How Matthew Saw Jesus
Matthew wrote his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ to convince his fellow Jews that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah.
A former tax collector, Matthew now logged and recorded genealogies, prophecies, and experiences that provided compelling evidence of who Jesus was.
The first chapter of his book opens with a genealogy beginning with Abraham, the father of the faith, continuing to King David, and ultimately culminating with Jesus by way of his earthly father, Joseph. Not only is this lineage impressive, it fulfills Messianic requirements.
Matthew then gives details regarding the birth of Jesus, noting particularly that Jesus was both the Son of God and the Son of Man. Humanity and divinity are embodied in Jesus.
The Jewish community expected their Messiah to be a human ruler of an earthly kingdom. It had not crossed their minds that the Messiah would be the Son of God. They saw (see) God as being “one,” and therefore viewed any claims of Jesus’ divinity as being blasphemous.
But, all along, God’s plan was not merely to redeem an earthly nation (Israel) from Roman rule; God wanted to redeem all of humanity from the spiritual oppression of the kingdom of darkness. Jesus’ kingdom was to be spiritual first, and then become realized on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew goes on to say:
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:21-23 ESV)
There is no other religion whose God stooped down to humanity. Jesus is God with us – the Word made flesh.
I’ve heard it said this way: The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men might become the sons of God.
Is Jesus merely a historical figure, a good teacher, a miracle worker, a prophet? Or is He indeed God made flesh, the Savior, the one and only way to the Father?
If He is who He claims, it demands a response from every person. He asks you today: “Who do you say that I am?”
Praise God – Even When You Ain’t Feelin’ It!
Decisions are stronger than emotions.
The man who chooses to be faithful to his marriage through times of trial is stronger than the one who so easily “falls out of love.”
The teenager who chooses to do the right thing, despite being ridiculed is stronger than the one who tries to fit in, no matter the cost.
The employee who refuses to compromise her values at the price of her promotion is stronger than the one whose end seems to justify her means.
And when it comes to worshipping God, the one who chooses to passionately praise God is stronger than the one who has to “feel it” first.
Nowhere in the Bible are euphoric feelings essential to praise God. Instead, we see, time and again, men and women who choose to lift up the name of the Lord, despite their circumstances.
David is a great example. In Psalm 66, he said:
Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! (Psalm 66:1-2 ESV)
Praising God is a decision that is stronger than any emotion. In fact, your praise may just be the war-room strategy you’ve been missing!
No matter what you are facing, no matter how you feel, make a decision today to give God praise!
At some point today find an appropriate place and time to do exactly what this Scripture says:
- Shout for joy!! Yes, even you quiet people – lift up your voice in victory and receive the joy of the Lord as your strength!
- Sing the glory of His name!! God has put a new song in your mouth – a song of praise to God.
- Give to Him glorious praise!! Go ahead- lift up your hands, kneel before God, exhibit your praise. It’s not hyper-emotionalism. It is your spiritual act of worship, an offering to the One who saved you, healed you, and set you free!
Maybe it’s the times when we don’t feel like it that praise has its greatest effect in our lives.
Today is a great day to praise the Lord!!
A Disciplined Believer
The journey of faith is made one practical step at a time.
The Apostle Paul referred to the life of a believer as a race to be run with discipline and determination.
Like a track coach to his cross country team, Paul said: “Run to win! Don’t be distracted or lazy – work hard and you’ll finish strong!” (my paraphrase of 1 Cor. 9:24-26)
Paul goes on to say:
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV)
There’s just no way around it. To be spiritually successful I must be physically disciplined.
- I must be disciplined with my time.
- I must be disciplined with my diet.
- I must be disciplined with my exercise.
- I must be disciplined with my work/rest rhythm.
Of course, the list goes on.
One of the things the Holy Spirit revealed to me a few years ago is that I should always be fasting something. It may be food, or social media, or a tv show, or sweet tea (come on somebody) – but I should always be self-disciplined.
I don’t have to give in to every craving!
On the other hand, there are disciplines that should always be a part of my life. Church attendance and involvement, reading and studying my Bible, meaningful time in prayer, expressions of gratitude and praise – I ought to do these things whether I’m “feeling it” or not.
An undisciplined believer is an ineffective believer.
I must also keep in mind that my goal is not perfection – my goal is a constant pursuit of the prize set before me.
