Category: Christian Living

Tensions of the King: Matthew 20-22

Intensity builds in Matthew’s gospel as we move into the final week of Jesus’ life. Kicking off this section, Jesus tells a parable about workers in a vineyard. Those hired first agree to a fair wage and toil throughout the day while others join them at different points. When it’s time to clock out, all of the workers receive the same wage, despite the differing numbers of hours worked. This is a picture of God’s audacious unfairness—the generosity He shows by allowing the undeserving to receive what they did not earn. He reveals this in every sinner who claims righteousness through Christ.

The chapter continues with Jesus predicting His death and resurrection for a third time as He makes His way to Jerusalem with His disciples for Passover. Next the mother of James and John asks Jesus to grant her sons the privilege of sitting at His right and left hands when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus uses her request to reiterate His purpose: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (20:26-28, NIV)

Chapter 20 opens with the Triumphal Entry, marking Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover and the beginning of the last week of His pre-resurrection life. If you grew up in church, you may remember waving palm fronds on Palm Sunday to open Holy Week.

Approaching Jerusalem, Jesus sends two of the disciples ahead saying “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. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

Matthew explains, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:‘Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples do as Jesus instructs and bring the donkey and colt back. As they lead Him into Jerusalem “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The 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 heaven!’” (21:2-4, 8-9, NIV)

Matthew writes this gospel to convince Jewish people that Jesus actually was the Messiah and King they’d been anticipating for centuries. He quotes the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 to show that Jesus fulfills it by entering Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey. In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace. Tara Leigh Cobble explains, “He entered in meekness—not majesty—on an animal made for service, not battle.”1

The people shouted “Hosanna” which means “Save now!” It was both a praise and a petition that they were reciting from Psalm 118. The Jewish people were desperate for relief from the oppression of Rome and expected the Messiah to arrive as a political hero and a conquering king. They wanted Him to fix their problems in the moment and didn’t understand His greater purpose. Jesus came to offer reconciliation and eternal peace with His Father, but the people were only looking for relief in their current circumstances. They cared more about what was happening outside of them than within their own hearts.

While it’s easy to see how they missed the point, we may be more like the crowd than we’d like to admit. Sometimes we want Jesus to wave a magic wand and make everything better when He’s inviting us into something of eternal significance that’s much bigger and deeper. Following Jesus brings lasting, inner peace that far exceeds the comfort we find in circumstances going the way we want. In the Gospel of John Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)

The Triumphal Entry was the official presentation of Jesus as the Messiah—the rightful descendant of King David. Matthew highlights to the Jewish people that Jesus is the Savior and King they’d been waiting for who had been promised in the Old Testament starting in Genesis 3. The crowd jumps on the bandwagon to worship Jesus but (spoiler alert) they will be quick to turn on Him a few days later and call for His crucifixion.

I wonder sometimes, how are we like the crowd on Palm Sunday? Are we more interested in a Jesus who provides quick fixes for our current circumstances than heart-level life transformation? Do we join the enthusiastic crowd that praises Jesus when He’s popular without bothering to pursue Him privately when no one else is looking? Or, do we recognize that He’s King but refuse to relinquish control of our lives to Him?

In the remaining passages in chapters 21 & 22, Jesus continues to emphasize the importance of genuine faith, humility, and purity of heart. He overturns tables in the temple courtyard to chastise opportunistic businesspeople who are taking advantage of others. He goes head to head with the Pharisees who are trying to entrap Him and teaches several parables that contrast the hard hearts of the prideful Jewish elite with the receptivity of sinners and outcasts. This section also includes the greatest commandment: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (22:37-40, NIV)

As our study moves towards Jesus’ final teachings and the events of Holy Week, let’s stop and consider our own hearts. What are you learning in Matthew’s gospel that’s changing the way you see yourself and how you respond to the Lord? Pray that God continues to soften your heart, open your eyes, and draw you deeper into life in His upside kingdom.

Follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. Tara Leigh Cobble, Knowing Jesus as King, Bethany House Publishers, 2024, 161

Perspective of the King: Matthew 17-19

Continuing our walk through the Gospel of Matthew, this portion opens with the transfiguration. Once again, Matthew gives hard evidence to show Jesus as the long- awaited King of Kings. In this scene, James, John and Peter witness Jesus transfiguring from the Rabbi they know to the Son of Man shining brilliantly in His glorified form and talking with Moses and Elijah. Reminiscent of the baptism of Jesus, they hear the voice of the Father speaking, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5, NIV)

In the rest of the chapter Jesus continues to emphasize purity heart and the pursuit of righteousness. He heals a demon-possessed boy, answers questions about paying taxes to Caesar, and emphasizes that the greatest citizens in His kingdom approach Him with childlike faith. Chapter 19 includes an extended discussion on divorce and a conversation between Jesus and a wealthy young man about whole-heartedly following Him.

Sandwiched in the middle of all this action chapter 18 includes three related teachings about relationships. First, Jesus tells the parable of the Lost Sheep:

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14, NIV)

One commentary explains, “God does not abandon the 99. They are already safely in His kingdom, attended by His angels, and guided by His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14; Hebrews 13:5). But His heart aches for those not yet in the fold. So the Good Shepherd pursues the lost sheep, woos them, calls to them, and allows circumstances into their lives designed to make them look up… The 99 are still important to Him, but He knows the flock is not complete without the lost sheep. And a good shepherd always goes after the lost sheep.”1

 In this first illustration Jesus shows the Father’s deep love for each individual person and the effort He expends to pursue and rescue every lost soul. In the next section, He shows our part in restoring “lost sheep” to the fold through confronting sin: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17, ESV)

The process Jesus lays out escalates incrementally, with each step involving the fewest number of people possible. “Only in rare cases will a Christian seeking to follow the Lord refuse to resolve conflict when the entire congregation is involved… Finally, if the person in the center of the conflict refuses to respond positively even when the entire congregation is involved, then that person is to be considered as ‘a pagan or a tax collector.’ This simply means… removing the negative influence from the congregation.”2

Whether we’ve been personally affected by sin of another or are witnessing how it’s  tainting the body of believers, the goal of addressing it remains the same: to restore the sinner to righteous living. Biblical, healthy confrontation seeks to  reconcile broken relationships affected by behavior that dishonors God.

