Matthew 15,16 --- The Mind of Christ --- Day 8

Matthew 16:13 - Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do no have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

The mind of Christ is an interesting concept to me. Attaining a mind similar to Christ means platforming one's attitude and spirit on the Truths of Christ. Seeking the mind of Christ means demonstrating the attitudes and mentalities of Jesus seen in the gospels. This is only made possible by the spirit of God living in me.

I liken this idea to the WWJD bracelet that was popular when I was in jr. high. The mantra asked "What Would Jesus Do?". I wonder more often "how did Jesus think?".

In this passage, Peter (with his regular zeal) challenges Jesus' teaching and prophesy with a scolding tone. Christ's reply may have stung: "Get behind me, Satan!". Jesus goes on to say that Peter did not have "in mind the things of God, but the things of men". Peter wasn't thinking right. He was thinking the only way he knew how. But the mind of Christ is revolutionary.

This scripture is nestled in the context of surrender as Jesus goes on to explain the transformational and revolutionary Way. Bottom line, he who loses his life will find it.

Surrendering in echo of Christ's sacrifice is the greatest means of reflecting the mind of Christ we possess. The perfect picture of this attitude is found in Philippians 2.

⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Father God, by your power and spirit alone am I able to reflect you and your incredible mentality of sacrifice. I pray that you reign in me and give me the grace to think like you.

Matthew 13, 14 --- Grateful or the Gospel --- Day 7

Matthew 13:16-17: But blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

After another 60+ hour work week, it is extremely good to have a day off to relax and rest up. It is also very revealing to me how difficult it is to prioritize reading the Word at the end of a 12 hour work day. The lesson here for me is that the Word is not a chore, but fuel. Remembering that in a time of exhaustion is crucial.

The passage from Matthew above has given me a new perspective of thankfulness for the Gospel that I have not considered before.

The Bible is very clear throughout that many will hear, but few will understand. Thus, the gospel road is a narrow one, meaning few will walk it. The disciples were incredibly blessed to walk side-by-side with Christ as they witnessed his amazing gospel and were given direct insight to who he was.

The blessing applies to all who have heard the gospel and understood it to be the life-changing transformation of the heart. The road is narrow, and many see but will not see it.

The danger is elitist thinking, because it's easy to consider this passage and think we are elevated against the unseeing world. Christ came to be lower than the world, and as his followers, our calling is the same. The gospel makes us holy, which is set apart. We are set apart for Christ's purpose and not our own personal glory.

Therefore, today, I am thankful for the gospel, thankful that Christ has transformed my heart despite my undeserving self. I am thankful for that, and recognize that, being set apart, I am called to serve the world that others can see the Truth and truly see.

Father God, thank you for setting me apart. My iniquities and undeserving nature are a testimony to the vast extent of your grace, and I am thankful for a faithful love that goes beyond understanding. Give me the grace to love as you love.

Matthew 11,12 --- Authenticity --- Day 6

Matthew 12:48-50: He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

I am amazed at how authentically consistent Jesus is. He never misses an opportunity to teach truth, even in the most basic of instances. Here, Jesus' mother and brothers await outside as he teaches to the crowd. When someone points out the fact that his family is waiting on him, Jesus jumps on the seemingly innocent statement and dives into a teachable moment.

I think this would've annoyed me about Jesus. To be so good, so right, so holy, so intentional, all the time? Even with little moments with his family, Jesus was who he was, every where he was.

True authenticity. Transparency. And a calling like no other for us as believers, to be who we are in Christ every where we are. Fortunately, the idea isn't as exhausting as it seems.

Why? I believe that Christ transforms us to the state of transparency the moment we become new creations. Christ in us means the spirit indwelling inside, meaning the fruits of said spirit are produced as a result of our personal growth in our identities. So, to be authentically who I am everywhere I am simply means to allow Christ and his qualities to reign in my life. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says "but we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us". A great reminder of our fragility and lack of holiness apart from Christ, and the depth of truth in the statement "not I but Christ".

