The Word for Today with Ray: November 2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

God's Will that Not One Little One Should Perish - Matthew 18:14

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus asked His disciples, “How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray”, and in chapter eighteen and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus proclaimed, “it is not the will of your Father … that one of these little ones should perish” where we read:

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

The verse reads, “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “even so” or “in this manner and thus” “it is not the will” which means “it is not the desire, choice, inclination and pleasure” “of your Father” or “pertaining to the disciple's generator and progenitor” “which is in heaven” which means “who resides within the region above the sidereal heavens which is the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings ”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared His heavenly residing Father's desire for the following to occur.

The verse continues, “... that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew continued with the words, “that one” or “that one certain” “of these little ones” which means “pertaining to the small children” “should perish” which means “should be destroyed, abolished, put to an end, ruined and rendered useless”. Matthew shared how God does not desire a single “child” to be “destroyed and rendered useless”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover God's passion to “save” every person in the world. John chapter three and verse sixteen says, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”, and He wants every person to receive Him as “Savior and Lord”. God wants no one to “perish”, and only those who refuse His offer of “salvation” will not be saved. Let all who read these words submit themselves to Him and receive Him as their “Savior and Lord” today.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus declares what to do, “if your brother shall trespass against you”, 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.

Rejoicing More Over the One Lost Sheep - Matthew 18:13

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus asked His disciples, “How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus proclaimed how the shepherd, “rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine” where we read:

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you,

he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

The verse reads, “And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and if so be” or “and whether or in the case” “that he find it” which means “the shepherd discovers and meets with it after searching”,“verily” or “truly and surely” “I say” which means “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” or “to His disciples”. Matthew shared how Jesus began to tell the reaction of the “shepherd” when he “finds” the lost sheep.

The verse goes on to say, “... he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.” Matthew continued with the words, “he rejoices” or “the man or shepherd thrives exceedingly, hails, salutes and greets other with salutations” “more” which means “to a greater amount” “of that sheep” or “pertaining to the tame and small grazing animal”, “than of the ninety and nine” which refers to “than the other ninety and nine sheep that were safe” “which went not astray” or “that did not wander or roam away”. Matthew shared how Jesus said when the “man or shepherd” “finds” his lost “sheep” he “hails, salutes and greets others with salutations” to a greater degree with the one sheep found than the ninety nine left behind.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the shepherd “rejoices” exceedingly when he finds the one lost sheep. The other ninety nine sheep were where they were supposed to be, however, the shepherd “celebrated” over the one that was lost. This implies that God “rejoices exceedingly” over one person who turns to Him, receives His Son as “Savior and Lord” and desires to be “found” by Him. Let all who read these words who feel they are “lost” realize Jesus the Savior and Almighty God is seeking them and desires to “celebrate” when they are “found”.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus shares how the man, “it is not the will of your Father … that one of these little ones should perish”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Leaving the Ninety Nine for the One - Matthew 18:12

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! Wherefore if your hand or your foot offend you, cut them off, and cast them from you: it is better for you to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if your eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twelve of his book, Matthew shares what Jesus said about leaving “ninety and nine” sheep where we read:

How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?

The verse reads, “How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “how think you” or “what is the disciple's opinion and determination”? “if a man” which means “whether a male human being”“have an hundred sheep” or “possesses one hundred tame and small grazing animals”, “and one of them” which means “and one of the tame and small grazing animals” “be gone astray” or “wanders and roams about”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to a shepherd who owned “one hundred sheep” but had “a single one of them” “wander away from the fold”.

The verse continues, “... does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?” Matthew continued with the words, “does he not leave” or “does the man or shepherd not depart and go away from” “the ninety and nine” which means “the ninety nine other sheep”, “and goes” or “leads over, continues on a journey and departs” “into the mountains” which refers to “the risings above the plain”, “and seeks” or “and craves, strives after and looks for in order to find” “that which is gone astray” which means “the sheep that wandered and roamed about”? Matthew shared how Jesus questioned whether the disciples thought the shepherd would leave the other ninety nine sheep and go to the “mountains” to look for sheep that “wandered away”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus employed another agrarian illustration to demonstrate God's desire to “find” every person who is lost. The “ninety nine” sheep were where they were supposed to be, but the one wandered away, and that “one” motivated the shepherd to seek for him. God wants every person to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and He will “seek” to the end of the earth to find them. Perhaps there is one reading these words who feel they have “wandered and roamed away”, if so, today is the day Jesus has found them, and when they yield their lives to Him, they shall find Him to be the “good shepherd” He promised He would be.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus shares how the man, “rejoices more of that sheep”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Jesus is Come to Save that Which was Lost - Matthew 18:11

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! Wherefore if your hand or your foot offend you, cut them off, and cast them from you: it is better for you to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if your eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven”, and in chapter eighteen and verse eleven of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus proclaimed that He came, “to save that which was lost” where we read:

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

The verse reads, “For the Son of man is come ...”. Matthew began with the word, “for” or “because, since and on account that” “the Son of man” which means “God's Son Jesus”“is come” or “arose, appeared and came on the scene”. Matthew shared how Jesus said He came for the following reason.

