Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:17-48, 7:12

“You like potato and I like potahto / You like tomato and I like tomahto / Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto! / Let’s call the whole thing off!” People have been singing this song by Louis Armstrong to me my entire life. My maiden name is Fortado but has two different pronunciations. You see the family name was pronounced one way back on Madeira Island (sounds like fur-tah-doe) and then americanized when my great-grandfather landed on Ellis Island (sounds like for-tay-doe). After my grandfather’s generation passed away, my father’s generation went back to the correct pronunciation in pride of our Portuguese heritage. So you may have heard my name one way and then later heard it another.

In the next section of his sermon on the mount, Jesus did a similar play on words. Several times he starts out by saying, “You have heard…but I say…” He uses these contrasts to show his followers how his teaching fits with the Old Testament law. This is how he explains it before he gives several examples:

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you – unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” – Matthew 5:17-20

Then Jesus goes on to describe what this righteousness should look like by using “You have heard…but I say…”:

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!…

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you… – Matthew 5:21-43

Jesus sums it up well later in his sermon when He says, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Now here comes the icing on the cake. Jesus not only challenged his followers to let their righteousness surpass that of the religious teachers, he goes on to set a new standard: PERFECTION.

“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, be mature, be whole, be completely consecrated to God. Be exactly who God created YOU to be! Be the kind of person who lives the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. Go beyond the bare requirements of the law and live to the full potential of God’s purpose in your life. Don’t settle for anything less than the perfect life I designed you to live.

I love this message of holiness but I have to constantly remind myself that this is not a message of self-righteousness. I cannot do or be any of these things consistently based on who I am – I am just not that nice of a person on my own strength. I need God’s gift of righteousness through His son Jesus Christ in order to be the “perfect” child of God He has created me to be.

But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 5:15-21

God’s grace and forgiveness does not give me permission to keep sinning, instead it makes it possible for me to stop sinning. God’s gift of righteousness allows us to live in triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ. Christ did not die to give me freedom to sin but to give me freedom from sin. Today I can stand before God “perfect” by simply consecrating myself to God and submitting my own lack of righteousness to His gift of righteousness. “You have heard…but I say…” Today I can live by what He says instead of simply following the least measure of the law. Praise God!!!

You have heard it said that nobody is perfect, we all sin every day. But I say, let us not become so comfortable with that thought that we do not accept God’s gift of righteousness and allow Him to daily make us into the person He has called us to be. Let us allow God’s grace to do more than just cover our sins but transform us into a new creation.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:13-16, 6:1-18

As I read through Matthew’s account of the famous Sermon on the Mount, I find two portions of the message that come across as complete opposites. Would Jesus contradict himself? No, He would not. This caused me to look closer to find the difference in what Jesus is saying and how our understanding of these two instructions can be seen as consistent with each other.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:13-16

VISIBILITY

Jesus describes the VISIBILITY of our lives. When we accept Him as our personal Savior, we become representatives of Him to all those around us. We bear His name when we are considered to be Christians and with that comes responsibility. We are to be a light to those around us who are in darkness. Our presence in a room, job, our community, the world, is to make a difference – to add flavor.

In the same respect, if those around us know us to be Christians and we fail in representing Christ with holy lives, the influence of our lives loses its flavor. Can it be made salty again?

We are not perfect and there may be times when we mess up. If so, how can we go back and regain our “salty” impact on those we know. Will they forever consider our testimony worthless or can we humbly admit our fault and try to regain what has been lost? HUMILITY is the key ingredient in the world regaining their taste for our testimony.

HUMILITY

May those around us see good deeds coming out of our walk with Christ so that our Heavenly Father can be praised! But wait. That sounds the opposite of what Jesus continues to say in this same sermon, which carries over to chapter six.

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity. I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:1-4

Again, VISIBILITY comes down to HUMILITY. Jesus is not contradicting himself here but instead looking for CONSISTENCY OF THE HEART. We are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world so that God can be glorified and receive the praise. We are not to call attention to our good deeds for the sake of human applause. We are to live out our lives before men for the sake of God’s Kingdom being advanced, not for our own advancement.

