Matthew 16: 13-19 Peter's confession of Christ

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Previously we said that whatever comes from flesh is flesh, but that which is born of spirit is spirit. This is the nature of Peter's confession. Jesus wanted to know who people said that he was. Those in the flesh all guessed wrong labeling him as anything from a prophet to Beelzebub (meaning from Satan). When Simon Peter was asked the question, he says it correctly which is that Jesus is the expected Messiah. Jesus said to him that he did not derive this conclusion on his own through his flesh, but instead by God's grace it was revealed to him. In the same way, nobody who was born from a woman can find Jesus in the flesh. Unless they are drawn, they will not find him. And for those who find him, they become children of God and inherit his kingdom.

Daily Prayer: Father, I am thankful that you gave me the faith necessary to find Jesus. Now make me a co-worker with him so that people can hear about you and the son from one who was once lost, but has now been found. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Matthew 13: 53-58 Jesus revisits Nazareth

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. ⁵⁴ He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? ⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ And His sisters are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” ⁵⁸ And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

Jesus told his followers that whatever is done to him would be done to them as well. This includes being rejected by family members, especially if this person received salvation as an adult. Jesus said we are in the world, and not of the world. Those who belong to him will find enmity with the world, because they belong to Satan. This is why Jesus said that unless a person is born-again, he will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. This is because our flesh cannot be redeemed. That is why the saint receives a new body in the kingdom. Just as that which is born of flesh is flesh that which is born by spirit is spirit. If you walk by the spirit, you will not be overcome by the lures of the flesh.

Daily Prayer: Lord, it is my sincere hope that all those who call themselves Christian have been born again and all those who do not know you will find you. Use me Lord as an instrument for sharing your gospel and bringing some to knowledge of you. This I pray in your name and for your sake Amen.

Matthew 12: 30-32 the unpardonable sin

He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives Him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink; truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

When it comes to rewards, it comes in the context of discipleship. Salvation is a free gift, but discipleship costs you everything. With this background, Jesus tells his followers that he who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. So it is clear that to be a disciple of Jesus means that you have no greater relationship than with him. In return all who receive Jesus, whether as a prophet, or as a righteous their reward will not be lost.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, I say with my lips that I am a disciple of yours, but I know that I have not come that far yet. To be your disciple, I must not only receive you as savior, but also must receive you as lord over my life. Grant me the faith to take this final step. In your name I pray Amen.

Matthew 10: 40-42 the reward of service

He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives Him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink; truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

When it comes to rewards, it comes in the context of discipleship. Salvation is a free gift, but discipleship costs you everything. With this background, Jesus tells his followers that he who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. So it is clear that to be a disciple of Jesus means that you have no greater relationship than with him. In return all who receive Jesus, whether as a prophet, or as a righteous their reward will not be lost.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, I say with my lips that I am a disciple of yours, but I know that I have not come that far yet. To be your disciple, I must not only receive you as savior, but also must receive you as lord over my life. Grant me the faith to take this final step. In your name I pray Amen.

Matthew 10: 16-20 a hard road before them

¹⁶ "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; ¹⁸ and you will even be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. ²⁰ For it are not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

The call of the twelve disciples was to preach the kingdom of heaven to the Israelites. They were sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. They were given the power and authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. These were all signs that Jesus was the Messiah that they have been waiting for. Additionally there were sent to the people of authority throughout Palestine to claim Jesus as God's Anointed and they were given their words by the Holy Spirit so that they would not be left lacking for words when it came to laboring for Christ. In our time too, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, because we are indwelt by him from the time of our salvation. He gives me and you the words we need to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer: Father, too many times we step back when give the opportunity to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ. Beginning today, let us seize every opportunity and open door given to us so that we may be instruments of preaching the good news to a wanting world. In Jesus name and for his sake I pray Amen.

Matthew 7: 7-12 the Golden Rule

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receive, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! ¹² “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

There are many people who want and need God, but they do not seek him. He is not higher than the clouds or lowers than Sheol, but he is here among us! When the Bible says to seek him, it means to watch for him with an expectant heart and when you find him you yield to him. The reason so many don't find him is their unwillingness to yield to him. So make up your mind today, because you cannot eat at the table of God and the table of demons also.

Daily Prayer: Father, I realize quite well that without faith, I cannot yield to you. So grant me the faith that I need so that I may come into your presence and know you and build relationship with you. In Jesus name I pray Amen.