Scripture

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.

Observation

A rich young man comes to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds by listing the commandments. The man replies that he has kept them all.

Jesus then tells him he must give all he has to the poor, and then he will have treasure in heaven.

The man is sad at this, because he is rich.

The disciples are amazed and ask Jess if the rich cannot be saved, then who can be saved. Jesus tells them that what is impossible for men id possible with God.

Application

Jesus tells the rich young man that he must give all his wealth away to the poor and then he will have treasure in heaven. The man goes away sad because he has so much money.

This prescription of giving away possessions is not for everybody. Jesus gives this instruction to test this particular man’s motives.

When we put conditions on our discipleship with Jesus, we are setting up idols and are not really being disciples at all. For this man, wealth was more important than eternal life. He wanted eternity, but he wanted to enjoy this life first.

What are the idols that get in the way of my life? I am convinced that Jesus is first in everything, but there may be a point at which I say “No” to Him. I hope not. I sincerely believe not. Nobody knows what their idols are until God demands that we let them go.

Some people have placed their family above Jesus. They will not follow Him because they fear losing their family. For others, it is work or business opportunities.

Jesus will not tolerate second place in anyone’s life.

We must always be prepared to give up anything that we own for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please show me any idols that I have which stop me from following you completely, and give me the grace to let them go. Amen.

Scripture

When Jesus saw what was happening, he became indignant with his disciples and said to them, “Let all the little children come to me and never hinder them! Don’t you know that God’s kingdom realm exists for such as these?”

Observation

While Jesus is teaching the crowds, some Pharisees come to trap Him with a question. They ask if it is permissible for a man to divorce his wife.

Jesus replies that Moses permitted them to divorce, but this was an exception for their hard hearts. In fact it was God’s purpose from the beginning of creation for a man and woman to be joined together as one flesh. Nobody can separate what God has joined together.

Some parents want Jesus to bless their children, but the disciples keep sending them away. Jesus rebukes them, telling them that everyone who wants to enter the Kingdom must come to Him as a little child.

Application

The Pharisees come to Jesus wanting to show that they are better than Him at interpreting God’s will. Jesus says that this is not the way to God’s Kingdom. We must come as little children, ready to receive Him as God’s Word.

For many people, we start our walk with Jesus like a little child, ready to soak up everything Jesus will say to us. Then gradually we become like the Pharisees, the experts, the know-it-alls,

Religion is a very hard attitude to kill in our hearts. We desperately need to tame God, and so we become the experts on what He is like and what He wants.

Child- like humility and acceptance that we don’t have all the answers are the attitudes that bring us closer to God and His Kingdom.

Prayer

Lord, help me to repent of all my expert knowledge about you. Help me to be the little child in love with you. Amen.

Scripture
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me.”

Observation
Some disciples tell Jesus that they saw a man casting out in His name and and they told him to stop doing it because he wasn’t a part of their group. Jesus tells them not to do this as anyone who is not opposed to them is for them.

It is better to rigorously remove sin from our lives, even removing parts of the body if necessary, than to maintain an intact body but go to hell.

Application
Tribalism is strong amongst christians. We love to criticise those whom we think are less pure in doctrine than we are. Google any famous preacher’s name, and there will be a host of hate pages criticising their ministry.

I don’t like Benny Hinn’s style. There are many things that he does that make me cringe. But he has led many people to the Lord, and God has used him to heal countless people. When I am walking in that level of power and authority I might have the qualification to correct him.

Too many people spend too much time pulling other christians apart. Jesus urges us to be more tolerant.

Does this mean that we cannot ever judge ministers? Is everyone who claims to speak for Jesus above correction?

Not at all. Every pastor, preacher, and indeed every christian, needs to be accountable to the Body in some way.

Rather than being critical of people we disagree with or are not part of our group, we must focus on our own ministry, sharing the Good News with the people God has called us to. Then we can leave the judging to Jesus.

Prayer
Lord, help me to be more open to brothers and sisters outside my “tribe” and to accept even those I choose to disagree with. Amen.

Scripture

The people were absolutely beside themselves and astonished beyond measure. They began to declare, “Everything he does is wonderful! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Observation

Here we have descriptions of the healing of two Gentile people.

In the first, a Syrian Phoenician woman comes and pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter who is demonised. Jesus banters with her at first, seemingly to test her faith. He then declares that the daughter is healed.

In the second incident, a def and mute man is brought to Jesus and receives healing. The people are amazed at the power that Jesus has, and they declare that everything Jesus does is wonderful.

Application

Everything Jesus does is wonderful. That should be our testimony.

We can find sometimes that the pressures and disappointments of life can take our attention away from Jesus. Perhaps prayers go unanswered and we start to suspect that Jesus is less than wonderful.

Faith clings to Jesus and says hat everything He does is wonderful.

We must regain that sense of astonishment at a God who heals even deaf and mute people.

He healed the Gentile woman’s daughter; will He not heal my daughter? He healed a deaf man; will He not heal me of my affliction?

Everything Jesus does is wonderful. He still raises the dead, removes demons, gives life to sinners, and heals the sick.

All of these wonderful deeds are signs that the Kingdom of God is already here in our midst.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, everything you do is wonderful. I thank you for dying for my sins. I thank you for healings received in the past and healings to come in the future. You are awesome in grace and power. Hallelujah! Amen.

Scripture

Deeply grieved, the king regretted his promise to her, but since he had made his vow in front of his honoured guests, he could not deny her request.

Observation

King Herod hears about Jesus and what people are saying about Him. Some people insist that he is John the Baptist resurrected. Herod believes this and becomes disturbed.

Previously, Herod had had John arrested because John was publicly rebuking Herod for his immorality in marrying Herodias. At a feast for Herod’s birthday, his stepdaughter danced for the assembled dignitaries. He was delighted and promised her whatever she requested. At her mother’s urging, she requests John’s head on a platter. Reluctantly, Herod acquiesced to her demand.

Application

Our words can imprison us and others so we should be careful about what we say. Where the text says “The king regretted his promise,” an early Syrian version says he was “tied in a knot,” a very graphic description.

Our words have power to free us or enslave us.

A year ago I made a promise to “try to” do something. It seemed impossible at that point, but the promise seemed to be led by the Holy Spirit. For six months, I prayed daily for the grace to do what I had said I would try to achieve. Finally a breakthrough came as the Lord lifted me to a higher level of faith.

A vow uttered from the human soul constricts us or “ties us in a knot.” A godly promise can take us upward and higher. The difference is the source of the promise, whether it is energised by the spirit or by the flesh.

When we discover that we have spoken foolishly we should immediately take it to the Lord and seek His direction. His ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom exceeds all human wisdom. He will show us how to be free of a fleshly promise or vow.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you set me free from foolish vows and promises. Help me to control my tongue and only make declarations that honour you. Amen.