CONSISTENCY

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything will reward you.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:5-15

One more challenge. What if we take this last verse we looked at today and loop it around to the first verse. We are the salt of the earth, but if we refuse to forgive another person, whether we have just cause or not, how will the world taste Jesus? Unforgiveness in our lives will overpower the potential of the good flavors.

Think about this. If we create a delicious omelet full of meat, cheese and vegetables, but throw in even one rotten egg, the entire meal is spoiled. Let’s not spoil our impact today with a rotten attitude about anyone or anything. May our lives be consistent with our testimony, so that God will be glorified in every aspect of our day. After all, what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?

Lord, help us to recognize the VISIBILITY of our walk with you and choose HUMILITY in order that others will see CONSISTENCY of the heart. May you be glorified through our lives today. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 6:20-49

Do you remember Opposite Day in school? Or perhaps you celebrate National Opposite Day every January 25th, a day when people say Good Morning instead of Goodnight or Goodbye instead of Hello. Opposite Day is intended to be a fun day for everyone to say the opposite of what they mean.

After reading through Luke, I have decided that Jesus would have liked Opposite Day. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches using several different opposites: Poor or. rich, hungry or prosperous, laughter or sorrow. He also surprised the crowd by telling them to love their enemies, to celebrate persecution, and to forgive rather than judge. He compared a tree that bears bad fruit with a tree that bears good fruit, and he compared the house built on rock to the house built on sand.

As you read through this passage, look for the opposites or the stark contrasts Jesus describes. Then, as you go through your day, recognize the crazy opposite moments God puts before you – moments when you could have reacted to the rude woman at the cash register but you chose kindness; moments when you could have been in a hurry but you chose to slow down and greet someone; moments when you chose to laugh instead of cry.

God, prepare us for what may lie ahead of us today that requires us to declare Opposite Day! May today’s OPPOSITES ATTRACT others to you!

Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
“God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.
God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” – Luke 6:20-49

Now here is a moment when Jesus was saying not to do the opposite. When we come to Him and listen to His teaching, He wants us to follow it. So why do we sometimes do the opposite of what we know we are supposed to do?

Father God, please forgive us for those moments when we do not act like we should. Forgive us for those moments when we do not follow your teaching but do what we feel like doing in the moment. Lord, fill us with your Spirit and strengthen us so that we can follow your lead in every moment of our day today. May the opposites in our day attract others as they recognize the difference you are making in our life. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

Do you ever flip through the different radio frequencies to find a song you want to hear? You hear one song and you might listen to it a little longer than others, but you are looking for a song that makes you want to listen until it is done. Especially in the summer, certain songs make me want to roll down my windows and sing at the top of my lungs?

There is a great song playing on Christian radio right now with the title “Joy” by Rend Collective. It is a great song about trusting God with our sorrows and refusing to let our pain define us. It is in the dark moments that God’s grace shines the brightest, in those moments when we choose to celebrate – when we choose joy.

You’re the joy joy joy lighting my soul / The joy joy joy making me whole / Though I’m broken, I am running / Into Your arms of love [Joy, Rend Collective, Thankyou Music, 2014]

Do you remember the song “HAPPY” from the movie Despicable Me 2. It is a fun song with a great beat. The song comes on the radio and immediately the volume goes up. It is a song declaring that I am happy and there is no limit to my happiness – it’s like a room without a roof! There’s no ceiling. My level of happiness is so high, nothing can bring it down. Bring the bad news, but it is not going to change the fact that I AM HAPPY! [Happy by Pharrell Williams]

This song is not a Christian song but I would challenge that the only way to have THAT kind of happiness is through Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus spoke at the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount of this kind of happiness, or about what it looks like to be THIS blessed. We call this portion of scripture The Beatitudes.

One day as the crowds were gathering, he went up the hillside with his disciples and sat down and taught them there.

