Burunche’s Blog

Matthew 4:23-25 Jesus Heals the Sick

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

What was the Decapolis in Jesus’ time? The name means “ten cities,” but where was this area located? The Decapolis was a group of ten cities in the eastern Roman Empire, primarily located in the southeastern Levant, which includes parts of modern-day Jordan, Israel, and Syria. The Decapolis was situated east of the Sea of Galilee, with one city, Scythopolis, located west of the Jordan River. It was characterized by a shared Greco-Roman cultural influence amidst predominantly Semitic surroundings. The cities served as a backdrop for the spread of Jesus’ teachings and the early Christian message, highlighting the interaction between Jewish and Gentile populations. The Decapolis was a center of Hellenistic culture in a region which was otherwise populated by Jews, Arab Nabataeans and Arameans. The cities formed a group because of their language, culture, religion, location, and political status, with each functioning as an autonomous city-state dependent on Rome… The Decapolis region is located in modern-day Jordan (Philadelphia, Gerasa, Pella and Gadara), Israel (Scythopolis and Hippos) and Syria (Raphana, Dion, Canatha and Damascus). (Information primarily from Wikipedia)

Why does Matthew mention Jesus’ appeal to the citizens of the ten cities of the Decapolis? Prior to Jesus’ coming, there were some Jews in these ten cities; however, the religions of this area included Greek worship, Roman worship, worship in traditional deities, and any other beliefs that might have come in along with merchants and others. Whichever religions people were practicing there, obviously, they remained spiritually starved. When word spread of a new preacher doing miracles, people flocked to hear Jesus because they had practiced the rituals of their own religions for years without witnessing any improvements, any changes, or any healings or deliverances. People wanted to witness the power of God, and they flocked from their homes to the Galilee to see Jesus.

While many Jewish religious leaders assumed that the Messiah would only come for the Jews and scorned those coming to Jesus, God had different plans. As people gathered wherever Jesus was preaching, they learned about the true Kingdom of God rather than the dry teachings of the scribes and pharisees. Revival was breaking out, whether or not the Jewish religious authorities approved.

Currently, revival is gripping France. According to the website pilgrimdispatch.com, France is undergoing a religious shift that few in its secular establishment saw coming. After decades of marginalizing public expressions of faith through rigid secularism, known as laïcité, a grassroots revival is underway. Evangelical Christianity, especially among African immigrant communities, is surging in both numbers and public visibility. According to the Conseil national des évangéliques de France, a new evangelical church is opening approximately every ten days. The number of self-identified evangelicals now approaches one million. (https://www.pilgrimdispatch.com/new-church-every-ten-days-frances-evangelical-boom-breaks-secular-narrative/)

Sweden is also experiencing revival, particularly among its young people. After decades of constant prayer for revival, Swedish Christians are seeing God move. Church attendance among young people has doubled in four years. In a post on the CBN website dated 9/10/2026, Dale Hurd mentions revivals breaking out in other parts of Europe as well.

SIGNS OF REVIVAL ACROSS EUROPE: 

• 60,000 Christians Rally for Jesus in One of the World’s Most Secular Countries
• Thousands ‘Give Their Lives to Jesus’ in Stuttgart as Revival Reaches Germany
• ‘Fire of Revival’ Spreads in Europe as Thousands Pack Stadiums in Hungary and Italy
• 25,000 Flood Streets of Paris to March for Jesus, Many ‘Saved, Healed, Baptized in the Holy Spirit’

Online searches into other countries show a similar pattern in many places, including U.K., where many churches have become mosques. The move in U.K. has been dubbed a “quiet awakening,” for it is happening in diverse places under diverse conditions.

What do all those repenting in these various countries have in common with the citizens of the ancient Decapolis? Those coming into the Kingdom are ethnically diverse, coming from a variety of religious backgrounds, including no religious practices at all. Ethnicity, finances, education, none of these things appears to be a common denominator. The main thing is that these people are starving for real experiences of the Lord God of the Universe, who has power to heal, to drive out demons, and to change lives forever.

Later, Jesus would teach that the new truths of the Kingdom of God required new containers, just as new wine had to be stored in new wine skins that could still stretch. As these new converts come to Jesus, new churches are forming with healings and baptisms in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is still doing new things, and people are coming, just as did the citizens of the Decapolis.

Nobody is beyond the reach of God, and we must remember that we are God’s messengers of love to all those around us. May God help us, so that we will live and pray in such a way that revival will break out around us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we praise You for the revivals that are breaking out throughout the world. Help us to be instruments of Your grace, Your love, and Your peace. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

We are studying Jesus’ early ministry and the events that took place leading up to the Sermon on the Mount. One of the confusing things about the four Gospels is the parts where the writers agree and then the parts they leave out. The time lines are different, depending on which Gospel you read. An AI summary gives us this insight:

The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—offer distinct perspectives on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Each Gospel has unique themes, audiences, and styles, contributing to a fuller understanding of Jesus’ message.

Overview of Each Gospel

• Matthew: Written primarily for a Jewish audience, it emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It includes the Sermon on the Mount and focuses on Jesus’ teachings and parables.
• Mark: The shortest Gospel, Mark presents a fast-paced narrative of Jesus’ ministry, highlighting His actions and miracles. It portrays Jesus as the suffering servant and emphasizes His humanity.
• Luke: Known for its detailed accounts and emphasis on compassion, Luke addresses a Gentile audience. It includes unique parables like the Good Samaritan and emphasizes social justice and the role of women.
• John: Distinct in style and content, John focuses on the divinity of Christ, using symbolic language and deep theological insights. It includes the famous “I am” statements and emphasizes the relationship between Jesus and the Father.

