Category: Obedience to God

Doing Good to All

Brushing aside the tears I gave my son a final hug before turning to leave his dorm room. We’d helped him unpack and hang pictures on the walls, loaded him up on supplies from Target, and had even laid hands on him in prayer. The moment to say goodbye had come. Rummaging inside my bag, I handed him a card to read after we left. It contained a few words of affirmation and encouragement along with gentle reminders to keep in mind as he launched into this new season in college.

Paul’s final chapter in Galatians reads a bit like one of those letters—it includes an assortment of final words of instruction, encouragement, and advice before his closing salutation to the believers in Galatia. Let’s unpack a few key topics he covers as he wraps up his letter explaining how to use freedom in Christ  to love others well.

Restoring those Caught in Sin

Paul begins the chapter by saying: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1, NIV) This reinforces Jesus’ teaching about offering correction to others: “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5, NIV) James offers similar wisdom: “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20, NIV)

In our hyper-individualistic society that has coined the phrase “you do you,” these words may sound jarring. Isn’t it judgmental to correct someone entangled in sin? No, because it hinders us from fully engaging the Lord, helping someone to understand the gravity of their sin is actually loving.  Of course, broaching a sensitive topic like this should be preceded by prayer, prompted by the Holy Spirit, and done with gentleness and wisdom. Restoring a person to a right relationship with the Lord is a courageous way to show love.

Carrying Loads and Sharing Burdens

Paul gives two words of wisdom that sound contradictory at first glance. In verse 2 he says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” And in verse 5 he says, “for each one should carry their own load.” Understanding these verses means distinguishing between a burden and a load. One commentary explains, “‘load’ signifies the personal obligations and tasks that are uniquely assigned to each person by God. It implies a sense of personal accountability and stewardship over one’s life and actions. The ‘load’ is something that is manageable and appropriate for the individual, suggesting that God equips each person with the necessary strength and resources to fulfill their personal duties.”1

We’re called to have a sense of personal responsibility for the loads we carry. Yet in our culture today this notion can be distorted in several ways. Here are a few examples:

  • Entitlement tells us “I am privileged and superior. I can’t be bothered with small inconveniences. Someone else should carry my load for me.”
  • Over-functioning tells us “I need to do for others what they could and should be doing for themselves; I take ownership and responsibility for others without realizing I’m stunting their ability to grow and mature.”
  • Victim mentality tells us “I’m powerless and I blame others for my misfortune. Someone else should fix my problems, take care of my responsibilities, and carry my load.”

Contrasting the word “load” in verse 5, “A ‘burden’ can be seen as an excessive weight that surpasses an individual’s capacity to bear alone, necessitating the love and support of the Christian community.”1 Believers are called to share burdens with others but sometimes we hold back from asking for help or from giving it. Here are few mindsets that hinder this:

  • Pride says, “I don’t want to admit I need help or support. I’d rather struggle under the weight of bearing a burden alone.”
  • Individualism says, “I don’t want to bother anyone or to be bothered by anyone. I want to be seen as self sufficient and would never  expose my need to others.”
  • Selfishness says, “I don’t want to be weighed down or to get my hands dirty with someone else’s load. My goal is to avoid messy situations at all costs.”

Regardless of the reason, when we avoid sharing burdens, we miss out on meaningful connection. Walking beside others through hardship builds community and deepens friendship in ways that good times can’t.

 Do Good to All, Especially Fellow Believers

Paul also encourages the believers to put their faith into action: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10, NIV)

The call to do good to all people is a mindset and a lifestyle, not a periodic service project. It seems there are many today who opt out of doing good and serving the family of believers. The swift current of busyness draws us into a rushing river of distraction that overwhelms us. We’re so busy trying to keep our heads above water we can’t think about anything else. So, in an attempt to simplify life or maintain control, we say no to anything that requires more from us. The very things that would feed our souls and bring life, community, and connection feel like too much.

Little by little we slip into spiritual indifference known as the sin of sloth. Pastor Bethany Allen describes this as “the subtle refusal to love when love feels costly, and ultimately it is an aversion to the good and the mysterious beauty and potential of the kingdom. Sloth shows up as spiritual or emotional disengagement from things like prayer, obedience, worship, from loving our neighbors, from the work that we’re called to, the relationships we have, and the growth that God is inviting us into…It isn’t some kind of loud rebellion. It’s totally masked in a quieter response and things like ‘not now,” ‘not yet,’ ‘oh not me.’…With sloth…personal comfort becomes the default setting. And over time, sloth doesn’t just waste our days, it shrinks our souls.”

