20151009 HE CALLS US HIS CHILDREN

HE CALLS US HIS CHILDREN

Matthew 10:5-7 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, (6) but only to the people of Israel—God's lost sheep. (7) Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

It is imperative to remember that this is the first time Jesus is sending His disciples out. It may seem harsh to ignore the Gentiles, but the Jews are God’s chosen people. The Good News was sent to them first.

Isaiah 55:8-9 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  (9)  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

God’s plan did include us Gentiles. But there were prophecies to be fulfilled and one of those prophecies had to do with the rejection of Jesus by His own people. See Isaiah 52:2-3. Then read John 1:10-12.

How awful it must have been for Jesus to know that many of His own people would reject Him. But it is wonderful for us that He extended His grace to all of us who have believed on Him. John 1:12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 1 John 3:1a See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!

Meditate on that for a moment. He calls you, son or daughter. He loves you. Say that to yourself, “He loves me. He calls me His son/daughter.” Throughout the day today, think about that and give Him thanks.

Father in heaven, thank You that later on Jesus plainly told His disciples to preach the Good News to the whole world. Thank You that You call me son. Thank You that You love me. May that truth sink deep into our hearts and minds. May it make a difference in how we live for You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150910 AMAZING FAITH

AMAZING FAITH

Matthew 8:5-13 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with Him, (6) "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain." (7) Jesus said, "I will come and heal him." (8) But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You come into my home. Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed. (9) I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it." (10) When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel! (11) And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. (12) But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (13) Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour.

This Roman soldier came to Jesus for his servant and he came with a faith that amazed Jesus. Jesus points this out and berates His own people for their lack of faith and gives them a strong warning about the outcome of those who choose not to believe.

I think it important to comment on the illustration the Roman officer gave. He recognized Jesus as having the authority to simply speak a command and all of creation would have no choice but to obey.

Jesus honors his faith by speaking, “Because you believed, it has happened."

Father in heaven, grant us that kind of believing, understanding faith. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!