S – Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.

Matthew 24:46 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The coming of the Lord will be a test of servants. As the master in Jesus’ story entrusted all his possessions to his servant, so God has entrusted the care of all things in this earth to His servants. The responses of the servants are indications of their inward conditions. The Lord wants to find His servants, like the first steward, faithfully carrying out His will (vv. 45–46). Such a servant will be rewarded for his faithful service when the Lord returns 

“Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The second coming of Christ is the theme of this chapter.  As long as I have been a Christian, people have discussed and argued about it.  This verse is where my foundation.  I will live each day as if Christ is coming back today.  I am not perfect but I want to be faithful and taking step towards God.

R – Lord, I invite you into today.  Even when I am not sure what today holds, I know I want you to be with me in it.  Let me live in a way that you would be pleased.  I surrender to your will and purpose for me today.  Let me bring you glory in all that I say and do.

S – In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

Matthew 23:28 CSB

O – Commentary: 

A custom then was to keep tombs painted white on the outside so they would appear beautiful. But inside the tombs was the decaying flesh of dead people. Similarly, while the Pharisees appeared beautiful on the outside because of their religious conformity, they were corrupt and decaying inside. They were full of hypocrisy and wickedness (anomias, “lawlessness

“Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We all want to look good to others.  It isn’t wrong to spend time on the outside as long as it is a reflection of a healthy inside.  Our main effort should be in developing our hearts.  We should be honest and sincere using the Word of God as the foundation for our actions.  

R – Lord, I thank you that I come to you a sinner. My human nature and desires can be covered up.  But, you see my heart.  Help me to come to you in full transparency so I can grow in my heart, which will be a greater reflection on my outside.  That is the part I want people to see.  My relationship with you reflected on the outside in a health, vibrant way.

S – He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.^{, 38} This is the greatest and most important command. ³⁹ The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{, 40} All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” 

Matthew 22:37–40 CSB

O – Love God. Love people. Jesus didn’t come to do away with the Law.  It was just being fulfilled based on relationship, not mere obedience.

A – If I can do both these really well today, then I will continue to grow in my relationship with God and those I do life with daily. 

R – Lord, I love you and thank you for the gift of the cross.  I thank you for those I do life with – the good and the bad.  We are all broken so we are more challenging to love than you.  Give me the courage and grace to love You and them with honesty and mercy as You love me the same way.

S – What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’ 

²⁹ “He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ Then the man went to the other and said the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he answered, but he didn’t go. ³¹ Which of the two did his father’s will?” 

Matthew 21:28–31 CSB

O – The first son displayed violated Jewish culture by saying he didn’t want to do his father’s request.  “Change” means regret afterward, not repenting like changing his mind and going a different direction.  He felt remorse and did what his father asked.  The second followed custom with his words.  But his actions revealed his true heart and he didn’t follow through.  Obedience won over disobedience.

A – We need to examine our own hearts and actions.  There are times we don’t want to do something but we do it because it needs to be done.  (Ex. Taking out the garbage.). In following God, our obedience to his Word and will demonstrate our love for him.

R – Lord, give us the courage to obey you.  There are times it is not pleasant.  Yet, we know that your heart for us is for our good.  As we are obedient, it opens up yet another opportunity for you to display your pleasure and power.  

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.