S – He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father

Matthew 20:23 CSB

O –  James and John were seeking assurance of positions in Heaven.  Jesus assured them they would suffer like He would (both gave their lives for Christ).  He also revealed that God would establish positions in Heaven.

A –  Two strong principles.  First, leadership comes with a price tag.  The responsibility of leading others costs you physically, mentally and emotionally.  Secondly, in seeking a position we can miss the whole purpose of the leadership – doing God’s will and aiding others to accomplish it as with us.  A leader must pay the price daily and keep themselves submitted to God daily.  Then, those who they lead will also follow them to the Father.

R – Lord, I invite your Holy Spirit into all that I will think, say and do today.  As I lead, I pray for strength and courage to do so with in a way that brings glory to your name.  I pray for the ability to keep my eyes on you and not deviate from the path.  Help me to serve those I lead today, empowering them to draw closer to you.

S – Then Peter responded to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?

Matthew 19:27 CSB

O – Having seen Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler, Peter candidly wants to know what the disciples can expect since they actually did what Jesus asked.

A –  I love Peter’s straightforward thinking.  Even though he is focused on the present, you can’t blame him since Jesus continues to change the “spiritual landscape” with His message and kingdom.  We do this too.  We can focus on the present so much that we miss the bigger plan that God is working.  It is challenging and builds our faith when we can live in the present, believe for the future and trust in God for both.

R – Lord, we invite you into today.  Each day has its victories and challenges.  You are over both.  Help us today to live in the present, knowing there is so much more you are doing in the spiritual realm.  Help us to grow in our faith that draws us closer to you.

S – See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven

Matthew 18:10 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jewish readers would generally recognize here the concept of the guardian angel; it was typically believed that every Jewish person had one. Further, angels received their orders from God’s throne; but unlike lower angels and mortals, the very highest angels (normally not thought to be guardian angels) regularly saw God’s glory. Those who mistreated these “little ones” would hence be reported directly to God by the greatest angels, and the report would stand them in bad stead in the day of judgment.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Children are important to God.  Jesus is radically changing the view of a child from insignificant in biblical times to valued.  They should be reared in loving, empowering relationships that also instill discipline and character.  Jesus is demonstrating the importance of the next generation.

R – Lord, I am grateful for my own children and grandchildren.  In them, I see the future is bright.  I pray they will grow in their relationship with you.  I pray they would cultivate the gifts and talents you have given them so they can bring honor to you.  Finally, I pray they will love others with courage and compassion.

S – Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. ⁴ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Matthew 17:3–4 CSB

O – Commentary:  

Moses and Elijah The presence of these men might signify that both the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) point to Jesus (see Matt 5:1 and note; 11:14 and note). Either directly or by allusion, Matthew often compares Jesus’ ministry with those of Moses and Elijah

 Faithlife Study Bible 

Moses symbolizes the law and Elijah the prophets. They appeared as witnesses to Christ, to demonstrate that Jesus, God’s Son, is the fulfillment of everything written in the Law and the Prophets

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – Unifying the message of the Old Testament and New Testament is important.  Today, we cannot only focus on the message of Christ if we want to understand God’s heart and character.

R – Lord, I thank you for the whole message of the Bible.  Your Law, work through the prophets and the crucifixion and resurrection are the same message that points to you.  Help me to understand it better and know you more.  I want to apply it to my life so I can grow in my relationship with you.

S – For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done

Matthew 16:27 CSB

O – Jesus is saying He will return in the “glory” of God and He will judge people based on their hearts and actions.  

“Glory” – dŏxa,  glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (lit. or fig., obj. or subj.):— dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship

 The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – Jesus promised to return.  Do we live our lives as if we believe that?  Especially knowing that He will look at our hearts and actions, do we go through our day with applications that honor Him?  It should not bring fear, but a sense of honor and awe.

R – Father, thank you that Jesus will return one day.  You will display your power, judgment and love when you do. While it is hard to comprehend, you love us as well.  Right where we are.  You empower us to live today in a way that honors you.  Help our hearts and actions reveal our love for you today.

S – Summoning the crowd, he told them, “Listen and understand: ¹¹ It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth—this defiles a person

Matthew 15:10–11 CSB

O – The religious leaders emphasized the rituals of the Jewish culture as the way to purity.  Jesus is introducing a new concept – it comes from within and is a reflection of the heart.

A – The progression of thoughts, words and actions is a good one for me.  If I can work on those three areas it seems to be a good indicator of my “inside purity and health.”  Based on God’s word, all three need to be pure and in a good place for me to draw close to God each day.

R – Lord, I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me today.  Examine my thoughts, words and actions and reveal to me the areas that don’t line up with your Word and desire for me.  I am broken and have blind spots.  Please work on me so that all three are a reflection of You.

S- “When Jesus heard about it, he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed him on foot from the towns.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

O – Jesus got bad news and he went off to be alone. Even “bad things” happened to Jesus. If anyone could have made his life perfect, he could have done it.

A – Each of us have to learn how to deal with tough situations. Jesus processed alone with God. Whatever way works for you, find it and go to it.

R – Lord, I thank you we can approach you in our toughest times. We invite your Holy Spirit to work in us and through us today. Even in our lack of understanding, You are God.

S – ‘No,’ he said. ‘When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.’ 

Matthew 13:29–30 CSB

O – Jesus gives an overall view – good will be with the bad.  He talked about how there was good and the enemy came and sowed the bad during the night.  He says both will grow together and judgment will separate the two.

A – In seeing God’s plan, he wants us to abide in the tension of good and evil.  He wants us to choose Him. And there will be a time of judgment.  It isn’t pleasant but it is truth.  

R – Lord, I am grateful someone told me about a relationship with you.  I choose you.  I want to know you more each day. I ask for your Holy Spirit to help me grow in all that you have for me.

S – How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Matthew 12:29 CSB

O – Jesus is answering the question with a strong answer – he can cast out demons because He defeated the devil in his own temptation.  Jesus is acting as the Son of God because that is who He is.  Another reason for the religous leaders not to like him.

A – We need to live from a place of victory like Jesus.  He already beat satan and death.  When we operate from victory it changes our perspective and faith.

 R – Lord, thank you for the victory that comes in knowing you.  Help us to walk and live from that place today.  Allow us to see into the spiritual realm and follow the leading of your Holy Spirit.

S – Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples ³ and asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 

⁴ Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news, ⁶ and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.” 

 Matthew 11:2–6 CSB

O – John has doubts.  He may be expecting a Savior who ushers in the Kingdom of God with power and judgement, not servanthood and miracles.  If he was the forerunner to Jesus, what was He a forerunner to?  Jesus answers with Isaiah and things the Messiah would do.  He finishes with blessed are those who don’t fall away or stumble because of Him.

A – We all have doubts.  As believers, we wonder if, when, how, or where God is going to intervene in our lives.  It requires a great faith to believe God will work in an areas where we don’t “see Him.”  The who is not in question, but for some it is the problem.  From the moment Jesus walked the earth till today, people struggle with Him as the Son of God.

R – Lord, thank you that you show up in my disbelief to help me grow my faith.  There are many doubts and questions I have.  I meet those with your Word and Holy Spirit to move closer to you.  I stumble but I come back.  I am grateful for Jesus, my savior.  I will not fall away from you.