Comparative Themes

• Miracles: All Gospels recount miracles, but the nature and number vary. Mark emphasizes action, while John focuses on the significance behind the miracles.
• Teachings: Matthew and Luke share many parables, while John presents more extended discourses.
• Passion Narrative: All Gospels detail the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, but the accounts differ in emphasis and detail.

Conclusion
The four Gospels, while telling the same story, provide a rich tapestry of perspectives that enhance the understanding of Jesus’ life and mission.

Luke 4:31-37 Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath, he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power, he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

Before Jesus spoke in the synagogue at Nazareth, frustrating the home town crowd, he was already healing people and delivering them from demons. Now Luke describes some of these incidents. Even though there are strict rules about who can enter the synagogue and who cannot, a demon-possessed man has joined the congregation. Why is this possible?

Before working in Ghana, we had encountered an occasional demon-possessed person on the streets of New York City. We would walk down the street, only for a street person to suddenly begin verbally attacking us. When we described the problem to Christian friends, they informed us that those individuals were likely demon-possessed and they were responding to the Holy Spirit in us. Then we began work in Ghana. One of the chief people with whom we worked during our first missionary term was a poor fellow who had been dedicated to a powerful fetish from his mother’s womb. We soon learned that the demons would hide, allowing the man to appear perfectly harmless, convincing some fellow missionaries that we were sadly mistaken. At other times when we were alone with this man, the demons would manifest themselves, causing him to go into rages, shrieking at us. It’s likely that the demon-possessed man in Capernaum appeared quite normal as he entered the synagogue, only for the demons to later react to the Holy Spirit in Jesus. Jesus took authority over the demon, freeing the man. Next, Luke describes Jesus healing people.

Luke 4:38-44 Jesus Heals Many

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Nothing like these healings and deliverances had ever been seen before. Despite the disappointment and frustration of the Nazarenes, Jesus kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea. Wherever Jesus went, people begged him to stay-after all, why not? Nobody had ever spoken to them as Jesus was doing. Nobody had demonstrated the love of God so clearly. Undoubtedly, there were people crying, “Jesus, don’t leave us!” But Jesus knew he was called to as many cities as possible, and he kindly refused and went on to the next town.

We have a blessing that those people could not enjoy. Because Jesus went to the cross on Calvary and because he died and rose from the dead, God has sent His Holy Spirit into the world to be with us. John 14:15-21 tells us, 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

A favorite worship chorus says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” Because Jesus lives, because God’s Holy Spirit is with us, we can face whatever might come. As we pray, as we study God’s Word, and as we seek to do His Will, the Holy Spirit will help us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to be with us. Help us to remain in contact with You as we pray. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

Matthew 4:18-22 The First Disciples

18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

So, Jesus has been baptized and God has confirmed his position as His beloved Son. Jesus has endured a prolonged fast, culminating in Satan attempting to lure him away from his God-given purpose. And Jesus has begun quietly preaching and teaching and baptizing. There’s no doubt that Jesus needs helpers, but look at the first helpers he calls!

Later on, Mark interviews Peter, who gives him a first-hand account of this scene. Mark 1:20 tells the same story. 16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Although Andrew and Peter and James and John worked in their family fishing businesses, how wealthy were fishermen at that time?  The Bible Odyssey website gives this answer:

Fishing was a fundamental part of the embedded agrarian economy of first-century Galilee. This region was ruled by Herod Antipas; a client king of the Romans. An “embedded” economy was one in which questions of production, processing, trade, and their regulation could not be separated from politics, religion, and family or village life. There was no free market that functioned independently from other dimensions of society, and little if any upward mobility. Most peasant fishing families were poor and lived at subsistence level, while a small minority of elites held the bulk of wealth and power. Fishing licenses were required for access to certain areas, and fishers needed various raw materials such as wood for their boats and flax for their nets. Evidently, families had to occasionally hire day laborers for assistance with the haul (Mark 1:19-20). Fish processors and distributors were required to pay taxes for the product and tolls for its transport. A reference to processed fish, opsarion, appears in John 6: 9-11. https://www.bibleodyssey.org/articles/fishing-economy-in-the-sea-of-galilee/

These four fishermen were young and strong; however, they were likely peasants living close to a subsistence level. In addition, these men likely had had only a rudimentary education, with their fathers pulling them out of school as soon as they were big and strong enough to help in the fishing business. While fishermen would be quite wise about weather, water conditions, and anything else pertaining to their trade, they would be considered uneducated by the scribes and teachers. But these men were far from stupid, and they were spiritually hungry.

So, if Jesus was looking for disciples, why was it that the first four men he called were poorly educated fishermen? The answer is simple: God told him to do so. There’s this amazing thing about God; He isn’t impressed by social status, education, wealth, or by any human standards of success. When God sent Samuel to Jesse’s family in Bethlehem to anoint a new king, Samuel looked at Jesse’ seven strong handsome sons and assumed that God would select one of them, but God didn’t. Instead, God selected David, the eighth son, the youngest and smallest. 1 Samuel 16:6-7 explains God’s reasoning: 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God knew the hearts of Andrew, Peter, James, and John. Later, John will give more information in his Gospel. Evidently, Andrew had become a disciple of John the Baptist. When John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Messiah, Andrew and another of John’s disciples engaged Jesus in conversation all that day. John 1:41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter [Rock]).

