Matthew 22:1-22

Matthew 22:1-22 (New International Version)


 1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. 
 4"Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' 
 5"But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 
 8"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' 10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 
 11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. 
 13"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 
 14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

 15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 
 18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 
 21"Caesar's," they replied. 
      Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 
 22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Devotional (by Jana Goebel)
 Jesus never ceases to amaze me.  He has such an incredible understanding of His people.  In this passage, He tells the story of a king preparing a party.  I think He understood how much people want to be accepted by the “in-crowd.”  Once He has their attention He helps them further identify with His coming kingdom.  What kind of guest will they be?  What kind of guest am I?  Am I the guest who is invited but turns down the invitation because I give other things my attention?  Am I the kind of guest who persecutes the message bearer?  Or am I the person who often feels like I am on the outside, like I don’t fit in, but when I’m invited by the King I eagerly accept and find I am surrounded by people with various backgrounds and lives?  Some good, some bad – but all accepted at the King’s party.  When I read this passage, I am reminded of who I want to be and just exactly who my King is.  He’s the kind of King who loves and accepts everyone and invites them all to His party – all they have to do is accept His invitation and join in the adventure!

Prayer: 
Father, thank you for loving me and accepting me just as I am.  Lord, help me to respond when I hear your invitation.  Help me to come running and to be prepared to participate fully in the adventure you have prepared for me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Matthew 21:18-46

Matthew 21:18-46 (New International Version)

 18Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

 20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.

 21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
 23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"

 24Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"

   They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 26But if we say, 'From men'—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."

 27So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
      Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

 28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

 29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

 30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.

 31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?"
      "The first," they answered.

   Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

 33"Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 34When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

 35"The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37Last of all, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said.

 38"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.' 39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

 40"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"

 41"He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."

 42Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:
   " 'The stone the builders rejected
      has become the capstone;
   the Lord has done this,
      and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

 43"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

 45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

Devotional (by Isaac Pellerin)

This series of parables really provokes some interesting thoughts. First is this idea that those who the world rejected (represented by tax collectors and prostitutes) Jesus says are entering the Kingdom of God before the religious people. It seems so strange and opposite of what we would expect. I think it carries with it the understanding that humility is an important aspect to living abundant life. When we think our religious rituals are the thing that makes God love us, we miss the point. But when we realize that God loves us no matter how messed up we feel we gain a life that's based on the security of God's love, not our ability to be perfect.

This is a message that I want to understand deeper. No matter how much I read it or hear it, I still have this tendency to try and prove to everyone else and to God that I am deserving of the gift of grace He gives. Life could be a lot less stressful if I rested in the fact that nothing I do will make God love me more and nothing I do will make God love me less...because God is love.

Prayer

God I realize that I am not worthy of any good thing you give me. Even of the life I have and the breath I breathe. But I am becoming more aware of the security of your gift of grace. Help me to live in the truth of Your grace today. In Jesus name. Amen.

Matthew 21:1-17

Matthew 21:1-17 (New International Version)

¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ²saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

 ⁴This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 
 ⁵"Say to the Daughter of Zion, 
      'See, your king comes to you, 
   gentle and riding on a donkey, 
      on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

 ⁶The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. ⁸A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 
   "Hosanna to the Son of David!" 
   "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
   "Hosanna in the highest!"

 ¹⁰When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

 ¹¹The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

 ¹²Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

 ¹⁴The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

 ¹⁶"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. 
      "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, 
   " 'From the lips of children and infants 
      you have ordained praise'?"

 ¹⁷And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Matthew 20:20-34

Matthew 20:20-34 (The Message)

 ²⁰It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.

 ²¹"What do you want?" Jesus asked.

   She said, "Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand."

 ²²Jesus responded, "You have no idea what you're asking." And he said to James and John, "Are you capable of drinking the cup that I'm about to drink?"

   They said, "Sure, why not?"

 ²³Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honor, that's not my business. My Father is taking care of that."

 ^24-28When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."

 ^29-31As they were leaving Jericho, a huge crowd followed. Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!" The crowd tried to hush them up, but they got all the louder, crying, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!"

 ³²Jesus stopped and called over, "What do you want from me?"

 ³³They said, "Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!"

 ³⁴Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant, and joined the procession.

