TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 12:1-50
In his name the nations will put their hope. - Matthew 12:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2005, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez announced that he was expelling New Tribes Mission from his country. Accusing them of violating Venezuelan sovereignty, acting as spies for the U.S. government, and exploiting indigenous people, Chavez decried the missionaries as tools of U.S. imperialism. These charges, which nearly all observers agree were false, were interpreted as Chavez's policy of provoking the United States.

When those in power feel threatened, they often react harshly. We see this in our passage today, that describes an escalation in the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees.

In the concluding verses of chapter 11 Jesus said that His yoke is easy. To illustrate this, we next find a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees over how to interpret the Law. When the Pharisees accused Jesus and His disciples of violating the Sabbath, Jesus responded with scriptural arguments and again directed them to the principle of mercy (v. 7).

To further illustrate mercy, Jesus proceeded to heal a man in response to a challenge from the Pharisees. The shriveled hand here is significant—this was not a medical emergency (which the Pharisees considered acceptable for healing on the Sabbath) and the man could have been healed the next day. By healing him then, Jesus was directly challenging the Pharisees' notion of what it meant to please God. They thought that imposing a strict set of rules on behavior was the path to righteousness. Jesus also affirmed the value of God's Law, but He said the heart of pleasing God was mercy. As “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus had authority over the Law to reveal its correct interpretation (v. 8 ).

The Pharisees alleged that Jesus used demonic power. Jesus responded that logically this was a ludicrous argument. His power flowed from the Spirit and revealed His identity as the Messiah and Son of God. It is dangerous to attribute the work of the Spirit to Satan, and those who persist in a willful lack of acknowledgment of the Spirit's work cannot find salvation (vv. 30-32; Isa. 63:10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus had a strong message about the importance of our words (vv. 33-37; cf. 5:22-26, 33-37; 7:4-5, 21-22). Our acknowledgment of who He is results in specific actions of showing mercy, praying, loving our enemies, and sharing the truth with others. The discipline of our words is part of what it means to follow Jesus (cf. James 3:1-12). Controlling our speech is impossible without the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray that your heart will be filled with the fruit of the Spirit, so that your speech will reflect the mercy of Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 13:1-58
I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things. - Psalm 78:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
We might associate treasure-hunting with movies or deep-sea divers searching for ancient shipwrecks. But the quest for lost treasure appeals to many people, from those who enjoy a weekend with a metal detector to those who devote their lives to pursuing the big cache. One full-time treasure seeker said, “You have to give up everything for this life—job, bank account, retirement plan, friends, and maybe family. It's hard and dirty and dangerous. For me, though, it's the only thing I can do—I love it.”

This sentiment captures the right perspective of the kingdom, which Jesus revealed in His parables. The placement of these parables is no accident. They follow the events of chapters 11 and 12 as part of the theme of the revelation of and response to the kingdom.

The Parable of the Sower addresses the question of why more people don't believe (cf. 11:20-24; 12:14). Jesus explained that opportunity does not equal response. The news about the arrival of the kingdom in the person of the Messiah was available to all; some were interested, but their concern for wealth distracted them, some lost heart when opposition arose, and others rejected the message completely. This was not the end of the story—those who heard and understood would be part of the amazing growth of the kingdom.

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and of Yeast also contain the truth that the kingdom will begin small, and yet this beginning has great power that will be revealed. The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Pearl indicate the all-surpassing value of the kingdom. Life in the kingdom might be dangerous and difficult and require us to give up much, but it's the only thing to do for those seeking first God's righteousness.

The Parables of the Weeds and the Net encourage us to be patient for God's timing. Followers of Christ are still in the world. But the time will come when those who rejected the message of Jesus will be destroyed, and the righteous “will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (v. 43).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Several parables use the agricultural metaphor of planting. As a visual reminder of Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God, consider planting flowers, vegetables, or trees. If you live in a warm climate you might start planting in the next few weeks; in a cold climate, you might prefer an indoor herb garden or potted plants. As you watch your plants grow, use God's natural creation to reflect on His spiritual work of building the kingdom through those who spread the message of who Jesus is and what He has done.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 14:1-36
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. - Job 9:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Shakespeare used the literary technique of foreshadowing, in which something hints at a future development in the plot. After meeting Romeo, Juliet says: “Go ask his name. If he be married, my grave is like to be my wedding bed.” At first, the lines reveal only a girl's passionate interest in the availability of a boy she has met. But they foreshadow the tragic end of the young couple.