A rabbit trail coinciding with this line of thinking would be the question of sin and how our flesh hinders the fruit and love of Christ from shining through. Both of which are possible, and while works do not lead to salvation, there is certainly a responsibility amongst the believers' heart to actively pursue the application of scripture in one's life. But again, even those things are of Christ and not of us: Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do".

Authenticity: being who I am In Christ, everywhere I am.

Father, thank you for transforming me to be something so far from empty. Thank you for the picture of authenticity, what it truly means to abide in the identity that you've given me. I pray for the Spirit's fruit to reign in my life, and for supernatural energy to fuel my interactions.

Matthew 9-10 --- "Taking up the cross" --- Day 5

Matthew 10:38-39: "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

I find that this particular passage is often misinterpreted in mainstream Christianity. It is too easy to assume that Jesus is saying, to be a true follower of Christ, one must suffer under a burden of some kind.

When I was in high school, I would've believed this to be true. The idea of suffering for Christ is far from non-biblical, considering in this same chapter Jesus warns against the cost for following Him truly is. However, to "take up one's cross" does not mean one must pick up a daily burden of which to be a martyr. This is pride talking.

Consider the cross: in early 1st century Roman life, the cross was not looked at as a burden to carry. It was considered to be the very definition of torture, and reflected a death by the greatest means of pain and humiliation possible. Carrying the cross was salt in the wound, forcing convicts to bear their own execution device.

On the contrary, taking up one's cross was not a metaphor bearing a burden for Christ. I was the ultimate picture to express one thing: following Christ means being willing to sacrifice yourself.
This is not easy to understand, and it's even less easy to live out. Living a sacrificial life means that Christ comes before EVERYTHING, including one's own life, family, expectations, reputation, etc.

But, it's not all hardship. In the same breath, Jesus tells us that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it. True life, in abundance. The life that only Christ in grace can provide comes from a willingness to sacrifice. While many are called to do so, sacrifice is a heart issue first.

Jesus wanted to make this clear to the Jewish audience. Following Christ is of the heart and not works of the law. Following Christ means sacrificing one's self-schema, to lose one's life, in order to find it.

What do I hang on to that prevents me from enjoying the full abundance that is in Christ's provision of life? What does God call me to be willing to sacrifice? For me, today, I don't feel that it's an action step of "God, today I sacrifice this ____". Instead, my heart leans towards the notion of sacrifice as a life-style. To maintain a healthy perspective regarding what matters and what doesn't, and what blessings I have that truly don't belong to me. The list goes on and on.

Father, give me a heart of sacrifice that is willing to follow you despite the cost. Give me a heart of thankfulness in response to the truth that you bore my burdens on the cross once and for all, and that they are no longer mine to bear.

Matthew 7,8,9,10 --- ??? --- Day 4

I'm not sure where day 4 or the four chapters, two of which that should've been day 5, went.

I need to be sure to fill in these days when I come back to Matthew.

Matthew 5,6 --- Today --- Day 3

Matthew 6:34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

As we dig into Christ's sermon on the mount, the true essence of Jesus as God is seen in the teaching. The backbone of this teaching is seen in verse 5:20, "For I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certaily not enter the kingdom of heaven". Disheartening for many, for sure, but what this statement is foreshadowing is that righteousness is not attainable by man. Instead, it is only God's grace and the atonement that comes from Jesus Christ that completely redeems and gives righteousness.

The passage that rings with me today is the entirety between 6:25-34. Specifically, the first statement, "do not worry about your life". I love that the Word is supernaturally consistent. Yesterday, I studied surrender to Christ's call and will. Today, I read that my life is not my concern at all.

To achieve this level of dependency is a process which will certainly ebb and flow, but within dependency, there is so much freedom in surrender.

Lord, help me let go when you call, and give me the passion to pursue you no matter the cost.

Matthew 3,4 --- The Call --- Day 2

Matthew 4:18-20: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

It's hard to imagine this scenario, and the narrative depth that must've taken place in this moment. The simplest observation I can make is that these men, dedicated to their craft and livelihood, were willing to drop net at the instant Christ called them.

What a testimony. In the next verses, James and John not only sacrifice their career, but they leave their father behind in the process. I can only imagine the heritage of passing a family trade down the line.

And yet, it's so simple. Jesus called, they answered.

What would be my reaction? Would I hesitate and hang back? Would I see opportunity and jump at it? Would I be able to overcome the ramifications my decision would have on others who depend on me?

Jesus called, they answered.

Egocentrism is a fancy psychology term that is often used to describe the period of development in which one's understanding is completely limited by one's perspective. How often does my perspective and focus on self prohibit me from fully understanding the gravity of Christ's leadership in my life?

Tonight, we kicked off our missions season with what I would call an incredible jump start. Our theme verse this year comes from Joshua 5, when Joshua asks the Commander of the Lord's army "are you for us or against us?". Egocentrism. The wrong perspective. The Commander responds "neither". Clarity.

When Christ calls, he calls us to his way. This is of course no easy lesson, as personal surrender is incredibly challenging. The Commander's response shows that it is not about our will, expectations, or goals. God is not out to come along side us in that manner. Instead, Christ is calling us to draw along side his will as we surrender our own. And it is only by his grace that we can. Christ loves us so much that he pursues us, desires to be close to us, to reign in our life, expectations, and goals. I don't want to let my own agenda prevent me from fully enjoying and dwelling inside this gift.

Father, I confess my focus slips to me often, and my perspective is limited in my own power. I surrender myself to you and your leadership, and ask by your grace to rest in your provision. Thank you for inspiration and for calling me to follow you.

Matthew 1,2 --- Background --- Day 1

I am excited to kick off a new book of the Bible. For the next few weeks, I'll be digging into Matthew with specific interest in the life and teachings of Jesus.

If you are just joining me in pursuing your own devotional, I highly recommend evaluating where you would like to begin. Matthew is a good start, but can be a bit challenging if you're not ready to hit the ground running full speed. For fresh starters, I would recommend starting in the book fo John as you build momentum in the Word.

As I read the first two chapters of Matthew, I did not land on a particular passage or verse to focus on. I would think that this is largely due to the fact that the first few chapters are mainly informative and historic in nature. I ended up focusing more on the background information about the gospel of Matthew.

It is widely accepted that Matthew, a tax collector, wrote with the Jews in mind as his audience. This is seen in these two chapters in several ways. For one, the first half of chapter 1 is Jesus' genealogy, which is filled mostly with names I cannot pronounce. This is certainly not the greatest jump start to a devo, but there are some cool facts in there. Matthew was incredibly intent on showing Christ's fulfillment of prophecy. Jews would've been well-aware of the prophesied family line.

Matthew goes on to reference more Old Testament scripture than any other book in the new testament, except for Paul's writing in the book of Romans. Again, this highlights Matthew's priorities and his intended audience.

Matthew was also really adapt at noticing parallels and pointing out comparisons. One of the cooler parallels he begins to discuss what will stick with me today, and that is the comparison between Jesus' early story and that of the Jews.

Matthew deliberately points out that Jesus came out of Egypt after fleeing there. This is analogous to the Hebrew people and their Exodus from Egypt with Moses. Following this, Matthew will point out that Jesus will 1) enter into the Jordan river (his baptism); 2) suffer in the desert; 3) and give his famous Sermon on a mountain. All of these reflect the early story of the Jews, but I don't want to get too ahead of my chapters today.

To step back, I am blown away by the meta-narrative, the big story that God crafted in the beginning, and how perfectly interwoven and intricately designed it is. This to me is an incredible revelation of God's sovereignty. It is much more difficult to doubt a God who reveals how in control he is, and so much easier to trust him.

Father, thank you for your sovereignty and for reigning in my life and in the big story. May my heart reflect my awe at your divinity. Thank you for being in control and for revealing the overwhelming truth so clearly. Allow me to surrender the things I cling to, and remove any illusion of control I possess. May your sovereignty be seen, and become more in my life while making me less.