Matthew 20:1-19

Matthew 20:1-19 (New Living Translation)   

   “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage[a] and sent them out to work. 
 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.  So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.  So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing. 
“At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’ 
 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ 
   “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’ 
“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.  When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage.  When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.  When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,  ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ 
“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?  Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.  Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ 
 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” 
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him.  “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” 

Devotional (by Marilyn Brooks)
When I read this scripture I first think that this is so not fair.  To be paid the same wage as all the others hired regardless of the number of hours worked is not fair, but that is the worldly way of thinking.   

We do not deserve to have the same amount as others who have worked longer but in  Jesus’s parable He is saying that we are all equal in His eyes.  Because He created us He loves each of us the same no matter what we have or have not accomplished.  Your membership into Heaven can not be gained by doing or giving more than someone else but by believing in and being faithful to Him.   Salvation depends on God’s love, mercy and kindness, we do not deserve it but He is a gracious and loving God and gives so freely.  We should learn to be like Him to bring him joy.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for your faithfulness and love.   Let us be not jealous of what others have but focus on and be grateful for what you have for us.  Your plans for us will be equally revealed in your time and your will.  Let us learn to be like Christ and share his undeserving love with others.  In Jesus name,  Amen

Matthew 19:1-15

Matthew 19:1-15 (New International Version)

 ¹When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. ²Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

 ³Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

 ⁴"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' ⁵and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? ⁶So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

 ⁷"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

 ⁸Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.⁹I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

 ¹⁰The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

 ¹¹Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. ¹²For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

 ¹³Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

 ¹⁴Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ¹⁵When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

 Devotional (by Chris Bunch)

Each summer I officiate or attend several weddings.  This summer there are five on my calendar.  The day of the wedding both the bride and groom will make a life long commitment to each other, and they will mean it.  However, for me the bigger question I have is:  Will you make a life long commitment with God to spend your entire earthly life serving him and serving your spouse?  

Every divorced person in The Jar that I have ever had the opportunity to spend quality time with has admitted to me that when you boil it down the reason for their divorce was either God wasn’t central to that relationship on their wedding day or as a couple they drifted away from God.  The key to having a “whole” marriage is not “I am in love with you,” but “I am loyal to God and to you.”  

I will be married 15 years on July 23.  It has not been a perfect relationship.  In fact, Jen and I have hurt each other more in the past 15 years than any other person in our lives.  And yet, God was central in our dating, engagement, honeymoon years, and years 10-15.  We have learned to forgive, sacrifice, love, and most of all remain loyal even when we didn’t feel like it.  Because there was a commitment we made that was bigger than marriage-----and that was our commitment to God.

If you have gone through a divorce, God loves you, he forgives you, and you are just as precious in his sight as any married person of 75 years.  Accept his unwavering love and make a commitment to him-----that if you get married again He will be at the center from day one.  If you are married, renew your vow to God today to stay loyal to him and your spouse.  You might even want to renew your vows.  It might seem goofy, but it is a powerful thing to do.  Jen and I will be doing it ourselves.

Here are some you could use:   ______________________ (name of your spouse),  I love you and I am so proud to be your husband/wife.  I promise to consider your interests, and not merely my own.

I promise to show you love, patience, kindness, goodness, affection, faithfulness, and self-control.  I promise to communicate with you, as openly and honestly as I can, 

I will share with you my life, feelings, hopes, joys, frustrations, disappointments, anxieties, and dreams;  and I will listen, as you share with me.

I will try to meet your needs, and respect your individuality, as well as my own.  I will work with you, to build a lasting relationship, of love and commitment.  I give myself freely to you ______________ (name of spouse)  for as long as we both shall live.

Finally, if you are single you are probably at one of two places with your singleness.  Some of you hate being single and you wish there was a special someone that you could spend your entire life with.  You hate the lonely nights and lonely Sunday mornings at church, sometimes you are tempted to compromise your Christian values.  Stay strong, don’t give up, trust God.  God has someone in mind for you---but it probably won’t be on your timetable.  (I realize it is easy for me to say because I am married-----but I really do believe this.)

Second, some of you are single and you are content with your singleness.  You have lonely moments as well----but it does not consume you because you have decided to stay single.  Jesus lived this type of life, and in doing so he had the time and freedom to serve God more than any married person.  God is proud of you and ready to use you in a mighty way.  Prayerfully consider what that way may be.

