Obeying & Fearing God than man
Genesis Chapter 3 shows the followings:
- The serpent deceived the woman (Genesis 3:1).
- The deceived woman misled the man (Genesis 3:6).
- God showed it was wrong that the man listened to the woman and disobeyed God (Genesis 3:17) and sentenced him to death (Genesis 3:19)
The above 1 & 2 are still happening until now:
Proverbs 7:26 says regarding to the adulterous woman,
“Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.”
Shortly speaking, deceived women destroy men.
In conclusion,
- Obey God. It is wrong that a man listens to a woman and disobeys God.
As written in Acts 4:19,
But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
- Fear God. The woman of noble character fears God.
As written in Proverbs 31:30,
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Q & A:
Q: Is it easy to know if you may be deceived or under delusion?
A: Even if you are deceived, you may not easily know you are so. If you are under delusion, you may believe in the falsehood as the truth.
Supporting verses about deception & delusion:
The devil is a liar (John 8:44) – Deception is the primary strategy of the devil.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
Believing in the falsehood is like treating the darkness as the light. If your light is darkness, your darkness is great (Matthew 6:23).
God shows favour to the humble
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
(The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition), 2011)
(Message)
The angel went to Mary and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” (28)
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be (29).
See v30.
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. ” (The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition), 2011)
The angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid”. As shown in Genesis 3:10, fear is from Sin. Due to Sin we became to have fear when we stand before God’s presence. Therefore “Do not be afraid” means God’s forgiveness. See 30b. “You have found favour with God.” This favour with God has to do with humility. See following verses to learn about humility written in the Bible.
Proverbs 3:34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favour to the humble and oppressed.
(The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition), 2011)
This verse in Proverbs was quoted in James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5, too.
After quoting this verse, Peter said in 1 Peter 5:6.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Mary sang in Luke 1,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant (48a).
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts (51b).
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble (52).
(The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition), 2011)
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30.
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition), 2011)
We can know humility is the important before God. This is an important attribute that pertains to the wise whom God’s favour may reside on.
What does make men proud? See 1 Corinthians 8:1b.
But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
Knowledge could make a person the man of pride.
But God originally created us to be men of humility. God cannot use the proud man even if he may have a lot of knowledge and human wisdom but God can use the humble man for His great purpose even if he may not have much knowledge and human wisdom.
See v31 – 33
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition), 2011)
What a good news it is? We will continue to study about this next week.
In summary, Mary was greeted by the angel of God and received the message that she was highly favoured and God was with her. And we learned that the favour of God has to do with humility. God shows favour to the humble and oppressed (Proverbs 3:34). Also many verses in Proverbs teach that humility is wisdom and pride is folly. And Jesus is humble and gentle (Matthew 11:29).
Let us read today’s key verses 28 and 30.
28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. (The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition), 2011)
Prayer
Lord, Almighty God. Under your mighty hand, we put down all our prides, and humble ourselves. Please help us. And we pray that God’s favour may be shown to us. We pray that we all may be men and women of humility, who may be highly favoured.
Bibliography
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition). (2011). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
The Amazing Answer to Trappy Question
Mark 12:13 – 17
13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
And they were amazed at him.
(short message)
During the final exam, some people might face difficult questions. Today let’s read about the amazing answer to trappy question written in the Bible.
The question was a trap. But Jesus answered wisely.
Jesus didn’t say “Pay tax”, which expression would make the Jews disagree or upset. Instead, based on the image of Caesar in the coin, money belonged to Ceasar, so Jesus asked them to give back what was Ceasar’s. No one could disagree or upset.
After this, Jesus added, “and to God what is God’s.”
Genesis 1:27 says
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Mankind have the image of God, therefore mankind belong to God and have obligation to (serve) God.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9” ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
12“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
(Message)
See v1.
1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Here, ‘ten virgins’ are bridesmaids. Bride does not appear in the parable but bridegroom and bridesmaids do.