The verse goes on to say, “... to save that which was lost.” Matthew continued with the words, “to save” or “to rescue from danger or destruction and to keep safe and sound” “that which was lost” which means “the things that were destroyed, rendered useless, abolished and put to ruin”. Matthew shared how Jesus said He came to “rescue from destruction” the “things” which were “rendered useless and put to ruin”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the purpose for Jesus coming to the earth. His desires was to “save” people from destruction, and every person is on a path to “eternal separation” from God because of their sin. Jesus came to die for the sins of mankind, and when He gave His life on the cross, He paid the price for everyone to be “saved”. Now all that is necessary is to receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and when they “trust in, rely upon and cling to” Him they shall not only receive eternal life on earth, but shall live with God forever and ever.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus shares about a man having, “a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Despise Not One of These Little Ones - Matthew 18:10

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! Wherefore if your hand or your foot offend you, cut them off, and cast them from you: it is better for you to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if your eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire”, and in chapter eighteen and verse ten of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus said, “take heed that you despise not one of these little ones” where we read:

Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

The verse reads, “Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones;”. Matthew began with the words, “take heed” or “care for, attend to and discern clearly” “that you despise not” which means “that the disciples do not contemn, disdain or think little or nothing of”“one of these little ones” or “one of this sort of small children”. Matthew shared how Jesus warned against “disdaining or thinking little of” small children.

The verse continues, “for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew added the word, “for” or “because, since and on account that” “I say” which means “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” or “to the disciples”, “that in heaven” which means “that in the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “their angels” or “the little children have messengers and envoys who” “do always behold” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the messengers perceive, discern and see” “the face” or “the countenance” “of my Father” or “of Jesus' generator and originator who is God” “which is in heaven” which means “who dwells 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 told His disciples that “children's messengers and envoys” are constantly before the “countenance” of God who is Jesus' Father in “heaven”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus repeated His warning against “offending” children. This time His warning referred to when a person “disdains or thinks little or nothing of” a small child, and He included the idea that they have “angels” who are before God's face constantly. God loves “children”, and He wants everyone of them to be in heaven with Him. This is true for all people who are or were once “children”, and those who think this through will know that God's desire is that they shall all live “eternally” with Him in heaven through Jesus Christ His Son.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus declares, “the Son of man is come to save that which was lost”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

If Your Eye Offends, Pluck It Out - Matthew 18:9

And if your eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

The verse reads, “And if your eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you:”. Matthew began with the words, “and if your eye” or “and whether the disciple's eye used for seeing” “offend you” which means “traps, snares or stumbles the disciple”,“pluck it out” or “draw and actively tear the eye out from the root”, “cast it” which means “throw and scatter the eye” “from you” or “away and separate from the disciple”. Matthew shared how Jesus said if the disciple's “eye” “trapped, snared or stumbled” them, they were to “tear it out” and “throw it away”.

The verse goes on to say, “it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.” Matthew continued with the words, “it is better” or “it would be more profitable and expedient” “for you” which means “for the disciple” “to enter” or “to make entrance and come” “into life” which means “into the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical which belongs to God and through Him both the hypostatic logos and to Christ in whom the logos put on human nature” “with one eye” or “having one single eye”, “rather than” which means “either and except” “having two eyes” or “possessing two eyes used for seeing” “to be cast” or “to be thrown and scattered” “into hell fire” which refers to “into Gehenna which is the place of future punishment fiery fire”. Matthew shared how Jesus said it would be better to only have “one eye” in this life than to have both eyes and later be thrown into “the place of future punishment” of “fiery fire”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we learn there is an “eternal judgment” that Jesus called “hell fire”. Although “Gehenna” was “originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned, it was a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction”, Jesus used it to refer to the place where all people who keep themselves from a relationship with God will be eternally, and this is why He came. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ out Lord” (Romans 6:23). However, “God so loved the world that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). God desires a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and those who are wise shall not let anything, whether hand, foot or eye, to keep them from “everlasting life” with God.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus declares, “take heed that you despise not one of these little ones”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.