Loyalty and love to God is the key to a healthy life.  Whether you are married, divorced, single by circumstances or single by choice live a life of love and loyalty to God and he will not disappoint.  Jesus put it this way:  The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.  (Matthew 6:33)

Prayer: 
God, thank you for the gift of relationships.  I thank you most of all for the relationship with your one only son, Jesus Christ.  Help me to have a heart like yours in all the relationships in my life.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Matthew 18:6-35

Matthew 18:6-35 (New Living Translation)

6But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. 8 So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.  10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.
Parable of the Lost Sheep
 12 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.
Correcting Another Believer
 15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.  18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.  19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor
 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”  22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! 23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.  26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.  28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. 29 “His
 fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.  31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.  35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sistersfrom your heart.”
 
Devotional (by Marty Bennett): The Importance of Forgiveness
How significant is forgiveness of sins in our lives as Christians?  It is absolutely vital.  When I read over these passages what strikes me is just how important forgiveness is.  With the recent Easter season just passed, we remember the price Jesus paid, the ultimate sacrifice, by bearing all our sins past, present & future, we through believing in Him can receive eternal life. In much the same way, God asks us to forgive others as He has forgiven us.  The story of the unforgiving debtor is a powerful one.  In this scenario, the king (representing God) forgives the debtor (us) of his debt (sin).  This forgiveness is what God wants us, in return, to pass along to those who have done us wrong.  In this story, the debtor, who has had his debts erased by the king, does not pass this model of forgiveness along to his servants who have debts with him.  Instead, he punishes a man who has debts with him because he couldn’t pay.  When the king found
 out of this he severely punished the man who had been forgiven of his debts earlier.  God wants us to forgive our “brothers and sisters from the heart.”
 
Like at the Jar, we are an accepting community.  We know we are all sinners, we all have spiritual debts or deficits.  God forgives us of these debts/sins, but does not want us to stay where we are.  He wants us to become better people, to be more like Christ in our behavior toward others.  We welcome people in, and want to see them achieve their full God-given potential.  That is why God sent his son to earth so that all of us could reach higher than we’d be able to on our own.
 
Prayer: 
Dear God, thank you for sending your only son to bear all our burdens and sins, and lead us to a life full with your presence.  Please give us the humility and strength to forgive those who have sinned against us (and you) from our hearts.  We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Matthew 17:22-18:5

Matthew 17:22-18:5

22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.

24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" 25 "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?" 26 "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 27 "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

Devotion (by John Goebel)
Have you been an adult for too long?  I get wrapped up in the pressures that as an adult I face sometimes day-dreaming what it would be like to be a child again - free to play, no worries, no taxes to pay.  However, I have the opportunity to spend some time with children (outside of my own two) on Sundays at Nucleus (babies to 3rd grade) and at Collide (4th to 5th grade).  The children have taught me it isn't all that easy being a kid these days.  But their eagerness to love and learn about someone that loves them no matter what help them overcome.  The Jar's Children's and Family Ministries provides these children, OUR children, GOD'S children, a fun, bible based, applicable, relevant and safe place on Sundays to simply be a kid.  And as a side benefit, they provide us adults with a chance to be humbled, to praise God with the enthusiasm of a child, to trust God with the freedom of a child, to simply have faith like a child.

Come visit the children of The Jar on a Sunday morning.  Get in touch with life through a child's eyes.  You will be amazed by what you find.  I leave wondering if I am changed more than the children.

Prayer
Lord God increase my faith.  Guide me to insure the protection of all children.  Guide me to approach life in the simplest ways with joy and gratitude like a child.

Matthew 17

Matthew 17

 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him. 
Peter broke in, "Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?" 
While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him." 
When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. "Don't be afraid." When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus. 
Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. "Don't breathe a word of what you've seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk." 
The disciples, meanwhile, were asking questions. "Why do the religion scholars say that Elijah has to come first?" 
Jesus answered, "Elijah does come and get everything ready. I'm telling you, Elijah has already come but they didn't know him when they saw him. They treated him like dirt, the same way they are about to treat the Son of Man." That's when the disciples realized that all along he had been talking about John the Baptizer. 

