The Word for Today with Ray: October 2020

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Things from the Heart - Matthew 15:18

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are you also yet without understanding? Do not you yet understand, that whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?”, and in chapter fifteen and verse eighteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart” where we read:

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

The verse reads, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart;”. Matthew began with the words, “but those things” which means “nevertheless, moreover and the actions, attitudes, speech and thinking” “which proceed” or “that come forth, arise, issue and flow” “out of the mouth” which means “away from the orifice in the face which is used for eating and speaking” “come forth” or “proceed and flow” “from the heart” which refers to “separate and out of the soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”. Matthew shared how Jesus indited the “heart” or “soul” of a person as being the source of things shared from the “mouth”.

The verse goes on to say, “and they defile the man.” Matthew continued with the words, “and they” which means “and the actions, attitudes, speech and thinking from the heart” “defile” which means “make unclean, render unhallowed and profane” “the man” which refers to “a person whether male or female”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to way the “issues of the heart” “corrupt and profane” a person.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “heart” of a person determines their attitude, actions, speech and thinking. When a “heart” is corrupt, productivity from it is wicked and evil, and when a “heart” is pure, it brings forth “goodness, mercy, kindness and grace”. God has a pure heart, and His desire is to “save” people from their “sinful hearts” through His Son Jesus. Jesus came to die for “wicked hearts” that produce evil “thinking, attitudes, actions and speech”, and until a person yields their life to Jesus Christ, their physical bodies make them easily identifiable by the deliberation of their “souls”.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus tells His disciples what proceeds from, “out of the heart”, 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.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Into the Belly - Matthew 15:17

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are you also yet without understanding?”, and in chapter fifteen and verse seventeen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples about, “whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly” where we read:

Do not you yet understand, that whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

The verse reads, “Do not you yet understand, that whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “do not you yet understand” which means “do Peter and the other disciples of Jesus not perceive, consider, think upon, ponder and take heed”, “that whatsoever enters in at” or “that whatever of each, every, all and everyone of the things that go, are put in and proceeds into” “the mouth” which means “the orifice in the face used for eating and speaking” “goes” or “proceeds toward and advances” “into the belly” which refers to “in the stomach and abdominal cavity”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the way food and drink go into the mouth and proceed through the digestive system.

The verse continues, “... and is cast out into the draught?” Matthew added the words, “and is cast out” which means “and is driven out through excrement” “into the draught” which means “ toward a place where human waste discharges and is dumped like a privy, sink or toilet”? Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the “human digestive and waste system” which take care of physical food and drink.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus employed the example of the human digestive system to demonstrate how “physical” food and drink are consumed and discharged. This is a natural physical occurrence, and anyone who is alive has some familiarity with this. God desires to have a loving, personal “spiritual” relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and this enters into a person through their “soul”. Those who are wise will listen to Jesus' words and discover the source of their thinking, attitudes, speech and actions, and if they find them contrary to God's ways, let them repent and turn to Jesus for redemption and salvation.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus continues His answer by saying, “those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Yet Without Understanding - Matthew 15:16

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable”, and in chapter fifteen and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus asked Peter, “are you also yet without understanding?” where we read:

And Jesus said, Are you also yet without understanding?

The verse reads, “And Jesus said, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and Jesus” which means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “said” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Matthew shared how Jesus began to answer Peter's request.

The verse goes on to say, “... Are you also yet without understanding?” Matthew continued with the words, “are you also yet” which means “is Peter even and likewise” “without understanding” which means “unintelligent, stupid or also foolish”? Matthew shared how Jesus questioned whether Peter was as “unintelligent and foolish” as the Pharisees.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus compared the question of Peter as being similar in awareness as the Pharisees whom He called “blind”. God desires people to know Him, His Son Jesus and His ways, and those who are wise shall seek to understand every word of God. God loves people, and He wants them to “see” the things of His Kingdom. Those who yield their lives to Him shall find Him accessible and able to supply their every need.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus continues His answer with the words, “whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Declare This Parable - Matthew 15:15

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

The verse reads, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “then answered” which means “at that moment and time spoke and responded” “Peter” or “one of the apostles whose name means a rock or a stone” “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” which refers to “Jesus”. Matthew shared how the apostle Peter responded to Jesus' statement about the “blind leading the blind”.