Eventually, Jesus would select disciples from varying walks of life, including Matthew, a well-educated local tax collector. The women who followed Jesus included Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household as well as many others who helped support the ministry out of their own resources. But Jesus began with four tough, stubborn, loyal fishermen. Eventually, Peter, James, and John would accompany Jesus to the Mount of Transfiguration as well as the Garden of Gethsemane. These men would also become leaders in the early church. James, son of Zebedee and faithful to the end, would become the first disciple martyred for his faith by Herod Agrippa in 44 A.D.

Why is this story so important for us? Why should it encourage us? Remember what God told Samuel? God looks at hearts, not social position, wealth, or success in any form. Jeremiah 29:13 tells us, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” God calls each one of us to Himself, and He can use anyone who will seek Him with all their heart. Today, God wants you to know that you are His special treasure and that He is calling you as surely as Jesus called those fishermen on the sea shore. Why not let God into your heart? You will never regret it, for you will never be the same.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we do long for You and we want Your love, Your joy, Your peace in our hearts. Please forgive us our sins and help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 4:14-30 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

25 “Certainly, there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Well! If Jesus wanted to start his ministry with a bang, he’s certainly succeeded. Jesus enters the synagogue wearing all the right garments, and the rulers of the synagogue honor him by requesting he read from the Haftorah. God has arranged it so the Haftorah portion is from Isaiah 61:1-2 and 58:6. So far, so good. Everyone is basking in the words of a well-loved prophet, even if he was originally martyred for his prophecies. Now if Jesus will just give a standard commentary on these verses, the service can conclude and everyone can go home to enjoy a Sabbath meal. And that’s when things go sideways.

Finley Peter Dunne was a Chicago newspaper columnist writing political commentary in the early part of the twentieth century. To make his sharp observations palatable, Dunne spoke through the voice of Mr. Dooley, a fictional Irish bar tender, whose pungent remarks delighted millions of readers. In 1902, Dunne had Mr. Dooley remark that “The newspaper does everything for us. It runs the police force and the banks, commands the militia, controls the legislature, baptizes the young, marries the foolish, comforts the afflicted, afflicts the comfortable, buries the dead and roasts them afterward.” Finley Peter Dunne was not solemnly describing the duties of a newspaper; instead, he was comically outlining the comprehensive power of newspapers of that era. Today, we might say the same thing about social media in all its hydra-headed forms.

This sermon Jesus gave in the synagogue at Nazareth is the first recorded message we have, and Jesus certainly is not mincing words. This is not the first sermon Jesus has given, for Luke indicates that he’s been traveling throughout the Galilee preaching and teaching in synagogues and “being praised by everyone.” The elders at Nazareth feel they should be in for a treat; after all, this is their home town boy. Surely, Jesus will give his friends and relatives something special. Instead, Jesus comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.

Jesus gives the listeners at the Nazareth synagogue something special alright; however, by the time he is done, they’re so incensed that they want to drag him out and throw him off a cliff. Jesus first scandalizes his listeners by claiming he is the Messiah. The men in the synagogue gasp! Wait a minute! These guys know Jesus’ entire family. How can he claim to be Messiah? And where did this man get the eloquence and authoritative manner in which he speaks? Didn’t they all attend the same temple school? This guy is a carpenter, not a scribe. But what really incenses these men is Jesus’ refusal to perform any miracles. Sure, today is the Sabbath, but what about tomorrow? Can’t Jesus just promise to do a few miracles tomorrow? Heal a few lepers? Deliver a few people from demons? This is ridiculous! Everyone in Nazareth has already heard of the marvelous healings and deliverances Jesus has accomplished in Capernaum. Capernaum, for goodness’ sake! If Jesus can do all those great things somewhere else, what fantastic things might he do in Nazareth? Doesn’t Jesus think the people whom he has known for years deserve something special? “Come on, Jesus! Show us what you’ve got!”

Instead of miracles, Jesus rebukes the crowd, quoting a long-standing proverb that no prophet is accepted in his home town. Say what? Jesus has already heard the muttering and mumbling from the congregation, and he knows this bunch will be the last people to believe in his true calling. Jesus wants them to know that his ministry is not for sale, neither is it for show.

The congregation turns into a mob, seething for action. The strongest men seize Jesus and drag him out to the top of a cliff, now roughly 2 km from the modern city center. But just as the mob is about to throw Jesus off, something happens. Suddenly the men holding Jesus release him and he simply walks right through the crowd and out of town. Centuries earlier, Isaiah would prophesy, “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” Later, John, the disciple who becomes closest to Jesus will write, “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.”  

Even before coming to Nazareth, Jesus knows his own people will not listen, so why choose Nazareth as the place at which to reveal himself as Messiah? What we must remember is that Jesus is taking orders from his Heavenly Father. The people of Capernaum love Jesus, so common sense might dictate that Jesus should have made this announcement in Capernaum. But Jesus is also bound to fulfill Scripture. The full quote from Isaiah 53:1-6 says this:

1 Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?
2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

Jesus comes to Nazareth, already knowing that he will be rejected. But Jesus is obeying his Heavenly Father. Jesus has already faced temptation in the wilderness; now he must face a different kind of temptation: the temptation to temper his message to remain popular. Jesus succeeds in overcoming this temptation as well, even to the point of nearly being killed. But today is not Jesus’ day to die, and at some point, God confuses his captors, allowing Jesus to simply walk through the crowd and go elsewhere.  

