THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR
- Key Verse
Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. (Matthew 22:15)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Jesus knew the religious leaders were out to provoke Him, but He didn't take the bait. I can learn from the information Jesus taught, but I can also learn from His style of teaching. I'm reminded that my role isn't to win the debate, but to win people to Jesus.
Reflections
(My husband says my audience should read all of Matthew 22 for this devotional to make sense.)
Why do people end up arguing when they initially intended to share the "good news of salvation"? (I know you have been around this kitchen table!) I want to address difficult questions without causing more dissension between friends and family and to redirect questions meant to provoke me by pointing back to the reason for my faith. Jesus did that in Matthew 22.
Jesus already warned the Jews that they would not have access to heaven because of their nationality. Now He uses a contemporary story to clarify further the point that you can't get in on your own merit. NOTE TO SELF: Clarify truth, if necessary, with modern-day parables. Isn't my desire to get my friends and family to understand the gospel of salvation?
Now there's a political debate. Asked if Jews should pay taxes, Jesus reminds them of Old Testament Scripture. You pay what you owe because rulers ultimately owe their positions to God -- "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." Coins have Caesar's image, but humans are made in the image of God -- "Give to God what is God's." NOTE TO SELF: Answer with Scripture and then get to the heart issue -- "You are God's. Does God have a claim on you?"
They try flattery and trickery. There's a question regarding marriage. Instead of debating the marriage issue, Jesus brings the discussion around to things eternal. Marriage won't matter when we're dead, but after death we will be alive. NOTE TO SELF: Recognize false flattery, and then get back to reminding people God is alive, and they can be made alive with Him!
Jesus is then invited into an academic debate. An "expert in the law" asks about the greatest commandment. Jesus knows the entire Law, yet He keeps it simple. Love God. Love your neighbor. Everything else depends on these. NOTE TO SELF: Be clear and concise without trying to prove how smart I am.
Jesus asks them a question: "What do you think about the Christ?" NOTE TO SELF: Keep focused. Don't get pulled into debating simply the political, social, or theological issue. It ultimately comes down to what the person is going to do with Jesus.
Discussion Questions
1. First of all, do I recognize when the question is meant simply to provoke me, trap me, or cause dissension in the group, or do I easily take the bait?2. Next, do I study Scripture enough so that I am prepared to answer the hard stuff without getting confused and frustrated?
3. Do I care more about spouting off all the information I know, or do I care more about listening and answering with the Scripture I understand?
4. Am I easily won over by flattery or fear so that I don't stand firm on the biblical issue I believe?
5. Most importantly, have I matured enough in my love for God and others that I focus on winning the person to Christ and not simply winning the argument?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
MATTHEW 21-25 (JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 3)
Read Matthew 25:14-30.
* What did the master give to each of the servants?
* What did each of them do with the money they were given?
* How did the master respond to each of the servants and how they handled the money?
* What gifts and talents have you been entrusted with? (If someone in your family doesn't mention something that you think is a gift or talent they have, encourage them by telling them what you see.)
* How are you using these gifts and talents to bring glory to your master (God)?
Activity: Have each person cut out five coins from a piece of yellow or white paper. On each coin, write one talent or gift that you have. Each morning during the week, draw out a coin, and use that gift or talent during the day to glorify God. At dinner each night, take time for everyone to share how they used their gift/talent that day.
Sarah C
January 27, 2012 09:40 AM
Lyn, Rich and challenging thoughts from God's word and from you in this devo. Our multi-faceted and amazing God is seen better when seen from many perspectives, and I loved yours. Great sequence of questions that I don't want to honestly answer because they would require more love and obedience to the Lord, and less of self.
Lamp
January 31, 2012 05:05 AM
Outstanding job! The thing that hit me the most may slide by most people "If God weren't in control I would flip out" You could have stopped right there and made a difference! Thanks for sharing your Journey..... Lamp
Sue Bohlin
January 31, 2012 07:26 AM
Good stuff, Lyn! I loved how you drew from the entire chapter and strung up the takeaways like the pearls they are. Being "God's party girl," I really enjoyed the parable of the wedding feast, especially thinking about how it reveals the hearts of all the characters in it: the Father's generous, loving heart that throws a fabulous banquet and wants everyone to come and enjoy, PLUS He provide the wedding garments for them. The invited guests with hard hearts who refused the invitation. The unsuspecting outsiders who were brought into the party and lavished with food, drink and royal clothing. And the dude who dared to barge into the feast after refusing to don the wedding clothes the King had provided, insisting that his own street clothes were good enough and insulting the King, the Prince and the other guests in the process. In the margin of my Bible, I had written "Isaiah 61:10," that wonderful verse about how God has clothed us with garments of salvation and wrapped us in robes of righteousness. I'm so grateful that my Father has provided wedding finery for The Big Party!
Riis
January 31, 2012 07:46 AM
Lyn, Guilty on all "counts"! I am a bait-swallowing, easily-provoked, easily won over by flattery, winning the argument at all costs vs. winning over the person for Christ kind of guy. My "sentence": completely and fully pardoned by Christ and now blessed with what I hope and pray will now be more gentle and loving "community service". Thanks for a great thought provoking "Journey"!!
Kelley Maxwell
January 31, 2012 08:00 AM
Sister Lyn- You brought the message today! Thanks for showing me how to read God's word and apply it as I read. Note to Self - follow Lyn's lead! Great Job!
Charla Autrey
January 31, 2012 08:19 AM
Lyn, this is so good, I printed it off to study later and think about how to use your ideas with my family of origin. Thank you! Charla Autrey
Heather Haskins
January 31, 2012 08:26 AM
Wonderfully presented Lyn! Thank you for such a clear, concise message. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you at the women's retreat. Happy Birthday!!! I hope your day is as special as you are!
Jennifer H
January 31, 2012 08:37 AM
Thanks Lyn for sharing your Journey this morning. I loved your bio, I'm so glad God is in control and I am not. And thanks for sharing examples of what it looks like for you when you read Gods word and apply it, "note to self." I loved it.
Paul Rutherford
January 31, 2012 08:47 AM
Mrs. Hardage, thank you for posting. As My friend mrs. Bohlin mentioned above I also really like how you commented on the whole chapter and shared with us what you learned. It's rather disarming, at least I found it so. Thank you.
Jake
January 31, 2012 09:12 AM
Lyn, great job in sharing what God revealed to you in His Word. Question #3 hit me as I often struggle with pride and sometimes end up more concerned with sharing all that I know instead of listening and sharing love. Thank you for the good words! Jake-
Susan Coy
January 31, 2012 10:09 AM
Lynnie, I can hear you saying "NOTE TO SELF"....you are killllllling me! NOTE TO SELF....AWESOME :)
Tiffany Wilkins
January 31, 2012 10:12 AM
Awesome devo! I was encouraged and convicted on many levels.
Cyndi Springer
January 31, 2012 10:39 AM
Loved your "Notes to Self" take-aways. Also loved the reminders that it is He who is winning over the hearts while we speak loving truth and listen carefully to the root of the questions. Who is He? Does He love me? How do I respond to Him? Thank you Lyn!
Ann Holford
January 31, 2012 11:45 AM
Hey Lyn, loved what you said today, "if God weren't in control, I'd flip out!" Note to Self-remember that! Thanks for the great reminder that God's word models the method as well as the message.
Ray Bohlin
January 31, 2012 12:20 PM
Lyn, Thank you for a measured, balanced and biblical response to this amazing chapter from Matthew. It is so true that Jesus was/is the Master at getting to the heart issue and deflecting the rabbit trails. As one who is frequently in the mode of dealing with questions, your "Notes to Self" and list of discussion questions are priceless.
Ann Holland
January 31, 2012 07:00 PM
You always insire me Lynie!!I feel like I could hear you talking. Great job and food for thought.
Lucina
January 31, 2012 09:15 PM
Sister Lyn, I love it when you teach and am sorry it took me till almost bedtime to stop and post. I agree completely with you that I can not only learn from what Jesus taught, but how he taught it. Loved how you broke this down into the types of debates and strategy Jesus used to respond. If only I could apply the technique of responding as He did. I pray the Spirit will help me in my weakness. Great job.
Jan
February 1, 2012 08:23 AM
Awesome! Simple, yet profound. This gave me a lot to think about, I especially hate arguing and conflict. But stick to the point, no getting distracted. It turned on a light switch. Thanks, and tell your husband I did read Matthew 22, and I still have his devo in my email, it was so good (but tell him not to get the big head) Thanks, Jan
melissa mcdonald
February 2, 2012 08:01 AM
Lyn, this ties so beautifully into 2Timothy2:14-26 which we studied this week in the Women's Bible Study. Verse 25 says "teach with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth." I'm challenged to search whether I am in it to win the argument (clanging gong) or win others to Christ. Awesomely written devo and convicting questions!