In this section of scripture Jesus again speaks to His disciples about their level of faith. “He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:20) If the disciples who were right there with Jesus every day had to be reminded to strengthen their faith, how much more do we need reminding! But as He promised, if we can maintain an active faith in Him, the rewards will be great.
Jesus asked the question, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) That is a pretty easy question to correctly answer, right? But have we ever been guilty of letting something of this world get in the way of our service to God? We cannot hide what means the most to us. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34)
When questioned by the scribes and Pharisees about His disciples eating their food with defiled hands, Jesus gave them a straightforward answer. He reminded them that these ceremonial hand washing rules were man’s tradition not a commandment from God. “And he said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Mark 7:6-7 We must also be diligent in our study and following of God’s Word to make sure the things we are doing agree with His Will for us today.
When Jesus walked on water toward His disciples, they were afraid. “But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’” (John 6:20) That was not the only time that He told them to not be afraid. “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) If our focus is living like Christ, there is nothing that we should be afraid of or worry about. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ‘Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’” (Matthew 6:33-34)
When Jesus walked on water, it was dark and the disciples were unsure if it was truly the Lord. Peter spoke to the One they saw, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” When Jesus told him to come, Peter was able to walk on the water! As the wind was blowing, Peter became afraid and began to sink. Jesus let Peter know what He thought about that. “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31) Peter was walking by sight and not by faith. How do you walk today? By faith or by sight? (2nd Corinthians 5:7)
When Jesus was seen eating with sinners, the Pharisees questioned why He would associate with this type of people. His answer points to why we all need Him. “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” (Matthew 9:12) We will never be sinless and perfect, but we have One who is and who died for us! “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:23-24)
Here we read about some of Jesus’ miracles. Casting out demons, healing sick, raising the dead to life, feeding thousands of people, and walking on water are just a few of the miraculous things that Christ did in His short time here on earth. What was the purpose of miracles during the time of Jesus and His Apostles? It was not for notoriety because at times Jesus told those involved to not tell anyone what He had done. (Mark 5:43, etc.) We are told one purpose had to do with confirming that what was being taught was truly from God. “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.” (Mark 16:20) Another purpose had to do with the Great Salvation being attested. “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3-4) A third purpose is for us who have the preserved written Word, but were not alive during the time of those miraculous powers. “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)
The parable of the sower was one of the many parables taught by Jesus. (Matthew 13) In that parable were four types of results from the seed that was sown. First was one who heard the word but did not understand what he heard. (13:19) The seed sown on rocky ground was one who was excited when he first heard, but once a little trouble came along, he went back to his old ways. (13:20-21) The seed sown among thorns is one so involved in the riches and cares of the world that he lets these cares choke out the word. (13:22) The only good result comes from the seed sown in good soil. That good soil is one that hears and understands God’s word. He goes on to bear fruit many times over. (13:23) There are numerous lessons to be learned from this parable. We can place ourselves as one of these four types of ground where the seed was sown. Which one would you say is the best match for your life? We could also look at the ground as others that we share the word with at some point in our life. The results depend on many factors. Was the seed sown with love and care or just tossed out like the first example? Just like planting a garden, it takes time and effort to properly prepare the ground, plant the seed and then continued work to keep the weeds out. The seed sown on good ground is the only one that we should desire. It takes a never-ending zeal, but it’s rewards are everlasting life.
When a Pharisee named Simon questioned in his mind why Jesus would allow a sinful woman to wash his feet or even come close to him, Jesus answered him with a parable. “And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.” (Luke 7:40-43) If each of us were to honestly count our sins, we should have love for our Lord like the debtor who owed the most.
It has been said that you can look at a man’s checkbook and tell where his heart is. It seems the idea for those words probably originated from part of what was spoken by Jesus in His sermon on the mount. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Where is your treasure today?