Category: Matthew Devotionals 2

As we look upon our King

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20)

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”

I was thinking on those words this morning. What was Jesus saying?

“I am the King.”

And because he is, we are to obey him in everything and teach others to do the same.

But how do we see this King?

As a King that abuses his power? A King to be fearful of?

I find it interesting that after the women left the tomb, they were filled with joy, but also with fear. Fearful of what, I’m not sure.

But then Jesus appeared, and what was the first thing he told them?

“Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 28:10)

And after he left, their fear was gone and all that remained was pure joy.

Because this King, while worthy of all our honor and obedience, is also a good King. And he loves us greatly.

I happened to read Psalm 47 this morning, and it so captured what our attitude should be as we look upon our King. Is it yours?

Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with a jubilant cry.

For the Lord, the Most High, is awe-inspiring,
a great King over the whole earth. (Psalm 47:1-2)

Tags Fear, joy, King Jesus

Matthew Devotionals 2

Your blood on me

All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25)

Jesus, your blood is on me, my responsibility. It is because of my sin that you died.

But Jesus, your blood is on me, sprinkling me clean of a guilty conscience. (Hebrews 9:19-22; 10:19-22)

Because of the cross, the temple curtain that separated me from the Father is torn in two. Now I have free access to him. I can draw near to him–and you–without fear.

Thank you, Jesus, that your blood is on me.

Tags cross, forgiveness, Jesus' blood

Matthew Devotionals 2

Because he took the cup

Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42)

I was thinking of the meaning of Passover as I read Jesus’ prayer this morning.

When God judged Egypt, his wrath “passed over” the Israelites.

But Jesus recognized that the cup of God’s judgment and wrath could not simply pass over him as it did the Israelites.

Why not?

He was innocent. He never sinned. Why couldn’t it pass over him?

Because if it had, we would have all had to drink it instead. We are sinners, deserving of God’s judgment and wrath.

The whole reason God’s judgment and wrath passes over us is that Jesus drank them in undiluted on the cross.

That’s an amazing thing to ponder.

Tags cross, cup, God's wrath, God's judgment, grace

Matthew Devotionals 2

Throwback Thursday: Loving our brothers and sisters

Post author By Bruce
Post date February 12, 2026
No Comments on Throwback Thursday: Loving our brothers and sisters

One of tests of a true follower of Jesus is this: do we love our brothers and sisters?

If we don’t, there is something wrong.

Loving our brothers and sisters

Matthew 25

Tags God's love, judgment, love

Matthew Devotionals 2

What really matters

As Jesus left and was going out of the temple, his disciples came up and called his attention to its buildings.

He replied to them, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:1-2)

I was thinking this morning about how proud the Jews were of their temple, of how beautiful it was.

And yet it would be torn down for one important reason: they had rejected their Lord. (Matthew 23:29-39)

It made me think: What foundation are my “accomplishments” built on? The things I am proud of, are they built on the foundation of Christ? That he is my Lord? Is he the one I love and am trying to please?

Jesus, let all I do be built on this foundation: You are Lord. My life is yours and I love you. Let me be that faithful servant, every day doing what you’ve told me to do.

Tags accomplishments, foundation, Jesus is Lord, temple

Matthew Devotionals 2

His

Post author By Bruce
Post date February 10, 2026
No Comments on His

Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked them.

“Caesar’s,” they said to him.

Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:20-21)

It occurred to me as I read Jesus’ words that he asks the same question of us whenever we look at ourselves in the mirror.

“Whose image is this? Whose name is inscribed on you?”

The answer? God’s.

When he created us, he imprinted his image on us and inscribed on our hearts, “Holy to the Lord.”

In short, we are his.

As the Psalmist put it,

He made us, and we are his… (Psalm 100:3)

And so we are to give to God what is God’s. All our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30)

And we are to give him the fruit he desires: justice, mercy, faithfulness. (Matthew 23:23)

I was reflecting today on how often I fail in doing those things. Like the Pharisees and scribes, I often say but don’t do.

I don’t want to be that way.

God has imprinted his image on me, inscribing his wonderful name on my heart.

Leaning completely on his grace, I want to live up to that.

Tags Caesar, faithfulness, God, God's image, grace, Holy to the Lord, justice, Loving God, Mercy

Matthew Devotionals 2

Joyfully following? Or seeking what “I deserve”?

Post author By Bruce
Post date February 5, 2026
No Comments on Joyfully following? Or seeking what “I deserve”?