 While eliminating someone from a congregation sounds harsh and final, the next teaching emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. In this parable, a servant owing a king a large sum of money begs for more time to repay him. The gracious king cancels the debt and allows the servant to go. The same servant then demands a miniscule debt from one of his fellow servants be repaid immediately. When the man can’t pay, the servant calls for him to be thrown in prison. The forgiving king learns this news, summons the unmerciful servant and says, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ Jesus concludes by saying “And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:32-35, ESV)

This parable urges us to remember that even when we’ve been hurt or offended, we’re called to forgive. We cannot withhold from others what has been freely given to us—especially knowing it was purchased by the blood of Christ. As far as it depends upon us, the door for reconciliation must always remain open: “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:17-18, ESV)

We can’t control how others respond in challenging relational circumstances, but “Christians are called to handle disputes in love, with a goal of restoration. Conflict should be handled according to the steps listed in Matthew 18. This style of conflict resolution is based on a desire for holy living and love for the person who has committed wrong.”3

The Message paraphrase of Matthew 18:18-20 sums up Jesus’ teaching on conflict saying: “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”4

The biblical response to conflict stands in sharp contrast to typical worldly reactions such as avoidance, resentment, retaliation, and gossip. It takes prayer and intentionality to change our usual default modes. So, responding to sin and conflict by obeying Jesus’ teaching creates yet another opportunity to reveal His upside-down kingdom to a world that desperately needs Him.

Follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. “Why Would God Leave the 99 to Find the 1?” gotquestions.org
  2. “How Should Christians Handle Disputes (Matthew 18:15-17)? gotquestions.org
  3. ibid
  4. Eugene Peterson, The Message, NavPress, 1993

Purpose of the King: Matthew 14-16

Continuing our journey through Matthew, chapters 14-16 include some familiar stories about Jesus and His followers: the devastating beheading of John the Baptist, Jesus feeding crowds of 5000 and 4000, Jesus and Peter walking on the waves during a storm. They also include multiple healings and deep expressions of faith from Gentiles contrasted with hard hearts of the Pharisees.

Chapter 16 includes two significant conversations between Peter and Jesus that show a sharp contrast. First Jesus asks His disciples “Who do people say the son of man is?” They list off a variety of answers: “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (16:13-14, NIV)

Next, Jesus probes a level deeper: “’But what about you? Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’” (16:15-16, NIV) Jesus affirms Peter’s response: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And 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.” (16:17-18, NIV)

Tara Leigh Cobble explains, “The rock that the Church would be built on isn’t Peter. It can’t be; Peter is a pebble. The mountain-rock that the Church would be built on was the truth that Peter confessed…While Jesus affirmed Peter’s statement of faith, this moment really wasn’t about Peter at all— it was about King Jesus the Messiah, the Son of Man, the foundation of our faith.”1

Not long after this, Jesus begins explaining that He will suffer at the hands of the chief priest, that He will be killed and then raised back to life. Dismayed, Peter pulls Jesus aside and reprimands Him saying, “Never, Lord…This shall never happen to you!” Jesus responds with a sharp rebuke: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23, NIV)

The pivot from affirming Peter for his faith to calling him an adversary and a stumbling block highlights Christ’s ultimate purpose. “Jesus was saying that the way of the cross was God’s will, the plan of redemption for all mankind…Peter was inadvertently being used of Satan in thinking he was protecting Jesus…He had not yet grasped Jesus’ true Messianic purpose. Although Peter had just moments before declared Jesus as the Christ, he turned from God’s perspective and viewed the situation from man’s perspective, which brought about the stern rebuke”2

This interaction prompts me to consider when I’m viewing a situation from my perspective instead of God’s. When do I allow a stumbling block to derail me from the Lord’s purposes? When have I become a hindrance for someone else?

Most of us have a natural instinct to protect and comfort those we love, but there are times we insert ourselves where we don’t belong. Instead of helping, we become an impediment to growth.  Here are words of wisdom I’ve gleaned  over the years:

-Don’t steal the struggle. I learned this from a friend and it reminds me that rushing to help/ rescue someone who needs to contend with God can short-circuit their spiritual growth. When a spouse, son, daughter, grandchild or close friend is grappling with something they need to learn and we rush in to fix the situation, we may unintentionally prolong the struggle, prevent learning, or avert them from encountering the Lord personally.

-Don’t over-function. Author and pastor Pete Scezzerro defines this as doing for others what they could and should be doing for themselves.3 Spoon feeding those who have the capacity to hold their own utensils prevents growth. It’s possible we’re taking more ownership for them than we should be and derailing the maturing process.

-Beware of assuming everything painful is bad. Struggles and challenges that we find difficult and want to avoid may be the very tools God uses to refine and transform us. “Great temptations can come from those who love us and seek to protect us. Be cautious of advice from a friend who says, ‘surely God doesn’t want you to face this.’ Often our most difficult temptations come from those who are only trying to protect us from discomfort.”4

-Don’t squelch the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Lisa Chan, wife of pastor Francis Chan, shared this at an event I attended many years ago. In our desire to give comfort and reassure, we offer reasonable explanations instead of letting people grieve their sin and repent. Consider where you’re tempted to excuse sin in yourself or others by rationalizing or aligning with practices in our current culture.

