Category Archives: Share the Good News

Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Miracles, Obeying God, Share the Good News

God Blesses Those Who Do Not Turn Away Because of Jesus

After preparing and sending His twelve disciples to share the good news of the gospel, Jesus also went to teach and preach in towns throughout the region. In Matthew 11:1-19 Jesus addresses some of his critics, speaks about John the Baptist, and reminds us that the prophets and law of Moses all looked forward to the coming of Jesus Christ.

11 When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting,[a] or should we keep looking for someone else?”

4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.[b]’”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    and he will prepare your way before you.’[c]

11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! 12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing,[d] and violent people are attacking it. 13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. 14 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.[e] 15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

17 ‘We played wedding songs,
    and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
    and you didn’t mourn.’

18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man,[f] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

I am truly impressed by John the Baptist. He spoke out openly for God to common people and leaders alike. He did not fear retribution, or if he did, he feared and trusted God more.  Even after he is thrown in jail, he refuses to stop speaking the truth. And from jail, when he hears about Jesus’ ministry… he does not send his disciples to ask for personal help to get him out of jail but rather he is still seeking to know the Messiah.  John was focused on God instead of his own life and personal circumstances.

Jesus reminds us that all of the Old Testament is a very important part of our Christian faith when He teaches that the law of Moses and prophets were looking forward to the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  We should be careful to heed this and not overlook the importance of continuing to study and learn the Old Testament along with the new. It has much to reveal about God and how He relates to His people and God’s plan for salvation through Jesus.

Once again we see the healing power of Jesus Christ recorded here. John’s disciples and others who were following Jesus were witness to the healing of the blind, the lame, the deaf, lepers, and even the dead raised. Powerful miracles, with many witnesses… yet still “violent people are attacking” the kingdom of heaven as Jesus teaches the people. Many people refuse to see the truth.

Instead of recognizing Jesus as Messiah, by the evidence He provided across many miracles and instances of healing… we see that there is such pressure to reject Jesus that He even comments specifically that God blesses those who do not turn away because of Him.

Jesus then points out the foolishness of those who speak against Him and John the Baptist… like children complaining. They are inconsistent and basically say anything to persuade people to agree with them.

“John is a demon because he does not eat and drink like us.”

“Jesus is a drunkard and glutton because he feasts and drinks.” 

 Wisdom is indeed shown to be right by its results and Jesus demonstrated many miracles and signs with many witnesses and much was documented. The Bible can be trusted.

Let us heed the words of Jesus… ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’ [Matthew 11:6]

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Am I on the path?, Hearing from God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Obeying God, Share the Good News

Jesus’ Instructions For Sharing the Good News

Matthew 10 contains important insight from Jesus to those of us  who commit to serve Him and take the message of the gospel to the world.  The instructions are as relevant to us now as they were to Jesus’ disciples 2000 years ago.

There is a lot of crucial guidance in Matthew 10, and I have summarized key points at the end so this devotional is rather long. I encourage you to read it through.

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil[a] spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. 2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles:

first, Simon (also called Peter),
then Andrew (Peter’s brother),
James (son of Zebedee),
John (James’s brother),
3 Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew (the tax collector),
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,[b]
4 Simon (the zealot[c]),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

5 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6 but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. 7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[d] 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

9 “Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. 10 Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

11 “Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. 12 When you enter the home, give it your blessing. 13 If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. 14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. 15 I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.

16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.[e] 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 22 And all nations will hate you because you are my followers.[f] But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man[g] will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.

24 “Students[h] are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons,[i] the members of my household will be called by even worse names!

26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!

