Bible Reading Reflection from Matthew 15-21

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕎 𝟙𝟝:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟝

“Then the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were 𝕠𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕕 when they heard this statement?’ But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.’”

I remember when Ben Shapiro asked John MacArthur if he didn't care that he might offend some people, and MacArthur replied, "My goal is to offend everyone."

The disciples in a way rebuked Christ for offending the Pharisees, Christ lashed out against them more and more, saying that they are blind guides heading towards a pit.

While we are called to be gentle, we are called to confront as well!

 

𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕎 𝟙𝟞:𝟚𝟙-𝟚𝟛

"From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.’"

I do not accuse Peter of anything insane. The Cross or the manner of how Jesus will be dying was something unthinkable to happen upon a law-abiding citizen. And far, far be it from Jesus, who was his religious leader. And Jesus is not only a righteous leader, but the only righteous leader, and the very Son of God.

But that's why Jesus came into the world— to suffer and lay down His life for wretched, unworthy, rebellious, sinners. He set His mind on the cross, not the crown. Peter didn't set his mind on the cross but on the course of the world.

The Scriptures said that those who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. If we are thinking of only prosperity, luxury, comfort, happiness, and not suffering for the cause of being a Christian, we are setting our mind on the normal things of the world, just being like the world! Let's set our minds on Christ while fulfilling our basic responsibility to the world also.

 

𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕎 𝟙𝟟:𝟚𝟞-𝟚𝟟

“And when Peter said, ‘From strangers,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take that and give it to them for Me and you.’”

Jesus lived in this world, and so somehow, He had to pay taxes. He needed money and did a miracle. BTW, He refused to work any miracle in the wilderness at the suggestion of Satan.

 

𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕎 𝟙𝟠:𝟛𝟛

"Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?"

God has forgiven us unconditionally, and so must we. John MacArthur says that we are most like God when we are most forgiving!

Forgiveness has these characteristics:

1. Not bringing up the issue anymore. It's blotted away.

2. Not having grudges for it. Love and Mercy have overcome them.

3. Not fed up. We keep forgiving.

 

𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕎 𝟙𝟡:𝟚𝟝

“And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’”

A good question indeed! Nobody can be saved by their "what good things shall I do" condition. One is saved by what God has done at the cross!

Not my doing, it is His doing.  Not in my ability, it is in His grace. Not by my works but by trusting His work!

 

𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕎 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟙-𝟙𝟝

"When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.' But he answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'"

One of the most relevant parables of Jesus to me.

𝕋𝕠𝕡 𝟚 𝕆𝕓𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟:

1. They expected more than what they were hired for v10. Interesting! And they even dared to protest! How many times have I behaved like that in front of God? BTW, He does not promise us to live a prosperous life on earth. Actually, He promises us persecution. And He asks us to deny ourselves.

2. They saw others and got jealous. Hmm! And they were angry with the employer! Bezos, Gates, Ambani are rich because God allows them to. Not because they are more righteous than us. Not even because they work harder than us. It's God. There are some people who work harder than them and still die in poverty. Some of our friends are PHDs, officers, have lots of money, fame, many Instagram followers, etc. Looks like we deserve more than them. Looks like we are 10 times better than them. Are we jealous like these workers in this parable?

When we know who is employing us, whom we are working for ultimately, then we shall be contented, joyous in all situations!

 

𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕎 𝟚𝟙:𝟚𝟟

“And they answered Jesus and said, ‘We do not know.’ He also said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’”

Jesus refused to answer them! Sometimes it is wise to keep silent pretending as if we don't hear them. Sometimes, to just refuse to answer, to turn down the question.

And by the way, Jesus has a habit of questioning back the questioner! 😂👍