and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
Matthew 14:10-13//
In sadness, there are times we need to be alone.
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22//
Lord, help me to know that You are bigger than the worries of this life.
If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Matthew 12:7//
Lord, help me to be merciful, especially in the midst of anger.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28//
Lord, I need rest. I need peace. Where are You? Come now, Father, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit!
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Matthew 10:1//
Authority to do these things can only come from the Son of God; not from a mere man.
Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Matthew 9:2-8//
Why are we in awe when we see physical healing, but not as astonished when our sins are forgiven? The world responds to sight while believers in a Christ respond to faith in Him.
When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
Matthew 8:14//
Ever notice that at least some of the disciples were married? We never read any words of their wives, but I expect they also fully followed Jesus. Otherwise, we would read about their disagreeable nature. Lord, thank You for a wife who believed and follows You.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8//
Lord, grant me wisdom. May others be saved because of seeing You in me.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15//
I am a massive sinner and You have forgiven me, oh Lord. Help me to forgive others when they sin against me. Enable me to forgive fully and completely without ongoing grudges. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12//
Lord, help me to rejoice when people dismiss You.