Author: Matt

Camels, Needles, & Riches!

Today, the parable of the rich man stood out to me. This rich man in our reading is a moral person, and he wants to know from Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. He wants to make sure all the bases are covered. While he has no concept of the actual righteousness needed to gain eternal life (the righteousness of Christ), he believes he has followed the law perfectly. Notice what Jesus says to him. And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21–22, ESV)

What a revelation this must have been for the rich man: his trust was in riches, not God—and yet, what a rejection of true riches for a rich man! Notice what Jesus says to His disciples about the rich: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” … “In fact, 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!” (Mark 10:23–25, NLT) As I thought about this, I was reminded of what Jesus said about the poor: And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20, KJV) 

Neither poverty nor riches are the keys to inheriting eternal life; eternal life comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, rich or poor. Yet riches present a stumbling block to true wealth. As believers, let us not covet riches, for they can and do pierce people through with many sorrows. Rather, notice what Paul said to Timothy: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19, NKJV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 17:11-18:14.

Moralists & Sinners!

Today’s reading takes us over some very familiar parables, one of which is of The Pharisee and Tax Collector. Jesus knew the hearts of the people He spoke to; some trusted in their righteousness.  

On the surface, the Pharisee is a moral and upstanding person. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ (Luke 18:11–12, ESV) Who wouldn’t want the Pharisee for a neighbor? He is a just person, stays away from adultery, isn’t a cheater, goes to church every Sunday, and gives from his income. 

Then there is the tax collector—a dishonest, unjust, cheating sinner with no time for giving because he is too busy taking. He knows he is an adulterer. Who would want this person for a neighbor? But he has come to a point in life before God where he confesses his sin in great sorrow. He pleads for God’s mercy. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (Luke 18:13, ESV)

In this parable, we see that the moralist, an upstanding member of society, is further from the kingdom of God than the tax collector because he trusts in his own righteousness and works to justify himself before God. The tax collector confesses his sins and appeals to God’s mercy. Who can God forgive? The one who asks! What a lesson to stop comparing our righteousness to the actions of others because others are not the standard. The righteousness of Jesus is the standard by which we all, including moralists, fall short. May we all have the humility of the tax collector.

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 17:11-18:14.

Lazarus, Come Out!

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43, NLT) What a shocking sight this must have been: A man who had been dead for four days walked out of a tomb! It had to be shocking because the next thing Jesus said to those around Him was, “Unwrap him and let him go.” Everyone was too shocked to move when they saw Lazarus come forth!

Now, let’s back up a few verses in today’s reading. At the beginning of John 11, we see that Lazarus was sick unto death. His sisters called for Jesus to come and heal him so that he might not die. However, Jesus intentionally waits. Sadly, Lazarus dies. Was Jesus being cruel to the sisters, Mary and Martha, by allowing him to die? When Jesus finally shows up, they are all mourning their loss. Notice the explanation Jesus gave His disciples for waiting: when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4, ESV)

Which is easier: healing someone from sickness or raising them from the dead? Raising Lazarus from the dead did several things that healing his sickness would not have. Faith was deeply strengthened (John 11:14–15). Additionally, this event kicked off a serious plan to kill Jesus. Many people who saw the resurrection believed in Jesus and did what believing people do: they told others about it. Word reached the religious leaders, and out of concern for protecting the norm, the high priest gave permission to plot the death of Jesus (John 11:47–50). At this point, Jesus is not far from the cross. This was another step in the plan of redemption. 

Why does God allow us to go through trials and tests? He does this to glorify Himself, strengthen our faith, and involve us in the eternal plan He is working out for our good and the good of many around us. Lazarus died so that the plot to kill Jesus could begin. Let’s remember what Paul said about a trial he asked God to remove: Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from John 11.

Calling all Managers!

In today’s reading, Jesus discusses faithfulness and stewardship. He teaches about a rich man who had a manager. This manager wasted his employer’s resources. The rich man calls him in, demands an accounting, and then tells him he will be fired when all the accounts are settled. During this accounting time, the manager goes to those who owe his master money and discounts their bills if they pay on the spot. This is shrewd because it puts him in favor of those who owe his master money. When this manager is eventually fired, many will be his sympathizers. 

Jesus then turns the spotlight on His disciples. “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. (Luke 16:8, NLT) While Jesus disapproves of the dishonesty in the manager’s shrewdness, He illustrates that Christians are managers with earthly and heavenly riches and ought to be shrewd and faithful in managing these things. 

As Jesus continues teaching, he explains that shrewd management of earthly and heavenly riches for the kingdom of God starts with small things. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10, NLT) Jesus also implies that if one is not a good manager of money, then they are not a good manager of God’s blessings (Luke 16:11). As Christians, the point is this: we are stewards of God in all things because all things come from Him. May we be wiser in managing God’s kingdom than the world is shrewd with its money. 

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 16-17:10.

The Disciple’s Cross & Glory!

Does it cost something to be a Christian? Does it cost something to follow Christ? In today’s reading, a large crowd was following Jesus. He turned to them and said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26–27, NLT) Wow, Jesus was not afraid to be plain and transparent!

This is a largely forgotten aspect of Christianity in the West. These words Jesus spoke would be considered an anti-growth strategy: unloving, exclusive, not inclusive. But the reality is that the Jesus of the Bible told the crowds to sit down and count the cost before they decided to follow Him (Luke 14:28–32). He plainly explained to them, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33, ESV)

To be a disciple of Jesus, everything must come in a distant second to Him. Jesus must be first. What He taught must come first. His Gospel must be first. His kingdom must be first. His righteousness must be first. His commands must come first. Otherwise, we are not truly His disciples. Since the world hates Jesus, we must be prepared to be hated. Because it persecuted Him, we must be prepared for persecution. Because He was despised and rejected, we, too, must be willing to suffer the same. 

So, is it worth it? Yes! Notice what Paul said: For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17–18, ESV) As believers, let us take up our crosses, for they will seem but for a moment compared to the glory that awaits us in Heaven.

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 14-15.