Matthew
7 – 10
Verse 7:11 is on the “Prosperity Gospel” top 10:
So if you, who are
sinful, know how to give your children good gifts, how much more so does your
Father in heaven, who is perfect, know how to give great gifts to His children!
For those who have had children or were one
at one time, do you remember getting everything you wanted? I sure didn’t and I
know my children will say the same. So why is it, we expect God to bow down to
all our wishes? I look at my life and am thankful I did not get all our wishes.
One in particular was large land deal, if it had gone through we would now own
a monolith in Buford that cannot be sold or rented at this time. On and on I
could go on with stories like this, but you get the picture “some of God’s
greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” – Garth Brooks
Verse 7:21 – 26 is a section that questions
the salvation of many. Here it’s clear that “only those who do the will of My
Father” will inherit the kingdom. He later says that many who do cast demons
and perform miracles in His name will not be known. This begs the question, how
do we really know? Is it “enough” to read the Bible and talk about salvation
with others? Or do we need to sell everything and go to Zimbabwe to serve those
communities?
Verse 8:12 is another one of those
bothersome verses:
But those who have
feigned their faith will be cast out into outer darkness where people weep and
grind their teeth.
What does God consider “feigned” faith? Is
it saying the prayer, meaning it and doing nothing afterwards? Or is it just
doing it because? I read Jesus’ words and the “once saved” crowd spooks me,
since this and other verse imply more to “salvation” than just a prayer. I
worry for all mankind that this becomes clear to all. Following Jesus is not
just going to church on Sunday, but rather a change in heart that changes the
way one lives their lives.
Verse 8:34 is one to note briefly on, since
the town ran Jesus off after casting out demons in two men. Why was this? Most
likely he cast them out in a herd of pigs who committed mass suicide. How would
you feel if you entire livelihood just died because of what this man did for
the crazy guys in the corners?
Verse 9:38 is very key to our work:
Ask
the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His harvest field.”
This is very clear that more workers are
needed. I don’t know how many people I have talked with at church that fall into
a volunteer for an internal task and never talk to anyone outside of the faith.
We tend to settle into a safe environment and avoid conflict or ridicule. Heck
coming to someone any professing so guy came to earth was God and saved us from
our sins does not make sense to someone who has no clue what a sin is or if
there is this unseen entity called “God”.
I know I have personally done this in a
Small Group. I started a “Discipleship for Dummies” group with the intention of
doing volunteer work and evangelism. We have met every week and talked about
stuff, but have never took action other than one scheduled event that got
rained out. I have failed, because I just kept comfortable.
Verse 10:37 is one of those verses that
confound people:
you love your father
or mother more than you love Me, then you are not worthy of Me. If you love
your son or daughter more than you love Me, then you are not worthy of Me.
The Greek word is “philia” in this context
and is clear, but is very difficult to understand, especially 2000 years later.
Sure we can “love” Jesus and want to serve him, but more than your children or
parents? That is difficult to comprehend when you think about it. I am sure it
was when the disciples were face to face with Jesus, so now it’s very hard to
understand when Jesus is not physically with us.
I think Jesus is using radical language here not
to say love Him more, but rather don’t love them so much as to avoid Jesus. I
think He realizes that’s impossible to love someone you hardly know more than
your own flesh and blood, but He wants to ensure we don’t put that love OVER
our following Him.