Day 148/260: Read Matthew 23

The kingdom of heaven is unlike any other kingdom. In worldly governments, the focus is on securing power for one’s self. In order to gain power, a person must elevate himself above everyone else. There is a sense of proving why “I” am better than anyone else. God’s kingdom, however, is just the opposite.

Jesus says, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In order to be great in Jesus’ kingdom, you have to be willing to do anything you can for another person. It’s all about service, about seeking the highest good of another person. Paul said, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10). It is not about what others can do for you, but what you can do for others.

Jesus Himself served all of humanity through the greatest sacrifice, His death on the cross. By shedding His blood, He gave all men access to the Father. No greater service could have been rendered. Yet, many continue to reject that sacrifice, trying to justify themselves through their own goodness, when what is needed is a trusting, obedient acceptance of the Lord’s grace.

The Lord warns, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Matthew 22:14. For __________ are called, but __________ are chosen.

Pray

Pray for the proper attitude toward God and man.

Day 147/260: Read Matthew 22

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

God wants to save you, my friend. He wants to save you and your family and your neighbors and everyone else that you know. He has invited you; what is your excuse for not accepting His invitation?

The Jewish elite rejected His Son. “They made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.” They were too busy with their own lives to see the benefit of accepting the great invitation. Some even went so far as to mistreat His messengers, even to the point of death.

Because of their actions, “those who were invited were not worthy.” So the invitation was opened up to more than just the elite.

Still, just because one receives an invitation, that does not mean he should not prepare himself to be in the presence of the King. What did He say to the one without a wedding garment? What did He do about it? The man had not prepared himself, and he was “cast…into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” We must prepare ourselves to appear before the King. Are you ready? Are you properly clothed? “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Matthew 22:14. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Pray

Pray for wisdom in answering the Lord’s invitation.

Day 146/260: Read Matthew 21

Many people think they will “get by” because of who they are, or with whom they are associated. The religious elite of the first century – the Pharisees and scribes – counted on their relationship as sons. They refused, however, to actually seek the will of the Father.

Jesus tells a parable of two sons, one who said he would not obey his father, but later did. The other son said he would obey, but did not do what he was told. One who actually did the work, and another who only said he would. Jesus asked the chief priests and elders of the temple, “Which of the two did the will of the father?” They correctly answered, “The first.”

Here is the point Jesus made: there are a lot of sinners in need of the Father’s grace and mercy. Those who realize that need and make the necessary changes in their life will receive it. Those who do the will of the Father will be saved.

Those who do not see any need to change, who rely on their relationship as sons without any regard to their activity, will find themselves in trouble when the Day of Judgment comes.

Apply this to yourself. Are you actively seeking the will of the Father, doing what He says? Or are you relying on your association with the church? Are you faithful in attendance on Sunday, but absent from the Lord’s work the rest of the week?

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Matthew 22:14. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Pray

Pray for opportunities to serve the Lord today and tomorrow, not just on Sunday.

Day 145/260: Read Matthew 20

The miracles performed by Jesus were unlike anything the so-called faith healers of the present day produce. Two blind men cried out to the Master, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” Jesus asked what they wanted, and they responded, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”

Jesus did not ask for any money to fulfill their request. He did not send them away and tell them that they would receive their sight within a designated period of time.

“So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.”
His response was based on compassion rather than greed. His action produced an immediate result, not a long recovery. This is what a true miracle looked like in Bible times.

Friends, today’s “faith healers” are frauds, plain and simple. They have no compassion in their heart for the underprivileged. They take advantage of them and deprive them of truth and love. When one comes away from a “faith healer” service, still disease-ridden, what happens to his faith? It is unlikely that many will follow the truth of the Lord based on the deception of false teachers.

The miracles of the first century have ceased, but love continues. The hope of heaven remains. Continue in the faith once for all revealed.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Matthew 16:26. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Pray

Pray for the disadvantaged and show compassion as you have opportunity.