He said to them, ‘You also go into my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’

So off they went. (Matthew 20:4)

I was wondering today: Did the landowner say the same thing to the first workers he hired? Did they reject that offer and insist on getting paid “what they deserved”?

Peter seemed to have that mindset. (Matthew 19:27)

So did James and John. (Matthew 20:21)

But the two blind men tasted Jesus’ goodness and joyfully followed him, never thinking to ask for “what they deserved.” (Matthew 20:35)

Many “landowners” would have cheated their workers with the kind of “deal” the landowner made with the latter workers he hired. (Matthew 20:4-7)

But this landowner was generous and good. (Actually, the word translated “generous” in verse 15 is usually translated “good.”)

So the question I’m asking myself today is this: What kind of God do I think I’m serving?

Do I truly believe he is generous and will give far more than I could ask or imagine?

And having tasted of his goodness, will I joyfully follow him as the healed blind men did?

Tags following Jesus, joy, parable of the laborers

Matthew Devotionals 2

Heart of a child

He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. (Matthew 19:8)

Father, let me never make decisions merely based on “what is permitted.”

Especially when because of the hardness of my heart, I’m rejecting what you say is best.

Help me to have the heart of a child—a soft heart, a trusting heart—not asking “What is permitted,” but “What does my good, good Father desire?”

Tags God's best, hardness of heart, heart of a child, Soft heart

Matthew Devotionals 2

Our gentle King

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:5-7)

I was thinking about how terrified Peter must have been when he heard the Father’s voice, especially since he had been arguing with Jesus not long before. (Matthew 16:22)

And the Father made it clear: “This is my Son. He’s highly favored in my sight. Don’t argue with him. Listen.”

Even so, Jesus came to them afterward with such gentleness.

Lord Jesus, you are holy and awesome, worthy of my obedience. And yet, you are so gentle with me. Thank you. I love and delight in you. And I will listen to what you say.

Tags gentleness, God's Son, king, Lord, obedience, transfiguration

Matthew Devotionals 2

Flashback Friday: Little faith, great faith

Post author By Bruce
Post date January 30, 2026
No Comments on Flashback Friday: Little faith, great faith

May Jesus say of us, “How great is your faith!”

Little faith, great faith

Matthew 14-16

Tags Canaanite woman, faith, Jesus, persistence, prayer

Matthew Devotionals 2

Nullifying your Word?

In this way, you have nullified the word of God because of your tradition. (Matthew 15:6)

Jesus, you are my Lord.

May I never nullify your Word in my life for anything or anyone.

Not for sin.

Not for my feelings, desires, or pursuits.

Not for any human traditions or ideologies, cultural, religious, or political.

May I never seek to transform your words.

Rather, let your words transform me.

For again, you are my Lord. And you are good.

Tags God's word, Jesus, Lord, tradition

Matthew Devotionals 2

When we don’t understand God’s word

Post author By Bruce
Post date January 27, 2026
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When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. (Matthew 13:19)

His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us… (Matthew 13:36)

When we see something in God’s word that we don’t understand, what do we do?

Do we simply say, “I don’t understand,” and never give it another thought, allowing Satan to easily snatch it away so that it never bears fruit in our lives?

Or are we like Jesus’ disciples, caring enough to humbly ask, “Explain to us…”?

Lord, give me the heart of a disciple, seeking understanding, bearing fruit.

Tags asking questions, disciple, fruit, God's word, understanding God's Word

Matthew Devotionals 2

More than watching our words

Post author By Bruce
Post date January 26, 2026
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Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit…

For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. (Matthew 12:33-34)

One thing I try to be conscious of is the words that come out of my mouth. I want to be careful about what I say.

But it struck me today that more than being careful about my words, I need to really search my heart. Is my heart spiritually healthy?

If my heart is spiritually healthy, my words will be healthy and life-giving.

But if there are rotten things in my heart, rotten things will come out.

And so I’m praying today, “Lord, search my heart. You know it well. Root out any rotten things lingering there.”

Tags fruit, heart, tongue, words

Matthew Devotionals 2

Responding to our Shepherd’s call

Post author By Bruce
Post date January 23, 2026
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Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

That is our good Shepherd’s call to us.

When, like John the Baptist, we’re spiritually weary.

When we’re feeling discouraged because God seems far or he isn’t doing what we had expected.

When we’re feeling overburdened by our trials.

By chance, the psalm I was meditating on before I opened to Matthew 11 was Psalm 143. And it seems to me to be the perfect response to our Shepherd’s call.