28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[j] 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin[k]? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36     Your enemies will be right in your own household!’[l]

37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

40 “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. 41 If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God,[m] you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. 42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

Trying to break down some of the key points:

  • Jesus wants His followers to openly and boldly bring the good news of the gospel to others, even though many will reject it.
  • Jesus called the twelve specific individuals and gave them authority for healing and casting out spirits. Not all of us will be given this special authority, or share the same task… in this case going out on the road to share the gospel with others. However, we all are called to share the gospel with others.
  • Jesus sent his disciples first to God’s lost sheep rather than going to those that never knew Him. God later sent others to bring the word to the gentiles. God loves all but sometimes may send us to a specific group at a specific time. This can help us have needed direction to be effective in operating in God’s plan.
  • Jesus instructed the disciples to go without extra money or supplies, but instead rely on hospitality. This guidance certainly focuses the disciples on trusting and following God rather than their possessions. Jesus is reassuring them that God is with them and will provide what is needed to complete the mission.
  • Once you bring the message of Jesus Christ to someone, if they reject it you are to shake the dust from your feet and move on. This was a symbolic way to show separation from those who reject Jesus Christ. We must not linger with those who reject His message for we will run out of time and fail to bring the good news to others who may receive it.
  • You may endure much suffering when you bring the news of Jesus Christ. Expect it. Jesus assures us He will be with us. Sometimes the suffering will create unique opportunities to share the gospel with others.
  • Many people, even family will persecute you for passionately following Christ and bringing His message in full truth. [Even those who say they follow God, but do not live according to His word. They often do not want to change and thus reject those who show them the truth that they should change.]
  • Sometimes it will be necessary to flee a bad situation. That is an opportunity to bring the message of the gospel to another group of people somewhere else.
  • Those who claimed to serve God, religious leaders, called Jesus prince of demons. Expect many to call you names and reject you… even those in the church.
  • Jesus tells us not to be afraid of those who can only kill our body, but of God who holds our eternity in His hand. What God whispers in our ear, He wants us to shout to others!
  • Those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus here on earth, despite persecution… He will not recognize before God the Father.
  • A common misunderstanding is refuted clearly. Jesus tells us He did not come to bring peace. People are peaceful when everyone is comfortable in their sin and leave others to their sin.  Jesus came to bring conflict. He wants us to stand up and clearly be different from the world and confront others with truth and the need for them to change and repent from sin. When we honor God with our lives instead of just blending in quietly, it creates conflict because people prefer to remain comfortable in their sin.
  • Jesus must be first in our lives. He must come before our own desires and before our loved ones. When we put Jesus first, everything else that should be in our lives will be placed in the right priority by following God’s instruction.
  • Jesus wants us to help His followers. We are to receive righteous people for being righteous. Even giving a cup of cold water to “the least of my [Jesus’] followers” will be rewarded.

This passage in scripture requires time to reflect and re-read to fully digest. Please take the time to apply it to your life and be encouraged that Jesus will be with us as we share the truth of the gospel with others!

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Hypocrisy, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Repenting from Sin, Share the Good News

Bring the Good News to Sinners

Jesus clearly reminds us in Matthew 9:9-13 that we are to bring the good news of the gospel to sinners. To do so requires that we interact with sinners. However that does not mean we need to endorse their sin or sin with them. On the contrary, we show them by our behavior and teach them with our words the truth of God’s word.

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[d]”

12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[e] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Matthew must clearly have known already who Jesus was or he would not have immediately dropped everything and followed Jesus. Matthew also must have known that he was a sinner and not worthy to serve a holy servant of God. Imagine his delight to receive the invitation. He leapt at the chance, leaving everything else behind.

Jesus extends that same invitation to us today. Will we sit in place, remaining in our sin? or jump up to leave sin behind, change our behaviors, and follow Jesus Christ?

There is a message here also for those who feel they are no longer sinners… that they have overcome sin… you have not. Maintain humility and submit to God. Continue on your journey to grow closer to Him. Remember, as soon as you believe you have “arrived”, that is as far as you will ever go.

As we follow Jesus, we are called to bring as many sinners with us as possible. Do not exclude anyone. We follow God’s example… we tell them the truth, allow them the choice to follow Jesus. They are responsible for making the decision to accept the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ. We cannot accept Jesus for them or force them to accept Him.

As a final word of caution as you evangelize… do not miss the example Jesus provides in distinguishing between His inner circle of disciples and those who are openly sinful. His close friends are those who are receptive to the message of the gospel and seeking God. He goes with them to visit with and share the gospel with open sinners who do not yet know God. It is a dangerous trap for someone to try to persuade open sinners to follow God by making them very close friends… you risk instead being influenced away from God.

