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#MeetJesusInMatthew
Matthew 20: Baller
15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
Recently something objectively very good kind of fell into my lap. And I don’t quite fully resonate with the workers who worked in the morning, even though one could argue I did spiritually ‘work’ on this good thing for many months. Overall, very simply put, Jesus is rich and he is generous. It doesn’t matter how much we worked. He doesn’t even know the quality of it. He just asked us to come and do what He has asked, to be faithful to what we have been called to do. Even if we try and don’t do the most outstanding job, 
He still gives because it is in his nature to give. One of my biggest challenges is just learning to receive love. Not just feelings or words of appreciation, but to be known and loved and lavished upon. Lord, let my heart be open and longing for your generous love to be poured out and fill me to overflow.
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Matthew 19: Poor but Faithful
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ... 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
P. Young just preached a sermon on how to be poor yet faithful. That night, someone referenced this sermon and said to me, “I think most people can’t do this. I don’t think I can do it. But I think you can do it”. That is one of the highest compliments I have ever received and also one of the highest ideals to aim for as well. I forgot how much I actually have in this world - a loving family, food, shelter, friendships, education, and comfort. Yet one day, I know that each of these may be taken away if it means fixing my eyes on the infinitely better eternal reward.  I mean, Jesus didn’t even have a place to rest his head, yet he never wanted, for Jesus knew that the real reward is coming later, and cannot be taken away.
Dear God, I don’t often count my blessings nearly as often as I should. There is so much I take for granted, and even though it is good, it can keep me numb and blind to what is truly important. It might hurt a lot if you ask me to give these things up, or if you take them away. When that time comes, please Abba, remind me of Jesus.
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Matthew 18: Little Wonders
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
We’re always told that we need to grow up just a little bit faster. Be a little more responsible. Be more mature. Get smarter. Do more, so that you can be more. These inherently aren’t bad, but in the process of growing up and trying to be more and reach that next growth marker, the childlikeness can fade and die. Internally, I know that there is goodness in this child-like posture. Maybe my love for cartoons and fairy tales and soft squishy toys are my heart’s way of holding onto something just a little more pure and wonderful. There is a simple delight when we are child-like, and it’s an odd thing to try and embrace when you’re trying your best to keep a clean house and pay your bills on time. Even in the midst of that, Jesus knows that it’s the pure in heart and faith that enter into the kingdom.
Jesus, I know that I want to be more like you. I do want to be more faithful and courageous and wise. But help me to not forget that you call me a child, and that is a wonderful thing to be.
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Matthew 17: ‘Silence’ review
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
**( SPOILER ALERT regarding the movie ‘Silence’)
Just watched the movie ‘Silence’ on Wednesday about Jesuit missionaries going to Japan. In the end, Father Rodriguez apostatizes and denounces the faith in front of the Japanese inquisitor. In the end, his Japanese wife buries him with a small cross, leaving viewers with the question “Was he really faithful until the end or not?” There are terrible scenes of Japanese Christians being drowned, tortured, and beheaded because the priests will not denounce Christ. The Japanese officials made bold statements and accusations: ‘These people suffer for your glory’, ‘A good priest would save them from their suffering’. Faith by no means is easy. But the Bible is clear that we are not to deny Christ. We must pick up our cross daily.  God is the one who grows the seeds, we are just called to be faithful. Obviously there are dangers and casualties in what God is doing; we are still in battle, but we know the outcome of the war. We know who wins in the end of all of this. The voice of the martyrs does not go unheard. The blood of martyrs produces seeds of the church.
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Matthew 16: High Stakes
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Passages like these demand to be read over and over again until the weight settles down and you can feel it, and even then its gravity may not be fully felt. Jesus is not messing around. He is not demanding partial sacrifices or half-hearted attempts. He is talking about forfeiting one’s soul, arguably the essence of who we are; our hopes and dreams and fears and aspirations. He is for a total exchange of wills, and it involves laying ours down at the foot of the cross.  Thankfully Jesus does not make these lofty demands without outlining the payoff.  We will find something more: a new life, a better one. It is a simple-stated exchange, but because of the One who makes the proposition, that is all the assurance and convincing that is needed. Jesus is not afraid to demand our all.
Lord Jesus, you indeed are worthy of it all. Remind me day and day out that you continue to be worthy. Give me open hands to let go and receive all that is better and new from You. 
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Matthew 15: Testing Limits
22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. 
Frankly, I don’t always understand Jesus. Yes, I get his ministry style. He was reaching out to Jews first because they were the first to be called to fulfill God’s purpose of bringing blessing to all peoples. This conversation, though, seems rather callous. This woman is making a scene, crying with words and tears, and Jesus speaks to her like an outsider because she is a Canaanite woman.  In the end, this woman’s story is preserved in Scripture because of her persevering faith, but Jesus put her through her paces, first. Jesus is not afraid to challenge us to grow our faith. He knows what is necessary and will do it. Of course he knows this woman is faithful. Of course he knows he’s going to heal her daughter. But when she is pushed a little bit further, her faith becomes an example, even to me thousands of years later.