 “If Jesus hadn’t suffered and died, Peter (and we) would have died in his sins…Satan is always trying to get us to leave God out of the picture. Jesus rebuked Peter for this attitude.”5 Let’s pray for discernment to know when people we love need to wrestle with the Lord without our intervention. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you’re stealing the struggle, over functioning, prioritizing comfort over growth, or squelching spiritual conviction. Whether it’s a stumbling block to you or someone you love, let’s stop trying so hard on our own strength and give it over to the Lord instead.

Matthew’s gospel shows us the disciples didn’t always get it right, but they remained humble and teachable, growing stronger and wiser all the time.  May the same be said of us.

You can follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. Tara Leigh Cobble, Knowing Jesus as King, Bethany House 2024, 122-123
  2. “Why Did Jesus say to Peter, ‘Get behind me Satan’”, Got Questions.org
  3. Pete Scezzero, “Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast”
  4. NIV Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, 1988, 1686
  5. ibid

Instructions of the King: Matthew 11-13

Matthew’s gospel continues revealing the heart and character of Jesus through His teaching and interactions with others in chapters 11-13. Sandwiched between stories of Him pronouncing woe on the unrepentant and clashing with the Pharisees about their legalism, Matthew includes a short paragraph of teaching that may be familiar to you: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

A “yoke” is a farming implement—a curved wooden beam placed across the necks of two animals so that they can bear the weight of pulling a load together. For years, I failed to understand the depth of this illustration. Frederick Dale Bruner explains, “A yoke is a work instrument. Thus when Jesus offers a yoke he offers what we might think tired workers need least. They need a mattress or a vacation, not a yoke. But Jesus realizes that the most restful gift he can give the tired is a new way to carry life, a fresh way to bear responsibilities… instead of offering escape, Jesus offers equipment. Jesus means that obedience to his Sermon on the Mount [his yoke] will develop in us a balance and a ‘way’ of carrying life that will give more rest than the way we have been living.”1

 Author and pastor John Mark Comer clarifies further: “Every rabbi had his ‘yoke’—a Hebrew idiom for his set of teachings, his way of reading the Scripture, his take on how to thrive as a human being in God’s good world. How you, too could taste a little of what they’d tasted.”2  Comer says a rabbi’s life and teaching were his credentials; his disciples traveled with him and learned from him through daily experiences. Later in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus compares His yoke with the Pharisees’: “They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Matt 23:4, NIV) Highlighting their hypocrisy, Jesus contrasts their legalism with living according to His upside-down kingdom.

I love how Pastor Eugene Peterson paraphrases Matthew 11:28-30: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”3

Perhaps you’re familiar with the saying, “We become what we behold.4 Where we focus our attention determines how we view ourselves, other people, and the world around us. What we see shapes who we are and what we believe. So, if you’re wondering why you’re feeling anxious, insecure, afraid, jealous, angry, or overwhelmed, more often than you’re living “freely and lightly,” consider where you fix your gaze most of the time.

In my recent post, “Origin of the King: Matthew 1-4” I quoted C.S. Lewis, who describes Jesus as the “rightful king” who has landed on earth to re-claim “enemy-occupied territory.”5  Followers of Jesus live in the tension of residing in an evil-soaked world while maintaining a kingdom-focused mindset. We win the battle for our attention by engaging Jesus daily for wisdom, strength, peace, and rest. “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” isn’t just an inspirational phrase for a coffee mug, it’s a call to walk closely linked with Jesus in all that we do. The rest He gives the weary and burdened is a soul-level state of being, not a weekend away from the pressures of life.

One of the teaching ministers at my church recently gave a sermon contrasting mindsets reflecting the kingdom of the world and the upside down kingdom of God:6

Kingdom of the World Mindset Kingdom of God Mindset
Spending every bonus or raise on a bigger house, newer car, or more toys, because that’s what “success” looks like.

 

 Choosing to give sacrificially, even when you could upgrade your lifestyle. Extra funds are given sacrificially and generosity is viewed as an eternal investment.
Filling every night with sports, Netflix, or hobbies, with no space left for serving, rest, or community.

 

 Structuring your week so there’s room for prayer, worship, and hospitality, even if it means saying no to activities everyone else assumes are essential.
Cutting ties when people annoy you, disagree with you, or don’t benefit you.

 

 Choosing forgiveness, reconciliation, and patience — staying committed to love even when it costs you comfort.
Complaining, blaming, or numbing with entertainment when life gets hard.

 

 Turning to prayer, Scripture, and hope in God’s promises; showing joy and trust that confuses the world.
Raising kids with the main goal of good grades, athletic success, and getting into the right college — because that’s what everyone else… is chasing.

 

 Raising kids with the goal of knowing Jesus, loving others, and living faithfully — even if that means turning down opportunities, slowing the pace, or choosing different priorities than every other family on the block.

These ideas may sound unrealistic, overwhelming, and convicting to you. Instead of dismissing them, will you ask God to reveal one that you can surrender to Him so you can recover your life and experience real rest?

Studies show that engaging Scripture four or more times a week is the key to life transformation. 7 Since the yoke of Jesus is laid out in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), reading it regularly is a simple way to open yourself to soul rest and the unforced rhythms of grace. Are you willing to give it a try?