The verse continues, “... Declare unto us this parable.” Matthew added the word, “declare” which means “indicate plainly, make known, and explain” “unto us” which means “to the disciples of Jesus” “this parable” which refers to “this narrative which is fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed and is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning”. Matthew shared how Peter wanted Jesus to explain the meaning of the “blind leading the blind”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see the disciples desire to know what Jesus was telling them about the Pharisees. They heard Jesus say the Pharisees were “blind”, but Peter wanted further explanation as to what this meant. God desires to have an intimate personal relationship with every person, and although He does not reveal everything to people, He is willing to share those things of the Kingdom which He deems necessary. Peter's question should inspire us to “ask of God who gives to all men liberally”, and when He provides an answer, let us be certain to listen and obey what He says through His Son Jesus.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus answered Peter, “Are you also yet without understanding?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Blind Leaders of the Blind - Matthew 15:14

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees, “blind leaders of the blind” where we read:

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.

And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

The verse reads, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.”. Matthew began with the words, “let them alone” which means “allow and permit the the Pharisees to depart, be neglected and unhindered”: “they be blind leaders” or “the Pharisees are opaque and mentally blind teachers, instructors and guides” “of the blind” which means “who belong to the opaque and mentally blind”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the Pharisees were “instructors and teachers” of their “mentally blind” students.

The verse goes on to say, “And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew continues with the words, “and if the blind” which means “and whether and since the opaque and mentally blind” “lead the blind” which means “instruct, teach and guide the opaque and mentally blind”, “both shall fall” or “the blind teachers and their blind students will descend and be thrust down” “into the ditch” which means “in a hole or pit like a cistern”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared those who are “blind leaders” of the “blind” will cause both teacher and student to be thrust down into a pit.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus exposed the mental and spiritual “blindness” of the Pharisees and their students. Those who cannot see the spiritual things often declare they do not exist, and because they are “blind” to God, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit, they teach others according to their doctrine. God exists. His Son Jesus exists, and the Holy Spirit of God exists, and God sent His Son Jesus to be the “Savior” of the world. No one else has died for the sins of mankind, and no one else has risen from the dead under their own power as He did. God's plan of salvation for man was exhibited and demonstrated by Jesus, and those who are wise will have their hearts and eyes open and receive Him as their “Savior” today.

Next time Matthew shares how Peter tells Jesus to, “declare unto us this parable”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Rooted Up Plants - Matthew 15:13

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus shared how certain plants, “shall be rooted up” where we read:

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.

The verse reads, “But he answered and said, ...”. Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “moreover and” “he answered” or “Jesus began to speak and responded” “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Matthew shared how Jesus responded to the disciples' question about offending the Pharisees.

The verse continues, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.” Matthew added the words, “every plant” which means “each, the whole, all and everyone of the planted shrubs or vegetables” “which my heavenly Father” which means “that God” “has not planted” or “has not instilled and set in the earth”, “shall be rooted up” which means “will be plucked out of the ground by the roots”. Matthew shared how God will “pluck out of the ground” each and every “plant” that He did not put there.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus once again employing an agrarian illustration to demonstrate how God interacts with people who are not in alignment with Him. Everyone who reports themselves to be followers of God are not actually His. God knows those who claim to be “Christians” but they do not live accordingly. God knows them, and He desires every person to be in a personal loving relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who receive Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” shall be preserved and saved, and those who reject Him and turn after their own way shall be “rooted up” from their positions of faith.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus tells His disciples what happens with, “let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.