a 365 day trip through Matthew with a key thought, prayer, focus verse and contextual verses for each day
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The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by me at my right side until I put your enemies under your control.”The Lord will enlarge your kingdom beyond Jerusalem, and you will rule over your enemies.Your people will join you on your day of battle. You have been dressed in holiness from birth; you have the freshness of a child. (NCV)
Psalm 110:1-3
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.” (NCV)
Matt. 28:18-20
When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his followers, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah, and still others say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”Then Jesus asked them, “And who do you say I am?”Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (NCV)
Matt. 16:13-16 |
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October 25
Authoritatively Alone! - Matthew 22:41-46
While the Pharisees were together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They answered, “The Christ is the Son of David.” Then Jesus said to them, “Then why did David call him ‘Lord’? David, speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit by me at my right side, until I put your enemies under your control.’ David calls the Christ ‘Lord,’ so how can the Christ be his son?” None of the Pharisees could answer Jesus’ question, and after that day no one was brave enough to ask him any more questions.
Full Text
Key Thought
After Jesus' answer on the "greatest commandment" question, we are brought back to reality. The opponents of Jesus aren't really interested in his answer on this important matter. That is for us, his disciples. They are simply trying to trap him and trick him into a huge mistake. So Jesus' answer stressing the importance of love is saved for us, to help us know what our Savior holds as most important for us to do. But Jesus has no illusions about the the hostility he faces in the Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the Law. He knows their plan and their purpose. But Jesus still loves them and longs to confront them with the truth. So he asks a question to baffle the hard hearted. At the same time, his question is designed to speak to the seeker in these hostile groups and ask them to look deeper into his Davidic and Messianic claims and come to his his authority emanating from God. The first group, of course, is silenced and shamed at being tripped up in their own game. The latter group has a seed that is planted in their hearts that hopefully will germinate when Spring of faith warms with hope at his resurrection.
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, I know that no one is like you or worthy of the praise that is due you. I thank you, however, for showing me Jesus. One who took on human flesh and walked the world the I face. Thank you for showing me your grace and strength in the context of my world. I want to live under your authority and according to your will. Seeing you in Jesus helps me know unmistakably that your authority alone saves. Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Verses with Jesus
(key verses in bold)
34 When the Pharisees learned that the Sadducees could not
argue with Jesus’ answers to them, the Pharisees met
together. 35 One Pharisee, who was an expert on the law of
Moses, asked Jesus this question to test him:
36 “Teacher, which command in the law is the most
important?” 37 Jesus answered, “ ‘Love the Lord
your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
38 This is the first and most important command.
Top of Page
41 While the Pharisees were together,
Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Christ?
Whose son is he?” They answered, “The Christ is the Son
of David.” 43 Then Jesus said to them, “Then why did
David call him ‘Lord’? David, speaking by the power of
the Holy Spirit, said, 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit by
me at my right side, until I put your enemies under your control.’
David calls the Christ ‘Lord,’ so how can the Christ be
his son?” 46 None of the Pharisees could answer Jesus’
question, and after that day no one was brave enough to ask him
any more questions.
(NCV) The New Century Version, (Dallas, Texas:
Word Publishing) 1987, 1988, 1991.
Used by permission.
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