You can follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. Fredrick Dale Bruner, Matthew: A Commentary Volume 1 The Christbook, Matthew 1-12; Grand Rapids MI, Eardmans, 2004 as quoted in John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Waterbrook, 2019, 86-7
  2. John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way, Waterbrook, 2024, 4
  3. Eugene Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, Navpress, 1993
  4. Attributed to William Blake’s 1804 poem “Milton” inspired by Psalm 115:8
  5. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Geoffrey Bles Publishing, 1952
  6. Caleb Bonifay, “What Does it Mean to be Holy?” CPC Danville, Aug. 31, 2025
  7. “Bible Engagement and the ‘Power of 4’: A Key to Spiritual Growth”, Center for Bible Engagement 

Authority of the King: Matthew 8-10

Lingering on the fringe of the crowd, the leper catches Jesus’ eye as people disperse and walk down the hillside. The man approaches the Teacher, kneels before Him and stammers, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” With compassion and gentleness, Jesus responds, “I am willing. Be clean.” (Matthew 8:2-3, NIV) In a split second, the horrific skin disease disappears and the outcast experiences complete healing. This is how Matthew reveals Jesus’ authority over illness.

Using a mix of action sequences, conversations, and teaching from Jesus, Matthew shows the authority of the King through chapters eight, nine, and ten of his gospel. Christ demonstrates authority over the natural and spiritual realms in many brief stories, including our favorite tax-collector’s choice to leave his life of sin and follow Jesus. Let’s hit the highlights of these three dense chapters.

Chapter 8

After eradicating his leprosy, Jesus tells the healed man to go and show himself to the priest for ceremonial cleansing. He also asks the man to keep the “messianic secret”—not wanting to “reveal His identity as Messiah until the proper time.”1

Next, a Roman centurion (a Gentile) displays incredible faith in Jesus by asking Him to heal his paralyzed servant who is suffering. When Jesus offers to go to the centurion’s home, he replies, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (8:8, NIV) Despite his military power and political authority, the centurion humbles himself before Jesus and recognizes Him as the One who is superior in every way. The centurion exemplifies the heart posture of meekness Jesus highlights in the Sermon on the Mount. Astonished at the centurion’s faith and humility, Jesus replies, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith…Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” Matthew concludes this encounter by explaining, “And his servant was healed at that moment.” (8:10 & 13, NIV) As an outsider, this Gentile reveals more faith than any of the Jewish people Jesus has encountered thus far.

The healings continue as Jesus cures Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever that has kept her bedridden. Many other sick and demon-possessed people also receive Jesus’ healing touch. After witnessing these miracles, two different men pull Jesus aside and declare their allegiance to Him. In both cases, Jesus instructs them to consider the high cost of following Him. “Both men desired to follow Jesus. One was eager without fully counting the cost; the other was willing, but only after his affairs were in order.”2  Seeking the King requires more than enthusiasm and good intentions–it involves focus and sacrifice.

Matthew reveals another aspect of Jesus’ authority during a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus sleeps peacefully, waves swamp the small boat. Fearing for their lives, the disciples wake Him saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown.” (8:25, NIV) At the sound of His voice the wind ceases and the waves smooth out like glass. Amazed, the disciples respond with awe, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (8:27, NIV) Seeing His power over the natural world, their awe for Jesus continues to increase.

After their stormy voyage, the disciples and Jesus arrive in Gentile territory. “True to form, Jesus stepped outside of another cultural comfort zone and called His disciples to follow Him there.”3

Not long after arriving, they encounter two violent demon-possessed men who immediately recognize Jesus and shout “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (8:29, NIV) Revealing both Jesus’ authority and their limited power, the demons plead to be driven into a nearby herd of pigs. When all of the swine rush off a cliff and drown in the waters below, the people urge Jesus to leave. “Two men were finally free, but the people were focused on what was lost. Their value system was revealed and it stood in stark contrast to God’s.”4  I wonder how often we’re like them.

Chapter 9

Matthew continues with more stories of healing that illustrate a variety of responses to Jesus, providing living examples of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:

  • A paralyzed man receives both forgiveness for his sins and complete physical healing. Teachers of the law accuse Jesus of blasphemy while other people respond with awe.
  • A bleeding woman who has been an outcast for twelve years risks touching the edge of Jesus’ cloak, believing there is “healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2, NKJV). Recognizing her deep faith Jesus says, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” (9:22)
  • Jesus raises the daughter of a synagogue ruler from death. Similar to the centurion, we see a person of authority humbling himself before Jesus, only this time he’s Jewish. (Story also recorded in Mark 5:22-43 & Luke 8:41-56)
  • Two blind men ask for mercy from Jesus and receive their sight. They disregard Jesus’ warning to keep quiet and spread news about Him all over the region, betraying His request to keep the “messianic secret.”
  • A demon possessed man unable to speak receives healing from Jesus. While most of the crowd reacts with amazement, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of using the power of the prince of demons to drive out demons.

Interspersed with these stories of healing, Matthew includes his own conversion. He describes leaving his tax collector’s booth with two simple words from Jesus: “Follow me.” (9:9)

As Matthew hosts Jesus and other “sinners” in his home, the Pharisees display their disdain, to which Jesus responds, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (9:12-13, NIV) Here Jesus re-emphasizes the importance of recognizing our spiritual poverty and of mourning our sin so that we can humbly receive Him. Jesus welcomes all who acknowledge sin and repent of it, but the Pharisees’ self-righteous pride prohibits them from doing that.

Chapter 9 ends by setting up chapter 10. Jesus continues traveling through towns and villages preaching the good news and healing diseases and sicknesses. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” (9:36-38, NIV)

People today are still “harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd”; the harvest is still plentiful, and the workers are still few. Will you be one of the workers committed to sharing the good news with those who desperately need it?

Chapter 10

Although he hasn’t told each of their stories, Matthew now lists all twelve disciples by name as Jesus prepares to send them out on their first missionary journey. Among this varied bunch we see a range of extremes—from unschooled fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James and John) to an educated upper-class tax collector (Matthew); from Simon, a zealot seeking to overthrow Rome by force to Matthew, a tax collector complicit with the occupying government. With hearts humbly yielded to Jesus, His disciples reveal unity, but not uniformity. How can we learn from their example in these times of deep division?