Matthew's Gospel also employs literary techniques like foreshadowing, and today's passage has several themes that we'll see in later chapters. The opening verses recount the fate of John the Baptist. John challenged Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great from Matthew 2) for his immoral marriage to his sister-in-law. This denunciation led to John's imprisonment and then execution. What happened to John foreshadows the fate awaiting Jesus as one who boldly proclaimed truth (see Matt. 27:11-26).

We also see the contrast between Herod, who considered himself “king” of the Jews, and Jesus, the Son of David. Herod was insecure; he feared John, Herodias, the people, and his dinner guests. Jesus demonstrated His authority and compassion by miraculously providing for the needs of those who followed Him. The miracle of feeding the five thousand echoes God's provision of manna for His people in the wilderness (cf. Exodus 16) and foreshadows God's provision of the body and blood of His Son for His people (see Matt. 26:26-29).

At several points Matthew has noted the small faith of the disciples. As their boat was tossed on the waves, we get a status update. Their mix of fear and faith was exemplified by Peter as he stepped out of the boat: first faith, then fear, and again faith as he called out to Jesus. Jesus' walking on the water had great importance—the disciples would have known that such a feat had been mentioned in Scripture as an action of God (see Job 9:8; Ps. 77:19; Hab. 3:15). This prompted their confession of worship. In Matthew 8:27 they had asked what sort of man this was. Now they had the answer.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Muslims revere Jesus as a great prophet, and Jehovah's Witnesses assert that Jesus was the first creation of God. Others think Jesus was a nice guy, but He never claimed to be God. The deity of Jesus is a crucial foundation for our faith. From our study in Matthew so far, can you outline scriptural support for our belief? Beginning in Matthew 1, this Gospel has provided evidence that Jesus is God the Son. Take some time this weekend to list verses and accounts that demonstrate who Jesus is.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 15:1-39
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.” - Matthew 15:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
H. W. Fowler, collaborator with the Pocket Oxford Dictionary (1924), said this about repetition: “The writers who have most need of repetition, and are most justified in using it, are those whose chief business it is to appeal not to the reader's emotions, but to his understanding; for, in spite of the term ”˜rhetorical', the object ordinarily is not impressiveness for impressiveness' sake, but emphasis for the sake of clearness.”

Matthew has these goals in our passage: understanding and clarity. Each account in this chapter echoes an earlier event. As careful readers, we know this cannot be an accident. In the first episode, the Pharisees accuse Jesus and His disciples. Ritual handwashing was only required of the priests (which most Pharisees were not), but the Pharisees adopted this practice anyway. They thought the more they sought purity through these rituals, the more they would please God.

Jesus had no patience for righteousness that ignored the heart of God and His Word in order to gratify self (v. 5). The Pharisees argued that eating with clean hands would keep them pure. Jesus said that purity came from the heart (cf. 5:8 ). It's important to note that both Jesus and the Pharisees were seeking greater purity for the people of God. But the Pharisees had missed the core of the Law they so eagerly sought to enforce: it was mercy, not sacrifice, that God wanted. The Law was to be evidence of the love between Him and His people. The Pharisees wanted to give their tradition more authority than Jesus, not recognizing that He was the one who fulfilled the Law.

The healing of the Canaanite woman's daughter recalls the healing of the centurion's servant. Again, a non-Israelite recognizes who Jesus is and asks Him to act as Messiah. Jesus initially resisted—He had come as God's covenant promise to Israel. The woman steadfastly asserted that as Messiah the blessing of Jesus could overflow to those outside the people of Israel, and in response to this faith Jesus healed her daughter.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today is Palm Sunday; we'll study the events of this day next week. We are entering the time the church has historically called Holy Week in preparation of celebrating Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Our reading today calls for us to reflect on what we have seen so far about the identity, authority, and compassion of Jesus. It urges us to respond in faith, not rejection. Spend time today in prayer and reflection on what Scripture reveals to us about Jesus, and ask for faith that accepts His agenda for the kingdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 16:1-28
You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. - Matthew 16:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many people approach God thinking that seeing is believing—"If only God would appear in front of me and tell me that He exists, then I'd believe in Him!" Our text today reveals the foolishness of this idea, and demonstrates that when it comes to Jesus, the opposite is true: believing is seeing.