Quoting Paul’s words in Galatians 5 about not growing weary of doing good, Allen adds, “See, perseverance or the attentiveness to the heart, that’s what keeps us free from sloth. But that work of not growing weary or apathetic or indifferent, it actually requires a deliberate decision of the heart and the will in order for it to be true for us.”2

 No doubt, Paul’s closing words may cause the sting of conviction. Instead of brushing that feeling aside, will you prayerfully consider the topics he addresses?

  • Where might you be turning a blind eye to sin instead of praying about restoring a fellow believer to a right relationship with the Lord?
  • Where might you be out of alignment with the call to carry your own load and to bear others’ burdens? Are you shouldering a load meant for someone else? Are you avoiding coming alongside someone to bear a burden? Do you have a burden you need help carrying?
  • Where might you be opting out of doing good and building the body of believers? Have you slipped into apathy or made “no” your default answer when it comes to serving?

Answering these questions honestly will put you on the road to true freedom in Christ, which is the goal of Paul’s writing throughout Galatians.Why not pray and invite the Lord to work in whatever areas have risen to the surface for you? Receive His grace and allow Him to bring transformation from the conviction you’ve felt. It seems fitting to end this series with Paul’s closing words to the believers in Galatia: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18, NIV)

Inspired by Live Free: A Study of Galatians by Elizabeth Woodson, Lifeway, 2025. Follow along by ordering your copy here.

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  1. “Understanding ‘Load’ vs. ‘Burden’”, Bible Hub 
  2. “Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth”, Bethany Allen, Bridgetown Community Church, Feb. 1, 2026

Life as It Was Designed to Be

Arriving home after a trip triggers a predictable chain of events: sifting through a stack of mail, watering parched plants, unpacking suitcases, and re-stocking groceries. Before heading out to buy new food, I take inventory of the refrigerator. Most of the time, I discover a few funky smells wafting out–a forgotten container of leftovers growing mold, a bag of lettuce that’s turned brown and mushy, or strawberries covered with green fuzz. These inedible landmines often trigger a full cleaning of every shelf and drawer because there’s nothing worse than putting fresh food in a stinky fridge.

With those smells and images in mind, consider Paul’s words to the Galatians as he urges them to embrace God’s grace and walk in step with the Spirit: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses… Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:16-18, 24-25 NLT)

Paul encourages believers to understand that their freedom in Christ enables them to live in the way God intended them, no longer bound by the shackles of sin or the burden of the law. Elizabeth Woodson explains, “For Paul, freedom is not about living a life without any boundaries but living a life that is ordered by the boundaries of godliness.”1 He’s admonishing believers to clean out their spiritual refrigerators to make space for the fresh nourishment of the Holy Spirit.

In order to do this, however, we need to identify sin that’s keeping us from growing to maturity. Paul provides an extensive and specific list to consider—the old and decaying things in our lives that we need to surrender to the Lord so that we can live the abundant lives He intended: “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,  idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21, NLT)

We may skim through this list without applying it personally, but the sins Paul calls out to the Galatians are just as relevant in our world today. Instead of glossing over them and focusing on less convicting passages, let’s take a minute to ponder them prayerfully.

Sexual Sins: Paul dives right in by calling out sexual immorality, impurity, and lustful pleasures. The biblical definition for sexual immorality is any sexual activity outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. Lustful pleasures include anything that prioritizes gratifying a sexual craving over seeking God’s will and caring for the well-being of others. (This is what fuels the booming industries of pornography and sex-trafficking.) Our culture normalizes and even glorifies sexual behaviors and thought patterns that not only dishonor God but damage our relationships and souls. If you’re not paying attention to what’s forming your perspective on sex, it’s likely you’ve adopted the world’s way of thinking without realizing it. Take a moment and prayerfully consider where our current culture influences your views on sexuality more than the Bible. For a deeper dive on this topic, click on the sermon link at the bottom entitled “Two Beds.”

Spiritual Sins: Next Paul touches on spiritual straying by calling out idolatry and sorcery. The late Tim Keller describes an idol as anything that “has such a controlling position in your heart that you can spend most of your passion and energy, your emotional and financial resources, on it without a second thought.” Family, children, career, making money, achievement, social standing, romantic relationships, peer approval, security, comfort, beauty, brains, even moral or social causes can all become “ultimate things.”2 Paul also speaks against sorcery, which is the use of spells, divination, or speaking to spirits. Any attempt to seek spiritual wisdom and power from a source other than God should not be part of a believer’s life—this includes practices that have recently regained popularity ‘just for fun” such as consulting mediums or psychics and reading tarot cards or auras.

Relational Sins: Paul gives a variety of examples including hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, and envy. It’s not hard to see how social media has given us more opportunities to be led into these kinds of sins. Most of them are rooted in unrestrained anger and selfishness. Anytime we’re tempted to have an “us vs. them” mentality or to resent a person for having what we think we “deserve” we’re heading into relational sin. If anger or sins related to it are a struggle for you, make time to listen to the excellent sermon by Christine Caine linked at the bottom of this post. If envy or jealousy regularly pop up for you, there’s a sermon at the bottom for you too.

Social Sins: Again, Paul doesn’t mince words and calls out drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these as practices to avoid. When alcohol, drugs, pills or other mind-altering substances become a necessary ingredient for having a good time or become the focal point of a social event, we’re veering into sin. They also lower our inhibitions and open the door for other sins. “When we choose to ingest mind-altering substances, we are effectively choosing to give ourselves over to the control of something other than the Holy Spirit. Anything that takes control of our mind, will, and emotions is a false god.”3 If you rationalize or minimize times when you’re tipsy or joke about being “over served,” maybe it’s time to bring it to the Lord in prayer. If you’re feeling convicted, be honest with yourself, the Lord, and a grace-filled friend who can walk alongside you. To learn more, see the article linked in reference #3 at the bottom.

Galatians 5 is most famous for this verse: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT) Many of us like to skip right to these verses without considering what comes before them. But growing this kind of spiritual fruit means confronting our sin and letting the Lord remove it as a hindrance so that we can abide closely with Him. Rather than seeing Paul’s list of sins as restrictive, consider Elizabeth Woodson’s explanation: “The more we deny our flesh and say yes to the things of God (all by the power of the Holy Spirit), the more we are able to experience life as it was designed to be lived. God created us to be image bearers, living for His glory and for the good of others. When we live like this, we are free from the burden of sin, and are free to experience an abundant life—full of love and joy.”4

 Inspired by Live Free: A Study of Galatians by Elizabeth Woodson, Lifeway, 2025. Follow along by ordering your copy here.

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“Two Beds” sermon on sexual sin by Tyler Scott  (start at 24:24)

“Anger” sermon by Christine Caine 

“Envy” sermon by Tyler Staten 

  1. Elizabeth Woodson, Live Free: A Study of Galatians, Lifeway Press, 2025, 131
  2. Tim Keller Counterfeit Gods, Introduction (quoted from Jake Griesel’s website.)
  3. “Is Getting Drunk a Sin?”, gotquestions.org
  4. Elizabeth Woodson, Live Free: A Study of Galatians, Lifeway Press, 2025, 131

Going Back Again

Sitting at the year-end assembly, I watched with envy as the principal called older students on stage to receive  awards. Some names became familiar as certain “star” students were called up multiple times. I longed to hear my name announced, but knew as a puny first grader, I wouldn’t be receiving a certificate that day. As I progressed through the years, the awards assembly was often in the back of my mind. So I was quick to participate in anything that would earn me accolades on the last day of school. By sixth grade, I was at the top of the heap and relished being one of the names called up to the stage over and over again.

That pattern of craving recognition through achievement continued to drive me through middle school and high school. I loved to learn and to serve, but also valued the side benefits of seeing my name on the honor roll and my face on multiple pages in the yearbook. Performing well gave me a sense of value and identity that calmed my insecurity and silenced my inner critic for a while (at least until the glory faded or someone else outshined me).

Although I grew up in a Christian home, I hadn’t grasped my identity in Christ or my eternal standing as the beloved daughter of the King of Kings. Instead, I felt a continual compulsion to do more and be more to prove I was worthy of love, admiration, and respect. As long as I could produce something others valued, I knew I’d be accepted.

This perspective began to change during a season away from my usual influences. A stint serving at a Christian camp surrounded by people who loved Jesus opened my eyes to a new reality. My fellow camp counselors cared nothing about my past accomplishments but made me feel seen, loved, and accepted as never before. The Lord used this experience to hit the re-set button on my worldview. At the end of the summer I headed off to the university I’d worked so hard to get into with a new mindset focused on bringing glory to Jesus instead of myself. My drive to accomplish and succeed for my own recognition transformed into a passion to use my gifts, skills, and resources to grow my faith in Jesus and to spur on others.