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Matthew 14: Not to be Overlooked
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray...
These are tiny verses sandwiched between two well-known events in Jesus’ ministry. It’s easy to read then dismiss them.  Thankfully, nothing penned in Scripture is an accident.  Jesus’ life is the ultimate ministry model. How I wish I paid more attention to verses like these! Jesus knew he needed to pray. If God made flesh spent time praying, recharging, and communing with the Father, how much more then do I need to pray? 
During Perspectives this past semester I was reminded that prayer is not a last resort for those who cannot go abroad to do cross-cultural work; prayer is the work. Prayer is necessary discipline not just for ministry, but for living.
Dear Father, remind me that You just want to be with me. You just want me to talk to you. It is just as important as all the things I want to do for You.
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Matthew 13: Worth it
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
I consider Matthew 13:45-46 to be one of my life verses. I didn’t understand how people could pick just a few verses that consistently resonated with them until I reread these verses. Most often when people talk about the worth of establishing Jesus’ kingdom on earth, people cite the verses prior about the man and the treasure in the field. What I particularly love about these verses is that the kingdom of heaven is likened to something small, that could easily be overlooked. Pearls are not exactly the most ‘worthwhile’ investment to some. Its beauty can be seen as trivial, and its size inconsequential. 
Why would Jesus include two parables about the kingdom of heaven back-to-back? Perhaps its for people like me who don’t quite understand treasures and fields. What it shows me is that Jesus knew some people will think the pursuit of the kingdom is foolish and small and simply not worth it. He speaks of an unnamed merchant on the search and allows the reader to put him/herself in the shoes of the merchant. Aren’t we all in search of something worthwhile, something worthy of utter devotion? The merchant searches and finds what he is after. The merchant goes and sells everything he owns. What could possibly compel a man to do that?? The merchant goes and sells everything because he has seen the worth of the pearl. Even though it is small, and will seem foolish in the eyes of just about everyone he knows, the merchant buys it anyways. Purchasing the pearl is astoundingly reckless. It defies logic and financial planning. Yet the pursuit of the worth and beauty of the kingdom far outweighs plans and pensions. 
Jesus knows the worth of the kingdom of heaven.
Dear Jesus, you indeed are King, and desire your kingdom to be established on earth as it is in heaven. Even though we’re kind of caught in this in between of “kingdom here and kingdom yet to come”, I want to live so that everything is sold for the purpose of your kingdom. It’s really not much, but let it be worship unto You.
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Matthew 12: New and Improved
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
The book of Matthew consistently reminds the readers that Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. Here in this passage, Jesus references two OT characters, Jonah the prophet and Solomon the king. After referencing each, Jesus uses the same phrase, “something greater...is here”. 
Jesus did not just come as an improvement to the OT words and make them true. He is something completely better than any prophet and any king the world has yet to see. Jonah and Solomon both testified of God and because of that, people from far nations would not be on the side of condemnation during the time of judgment. Jesus is the ultimate Prophet and supreme King. How many more people,then, will be saved and live in Jesus’ reign forever? That is nothing short of amazing.
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Matthew 11: Keepin’ it Real
There are times I read a text and go on a treasure hunt. I try to find one gold nugget of a verse to take away for the day.
As I read Matthew 11 today, I see there are many well-known verses (looking at you, v.28-30), but this chapter feels holistic. It feels very much like one facet of Jesus’ persona. Here, Jesus lays it straight. He doesn’t hold back telling people that they’ve missed* so many signs and wonders, missed so many opportunities to bear witness to the Messiah in front of their eyes. What I appreciate most about Jesus is that yes, he is kind and gentle, but Jesus is not afraid to just keep it real.
Jesus, you are honest. Yes, you are the good, kind, gentle Shepherd. But it doesn’t mean that you are going to sugar-coat what needs to be said. Thank you for being honest and truthful. When you shed light, our darkness is revealed. Thank you for not leaving us in that darkness!
*Note: ‘Missed’ may be up to interpretation, given that only God can open eyes and soften hearts. Who knows if these Jews were actually ready to receive? Mysteries.
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Matthew 10: Go
I know the Great Comission is still a couple of chapters ahead of here, but it’s clear Jesus is incredibly missional and deliberate.
He hasn’t been with the disciples all that long, and yet this is a very lengthy chapter to go out, evangelism, and take nothing with you. Don’t book a hotel, rent a donkey, or pack a bag. Be innocent, but be cunning. Sounds immensely terrifying. 
It’s easy to miss what Jesus does in the very first verse:  And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Jesus doesn’t send them out empty-handed, even though they may feel woefully unprepared. He tells them to leave everything else behind because this is not a test of how much they can do, but how much they believe. Jesus sends with authority.
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