“When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers—wonderful! Be HAPPY about it! Be very glad! For a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.” – Matthew 5:1-12 (TLB)

Most of us know this passage from other translations that use the word “blessed”. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers. And this is the one that catches most of us off guard – Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because GREAT is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)

GREAT is your reward! SO great that there is no limit to the happiness you will experience, no ceiling to the joy! Nothing can bring you down – not insults, persecution or slander.

Now I must admit I do not experience that kind of joy 24-7. I don’t know if anyone does. There are times in our life with we grieve or experience the pain that comes with life. Sometimes we go through a time when the accusations of the enemy are drowning out the voice of God. It is during these times when we are battling against doubt and hurt when we need to declare the promises of God to replace the lies of Satan. We need to remind ourselves to rejoice and be glad, even when it does not come naturally. Great is my reward IN HEAVEN – not always so great here on earth.

But there is a joy that begins right here, right now, when we walk in relationship with Jesus – a joy that finds us in those moments when we need it most. A joy that comes from praising God and declaring His faithfulness when others fail us or the battle intensifies. I don’t have to conjure up joy. I don’t have to pretend to be happy. Just a whisper for help and the Spirit can produce in me fruit that is unexplainable, such as JOY in the middle of a difficult situation or PEACE in the midst of trials.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:3-9

I’m happy and there is no limit to my happiness – it’s like a room without a roof! There is no ceiling. My level of happiness is so high, nothing can bring it down. Bring the bad news but it is not going to change the fact that I am happy! I am happy because I am blessed by a God who protects me by His power and tells me of a wonderful joy that is ahead for me. So I choose to embrace my God in the good and the bad. I choose to be truly glad…because I’m happy!

Today’s Reading: Matthew 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-19

Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. – Mark 3:7-8

Word was spreading of Jesus’ healing power and people were bringing their sick from all over the region. Everywhere Jesus went, large crowds followed. Some were genuinely seeking to follow Christ and some were only there to see this great physician or magician – to see Jesus do something great, but not to do something great for Jesus.

Jesus touched many lives as these massive crowds formed, but his focus was to invest more deeply in the lives of twelve. But first, he pulled away from the crowds and found time to be alone with His Father.

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:

Simon (whom he called Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (Son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). – Luke 6:12-16

After spending an extended amount of time in God’s presence and in prayer, Jesus called all of his followers together and distinguished between those who would be disciples and those who would be the twelve apostles. Don’t miss that he made this decision AFTER going to the Father in prayer.

We often use these terms “disciples” and “apostles” interchangeably so I thought I would look to see what the difference is. According to the NLT Study Bible I am using, disciples were students and followers while apostles were specially commissioned representatives. I would argue that today we are all both disciples and apostles.

TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST IS TO BE A STUDENT OR A FOLLOWER.

God has called us all to be students of the Word, to sit at His feet regularly and learn from Him. We spend time reading the Bible and we walk away with new understanding. His word is living and active and we cannot help but be changed by studying the Scriptures. We have so much to learn and we have a Great Teacher who loves His students.

We also learn by listening to other students of the Word or disciples. What a great investment of our time to read a book written by another follower of Christ or to listen to the preaching of another! We listen and call on the Spirit to discern the truth of the message, allowing our hearts to grow and be transformed through the words God is giving those He has called. When I question something I am reading or hearing, God’s word is the foundation of truth that I go back to each time.

Even pastors and preachers benefit from spending time listening to others and reading. With that comes a humility that God calls all of us to. We have not already arrived. We do not know all there is to know. We desperately need to keep learning, to continue increasing our understanding of God’s ways.

TO BE AN APOSTLE IS TO SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED TO REPRESENT JESUS & FULFILL HIS PURPOSE.