Before hitting the road on their first missionary journey, Jesus gives warnings and instructions to the pairs of disciples going out to preach the good news of God’s kingdom (Mark 6:7). He gives them “Authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” (10:1, NIV) He tells them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (10:16) He warns them that betrayal, hardship, and persecution await, but reassures them that when they’re called before the authorities “it will not be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (10:20, NIV)

Jesus reassures them and urges them at the same time: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell…Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (10:28 & 32-33). He continues to describe what it means to live in His upside-down kingdom: “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (10:38-39, NIV)

Through these action-packed chapters, Matthew reveals many truths about God and His character:

  • The Lord is pleased and honored by those who approach Him with faith and humility
  • He has power over the natural world (such as weather), the spiritual world (casting out demons), and the physical world (healing people)
  • He has the authority to forgive
  • He has compassion on sinners and all who are spiritually lost
  • He bestows spiritual power and authority upon those who follow Him
  • He uses those who follow Him to reach the lost

Which story from these chapters resonates with you most? Are you in a storm and crying out for help? Are you sick and in need of healing? Are you worried about someone you love and seeking the Lord’s intervention? Regardless of our circumstances, let’s follow the examples or those who repent of pride, humble themselves, and show reverence and awe for the authority of the King of Kings.

Follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. Tara Leigh Cobble, Knowing Jesus as King, Bethany House 2024, 65.
  2. ibid, 67
  3. ibid
  4. ibid, 70

Message of the King: Matthew 5-7

This past week has been a rough one in our nation. Violence and deep ideological divisions have dominated headlines. Unfiltered emotions and opinions continue spewing out through conversations, text threads, social media, and news outlets.  They evoke a range of responses—anger, confusion, fear, anxiety. Rather than letting strong reactions lead us, we can discover deep wisdom for responding to these current events by opening our Bibles.

Not surprisingly, the content we’re walking through this week in Matthew five through seven provides timely relevance.  We’ll see how Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount reveals the stark contrast between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. In it, He calls citizens of His upside-down kingdom to live from the inside out.

The sermon starts with eight statements known as the Beatitudes. Deeper than a spiritual checklist, the Beatitudes show us “Spiritual poverty is square one. We cannot participate in the kingdom of heaven without recognizing our desperate need for God.”1   The statements Jesus makes aren’t just wisdom to be pondered, but mindsets to adopt and behaviors to practice. They are the antidote to our sinful nature. C.S. Lewis explains, “What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors [Adam and Eve] was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God.”

Lewis continues, “God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”2

The Sermon on the Mount shows us how to “fuel our spirits” and to live in a way that builds God’s kingdom on earth. Covering a multitude of topics, Jesus’ primary concern is with our hearts and actions aligning with Him. In essence, He’s calling us to live from the inside out–prioritizing integrity and demonstrating joyful obedience to His higher call. He admonishes us to examine our own hearts and to consider the fruit we bear instead of targeting the faults of others.

The opening lines of Matthew chapter five tell us that Jesus saw the crowds, went up on a mountain, and sat down to teach His disciples. The teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is not intended to weigh us down with rules or to tell us how to find salvation but to show the way to conduct ourselves as citizens of His kingdom and members of His family. Learning to live this way is a lifelong pursuit that requires practice, commitment, and focus.

Let’s take a peek at the upside-down teaching from Matthew 5:3-10 (ESV) and see what it looks like to live from the inside out.

  1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Being poor in spirit is admitting that you are sinful and completely destitute spiritually. You acknowledge you can do nothing to deliver yourself from your dire situation. Jesus says that, no matter your status, you must recognize your spiritual poverty before you can come to God in faith to receive the salvation He offers.
  2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Those who mourn grieve over the sin that separates them from the Lord. The Spirit comforts people who are honest about their own sin and humble enough to ask for forgiveness and healing.
  3. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness follows the example of Jesus by having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else. Those who are meek display humility and gentleness. They aren’t weak but have a clear estimation of themselves and their standing before the Lord.
  4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” People who have an ongoing desire for personal righteousness have deep spiritual appetites. They care more about pursuing and pleasing the Lord than winning the approval and admiration of others. Seeking the Lord and applying His Word to their lives satiates their spiritual hunger.
  5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Those who are merciful understand that God’s mercy has been extended to them, so they give it freely to others. They demonstrate humility by offering others what they’ve received from the Lord.
  6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The pure in heart seek to be inwardly clean. They value the Lord’s holiness and don’t want sin to hinder their walk with Him. They pursue what is right, good, and true. They confess their sins readily and find refreshment in the Lord’s forgiveness.
  7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Jesus gave His life to make peace between God and sinners, and when we can carry that message of peace to others, we are peacemakers. Reconciling broken relationships brings the peace of Christ into the world. Peacemakers experience inward peace with God and pursue outward peace with others. They seek genuine peace rather than avoiding conflict to create the illusion of peace.
  8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Those who are mistreated, oppressed or maligned for doing what honors God show the depth of their love and commitment to the Lord. Rather than seeking the praise of people, they crave the approval of their Heavenly Father.

In the world’s eyes, few of these statements would be considered a blessing. However, as followers of Christ, we don’t embrace the world’s perspective. Jesus describes this in John 15 when He explains “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” (John 15:19a, NIV) Followers of Jesus don’t belong to the world because our citizenship is in heaven: “You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” (Ephesians 2:19b, NLT)

Living the upside-down, inside-out life Jesus describes is difficult, especially when the world around us doesn’t value it. There can be lonely moments when we’re the only people intent on honoring and serving the Lord. Being blessed doesn’t always mean experiencing comfort or ease on this side of heaven but the Sermon on the Mount encourages us to take the long view and embrace the lasting truth the Lord imparts to us in it.

