The Word for Today with Ray: January 2021

Sunday, January 31, 2021

The Greatest Shall Be Your Servant - Matthew 23:11

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse eleven of his book Matthew shared how Jesus said, “greatest among you shall be your servant” where we read:

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

The verse reads, “But he that is greatest among you ...”. Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “he that is greatest” which means “the person whether male or female” “among you” or “within the crowd and Jesus' disciples”. Matthew shared how Jesus began to make a special declaration to the “multitude” and His “disciples” about who among them would be the “elder and strongest”.

The verse continues, “... shall be your servant.” Matthew added the words, “shall be” which means “will exist as” “your servant” which means “the multitude and disciples' slave, person of servile condition, waiter and minister”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the person who would be the “greatest” among the crowd and His disciples would be the person who was as a “slave and minister” to everyone else.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover how to be the “greatest” among people. Simply “serve” everyone. Jesus Christ came into the world not only to “save” people from their sins, but also to “serve” them. Jesus is the “greatest” because He came to “serve” everyone, and those who are wise shall yield their lives to Him as their “servant” “Savior and Lord”.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus says, “whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Christ is the Only Master - Matthew 23:10

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse ten of his book Matthew shared how Jesus said, “one is your Master, even Christ” where we read:

Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

The verse reads, “Neither be you called masters:”. Matthew began with the word, “neither” which means “no and in no way” “be you called” which means “should the multitudes and the disciples be named or saluted as” “masters” which means “guides or teachers”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “people in the crowd” and His “disciples” should not be “saluted” as “teachers and guides”.

The verse goes on to say, “ for one is your Master, even Christ.” Matthew continued with the words, “for one” which means “because, since and on account that One particular person” “is your Master” or “is the multitude and disciples' guide and teacher”, “even Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “Christ” was to be the only person the “multitudes and disciples” were to salute as “teacher”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus give instruction to His disciples and the crowd about whom they should “salute” as “guides or teachers”. God is the only “teacher” who is able to give people “everlasting life” which is provided through belief and trust in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only One worthy to be known as “Master” and “Christ”, and those who are wise shall yield their lives to Him as “Savior and Lord”.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus says, “he that is the greatest among you shall be your servant”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Chirping of the Gulls

Who be that there with beaks held high

who chirp with glee toward festive sky

Who thus at last replaced their king

and now in corporate lauding sing

Their pigeon doth now reign and rule

and grant them all their bragging fuel

For squawking they in recent past

at former one who trod their path

That pelican their former head

but oft did they his ruling dread

And blast him with their colic chords

with mass did rant their vocal swords

For he must go that wretched one

exposed their soul and lies they'd spun

And now at rest with chirping glee

for he who reigns thus over these

Until at last they find his fault

and squawk at him in choral vault

To rid him of his wretched throne

to one made finer to their hone

Call No Man Your Father upon the Earth - Matthew 23:8

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries,and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brethren”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse nine of his book Matthew shared how Jesus said, “call no man your father upon the earth” where we read:

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

The verse reads, “And call no man your father upon the earth:”. Matthew began with the words, “and call no man” which means “and salute, greet and name no person whether male or female” “your father” which means “the multitude and disciples' ancestor, progenitor, originator and transmitter of life” “upon the earth” or “on the arable land, country, territory and region”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the multitude and His disciples were not to call any “male human being” their “father upon the earth”.

The verse continues, “for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” Matthew added the word, “for one” which means “because, since and on account that only One particular person” “is your Father” or “is the multitude and the disciples' ancestor, progenitor, originator and transmitter of life”, “which is in heaven” which means “who is in the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared only One to be worthy of being called “Father” and that was God Himself who lives and reigns in “heaven”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus told the people not to acknowledge anyone as their “father” upon the earth because God alone is worthy of that title. Though men and women have “fathers” upon the earth, they are granted that ability through God the “Father” in “heaven” who gives children unto men. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and only when they submit their lives by “faith and trust” in Him do they become the “children of God”. It is written in the gospel of John chapter one and verse twelve and thirteen, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (See John 1:12) May all who read these words clearly understand them and receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” to become the “children” of God the “Father in heaven” today.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus says, “neither be called masters”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

One Is Your Master - Matthew 23:8

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries,and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse eight of his book Matthew shared how Jesus declared, “one is your Master, even Christ” where we read:

But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brethren.