Day 144/260: Read Matthew 19

Immediately following Jesus’ teaching on the seriousness of marriage and the consequences of divorce, “little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray.” Lovingly, the Lord said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

In the previous chapter, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). What are the child-like qualities the Christian should strive to develop?

First, consider the innocence of a child. Safe, unaffected by the evil around him. In a sense, perhaps, confused about how some people could act so callously toward God and toward his fellow man. An innocent child seeks to please his parents, and a redeemed Christian should seek to please the Father in heaven.

Second, think on the inquisitive nature of a child. Always asking questions, determined to learn more so he can be more like those who are more mature. Shouldn’t Christians do the very same?

Third, children are idealistic and optimistic. Nothing is impossible in the mind of a trusting child; “with God all things are possible.”
Are you child-like in character?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Matthew 16:26. “For what _____________ is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in _____________ for his soul?”

Pray

Pray for a less cynical outlook, understanding the power of God.

Day 143/260: Read Matthew 18

In His parable of the king settling accounts with his servants, Jesus teaches about forgiveness. One servant who owed a great sum was brought before him, and the king forgave him the debt the servant was unable to pay. The servant then went out and found a man who owed him a much smaller amount, but refused to grant him the same forgiveness. Of course, the king recanted his earlier forgiveness and required the repayment of the large sum.

We owe more than we could possibly pay the Father. However, if we are faithful to Him and treat our fellow man in the same way that we want to be treated, forgiving one another, He will forgive us that debt. We will not have to pay.

Notice the motivation behind the king’s forgiveness of the servant. “Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.” God has compassion upon mankind—you and me. He does not desire punishment; He wants to have fellowship with us and reward us for faithfulness.

When you have dealings with your fellow man, show compassion on him. Forgive him. Treat him the same way you want God to treat you.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Matthew 16:26. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole _____________, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his _____________?”

Pray

Pray for greater compassion toward your friends and toward your enemies.

Day 142/260: Read Matthew 17

We must never neglect the power of God as we do His work. That was the apostles’ problem in their failure to cast out the demon. They forgot to include God, even though they were working for Him! “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

One commentary says, “Prayerlessness and powerlessness go hand-in-hand.” What a powerful statement! When we dismiss God’s part in His work, we are sure to fail!

Who do you know that needs the gospel? We all have friends and family members who do not live as they should; perhaps they are rebelliously living against God, or they may be very devout but in a false religion. Are we looking for opportunities to teach them “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26)? Are we praying for those opportunities?

The apostle Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him. “Praying…for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make know the mystery of the gospel…that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20). If an evangelist as successful and influential as Paul saw the need for prayer in sharing the gospel, in doing the Lord’s work, shouldn’t we depend on it even more?

The power of prayer must be recognized by every faithful worker in the Lord.

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Matthew 16:26. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Pray

Pray for opportunities to do God’s work among your friends, family members, and neighbors.

Day 141/260: Read Matthew 16

In Matthew 13:33, Jesus taught a parable and compared the kingdom of heaven to leaven. In that instance, the leaven was seen as a good thing, as the positive influence the child of God exerts on the wicked world all around him.

Conversely, leaven can also be a bad thing. In this chapter, Jesus warns, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Though the apostles did not fully understand the Master’s saying at first, they finally figured out that He was talking about “the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

We must be cautious that we do not fall into the trap of letting “just a little” false teaching to creep into the church. Once it starts, it is very difficult to get rid of it. Once the leaven goes into the dough, it will affect the entire batch.

If the leaven is a positive thing, such as in the parable of Matthew 13, then there is no problem. But if the leaven is a negative thing, whether it be false teaching or a poor attitude, the church will face great difficulty.

Little sin grows into bigger sin; a little false teaching grows into bigger false teaching. The influence of the church will be hindered if the truth is compromised.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Matthew 16:26. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Pray

Pray for the purity of the doctrine being taught in your local congregation, comparing everything to the inspired Word. Pray for the preacher laboring in your area.