So we are all disciples but I would argue that we are also all apostles. If the definition of apostle is a person who is specially commissioned to represent something or someone then that is absolutely what we are. God has chosen every one of us for a specific purpose today. He has a plan and we have a choice. We can walk into that plan with the willingness to represent Jesus and fulfill His purpose for our day or we can focus on our own desires and plans.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” – Matthew 9:35-39

Lord, this morning I pray that you would open up my heart and show me your purpose today. Confirm in my heart what you have called me to do. Remind me WHO I have been specially commissioned to represent. God, I open up my life with a willingness today to be used by you, whether in small ways or large. Today is about you and your plan. Teach me. Show me. Use me. Guide me. Amen.

Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you. – Psalm 25:4-5

Today’s Reading: John 5

It was not about the WHEN, but the WHO.
It was not about the PHYSICAL, but about the SPIRITUAL.
It was not about HEALING, but about CHANGE.
It was not about the BODY, but about the HEART.
It was not about the TIMING, but about the SOURCE.
It was not just about a MOMENT, but about a LIFE.

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people – blind, lame, or paralyzed – lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. – John 5:1-15

Crowds of sick people all around and Jesus approached one man, knowing this man had been ill for a very long time. He knew this man, knew his situation and his need – not only for PHYSICAL healing but for SPIRITUAL healing. Jesus’ desire was for this man’s life to change. For 38 years he had been sick but Jesus had more than just physical healing in mind to change this man’s situation. Jesus wanted to give this man eternal life!

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16.

This was a miracle of life that Jesus was offering. The physical touch was for the purpose of this man believing in Jesus and choosing obedience. Jesus told this man to do two things: “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” and “stop sinning”. The first required a MOMENT of faith and obedience. He had been sick for such a long time. He had to believe in Jesus enough to stand up. The second required a LIFE of faith and obedience, a healing of the heart that would change the way this man lived the rest of his life – holy and set apart for the One who had healed him.

The Jewish leaders tried to make this next miracle about timing but Jesus corrected them, letting them know this was not about WHEN but about WHO – not about the physical healing but about spiritual healing. While the Jewish leaders focused in on the TIMING of the miracle, Jesus tried to point out to them the SOURCE of the miracle. Jesus had come to bring life and they were missing out on this miracle that was also available for them because they were too caught up in the legalism of when the miracle had taken place. What is it that has us so distracted that we are missing out on the miracle of life that God is offering?

For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. – John 5:21

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death to life. And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice – the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. – John 5:24-26

You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. – John 5:39-40

The miracle of life is what Jesus was offering at the pool of Bethesda and it is what He is still offering us today. This miracle comes from the love of a God who would send His one and only Son to die for our sins so that we might believe and experience eternal life. This miracle of life is available to all of us – it requires a MOMENT of faith and obedience, as well as a LIFE of continued faith and obedience. The purpose of all of these miracles performed by Jesus were to prove that He was sent by God so that we might truly believe and experience eternal life (5:36).

Lord, focus our attention where you want it to be. Give us eyes to see what today is about – not what WE want to make it but about YOUR purpose. Give us patience to focus on the source instead of the timing, the spiritual instead of the physical. Thank you for being a Father who is always working (5:17). Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 5:27-6:11; Mark 2:13-3:6; Matthew 9:9-17, 12:1-14

Questioning Jesus’ authority to forgive sins was only the beginning of the many questions that would come at Jesus. He would also be questioned on why he did something or why he failed to do something else. Things have not changed much today. We continue to question Jesus on the things we do not fully understand, or perhaps the things we understand but with which we disagree. God is Almighty and we say we trust Him, yet we find ourselves challenging him. We like to think of ourselves as nothing like the teachers of the law and Pharisees in the Bible. Yet, if we were honest, we would probably have to admit that we have moments that are more similar than we wish to admit.

QUESTION: “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” – Luke 5:30b

This was the question asked of Jesus when he attended a banquet that Matthew (Levi) held in his home in Jesus’ honor. The guest list included Matthew’s coworkers and colleagues – tax collectors and other guests. Scripture says the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law complained BITTERLY that Jesus was spending time with people who were considered unrighteous. In the ancient world, meals were rituals of social status and Jesus’ act of dining with Matthew and his friends was seen as Jesus socially accepting them regardless of their lifestyle.

