Tuesday, January 19
Read Matthew 16
Think About It:
- Verses 5-12 is a metaphor comparing leaven (yeast) to the pride and corruption that the religious leaders demonstrated and exemplified in their dangerous and negative teachings. Jesus’ words tell us that if we don’t understand something, we need to remember: remember His miracles, His answers to our prayers, remember His promises to us, remember His faithfulness to His Word and to His people throughout time – seeing things from God’s perspective always opens our understanding! The kingdom of God is often the opposite from what we see and hear in this world. That is why we need time in His presence and in His Word everyday – to see from His perspective, seated with Him in heavenly places. The spiritual realm is unshakeable. This temporal world is not a trustworthy perspective. Prioritize eternal over temporal, spiritual disciplines over the distractions of this world and tune your eyes and ears to heaven.
- Matthew 16:19 is a powerful weapon in the Christian’s arsenal. We often underestimate the power of our words, our authority when we pray in the name of Jesus and the importance of our prayers. Jesus demonstrated His spiritual authority throughout the gospels: rebuking a demon in Mark 1:25, loosing a man’s tongue in Mark 7:35-37, and He also spoke of binding the “strong man” in Matthew 12:29. In Christ Jesus, we have spiritual authority (the keys to the Kingdom) over all the powers of Satan – to bind his power and loose people from his power. Think of yourself as one with authority, because of Jesus! When you pray, think of ways to assert this authority to bind (forbid) things that the enemy seems to have control of in your life or the lives of your loved ones. Also, “loose” (permit) those things that are in alignment with the will of God (abundant life, perfect health, provision, protection, peace, joy, love). Romans 4:17 says we should call things into being even before we see it in the natural, by faith (Abraham believed God could raise the dead and call into being things not yet in existence). And the Bible tells us whenever we request things according to His will, He will hear us, and we know we have obtained the requests we ask of Him! (I John 5:14-15). We have the privilege of practicing this in our prayers every day!
Family Time:
- Yeast is put into bread to make it rise (get bigger) and it takes only a little to affect a whole batch of dough. In verse 12, Jesus used yeast as an example of how a small amount of evil can affect a large group of people. Make a loaf of bread. See how little amount of yeast is needed to affect the dough.
- If Jesus were to ask you, “Am I your Lord and Messiah?”, how would you answer? (verses 13-17)