The imagery of the parable accurately reflects typical customs of first-century Palestinian wedding festivities. A welcoming processional escorts the newly married couple from the bride’s home to a great banquet at the bridegroom’s home, some unspecified time after the legal nuptials have been exchanged. Torches light the way in the darkness, so all the bridesmaids have to take enough oil to keep them burning for as long as might be necessary. (Blomberg, 1992)
“took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom” supplies a key to the parable to illustrate the vigilant and expectant attitude of faith in respect of which believers are described as “those who are waiting for him” (Hebrew 9:28) and “all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v2.
2Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
Note that they are not distinguished into “good” and “bad” but into “wise” and “foolish” just as in Matthew 7:25-27 those who built their house for eternity are distinguished into “wise” and “foolish builders”; because in both cases a certain degree of goodwill towards the truth is assumed. It is not certain why the equal number of virgins are in both classes but it warns us how large a portion of those who, up to the last, so nearly resemble those that love Christ’s appearing will be disowned by Him when He comes. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v3 and v4.
3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
These lighted lamps and this advance a certain way in company with the wise, must denote that Christian profession which is common to all who bear the Christian name; while the insufficiency of this without something else, of which they never possessed themselves, shows that “the foolish” mean those who, with all that is common to them with real Christians, lack the essential preparation for meeting Christ. Then, since the wisdom of “the wise” consisted in their taking with their lamps a supply of oil in their vessels, keeping their lamps burning till the Bridegroom came, and so fitting them to go in with Him to the marriage, this supply of oil must mean that inward reality of grace which alone will stand when He appears. This inward grace is here set forth by the familiar symbol of oil, by which the Spirit of all grace is so constantly represented in Scripture. This supply of oil, then, representing that inward grace which distinguishes the wise, must denote, more particularly, that “supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” which, as it is the source of the new spiritual life at the first, is the secret of its enduring character. Everything short of this may be possessed by “the foolish”; while it is the possession of this that makes “the wise” to be “ready” when the Bridegroom appears, and fit to “go in with Him to the marriage.” (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v5a.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming,
Peter said of the ascended Savior, “Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything”(Acts 3:21). Christ is a long time in coming, among other reasons, to try the faith and patience of His people. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v5b.
and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
The wise as well as the foolish became drowsy and fell asleep. The world “drowsy” signifies, simply, “nodded,” or, “became sleepy”; while the word “fell asleep” is the usual word for lying down to sleep, denoting two stages of spiritual declension—first, that half-involuntary slowness or drowsiness which is apt to steal over one who falls into inactivity; and then a conscious, deliberate yielding to it, after a little vain resistance. Such was the state alike of the wise and the foolish virgins, even till the cry of the Bridegroom’s approach awoke them. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v6.
6“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
The Bridegroom arrived at midnight. This is an unexpected time. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 says
2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
See v7.
7“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish and wise virgins seem the same, almost to the moment of decision! The foolish also had oil enough in their lamps to keep them burning up to this moment. Their folly consisted in not making provision against its exhaustion, by taking with their lamp an extra jar of oil to fill up the lamp again from time to time, and so have it burning until the Bridegroom should come. The difference in the wise virgins is interpreted as the possession of an enduring principle of spiritual life. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v8.
8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
Now they have discovered not only their own folly but also the wisdom of the other class. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v9.
9” ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
It teaches that men may get salvation even after they are supposed and required to have it already gotten. And the parable implies that the oil can’t be shared but it should be obtained only in the legitimate way by ‘buying’ from the sellers. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
If someone gives you something for free, you may ignore or lose it if you don’t recognize its value and necessity. But if you find it valuable and necessary, you will not ignore or lose it after getting it. So ‘buying’ means you get something with the acknowledgement that you need and value it even if it is free. So the following verses in the Bible mention ‘buying (for free)’ in this reason.
‘Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost. (Isaiah 55:1)
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see. (Revelation 3:18)
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
wisdom, instruction and insight as well. (Proverbs 23:23)
44 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44,45)
See v10.
10“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
They are sensible of their past folly; they have taken good advice: they are in the act of getting what alone they lacked: a very little more, and they also are ready. But the Bridegroom comes; the ready are admitted; “the door is shut,” and they are undone. How graphic and appalling this picture of one almost saved—but lost! (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D., 1997)
See v11-12.