May it be your response as well.

Let me experience
your faithful love in the morning,
for I trust in you.

Reveal to me the way I should go
because I appeal to you.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I come to you for protection.

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit
lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:8-10)

Tags burdened, good shepherd, John the Baptist, rest, weary

Matthew Devotionals 2

Embracing the new

Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (John 9:14)

I was thinking about John’s disciples this morning. Why were they still John’s disciples?

John was in prison. His ministry was done.

On the other hand, Jesus, the one John pointed to had started his ministry. Yet they still clung to John and his ways, rather than following after Jesus and his ways.

God was doing something new. (Matthew 3:11)

But John’s disciples weren’t ready for it. Like the old cloth and wineskins, they were too inflexible to handle something new.

Some wouldn’t be ready until years after Jesus died and was resurrected. (Acts 19:1-7)

I don’t want to be that way. But I do see that tendency in me. I like the old. I like what’s comfortable. I don’t quickly embrace the new.

Would Jesus admonish me as he did John’s disciples?

Jesus, let me have a soft heart to the new things you’re doing.

Tags following Jesus, John the Baptist, New things, old wineskins

Matthew Devotionals 2

Say the word

For I too am a man under authority… (Matthew 8:9)

Jesus, the centurion recognized your authority.

The disciples recognized your authority but were still learning just how far that authority extends. (Matthew 8:27)

The demons and the people of the Gadarenes, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with your authority. (Matthew 8:29, 34)

But you are a good King. I welcome your authority in my life.

So say the word…

Tags Jesus' authority, King Jesus.

Matthew Devotionals 2

Do I treat your words as pearls?

Post author By Bruce
Post date January 19, 2026
No Comments on Do I treat your words as pearls?

Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

As I was reading those words this morning, I was thinking of James’ words in his letter.

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

It made me think. When I seek God’s leading and wisdom, do I always see his words as good and perfect gifts? As words that give life? (James 1:17-18)

Or do I sometimes treat them as stones or snakes? (Matthew 7:9-10)

Do I believe my Father is good and his words are pearls to be treasured and obeyed?

Or do I ever trample them like a pig? (Matthew 7:6)

I don’t want to be double-minded, asking God for wisdom, and then questioning the goodness of his words. (James 1:6-7)

Even if I don’t always understand the “whys” of what he tells me, I want to trust my good King and obey him.

My good King, help me to trust you in everything, building my life on your life-giving words.

Tags God's word, pearls, pigs, wisdom

Matthew Devotionals 2

King of my heart

But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. (Matthew 5:34-35)

“The great King.”

For some reason, those words resonated with me this morning.

Jesus is the great King.

But do I treat him as such, moment to moment, day to day?

Or do I ever treat him lightly?

Do I ever try to find ways around what he’s telling me, as the Pharisees and teachers of the law did when it came to things like marriage, being truthful, loving people, among other things?

Lately, God has been pointing out to me that I’ve been spending too much time on my hobbies.

I haven’t been totally ignoring him, but I haven’t exactly been completely obeying him either.

It’s a “small” thing.

But Jesus is a great King. And I don’t want to treat him lightly.

How about you?

Lord Jesus, be King of my heart, in everything.

Tags great King, King of my heart, loopholes, Pharisees, Teachers of the law

Matthew Devotionals 2

That I might be light

The people who live in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those living in the land of the shadow of death,
a light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16)

Jesus, you are the light of the world. But you’ve called me to be light to this world too.

This world is ruled by fear and anger right now. I can understand their fear and anger.

But I can’t be light if I’m ruled by fear and anger like they are. So let the first thing that people see in me not be fear or anger, but joy.

Joy in knowing that the King has come.

Joy that his Kingdom has started.

And joy that I am now part of that kingdom.

Help me to live like a child of the Kingdom. Living by every word that comes from your mouth. Trusting you completely. And serving you joyfully, fishing for others that they may know your joy too.

Tags anger, child of the kingdom, darkness, Fear, God's kingdom, joy, light of the world

Matthew Devotionals 2

More than repentance

I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I…

He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11)

I was thinking on those words this morning.

God, of course, wants our repentance.

But he doesn’t want us to stop there. He desires to do something more in us.

He desires to purge us with his refining fire and fill us with the power and presence of his Spirit. (Malachi 3:2-3; Acts 1:8)

This world is so broken.

And there are still broken parts in me.

But cracked vessel that I am, I believe God can and will use me to touch this broken world.

That’s what I’m praying for today.