Burunche’s Blog

Matthew 27:1-31 The Soldiers Mock Jesus

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”

Face it, Roman soldiers loathed being assigned to Jerusalem. The Jews were a difficult people and their religion was strange to those following various cults. The Jewish religious leaders made no bones about their feelings of moral superiority over their Roman rulers. Jerusalem was far from Rome and the climate could also be harsh. So when this Galilean preacher appeared after his mock trial, the governor’s soldiers were ready for some rude fun. If they had to crucify this man, they were at least going to get some entertainment out of it.

Throughout the beatings and the mockings, Jesus never uttered a word. This silence frustrated the Romans, inciting them to beat and mock even more. Many preachers refuse to speak about this suffering for fear that they will frighten their congregations; however, throughout the world, faithful disciples are suffering in similar ways. The torture Jesus endured was part of the price he paid for the sins of the world, and if we ignore that price, we will be frustrated and miserable the day we too have to suffer.

If you have never heard of C.T. Studd, you have missed the example of a great disciple. Studd was a nationally acclaimed athlete, a cricket star, and served as a missionary in the China Inland Mission. After returning to England to regain his health, Studd happened to enter a Gospel Hall where someone was describing the horrors of the Belgian Congo. God used that speech to call Studd to found what he called The Heart of Africa Mission, which later morphed into Worldwide Evangelism Crusade. Although Studd was in his early 50’s, he left for the Belgian Congo, serving faithfully there for twenty more years. God used Studd to call many to true discipleship. Studd wrote extensively about the need for tough-minded dedicated disciples. “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” “Some want to live within the sound Of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop, Within a yard of hell.”

Matthew 27:32-44 The King on a Cross

Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. and when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.

Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:

“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.”

If the Lord we claim to serve died in such a cruel manner, why should we disciples assume that we are going to have things easy? Remember that as the Son of God, Jesus knew his tormentors and could have told them things about themselves not even they knew. But Jesus suffered quietly, despising the shame but enduring it.

Once more C. T. Studd shows us the way: “Let us not glide through this world and then slip quietly into heaven, without having blown the trumpet loud and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle.”

Many of us claiming to be disciples cherish the strange ideal that Jesus suffered so that we would not have to. Yes, Jesus paid for our sins with his blood; however, the suffering he paid for was the suffering of eternal damnation. We still must remain faithful to Jesus in this life, and that faithfulness sometimes comes at the cost of our lives. Hundreds of Christians in Northern Nigeria have been wiped out by Islamic militants attacking churches during Sunday services. Other believers in predominantly non-Christian countries have also laid down their lives for their faith. A faith that is not worth dying for isn’t much of a faith.

Let us consider the cross and remember the price of eternal love and salvation that Jesus has paid for us so that we will remain faithful when things become difficult. May God help us!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Help us to daily look to the cross, remembering the price Jesus has paid for our sins, so that we refuse to murmur or complain. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 27:1-26 Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

“When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Judas Hangs Himself

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”

And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”

Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.

But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

What did Judas expect? Why did Judas betray Jesus, only to change his mind when he realized that he had helped sign Jesus’ death warrant? Had Jesus caught Judas stealing from the common purse and confronted him? Had Judas reveled in secretly conspiring with top religious authorities, feeling that now he had certainly arrived? We will never know. We do know that Jesus washed Judas’ feet just as he did for all the other disciples and that Jesus himself gave Judas a piece of bread dipped in wine, a sign of brotherhood and trust.

Jesus Faces Pilate

“Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

What was Pilate thinking? Pilate’s wife tried to warn him to leave Jesus alone; however, Pilate feared for his position as governor and knew that he couldn’t trust King Herod or the religious authorities. Pilate undoubtedly ignored his wife’s warnings, feeling that women surely couldn’t understand complicated political affairs. Now Pilate was facing a mob whipped into a frenzy by agitators hired by the priests and elders. Rome would take a very dim view of any violence erupting in Jerusalem, that city with such a bad reputation for trouble makers. And Pilate was not the stuff of which heroes are made; the assignment to Jerusalem was one given to lesser rulers.

Taking the Place of Barabbas

“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.”  

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

Even though Pilate’s wife had warned him and even though Pilate himself realized Jesus was innocent and righteous, he feared the crowds and the censure of Rome. In the end, Pilate chose to save himself by releasing Barabbas.

We read these accounts and feel justified in criticizing Pilate, but would we have done any better had we been in his position? The Jews as a group had a reputation for being difficult and obstreperous. As a Roman, Pilate undoubtedly practiced some kind of religion; however, it obviously gave him nothing to fall back upon during a crisis. The true test of a believer does not come in the midst of a church service with other believers but in the market place, in the political arena, where voices clamor against the very things one holds dear.