A few summers back I wrote fifteen posts on the Sermon on the Mount, following along with a sermon series our pastor titled “The GOAT” (greatest of all time). For a deeper dive on each topic, click on any of the blue links below.

Beatitudes  Full- length version of the eight-point list above

Salt   Responding to Jesus’ call to be the salt of the earth gives us the privilege and responsibility of having a tremendous impact on our world. We must marinate in God’s Word and let His Spirit flavor our lives.

Light Each interaction we have with others provides a chance to make the world a little better and to shine our lights a little brighter. Invite the Lord to show you where you can shine the light of His love and grace.

Law & Prophets Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies concerning Himself that had been written by the prophets in the Old Testament. He also fulfilled the requirements of the civil and moral laws in Scripture by living a perfect life and the ceremonial laws through His sacrificial death on the cross.

Anger Cooling a hot temper is not accomplished overnight. But through prayer, Bible study, and reliance upon the Holy Spirit, ungodly anger can be overcome. Seek to glorify God and watch your thoughts and relationships change for the better.

Adultery & Divorce  Being faithful in our relationships means guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and taking extreme measures to avoid sin. Despite these teachings in Scripture, most of us have been exposed to the pain caused by divorce. That pain is part of the reason Scripture says God hates divorce (Malachi 2:15-16). Note that it does NOT say God hates divorced people. Nothing could be further from the truth. God’s love and grace are open to us all and there are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yes & No  Next time an opportunity or invitation comes your way, pray first and evaluate whether you have the time and inclination to give it your all. Then, be confident in delivering a clear “yes” or “no” answer and be joyful in the decision you’ve made.

Revenge and Enemies Plot lines about characters retaliating for wrongs committed against them are plentiful. Just do a quick internet search and you’ll find a variety of titles to entertain you and tutor you in the art of revenge.  It’s human nature to want to get even, but it’s not biblical.

Hypocrisy  As Jesus describes giving, praying, and fasting, His message is clear: don’t be a hypocrite. He’s not interested in people who put on masks like actors and pretend to be holy, He wants hearts that are truly devoted to following Him.

Treasure  The only treasure that is 100% trustworthy is found in God’s kingdom. Our pursuit of Jesus enables us to align our priorities with His in ways that are both spiritual and practical. It opens doors for Him to use our time and finances for greater impact and lets us discover the value of lasting treasure found only in Him. And that is “life that is truly life.”

Worry  When fear and anxiety are running our lives, love is repressed. Not being anxious improves our sense of well-being and allows us to express God’s love and grace to others more freely. And isn’t that what our world desperately needs right now?

Judgement The next time you’re tempted to make a quick judgment about someone, stop and think first. What factors might be contributing to their actions and attitudes? Examine your heart and ask God to help you see the person as He sees them. Make time to understand them before being so quick to dismiss them.

Ask, Seek, Knock   Jesus invites us to pray boldly and persistently, but  waiting for God to act can get tiring. And sometimes the Lord’s answers look different than we expect or come more slowly than we want. Read about the six keys that will help you persevere.

True Christianity  Trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives means daily choosing to walk through the narrow gate. This path is open to anyone who decides to follow Him. It leads to an abundant, fulfilling life that’s unlike anything we can find on the wide road.

A Solid Foundation  In the midst of the tumult, rest assured that building our lives with Jesus as the foundation is the only lasting solution for experiencing peace and hope.

You can follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. Tara Leigh Cobble, Knowing Jesus as King, Bethany House 2024, 43.
  2. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Geoffrey Bles Publishing, 1952

Making Space

The small city of Haarlem in the Netherlands holds the honor of being hometown to Corrie Ten Boom, one of my heroes of the faith. Corrie and her family helped many Jewish people to find safe houses and avoid Nazi death camps during World War 2. If you’re not familiar with her incredible story called The Hiding Place, add it to your must-read list.

Touring the cramped rooms of the Ten Boom’s home, I learned the family hired an architect to design a false wall with a secret door. This is where Jewish houseguests would rush into hiding when authorities came to the house. The wall made Corrie’s already tiny bedroom on the top floor several feet smaller. So, the decision to hide Jews came with a financial cost, caused great inconvenience, and put the family in jeopardy of being arrested. Yet, God’s love and compassion motivated them to take these risks.

Visiting her home and peering through the cut away wall into the famous hiding place fulfilled a desire I’ve carried for many years. Learning about the Ten Boom family’s passion to open their home despite its limited size and considerable risk was both inspiring and convicting. Even before the war, they welcomed a steady stream of visitors to their table, no matter how meager the meal or how cramped the room. Their selfless decisions blessed many lives and stand in stark contrast to the individualism rampant in our culture today. The Ten Boom family personified Paul’s instructions in Romans: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:12-13, NIV)

While there isn’t an exact parallel for us today, there are many ways followers of Jesus can be intentional about making space to show God’s love to others. Here are a few examples:

Physical Space: The Ten Boom family made space for others despite their tiny house. What would it look like for you to practice hospitality? Is there a physical space where you can connect with others regularly– whether it’s at home, work, a favorite coffee shop, or somewhere outside?

Temporal Space: The Ten Boom family made time for others and served them with genuine kindness. Can you create  time for others in your busy schedule? Building in more margin could enable you to be a better listener, to notice needs of others, or to be flexible and gracious with  interruptions.

Relational Space: The Ten Booms had an ever-widening circle of friends and acquaintances. Are you open to welcoming new people into your life? Have you considered there are individuals you don’t yet know who God will use in your life?

Financial Space: The Ten Booms were not wealthy but shared the resources they had with others and experienced great joy because of it. What if you set aside a few dollars monthly in a “generosity fund” and used it only to bless others? How much fun could it be spending God’s money to pay for a single mom’s babysitter or to support a student going on a mission trip? What about donating to a cause that moves you– like fighting human trafficking or providing help for victims of a natural disaster?

