Short Reflection from Matthew 11-28

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

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟙:𝟚𝟜

"Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."

There are degrees of judgment! However, even the tiniest sin is vile enough to condemn us! And even all the sins of all the earth put together are not weightier than the grace of Jesus Christ!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟚:𝟝𝟘

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Indeed, family relations and blood ties are insignificant in comparison to a spiritual relationship that lasts forever!

Gospel is thicker than blood!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟛:𝟝𝟠

"And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."

What's the point to go on when people are set to close their ears?

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 14:20

"And they all ate and were 𝕤𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕗𝕚𝕖𝕕. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets."

Everyone is happy and even satisfied when we received blessings from God, but like these crowds, many people love the blessings and not the blesser; the gifts and not the giver.

Actually, Christ is both the greatest giver and the greatest gift, Himself!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟝:𝟚𝟟

"But she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.’"

The cry of the heart. The faith in Jesus's Compassion. Oh! To be like this woman!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟞:𝟚𝟞

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Take care of your soul!

Obey those who watch over your soul!

Remember, your soul is more important than the whole world put together!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟟:𝟞

"When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified."

Naturally, we are intimidated by things or people greater than us. God is absolutely greater than us. And so, fear is appropriate before Him!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟛

"If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray."

Nothing seems to bring more joy to the Father than the repentant soul.

Oh! Conversion

Oh! Evangelism

Oh! Mission

Oh! My soul, arise! Be arrested with this truth!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟡:𝟚𝟞

"And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’"

Indeed, anyone's and everyone's conversion is the supernatural work of God, not ours. It's impossible, even our own!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟘:𝟛𝟛-𝟛𝟜

"They *said to Him, ‘Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.’ Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him."

A desperate request and a compassionate answer! God is near to those who call upon Him!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟙:𝟜𝟞

"When they sought to seize Him, they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet."

It looks good that Jesus was not killed now, but actually what a tragedy! They feared people (mere creatures) more than Jesus (the Creator). Isn't that kind of sin present in our hearts?

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟚:𝟜𝟝-𝟜𝟞

"‘If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his son?’ No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question."

It was Jesus's turn to question them and made them all the more bewildered!

Indeed, this one is greater than the ancestors, even David, Abraham, and Moses!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟛:𝟛𝟛

"You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?"

I know one congregation that tried to remove its pastor because one of them was rebuked as "stupid." People often expect pastors to behave "better" than Jesus. Jesus is both gentle and wrathful! He even called his chief apostle "Satan"

Being Stupid is better than being Satan, btw!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟜:𝟛𝟝

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."

Night follows day; summer follows winter; major sports events happen after 4 years, these are easily believable. Eternal things, things longer than our life span are difficult to comprehend and are often subjected to doubt and unbelief!

We are given and called to supernatural faith!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟝:𝟛𝟟-𝟜𝟘

"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'"

Believers should be delighted to read this section, not be distressed by the next section. Believers are the righteous sheep!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟞:𝟝𝟞

"But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. Then all the disciples left Him and fled."

Imagine the guilt trip they would be walking through after this till the resurrection of Christ!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟟:𝟝

"And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself."

Indeed, it is easier to die than to live. Respect life, the living!

 

[17:12, 16/11/2021] S.R: 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟠:𝟙𝟟

"When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful."

Two groups of people based on their obvious reactions: worshippers and doubters. Be gentle to the doubters! They are still not the deniers nor the apostates!