Tax collectors were considered the scum of the earth…they were hired by the Roman government to gouge their fellow Jews, while skimming money off the top. But Jesus looked far beyond the sin and loved the man instead…for Levi went on to become Matthew, one of His beloved Disciples.
Tag: jesus
Acts 3:16 ” By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”
The crowd and religious leaders couldn’t dispute the fact that just earlier they had all walked by this beggar at the entrance to the Temple…they had in fact passed by him for years, and were well acquainted with his deformities. So it had come as a complete shock when they saw him running, jumping, and dancing in the Temple court. It was Simon Peter’s healing faith, coupled with the beggar’s faith – all in the name of Jesus – that had healed him.
Acts 3:2 ” Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.”
The beggar had been crippled from birth…maybe from some congenital defect such as Spina Bifida or an injury that occurred during the birthing process. His physical impairment was apparent to all, but how many times do we have invisible handicaps and defects? Many walk around emotionally crippled at the hand of abusive parents or spouses. Many are mentally crippled by poverty or social injustices that they were powerless to change. But just like this crippled beggar, we too can be healed in the name of Jesus to live a full and joyous life.
John 11: 25-26 ” I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? “
Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins so you may have eternal life? What distinguishes us from the world is the unique characteristic of believing in Jesus. Our faith and trust in Him goes far beyond what the world will ever understand or comprehend. As Believers, our confidence is not in man, but in the Son of Man…Jesus. Do you believe this?
I Thessalonians 1:3 ” We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Your good deeds for others, demonstrated in tangible ways, showing your trust in God – that’s Faith. When weariness covers you like a cloak, it’s for the sake of others, not yourself, that you continue to toil on – that’s Love. When it’s that deep confidence that makes you persevere, not willing to surrender when times are tough – that’s Hope. Faith, Love, and Hope…you being Jesus to a broken world.
Isaiah 30:15 ” This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’ “
How many times through a prideful, rebellious nature have we traded tranquility for chaos…and confidence for fear? There’s deliverance through Jesus Christ, and hope for tomorrow…if but we’re willing to obey.
John 5:24 ” I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
You may have heard the Gospel preached a hundred times, but it’s this particular Sunday when you swear the Pastor must have been following you around all week and is now directing his message point-blank at you. There’s no getting around it…Jesus is staring you straight in the eyes and saying, “Now is the time.” And in that moment of realization, repentance, and forgiveness…your soul will pass from death to eternal life.
I Timothy 1:15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”
Paul was fully acknowledging his sinful past and gratefully identifying with his eternal future. Sin is broken relationship with God, and with Jesus we have forgiveness from our sins and the promise of eternal life. For John 3:17 states, ” For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Just as Paul, thank you Lord for your merciful kindness to save such a sinner as I.
Proverbs 14:10 ” Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.”
We are so good at hiding and deflecting those inner emotions. We secretly will judge harshly, dwell on mean, angry thoughts, and think up sharp biting comments that we would never utter out loud. Only our heart knows the pain inside. Only our inner self understands the path we’ve trudged through… and only the Lord really knows us.
Mark 2:22 ” No, he pours new wine into new wine skins.”
The word “new” is used twice in this verse, but each with slightly different meanings. The first is Neos…as in a man can reform himself and become new. The second is Kainos…but it is only by God’s divine nature and activity that man becomes qualitatively new. When we say yes to Jesus, we become a new creature…a very small portion on our part, a huge work by God.
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