At the bottom of the mountain, they were met by a crowd of waiting people. As they approached, a man came out of the crowd and fell to his knees begging, "Master, have mercy on my son. He goes out of his mind and suffers terribly, falling into seizures. Frequently he is pitched into the fire, other times into the river. I brought him to your disciples, but they could do nothing for him." 
Jesus said, "What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the boy here." He ordered the afflicting demon out—and it was out, gone. From that moment on the boy was well. 
When the disciples had Jesus off to themselves, they asked, "Why couldn't we throw it out?" 
"Because you're not yet taking God seriously," said Jesus. "The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, 'Move!' and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn't be able to tackle." 

Devotional (by Emily Gray)

  In the beginning of this section, Jesus is allowing his three closest disciples, his friends, to catch a glimpse of who He really is.  What an amazing experience!  Jesus is going to a private area away from the crowds and as He spent time with God, His appearance changed from the inside out.  He got the chance to talk with some of the biggest heroes of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah.  Moses was the one who led the Israelite slaves out of Egypt, received the 10 commandments from God, and walked in the dessert for years to reach the land God promised to His people (See Exodus in the Old Testament for his story).  Moses represents the Law and was a founding father of the Israelite faith.  
Elijah was a major prophet from the Old Testament.  He performed amazing miracles, spoke the words God told him, was persecuted, and experienced a close walk with God.  He was one of the beginning prophets of the Old Testament and the forerunner of the Messiah (See more of his story beginning in 1 Kings 17 in the Old Testament).  

It’s also interesting that both of these Old Testament figures had experiences of God’s glory on a mountain.  Moses received the 10 commandments and exposure to God’s glory on Mount Sinai and Elijah on Mount Horeb where God appeared not in the wind, earthquake, and fire, but in a still, gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13).  While these men experienced God’s glory in a tangible way, they are now face-to-face with God’s ultimate glory: Jesus.  Not only does Jesus exceed both of them in power, glory, authority, and connection with God, but He fulfills the Law and the Prophecies which they represent.  He is the embodiment of God’s glory.    So what did they talk about?  Maybe He was asking Moses about leadership and the challenges therein.  Maybe He was asking Elijah about persecution and what its like to feel fear.  Maybe He’s drawing strength from their wisdom and experience as He thinks about His upcoming death on a cross.  Or maybe they were asking Him questions about His ministry and what was coming next.  Whatever they talked about, it must have been an awesome sight to behold.

And then something we’ve seen before happens; God speaks and affirms who Jesus is and commands the disciples (and us) to listen to Him.  I love to see God as the Father, encouraging His Son, “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight.”  I think this is vital, because soon (in less than 10 chapters) Jesus will face His death and ultimately separation from His Father.  But God makes a point to reassure Jesus that He is loved.   Then God tells us to listen to Him, because Jesus fulfills hundreds of prophecies that came centuries before His birth.  He not only lives out the Law, but gives us a new perspective of the Old Testament laws and how to live more like God everyday.  He is the glory of God and we can trust in Him.

Prayer: Jesus, I am in awe of who You are and the glory You represent.  Thank You for coming to earth to show us more of who God is.  It’s hard to comprehend, but help me understand and appreciate who You are and how You changed the world.  Amen.  

Matthew 16:1-28

Matthew 16:1-28 (New International Version)

The Demand for a Sign

 ¹The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

 ²He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' ³and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ⁴A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

 ⁵When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

 ⁷They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."

 ⁸Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?¹¹How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." ¹²Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter's Confession of Christ

 ¹³When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

 ¹⁴They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

 ¹⁵"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

 ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

 ¹⁷Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." ²⁰Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Jesus Predicts His Death

 ²¹From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

 ²²Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

 ²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

 ²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ²⁶What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. ²⁸I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Devotion (by Mikey Skoglund)

I'm often struck at how quickly Peter's faith falters in this passage.  I mean, one minute Jesus is talking to him about how the church will be built upon Peter and not even the gates of Hades will overcome it, then in the very next passage Jesus calls Peter a stumbling block.  I think this strikes me so much because it is very telling of how my life can be.  Too often I'm quick to be on "God's side" when it is easy or convenient for me, but as soon as God starts going in a direction I don't want to go or as soon as the going gets tough, I start arguing with God and instead of being a firm foundation on which God is building His church, I become a stumbling block.  Jesus makes a very important distinction here to His disciples, if you want to follow Jesus, you have to play it for keeps.  You have to go all in.  I just know that I need God's help in order to do this. 

Prayer
Lord, please help me to set aside my selfish ambitions and let Your will be done.  I know that You have the best plans anyways, but I can still let my own agenda get in the way of Yours.  Help me to be a firm foundation on which You can build upon and not a stumbling block that gets in Your way. 

