In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man came to Jesus. He called Jesus Good Master. Then asked what he had to do to enter into the kingdom. Jesus told him that there is only one that is good and that is God. Then Jesus explained how to enter into the kingdom. What Jesus said was to follow the 10 commandments. The young man said that he had followed them from his youth. The young man asked what more do I lack. Jesus told him if you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have and come and follow Me. The young man went away sorrowing because he was very wealthy. What Jesus was saying to us is that we are to surrender everything we have and let God make the decisions for us. We don’t understand or have the power to get us from this earth home. Only God knows what we need and can provide for us.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

We all have our opinion of what the kingdom of heaven is like. Then there is what God has made it. God has said that we haven’t seen or heard what God has prepared for us. In Matthew 19:13-15, children were wanting to see Jesus. The disciples rebuked the children. Jesus intervened and told the disciples to let the children come. Jesus said that we couldn’t enter into the kingdom of heaven unless we became like these children. Why would Jesus say this? It’s because children believe no matter what. There is no agenda, it’s just faith. Their hearts are open to Jesus and are vulnerable. As an adult, we find being vulnerable scary. We are trained to be tough and hard hearted. But Jesus said unless you become like these children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 19:10-12, Jesus talks about being a eunuch, a person who isn’t married and doesn’t want to be. After Jesus talked about marriage and divorce, the disciples said that it would be better no to marry. Apostle Paul talked about not being married was better than being married for a Christian. He said it was better because you could devote all your time to God. But he went to say that for some it was better to marry than to burn or want relationships. Jesus talked about being a eunuch. He said that some are born this way. He also said some people choose the kind of life. Jesus said if you can receive this kind of life, let him recieve it.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 19:3-9, the pharisees came to Jesus and asked a question to try to trap Him. They asked is it right to divorce? Jesus referred them to the law. A man shall leave father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two shall become one. And what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Jesus said from the beginning, it has been one man and woman. Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. It also applies to the wife. The pharisees said that Moses let us write a bill of divorcement. Jesus said it was because of the hardness of your heart. Jesus had just finished talking about forgiveness and how it affects us. Our lives are changed by the power of God through His love and forgiveness. And if we don’t do the same, we are not His children. The divorce rate amongst Christians is staggering. It is over 50%. Jesus showed the pharisees what God said in the beginning. Which is right, God’s way or man’s?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In the bible, there are 33,000 verses, from beginning to end. In the beginning God gave Adam one commandment, obey. There are 39 books in the old testament. And there are 27 books in the new testament. The old testament was written on a scroll. They wrote continously. They didn’t stop between books. Their bible was big, bulky and costly. When Jesus came, He reduced the whole old testament into 2 scriptures. The scriptures said to love God with all that you are and the 2nd was to love your neighbor as yourself. It doesn’t take 33,000 scriptures to be obedient. In Matthew 19;1-2, Jesus explains why He came. It says that He traveled from Capernaum to the Jordan river east of Jerusalem. It says that a multitude followed Him. There by the Jordan river, Jesus healed everyone there. Jesus went about doing good, because we were in need. And He said that we will do greater things because He went to the Father. My question is why are you not doing those things that Jesus showed and told us that we would do? The next question is do you know how to get to that place that Jesus can use you on this earth? It’s all about a relationship between you and our Father.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus spoke a parable about a Lord who had all his servants to pay back what they owed him. One servant owed him 9 million dollars. The servant couldn’t pay. The Lord ordered that he and his family and all he owned to be sold to pay the debt. The servant fell on his face and prayed for mercy. The Lord had compassion and forgave the debt. The same servant went out and found another servant who owned him 15 dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and said pay me what you owe. The servant begged for forgiveness. The first servant throw him into prison until he paid. The other servants of the Lord went and told him what had happened. The Lord became angry and took the the first servant and threw him into prison. He said to him, I forgave you your debt and should have done the same. You will not come out until the debt is paid. Jesus said, your heavenly Father will do the same to anyone who doesn’t forgive his brother. Forgiveness is the basis of our salvation. Anyone who doesn’t forgive their brother, has no part in God. Because God is love and forgiveness.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus how many times do I forgive my brother. He said seven times a day. Jesus said, forgive your brother seventy times seven a day. Which means that we are to forgive freely and mercifully all day long. Why do we need to forgive? Why can’t the other person do right by me? Jesus said, if you don’t forgive, our Father in heaven will not forgive us. Forgiveness is a two-edged sword. Not only does it help the other person, forgiveness cleanses our heart and keeps us righteous before God. Every time Jesus talked about prayer, He always said to forgive, even if they kill us. For God so loved the world that He forgave us through Jesus Christ.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus was teaching about unity in the body of Christ. He said if a brother has transgressed against you, go to him and show him what he did. If he shall hear you, you have gained your brother. If he will not listen, then take one or two witnesses to talk to him. Let all things be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If he still will not listen, bring him before the church and explain. If he still will not listen, let him be as a heathen or outcast. God is concerned with unity in the body of Christ. Anyone or thing that is disruptive must be dealt with to maintain unity in the body of Christ. Jesus said that where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Jesus has promised that He will never leave us. He has also assured us that no one can take us away from Him. And the Lord also exhorts us to seek Him with our whole hearts. God warns us not to forsake Him. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (Hebrews 3:12-14 KJV.) Stay close to Him.

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:7-14, Jesus was teaching how to enter into heaven. Then He began to teach about those who caused people to be lead astray or offended. He is trying to get people to understand what they do wrong is their fault. Jesus talked about people who causes offenses. Then Jesus explained one of the reasons He came to earth. He said that He came to save that which was lost. The teaching is the parable of the one and ninety nine sheep. He said He would leave the ninety nine and search for the one lost sheep. When He found the one lost sheep, He would rejoice more than about the ninety nine that stayed. God wants to gather us home, but we have to decide what we are going to do. Jesus is our shepherd, but we must follow Him.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com