ANSWER: Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come not to call those who THINK they are righteous, but those who KNOW they are sinners and need to repent.” – Luke 5:31-32

I wish today’s Church could not be accused of questioning the acceptance of sinners into our fellowship, but sadly this happens often in our congregations. Investing in sinners by spending time with them and inviting them into our fellowship is not accepting their sin, as some would accuse; it is accepting anyone who needs Jesus and loving them as they come to recognize their sin and understand what it means to repent – to admit they have sinned and come to a point of change.

QUESTION: “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?” – Luke 5:33

Why can’t you be more like your cousin?!! Okay, this isn’t exactly what they were saying but it did remind me of the tendency for people to compare one follower of Christ with another. It also reminds me of our own tendency to compare ourselves with others and worry about how we measure up with someone else, or how someone else measures up with us. God has made each one of us unique and He has a plan for each of our lives that is different from anyone else’s. It is NOT God’s plan for us to criticize our brothers and sisters in Christ, but to lift them up in prayer and support their obedience to God. Jesus’ response came to the heart of this question.

ANSWER: Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.” – Luke 5:34-39

Sometimes the old is not compatible with the new. If I buy the newest available software and then try to load it on a computer I have had for ten years, the two are not going to be compatible. Would I build a brand new house and then fill it with old furniture? (Okay, I might but most people would not.) My point is that sometimes we hold so tightly to the old that we miss out on the new thing that God is doing.

QUESTION: “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” – Luke 6:2

The Pharisees watched Jesus closely, especially on the Sabbath. They wanted to catch him breaking the Jewish traditions and laws so as to have grounds to accuse him and shut down his ministry. They had the activities of his disciples under surveillance and then watched to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath.

ANSWER: “The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”… Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”

He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! – Luke 6:5,8-10

Wouldn’t you have loved to have been there in that moment as Jesus took the time to make eye contact with each and every one of his accusers? Jesus knew their thoughts and he knew their motives. He looks at the heart of each and every one of us – individually. He knows when we use the Sabbath as an excuse to make the day about ourselves when His intention has always been that the Sabbath would be about Him. The Sabbath is not a day for us to focus on our own needs for rest but to slow down the busyness of our lives and focus our attention fully on Him.

If in that moment, when we are fully focused on God and we feel His eye on us, God moves on our hearts to do something for Him, our response should be one of obedience. The Sabbath is a great day to worship God and a great day to hear from Him. Isn’t it also a great day to respond in obedience, no matter what He is asking us to do? “The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”

CLOSING STATEMENT: “Hold out your hand.”

Let’s reach out and allow God to use our hands however and whenever He asks.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 8:1-4, 9:1-8; Mark 1:40-2:12; Luke 5:12-26

A few years ago, I had the privilege of sitting and visiting with Pam Tebow, mother of former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. As we waited for her turn to speak at our LIFE Banquet in Champaign, we got to know each other and I enjoyed her sweet spirit and genuine heart. We spoke of some of the big public moments in Tim’s life on the football field but she also shared some of their private moments as a family. By the time Pam rose to go to the stage, I no longer saw her as a public figure about to speak to a room of 800 people about pro-life issues – I now saw her as another mom who loves her family and daily allows God to use her however He desires.

I had considered how BIG the life of the Tebow family must be but I had not considered what it would feel like to have your son call and express his hurt over the way the media had twisted his words. The cameras often show us the big moments of Tim’s life but we do not hear about the private moments, like when he talked to a little girl on the phone who was dying of cancer and explained to her how she could accept Jesus into her heart like he has, just thirty minutes before she would meet her Savior face to face. There is so much more to this family than what is made public. They are a healthy, loving and committed family, WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE.

As we read through the gospels, we see that Jesus’ ministry had both its public and private moments. In many of those private moments, Jesus instructs the person he healed not to reveal his identity to others. There was a bigger plan at work and there was wisdom in what Jesus was asking his followers to do, even though they did not always listen to him. Let’s look at the difference between these two kinds of moments in the ministry of the Messiah.