The Pharisees and Sadducees challenged Jesus by asking for a sign (v. 1). Jesus had been healing the sick, freeing the demon- possessed, and providing food for multitudes. What additional sign could these religious leaders want? Their question revealed their spiritual blindness. They had seen Jesus do miracles, but they did not believe His power stemmed from His identity as the Messiah. They did not believe, and therefore could not see.

Jesus warned His disciples against the corrupt teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Again the small faith of the disciples is rather humorously noted (v. 8 ). It was certainly better than no faith, but even they still struggled to hear with spiritual ears.

We then come to the climax of this section of Matthew's Gospel and a turning point in the story. Several times the question of who Jesus is has been asked (11:2; 12:22; 13:55; 14:1-2). Now the disciples, again exemplified by Peter, are prepared to answer. Others assert that perhaps Jesus is another prophet like Elijah or Jeremiah. This is partly right—but partly right isn't enough when it comes to understanding who Jesus is. He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). The reader has known this since chapter 1, and now through their belief the disciples see the revelation of God in the person of Jesus (v. 17; cf. 1:1, 18).

After the disciples recognized and affirmed the identity of Jesus, He began to teach them about His mission that lay ahead: He would go to Jerusalem and be killed, and on the third day He would be resurrected. If they continued to follow Him, they could expect suffering and even death. The cost of discipleship is very high. But the reward of discipleship is even higher—pleasing God and sharing in His kingdom.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
When Peter heard Jesus announce His death, he protested (apparently missing the announcement of the resurrection!) and was rebuked by Jesus. Biblical scholar F. F. Bruce notes, “None are more formidable instruments of temptation than well-meaning friends who care more for our comfort than for our character.” Do we support our loved ones in following the way of Jesus? Or do we question or critique them? We are encouraged to support others and remain faithful ourselves in pursuit of the reward of discipleship.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 17:1-27
We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father . . . when we were with him on the sacred mountain. - 2 Peter 1:16-18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many books and movies have plots in which the true identity of a character is revealed in a surprise ending. The Gospel of Matthew has approached the true identity of Jesus a bit differently. It is stated at the very beginning, but as we read through the book we are given more information and implications of what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah, the son of the living God.

Yesterday's passage contained Peter's declaration of who Jesus was. In today's reading, we have another statement from God the Father about His beloved Son: “With him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (v. 5). The presence of Moses and Elijah represented the Law and Prophets, signifying that Jesus was the fulfillment of Scripture. Surely this divine pronouncement would confirm the faith of the disciples!

Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John not to recount this episode until after the resurrection. The disciples again appear to miss the promised resurrection and instead focus on whether this was in fact the kingdom of God. They knew from Scripture that Elijah was supposed to come first, and Jesus confirmed that in fact prophecy had been fulfilled in John the Baptist. God was keeping His promises—but it didn't look the way that anyone had expected.

The great confession by the disciples in chapter 16 now gives way to their inability to do what Jesus had commanded (v. 16; see chap. 10). Jesus diagnosed their problem as a lack of faith. This is not a critique of their personal power; faith depends on keeping their eyes focused on Jesus (cf. 14:30). It wasn't a lack of skill but a failure to rely on Jesus' true identity and the resulting power that comes through the Spirit.

Again Jesus predicted His death and resurrection, and again the disciples reacted with grief. They still had not learned how to see and hear with spiritual eyes and ears.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One theologian said, “All people are created in the imago dei—the image of God. All believers are called to the imitatio Christi—the imitation of Christ.” The Transfiguration of Jesus points us forward to the time when all believers in Christ will be clothed in radiant white (cf. 1 John 3:2; Rev. 7:9). Since we know the end of our story, how will we live in the meantime? Will we fix our eyes on Jesus and live in faith, or will we focus on the failures and limitations of this world?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 18:1-35
I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. - Ezekiel 34:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
The church was attracting more visitors, the new worship team sounded almost professional, and giving was starting to increase. The pastor had one concern, though: a woman with Down Syndrome had started to attend church, and she sat near the front and worshiped in a way that could only be described as exuberant. He and his staff decided to tell her that she needed to sit in the back so she wouldn't disturb others. Hurt and confused, the woman left the church, never to return.

Our passage instructs the people of Christ never to dismiss “the least of these” in an effort to improve our image or self-importance. The themes of this chapter are humility and forgiveness—and the way that these qualities impact relationships.