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Discerning / Judging, Parables, Share the Good News

Do Not Throw Your Pearls to Pigs

During the sermon on the mount, just after speaking to His disciples about judgment and reproof, Jesus provides important guidance in an interesting metaphor that is very easy to overlook or misunderstand if taken out of context.

Matthew 7:6

6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy.[e] Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

Jesus had just cautioned His disciples not to judge others and condemn them as sinners but rather to focus on addressing the sin in our own lives first and then to help others address the sin in their lives… to act in love to help sinners turn from sin and toward Christ. Now in verse 6, Jesus clarifies that we are certainly called to use discernment and wisdom in sharing the gospel and in our attempts to help others to come to know Jesus.

Jesus calls us to share the good news of the gospel with sinners as He did in His earthly ministry. However, some people will never accept or even respect the gospel or our efforts to share it. They will mock and persecute us as Christians… try to manipulate and trample the sacred scripture we share with them. The guidance in Matthew 7:6 is similar to the guidance God give in Matthew 10:14.

14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.

Essentially what Jesus is addressing is the following:

  • We are called to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with sinners.
  • We have limited time and resources with which to share the gospel and unlimited number of people who need to be reached.
  • We must use our time effectively and efficiently. We use discernment and wisdom to understand the times, places, people, and type of communication that are most effective.
  • If we linger trying to force someone to accept the truth who wishes only to mock it and us as followers of Jesus, we will miss sharing the gospel with many others who may genuinely receive the word and turn to Jesus.

As always, we can come before God humbly in prayer and ask for wisdom and clarity in this area to help us know when and with whom we should share the gospel… and for how long before we shake the dust from our sandals and move on.

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Am I on the path?, Righteousness / Serving God, Share the Good News

Respond with Revenge or Patience and Love?

Jesus teaches about revenge in Matthew 5:38-42. His message is not the message of the world. He does not say anything like “You are right to be angry. You should get back at him.”  He also does not tell us “Just ignore them or resist and fight them. Give them nothing.”

Instead He shows us an alternate response which can really differentiate the response of Christians from that of the world. His way can show God’s love and perhaps even get the offending person to consider the value of accepting God’s word in their lives when they see how it has changed us as followers of Christ.

38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’[o] 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,[p] carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”

It is very important to recognize in the context of the verse that Jesus is deliberately using examples of relatively minor offenses. A slap is not an assault. It is a sign of disrespect, but not a life threatening attack. Losing our shirt (and coat) is not the same as someone trying to steal everything God has provided for us.  Carrying the soldier’s gear an extra mile is labor and may be hard, but does not have lasting detrimental impact on us.

In none of these examples are we asked to compromise our Christian belief or take actions against God’s instruction.

Jesus is simply challenging us to respond with love and patience to those who commit relatively minor offenses against us. Consider it an opportunity to show that a life dedicated to Christ is different and better than a life dedicated to the way of the world.

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False Prophets / Teachers, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Share the Good News

What if Teaching Scripture Offends People?

In John 6:35-68, Jesus teaches truth, even when it is hard. He never compromises the message of scripture just to make people feel more comfortable. People may choose to leave if they refuse to accept God’s word or it offends them, but if we refuse to teach the truth of God’s word then there is no purpose to anyone staying to listen. They may as well listen to the message of the world.

35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

41 Then the people[h] began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures,[i] ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)

47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[j]”

Simon Peter replied with both simplicity and great wisdom. Once we know that Jesus is the Holy One of God, then we should not reject His hard teaching, but seek to understand it. To whom else will we go?

Sadly, many churches choose not to teach the full gospel or change it to avoid offending their flock with hard teaching.  Leaders may even rationalize that it is for the good of their flock, to keep them in church and not have them leave. Some just want to fill the seats and get donations. Jesus shows us to teach the truth boldly is to truly love God’s people. Some will reject it, but those who accept it will understand the truth of the good news.

A parent could tell their children it is safe to play in the street and the children may be happier, but they are in danger. So too is it important to preach the full gospel in its full truth to the body of Christ!

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