Once Barabbas is released, we never hear of him again. Did Barabbas repent or did he continue his evil career, perhaps harming the very individuals who had demanded his release? And what about Judas? Even though we love to hate Judas as a traitor, Judas repented before he hung himself. If Jesus could pardon the thief on the cross, what about Judas? Will we see Judas in heaven?

Our view of the love of God is so constricted that we have no idea how much love God has for malefactors and criminals. We feel superior; yet, Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” We want to believe that we would have followed Jesus to Calvary along with the faithful women, but it’s just as likely that we might have been part of the crowd screaming, “Crucify him!” As disciples, once we truly face the evil nature of our own hearts, we can never again feel superior to anybody else, for we have the potential to commit unspeakable acts.

We must allow God to shine His Holy Spirit light throughout our spirits, showing us the dark corners we have been hiding. Unless God cleans us up, we too can betray Jesus like Judas. We too can bow to popular opinion like Pilate. And we too can be emotionally manipulated to persecute righteous people, just like the members of that crowd. May God deliver us from ourselves!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that in and of ourselves there is nothing good. We beg You to clean us up, to change our filthy hearts and minds and spirits for Your holiness. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 26:36 –46 The Prayer in the Garden

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

The disciples are totally exhausted! It’s been a trying week, starting with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to the adulation of the crowds, followed by Jesus doing intensive teaching-literally a cram course in discipleship-and then Jesus’ repeated predictions that he is about to die. The disciples are worried, tired, and emotionally drained. Now Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place where the disciples and he have met many times. Jesus selects Peter, James, and John to accompany him further into the garden; however, he also orders the remaining disciples to sit in one location while he goes off to pray. Jesus expects that these disciples will pray along with him, even while he is praying privately. Even if these disciples fail, Jesus hopes that Peter, James, and John will stay awake and support him in prayer.

Sadly, all the disciples, including the chosen three, fail completely, falling deeply asleep.

Little do the disciples realize that they need prayer for themselves as much as Jesus needs them to pray with him.

Many times, we feel quite superior about praying for others. We are more than willing to pray for THOSE PEOPLE, because we feel that they REALLY need prayer! As for us, we’re fine, thanks. We fail to realize that we may need prayer more than those for whom we are praying. God calls us to intercede for others because while we are praying, God can move in our lives just as much-or more- than in the lives of our friends.

Jesus has just informed the disciples that all of them are going to desert him; yet, the disciples are so sure of themselves that they succumb to sleep instead of praying. The results are described in the next portion of Scripture.

Matthew 26:47-56 Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane

“And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”

In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.”

The inevitable attack has come. Judas along with “a great multitude from the elders and high priests” arrive, and Judas betrays Jesus with the kiss that is normally a sign of brotherhood. One of the disciples makes a frenzied attempt at retaliation; however, Jesus rebukes him and submits to the arrest. The huge crowd screaming for Jesus’ blood, the torches, the violence-all is too much, and the disciples flee as rapidly as possible.

We read these accounts and feel somewhat smug. WE would NEVER have deserted Jesus…or would we? Sadly, any one of us might respond just as the disciples have done. Failing to pray for our friends and ourselves, failing to stay awake and watch when friends need us, crumpling under pressure-each one of us has the potential for similar failures. If we are honest, we can all think of times when we have failed ourselves and others.

There are many times when God allows us to encounter bad situations that test us beyond our own spiritual, emotional, and physical resources. God wants us to learn to depend on Him, rather than on ourselves. When we depend on God, He can give us strength and courage we would never have by ourselves. During my career as a missionary doctor, there have been many times when I have been forced to work alone, facing large numbers of needy patients and emergency operations. Looking back, I have no idea how I have survived those times, apart from the grace of God. Only God can give us that kind of strength and endurance.

There’s a popular saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” But the reality is that we all need the grace of God and everything that goes with it to survive and to successfully meet the challenges of such situations. Far better to remain humble and to rely on God for help than to try to do everything on our own and fall flat on our faces.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remain humble and to realize that You are our Source for strength, endurance, courage, and grace. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 26:31-Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

And so said all the disciples.”

Well, the celebration is over and now it’s time for some hard truth. Jesus warns the disciples that they are all going to desert him. We might wonder if this number really includes John, since John is at the high priest’s house and also at the crucifixion. But Jesus is not about to single out John, and we don’t know that kind of soul-searching John may have done between the trial and the crucifixion.