The disciples finally understood that Jesus was introducing the kingdom of heaven, but they were confused about what that meant. They asked who would be the greatest (v. 1). Jesus explained how wrong their perspective was: only those who recognize their vulnerable neediness will have the humility that characterizes those in His kingdom (v. 4).

In the context of humility and sacrificial love, Jesus outlined how to handle the inevitable sin that will come among people. We might be tempted to think that humility and love would mean that we should just overlook the sins of others—but failure to confront sin means that we condone it. Allowing our brothers and sisters to continue in sin is the opposite of love.

Confrontation requires humility and forgiveness. We should not imagine that this is easy, either to confront or to be confronted. But Jesus next tells us what we must remember: how much we have been forgiven. The Unmerciful Servant had been forgiven a debt of millions of dollars, and then held the one who owed him a few dollars in prison. When we are tempted to demand our rights, we must remember our true place in the kingdom: lost sheep that have been rescued and forgiven by our merciful, great God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our Lord compared His followers to little children, and He also demonstrated His love and concern for children (vv. 5-6). This love and concern should characterize us as well. The world has no shortage of children who need the sacrificial love of God's people. Pray about how you can tangibly show this love: does your church need more Sunday school teachers? Could you support a child through Compassion International? Perhaps you could serve as prayer warrior for children in your family or neighborhood.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 19:1-30
Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. - Matthew 19:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
Dr. Jekyll thought he could isolate his darker impulses in another personality, Mr. Hyde. Though at first the doctor enjoyed the freedom from a moral conscience when he was Mr. Hyde, he found over time that he could no longer control when Mr. Hyde would take over, nor could he transform back to Dr. Jekyll at will. Eventually, what he thought he controlled took over completely, leading to his destruction.

Yesterday we saw that humility and forgiveness have implications for our relationships in God's kingdom. Today we'll see that being a follower of Jesus impacts marriage, children, and wealth. When we try to cling to our priorities and possessions, they control us and lead to destruction.

Before His teaching about possessions, the Pharisees asked Jesus a trick question about divorce. He went back to God's good creation to define God's plan for marriage (vv. 4-6). Marriage is not only about two individuals—it is an illustration of the relationship between God and His people. While the presence of sin disrupts marriages, we should not confuse this with God's plan (v. 8 ). Marriage is not required of everyone in order to participate in the kingdom: both married and single people have a calling to glorify God (v. 12).

Next, Jesus actively demonstrated His love for children. The disciples were unhappy that children had been brought to Jesus. But He never considered Himself too busy or too important for those who had no power, no wealth, nothing to offer that the world considered valuable. In blessing these children, Jesus gave an example of kingdom priorities (v. 14).

This lesson about priorities continues in the account of the rich young man. He came to Jesus to find out how to get salvation, but he wasn't prepared to do what Jesus told him: sell his possessions (to be free to love God) and give them to the poor (to be free to love his neighbor). He thought he had wealth, but in fact it controlled him. He was unwilling to let go of priorities and possessions to follow Jesus.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus called the rich young man to freedom and the reward of discipleship (vv. 28-30). The young man could never truly be free to obey God until he loved Him above everything else. Many of us, whether wealthy or not by the world's standards, find that we trust our possessions more than God. Review Matthew 6:24-34, and prayerfully commit your whole heart to serving God. He might require you to sacrifice some income, time, or things—but the reward of following Christ is incomparable!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 20:1-34
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Eta Linnemann had a position that few achieved and many envied as a theology professor in a German university. Yet for all her academic acclaim, Eta felt something was missing. At the invitation of her students, she attended an evangelical prayer meeting and committed her life to Christ. She then resigned her position at the university and went to Indonesia to teach in a Bible college as a missionary. She found true fulfillment in her work of service rather than in what the world considered success.

Our passage today builds on the closing verse of chapter 19: “Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Jesus then offered a parable to illustrate this kingdom reality. The focus here is on the landowner, who continues hiring workers throughout the day. There's no indication that he needs more laborers; rather, he hires out of generosity. Those hired first find that they receive what was promised but have no priority over those hired last. God's great goodness and abundance cannot be measured according to human standards.

The prediction of Jesus' death and resurrection that follows might seem randomly placed, but it illustrates the reversal of first and last in the kingdom. Jesus will be crucified, which appears as “last” to the world. But He will be raised to life, a victory over sin and death—the “firstfruits” of the resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:20).

