What Kind of Servant Are You?

Today’s reading is Matthew 24.

I think some people misunderstand the parable of the faithful and wise servant who is doing the master’s will when he comes. Some critics would suggest that this parable teaches people to be faithful lest they get punished. In fact, it teaches the exact opposite. What it highlights is there are some servants who the only reason they obey is to avoid punishment. When the master isn’t around, they procrastinate and wait. They hope to guess rightly about when he is going to return and get caught up on their duties before he does. But the master will come at an unexpected time and they will be punished. However, there is another servant who is simply faithful and wise, who does the master’s will for love of the master. He doesn’t procrastinate when the master is gone or lounge about when the master isn’t looking, but for love of his master simply fulfills his role properly whether the master is watching or not. Which servant are you?

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 25.

Wash the Inside First

Today’s reading is Matthew 23.

Obviously the scribes and Pharisees knew how to wash their dinner dishes. In fact, you can be sure they were washing those thoroughly. They knew just how ridiculous it would be to wash the outside of the cup but leave the inside dirty. The problem is they weren’t giving their own hearts the attention they would give their dishes. They would do their best to clean up their outside behavior, but they allowed their hearts to dwell on greed and self-indulgence. They were worried that their dishes would defile their flesh and never realized their hearts were already causing that. Let us not be like these scribes and Pharisees. No doubt, we should control our behavior, but let’s start with our hearts, and our behavior will follow.

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 24.

Dressed for a Wedding

Today’s reading is Matthew 22.

Let’s not misunderstand the point. The man who wasn’t dressed properly for the wedding is not in the Bible to tell us to dress up for the church’s assembly. In the context of the parable, there were some people who weren’t interested in the wedding at all. They were judged and destroyed. But here was a fellow who claimed to be interested in the wedding, but showed up on his own terms instead of on the king’s. For the most part, I don’t think God cares how you are dressed for “church.” What He cares about is whether you are coming to Him on His terms or trying to demand He accept you on yours. Whose terms are you living on?

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 23.

“Let’s Don’t But Say We Did”

Today’s reading is Matthew 21.

When I was a kid, my dad had an expression he often used when I really wanted to do something or go somewhere but he simply wasn’t going to do it. I’d say something like, “Hey Dad, on the way home, let’s stop by Sonic and get a Blast.” And he’d get this excited look like I had just come up with the greatest idea ever and then say, “Let’s don’t, but say we did.” In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus tells us about some people who really used the same kind of expression, but about serving God. They would say they were going to serve God, would tell people they were serving God, but in the end, they did what they wanted and simply called it serving God. They didn’t obey Him, but said they did. Let’s make sure we aren’t doing the same thing. It’s easy to go to church on Sundays and say we are going to serve God. But it’s Monday now, let’s make sure we are actually serving Him and not just claiming to.

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 22.

Some Things Never Change

Today’s reading is Matthew 15.

It’s been happening since the time of Jesus; why be surprised it is happening now? Men enjoying their cultural concepts so much they twist, pervert, and even outright deny God’s Word. Today we hear of those who claim to still be Christian proclaiming extra-marital sex is okay, same gender marriage is Christlike, transgender living is godly. We hear it doesn’t really matter what you believe and practice as long as you have something the world calls love (which actually is not true biblical love but is rather a codependent mockery of love). They honor Jesus with their lips, acting like they are walking in His footsteps, but their heart is far from Him. Don’t be allured to follow after them lest you be led away from Jesus yourself. Remember, Jesus has the victory and the words of life, our culture does not. Hang on to Jesus and abide in His words. Victory will be yours.

Monday’s reading is Matthew 16.