Like Matthew

Friday, March 29, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:    2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Memory verse: Romans 8:32 ►He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  

Today's reading: JUDGES 9-10 LUKE 5:17-39

Like Matthew

Jesus says in Matthew 5:46 "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

 At that moment, what do you think Matthew felt when he heard Jesus say those words about his job as a tax collector he once did for the oppressors, the Romans?

"Even the tax collectors..."? Really?

Matthew was free. He had been hand picked by Jesus to be one of His closest people. He had been forgiven all his sins and accepted into a group of twelve men who would change the world forever by the power of God in Christ. What a miracle!

Two thousand years later we come along and the Holy Spirit calls us out of whatever we are doing and as we accept in faith, He says to us, "All your sins are forgiven and you are free-your name is forever in my book. You will never again be in danger of judgement for who you are. I will never remember your sins-ever. You are free to love as I love and live and move and have your being in me. I have marked you with the Holy Spirit and He is with you constantly. Nothing can ever pull you out of my hand as you follow me and do my work. My peace, My power, My joy--are all yours to do my work!"

Life is hard and it is hard to imagine our lives as miracles some days but that is exactly what they are-miracles of God. Jesus told the Pharisees that they would see no signs except that of Jonah referring to His three days and nights in the tomb and then His resurrection. They demanded a sign or miracle. Jesus gave them a miracle. They did not recognize it until after, if at all, but any who see it for what it is are all part of that miracle-our salvation in Christ because of His resurrection-His blood and body on Calvary-His dying for each of us individually.

Matthew was once hated by his own people for his profession. He was probably seen as a shame to his own family. He had plenty of money, He may have had a nice home-but he was separated from the people he loved. Jesus took this successful but lonely and empty man and made a miracle of his life.

This weekend we celebrate the miracle that made all our lives miracles. Remember, the miracle of the resurrection came after His horrible suffering-after He took all our sins to the cross and shed His blood to wash all those sins away...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for judging my enemies and not loving them. Open

my heart to them and let me love them as You do.

Loving Master,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen