Today’s 13th chapter of Matthew contains 6 parables of Jesus and at the end of the last one our Lord says, “so it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace.  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [v.49,50] The parables are symbolic stories, thus the “fiery furnace” is a symbol of the end of existence for some.   We must face the fact that, in the end, as God sees humans, the highest form of his creation, there are really only two classes of people!   Did you note in yesterday’s chapter that Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” [v.30]

Each of the parables in their own way teach the same lesson – that a choice is put before all men and women and “at the close of the age” there will be a time when God will make a decision about the future of everyone. The best known parable is that of the sower sowing seed and the different types of soil (i.e. hearts) into which it (his message) fell and how that seed grew – or didn’t!  Another parable is of the wheat and weeds growing together and no action is made to pull out the weeds until harvest time.  

It is becoming more and more evident that God’s harvest time is near – although, of course, it comes for everyone when they die!  The harvest time, said Jesus, in explaining the meaning of the parable, is the time when “The son of man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace.  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears, let him hear.” [v.41-43]  !

In these days we could add to that saying – those who have eyes to read let them read – and having read – may they, as a result, live their lives in ways that will please the sower. Are you hearing what you read?

Today we started reading the words of Jeremiah, who was born as “one of the priests” [v.1]. We are fascinated by the many words from the LORD that he inspired Jeremiah to speak and write.  He was to be the mouthpiece of God to Israel over many years beginning in the reign of good king Josiah, to the disaster of the last king Zedekiah.   

 “The LORD came to me”  Jeremiah says, telling him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” [v.5]  Jeremiah protests, “Ah Lord GOD!  Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” [v.6]  The LORD tells him not to say this, “… whatever I command you, you shall speak, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you” [v.7,8]

“Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth.  And the LORD said to me, ‘Behold I have put my words in your mouth. “ [v.9]  It is clear in the words that follow that his divinely inspired messages have applications in many cases to situations developing in Israel in the prophet’s lifetime – and others – to the future of other nations – and also – to events to come in the latter day restoration of Israel, our days; these, as we will see in future chapters, really challenge our thinking.  

Jeremiah is a type of Christ from his birth and the later traumas his life went through before and at  the destruction of Jerusalem.  As the inspired mouthpiece of God’s word, he is told, “See I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant … I am watching over my word to perform it.” [v.10,12]  As we read God’s word let us search to see how  it has been performed – and will yet be completely performed – the climax of its fulfilment will surely be the most dramatic of all. How close are we to that time?  May we ‘hear’ the LORD saying to us, as he says to Jeremiah (as the chapter ends) “Be not dismayed … for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.” [v.17,19]

What a thought challenging chapter we have today in Matthew. When Jesus asked, “To what shall I compare this generation?” 11 v.16] we can see in his answer close comparisons to most people living today. Jesus said they were “like children sitting in the market places calling to their playmates, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.”

There is constant “calling” to one another these days via Facebook, Twitter, etc reporting and commenting on this and that, but so very little, indeed rarely anything of substance. Nearly all dismiss any appreciation of Christmas and Easter! Good Friday is supposed to be a remembrance of the Saviour’s death – but do any ‘mourn.’?

Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” [Luke 12 v.48] Conversely, to whom little is given, much less is expected so we need to see the point in Jesus’ comment in today’s chapter in v.23, that “if the mighty works done (by me) had been done in Sodom it would have remained until this day. But I tell you it will be more tolerable in the day of judgement for the land of Sodom than for you.”

When God’s word was first widely preached and again when it was first printed and widely circulated it had such an impact – it created a great reformation in human thinking and belief. So many acted and lived according to their new found beliefs and convictions of heart. Yes, ‘too whom much is given’! Many responded as they should.

The climax in today’s chapter is in words, which we see as a prayer of Jesus, “I thank you, Father; Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from (those who think they are) the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children … no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden … ” [v.25-27]

How many who are “heavy laden” in our world look to Jesus to help them journey through the kind of life that now exists? Jesus knows! What kind of person does Jesus choose “to reveal” the Father to – and make known the real meaning of their life? Is it those who sit “in the market place calling … “? Can they be classified as “little children” whom Jesus seeks to have a relationship with – and who come to fully appreciate the wonder of the Father’s ultimate purpose in creation?

Let us more clearly hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” [v.29] and the “market place” will have little or no meaning or role in our lives. 

A @Christadelphians Video: **YouTube Summary/Description**In this **thought-provoking** and **insightful** Bible study, Brother Roger Lewis delivers an **outstanding**, **expositional** look at one of Scripture’s most **wonderful** and **revealing** characters – Bartimaeus. Why is he the only healed person named in the Gospels? What does his name really mean? And how does his story unlock a powerful truth about Jew and Gentile together in God’s plan?Join us as we explore the harmonisation of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the significance of “Son of David”, the crowd’s rebuke, and the beautiful Old Testament background in Isaiah 35. This is far more than a miracle – it’s a picture of spiritual blindness, the call of Christ, and what it means to follow Jesus “in the way”.**Chapters** (based on the full transcript)00:00 – Introduction: The Puzzle of the Gospels01:58 – Two Meetings with Jesus (Entering & Leaving Jericho)04:15 – Bartimaeus Cries Out: ‘Son of David’07:04 – Overcoming the Crowd’s Rebuke08:39 – Jesus Calls: Casting Away the Garment11:37 – ‘Lord, That I May Receive My Sight’14:00 – Healed and Following ‘In the Way’17:53 – Isaiah 35: The Way of Holiness Fulfilled22:20 – Why Was Bartimaeus Named? ‘Son of the Unclean’28:42 – Conclusion: The Moment We Receive Our Sight (to 31:30)**Bible Verses**📖 Mark 10:46-52📖 Luke 18:35-43📖 Matthew 20:29-34📖 Isaiah 35:5-10📖 Ephesians 4:17-19📖 Job 42:5-6📖 Acts 9:18**Closing Statement**We are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!**HashTags**christadelphians, discoverthebible, cdvideo, bartimaeus, bible study, gospel of mark, son of David, Isaiah 35, faith healing, spiritual blindness, biblical exposition, Jesus miracles, Jew and Gentile, bible teaching, Christian encouragement

 Today and tomorrow we read the final 2 chapters of Isaiah.  God expresses through the prophet his lament for those who turn away from him, those who “insulted me” – to whom he says, “do not come near me, for I am too holy for you” [65 v.5,7]

      In contrast, his genuine servants “shall sing for gladness of heart” and “his servants he will call by another name so that he who blesses himself by the God of truth … because the former troubles are forgotten … for behold I create new heavens and a new earth” [v.14-17].  

        This will be “for my people who have sought me” [v.10].   The key question the LORD asks us all is  – do you seek God – do you see him as the God of truth?  Isaiah of course is writing for his people, the Jews, but these words also apply to everyone – for when Jesus came and died his sacrifice was for people of all nations. His final words to his disciples at the end of Matthew’s gospel are, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them … teaching them to observe all I have commanded you.”                                          

          Let’s take into our minds more of what God said through Isaiah, it is a wonderful heart stirring vision of life in the future when “the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever …” [v.17,18]  Nature itself will be changed, “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox … they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD” [v.25,26].  

          And in Chapter 66 more words jump out at us! “… this is the one to whom I will look : he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” [v.2]  That reminds us of how Jesus started his ‘Sermon on the mount’ – “Blessed are the poor (lowly) in spirit (attitude of mind)” 

          Ask yourself,  Do I qualify to be among those to whom God “will look”?  Do my attitudes, my aims in life qualify me for the wonder God has ordained for the future?  Whether we will be part of this wondrous time we are reading about depends on the “spirit,” the attitude of mind that is genuinely developing within us, as true servants. Let’s finish by quoting v.14 of this final chapter, “You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice … the hand of the LORD shall be known to his servants …”   May we be among those who “see” and “rejoice” 

A @Christadelphians Video: In this **thought-provoking** and **revealing** Bible study, **Christadelphian** brother Roger Lewis presents an **outstanding** exposition of Simon of Cyrene – the man compelled to carry the cross of Jesus. This **wonderful** and **insightful** character study traces Simon’s journey from a reluctant Passover pilgrim to a transformed prophet in the early ecclesia. We discover how one dramatic encounter with the suffering Saviour turned Simon’s life completely around, and how his family’s footsteps spread the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. Prepare to be inspired to take up your own cross and follow Him.**Chapters** 00:00 – Introduction: Inspiring Characters of Scripture 02:35 – Matthew & Luke: Simon Compelled to Bear Christ’s Cross 08:07 – Who Was Simon of Cyrene? A Devout Jew from Africa 12:34 – Walking Behind Jesus: Hearing the Saviour’s Words 15:15 – Mark’s Revealing Detail: Father of Alexander and Rufus 18:46 – From Compelled Service to Commissioned Preacher in Antioch 25:04 – Paul’s Warm Tribute to Rufus and His Mother 28:37 – Remarkable Archaeological Confirmation: The Tomb of Simon & Alexander 35:50 – The Heart of the Lesson: Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me 43:12 – Conclusion: A Call to Shoulder Our Cross Today (ends 44:44)**Bible Verse Category** 📖 John 19:16-18 • 📖 Genesis 22:6 • 📖 Matthew 27:31-35 • 📖 Numbers 15:35 • 📖 Luke 23:25-33 • 📖 Acts 2:5-11 • 📖 Acts 6:9 • 📖 Luke 23:27-31 • 📖 Mark 15:20-21 • 📖 Acts 11:19-21 • 📖 Acts 13:1 • 📖 Romans 16:13 • 📖 Mark 8:34-35 • 📖 Hebrews 13:13 • 📖 Romans 6:6**Closing Statement** We are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!**HashTags** Bible study, Simon of Cyrene, who was Simon of Cyrene, inspiring Bible characters, Roger Lewis Bible study, carrying the cross, take up your cross, Bible character study, New Testament characters, Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Luke, Acts of the Apostles, Romans 16, archaeological evidence, ossuary discovery, following Jesus, discipleship, christadelphians, discoverthebible, cdvideo

“Faith” is a key word in the New Testament, it does not occur in the Old Testament, although some modern versions seek to use it a little – but not really in the N.T. sense.   Matthews’ gospel has the most reports of the miracles of Jesus; but the religious leaders tried to discount them alleging he was using some kind of magic.  In today’s chapter (9) they allege, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” [v.34]

The most challenging to them of all his miracles was when he raised someone who had died.  Verse 18 tells us that “a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, my daughter has just died, but such was his conviction of the powers of Jesus that he said, “but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.”  When Jesus comes to the house he sees “flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he says, ‘Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” [v.24]  They laughed at this!

But the death of believers is in many places described as a sleep, remember what Paul wrote, “For since that we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” [1 Thess. 4 v.14]  This is a wondrous lesson – those who die have fallen asleep – they move into God’s time, and have no awareness of passing time at all!

On his way to the rulers’ house Jesus heals a woman “suffering from a discharge of blood”- he does this because of her approach, saying, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well” [v.22] “Blind men” follow him seeking a healing, they are asked, “Do you believe I am able to do this?”  They say, “Yes, Lord” he heals them. “saying, ‘According to your faith, be it done to you.” [v.29). 

By far the greatest miracle of all will be when Jesus comes again bringing to life “those who have fallen asleep.”  Do you have faith that this will happen?  Yes!  What is the quality of your faith, my faith?  How much is it reflected in the way you live your life?  Faith must be an active ingredient in every aspect of our lives, it will be “according to your faith” that the Lord will act – and we will be part of the glory that God has in store for this earth and; says the prophet, “you meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways” We read this today in Isaiah 64 v.5 and commented on it yesterday.  Joy and faith go together – do you experience that?

A @Christadelphians Video:In this thought-provoking and insightful exposition, **Roger Lewis** delivers an outstanding Bible study on one of Scripture’s most moving yet often overlooked figures – Rizpah. We (Christadelphians) are taken on a revealing journey through 2 Samuel 21 to uncover **why Rizpah kept her lonely vigil** for six long months. This is a wonderful exploration of covenant faithfulness, national atonement, and the shadow of Christ’s sacrifice on every page of the Old Testament. Prepare to be inspired by her extraordinary devotion and the deeper spiritual principles at work.**Chapters**00:00 – Introduction: The Famine in David’s Days03:34 – David Inquires of Yahweh: The Cause Revealed05:18 – The Gibeonite Covenant (Joshua 9)08:05 – Atonement Without Compensation (Numbers 35)11:40 – Seven Descendants of Saul Delivered14:54 – David’s Integrity: Sparing Mephibosheth18:29 – The Selection of the Seven Men24:35 – Rizpha’s Arrival: Sackcloth on the Rock27:50 – A Six-Month Vigil Through Harvest to Rain32:39 – Why Did She Stay? Beyond Motherly Grief35:55 – David’s Final Act: Honouring the Bones38:52 – After That, God Was Entreated for the Land40:30 – The Deeper Layer: Typology of Christ’s Sacrifice46:16 – Rizpah as a Faithful Witness, Mary of Nazareth48:34 – A Lesson for Us: Seeing Beyond Our Sorrow50:40 – Concluding Hymn and Reflection**Bible Verse Category**📖 2 Samuel 21:1-14 📖 Deuteronomy 11:13-17 📖 Joshua 9:14-21 📖 Numbers 35:29-33 📖 Deuteronomy 24:16 📖 Genesis 15:10-11 📖 John 12:32-33 📖 Galatians 3:1 📖 2 Corinthians 5:21 📖 1 Peter 2:24 📖 Ephesians 2:14-18 **Closing Statement** We are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!**HashTags** Rizpah, BibleCharacterStudy, WhyDidRizpahKeepHerVigil, 2Samuel21, Atonement, Christadelphians, DiscoverTheBible, CDVideo, BibleStudy, RogerLewis, OldTestamentTypes, SacrificeOfChrist, FaithfulWitness, InspiringBibleStories, ExpositionalTeaching

We are reading in Samuel of David’s great successes. 2 Sam 8 v.13 tells us “David made a name for himself”  – that is, developed a reputation, and our chapters now tell us of Saul’s jealousy over this and his efforts to kill him despite the intercessions of his son Jonathan.  

Our chapter in Isaiah (63) has the prophet stating, “I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted to us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, ‘surely they are my people …” [v.7,8].

But this compassion and love was not appreciated, in later generations “they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy…” [v.10]  However, then we read that the LORD, “ remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people.  Where he brought them up out of the sea … to make for himself an everlasting name… So you led your people to make your yourself a glorious name”  [v.11,12,14]  It was a great reputation for Moses, and a glorious name for the LORD.  However, Isaiah ends the chapter on a sad note, “We have become like those over whom you have never ruled ….”  But ignore the chapter break, ch. 64 starts with an impassioned prayer that we could utter today, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down … to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! [v.1,2]  And then v.4,5 “… no ear has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.  You meet him who joyfully works righteousness”  

Are we waiting for him?  Do we really believe with all our heart in his “glorious name” and “joyfully” live righteously as we wait for him to act?   Finally turn the page to v.2 of ch. 66, “ … this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” May we all live more and more so that he will “look” upon us – having fully in mind the words of Jesus, “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” [John 16 v.22]

Today we completed reading the 3 chapters in Matthew (5,6 & 7) which comprise what we call ‘The Sermon on the Mount.’  Today’s chapter is full of challenging precepts as to the way we should live our lives.  Verses 1 to 5 are a warning about being hypocritical; how readily we human beings can see the faults in others and yet be blind to greater faults in ourselves.

Verse 6 has caused much discussion, how do we apply it?  Jesus said, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”  We notice that Jesus did not attempt to teach the religious leaders; instead he called them hypocrites, see ch. 15 v.7 and 16 v.3, and this we can accept as an indication of the kind of people he meant.

There are several other examples of their attacks on him, and for those whose aim is to faithfully follow in their Master’s footsteps (see Peter’s words in 1 Pet. 2 v,21-25) there will be some, similar experiences.  We note that in ch. 10, where the 12 are named (v.2-4) that one of the things he says to them is, “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.  If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” (v,25)

These, with many other examples, illustrate the challenges those who genuinely follow Jesus and practice his precepts face as they walk the “narrow path”.  Verses 13 & 14 of today’s chapter sum it up, “Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

But it must be said, for most of the last generation or two, at least in the ‘western’ world, the path has not seemed so narrow and challenging.  This is because our society has become so tolerant of nearly every style of living, so broadminded and permissive.  But, this atmosphere is so spiritually poisonous that those who are treading the narrow way must be more on their guard than ever!

Finally, note v.21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom … but the one who does the will of my Father … on that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy (preach) in your name … I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  They left the narrow way to create their own, maybe thinking it was better!  The true path is less and less evident in the increasing darkness of this world – an essential reason for reading God’s words ever more diligently.