Scripture

Then Peter came to him and asked,“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? 7 times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven.”

Observation

Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sings against him. He suggests seven times, which was very generous. But Jesus says seventy times seven is the appropriate number.

Jesus then tells a parable of a king who was settling accounts. He discovered that one of his servants owed him millions of dollars. He ordered the servant to be thrown into prison, along with his family. The servant pleads for time to pay, so the king forgives his debt. A fellow servant owes this man a few days wages. The first servant has him thrown into prison despite the man’s pleas for mercy. When the king hears about this, he has the first servant thrown into prison.

Jesus concludes by saying that this is how God will treat those who refuse to forgive their brothers and sisters.

Application

Gods mercy towards us is huge. We think of all the times we have said, “Sorry” to God and received His forgiveness. We should probably add four times that number again of occasions when we should have said “Sorry” but failed to do so.

Forgiveness flows to us from God’s heart because He is love and we are His children.

Part of being a receiver of God’s loving forgiveness is that we forgive those who hurt us. Peter thought he had an idea of God’s grace when he suggested that we forgive people seven times. But Jesus explodes that idea. “Seventy times seven” really means that we do not keep count.

For the child of God, forgiveness should flow freely from our hearts as it does from God’s heart.

“Freely you have received. Freely you must give.”

Prayer

Lord, your love is like an ocean that stretches beyond our imagination. You let my sins sink out of sight and over again. Please let this same grace flow from me to others. Amen.

Scripture

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Observation

If a man has 100 sheep, he will go searching for one that goes astray. When he finds the stray, he will rejoice over the one that was lost more than the ninety-nine who did not go astray. The Father also rejoices when one of His little ones comes to faith.

If another believer offends us, we should first try to resolve it privately. If that does not work, we should take one or two others to meet with them. If all else fails, we must take the dispute to the church to be adjudicated.

If two people agree on earth concerning anything, the Father will do it. Where two or three gather in Jesus’ name He is with us.

Application

There is spiritual power in agreement, for better or worse.

When we agree in prayer, then God sees our combined faith levels and moves to answer our prayer. Agreement brings a multiplication of faith.

Agreement has a negative side also. When we gossip or speak badly of other christians in a group, then the power of agreement releases satan to pull that person down. When we say a particular person is no good or beyond redemption, we give satan the ability to block that person’s access to the grace of God.

If there is power in agreement, there is even greater power in presence. The presence of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, pulls down strongholds, releases healing, and brings people to salvation.

When we gather, even as two or three, the church, the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ is in session. There amongst us is Christ.

The key is that we meet in the name of Jesus, that is, as His representatives. There is no promise for a couple of christians having coffee together, but when we come together “as my followers”, we can know our prayers will be powerfully answered.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the power of agreement and the power of your presence. Please help me to believe these words and put them into practise. Amen.

Scripture

“What sorrow awaits the world, because it’s tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.”

Observation

The disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in God’s Kingdom. Jesus replies that we must turn from our sins and become like children to get inside the Kingdom. Anyone who becomes humble like a child is the greatest in the Kingdom.

Anyone who causes a “little one” (whether a child or a believer in Christ) to fall into sin will be judged so terribly that they would be better off with a millstone tied around their neck and cast into the sea. Temptation is inevitable, but sorrow awaits the one who tempts people.

If we are led Into temptation, we should cut off the offending parts of our body. It is better to enter eternity maned then to be thrown into the flames of Hell.

Application

It is one thing to sin ourselves, but infinitely worse if we cause somebody else to sin.

The world system, and those who participate in it, will be judged harshly by God for this reason.

When we look around at the temptations that our society exhorts us to indulge, it is no wonder that Jesus is so harsh. The world encourages us to lust after people, to engage in sexual promiscuity, to indulge in sexual depravity, to drink too much alcohol, to covet cars, houses, and other goods, to be gluttons, to despise authority, and so on.

Jesus shows us a very different way to live. It is not that we should reject everything the physical world offers, or all that society gives, but that we focus our attention on serving the Lord.

We must, therefore, ensure that we resist the seductions of the world. Above all, we must take care not to lead others into sin.