Right after this prediction, the disciples revealed their continued misunderstanding about the nature of the kingdom. Their concern for status contradicted Jesus' emphasis on servanthood. Here is the climax of the instructions from Jesus to His followers: leadership in the kingdom is defined by servanthood, and we know how to be a servant through the example of Jesus.

Concluding this chapter, two blind men addressed Jesus as the Messiah (v. 30) and requested healing. These blind men saw more than the spiritually blind crowd (v. 31).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today is Good Friday, the traditional Christian observance of the crucifixion of our Lord. Spend some extra time with verses 17-28, pondering the sacrifice of Jesus. Reflect on how His example makes it possible for us to live sacrificial lives. We should beware of hastily asserting that we can drink from His cup (v. 22). But we know that He will strengthen us for the work He has called us to do—works of mercy, humility, and compassion that bring glory to God our Father.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 21:1-46
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. - Psalm 118:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
In an article last November, a Washington Post columnist observed the problem with governing by public opinion polls: “The trouble is that public opinion is often ignorant, confused and contradictory; and so the policies it produces are often ignorant, confused and contradictory.” The fickle crowd is nothing new. In Matthew 20 the crowd rebuked the blind men for calling Jesus the Son of David. In today's text the crowd called out hosannas. And the opinion of the crowd will change again before Matthew's Gospel concludes.

Jesus entered Jerusalem and made a public claim through His actions to be the messianic King. This prompted the query: “Who is this?” (v. 10). The answer to this question dictated the action that follows in the story. While the crowd had sung hosannas and welcomed Him, they didn't grasp His identity. They decided He was a prophet (v. 11). This was only partly right: Jesus is prophet, but also Messiah, and king—and ultimately God the Son.

Because of who He is, Jesus went to the center of the worship of God, the temple, to set it in order. Those who preyed on the poor were driven out. He healed the blind and lame, making it possible for them to join in worship (see Lev. 21:17-20). He was praised by children, who confessed the truth missed by powerful leaders. Instead of rejoicing in these marvelous works, the chief priests reacted with indignation.

Their lack of concern for the unhindered worship of God led to their spiritual barrenness. The cursed fig tree was a picture of their so-called religious piety. The fault of the tree—lack of fruit—led to its punishment (v. 19). So too for those who claim to obey God and yet do not bear fruit in keeping with repentance (see 3:8 ).

The religious leaders directly questioned Jesus' authority, and He responded with a series of parables as an indictment of their unbelief. There is one way of righteousness: repentance and seeking God (v. 32). Those who do not produce this fruit will have no part in God's kingdom (v. 43).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The image of the capstone is important for understanding who Jesus is and who we are as His followers. If you have time for additional study and reflection this Easter weekend, read the following passages: Psalm 118:22-23; Acts 4:11; and 1 Peter 2:4-12. Consider what we learn about Jesus from these verses. How does 1 Peter use this image to instruct us in being the people of God? May we, like the little children, “declare the praises” of our Savior who brought us from darkness to light (1 Peter 2:9).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 22:1-46
Love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:39
TODAY IN THE WORD
Even in our more casual culture, some rules of etiquette seem clear—like not bringing an uninvited puppy to a wedding dinner. Yet one couple did just that, and their exuberant puppy, Dude, proceeded to eat the hors d'oeuvres and stain the white linens. The outraged hostess of the reception has not spoken to the couple in the five years since the incident.

The stakes for inappropriate conduct at the wedding in today's parable were higher than prematurely gobbled hors d'oeuvres. Those who rejected the initial invitations and killed the messengers of the king were destroyed (v. 7). Those who accepted the invitation to the feast were still required to have appropriate garments, or they would be cast out (v. 13). Jesus indicted anyone who would presume to be part of God's kingdom without the garments of righteousness.

A series of confrontations followed as the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians tried to trap Jesus. The attempt to position Him as either a supporter of Rome or a political insurrectionist failed—Jesus' kingdom transcends political loyalties (v. 21).

The Sadducees tried to use an extreme example to trap Jesus on marriage and resurrection. He rebuked their shallow knowledge of both Scripture and the power of God (v. 29). Their trap revealed their limited understanding of the God they claimed to serve, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They thought they were the children of Abraham, not realizing that this identity made no sense if God abandoned His people when they died (v. 32).