Any time we’re intentional about making space for people God places before us, we’re showing His love. Jesus declared “I am the light of the world” in John 8:12. This is the only one of the seven “I am” statements that He also declared over His followers: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

In our individualistic society it’s common to think only of ourselves—our comfort, our convenience, our needs, and our wants. The more resources we have, the more we use them on ourselves. But for followers of Jesus, our purpose is to be lights in the world and to live out the call to love God and love people. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. The provision, comfort, and hope we receive aren’t meant to be hoarded, but shared, which brings to mind a sobering parable of Jesus:

“And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21, NIV)

God promises to give us everything we need, so let’s not waste time prioritizing personal comfort that’s temporary when we can be making eternal investments with our time and resources. Consider praying and asking the Lord one way you can make more space in your life to be a light and share His love with a world that desperately needs it.

Want to learn more about the Ten Boom family? Click here.

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A Living Catalog

Keukenhof Holland photo by Marybeth McCullum

Wandering among lush beds of flowering bulbs, I marveled at the variety of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes contained in Keukenhof gardens. Flaming red tulips stood at attention next to golden yellows. Nearby, white tulips with delicate, fringed petals and purple centers swayed in the breeze. Drinking in the sheer beauty of the brief blooming season, we dodged through crowds and around influencers attempting to get the perfect selfie. Designed in 1857 for the grounds of Holland’s Keukenhof Castle, the English landscape style garden has become a national treasure in the Netherlands.

“In 1949 a group of 20 leading flower bulb growers and exporters came up with the plan to use the estate to exhibit spring-flowering bulbs, signaling the birth of Keukenhof as a spring park…Keukenhof is the international and independent showcase for the Dutch floricultural sector, with a special emphasis on flower bulbs. In the space of eight weeks Keukenhof shows what the Dutch floricultural sector has to offer. The park’s focus is on the 7 million spring-flowering bulbs, which allow the 100 participating companies to show their living catalog.”*

Gazing at the beauty of this spring wonderland, I marveled at the creativity of designs in the flowerbeds and surrounding gardens. Each flower had its own unique beauty, but when combined with other varieties, they created incredible works of living art. And, as often happens with me, seeing this natural beauty pointed me back to the Creator of it all and made me think of the gifts He gives His people. Through us, He showcases His beauty. And when we combine with other believers to use our gifts, His glory blooms for all to see. You can find mentions of spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. In one of those passages Paul explains:

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work…All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 & 11, NIV)

Additionally, in Ephesians Paul elaborates on how God gives us gifts to build up the body of Christ, to bring us to unity, to give us knowledge of Christ, and to foster spiritual maturity. And in Romans he describes spiritual gifts like the parts of the human body—each performing a different function, but all combining to accomplish God’s purposes. Together, believers are a dwelling place for God’s Spirit and reveal His presence in the world:

 “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5, NIV)

Like Keukenhof’s “living catalog” of flowers, we’re “living stones” showcasing something far more eternal than blooming bulbs. Indwelt by God’s Spirit, we’re called to join together with other believers to embody Jesus. This means submitting to the Lord’s sanctification—the gradual process of becoming more like Christ as we grow in obedience and spiritual maturity.

C.S. Lewis explains in his classic book Mere Christianity, “the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what He intended us to be when He made us… We may be content to remain what we call ‘ordinary people’; but He is determined to carry out a quite different plan. To shrink back from that plan is not ‘humility’; it is laziness and cowardice. To submit to it is not conceit or megalomania; it is obedience.”** Lewis’ direct approach may sting at first, but his words should challenge us to consider where we’re stalling spiritually or becoming complacent. Many factors can hold us back from continuing to grow in sanctification and to use our spiritual gifts. Will you prayerfully consider what that might be for you?

Is it lack of knowledge? We’re called to continue growing and learning how to follow Jesus from the moment we receive Him until we meet Him face to face. Part of this means discovering and using our spiritual gifts. Books and assessments can help you narrow down what gifts you may have, but trial and error also show them. When it doesn’t feel like work and you experience true joy, there’s a good chance you’ve discovered one of your gifts. Consider praying and asking the Lord to show you the gifts He’s given you and where you can try them out.

Is it lack of motivation? Sometimes we get comfortable with our level of engagement in the spiritual realm and don’t feel compelled to discover or use our gifts. Whether it’s rooted in fear, complacency, or selfishness, we’d rather be consumers benefitting from others’ gifts than sharing what He’s given us. Falling into this mindset means missing out on the abundant, joyful, fulfilling life God intends for His people. If you’re lacking motivation, consider praying and asking God to re-light a fire in you.

Is it lack of direction? Knowing your gifts but not having an outlet to use them can be frustrating. Serving at church is one way to use them, but it’s not the only one. Start every day inviting the Lord to use your gifts and asking for His Spirit to prompt you. Sometimes obeying God with one small step opens new opportunities to use your gifts and to bless others.

Whether you’re showcasing God’s beauty as a single, radiant tulip or joining with other believers to serve Him, ask the Lord to take what He’s given you and use it to display His glory.

The Narrow Road

Pedaling down the path with my fellow riders, I ignored the flashing red lights and loud beeps emanating from the small GPS unit on my handlebars. Our trip leaders had programmed the route for the day and attached the devices to each of our bikes. We’d been riding through lush meadows and quaint villages in the Netherlands for a few days and as our confidence increased, our vigilance decreased. At an intersection, the path forward had seemed obvious and since the group was ignoring the warnings, I did the same. It wasn’t until we reached a busy road with cars whizzing by that we acknowledged we’d taken the wrong route and that the pre-programmed directions would have circumvented the danger.