Graduating four years later, my list of worldly accomplishments was much shorter than in high school, but my love for the Lord had grown beyond measure.

With each season of life since then, I’ve had to remind myself not to focus on recognition, accomplishments and titles, but on following Jesus and serving Him wholeheartedly wherever the Spirit leads. Of course, there have been times I’ve been tempted to slide back into my old ways of thinking– to seek the title or do the shiny thing that will get me noticed, but the Holy Spirit always reminds me to re-set my gaze on Jesus.

The tension I feel between these two mindsets rose to the surface as I read Paul’s admonishment to the Galatians: “Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?” (Galatians 4:8-9, NLT)

False teachers had urged the Galatian believers to prove themselves worthy by adopting Jewish religious practices that were no longer relevant. (Specifically, getting circumcised and following all the laws of the old covenant.) The Gentile believers had rejected paganism and accepted Christ, but now the Judaizers were leading them off course. While most of us can’t identify with practicing orthodox Judaism to prove ourselves worthy, it’s likely we all have some aspect of our past that threatens our freedom in Christ. It could come from an old thought pattern like mine, or it could come from another person who is hindering your growth. Perhaps a few moments of prayerful self-reflection would help you consider where you’re tempted to “go back again and become a slave once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world.” Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Guilt: Many of us have come out of faith traditions that include a heavy load of guilt. Do you have a nagging sense that you’re always failing or disappointing God? Do the phrases “I should” or “I feel bad” flow from your mouth on a regular basis? Do you criticize yourself because you’re not doing enough? While the Spirit does convict us of sin and calls us to repentance, He does not burden us with guilt or a nagging sense of failure. As one of my favorite pastors says, “Guilt is not a fruit of the Spirit.” Is guilt keeping you from experiencing true freedom in Christ?

Worldly Mindsets: Our culture shapes how we view circumstances and engage people. Pastor John Mark Comer says we are all being formed by something, it’s just a matter of what. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, this begins a process of letting Him form us into His image. The tension arises when the way we’re used to functioning clashes with the way of Jesus. When we surrender our lives to Christ, we’re not meant to hold anything back—He wants it all. Everything filters through His perspective: sex, money, career, possessions, etc. Are there worldly ways of thinking and functioning that you struggle to let go?

Self-Sufficiency: We live in an individualistic, self-centered society. Most of us pride ourselves on figuring out how to make things happen and to solve our own problems. And if we can’t find a solution on our own, we always have Google or AI to give us answers. But when we put our faith in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us. In fact, it’s when we admit our weakness that we are most able to experience God’s strength. Are you prone to slipping back into a mindset of self-sufficiency instead of trusting the Lord? Seek His strength and wisdom first instead of as a last resort.

Showing Well: Whether it’s our physical appearances, our homes, our children, or our social media feeds, most of us prioritize looking good. While there’s nothing wrong with caring for yourself or wanting beautiful surroundings, a continued focus on the exterior often means neglecting deeper things. The struggle to please and impress others can carry over into how we approach church, Bible study, and ministry too. Are you intentional about tending to your heart and character as much as you are exterior appearances?

We all have old patterns of thinking and behaving that enslave us under “weak and useless principles of this world.” Take a few moments to consider what this looks like in your life. Invite the Lord to search your heart, then confess anything He brings to mind and delight in remembering your freedom in Christ.

If you’re struggling with old and unhealthy thought patterns that are hindering you from experiencing freedom in Christ, I highly recommend Every Thought Captive: Calm the Mental Chaos that Keeps you Stuck, Drains Your Hope and Holds You Back  by Kyle Idleman. 

Inspired by Live Free: A Study of Galatians by Elizabeth Woodson, Lifeway, 2025. Follow along by ordering your copy here.

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Astonished

Imagine a person you love deeply to whom you’ve imparted significant wisdom. You’ve had a close relationship and have supported one another through hard times. The bonds between you have been strengthened through shared faith, values, and experiences. This relationship has brought you deep joy and fulfillment and you feel sad when life circumstances cause your close proximity to change. Perhaps you’re picturing a family member who no longer lives under your roof. Or maybe it’s a close friend who’s moved to another city or state.