Prayer

Father God, you call me to live a life of simplicity and trust. Please help me to live in a way that pleases you. Amen.

Scripture

Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered? ” Peter replied, “The people they have conquered.” “Well then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!”

Observation

Jesus again tells the disciples that He will be betrayed into the hands of His enemies to be killed, but He will rise on the third day.

In Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple Tax ask Peter if Jesus pays the tax. He tells then, “yes”. Jesus then ask Peter whether kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered.

Jesus concludes that the citizens of the kingdom are free. But He sends Peter to go down to the lake where he will catch a fish that will have a coin in its mouth.

Application

Every adult in Israel was required to pay half a shekel each year to pay for the maintenance of the temple. Jesus stated that, as citizens of God’s Kingdom, they were exempt, but He provided the money for the tax anyway.

Christians are required to pay taxes in our society. Our taxes do not go to support the old covenant worship, but to providing services for people. We might argue about Government priorities, but we cannot claim to be exempt from taxes.

Jesus’ death and resurrection brought the old covenant to an end. The new Temple is the people who make up the covenant community. It is no longer a physical building but a spiritual reality.

There is no need for us to pay the temple tax. We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Lord, it is an awesome thing to realise that I carry the Holy Spirit in the same way that the temple was once considered your dwelling place. Amen.

Scripture

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Observation

Jesus and the three disciples come down from the mountain, where a man comes and kneels before Jesus. He pleads for Jesus to heal his son. He asked the disciples, but they could do nothing.

Jesus is exasperated by this lack of faith. He rebukes the demon, and it leaves.

The disciples ask Jesus why they could not remove the demon. Jesus replies that if they had only a mustard seed of faith, nothing would be impossible for them.

Application

Jesus rebukes His disciples for their lack of faith. Even a mustard seed of faith would be enough to move a mountain, much less heal a sick boy.

This is a rebuke for all of us. We just don’t have enough faith.

We fail to experience miracles because our faith is so tiny, so insignificant as to be meaningless.

I think that Jesus is trying to tell us that we need to trust Him more, especially with the big issues in life.

How do we get faith? By believing.

We have to make that decision to walk by faith and not by sight, to believe what God’s word says, not by what our eyes see or a doctor tells us.

This is not to say that we will become a sideshow of miracle workers. No, it is normal Christian living..When faced with opposition or a lack of something, we say to the devil,“You have no authority here. Be gone! “

Prayer

Lord, a mustard seed of faith is all that I need to see you at work. Please plant that in my spirit and cause it to grow in me. Amen

Scripture

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ”This is my beloved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”

Observation

Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain to be alone. Jesus’ appearance is transformed, and His face shines like the sun. Moses and Elijah also appear.

Peter wants to build some shelters as memorials, but a cloud overshadows them and the Father speaks from the cloud. “This is my beloved Son.”

The disciple fall to the ground in fear. Jesus comes and touches them. He then tells them not to tell anyone about this event.

Application

This event, especially the voice of the Father speaking from the cloud, was overwhelming for the disciples. They were terrified, although they should have known that Jesus would keep them safe .

Sometimes getting a revelation from God can be very terrifying. We often think of the Holy Spirit as being gentle like a dove, and He is. But sometimes He manifests as a wild wind and tongues of fire.

I remember one lady who came to me and said that she had had an encounter with the Lord in which she experienced his wrath. Even though she had been serving the Lord for many years,it was in her own strength, and not from submission to God.

We need to be open to what the Lord wants to show us and teach us. Sometimes that will stir up unpleasant emotions, but it will always be good for us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please reveal your true nature to me as you did for the disciples on on the Mount of Transfiguration. Amen.

Scripture

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Observation

Jesus begins to tell His disciples that he is going to Jerusalem to be crucified, but on the third day he will rise again. Peter rebukes Jesus, but Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me satan!”

Jesus tells His disciples that following Him means to turn away from our sins and to take up our cross. If we try to hold onto our life, we will lose it, but if we give it up for his sake, we will save it.

Jesus is coming to judge all people according to their deeds. Some standing there will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.

Application

To be a follower of Jesus means that we must die to ourselves.