The final trap concerned the greatest commandment. Jesus connected the great exhortation that was at the heart of Jewish identity—to love God with one's entire being—with the command to love one's neighbor (see Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18). As the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, Jesus embodies what it means to keep these commandments.

Next Jesus turned to challenge the Pharisees. He revealed their incomplete understanding of Scripture and the identity of the Messiah—His own identity. They did not grasp that the Son of David was also the Son of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“Alleluia” rings out in churches across the world on this Easter, the celebration of Jesus' resurrection! This resurrection is promised by and is possible through the power of God (v. 29). We live in this resurrection power when we follow Jesus, loving God and our neighbor. Leviticus 19:18 appears three times in Matthew (5:43; 19:19; 22:39). How does each instance inform us about loving our neighbor? May the resurrection motivate us to be people of God whose way of living reflects the life possible through Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 23:1-39
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness. - Isaiah 5:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
Sally's parents sent her to church, though they stayed home. Told that she should go because it was good for her, it didn't take long before Sally decided that if her parents didn't need to go to church, she didn't either. “Do as I say, not as I do” rarely succeeds in producing the desired results.

Our reading for today reveals Jesus' unwavering concern for righteousness. The Pharisees received condemnation because what they taught didn't match how they lived. This contrasted with Jesus, who exemplified everything He expected from His followers (see Matthew 10-11). The Pharisees didn't understand the core principle of God's kingdom: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (v. 12).

Some readers find these statements by Jesus troubling. How can this be love and compassion? But throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' teaching has emphasized that love requires truth-telling, and compassion cannot allow sin to remain unrebuked (cf. 18:15-18). Jesus was revealing truth to the Pharisees, and also providing a warning for His followers.

The seven “woes” pronounced by Jesus reveal the extent of the hypocrisy and spiritual blindness of the religious leaders. They didn't recognize that in Jesus, the kingdom of heaven is here, and they tried to block others from entering (v. 13). They obsessed over the smaller details of ritual purity while neglecting the core issues of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (v. 23). They were characterized by greed, vanity, and self-indulgence.

Jesus was the embodiment of the prophetic warnings that God had sent before, and the religious leaders received Jesus in the same way they treated God's messengers before Him: they conspired to kill Him (v. 34). Jesus lamented the stubborn rejection of Jerusalem, but He left the temple with a note of hope: one day they will recognize Him as the Messiah (v. 39; cf. Ps. 118:26; Phil. 2:9-11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As Christians, we can find God's mercy in these “woes,” for they challenge us to evaluate whether we practice what we preach. Do we fall prey to hypocrisy, religious show, or self-exaltation? Or are we characterized by obedience to God, concern for others, and humility? On this first day after Easter, pray that the church of Jesus Christ will resist the temptation of the Pharisees and instead live in the light of God's kingdom truth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 24:1-51
You must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. - Matthew 24:44
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1831, Baptist preacher William Miller declared that Jesus would return between 1843 and 1844. Thousands of people from a variety of denominations gathered around Miller in eager expectation of “The Blessed Hope.” With the date finally set at October 22, 1844, over 100,000 people stayed up all night waiting for Christ to return. As the morning of October 23 dawned, hope was exchanged for disillusionment. The date became known as the Great Disappointment.

Is this what Jesus meant in His repeated exhortations to watchfulness? In our readings for today and tomorrow, we'll see that Jesus explained how we should respond to His prophecies about the end of the age.

After Jesus left the temple, He predicted that this glorious structure—the heart of the worship of God—would be destroyed (v. 2). The disciples understandably wanted more information. In response to their questions of what and when, though, Jesus warned them not to be deceived by false teaching. They needed to stand firm (v. 13). He told them that great hardship lay ahead, and yet hope was also present: the gospel will be preached in the whole world, and they have the unfailing word of Jesus that He will return (vv. 14, 30).

Jesus then clarified that the point of this warning is not to determine the timing of His return; rather, He provided this information so that the disciples could be watchful and prepared. Indeed, Jesus was calling them to wait. This waiting is only possible in light of hope—if Jesus' word is not sure and if He is not returning, then we should all act like the wicked servant (v. 49). But Jesus assured us that the Master will return, and the fate of the hypocrites will come to those who are not prepared.

