Author: newlifenarrabri

Reflection on Matthew 12:1–14

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Scripture

“You would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of the scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’“

Observation

Jesus and his disciples walk through some grain fields on the Sabbath. Some of the disciples are hungry so they break off some heads of grain to eat.

Some Pharisees complain to Jesus that his disciples are breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus points out that David did something similar and that the priests also work on the Sabbath.

Jesus quotes the Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.”

Jesus goes into the synagogue where there is a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees ask Jesus if the law allows people to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that if they had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, they would rescue it. A person is more valuable than a sheep, so He heals the man.

Application

The problem with legalism is that it blinds you to love and to God.

Legalism encourages self-righteousness when we obey the law, and despair when we fail.

The Pharisees were so obsessed with the minutiae of the law that they forgot to rejoice in the miracles. Instead of being awe struck, they were cynical to the point of being murderous.

Legalism can be as blunt as “You can’t do that,” or as subtle as “You ought to do this.”

A person who is genuinely in love with the Lord Jesus will often find themselves in trouble with the religious crowd. Their love and compassion for other people, especially the people that seem unworthy or unclean, will be tainted by their association with sinners.

Prayer

Lord, please let your compassion grow in me to such an extent that I am drawn out of the safe places. Amen.

Quote for the Day

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Professor Ronald Burke, who spent forty years studying behaviour in the workplace, published a study titled, ‘Why Leaders Fail: Exploring the Dark Side’ in the International Journal of Manpower. He demonstrated that more leaders fail because of character-related, integrity issues, such as arrogance, selfishness and betrayal of trust, than from a lack of talent or skills. Michael Rowell

Reflection on Matthew 11:20-30

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Scripture

Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light.”

Observation

Jesus prays, thanking the Father that He hides things from those who think they are wise, and reveals them to those who are like children.

He then invites those who are weary and heavy laden to come to him for rest. The teaching that Jesus gives is comforting because He is gentle at heart. We find rest in Jesus because he’s yoke is easy to bear and his burden is light.

Application

It doesn’t matter what the burden is that we carry or how long we have carried it. When we hand it over to Jesus, He takes it and the burden He gives in return is much lighter.

The burden of sin, with its companion emotions of guilt and shame, comma is one such burden. When Jesus died on the cross, He carried the sin of the whole world on Himself. Now we can come to the Father trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice.

Some people carry the burden of sexual, emotional, or physical abuse. Jesus is the one who can heal us when we lay this burden at his feet.

There are many other spiritual and emotional burdens that we carry needlessly. Jesus will take it all away and make you a new person.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for this wonderful promise of taking on burdens onto your own shoulders. Please help me to trust you to carry these burdens and to let you deal with them. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 10:11-19

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Scripture

“From the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.”

Observation

Jesus continues to teach the crowds.

He says that of all the people who ever lived, John the Baptist is the greatest. But even the least person in God’s kingdom is greater than John.

From the time John began preaching, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing. Violent people are attacking it. This is the time all the prophets looked forward to.

The present generation are like children playing in the village square. They complain because John was too austere and now they complain because Jesus goes to feasts and befriends tax collectors and other so-called sinners.

Application

We often think of God’s work advancing quietly, perhaps going backwards rather than advancing. Yet, all over the world the kingdom of God is growing rapidly.

In many places, violent people attack it and persecute the followers of Christ. In Muslim countries, new converts may be beaten, thrown out of their homes, or killed. In North Korea, mere possession of a Bible may lead a person to be executed. In Central America, Christians refuse to be intimidated by gangsters and are killed for their resistance.

God’s kingdom is advancing, like a flood that cannot be resisted. People may try to attack God’s people, but they will never stop the way of God from prevailing.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that with you, I am on the right side of history. Please help me to stand firm in you when I am faced with opposition for your name’s sake. Amen.