Despite the distance, you hold them dear and remain in contact. Now, imagine that as time passes, this relationship seems to shift. Issues that you used to view through a similar lens now spark conflict between you. Or maybe the beliefs or values you both embraced seem to be veering in different directions, leaving you disoriented and confused.

Over time, you notice more and more changes in the person you love that cause deep concern. After much prayer, you muster the courage to address what you’re seeing and to remind your loved one of timeless truth you once celebrated together. Gathering your thoughts, you write a letter to share your love for the person and your concern for the choices they’re making that no longer align with the beliefs they once held. It’s not the desire for uniformity that drives you, but a deep love and concern for a person drifting from spiritual freedom back into bondage.

This is the situation Paul faces as he writes to the churches in Galatia to express his deep concern over changes in their beliefs and practices. Paul wastes no time reminding them of his credibility as “an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.” (Galatians 1:1, NIV) He opens his letter by offering grace and peace to smooth the way for the correction to follow.

Unable to contain himself after his initial greeting, Paul expresses dismay for the Galatians’ quickness to turn from God’s grace. “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.” (Galatians 1:6 & 7a, NIV) Forgetting the foundation laid by Paul’s teaching, the Galatians have been thrown into confusion by people “trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:7c, NIV) He reminds them that the gospel he preached wasn’t made up or created by a man but received “by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:12b, NIV)

Earlier Paul says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, NIV) His questions are rhetorical, but they’re worth considering. If you had genuine concerns for a loved one like I described above, would you address them? Would you be blunt and direct in the spirit of “just being honest”? Or perhaps you’d take the passive-aggressive route by making subtle comments in hopes they’d get the hint. Or maybe  you’d just avoid your concerns altogether to keep the illusion of peace.

Recognizing that a fellow believer we love has veered from biblical truth shouldn’t cause us to become aggressive and accusatory or to throw up our hands in defeat. It should cause us to fall on our knees in prayer. Paul’s example shows that a loving response to people who have been thrown into spiritual confusion is to come alongside them, not to abandon them to distorted thinking. Unfortunately, in our culture of instant gratification we’ve forgotten the value of patience or the wisdom of letting a process unfold. We see something concerning and either attack it head on to bring immediate correction or avoid it, withdrawing in quiet disappointment and judgement.

If you’re picturing a specific person right now, perhaps it’s time to commit to prayer. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Do not address your concerns with your loved one on social media, in an e-mail, or text message. Pray for an opportunity to start a conversation.
  • Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal any sin that may be affecting your perspective. Be sure the concern you have is rooted in wanting biblical truth to come to light, not proving you’re “right.”
  • Ask the Lord to increase your compassion for the person’s confusion instead of sparking criticism or judgement over wrong thinking.
  • Pray for wisdom about how to come alongside the person, how to ask good questions, and how to listen well.
  • Pray for the person’s heart to soften and their spiritual eyes to be opened.
  • Pray for patience as you wait to see glimmers of change.
  • Pray for the Lord to place other people in your loved one’s life who will water seeds of faith that have gone dormant or to help them recognize where they’ve gotten off track.

If anything other than love is motivating you to speak, wait and ask the Lord to soften your heart. When you don’t see anything happening, don’t give up praying. Trust that the Lord hears your prayers and is working in His perfect timing.  And if the Spirit prompts you, approach the conversation with curiosity rather than condemnation. Find out where the confusion started and what the root issues are. Don’t try to say all the things at once. Be patient and let the dialogue unfold over time. Listen more than you speak. And when you open your mouth, share gently with authenticity from your heart and authority from the Word of God.

Inspired by Live Free: A Study of Galatians by Elizabeth Woodson, Lifeway, 2025. Follow along by ordering your copy here.

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Discourse of the King: Matthew 23-25

Exploring the narrow side streets of a European city always gives me a thrill. Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Italy for a family wedding. My husband, sons and I made a brief stopover in Florence, a city I last visited over 30 years ago. I enjoyed showing my family a few highlights like Michelangelo’s exquisite sculpture of David, Botticelli’s iconic painting The Birth of Venus, and the ornate white marble Duomo di Firenze. I also loved  expanding my knowledge of the city by biking thorough it with a local tour guide. True to form, I already have a list of additional places to explore if I’m ever fortunate enough to return to Tuscany.