Jesus knew that waiting can be a challenging assignment. So He instructed His followers to guard against deception and remain watchful even in the face of persecution, because we have the hope of His coming in glory.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our impatient society doesn't value the discipline of waiting. We prefer to multitask, be sleep-deprived, and fill our appointment books in order to feel busy and therefore important. Jesus' words in this chapter can help reorient us to the ultimate priorities of believers: seeing our lives in light of the reality and hope that He is coming again. As we'll see tomorrow, this waiting watchfulness is not passive, but it does require us to live with a different sense of time than does the rest of the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 25:1-46
Well done, good and faithful servant! - Matthew 25:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
The poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote these lines inspired by today's passage: “No light had we: for that we do repent: / And, learning this, the bridegroom will relent. / ”˜Too late, too late! Ye cannot enter now.' / No light, so late! And dark and chill the night! / Oh let us in, that we may find the light! / ”˜Too late, too late! Ye cannot enter now'.”

Today's reading is a continuation of Jesus' instruction to His disciples that we began yesterday in Matthew 24. The Parable of the Ten Virgins illustrates the command to keep watch. All ten of the women expected the bridegroom to come. But only five were prepared for the experience of waiting. When the bridegroom appeared, the foolish women were unprepared and unable to enter the wedding banquet.

The Parable of the Talents further develops what it means to be engaged in watchful waiting. It doesn't mean sitting around, staring at the sky, doing nothing. Instead, it means using what God has given us for His glory. Like the servants in the parable, we don't know how long we have to be profitable with our gifts from God. We do know that He expects us to be busy about His work.

This parable also reveals something about the nature of God. A talent was a large sum of money, easily a year's wage. Our God dispenses gifts generously and trusts us with great resources. Yet there is no question about who truly owns these talents. We should not think that the gifts from God become our possessions, or that the glory should be directed anywhere other than God.

The final section of this chapter provides more insight into the content and consequences of watchful waiting. As the King separates the righteous from the unrighteous, He comments on whether their lives exemplify humility and mercy. Those who claim to know Him but have no evidence of His kingdom in their lives receive everlasting punishment. The righteous will have the joy of the wedding banquet, a share in the master's happiness, and eternal life (vv. 10, 23, 46).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Throughout this Gospel, Jesus has identified righteousness with lives of humility, mercy, and justice. It is not simply doing good deeds—the Pharisees gave alms to the poor. True righteousness is only possible through a desire to love and serve God, to seek His kingdom at the expense of our own glory. As we wait for Christ to return, what “talent” has God given you to use for Him? Are you engaged in watchful waiting, preparing to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 26:1-30
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. - Matthew 26:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Two months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites were unhappy with Moses and Aaron: “You have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” The Lord responded to His people, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” They were instructed to gather as much as they needed, so that they would know “that I am the Lord your God” from His gracious abundance (see Exodus 16). Jesus provided an abundance of food that fed over 5,000 people. In today's passage, we see echoes from these demonstrations of provision and abundance as Jesus announces the Lord's Supper for His people for all time.

In the opening verses, Jesus again announced His impending crucifixion, and the scene shifts to the religious leaders plotting against Him. Interestingly, they said that they didn't want to have Him killed during the Passover—yet Jesus was in fact killed then. Passover recalled the time when the blood of a spotless lamb saved the Israelites; now Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, would shed His blood to save the whole world (Exodus 12). The religious leaders thought they were executing a sneaky plan, but in fact they could not even control the timing of Jesus' death.

The next verses draw a comparison between an unnamed woman and Judas. She was serving Jesus; Judas was betraying Him. She was unselfish and lavish in her act of worship. Judas was selfish and greedy, willing to accept the small sum of thirty pieces of silver in order to turn over Jesus to His enemies.

As we read the account of the Lord's Supper, it might be tempting to skim the words heard often in our own celebrations of Communion. To gain a wider perspective on this event, read these verses again and then read Matthew 14:13-21. Note the same verbs in both passages: “took,” “gave thanks,” “broke,” “gave.” There Jesus provided physical food to satisfy physical hunger—here He offers Himself as the spiritual food that ends spiritual hunger. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of God's gracious, abundant provision.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Before your church observes the Lord's Supper again, prepare your heart by reading verses 17 through 30. Even today, you can praise Him for His gracious, abundant provision of forgiveness that makes fellowship with Him and His people possible. Consider also how you might follow the example of the woman in verse 6 with an extravagant gift of worship. Others might not understand, but if the Holy Spirit directs you to do “a beautiful thing,” you can be sure that God will be delighted and glorified by your sacrifice.