Matthew 26:39: Not as I will, but as Thou Will

 

Matthew 26:39: Not as I will, but as Thou Will 

When I pray to my heavenly Father, I hope to follow this humble attitude of Jesus.  To fall on my face and realize that God's will for my life is best.  

Jesus knew what horrible painful things were about to happen to Him, but since He knew this was God's will, not only for Him, but for all humanity, He was able to surrender to His Father's will.

May I also have a submissive heart and the faith to trust God's plans for my life.

(Matthew 26:39) And he went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Matthew 26:26-28

(Matthew 26:26-28) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Matthew 24

 (Matthew 24:3-8, 21-22, 29-31, 36, 42& 44) And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"

 And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."

"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

"Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: AND THEN shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: AND THEN shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

Matthew 23:25-28: You Cannot Fool God

 

Matthew 23:25-28: You Cannot Fool God

In Matthew 23:25-28, Jesus paints a clear picture to the Pharisees that we cannot just appear to be living holy lives.  He calls them hypocrites because they preach to others about the man-made laws but are living unrighteous lives.

(Matthew 23:25-26) "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Appearances and fancy words that don't matter, and this applies to all of us that preach any kind of message to others.  Yes, it is important to try and teach others about the ways of Christ.  However, if we are not practicing what we preach, our words are meaningless before the Holy of Holies.

(Matthew 23:27-28) "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."

wow! Jesus really says it perfectly! If our lives are full of sin, we are nothing but a tomb full of rotting flesh.  We cannot fool God - He sees and knows all that is in our hearts and minds as well as all our actions we don't let others see.

Please, Lord, help me to always practice what I preach!

Matthew 20:26-28 & 23:10-12: Called to be Servants

 

Matthew 20:26-28 & 23:10-12: Called to be Servants

In Matthew 20:26-28 & 23:10-12, Jesus makes it clear that His disciples are called to be servants.  We are not to think of ourselves better than others.  Even if we hold a position of authority, we still must have a heart to serve the needs of our fellow humans.

Jesus is the greatest of all, and yet even He came to serve.  He washed the feet of His disciples to show His love and compassion for them.

Even the powerful and wealthy are called to serve the poor, they should not consider themselves too good to get their hands dirty.  

We can serve in person or over a computer, with monetary gifts or with your time, and just as important, serve by praying for others.

(Matthew 20:26-28) But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

(Matthew 23:10-12) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 21:21-22: Faith to move Mountains

 

Matthew 21:21-22: Faith to move Mountains

Notice that Jesus does NOT say, "I will give you whatever you want, no matter what."  It takes faith and not doubt.  We also must remember that, though God is gracious beyond measure, what we ask for must be within His perfect will in order for Him to answer our requests.

Also remember that James 5:16 reminds us that those who chose to live lives according to the ways of Jesus Christ are more likely have their prayers answers, not just those who call on God when it is convenient. (James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.)

(Matthew 21:21-22) Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, "If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Matthew 21:1-11

(Matthew 21:1-11) And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, "Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an donkey tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them."

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon a donkey, and a colt the foal of a donkey."

And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the donkey, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, "Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

And the multitude said, "This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Matthew 20 & 22: Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen

Matthew 20 & 22: Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen

Both Matthew 20:16 and 22:14 are both from parables about Heaven where Jesus says, "For many are called, but few are chosen."  We are all called to be children of God. He loves His creation and desires that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to REPENTANCE.) There is no mistaking that we are all called to follow Jesus by repenting of our sins and living lives for His glory alone.

The sad truth is, however, that only a few will answer the call.  Most will turn away and reject the Savior and refuse to follow Biblical principles.  Others will answer but fall away and not endure to the end. These people are represented as those called that were "not worthy" in Matthew 22:8 and also as the man who showed up to the wedding feast (Heaven) without a wedding garment in Matthew 22:12.

Being "chosen" means we have done our best to live holy lives pleasing unto the Lord until the day we leave this world. (Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.)  Only then will we be chosen to spend eternity with Christ. 

(Matthew 20:1 & 15-16) For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

"Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

(Matthew 22:8-14) Then saith He to his servants, "The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage."

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And He saith unto him, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?"

 And he was speechless.

Then said the King to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."

Matthew 18:1-14

 (Matthew 18:1-14) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!... Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

Matthew 16:24-27

 

(Matthew 16:24-27) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

Matthew 15: What Defiles a person?

Matthew 15: What Defiles a person?

In Matthew 15, Jesus again tries to teach the Pharisees that the traditions of men are hypocritical.

Rather than focusing on the conditions of their hearts, they worry what they eat.

He calls them "blind" because they fail to see that by creating their own laws, they demean God's ways. 

(Mattthew 15:7-20) [Jesus said,] "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.'"

And He called the multitude, and said unto them, "Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

Then came His disciples, and said unto him, "Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?"

But He answered and said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

Then answered Peter and said unto Him, "Declare unto us this parable."

And Jesus said, "Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."

Matthew 14:14

 (Matthew 14:14) And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Matthew 13:54-58: Because of Unbelief

Matthew 13:54-58: Because of Unbelief

In Matthew 13:58, it states, "And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."  Because the countrymen of His own town of Nazareth refused to believe He was the Messiah, He chose to limit the miracles performed. It does not say He refused to help those that believed, just that He "did not many... works."

This really made me evaluate my faith and/or disbeliefs.  I never want to have Jesus say, "I do not want to perform mighty works for Julie because she doubts."  I do not want to rob my husband or myself of God's blessings. May I keep my faith elevated!  

(Matthew 13:54-58) And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, "Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not His mother called Mary? and His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?" And they were offended in Him. 

But Jesus said unto them, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:31-32

 (Matthew 13:31-32) Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."

Matthew 12:34-35

 

(Matthew 12:33-37) Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.