To our relief, one of the trip leaders doubled back to stop traffic and wave us across. Our thoughtless decision to ignore his careful planning had put him in peril for our sake. We had no excuse other than pride—we’d falsely assumed that the most direct and obvious path would be the logical choice. Convenience and group-think trumped caution, so we’d charged ahead.

I couldn’t stop thinking about that choice for the rest of the ride. Like flashing red lights, the obvious parallels to the spiritual realm were impossible to miss. It’s easy to follow the path that seems well-traveled, but is it best? How often do we forge ahead with a decision while ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit or the truth we know in God’s Word?  When do we rationalize sin and poor choices using worldly wisdom? How frequently do we find ourselves in sticky situations because we’ve followed our own impulses without praying or seeking biblical wisdom?

Perhaps it’s in our attitude toward sex—trusting God’s design sounds impossible and outdated. We ignore His intention to protect our hearts, bodies, and minds and cheapen what’s meant be a unique bond  shared within the covenant of marriage. Perhaps it’s in our approach to money—the notion of tithing or giving sacrificially seems out of touch with today’s economy. We grasp our finances tightly instead of seeing them as a resource God gives to steward for His kingdom. Maybe it’s in how we use our words—it’s easier to let our tongues flow without restraint, whether it’s gossiping, spewing anger, cursing, or taking God’s name in vain. It could be something more subtle, like harboring a critical spirit, an unloving heart, or a prideful sense of entitlement. The examples are endless, but the point is the same—our natural inclination is to ignore God’s truth and follow the crowd.

Merging onto the path of popular culture makes sense in the moment, but Jesus warns us about this route: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV)

When we choose the wide road or default to the path of least resistance, we’re putting distance between ourselves and the Lord. Sin separates us from God and the longer we veer away from Him, the harder it is to tune our hearts to His gentle nudges. Traveling the wide road points us away from the Bible as the foundation for our lives  and leads us to embrace worldly wisdom based on current trends. That’s why Scripture warns us:

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17, NIV)

Will you consider where you may be veering off course and following the ways of the world in your thoughts, attitudes, opinions, or behaviors? Let the Lord search your heart and reveal anything you’re holding back that’s separating you from abundant life found in Him. Listen to the warning beeps and pay attention to the flashing red lights. Let the Lord step in and get you back on track like my biking guide. Repent, seek forgiveness, and allow Him to lead you onto the narrow path. Let the Lord restore you to unhindered fellowship with Him, then give thanks for His mercy and grace.

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Fighting Back

Note: For my summer series I’ll be drawing on inspiration from experiences happening during this more unstructured season. Posts may be less regular, but you’ll still find plenty of biblically rooted inspiration, encouragement, and gentle nudging to let God expand your comfort zone.

 Pedaling through verdant fields, past narrow canals, and into bustling towns throughout the lowlands of Europe, one constant always caught my eye—church steeples. They always stood as the tallest points on the horizon or the most noteworthy buildings in town squares. And although many have become more like museums or tourist attractions, they still hold rich biblical symbolism for anyone interested in finding it.

Less than thirty minutes outside of Amsterdam, Saint Bavo’s Church towers above all the other buildings in the picturesque town of Haarlem. Wandering through the cavernous sanctuary felt like going on a treasure hunt as I discovered many objects symbolizing biblical truth. While the vibrant stained-glass windows, enormous pipe organ, and historical artifacts were all impressive, I was most intrigued by the brass hand rail leading down the stairs of the elevated pulpit. It had been shaped into the curving body of a snake ending with the head at the base of the stairs. Puzzled to see a serpent in the church, I learned that it symbolized the enemy slithering away from the Word of God as it is proclaimed from the pulpit.

This striking image calls to mind the temptation of Jesus at the start of His public ministry. While the enemy lures Him to sin, Jesus fights back with Scripture. During the final temptation “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matthew 4:10-11, NIV) Note how Jesus fends off the attacks of the enemy using God’s Word. Sometimes as His followers, we don’t behave like we have spiritual authority or remember we have access to this same power, but Scripture makes it clear we do:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17, NIV)

Recently I found myself in a downward spiral of discouragement.  An old relational wound tore open and flooded my mind with convincing lies. The enemy had capitalized on one of my weak spots and was tapping into some longtime insecurities from the past. After two days of wallowing in self pity, I finally fought back using spiritual weapons. Instead of remaining in misery, seeking reassurance from my husband, or trying to numb myself with distractions, I confronted all of the ugly thoughts that had been poisoning my mind.

Sitting alone in my backyard, I wrote until my hand ached, pouring out my struggles to God in my prayer journal. Once I’d purged all my angst and fears, the Lord  comforted me through His Word.  With my heart softened, God also enabled  me to see where I’d let old and unhealthy thought patterns creep back into my mind. I took ownership of the areas I’d sinned, sought forgiveness, and  laid down my lingering pain before Him.  Focused time reading the Bible and praying changed my perspective and reminded me of deep truth that led to restored peace. The serpent slithered away as I buckled on the belt of truth and recognized how I’d been deceived.

I’ve been attacked spiritually before, but I still fell for the enemy’s lies. It wasn’t enough knowing that spiritual armor was available to me, I had to use it. When do you get lured in by the enemy’s schemes? Are you arming yourself with tools God has given you? Maybe the relaxed pace of summer has distracted you from praying and opening your Bible  consistently. Or maybe  you’re struggling with anxious thoughts, nagging fears, or challenging relational dynamics. Has the serpent slithered in and magnified an area of weakness in you?  Instead of feeling defeated, remind yourself of truth and put what you know into practice. Claim your spiritual authority, engage the armor of God, and send the enemy packing. You can take a deeper dive into this important topic right now by clicking here: “The Armor of God.”

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