The Word for Today with Ray

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Go and Show John - Matthew 11:4

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?” and in chapter eleven and verse four of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told John's disciples, “go and show John again” where we read:

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see:

The verse reads, “Jesus answered and said unto them, ...” Matthew began with the words, “Jesus answered” which means “Jesus began to speak in response to John the Baptist's question about looking for another” “and said” or “and uttered, proclaimed and declared” “unto them” which means “to the disciples of John the Baptist”. Matthew shared how Jesus responded to John the Baptist's question about Him being the Messiah.

The verse goes on to say, “... Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see:” Matthew continued with the words, “Go and show” which means “depart and bring tidings, word and report to” “John” whose name means “Jehovah is a gracious giver” and was “the son of Zachariah and Elisabeth and the forerunner of Christ” “again” which means “openly” “those things which” or “that” “you do hear” or “the disciples of John the Baptist are endowed with the faculty of hearing, understanding and perceiving” “and see” which means “and discern mentally, observe, perceive and discover”. Matthew shared how Jesus told John the Baptist's disciples to “openly declare” to John what they have “seen and heard”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus desired to help John the Baptist know that He is indeed the Messiah. He gave instructions for John the Baptist's disciples to listen to and watch the things that He was doing among people. God desires to have a relationship with every person, and if they will look to the scriptures and the works of Jesus, they too shall find Him to be not only the Messiah, but also the only “Savior and Lord”. May all who read these words both “hear and see” the works of the Lord.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus referred to, “the blind, lame, lepers, deaf and the dead”, 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.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Is Jesus He that Should Come? - Matthew 11:3

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples”, and in chapter eleven and verse three of his book, Matthew shared how John's disciples asked Jesus, “are you he that should come” where we read:

And said unto him, Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?

The verse reads, “And said unto him, Are you he that should come, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and said” which means “John the Baptist asked, declared, proclaimed and uttered” “unto him” or “toward Jesus”, “are you he that should come” or “is Jesus the One who was to make an appearance and come public”. Matthew shared how John the Baptist desired to know if Jesus was the One or the Messiah who was to appear to them.

The verse continues, “... or do we look for another?” Matthew added the words, “or do we” which means “or do John the Baptist and his disciples” “look” or “expect, wait for, be in hope or thought” “for another” which means “to one other person of the same nature, form, class or kind”? Matthew shared how John the Baptist wanted to know if he and his disciples should be looking for another Messiah rather than Jesus.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how John the Baptist was in doubt as to whether Jesus was the Messiah or not. Since John was in prison, he desired confirmation about Jesus, but if Jesus was not the Messiah, they they needed to be looking for another One. God desires for people to understand that Jesus is the Messiah Christ, and there is no need to look for anyone else, and should there be some doubt, perhaps a review of all the works He performed to the benefit of people will help us know and understand.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew share how Jesus, “Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

John the Baptist Sends Disciples to Jesus - Matthew 11:2

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities”, and in chapter eleven and verse two of his book, Matthew shared how John the Baptist, “sent two of his disciples” to Jesus where we read:

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

The verse reads, “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, ...” Matthew began with the word, “now” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “when” or “at the time and moment” “John” which means “Jehovah is a gracious giver” and was “John the Baptist was the son of Zachariah and Elisabeth, the forerunner of Christ” “had heard” or “was given the faculty for hearing, attended to, understood and perceived” “in the prison” which means “within the place of bondage, dungeon or jail” “the works” or “the business, employment and that which any one is occupied” “of Christ” which refers to “belonging to the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Matthew shared how John the Baptist “heard” about Jesus “Christ's” “works” while he was in “bondage”.

The verse goes on to say, “... he sent two of his disciples.” Matthew added the words, “he sent” which means “John the Baptist bid and dispatched” “two of his disciples” or “two of John the Baptist's students, pupils or attendants”. Matthew shared how John the Baptist “sent two of his” “students and attendants” to make inquiry of Jesus.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the wonder which was in John the Baptist concerning Jesus and His works. John previously declared Jesus to be the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, and now he was in prison because of his declaration of the “gospel”. God desires to have a relationship with every person, and though they may face difficulties when they believe, Jesus continues to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world. Those who are wise submit their lives to Him even when their consequences may be contrary.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew share how Jesus, “Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Jesus Departing to Teach and Preach- Matthew 11:1

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me. He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward”, and in chapter eleven and verse one of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus, “departed from there to teach and preach in their cities” where we read:

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “it happened, appeared in history and come upon the stage”, “when” or “at the time and moment” “Jesus” which means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “had made an end” or “finished, completed, performed, executed and fulfilled” “of commanding” which means “of arranging, appointing, ordaining, prescribing and giving order to” “his twelve disciples” or “Jesus' twelve students, pupils and attendants”. Matthew shared how Jesus “completed” His direction and instructions to His “disciples”.