The verse reads, “But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ;”. Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “be not called” which means “do not be named, saluted and greeted as” “Rabbi” or “great one, honorable sir and official teacher”: “for one” which means “because, since and on account that only One particular person” “is your Master” or “is the multitude and disciples' guide and teacher”, “even Christ” which refers to “the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His listeners not to be “called” “great one and official teacher” because only Jesus Christ the Messiah is to hold that position.

The verse continues, “... and all you are brethren.” Matthew added the words, “and all you” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people listening to Jesus” “are brethren” which means “fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared all the “multitude” and His “disciples” as “brothers bound by affection” to one another.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus' directive to the multitude and His disciples concerning being “called great ones” and “official teachers”. They were not to do this because only One person is worthy of that title and that is Jesus Christ the Messiah Himself. The “multitude” and “disciples” were as “brothers and sisters” to one another and were not to exalt themselves over each other. The “scribes and Pharisees” did not follow Jesus' ways, and they loved being “exalted” over other people, and they saw themselves as “just a little better” than everyone else. Only God is worthy of all glory, honor and praise, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of every person so they might have “everlasting life” with Him. Let all who read these words understand their equality in stature before God and give Him the honor, worship and glory of which only He is worthy.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus says, “call no man father upon the earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Rabbi, Rabbi - Matthew 23:7

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries,and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse seven of his book Matthew shared how Jesus said the scribes and Pharisees love, “greetings in the markets, and to be called … Rabbi, Rabbi” where we read:

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

The verse reads, “And greetings in the markets, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and greetings” which means “and salutations both oral and written” “in the markets” which means “in the places of assembly for public debating, elections, trials, buying, selling and business”. Matthew shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” loved being “acknowledged and saluted” in the “public places of assembly and business”.

The verse continues, “... and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. Matthew added the words, “and to be called” which means “and to be named, saluted and bid forth” “of men” or “by people whether male or female”, “Rabbi, Rabbi” which means “my great one, honorable sir and official teacher”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “scribes and Pharisees” loved being “saluted” as “great ones and honorable teachers”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the scribes and Pharisees were into “popularity” and “titles”. They enjoyed being known for their “greatness”, and they loved being addressed by the official title of “teacher” by those around them. Each of these expose the narcissistic behavior of these “religious leaders”, and those who enjoy “fame” and “titles” are much the same as they. God desires people to humbly come before Him and understand that nothing they have has been accomplished upon their own. God has given them their abilities and status, and God alone is to be “exalted”. When a person submits themselves to God's Son Jesus as “Savior and Lord”, they have aligned themselves with the One who is indeed worthy to be “greeted” and “called Rabbi”.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus says, “one is your Master, even Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Loving the Uppermost and Chief Seats - Matthew 23:6

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries,and enlarge the borders of their garments”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse six of his book Matthew shared how Jesus said the scribes and Pharisees, “love the uppermost rooms … and the chief seats” where we read:

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

The verse reads, “And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and love” which means “are fond of, have affection for and personal attachment to” “the uppermost rooms” which means “the first and chief reclining places and tables” “at feasts” which means “at formal meals usually held in the evening”. Matthew shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” were also “fond of and had personal attachment” to the “chief reclining places and tables” at “formal meals”.

The verse goes on to say, “and the chief seats in the synagogues, ...” Matthew continued with the words, “and the chief seats” which means “the first and preeminent chairs of the council” “in the synagogues” which refers to “the assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “scribes and Pharisees” also desired to sit upon the “seats of preeminence” within the Jewish worship centers.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus exposed the prideful “hierarchy” of the “religious leaders” known as the “scribes and Pharisees”. He shared how they wanted to be “exalted” in both the “feasts” and the “worship center” before the people. This exudes “prideful behavior” from these “religious leaders”, and their actions only revealed who they really were inside. Jesus pulled no punches when He revealed “hypocrisy”, and those who are wise shall never seek to be in positions like these “scribes and Pharisees”. Rather, they should humbly yield themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and allow Him elevate them to any position that He sees fit to grant them.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus shared how the Pharisees love, “greetings” and to be called “Rabbi, Rabbi”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.