Matthew 15:21-39

Matthew 15:21-39 (New International Version)

 ²¹Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²²A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

 ²³Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

 ²⁴He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

 ²⁵The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

 ²⁶He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

 ²⁷"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

 ²⁸Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

 ²⁹Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. ³⁰Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. ³¹The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

 ³²Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

 ³³His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"

 ³⁴"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. 
      "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."

 ³⁵He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. ³⁶Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. ³⁷They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ³⁸The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. ³⁹After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

Devotion (by Mikey Skoglund)
The thing in this passage that jumps out to me is the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman.  Just look at the exchange between the two.  First the woman asks for Jesus to heal her daughter, and Jesus says nothing! Then the disciples come over and complain to Jesus because this woman won't leave them alone and Jesus tells the woman that He has come to help those that are from Israel and since she was a Canaanite, well, too bad.  Then she pleads with Him to help her daughter and He still has the same answer, this time relating it to feeding His children (the people of Israel).  Now, when I read this part of the passage I'm just thinking to myself, "This just isn't like Jesus, He's always willing to heal people and He's never asked a person where they're from before."  But then the next part of the passage brings everything back around.  The woman then argues her case using the example Jesus gave and finally Jesus says, "Ok, your daughter's fine now."  

Do you ever feel like there's times when you're being tested by God?  I feel like that sometimes.  There's been times in my life where I just know God wants me to be somewhere or to be doing something specific, but the pieces just don't seem to be falling in place.  They don't line up and don't really fit together and it just doesn't seem like things will ever work out.  Times when I know what the Bible says, I know God's promises for my life, but it just seems as if He's not going to allow me to do what I really feel like He has called me to do.  Its in times like these that I have to recall this passage of scripture and be like the woman.  You see, she didn't get angry when Jesus told her at first that He didn't come to help her type of people, you know what she did?  She got on her knees before Jesus and asked Him again, and then she listened to what He had to say before she spoke again. 

Prayer
Lord, thank you for the patience that you have for me.  Thank you for the love that you have shown me today.  I ask that you would help me to humble myself by kneeling before you and listening to that still, small voice.  Lord, thank you for coming to save sinners like me.  
Amen.

Matthew 15:1-20

Matthew 15:1-20 (New International Version)

 1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"

 3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' 5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
 8" 'These people honor me with their lips,
      but their hearts are far from me.
 9They worship me in vain;
      their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"

 10Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. 11What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "

 12Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"

 13He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

 15Peter said, "Explain the parable to us."

 16"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. 17"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' "

Devotional (by Isaac Pellerin)

Ahh the Pharisees. We see them over and over again come to point out the smallest details to criticize Jesus and his followers. Have you ever known someone like that? Someone who just picks at one little thing you do wrong instead of seeing the bigger picture? Or maybe you find that it's easy to be critical of others?

In any case look at Jesus' response. He cuts right to the heart of the matter and lets them know that God is so much more concerned with the heart than they are. The heart of God is to bring glory to Himself and to love us into a relationship with Him. It's important to guard ourselves against the distractions of the details.

When I think about my own heart, I see that it is unclean and that my focus must be on surrendering more of myself to God. The least of my worries is what I have for breakfast.

Prayer: God, help me to value what you value. Help me to see my heart as something of value that You desire. Thank you for guiding me and seeing the freedom from overbearing rules that Your love provides. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Matthew 14:22:34

Matthew 14:22-34 (New International Version)

 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

 25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

 29"Come," he said.

   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

 34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.

Devotional (by Isaac Pellerin)

Have you ever felt like you need to take steps of faith? Felt like you need to take steps closer to Jesus but so much around you tells you that it will be dangerous? Imagine what was going through Peter's head when Jesus told him to step out of the boat. What's going through your head when you think about taking a step closer?

So often we are bombarded by things that grip us with fear and take our eyes off of Jesus. Maybe a relationship, a job (or lack of), or insecurities within yourself cause you to second guess the direction you're going in. 

We could focus on the fact that Peter just didn't have enough faith, even though he was a risk taker (I mean the other 11 disciples were still in the boat), but I think it's important to note the faith the Jesus had in Peter. Jesus told him to step out because he believed that Peter had the capacity to trust in him.