This story should serve as a cautionary tale for those of us claiming to spread the Gospel. Are we sticking to the teachings of Jesus, or are we watering things down in hopes of gaining more followers? We must always remember that we are presenting Jesus and not ourselves and allow his teachings to shine forth.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remain true to You, no matter the cost. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 4:12-17 The Ministry of Jesus Begins

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” [Isaiah 9:1-2]

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. [or is coming soon]”

Yesterday, we considered the temptations Jesus endured in preparation for ministry. Today, we consider the next question: How did Jesus know when to begin ministry? John’s Gospel states that Jesus began baptizing and teaching once he returned from the wilderness. This news upset John the Baptist’s disciples, who had assumed that John was the only person authorized to baptize. When John the Baptist’s disciples went to him to report what this upstart was doing, they were shocked at John’s answer. John 3:23-31 describes the scene.

“23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

YIPES! Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. Until now, John the Baptist’s disciples have prided themselves on their choice to follow John, the primo prophet and his teaching. If ever there is a way to become holy, surely serving this embodiment of the Prophet Elijah must be it. Not that John’s disciples have tried to flaunt themselves, you understand, but they have remained in the shadows, trying to appear humble while basking in reflected glory. Now “everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

One of the hardest things for many ministers, many missionaries, many workers in any field to do is to recognize when someone new appears and begins to attract all the attention that previously went to them. Church planters must wrestle with this problem, for it takes one kind of person to plant a church while it might take an entirely different personality to grow the church. An AI search of problems in handing over reveals the following: Determining when to hand over leadership in church planting is crucial for sustainability. This transition can arise due to various factors such as calling, crisis, burnout, or retirement. Planning for this moment is essential, as many church planters often focus on the initial establishment without considering future leadership transitions.

Key Considerations

• Timing: Recognizing the right moment for transition is vital. This could be when the church reaches a certain size, or the planter feels they can no longer lead effectively.
• Preparation: Developing a succession plan early can help ensure a smooth transition. This includes identifying potential leaders and providing them with mentorship.
• Communication: Open dialogue with the congregation about the transition can foster trust and support.
• Support Systems: Establishing a support network for the new leader can help them succeed in their role.

John the Baptist was well aware of his calling, for God had revealed it to him during those quiet years with the Essenes. But John also knew his limitations and realized that he was preparing the way for someone far greater, for the Messiah. John 3:27-31 contains part of John’s answer. 27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.”

John had witnessed the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus during his baptism, a sure sign that Jesus was God’s son and that God was about to do something magnificent with him. John feels Jesus is the Messiah. As of now, Jesus has begun work in Judea, but God is about to give Jesus a sign that it’s time to change his focus. Matthew 4:12 “When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.”

Up to now, John the Baptist has been preaching, teaching, and baptizing. But John has infuriated Herod. John’s imprisonment is primarily due to his bold denunciation of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Herod has unlawfully taken Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, as his own. John, adhering to the moral and legal standards of the Mosaic Law, publicly condemns this union. In Mark 6:18, John is recorded as saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” This rebuke angers Herodias, who holds a grudge against John and seeks to kill him. However, Herod fears John, recognizing him as a righteous and holy man, and thus initially protects him, albeit by imprisoning him.

(https://biblehub.com/topical/naves/i/imprisonment_of_john_the_baptist.htm)

God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace. As long as John is working in one location, Jesus continues to work somewhere else. But once John is imprisoned, Jesus moves to the Galilee to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah 9:1-2. “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” [Isaiah 9:1-2]

Jesus takes up God’s message where John has left off, urging people to repent because the Kingdom of Heaven is coming soon. Once John is imprisoned, Jesus moves back into Galilee, where he is from originally. What’s so important about Galilee?

In the Bible, Galilee was referred to as “Galilee of the Gentiles” due to its diverse population. This region, historically significant in ancient Israel, was home to many non-Jewish inhabitants, including Phoenicians, Syrians, and Sidonians. The term reflects the area’s demographic diversity, which was notable during biblical times. While Judea was predominantly Jewish, Galilee was a cultural melting pot, making it a strategic location in which Jesus could reach several different cultures simultaneously.

The chorus to Kenny Rogers’ famous country song “The Gambler,” advises us, “You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.”  John the Baptist knows that he has done his part and now Jesus has come to continue. God allows John to be imprisoned so that his disciples will turn and follow the Messiah, God’s Son, rather than persisting in following John.

May all of us who are in ministry be willing to follow John’s example-preferably without being imprisoned or beheaded!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to recognize when it’s time for us to hand over to others so that You might lead us into some new and different work. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” (Psalm 91:11-12)

7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” (Deuteronomy 6:16)

8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’[Deuteronomy 6:13]”

11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

It sounds crazy. Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist at the Jordan River, and God has sent His Holy Spirit down as a dove showing His divine approval. God has even thundered from heaven, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Sounds as if Jesus should be ready to lace up his sandals and jump into ministry, right? After all, God has graphically demonstrated His favor, so what more might Jesus possibly need? Many of us would be ready to strut off, assuming God is about to give us a wonderful ministry. But it’s at this point that the same Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness.

Why? What’s the point? There’s nothing out there in the Judean wilderness apart from sand, rock, a lot of heat, and whatever animals survive there. By day, the sun is scorching hot, and at night, Jesus must find shelter in a cave to remain warm. There’s no food out there, although there is water, so Jesus has nothing to eat for forty days, nearly six weeks. And then, when Jesus is weak from hunger, Satan shows up to tempt Jesus.

Notice something: God ALLOWS Satan to show up. God doesn’t merely send Jesus into the wilderness, but God already knows Satan will come, hitting Jesus when he is most vulnerable…and God has already planned that encounter. Why? What’s so important about the three choices Satan dangles before Jesus? We need to examine those choices carefully, for they present themselves to anyone in ministry, not once but repeatedly.

1. The choice to take care of yourself first. After forty days of fasting, Jesus is very hungry. Now Satan suggests to Jesus that if Jesus is REALLY the Son of God, he prove it by turning some stones into bread. Actually, Jesus might have turned stones to bread at any point during the forty days; however, he has refrained. Satan probably says something along the lines of “Look you’ve completed your forty-day fast successfully. Isn’t it time to think about yourself a little? Go ahead, treat yourself. After all, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to minister.” Satan employs just enough truth to sound really convincing, even concerned.

The temptation to care for ourselves first remains throughout ministry. Years before we entered missions, one missionary of our acquaintance raised funds for a vehicle, only for the head of the mission to commandeer those funds because his support had fallen short. Such redirection of funds without donor approval constitutes breach of contract, but the abuse occurred anyway. Such temptations never disappear, and the choice to be selfish can seem totally reasonable. Now Jesus answers Satan, “‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” By this statement, Jesus is giving God his Heavenly Father the option to feed him or not. Not only is Jesus referring to the Word of God as Scripture, but also to an individual word from God. God has directed Jesus to fast, and Jesus is leaving God to direct him when and where to break that fast, a decision in which Satan has no part.

• The temptation to test divine protection. Recently, news has come about the sufferings of Christians in Northern Nigeria, Southern Sudan, and other parts of the world. These people died for their faith, not because they were doing something extraordinary but because they were engaged in normal activities such as weekly worship. But what about a minister or missionary who takes unnecessary risks or who puts an undue emphasis on church growth and winning above all else? In an article on the Firebrand website entitled “Church Leadership Scandals and the Miracle of Ordinary Faithfulness,” Matt Reynolds makes an important point. “Cheryl Bridges Johns noted on Twitter several years ago, “The move from an emphasis on discipleship to an emphasis on leadership has cost us a generation or two. It created some ‘leaders’ who were never disciples.”  https://firebrandmag.com/articles/church-leadership-scandals-and-the-miracle-of-ordinary-faithfulness

“Leaders who were never disciples…” OUCH! Discipleship demands we humble ourselves and learn from God, constantly subjecting our will to His perfect Will, and practicing self-discipline, refraining from promoting ourselves. Jesus spent the first thirty years of his life as a disciple, not as a leader. Now in that desert, when Satan is suggesting Jesus test God’s divine protection, Jesus refuses, not because God does not protect but because testing God is fundamentally wrong and a violation of His nature. Jesus remains a disciple and he respects God, his Master.

• The temptation to gain earthly power quickly by worshiping Satan rather than God.

Jesus has already undergone baptism at the Jordan and the Holy Spirit has rested on him. It’s likely that Jesus’ face shines with the glory and love of God, rendering him incredibly attractive to those around him. If Jesus were to enter ministry without facing this temptation, he might fail, and all mankind with him.

Here, the temptation is to take a shortcut to success, and nobody is immune. Nobody wakes up one morning thinking, “I’m going to follow Satan today!” There are many gifted Christian workers at all levels with charismatic personalities-ministers, missionaries, youth leaders, and others. All of these people have incredible influence over others. The test of a ministry is simple: does this man or woman point you to God, or do they encourage you to honor them instead, viewing them as your way to God? One of the challenges we face during fund raising is to give glory to God for what He is doing rather than featuring information about ourselves. Once more, the comment about “leaders who were never disciples” becomes relevant. The problem is simple: If leaders FAIL to remain disciples, ultimately, their ministries will also fail.

So, we see that God sent Jesus into the wilderness to confront the temptations he would face during his ministry. Each time a new temptation arose, Jesus countered it with appropriate Scripture, remaining grounded and humble. Jesus used Scripture appropriately while Satan twisted it, but Jesus knew the difference. Jesus also relied on God to help him and not on any power he had, even though he was the Son of God. May God help us, so that we will remain humble disciples, handling God’s Word properly, and allowing God to be our defense. Temptations will always come, but God will always be there if we allow Him to.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to continue to be disciples all our lives. Thank You for sending Jesus to show us how to handle temptation. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Today, we’re going to begin a new study series based on the things Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds that came to him. First, a little background. Jesus is now 30 years old and has been working as a carpenter/stone mason with his father Joseph for years. But now something new is happening in Judea; Jesus’ cousin John has begun preaching, teaching, and baptizing people, earning the nickname John the Baptist. People are excited, thrilled, and frightened in equal measure. There hasn’t been a prophet in Israel since the prophet Malachi 400 years earlier. And look at the last prophecy Malachi has given: “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6)