11“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
12“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
Relevant verses are in Matthew 7:21-23 as below:
21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
See v13.
13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The admonition to be constantly watching should not mislead us to lay the final stress on v5 and to make that nodding and sleeping the fatal thing against which Jesus warns. The pivotal words of the parable are “foolish” and “sensible,” and these two center in the “oil” (grace). This verse is really an epilog. It emphasizes our utter ignorance of the day and of the hour of Christ’s final coming (Matthew 24:36). This is why we must constantly be watching. Our watching means that we must constantly look to ourselves, to be ever ready, to be ever rich in grace so that, when the day and the hour arrive, there may be no question as to our being received. (Lenski, 1961)
Bibliography
Blomberg, C. (1992). The New American Commentary: Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 369). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.r., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Lenski, R. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel (pp. 970-971). Mineapolis MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
Good thing, God’s thing
Matthew 19:16-30
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
18“Which ones?” the man inquired.
Jesus replied, ” ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'”
20“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
(Message)
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
The man came up to Jesus was in the pursuit of the eternal life. His question was “What good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (16)
This man wanted to do good thing. He thought that’s the way to get eternal life.
This is very common misconceptions in regard to eternal life, heaven or salvation.
What is the answer of Jesus? See v17.
17“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
Jesus corrected his question first by teaching him that only God is good. Deed itself cannot be defined as good deed without God.
There is no ‘good thing’.
There is only God’s thing, who is good.
Being good by doing good thing may be taught by other religions but it misleads you seriously because they miss out God. Jesus reminds you that only God is good. We will never be ‘good’ like God is. We can only reflect the goodness of God when we are aligned with God who is good.
After this, Jesus answered to his question. “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”(17b)
Jesus asked him to obey the commandments. The commandments are from God. Therefore the object of obedience is ‘God’. Jesus shifted spotlight from “doing good thing” onto “obeying God”.
They are
Do not murder,
do not commit adultery,
do not steal,
do not give false testimony,
honor your father and mother
love your neighbor as yourself. (18b-19)
The young man said that he had kept all these. He asked “What do I still lack?”
See v21.
21Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Based on v22, he was a very wealthy man.
But Jesus’ answer tells us that this man was not perfect because of his wealth. In fact, the possession of a man can possess him. When we have a lot of furniture and white ware, it is hard to move from one house to the other. We loose mobility and freedom from the possession. So Jesus asked him to sell them and give to the poor.
And then, Jesus invited and accepted him as his follower.
But the young man went away sad because he had great wealth (22).
In this occasion, the possession didn’t become blessing but trap.
While Jesus had no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20), he might have a nice house to live and many properties to lease. While Jesus came to serve (Matthew 20:28), he might have many people to serve him. They love the comfort and luxury the money gives. Many people do not want to go out of their comfort zone. They rely on the security and protection of their money. With their love of money, they would even exploit the poor.
Jesus said at v23 that “It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Getting rich means getting hard to give up the wealth.
At v27, Peter asked Jesus “what will there be for us who have left everything to follow you?”
See v28-29.
28Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
In summary, what they get are hundred times compensation of what they gave up, plus eternal life.
See v30.
30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
[1] The inevitable reversal of fortunes to come is illustrated by the proverbial slogan: many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. The saying may have a twofold purpose: On the one hand, while the world gives preferential treatment to the wealthy and powerful, in the eschaton those who are deemed of little worth (i.e., disciples) will be exalted to a place of priority. However, the saying may also be intended as a warning to the disciples not to think of themselves too highly, because as the following parable (Matthew 20:1 – 16) illustrates, God’s rewards are not based on length of service.
References
[1] Chouinard, L. (1997). Matthew (Mt 19:30) Joplin, MO: College Press.
Humility before God and Confidence in His Grace
Matthew 15:21-28
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Message
Jesus went from Gennesaret to the region of Tyre and Sidon (21). There, a Canaanite woman came to Him and cried out. She said, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” (22).
