Day 308 – Matthew 22, Mark 12

Talking Points

• It is absolutely remarkable to think that the one, true God, the Creator of the universe, invites people to come to Him, to feast at His table, and to rejoice with Him as His honored guests.
• Jesus tells a couple of stark parables, showcasing Israel’s rejection of their promised Messiah. How sad to be so close to God’s Savior and miss Him. One particular verse in the parables bears closer examination. Matthew 22:14 says, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Some believe this to say God chooses some to save and others, He does not. But, we believe the Bible in its entirety shows that is not the intent of this verse. In context, all are called, and Jesus is lamenting the failure of many to respond to that call. Those that are chosen are those who respond correctly to the call, “dressed in the proper attire.” It is a picture of coming to God by faith in Jesus Christ, and clothed in His righteousness.
• As Jesus’ ministry moves forward, so do the attempts to test, trap, and remove Him. In these verses, the Herodians, Sadducees, and Pharisees all hatch plans to catch Him in a discrediting offense. It is interesting to note His response results in amazement (Matthew 22:22), astonishment (22:33), and stunned silence (22:46). Jesus makes a profound statement showing the importance of truly knowing God’s Word. “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God” (22:29).
• In both Matthew 22 and Mark 12, when asked about the foremost commandment, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5. However, it is important to notice that He uses a specific word to include loving the LORD your God with all your mind. While that will include belief in, trust in, and agreement with the LORD, loving Him with all your mind goes deeper than that. We see here a command to contemplate Him, to spend time and energy studying Him, to dwell on Him and His character, and to know Him so fully as to love Him with all of our intellect, rationale, thoughts, and focus.
• Jesus condemns those who use religion as a status-building mechanism. It is a strange thing — instead of esteeming God, people seem to esteem those who traffic in the things of God. It appears nothing has changed today, as people work to build religious reputations instead of God-pleasing devotion.

Thoughts

Sometimes, I struggle with being generous. It’s not because I don’t know that I should be. Nor is it because I don’t enjoy blessing others. But, if I’m genuinely honest, it’s because my surplus is not great enough. I’ve heard stories of people who have a lot of money doing wildly generous things, and thought, “If I had a lot of money, I would do crazy things like that. But…” I’ve even gone so far as to say, “I don’t think I’ll ever be rich. I think it’s because God knows me better than I know myself. While I think I would be so much more generous if I only had a greater wealth to give from, He knows me.”

As I read the account of the trusting widow, who puts into the temple treasury all that she has — “two small copper coins” — I am flooded with conviction and the LORD is growing me in my understanding (Mark 12:42). Our generosity cannot be based on the size of our surplus. It must be based on our trust in our generous God.

Giving with a right heart when you have more than enough is a God-honoring act of obedience and worship. But, if we want to be wildly generous, we must be cheerful in giving when giving out of poverty. It must be an act of tremendous generosity and an act of tremendous faith. And, if it is, the LORD God loves it.

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Imagine loving “the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” in every facet of your being, including your giving (Matthew 22:37). And, imagine that if you will, it pleases the Lord. He loves a cheerful giver!