All Jesus’ life has led up to this point, for Jesus has been aware of his calling as God’s Son since he was born. But God the Father has instructed Jesus to wait until the prophet foretold by Malachi appears. Now word has reached the village of Nazareth that something amazing is happening. We find the story in Matthew 3:1-12.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”

4 John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts* and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

Word has already reached Jesus that John has been spending lots of time with the Essenes in their desert location. Now John has moved into ministry. John is living on locusts and wild honey. Locusts are considered clean according to Jewish dietary laws, and they are a common food source in the region. Why does the Bible mention John’s diet? This information indicates that John was trying to live as pure a life as possible. For years, people have shrunk back when considering John’s diet; however, these days, many commercially prepared foods contain insect powder. An AI search reveals the following: Many foods currently contain powdered insects, often without consumers realizing it. Insect powders, such as cricket and mealworm powder, are increasingly used in various food products due to their high protein content and sustainability benefits. Such foods include protein bars, chips and crackers, baked goods, and even smoothies and shakes.

Now Jesus has traveled from Nazareth to the Jordan River near Bethany beyond the Jordan. This location is traditionally identified as Al-Maghtas, situated on the eastern bank of the river in modern-day Jordan, across from Jericho.  God is moving Jesus to come to John for baptism as a form of anointing for service.

Matthew 3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Notice something. Even though Jesus knows He is the Son of God and that he has been called to preach and teach, he still submits himself to John for baptism. John is horrified, for he first sensed Jesus while both of them were in their mother’s wombs, and he knows Jesus is the Son of God. But God has instructed Jesus to come to John as a form of submission. In a way, being willing to undergo baptism is also a test, for if Jesus refuses to submit himself to John in baptism, any further ministry will be worthless.

So, John and Jesus enter the water, John immerses Jesus, and then God sends the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and resting on Jesus. In addition, God calls from heaven, proclaiming, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Why is God’s approval so necessary? The human side of Jesus needs reassurance that he is doing the right thing, that he has been called and set apart. The divine side of Jesus needs this reassurance because he knows he must undergo severe testing before he will be allowed to enter into ministry.

What a magnificent thing for God to say! “…my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” How many of us have longed for our earthly parents to say something similar, and how few of us have heard them say such things? One of the fundamental messages in the Smalley/Trent book The Blessing is that many of us have never received blessings from our parents because they never received blessings from their parents and therefore have no idea how to give them.

But here’s the most wonderful thing: God wants to say the same thing about each one of us, that each of us is His “loved son/daughter, who brings Him great joy.” Many times, we look at ourselves and doubt whether or not we give joy to anybody. We are acutely conscious of our failings, and we’re honest enough to doubt that God can possibly take joy in us at all. Yet, God tells us in Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.’”

How can a holy and righteous God possibly rejoice over sinful people, even to the point of singing songs over them? The difference stems from the gap between human love and divine love. Most of our love is conditional: I’ll love you, IF… But God’s love is unconditional; He already knows our failings and yet He loves us anyway. We struggle to believe such a thing is possible because we know we fail routinely. But Jesus has come to free us from our sins, to deliver us from the consequences, and to perfect us into the Image of God, if we will only believe in Him.

As you look in the mirror today, remember that the person who looks back at you is loved unconditionally, completely, and eternally. 1 John 3:1 tells us, “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.”  Want to know God? Confess that you are a sinner and nothing you can do is good enough for you to earn your way into heaven. Then thank God that through His merciful gift of Jesus Christ, your sins have been forgiven because Jesus has sacrificed himself for those sins. Now promise God that you will live for Him and not for yourself.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and there’s nothing we can do to make up for those sins. Please forgive us for our sins. Thank You that Jesus has paid the price for our sins by dying for us at Calvary. Help us to live for You from this moment onward. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 40:34-38 The Lord’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle

34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38 The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

After all the work on the Tabernacle and its furnishings and the garments for the priests was complete, Moses and a large group of helpers set up everything according to God’s instructions. You can read all the details in the first part of Chapter 40. But then something astounding happened. Just as Moses completed the setup and walked out of the Tabernacle courtyard, he could feel heat radiating against his back. The cloud of God’s glory covered the Tabernacle and His glory filled the Tabernacle, making it impossible for anyone to enter. Awe-struck and stunned, the Israelites prostrated themselves, overcome by a sense of their own shame in the light of God’s holiness.

For all the remaining years of the Israelites’ pilgrimage, God’s glory would lead them and guide them. When God wanted the Israelites to move, the cloud of His glory would lift so that the priests and their helpers could pack up the Tabernacle for transport. Then the cloud would begin to move with the Israelites following.

What must it have been like for those people having to trust God completely for direction? Imagine the conversations back in the tents. “Eh, Solomon, so how long are we going to be in this place? We’ve been in some grim places, but this one has them all beat. And is there even water in this place? Will the manna continue?”

“Miriam, why ask me? Am I God? Does God tell me His plans? Even if you ask Moses, he can’t tell you! Just make the best of this situation, will you?”

Nobody likes uncertainty! We want security, financial guarantees, a safe place to live, work that will furnish our families’ needs, good health, and enough income to live comfortably. While the Israelites were in Egypt, they were slaves; however, they knew what was expected of them and they had adjusted to a situation where someone else was making all the big decisions while they simply followed orders and hoped their bosses wouldn’t be cruel. But now the Israelites are in the Sinai desert and nothing is certain, apart from the cloud of God’s glory that hovers over the Tabernacle.