Based on Mark 7:26, this Canaanite woman was a Greek and born in Syrian Phoenicia. Tyre and Sidon were the two principal cities of Phoenicia. Both were Gentile cities in a Gentile country. The woman there was desperate for help in a horrible situation. Her daughter was demon-possessed and terribly suffering. Only Jesus could solve this problem. She cried out to Jesus. What was the response of Jesus? See v23a.
But Jesus did not answer a word to her. Why did Jesus not answer her request?
When disciples of Jesus urged Him to send her away (23b), Jesus answered to her.
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” (24)
This means His personal mission was to the Israelites. The Gospel was first offered to the Israelites and then to all by His apostles.
But the woman didn’t give up but came and knelt before Him and persistently asked His help. “Lord, help me!” (25) This shows that she still believed that Jesus would help even though she was not physically an Israelite. In fact, the Bible teaches us this is possible by faith. By faith, we become descendants of Abraham.
At this point, Jesus insulted her by saying, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
In the Bible, dogs are used to describe dirtiness, folly and greed.
Matthew 7:6 says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet and then turn and tear you to pieces.”
If you give God’s word to dogs, they will trample it under their feet and then turn and hurt you. That is how dogs are.
Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
Philippians 3:2 “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.”
Bread is not for dogs but children. If you stay as dogs, you are less important in God’s eyes. If you want to live in His blessing, you better live not as dogs but as children of God.
At His word, she was humble enough to admit her identity as a dog. But she didn’t despair or retreat. Instead, she continued to ask for help by saying, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
We are attached to Israelites by faith. But it is important to maintain our humility. Romans 11:20, 21 say, “(Granted. But) they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.”
At her humility and confidence in His grace, Jesus recognized she had “great faith” and granted her request.
Proverbs 3:34 says, “He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.”
Hebrews 4:15, 16 say 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
What is your past? What foolish mistake did you make? But do not despair. Do not give up God’s mercy & grace. God’s heart is moved by humility & confidence in His grace.
I invite you who need desperate help, whether spiritual, financial, mental, physical, or social.
We all need help. Let us cry out for God’s grace with humility and confidence! Oh Jesus, have mercy on us!
Let us pray.
<Prayer>
Thank you, Jesus, for your amazing grace. Once, our hearts were touched by your love and forgiveness. Today our hearts are deeply touched again by the depth and width of your grace shown toward this Canaanite woman. Like this woman, let us be humble, confident in your grace, and receive your mercy today and every day. Amen.
[Other bible verses about ‘dog(s)’]
It was ‘dogs’ that crucified Jesus:
Psalm 22:16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.
Psalm 22:20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Warning to believers:
Galatians 5:15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Warning:
Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness
Matthew 6:19-34
Key Verse Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I. Treasure in heaven (19 – 24)
See v19a. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,” Jesus says the reason at v19b. “where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” Here, moths are a major agricultural pest, which cause severe damage to forests and fruit farms. Also moths destroy clothing by eating holes in it. Rust is iron oxides, formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture, which destroys iron metal. Someone may say gold and silver are treasures that are not destroyed by moth or rust. But thieves may break in and steal such treasures.
Storing treasures on earth gives us great frustration, affliction and anger.
Have you been frustrated because you try to store up treasures on earth?
Then what does Jesus command us to do? See v20. He asks us to store up our treasures in heaven, where there is no moth, rust or thieves.
See v21. “21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “
It’s obvious that the place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. So if the heaven is the place you most want to be, store treasures in heaven. If you want to end up in heaven, store treasures in heaven. It’s for you. Your treasures in heaven are safer than on earth. Your work for God is more rewarding than anything you invest in the world.
The lamp of the body (22 – 23)
Jesus says in v22a, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” If your eyes are good, your body has good lamps and is full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your body has bad lamps and is full of darkness. If we have good knowledge in the Bible, we can have good biblical point of view. This will be like light in our lives. If we have poor knowledge in the Bible, we may have incorrect point of view. Some people make other source rather than the Holy Bible as their knowledge base. Many people believe and follow falsehood. Many people believe in the power of money. This is like making darkness as their light. Jesus warns “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” When they follow false lights, their darkness is great.