Father, Help me to be disciplined, so I can run to win! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Two Ways God Leads Us
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV)
The plans of God for your life are greater than you can imagine, but that doesn’t mean that they’re unknowable, or that they just “happen” out of nowhere.
As we seek the Lord, submitting ourselves to Him, the Holy Spirit reveals (unveils) God’s plans to us.
Sometimes He reveals a big-picture plan – a significant promise that requires several steps to accomplish. This vision may not be accompanied with lots of details, but the end result is pretty clear.
One year at a church camp (Camp Courtney in Hendersonville, NC), I remember responding to a particular message. While I was praying I sensed the Lord speaking (inwardly) to me and calling me to be a youth pastor. I felt honored and overwhelmed at the thought.
That was a big-picture plan. I still needed to finish high school and then decide where to go for college. Many decisions would be made before I was ever to become a youth pastor, but God had shown me this plan in order to give me focus on the big-picture of what He desired for my life.
Sometimes God reveals next-step plans. Next-step plans don’t reveal big pictures; they just show you what you should do next.
A couple of years ago, now as the Lead Pastor in the church I formerly served as Youth Pastor, I was facing a leadership transition in our youth ministry. I spent a lot of time seeking the Lord on His direction regarding who was to be our next youth pastor. But God didn’t reveal the big-picture to me.
Instead, God gave me a next-step. He told me to give myself to our teenagers during the transition and wait for His timing as to the next leader. So, I changed my schedule and reprioritized my plans to give every Wednesday night to our youth. I did that for an entire year (and loved it!).
In the meantime God began revealing to me the bigger picture. We eventually hired an incredible couple who are taking our youth ministry to new levels!
My obedience to the next step allowed me to eventually see the big picture.
God’s word is both a lamp to our feet (next steps), and a light for our paths (big-picture).
Whatever way God chooses to lead you, be willing to be led by His Spirit. His plans for you are so incredible that, if He showed you everything at one time, you would be astounded. That’s why He just gives one revelation at a time.
Father, today we choose to be led by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Comfort of Slavery
We’ve seen it too many times. A girl escapes an abusive relationship only to return to her abuser. An alcoholic remains sober for months, maybe years, then a personal crisis triggers a drunken binge. A person loses a significant amount of weight, then makes small compromises and slowly regains the weight, along with its emotional heaviness.
Why do we so easily return to that which once enslaved us?
It’s one thing to be physically set free; but unless that freedom is realized in our spirits and also our souls (mind, emotions), we are prone to return again to the chains of our past.
Paul exhorted the Galatians with these words:
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
Slavery is more an inner mentality than an outward reality.
The people of Israel were rescued from Egyptian slavery by the strong hand of God. Through miracles and daily provision He proved His love and power to them. Still they longed to go back to the comforts of slavery.
It has been said: “It only took God one day to get Israel out of Egypt, but it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel.”
Forgiven one, do you realize what God did for you through Jesus Christ?
Through Jesus you have forgiveness from every sin!
Through Jesus you have freedom from every bondage!
Through Jesus you have a future filled with hope!
When you find your thoughts being lulled back toward the “comforts” of slavery, you need to wake up and remember the awful bondage that accompanied that place, the shame that surrounded your everyday life, and the torment to which you were constantly subjected.
Then, you should also recall, with vivid accuracy, the moment that Jesus stood before you, looked you in the eyes, lifted up your face and said:
You are forgiven. You are free. Follow Me.
In fact, right now is a good time to lift up your hands and thank God for delivering you from your past.
Declare right now:
I am forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ! I am free from every chain of my past! Because Jesus Christ set me free, I am free indeed!
I will never return to slavery again. My spirit is free, my mind is free, and my emotions are free. I am victorious through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Today I rejoice in my freedom!
If you have not received Jesus as your personal Savior, pray this prayer from your heart and with your mouth:
Heavenly Father, I come to you as a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to come where I am, to live a perfect life, and to willingly give His life for me. Today I confess my sin to You. I receive Your forgiveness right now, along with Your unconditional love.
I boldly confess that satan no longer has authority over my life. I am now a child of God. I am forgiven and free, in Jesus name.
I will pursue a daily, growing relationship with Jesus, by becoming a part of a healthy local church, by reading Your Word, by praying consistently, and by having a heart of worship.
Thank You, Father, for setting me free!
Pastor Dale Jenkins 