“What a kvetchy kid!” I was working in a hospital in Manhattan, and one of our nurses was describing a difficult patient. But what did that nurse mean? There’s a delightful term in Yiddish, kvetch.  According to Chabad.org, “Kvetch literally means “squeeze” in Yiddish, and commonly refers to whining, complaining, and grousing. A person who kvetches incessantly can also be referred to as a kvetch.” When that nurse described the pediatric patient as kvetchy, she was absolutely correct. While other children suffered valiantly in silence, this kid complained about EVERYTHING! Looking back, I realize those complaints likely came from intense fear; after all, this child was a cancer patient and who knows what his parents had told him?

Kvetching is as ancient as the human race. Already, Moses has had to counter bitter complaints about food and water, so as the cloud of God’s glory moves across the landscape, he can probably hear the Israelites indulging in their favorite pastime-kvetching.

Think about this situation. Once the Israelites have left Egypt, they must depend on God for guidance for the next forty years. Each morning when people awake, everyone looks toward the Tabernacle in the center of the camp. Where is the cloud? Is the cloud hovering over the Tabernacle, or is it withdrawing so the Tabernacle can be packed up and the Israelites can move somewhere new? No matter how much the Israelites might want to complain, they really have no choice, for they must follow God’s leading.

Whether or not we realize it, we are in the same position as those ancient Israelites. No matter how much we long for security and safety, we can only find these things while following God’s guidance. If we want to see God’s glory working in our lives, we must follow the cloud of His Presence.

Centuries after Moses and the Israelites, Martin Luther found himself leading a movement that challenged abuses that had developed within the Catholic Church. Branded as a criminal, Luther was hunted and persecuted; yet, he persevered and others followed, lighting spiritual fires that set ablaze hearts hungering for God’s glory.

Luther penned these words:

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please help all who read these words to become so hungry for Your Presence that they will seek Your face. Please answer them when they cry out to You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

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Exodus 39:32-43 Moses Inspects the Work

32 And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 And they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses: the sacred tent with all its furnishings, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases; 34 the tent coverings of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; the inner curtain to shield the Ark; 35 the Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement; 36 the table and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence; 37 the pure gold lampstand with its symmetrical lamp cups, all its accessories, and the olive oil for lighting; 38 the gold altar; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent; 39 the bronze altar; the bronze grating and its carrying poles and utensils; the washbasin with its stand; 40 the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs; all the furnishings to be used in worship at the Tabernacle; 41 the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests. 42 So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. 43 Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.

“Oh no!” you exclaim. “Just another list; how boring can the Bible possibly get?” WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! If you read the lists of items presented to Moses and assume you’re merely being subjected to yet another example of ancient bean counting, you are missing something infinitely precious. When God designated Bezalel and Oholiab to oversee the artisans creating the Tabernacle, He also ordered them to create the most beautiful parts, involving silver and gold and bronze. But thousands of others wove material for the curtains, creating clasps for the material, making tent posts, braiding ropes, and carving tent pegs. Notice what happened when the work was completed. The artisans presented their work; Moses inspected it, and “When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.”

Notice what the Bible does NOT say. Nowhere does this account indicate that artisans weaving and sewing materials for the priestly garments or those creating the implements for the Most Holy Place received a greater blessing than those creating clasps or carving tent pegs or braiding rope. God gave the commands; the people responded; and Moses inspected and found everything had been done following God’s plans perfectly. In all the history of the Israelites, this might have been one of the few times when God’s people actually obeyed Him to the letter.

Why mention all the little people who made the Tabernacle a possibility? Simple. Most of us are little people who will never gain recognition outside a small circle of friends or colleagues. When the roll of insignificant individuals is called, our names will be there. Moses blessed everyone who had participated in creating the Tabernacle in any way, and that blessing rested on them and remained with them and with their families.

Proverbs 10:22 tells us, “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Moses was not merely giving his own blessing but he was acting as God’s representative, imparting God’s blessing to these people. Several years ago, Gary Smalley and John Trent co-authored a book entitled The Blessing. The book is a classic that has helped millions of people. Here is the brief introduction from Amazon:

“We all have a powerful need to know that someone in this world loves us and accepts us unconditionally. We especially crave our parents’ blessing, and without it, we may become angry and driven, or detached and empty. We may also feel this hurtful lack between brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, or even within our religious congregation.

Now family counselors Gary Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D., show us how we can transform our lives – even when it is no longer possible to receive our parents’ blessing. They reveal the five key elements of the blessing, describe the most common home situations where a blessing has been denied (one of them may be ours), and offer practical, effective methods to heal broken hearts and families. Most important, they explain how we can be a blessing, and pass on that life-changing gift to our love ones.” Those five key elements are

• Meaningful, encouraging touch
• A confirming spoken message
• Attaching high value
• Picturing a special future
• An active commitment

The Blessing is such an important book because many of us come from families where parental blessings have been lacking for generations. I come from a community with a number of second or third generation Swedish immigrants, many of whose ancestors came to America because things were so difficult in their homeland. Sadly, many of those immigrants never received blessings from their parents and accordingly had nothing they could pass on to their descendants. The result has been generations of hard-working, driven individuals longing for approval and blessings that have never materialized.

No matter how much we might have suffered in our families of origin, we all have a heavenly Father who wants to bless us. 1 JOHN 3:1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.

