Category Archives: The Gospel of Matthew

Perhaps you’ve read somewhere that Jesus was not very original when He gave what’s popularly called “The Golden Rule.”  Apparently, Confucius, a revered Chinese philosopher, who lived some 500 years before Jesus said something similar. And, of course, throughout the ages, there have been many who were happy to accuse Jesus of plagiarism and beingContinue reading “Devotion #17”

It’s funny the things we remember, the things we hang on to.  All the little indiscretions that others have perpetrated against us from the distant past.  I remember well the faces of those who have ridiculed me, made fun of me, made me feel small.  However, I’m not talking about yesterday or last year orContinue reading “Devotion #16”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 certainly have a proverbial feel to them.  “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink… Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not ofContinue reading “Devotion #15”

It’s natural for us to think of prayer as a mostly private thing—the pouring out of our hearts to God in the concealment of our thoughts.  Prayer is something we can do in the car on our way to work as we prepare to handle the stress of the day ahead—sort of like a littleContinue reading “Devotion #14”

It was on a February evening, eleven years ago, I happened to be sitting on the couch watching the CBS Evening News, and as the broadcast came to an end, it closed with one of those typical “feel good” segments.  It was a Steve Heartman’s Assignment America.  It riveted me in place… The opening sceneContinue reading “Devotion #13”

What would you do if someone slapped you in the face?  Would you turn the other cheek? Would you open yourself up for another attack? What about self-defense? What if your family is in danger? How on earth can we take Jesus seriously in our reading today when he tells us to “turn the otherContinue reading “Devotion #12”

No excuses. No wiggling around it. No justifying our outbursts or mistakes. No relaxing the rules. Sin is sin and sin’s no joke.   That’s the gist of what Jesus is preaching on the mountain.  He begins by saying, “If you want to enter the kingdom of heaven, your righteousness must exceed even that ofContinue reading “Devotion #11”

Loving Jesus isn’t such a hard thing to do.  Granted, we are sinful by nature so our love is nothing great, but even so Jesus is pretty easy to love.  Loving Jesus is something I can do at anytime and anywhere, no matter how I’m feeling or how busy I am.  I never have aContinue reading “Devotion #10”

The beatitudes are a slap in the face for anyone who tries to take them seriously. How can any of the things that Jesus mentions be “blessings?” Normally, when I think of blessings I think of good things.  I feel “blessed” when I look at my life and see that I have a family, aContinue reading “Devotion #9”

Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” In the ancient world, fishing was a lucrative profession, it brought in an above-average income.  I’m sure Peter, Andrew, James and John had lots of money tied up in boats, nets and gear.  I’m sure they had all their eggs in this basket. Catching fish isContinue reading “Devotion #8”