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you.” – Mark 1:40-44a

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” – Mark 2:1-12

First there is a private moment when a man in need of healing falls on his knees before Jesus and is healed. There were probably very few people listening in on their conversation. Jesus specifically tells the man not to tell anyone that Jesus has healed him. Then, just days later, there is a moment where Jesus displays his ability to heal and his authority to forgive sins in front of a large group of people. The result in both situations – God is praised!

There may be moments in our lives when many people are aware of something we have accomplished or a way in which we have served God. We may get a pat on the back or the applause of an audience and in all of that we hope and pray that God is glorified. But there may also be moments in our lives when God asks us to do something for Him, something we will never get earthly recognition for. We obediently follow Jesus REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENCE OF AN AUDIENCE. There is no need for public fanfare or media attention, we are simply daily responding to God’s lead.

That night at the banquet, I was introduced and the crowd of pregnancy center supporters welcomed me warmly. In that moment, everyone in the room knew who I was and the position in the ministry I hold. In the same room there was a retired couple sitting at their assigned table. Every week she comes in and volunteers, working with the young mothers who are learning how to parent. Her husband comes in each week and volunteers by cleaning the pregnancy center. Neither of them got specific public recognition that night but I was given the honor of privately thanking them for all they do for Living Alternatives.

My obedience to what God has asked me to do with my time is no greater than the faithful service of this couple. I guarantee you they were not concerned that they did not get a standing ovation. That is not why they do what they do. They are humble servants of their Savior and King and it is His approval that they are living for.

May our testimony today be the same – willing hearts, WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE, whether or not our reward is on earth or in Heaven. May our testimony be as strong in today’s private moments as it is in the public moments when others are watching.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:18-25, 8:14-17; Mark 1:16-39; Luke 4:31-5:11

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus…Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John – but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). – John 1:35-37, 40-42

Andrew encountered Jesus and what did he do next? Don’t miss this because it just might be one of the most powerful sentences in the New Testament. THEN ANDREW BROUGHT SIMON TO MEET JESUS. I have to admit to you that this sentence brings me to tears as I consider the weight of those seven words. Andrew did not soak up all the Jesus he could get and then just hope from a distance that his brother would someday have the opportunity to meet this incredible man. He brought Simon to meet Jesus – he introduced his brother to the one who would forever change his life!

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come and follow me and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. – Mark 1:16-18

God had a plan for the lives of these two brothers – a plan bigger than they had ever imagined. I would guess that, even in that moment, Andrew and Simon Peter did not fully comprehend the extent to which Jesus was going to penetrate their lives.

After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. – Luke 4:38-39

John the Baptist introduced Andrew to Jesus and then Andrew introduced Simon, now known as Peter, to Jesus. Now Jesus is not only impacting the lives of these two fishermen, He is reaching out beyond Peter to his family. This woman who was sick in bed is now on her feet serving Jesus. All who witnessed this were now aware of the power of the Son of God. The number of people whose lives are being touched by Jesus is multiplying.

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak. – Luke 4:40-41

Let’s back up a little. Simon is from Bethsaida (John 1:44) but has moved his home and his family to Capernaum for the sake of his fishing business. While in Capernaum, Andrew meets Jesus and then tells his brother Simon about this man whom John the Baptist had called the Lamb of God. Now just a short time later, Simon Peter’s family, as well as his entire community, have been greatly impacted by the power of the Son of God! No, not just impacted, touched. The touch of his hand healed every one. By following Jesus, Peter had shortened the distance between those he came in contact with every day and the Savior of the world. They now had the opportunity to be touched by Jesus because of Peter’s faith.

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. – Luke 5:1-7

Now Peter’s relationship with Jesus was not only affecting his life and the life of his family and the life of his community, Peter had brought Jesus to work with him! Now all of his coworkers and colleagues were given the opportunity to see a miracle – to see Jesus at work in Peter’s life and also in their own lives! They were now going to reap the benefit of this huge catch of fish. How do we know his coworkers and colleagues gained from this large catch? Because Simon was officially no longer a fisher of fish; the catch was theirs to keep. His was now Peter, a fisher of men!

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me – I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” As soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. – Luke 5:8-11

Our response to our encounter with Jesus will determine whether or not those around us get an opportunity to have their own encounter with Jesus. When we fall on our knees, admit that we are a sinner and obediently follow Jesus – doing whatever He tells us to do simply because He said so – our submission impacts the lives of those around us. We can keep all this Jesus to ourselves or we can start fishing for people and take Jesus into our family relationships, our community and our workplace.

Lord, help us to conquer our fears and uncertainties. Help us know that you are with us and that you want to make an impact on those around us. May our submission allow us to be your hands and feet to everyone we come in contact with today. Give us a new identity in you so that we stop seeing ourselves as “Simon” and begin seeing ourselves as “Peter”.

Today’s Reading: Luke 3:19-20, 4:14-15; Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15, John 4:43-54, 6:16-21

There is a major shift that happens at this point in the story of Jesus’ life. After Jesus heard that Herod had thrown John the Baptist in prison, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He knew the Pharisees were aware of his growing ministry. On his way to Galilee, Jesus passed through Samaria where he met the Samaritan woman at the well, which we discussed a couple of weeks ago when we were looking at the genealogy of Jesus.

Jesus performed miraculous signs in Jerusalem (John 3:23) before leaving for Galilee, but John does not give us details regarding those miracles. He does give us the results of those miracles – many began to trust in him. John goes on to tell us in detail about the second miracle Jesus performed in Galilee after leaving Jerusalem.

As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.

While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. – John 4:46-54

GOD’S TIMING IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

It is often in the timing of an event or miracle in our lives where our faith is strengthened the most. The miracle itself is incredible but it is the timing of God’s movement that confirms that it is God Himself at work.

I see two elements of timing in this account of John’s: 1.) at the time when the government official’s son became very sick, Jesus was arriving in nearby Galilee, and 2.) the boy was healed at the very time when Jesus had said the words, “Your son will live.”

For most of my life, I have heard the saints in the church say, “God is always on time. He’s never late and He’s never early.” I have found that to be true in my own life, but I must admit it is not always easy to patiently wait for God’s timing. Yet, this is when our faith grows.

IT IS IN THE WAITING THAT GOD HAS OUR ATTENTION AND IT IS IN HIS PERFECT TIMING THAT WE LEARN TO TRUST IN HIM.

That evening Jesus’ disciples went to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination. – John 6:16-21

This is another great miracle of timing! Mark’s account of this miracle says: They climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed… (6:51). Matthew’s account is similar: When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed (14:32-33).

THE TIMING OF JESUS’ ACTION WAS BEAUTIFULLY CHOREOGRAPHED AND THE FAITH OF THE DISCIPLES WAS STRENGTHENED.

The moment Jesus stepped into the boat, the storm calmed – a miracle of timing. What is your story of God’s perfect timing in your life – timing that confirmed God was at work rather than simple coincidence? Perhaps you are in the midst of the storm right now, rowing until God chooses to calm the waves and winds. Notice Jesus did not calm the storm after the disciples had rowed one mile. They rowed three or four miles before Jesus made His presence known to them. The disciples were never alone, Jesus had not abandoned them in the storm. He was there all the time, waiting for the perfect moment to say, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”

My prayer for you this morning is that you will hear the words of Jesus today. I pray you will know without doubt that He is with you and that you will trust in His perfect timing. Remember, God is never late and He is never early – He is always on time!

The disciples began to worship Jesus when He stepped into the boat and the storm calmed. Let’s choose to worship Him while still rowing through the storm, praising Him in confidence for what He is going to do and for His presence in the midst of the waves and wind.

Do you have a story of God’s timing you would like to share with the rest of us? You can do so by visiting the Facebook page My Morning Coffee. Look for today’s blog post and comment on how God has been ON TIME in your life or how you are currently waiting for God’s perfect timing.