Studying the Bible can be a bit like my recent travel experience. As we re-visit familiar passages and study them further our knowledge increases, our understanding grows, and our curiosity widens. Maybe you’re familiar with the highlights of Matthew chapters 23-25 but haven’t had the chance to delve much deeper. So today, let’s take a tour of these three dense chapters to increase or understanding of them. This post is longer than usual but bold headings will help you focus on the parts that are most helpful to you. I’ve borrowed quite a bit from a teaching by Jen Wilkin listed at the bottom.1

Chapter 23 Woes

Woes are messages of lament and warning of impending judgement and calamity. In this chapter, Jesus pronounces judgement on the Pharisees who have been the target of His rebukes throughout Matthew’s Gospel. Now in Jerusalem and nearing the end of His ministry, Jesus doesn’t hold back from speaking harsh truth about hard hearts. Wilkin points out that each of the seven woes corresponds to the blessings in the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. More modern translations like the NIV do not include Matthew 23:14 which, when included, makes the eight woes correspond to the eight beatitudes. (The missing verse is “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” 23:14, KJV)

Blessings (5:3-10) Woes (23:13-33)
Poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces (thus making it inaccessible)
Those who mourn, they will be comforted You devour widows/ mourners
The meek who will inherit the earth You travel the earth to make converts who are sons of hell
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness You make hollow, false oaths with no regard for righteousness
The merciful Neglect justice, mercy & faithfulness
The pure in heart Hypocrites- clean on the outside but impure on the inside; full of greed & self-indulgence
The peacemakers Hypocrites- appear righteous but filled with wickedness (robbing people of peace)
Those persecuted because of righteousness Took part in persecuting and shedding blood of righteous prophets

Jesus concludes the woes with an expression of grief: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (23:37-39, NIV) The city that should celebrate Him as the Messiah and King will reject and crucify Him in a matter of days.

Chapter 24 Signs of the End of the Age

 Jesus delivers this fifth and final chunk of teaching in Matthew’s Gospel known as the “Olivet Discourse” while sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives. Three prevailing schools of thought affect the way the signs of the end of the age are interpreted:

  1. Those who see events described in this chapter as historical and fulfilled when Rome conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple in 70 AD.
  2. Those who believe the events described are a future reality. (This view came into prominence in the 20th century and was popularized by books, movies, and songs about the rapture.)
  3. Those who believe the descriptions in this passage are multi-layered and that some have taken place whiles others have yet to occur.

Common Ground Between All Three Viewpoints:

  • Jesus will appear in a way that all nations will see Him
  • Jesus will come with power and great glory
  • Angels will sound a loud trumpet to gather God’s people
  • The elect will be gathered from all parts of the world

For a more detailed explanation of these three views, see the appendix at the end of this post. Below are a few new insights I learned about these chapters.

Destruction of the Temple

Chapter 24 opens, “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “’Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’” (24:1-3, NIV)

Many of the events Jesus describes here came to pass in 70 AD when the Roman General Titus conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. Jerusalem was subjected to a brutal five- month siege that culminated when the Romans committed the ultimate sacrilegious act by carrying their religious and military symbol of an eagle into the Holy of Holies. This may be what Jesus foreshadows in verses 15-28 when He says, “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (24:15-16, NIV) The abomination that causes desolation would have been like Israel’s 9/11 or Pearl Harbor. It was an event that marked them that they would never forget.

The historian Josephus says over 350,000 Jews lost their lives during this period while other historians say up to 1 million may have perished. Multitudes suffered and fled the city to save their lives. Jesus said the events He was describing would happen within “this generation” (verse 34). A generation in the Bible is about 40 years; this teaching occurred in 33 AD, and Rome destroyed the temple in 70 AD. So, the temple’s destruction  happened within that generation.

Carcass, Vultures, Sun, Moon, Stars

Jesus describes a chilling scene: “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” (24:28-9, NIV)

Jen Wilkin explains that carcass/ vulture imagery is symbolic. The word “eagles” can also be translated as “vultures.” So, eagles/ vultures could represent the Roman legions circling around Israel, symbolized as a carcass. The sun, moon, and stars also have a metaphorical element. Since they were worshipped by different cultures who influenced the Israelites at various times, this could be a comment about the ultimate end of idolatry when Christ returns.