The verse continues, “... he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.” Matthew added the words, “he departed” which means “Jesus left and removed Himself” “from there” or “from the place He was” “to teach” which means “to hold discourse in order to instruct and deliver didactic discourses” “and to preach” or “and heralded, proclaimed, published and proclaimed” “in their cities” which means “within the multitudes' dwelling places, abodes and habitations”. Matthew shared how Jesus continued to “teach and preach” people from different “dwelling places”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus Himself continued His instruction and heralding of the “gospel of the kingdom of heaven”. His message was important not only for His “disciples” to share, but Jesus Himself shared both by “holding discourses” and “proclaiming and publishing” God plan to provide “salvation” to mankind. God loves people, and Jesus was to proclaim and declare His “salvation” plan in every “city” He entered.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew share how John the Baptist, “heard in the prison the works of Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Friday, August 28, 2020

A Cup of Cold Water in Jesus' Name - Matthew 10:42

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me. He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-two of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples what happens to, “whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water” where we read:

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

The verse reads, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and whosoever shall give” which means “and whatever person whether male or female who grants, bestows, furnishes and supplies” “to drink” or “to imbibe” “unto one of these little ones” which means “toward the least, smallest and tiniest of children” “a cup” or “a drinking vessel” “of cold water” which means “which contains cool refreshing water” “only” or “solely and alone” “in the name” which refers to “everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “of a disciple” or “belonging to a student, pupil or attendant”. Matthew shared Jesus' words concerning giving a “small vessel of water” to a little child in a “disciple's name”.

The verse goes on to say, “... verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Matthew added the word, “verily” which means “truly, surely and of a truth” “I say” or “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” which means “to the disciples”, “he shall in no wise lose” or “”the person who gives the cup of cold water will in no way and not in the least perish, destroy or mar” “his reward” which means “that person's hire, wages and pay for service that they deserve”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples the person who gives a cup of cold water to a child in the disciple's name will not in any way or fashion “lose” their “wage and hire” for it.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God has “rewards” to give to those who acknowledge His own. Jesus, disciples, prophets and children who are “accepted and embraced” by others allows them to “receive” from God His “wage and hire” for doing so. God wants to have a loving relationship with every person, and when they care for and esteem others, including little children, in a manner that pleases Him, they will never “lose” their “reward” for doing so.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew share how Jesus, “departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

A Prophet and a Righteous Man's Reward - Matthew 10:41

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-one of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples what happens when a person, “receives a prophet in the name of a prophet” where we read:

He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

The verse reads, “He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward;” Matthew began with the words, “he that receives a prophet” which means “the person who accepts, grants access, embraces, approves and does not reject one who is moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “in the name” or “within what is used for everything which the name covers including the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “of a prophet” which means “belonging to one who is moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “shall receive” or “will be granted access, embrace, approve and does not reject” “a prophet's reward” which means “the hire, wages and pay for service that a prophet deserves”. Matthew shared how Jesus expanded His idea of “reward” to people who “accept and embrace” His “prophets”.

The verse continues, “and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.” Matthew added the words, “and he that receives a righteous man” which means “and the person who grants access to, embraces, approves and does not reject a person whether male or female who is innocent, faultless and guiltless” “in the name” or “within what is used for everything which the name covers including the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “of a righteous man” which means “belonging to the person who grants access to, embraces, approves and does not reject a person whether male or female who is innocent, faultless and guiltless” “shall receive” or “will will be granted access, embrace, approve and does not reject” “a righteous man's” which refers to “a person whether male or female who is innocent, faultless and guiltless” “reward” or “ hire, wages and pay for service that the righteous man deserves”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples that “accepting and embracing” “righteous” people will allow a person to “receive” that “righteous” person's wage.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover there will be “wages” for being a “righteous” person, and when those “righteous” people are “accepted and embraced”, the person who “receives” them shall be granted their same “wage”. God desires to have people “accept and embrace” His Son Jesus, Jesus' disciples, God's “prophets” and “righteous” people. God desires to “reward” those who not only live in the manner of these mentioned, but also those who “receive” them. Those who are wise shall not only recognize those whom God recognizes, but seek to “accept and embrace” everyone like them that He directs into their path.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples what happens to, “whosoever shall give a drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.