Two masters (24)
See v24. Jesus says “No one can serve two masters.”(24a). The reason is “Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Then, what are the two masters in our lives? Jesus says “You cannot serve both God and Money.” They are God and Money.
Some people think they can manage their lives without recognizing God. So they don’t believe God. To them, money looks practical and first. Their master is money.
Some people believe God but serve money as master. The Pharisees are such examples.
When Jesus said “You cannot serve both God and money.” in Luke 16:13, it is written in Luke 16:14,
“14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.
The Pharisees were religious leaders. But they were devoted to money and despised the son of God, Jesus.
When they loved money, they were against God and they were evil.
Paul says “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
See 1 Timothy 6:9,10.
9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 teaches us to be content.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Solomon, the king of Wisdom said in Ecclesiastes 5:10-20,
10 Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless.
11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner
except to feast his eyes on them?
12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether he eats little or much,
but the abundance of a rich man
permits him no sleep.
13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:
wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
14 or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when he has a son
there is nothing left for him.
15 Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb,
and as he comes, so he departs.
He takes nothing from his labor
that he can carry in his hand.
16 This too is a grievous evil:
As a man comes, so he departs,
and what does he gain,
since he toils for the wind?
17 All his days he eats in darkness,
with great frustration, affliction and anger.
18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
II. Do not worry about life (25 – 34)
See v25a. “…do not worry about your life” and Jesus says the reason at v25b-32.
Jesus showed example of birds that God feeds them even though birds do not sow, reap or store. We are much more valuable than birds. Also he showed example of lilies that God clothes them even though they do not labor or spin. Jesus says God clothes them, which could be here today and tomorrow thrown into the fire, then how much more will he clothes us. Our heavenly Father knows that we need food, drink and clothes.
Food, drink and clothes are our basic needs. So if we don’t have faith in God and worry about them, our priority of life will become ensuring these things. But instead, what does Jesus ask us to do as the first priority? See v33.
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
This word teaches us priority of our life. What is the highest priority in your life each day? It is “seeking God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness”. This is the 1st priority among all other things everyday. If you do so, Jesus promises “all these things will be given to you as well.” (33b) This is a promise of God.
While you will experience frustration if you try to store up treasures on earth, you will experience God’s provision if you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
I pray everyone here today seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness everyday, live on God’s amazing provision everyday and store treasures in heaven everyday!
Women in the Genealogy of Jesus
Matthew 1:1-17
The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah
1This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,
Abihud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Elihud,
15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
Message
Genealogy does not include women usually. But the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17 included five women including Mary. Four of them were either a Gentile or immoral or both. Matthew deliberately included them in the genealogy.
They are
Tamar (3): a Canaanite. Gave birth through father-in-law (Genesis 38:1-30)
Rahab (5a): a Canaanite, Was a prostitute (Joshua 2:1-24 & Joshua 6:1-27)
Ruth (5b): a Moabitess (Ruth 1:1-22, Ruth 2:1-23, Ruth 3:1-18, Ruth 4:1-22)
Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) (6): a Jew, committed adultery with King David (2 Samuel 11:1-27)
They are written in the 1st chapter of the 1st book in the New Testament.
This is not to encourage us to be immoral or scandalous.
Then, why are they included?
This does indicate women and the Gentiles are included in the mission of Jesus.
Also this does indicate God can use anyone, who is not perfect, has faults & mistakes.
Jesus said in Matthew 9:12-13,
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), the good neighbour was a Samaritan. Samaritans were people despised by Jews. The Samaritan in the parable might be a drinker because he had & used wine to sanitize the scars of the injured man. Thus, he could be not a religious person. But he had mercy & humanity in contrast to a priest & a Levi in the parable.
Jesus our Savior sees what we don’t see. For example, depending on your situation, Jesus may be more concerned about your health, wellbeing and happiness than how many hours you make commitment. What I mean is it is case by case and personal. In other words, He is a Good Shepherd (John 10:11), who calls His own sheep by name (John 10:3).
Let’s read Matthew 9:13 again,
13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
Psalm 119:9-16
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
Revelation 22:1-21
Eden Restored
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