The Son of Man Coming on the Clouds

Scholars agree that Jesus’ description of His return is a future reality: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (24:30-31, NIV)

This calls to mind the same prophecy recorded by John in Revelation: “’Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’; and all peoples on earth ‘will mourn because of him.’ So shall it be! Amen.” (Revelation 1:7, NIV)

The Day and the Hour Unknown

Jesus speaks of His return by comparing it to the days of Noah: “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” (24:38-41, NIV)

The return of Son of Man hasn’t happened yet—this is pointing to end of age and consummation of all things.  Several sources assert that this passage has been  wrongly associated with the idea of the rapture. Instead “Jesus’ reference of Noah’s flood suggests that those who are taken away are taken in judgment. The taken will be destroyed, just as the ungodly of Noah’s day were swept away by the flood…They will be continuing with life as normal when judgment suddenly befalls them. Jesus’ second coming and the accompanying judgment will be sudden and surprising for the unprepared.”2 (If, like me, you read the Left Behind series, this is a huge paradigm shift for you. Some scholars like N.T. Wright even assert that the notion of the rapture is a misinterpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17)3

If you studied Revelation with me last year, you may remember that events described there were often symbolic and layered—they could mean several things at the same time and still be true. Just as history repeats itself, prophecies have truth that pushes beyond the boundaries of specific times and places. Some of what Jesus describes in this chapter took place within that generation; other events happened then and will happen again, and some are yet to take place.

Regardless of the era of history, the common theme is for believers to remain faithful and obedient to the Lord and to live anticipating Christ’s return. “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (24:14, NIV)

Chapter 25

In this chapter, Jesus tells three parables to illustrate the mindset and actions believers need to have as we await His return.

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids/ Virgins emphasizes that every person is responsible for his or her own spiritual condition. “Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. Our relationship with God must be our own.”4  The parable highlights the contrast of people who are unprepared (subject to woe) and others prepared and waiting expectantly (receiving blessing).

The Parable of the Talents illustrates the importance of being good stewards of resources entrusted to us by God. “We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have but how well we use what we have.”5  Jen Wilkin asserts that the foolish servant represents hypocrites who will reject the Messiah when He comes while the faithful servants represent those who prepare for and accept the Messiah.This parable should prompt us to consider how we invest our time, resources, and abilities.

The Sheep and the Goats (Final Judgement): In this illustration of final judgement, the sheep represent those who are blessed, and the goats represent those who are cursed. It is similar to the “sorting” parables of the wheat/weeds and good/bad fish in Matthew 13. This parable contrasts followers of Christ with those interested in religion for the sake of self-promotion. True followers of Christ will reveal themselves by the fruit of their deeds towards those with the greatest needs. Jesus describes those who show tangible mercy to those in need, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40, NIV)  When we’ re ministering to others, we’re ministering to Jesus– no matter how mundane or trivial it may seem.

As you prayerfully examine your life in light of these parables, consider how you’re living in preparation for Christ’s return. Ask the Lord to give you the strength and courage to act on any areas that could be more aligned with His will so you can look forward to hearing Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21, NIV)

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. Jen Wilkin, Matthew: Warnings of Judgement, The Village Church, Feb. 1, 2018
  2. “What does it mean that one will be taken and the other left (Matthew 24:40)?” got questions.org
  3. N.T. Wright, “Farwell to the Rapture”
  4. NIV Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, 1988, 1712.
  5. ibid

Appendix

1) Preterist or Postmillienialism: This interpretation views the events in chapter twenty four as having been already completed, It emphasizes the historical destruction of the temple by the Romans in Jerusalem in 70 AD as the fulfillment of Matthew 24-25. It contends that Christian influence on the world will continue to spread until the second coming of Christ.

2) Futurist or Premillenialism: This interpretation views the events in chapter twenty four as a future reality. It emphasizes the final return of Christ and the events leading up to it. It contends that Christians will be increasingly persecuted, there will be a literal tribulation, and a millennial (1000 year) reign of Christ on earth before the establishment of the New Heavens and New Earth. This is the most common interpretation that became the prevailing view in the 20thcentury. The Left Behind series and other books, movies and music focused on the rapture of all believers from earth.

3) Hybrid or Amillenialism: This interpretation emphasizes the destruction of Jerusalem as a foreshadowing of the final return of Christ at the end of time. It contends that God’s triumph in the current age is primarily spiritual rather than material. The Church will continue to experience persecution. There is no literal millennium and the final reign of God will be established with the second coming of Christ. The end times began at the ascension of Christ and will culminate with His return.

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

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.

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  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.