Firstly, we have to turn away from our selfish ways. We can’t be a follower of Jesus on our own terms. We must be prepared to change our way of life to conform to Him.

Secondly, we have to take up our cross. That means literally dying. The only people who took up crosses in Jesus’ day were condemned criminals on their way to a nasty death.

To take up our cross means that we let go of every form of ownership, every ambition, every plan. Jesus owns it all. This is very liberating.

Finally, we are to follow Jesus. This is the positive aspect of repentance.. We exchange self-serving for Jesus-serving, selfishness for love, and so on. We learn to live as Jesus lived, applying every action and word of Jesus in the gospels to our own life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, there is no way I can do this by myself. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who makes it possible to live for you. Amen.

Scripture

“Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

Observation

Jesus and his disciples come to the region of Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asks them, “Who do people say I am?” They reply that some say John the Baptist or Elijah or one of the other prophets.

Then Jesus asks them, “Who do you say I am?” Simon answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus goes on to say that on the rock of this confession, He will build His church, and the powers of hell will never overcome it.

Application

Ever since Jesus was born, satan has been trying to destroy the church. He tried to kill Jesus as a baby, then at the cross. He tried to kill the disciples. All through the centuries, and all around the world, the church is under constant attack.

Yet all of the power of evil cannot overcome it.

Although the church is struggling in the West, miracles are happening all around the world. Much of sub-Saharan Africa is now dominated by Christianity. the Islamic Republic of Iran is experiencing mass salvations. In China, where persecution has been happening since 1947, it is estimated that 30% of the population is christian.

Although the New Living Translation has it that that hell will not conquer the church, the original wording is that the gates of hell cannot overcome the church. In other words, hell is on the defensive and cannot withstand the power of the gospel.

Many people despise the church and sneer at the gospel. But many, many more people are being saved everyday.

We need to pray daily for our neighbours, friends, and family members to be saved.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that victory is yours. The gates of hell will never withstand the power of your people under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Scripture

“Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Observation

The Pharisees and Sadducees come to Jesus and demand a sign. Jesus condemns them for this, and says the only sign they will get is the sign of Jonah.

When Jesus is alone with the disciples, He warns them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They think He is talking about physical bread, but Jesus reminds them of the two miracles where he fed 5000 and then 4000 men.

Finally, the disciples understand that He is talking about the deceptive teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Application

The yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees refers to the teachings of these groups that are still in the church.

The Pharisees are well known for their insistence on obedience to the letter of the law. They had rules and interpretations that covered every aspect of life. They were legalists who taught that salvation comes from following the rule.

The Sadducees were the more worldly-wise “don’t rock the boat” types. They co-operated with the ruling authorities to maintain their position of privilege. They are like the people and churches who are “affirming” of of the LGBT ideology to avoid offending anyone.

The yeast reminds us that it only takes a small quantity of these teachings to corrupt the whole loaf.

The correct response is not to get carried away with heresy hunting. No, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus alone. He is our salvation, our strength, our wisdom.

Prayer

Lord, please remove from me all forms of legalism and compromise. Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen.

Scripture

The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.

Observation

Jesus returns to the sea of Galilee. a huge crowd brings all kinds of sick people, and he heals them all. The crowd is amazed, and everyone praise is the God of Israel.

Then Jesus calls his disciples and tells them they need to feed the crowd. The disciples seem to have forgotten the feeding of the 5000, and they wonder where they would get the food from.

This time, Jesus feeds 4000 men, plus women and children. And then he gets into a boat and crosses the lake.

Application

Jesus is still in an area largely populated with Gentiles. The point of the healings and the feeding of the 4000 is to show that Jesus’s ministry is available to all people and not just the Jews.

This was a point that the disciples found hard to accept. When we read the book of Acts, it seems that the Lord had to work hard at getting them to preach to Gentiles and beyond the comfortable surroundings of Israel.

In this passage, many people were healed of many illnesses, and the crowds “praised the God of Israel!”

We praise the God of Israel because He has saved us through Jesus’ death on the cross. We praise the God of Israel because physical and emotional healing is available.

We praise the God of Israel because He shown that He is the God of the whole world.

Prayer

Lord God, I praise you for saving a sinner like me. Amen.