Why is Jesus warning his disciples about their coming desertion? Jesus knows that eventually the disciples will be so ashamed of themselves that if he does not warn them ahead of time, they may try to commit suicide or hide themselves in shame. Neither of those acts will help the infant church, so Jesus promises that he will meet them in Galilee.

What about Peter and his assertions of faithfulness? Jesus knows Peter well. Peter is rough and tough, although very loyal. But Jesus knows that even Peter is going to crumple under social pressure and the possibility that his family could be slaughtered because he is a follower of Jesus.

Here, Jesus sets us an important example Even though Jesus knows that even his own disciples with whom he has traveled, ministered, slept, played, laughed, and wept for three years will deny they have ever known him. In many respects, this betrayal is as painful as the physical suffering; yet, it is necessary, for Jesus must become the Lord of all who suffer for their faith. It’s not merely the sins of the world that Jesus is assuming but also the agony of betrayals.  

How can we survive when our nearest and dearest desert us and sell us out to our enemies? We must trust God, not humans. God is the only One who can give us peace and joy and God is the only One who will give us the strength to survive such sufferings. Let us beg God to help us, so that we will remain steadfast, no matter what.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remain faithful, even in the face of persecution or death. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 26:1-16 The Plot to Kill Jesus

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.”

Things are coming to a head, and the disciples are terrified! For weeks, rumors have been flying around Jerusalem that the religious authorities are going to find a way to murder Jesus, and the disciples fear they too might be slaughtered. Now Jesus is confirming those rumors, warning the disciples plainly that he will not only be murdered, but that he will be crucified like an evil criminal.

“What about us?” the disciples think. “Will we also be crucified?” Crucifixion is one of the most horrible deaths there is, for those being crucified will be hung on crosses in the morning and left to die for the rest of the day. Anyone surviving until evening will have their legs broken so that they can no longer rise up to gasp for air and will quickly suffocate after hanging in unspeakable torment for nearly twelve hours. While the rest of the disciples are worrying, Judas remains quite calm. Judas’ fellow disciples assume that Judas has more faith than they do. Nobody anticipates that Judas Iscariot, that smooth talker holding the money for the group, will sell out to Jesus’ enemies.

Things don’t get much better for the disciples when they come to the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. Obviously, Simon must be one of those whom Jesus has healed in the course of his ministry and is so grateful that he has invited Jesus and the disciples for a meal. A woman comes in with the alabaster flask of fragrant oil she has been saving for her own burial. The woman kneels before Jesus and then snaps the neck on the flask, anointing his head with the fragrant oil. When the disciples protest that she should have sold this and donated the money, Jesus informs them that the lady is anointing him for his burial. BURIAL??? Now the disciples are really worried!

Meanwhile, Judas is already scheming with the religious authorities to betray Jesus. While some authorities think Judas is doing this because he is unhappy with Jesus for not establishing an earthly kingdom, it’s far more likely that Judas is simply trying to save his own skin. After all, Judas has been stealing from the common treasury for years, building up a nest egg for the time when things will fall apart. Now that Jesus himself is foretelling his death, Judas wants a means of escape.

Ever since Jesus’ ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension, disciples have suffered for the sake of the cause of Christ. Sometimes there have been sudden attacks, such as the ones in Northern Nigeria. At other times, disciples have survived scrutiny for years, only to fall prey to a traitor acting in the spirit of Judas Iscariot. In some places, groups whisper praises to God rather than sing them to escape detection.

Reading the description of events surrounding Jesus’ arrest, conviction, death, and resurrection, it’s easy to see why all the disciples apart from John might have run away to hide. But throughout all these ordeals, John is the one who will follow Jesus in his mock trials, the beatings and scourgings, and the death march to Calvary. John is the one to whom Jesus will entrust the care of his mother Mary while hanging on the cross. This Galilean fisherman remains a model of steadfast faith, surpassing even that of Simon Peter. When Jesus is being interrogated in the house of Caiaphas, John is the one inside the hall while Peter remains outside, denying any association with Jesus.

What has made John different from the rest of the disciples? John has remained closer to Jesus than have any of the other disciples. John has spent more time with Jesus, has listened the most to Jesus, and has absorbed even more of Jesus’s character than the other disciples have.

If we study the rest of John’s life, we realize that it will be anything but peaceful. After traveling extensively for years to encourage various churches, John will be exiled to the Island of Patmos, where he will be favored by God to see the visions that will become the Book of Revelations. Traditionally, John is believed to have died in Ephesus and two rival sites vie for attention as the site of his tomb.