Today I am letting this story remind me that Jesus believes in me. He created me and knows that I can take the steps he's placed before me. He knows that I have the capacity for that kind of faith. Let that reality encourage you to take a step closer to Him.

Prayer: Dear God it can be so easy to doubt myself. Help me to look to you to find confidence in the direction You are leading me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Matthew 14:1-21

Matthew 14:1-21 (The Message)

At this time, Herod, the regional ruler, heard what was being said about Jesus. He said to his servants, "This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead. That's why he's able to work miracles!" 
 Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison to placate Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery." Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid because so many people revered John as a prophet of God. 
But at his birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias's daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away. In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted. Already coached by her mother, she was ready: "Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer." That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it—ordered John's head cut off and presented to the girl on a platter. She in turn gave it to her mother. Later, John's disciples got the body, gave it a reverent burial, and reported to Jesus. 
When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick. 
Toward evening the disciples approached him. "We're out in the country and it's getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper." 
But Jesus said, "There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper." 
"All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish," they said. 
Jesus said, "Bring them here." Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed. 

Devotional (by Emily Gray)
There’s a lot going on in this section, but lets focus on the interaction between the disciples and Jesus when it came time for dinner.  I’m sure the disciples were tired and just wanted to be alone with Jesus as they were trying to mourn the death of His good friend and cousin, John.  But alas, the crowds followed Jesus and He took the rest of the day to teach, talk to, and bless them.  So it’s only natural that the disciples want to “get rid” of the crowd so they can get some R&R.  But Jesus, never missing a beat, could hear their tone of voice and knew their motives.  So He challenged their faith and attitudes: “You feed them.” 
I imagine the disciples scanning the throngs of people standing around and thinking, “Uh…there’s no way!”
This was their chance to be part of a miracle.  They could have had faith and said, “Ok, Jesus, we know You’re trying to teach us something here.  We don’t have a lot of faith, but we have some; help us have more.  And we don’t have a lot of food, but what we do have we give all to You, believing You can do something amazing.”
Instead, they focus on their inadequacy, what they lack, and mumble, “We don’t have much.  It’s pretty pathetic and unrealistic, actually…” 
None the less, Jesus takes the meager food and turns it into a simple yet ample meal for over 5,000 people!  There were even leftovers!  The disciples still got to be part of the miracle by handing the food out, but part of me wonders how this would have been different had they been more willing, filled with more faith.  It reminds me of the times when I focus on what I don’t have and how unqualified I feel to serve God and work on His behalf.  I don’t have much; I have lots of things to work on in my life!  But instead of focusing on these areas, God asks me to have faith and focus on the potential I have in Him.  I may not feel like I have much, but when I offer it all to Him with no reservations, He can do great things.

Prayer:  Jesus, thank You that You are willing and able to use me in Your plans.  Help me to have more faith and focus on the potential You’ve put inside me, instead of the negatives.  I want to give all I have to You, believing You will do something amazing in and through me.  Amen.  

Matthew 13:44-58

Matthew 13:44-58 (New International Version)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

 ⁴⁴"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

 ⁴⁵"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

 ⁴⁷"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 ⁵¹"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. 
      "Yes," they replied.

 ⁵²He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

A Prophet Without Honor

 ⁵³When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. ⁵⁴Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. ⁵⁵"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" ⁵⁷And they took offense at him. 
      But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."

 ⁵⁸And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Devotional (Hidden Treasure - by Mikey Skoglund)

This passage always makes me think about what I would do if I were to find a great treasure in a field.  Just imagine finding a whole mine full of gold or a ton of oil underneath some land that was for sale.  Now we're talking about becoming instant millionaires here, but the only way you could afford the land was to sell all of the stuff that you currently have. You would be more than happy to go and sell your stuff wouldn't you? I mean, you could just buy all of that stuff back and retire early when you obtained that treasure in the field.  Now Jesus is saying in this parable that the kingdom of heaven is like this hidden treasure.  He's not saying that the kingdom of heaven is some get rich quick scheme, but He is saying that living your life for the purposes of God is worth far more than anything else we could possess in this life, in fact this treasure is worth everything.   

Prayer
Lord, please help me to discover the hidden treasures in my life.  Give me eyes to see what things in my life I can joyfully get rid of in order to take a step closer to obtaining the hidden treasure talked about in this parable.  Thank You for Your love and wisdom in my life Lord.