GOD SEES YOU! GOD KNOWS YOU! GOD LOVES YOU! Today, please understand that God wants to bless you for all the times you have tried to do the right thing, even if you feel you have failed. God is not handing out blessings by consulting a score card; He blesses unconditionally. Now, go out there and carve a few tent pegs!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please help all who read these words to feel Your warm embrace, to know that You love them, that You are with them, and that You will never leave them nor forsake them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Inventory of Materials

Exodus 38:24-31 The people brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. This gold was used throughout the Tabernacle.

25 The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. 26 This silver came from the tax collected from each man registered in the census. (The tax is one beka, which is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel.) The tax was collected from 603,550 men who had reached their twentieth birthday. 27 The hundred bases for the frames of the sanctuary walls and for the posts supporting the inner curtain required 7,500 pounds of silver, about 75 pounds for each base. [l] 28 The remaining 45 pounds of silver was used to make the hooks and rings and to overlay the tops of the posts.

29 The people also brought as special offerings 5,310 pounds of bronze, 30 which was used for casting the bases for the posts at the entrance to the Tabernacle, and for the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all the altar utensils. 31 Bronze was also used to make the bases for the posts that supported the curtains around the courtyard, the bases for the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard, and all the tent pegs for the Tabernacle and the courtyard.

39:1 The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth—clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Reading the accounts of the items the Israelites brought to construct the Tabernacle boggles our minds. Here are these people in the Sinai wilderness, bringing forth all these precious materials. The only rational explanation for their behavior is that the Holy Spirit was moving in their hearts, causing them to give fearlessly.

How much would all of this cost in today’s market? In an article entitled “How Much Would It Cost to Build the Tabernacle Today,” posted February 8, 2025, Uche Ekeshili has given these estimates:

Precious Metals Cost

According to Exodus 38:24–29, the Tabernacle included:

• Gold: 29 talents + 730 shekels (~2,175 lbs + 365 oz)
• Silver: 100 talents + 1,775 shekels (~7,500 lbs + 1,775 oz)
• Bronze: 70 talents + 2,400 shekels (~5,250 lbs + 2,400 oz)

A recent breakdown estimates:

• Gold (~35,165 oz) at current rates → $71M
• Silver (~120,888 oz) → $3M
• Bronze (~5,325 lbs at ~$2/lb) → $12K

Total metal value ≈ $123 million

 Adding Fabrics, Wood & Garments

• The cost of tribal donations, luxurious linens, spices, and acacia wood would substantially raise the material value but is harder to quantify.
• One estimate values the non-metal materials at about $10 million.

 3. Including Labor & Craftsmanship

• Factoring in specialized artisan labor (designers like Bezalel & Oholiab, weavers, metalworkers), upkeep, and transport, total costs could reach $150–200 million
• One blogger suggested a full cost estimate of at least $200 million, including all materials and labor

 4. Other Estimates

• A lower-end estimate puts metal + non‑metal materials at $62 million, which may exclude silver or use older valuations.
• So, estimates vary widely—from $60 M (metals only) up to $200 M+ with full scope.

How Much Would It Cost to Build the Tabernacle Today

Centuries after Moses received all these offerings, Jesus taught his disciples the Kingdom principle recorded in Luke 6:38. The New Living Translations records it this way: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Sometimes, people are fond of avowing that “You can’t out-give God.” While this statement is true, many of us still feel hurt, panicky, and frustrated. We can barely make ends meet as it is; how will we have anything left over for God? Here’s the amazing thing about God: when we freely give Him whatever we can, He can take that, multiply it, and use it in ways we might never have imagined.

Shortly after my husband Bob committed his life to Christ at the age of 37, he heard a message about tithing. At the time, Bob was facing a number of financial challenges and was wondering how his money could possibly stretch. But with the enthusiasm of a new believer, Bob began tithing, giving one tenth of his income before he began settling his bills. Bob was shocked when he realized that he was now meeting all his financial obligations fully and promptly without any hold-ups. Many others have had similar experiences.

We don’t always have to give money. In the Tabernacle story, several highly-skilled craftsmen gave their talents. Bezalel and Oholiab are mentioned particularly as supervising the work and creating the most complicated parts; however, there were also a number of other men and women who gladly gave their talents to create all the different parts of the Tabernacle. For decades, Habitat For Humanity has depended on the donations of time, talent, and materials from suppliers and craftsmen. Since 1976, Habitat has helped more than 65 million people build or improve the place they call home. (https://www.habitat.org/multimedia/annual-report-2025/)

When I was a child, one of our neighbors, Mrs. Gunnar Anderson, had a wonderful grape arbor. Each fall, we would visit the Andersons and help ourselves to bunches of delicious grapes. Mrs. Anderson told us an important story. One year, early on, Mrs. Anderson became worried she might not have enough grapes for her family, so she didn’t invite neighbors to come pick that year. That year and the next year, the yield from the grape arbor was quite small. It was only when Mrs. Anderson invited neighbors to come pick her grapes that the grape arbor yielded bountifully. For the rest of Mrs. Anderson’s life, she continued to share her grapes, and every year, she had enough for her family’s needs as well as all her neighbors’.

One of the many lessons of the Tabernacle is that generosity brings peace of heart. When we hold everything God gives us with open hands, God can continue to pour blessings through us to others and we will have peace. When we panic and begin clutching things, God cannot force our hands open. May God help us to trust Him and give openly!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You and give generously as You guide us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.