIVING YOUR FAITH” and “SELLING YOUR HOLINESS,” and that line gets blurry fast.

But we should know that teachers of the word are held, by GOD, to a higher standard. It’s not just lip service it’s a responsibility to GOD!

Jas 3:1  My brethren, LET NOT MANY OF YOU BECOME TEACHERS, KNOWING THAT WE SHALL RECEIVE A STRICTER JUDGMENT.

Teaching and doing should go hand to hand; Ezra is a good example of this!

Ezr 7:10, FOR EZRA HAD PREPARED HIS HEART TO SEEK THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND TO DO IT, AND TO TEACH STATUTES AND ORDINANCES IN ISRAEL.

But we live in wicked times and HIS word is being perverted by so many! They teach what they want to hear, teaching that their lifestyle isn’t wrong, but normal and all that GOD requires is that you love people! To them HE says!

Psa 50:16-17, But to the wicked God says: “WHAT RIGHT HAVE YOU TO DECLARE MY STATUTES, OR TAKE MY COVENANT IN YOUR MOUTH,  (17)  SEEING YOU HATE INSTRUCTION AND CAST MY WORDS BEHIND YOU?  

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.