If we want to stand firm under persecution for the cause of Christ, we must copy John. We must spend time in prayer, in Bible study, and in meditation on God’s Word. We need to ask Jesus to remake us into his likeness. A faith that is built on spectacular events will dissipate as soon as there is any pressure. Vague warm feelings about Jesus being a good man or a great teacher do not constitute faith. We must truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he has come in the flesh, and that he has died on a cross for our sins, has been resurrected, and has risen into heaven. We must believe so strongly that even if someone threatens to kill us unless we reject Jesus, we will refuse to back down. May God help us so that we will stand firm, no matter what!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to become so close to You that people see You in us. Help us to remain firm and courageous in the face of threats and murder. And help us always and everywhere to bring glory to Your holy Name. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 25:31-46 The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Now Jesus is getting down to fundamentals. Disciples of Jesus will always be known for their love, mercy, and good works, particularly to those who cannot repay them in any fashion. But why does Jesus use the example of shepherds separating sheep from goats? Google gives this answer.

In Jesus’ time, shepherds would separate sheep from goats primarily because of their different grazing habits and behaviors: sheep tend to be more docile and follow the shepherd closely, while goats are more independent and can be disruptive to the flock, often straying to forage on different vegetation; this separation also helped manage different needs for grazing areas and allowed for better care of each animal type. 

Key points about the separation: 

• Different grazing needs: Sheep prefer short grass and lie down after eating, while goats browse for a variety of plants and can be more aggressive in their grazing habits. 
• Territorial behavior: Goats can be territorial and may push sheep away from good grazing spots. 
• Easier management: Sheep are generally more compliant and follow the shepherd, making it easier to herd them together.

Here the sheep represent obedient disciples who do the Will of their Heavenly Father while the goats persistent in disobedience. (Here GOAT is NOT an acronym for “greatest of all time.”)

Goats are rebellious. Throughout the Bible, God warns about rebellion. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 tells the sad story of how King Saul lost a kingdom through disobedience. Saul was supposed to have utterly destroyed the Amalekites, but he failed. The prophet Samuel told Saul, ““Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we exchange our goat nature for His sheep nature. How do human goats behave? Galatians 5:19-21 tells us, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Sometimes people pride themselves on being rebellious, feeling that by so doing they are standing up for themselves. Such people pride themselves on being ba-a-a-a-ad! But such an attitude is like going through life with the emergency brake stuck on; you can’t make much forward progress spiritually that way because you are rebelling against the One who created you.

So, what are the characteristics of faithful disciples? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Whose law are we talking about here? God’s law. God is the One who has created the universe and God is the One who gives us righteous laws.

Galatians 5:24-26 concludes: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Goats are territorial, selfish, and obnoxious, trying to rule over the sheep and preventing them from the grazing they like most.

The lesson for would-be disciples is crystal clear: live lives that demonstrate the Holy Spirit lives within you. Don’t be a goat, for people with goat-natures will never become disciples.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, please fill us with Your Holy Spirit and help us to be faithful so that we will live lives pleasing to our Master Jesus. In Jesus’ mighty and precious Name. Amen.

Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Jesus wants his disciples to be prepared for his death, resurrection, and particularly for his ascension. The disciples cannot dream of a time when Jesus will not be with them, but Jesus knows that time is approaching rapidly. Now Jesus tells another story to prepare the disciples.

A wealthy merchant is leaving for another country to do more trading and wants to bless three of his choicest servants. Notice that this man undoubtedly has a large retinue in his household but has singled these three out for special favors. One talent is equivalent to 6000 denarii, or 20 years’ wages for a day laborer. The servant who receives 5 talents is receiving the equivalent of 100 years’ wages for a day laborer, while the one receiving 2 talents is receiving 40 years’ worth, and the one receiving one talent, 20 years’ worth. Big money!

These men must have done outstanding work for the merchant for years to be trusted so much. The merchant understands that these three men do not have the same degree of ability, so he assigns different amounts to them, assuming that they will actively trade and report to him when he returns. The first two servants do very well, doubling the money left by the merchant. But the third fellow is a Gloomy Gus, one of those guys who can find a cloud for every silver lining rather than a silver lining in every cloud. Rather than being thrilled at the trust and favor the merchant has placed in him, this sourpuss digs a hole and hides the coins in it.

The day of reckoning comes, and the merchant returns. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

So far, so good. But what of the man who was given one talent? Had this man doubled the money entrusted to him, he would have received the same commendation as the first two. He could have received a kiss of peace and lived out the rest of his days in honor, but he has failed. “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.“

Why has the third servant messed up so badly? Despite long years of service, this poor man has refused to learn the true nature of his warm-hearted master. He also has wasted those years doing only what is necessary without realizing his own potential. The master has believed more in this servant than has the servant himself. Most sadly, this servant has failed to use all his God-given abilities to achieve as much as possible.

Jesus wants his disciples, both current and future, to learn to trust God and to use all the abilities that God has given them as much as possible. Even during the times when we might feel that we have absolutely nothing to work with, God has already provided for us.

In the burning bush interview with Moses in Exodus 3, God asks Moses, “What’s that in your hand?” Moses is holding his shepherd’s staff. God will use that staff to do miracles, but Moses must carry the staff and hold it up or out when God directs him to do so. It’s likely that when God asks Moses “What’s that in your hand?” Moses’ first reaction is, “Huh?” Moses has all kinds of excuses why he’s not the right person to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. “Here am I, Lord, send Aaron!” But God wants to use Moses and his staff.

During our years on the mission field, many times we have found ourselves in a situation akin to that of Moses. We might feel we have nothing to work with; meanwhile, God is insisting that we re-examine our situation. And each time we have reluctantly reassessed our resources, we have found something small that we have yet to use. When we have begun using whatever God has given us, He gives us more and better equipment or resources. But we must make the start. We will get nothing if we don’t make an attempt to work.

In 1924 Kittie L. Suffield wrote a poem that has become a treasured hymn.

“Little IS Much When God Is in It”

1 In the harvest field now ripened

There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.

Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.

2 Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own. [Refrain]

3 When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child, well done!”  

Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for the abilities that You have given us. Help us to use those abilities to Your glory, recognizing that You are the One who will provide for us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.”

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Jesus continues to warn his disciples that they must be prepared for his return at all times, so why is he using the example of a wedding? In Jesus’ time, the father of the groom controls the day and hour for the wedding. While the bride prepares her trousseau and the groom prepares a living place for them, only the father of the bridegroom knows the exact time when the wedding will take place, for he will suddenly announce it. Jesus uses the example of ten virgins because that is the usual number for a bridal party.

In Jesus’ story, there are five wise girls and five foolish girls who only think about the next party they’ll attend. The five wise girls are prudent and have brought extra oil for their lamps, while the other five are thinking only of how much fun they will have at the wedding and haven’t any extra oil. Carrying oil containers means more work, and they might spill oil on their party outfits. These latter five assume that bridegrooms have always been on time before, so no problem. Besides, surely someone will recognize them. But the bridegroom in the story gets delayed, only arriving at midnight. The bridal party is supposed to escort the groom into the wedding ceremony, carrying their lighted lamps; however, now the five foolish girls’ lamps are going out. By the time the party girls return with oil, the doors to the home where the wedding is taking place are shut; after all, it’s midnight. The five foolish girls are left out in the dark.

Jesus always uses examples that everyone can relate to, and this parable is no exception. The warning is clear; God the Heavenly Father is the only One who controls the day and hour when Jesus will return.

What does the oil represent? David Guzik in his Enduring Word Commentary says this:

 In many Biblical passages oil, is an emblem of the Holy Spirit (such as Zechariah 4:1-7). Without oil the wedding party was not ready for the bridegroom. Without the Holy Spirit, no one is ready for the return of Jesus.

i. Olive oil is a good representation of the Holy Spirit for many reasons.

· Oil lubricates when used for that purpose – there is little friction and wear among those who are lubricated by the Spirit of God.

· Oil heals and was used as a medicinal treatment in Biblical times (Luke 10:34) – the Spirit of God brings healing and restoration.

· Oil lights when it is burned in a lamp – where the Spirit of God is, there is light.

· Oil warms when it is used as fuel for a flame – where the Spirit of God is, there is warmth and comfort.

· Oil invigorates when used to massage – the Holy Spirit invigorates us for His service.

· Oil adorns when applied as a perfume – the Holy Spirit adorns us and makes us more pleasant to be around.

· Oil polishes when used to shine metal – the Holy Spirit wipes away our grime and smooths out our rough edges.

ii. No one can be a true Christian without the indwelling Holy Spirit, as it says in Romans 8:9: Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. In this parable Jesus probably did not intend a separation between “Spirit-filled” and “Non-Spirit-filled” Christians; the distinction is likely between true Christians and false believers. (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-25/)

The message for all of us claiming to be disciples of Jesus is simple: We must be ready. We must welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives, be guided by the Holy Spirit, and be faithful to work as the Holy Spirit inspires us. Disciples draw their strength from the Holy Spirit and work guided by the Holy Spirit. As long as we are truly serving Jesus, God will send the Holy Spirit to give us fresh oil and fresh anointing.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Please let Your blessed Holy Spirit fill us and lead us so that we may do the work You have to do for us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.