“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20)

            The world would argue that since the greatest minds of the day are not impressed with the wisdom of Christ, Christianity must be wrong.  Yet, the argument misses the point – Christ did not die for the great and mighty of the world – He died for all.  It wouldn’t make sense for  His message to be so complicated that only the greatest debaters and wisest philosophers could grasp it if it is intended for the masses.

            When you wish for all to understand something, you speak in a manner that emphasizes simplicity and clarity.  The New Testament is just such a doctrine.  Though it is deep, it is understandable.  The message of Christ and the pattern given for His church can be found simply pronounced within the Scriptures so anyone might find their Maker.  This is exactly what Paul spoke of when he said, “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us…” (Acts 17:27)

            God doesn’t desire to be far from anyone.  He wishes to be found, so He pronounced a wisdom that could be grasped.  It is the simplicity of the Bible message that reveals Him in the gospel.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

 “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.” (Matthew 28:17)

            The doubt of the early disciples of Christ should bring us confidence.  If those who saw the resurrection, witnessed with their own eyes the risen King, and worshipped at His feet struggled with overcoming fear and a lack of conviction, we should expect a similar journey for ourselves.

            An unwavering certainty in our Lord is the lifelong goal of faith, but it is not the starting point.  Questions, struggles of the heart, trials in life, and the quiet whisperings of an irreligious culture attempt to thwart our commitment to the path of Jesus.  Be not dismayed by the turmoil, but embrace the journey of finding your identity in Jesus.

            Worship Him where you are with the understanding that you are walking in the Light and toward it, too.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him.” (Matthew 27:55)

Those who believe the Bible is anti-women haven’t been reading it.

The first people to go to the empty tomb?  Women.

The people who stayed by the cross while Jesus suffered? Women.

The people who funded Jesus’ preaching campaign? Women.

Don’t believe the propaganda. Read the book for yourself, and you will see a glowing report of feminine excellence and value throughout the text.  Does Scripture deny the differences between men and women? No.  Does it elevate women to a place of honor and equality? Consistently.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.” (Matthew 26:11)

Nothing has done more for the impoverished and disenfranchised than the religion of Jesus Christ.  Jesus put more emphasis upon helping the less fortunate, the downtrodden, and the voiceless than any other man who walked the earth before or since.  The record is clear – Jesus cared deeply for the poor.

So why say what He did about the poor always being with us? What it CANNOT mean is that He has no concern for the poor.  So it must mean that His presence and His mission to seek and save the lost is οf superior importance to caring for the poor.  If you remove a man’s poverty, you feed him for a season.  If you remove a man’s sin, you have redeemed him for eternity.

Keep your eyes on the prize.  Do good to all men, but don’t forget to tell them about Jesus.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21b)

Hebrews tells us Jesus endured all the atrocities against Him for the “joy set before Him”.  What kind of joy is worth enduring mental anguish that causes you to sweat like blood?  What type of joy is worthy of being spit upon, slapped, and ripped with thorns? What type of joy is worth having your mother see you bleed out upon a cross? What kind of joy awaits that is worth being abandoned by all your friends and having your reputation destroyed by lies and hate?

I can’t imagine a joy worth all that… but I want to.  Whatever that joy is – I’m anchoring my hope to it.  I want to enter into the joy of my Master.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12-13)

Nothing destroys religious fervor faster than religious corruption.  Atheism is not the greatest enemy to Christianity – false Christianity is the greatest enemy to the path of the gospel.  Lawless false prophets have led so many astray, and the hypocrisy of manmade religions turns the hearts of the next generation cold.

It is easy to see why the next generation struggles with worldliness when the religion they see is full of fakeness, corruption, or scandal.  People will let you down, and the shortcomings of others can lead to cold hearts.  So, what’s the solution?

Remember you follow Christ, not Christians.  Don’t let your faith rest in people – endure to the end so that you may stand before Jesus.  Place your trust in Him, and your heart will burn inside you.  Shift your gaze from the body to the head.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have…” (Matthew 23:30a)

We all make great armchair quarterbacks.  It is far easier to sit in the stands and assume that we could make a better call than the players and coaches on the field, but the reality is typically the exact opposite.

The people of Jesus’ day assumed they were better people than those who had gone before.  They wouldn’t have grumbled in the wilderness, persecuted the prophets, or turned to idols… or would they?  The sins of the fathers were just as alluring to them and they fell into the same traps.  They complained about the timing of Jesus’ miracles, plotted against the greatest Prophet ever, and turned to the idols of covetousness and pride.

We cannot learn from the Bible until we recognize our similarities to the sinners of the past.  We are no better than our fathers.  Our only hope is to have the humility to see our similarities and turn to Christ for healing from them.  It is only the broken and contrite heart that changes the family tree.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

It is your calling to be a child of God.

It is your calling to live like an eternal being with heaven as your hope.

It is your calling to proclaim the excellencies of Him who created you.

It is your calling to be forgiven and washed in the blood of Christ, free from guilt and regret.

It is your calling to do His work and fulfill your purpose in Him.

… but will you choose it?

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“but afterward he regretted it and went.” (Matthew 21:29)

When I was young, I hated broccoli.  It was green, the texture was strange, and they looked like tiny trees – also my parents wanted me to eat it.  I was not interested.  Over time, I’ve grown to love broccoli.  It took a while, but I came around.

There is a gift hidden within the parable of the two sons.  Jesus shows us that there is room for repentance.  The second son initially rejects the command of his father, but after time and thought, he realizes the error of his rebellion and goes to work.

God recognizes that some of us are a little slow on the uptake.  Repentance, by definition, means you can change your mind.  God is patient and merciful.  If today, you regret things you’ve done or left undone – it isn’t too late to go to work.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Matthew 20:28a)

No one considers the waiter to be the greatest person at the table, but the meal doesn’t happen without him.  Whisking plates to and from tables, filling glasses, and meeting requests before they are made, a good waitress makes the event happen.  Good table service makes you feel that you are the center of their attention – no matter how busy the restaurant may be.

Jesus is the ultimate servant.  He died for the whole world, yet lived in a way that made everyone around Him feel they were individually loved.  His service was sacrificial and personal all at the same time.

In what ways can we emulate Him?  Make your service personal.  You don’t have to make a difference with everyone – just start with someone.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites