In verses one through fourteen, we read the parable of the great feast. Jesus referenced the Kingdom of Heaven to be like a king who organized a great feast for his son. When everything was prepared for the feast, the king sent his servants out to gather the guests, but they refused to come. So he sent them out again, and once again, they refused to come. The king ended up telling the servants that the invited guests were not worthy to come to the feast. So he instructed them to gather people from the street corners and bring them to the feast. He told his servants that it did not matter if the people were good or bad. So the servants gathered many people from the street corners to come to the feast. When the king came into the feast, he noticed a man there that was out of dress code. When asked why he was out of dress code, he did not reply to the king so he was bond and cast into darkness. Let me break this parable down, God is preparing His kingdom. He is inviting all of us into the kingdom, but we are refusing to walk with Him, obey Him, be led by Him, surrender to Him, etc. He keeps inviting us in, but we keep refusing the invitation. Eventually, God deems us unworthy to join the Kingdom so He begins to seek out people from the street corners who are willing to come to the kingdom. Those people come due to His invitation to be a part of the kingdom, but many may not be one of God’s chosen ones due to being unholy, unrighteous, etc.

In verses 15 the 40, the Pharisees and Sadducees attempt to trap Jesus into saying something that could get Him arrested. But of course, Jesus already knew this and shut the mouths of both groups each time. I would like to point out verses 36 through 40. The Pharisees asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment in the law of Moses. Jesus replied for them to love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul; He stated the second one was to love their neighbor as themselves. Those verses are self-explanatory, but I would like to drop a small nugget here. We cannot effectively love ourselves ad others until we know and fully accept God’s unconditional love for us. Once He fills us up with His love, we can spread it!

In verses one through eleven, we read about Jesus’ grand entrance into Jerusalem. He rode into the town on a colt with palm branches being laid before Him. The people praised Him as He came through. Some questioned who He was, and the crowds responded that He was Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth. When Jesus arrived to the Temple and saw people buying and selling things, He began to knock over tables and drive the people out. He declared that the Temple was to be a house of prayer, but they had turned it into a den of thieves (verses 12 and 13). Friend, just as those people praised Jesus, we should be praising Him daily. Also, we must ensure that we honor God’s Temple, the buildings as well as our bodies.

The theme of faith is mentioned in reference to the fig tree in verses 18 through 22. Jesus was hungry, saw the fig tree, and approached it to obtain fruit from it. But there were only leaves on the tree, so He cursed it. The tree withered away immediately. Friend, we are supposed to be producing fruit just like that fig tree was supposed to be. Don’t allow our Heavenly Father to find your life to be unproductive or producing bad fruit; it may cause you to be cursed and wither away. The disciples were amazed by the speed at which the tree withered so they asked Jesus about it. Jesus told them if they had faith instead of doubt, they would be able to do similar; they would also be able to pray for anything in faith, and they would receive what they prayed for. Get your faith up, friend!!

In verses one through sixteen, we read about the parable of the vineyard workers. Verse one compares the Kingdom of Heaven to the landowner who went and hired workers for the vineyard. He went out early one morning to find workers, agreed to pay them a full day’s wage, and sent them into the vineyard to work. At different times during the day, the landowner found and sent more workers into the vineyard; the last group was found and sent to work only one hour before the day was over. At closing, he called all of the workers to him to be paid. He paid them all the same wage, a full day’s wage. The workers that were there all day protested out of jealousy because they felt as if they should’ve been paid more than the others. BUT they had agreed to their pay at the beginning of the day. Friend, Jesus paid the ultimate wage for our lives. We all are workers within the Kingdom of God and our wage for the work that we do is the same wage, eternal life. We need to tend to our own work and our own wage.

In verses 17 through 19, we read that Jesus and the disciples were headed to Jerusalem. Jesus spoke with them privately telling them that He would be betrayed, sentenced to death, handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. BUT on the third day, He would be raised from the dead. I believe this is the third prophecy of His death and resurrection within this chapter.

In verses 25 through 28, we read that Jesus called the disciples together and explained the significance of serving others. He told them that whoever wanted to be a leader among them must be a servant, and whoever wanted to be first among them must become a slave. He ended this by saying even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many. Friend, we are called to serve others not to be served. We dare not think more highly of ourselves.

In verses 30 through 34, two blind men heard that Jesus was coming through their area so they began to cry out for Him to have mercy on them. The people attempted to silence them, but they kept calling out to Jesus. He stopped and asked them what they wanted to which they responded to see. Jesus had compassion for them and touched their eyes; instantly, they were healed. That’s not all. After being healed, they followed Him. Friend, I believe that God has done more than enough for us to seek the Healer and follow Him.

The setting is the region of Judea east of the Jordan River as large crowds continued to follow Jesus and be healed of sickness. In verses three through nine, some Pharisees came to Jesus attempting to trap Him once again with their questions. They questioned Him regarding grounds for divorce. Jesus’ responded mentioning the intent for God’s creation of male, female, and marriage; He also expressed how marriage is meant to be permanent. After more questioning, He stated that a divorce is acceptable on grounds of adultery. The disciples responded in verse 10 stating it was better to not marry at all than to marry and divorce. Jesus agreed with this statement and stated that not everyone can accept that. He explained that some people are born eunuchs, some made eunuchs by others, and some choose for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Pharisees were questioning Jesus only to find fault in His answers so that they could have Him arrested. Don’t be a Pharisee. I am not elaborating on divorce, go back and read what Jesus had to say.lol But I will elaborate on the eunuch part. A eunuch is someone who abstains from marriage and sex. When Jesus said that some people are born eunuchs, He was referencing someone who had been born with a defect in hormones or physical characteristics necessary from reproduction. When He said made eunuchs by others, He was referencing those that were castrated due to cultural practices. When He said choose to be eunuchs, He was referencing someone who commits to celibacy and singleness so they can be totally committed to the Kingdom of God.

In verses 16 through 22, we read about the rich man who came to Jesus asking what good deed must he perform to have eternal life. Jesus mentioned obeying the commandments; the man replied that he already obeys the commandments. So Jesus told him to go sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, come and follow Him. The man walked away sad because he had many possessions that he was not willing to give up. Just as the disciples had left their families, jobs and businesses, God expects up to do the same in order to be His disciples.

In verse 27, Peter stated they had given up everything to follow Jesus before asking what would they get in return. Jesus told them what they would inherit in verse 28. To add some icing to the cake, in verse 29, Jesus revealed what we would receive if we were to give up our possessions and leave our families behind to follow Him. That reward includes receiving 100 times as much in return and inheriting eternal life. God has so much more in store for each of us. But obtaining that so much more can be costly for us due to our desires, wills, and inability to “sell our things, give to the poor, and follow Him”. But friend, just imagine the 100 fold return you will receive as well as eternal life. For what profits a man to gain the world but lose his soul? What are you willing to give up in order to inherit eternal life?

In verses one through four, Jesus tells the disciples the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is humble like a little child. He also told them in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven, they must turn from their sin and become like a child. Although a child is referenced within these verses, we can interpret it as someone that is new to the faith or “a babe in Christ”. This reference is solidified in verses five and six which tell us that welcoming a child in the name of Jesus is welcoming Him; and anyone who causes the child to sin is better off dead. Friend, we must welcome the babes in Christ with open arms by showing them Him and leading them to Him. We must also be very intentional in our walks with Christ when claiming to be His children. We have to be careful not to allow our lifestyles to cause people to sin and/or abandon/reject God. There should be no confusion as to whether you serve God or Satan when people analyze you and your lifestyle.

In verses 12 through 14, we read the parable of the lost sheep. Just as the shepherd left his entire flock to seek out that one lost sheep, our Shepherd seeks out the lost sheep. He brings us back into His Kingdom. God does not give up on us; He does not leave us lonely. He cares about His children and is willing to come after us. {Side note: when you hear the phrase, “He left the 99 to find the one”, this is the parable that is being referenced.}

The topic for verses 15 through 35 is forgiveness. Friend, forgiveness is not a suggestion, but it is a command from God. We, as believers, must forgive instead of holding grudges. Why do we carry around hurt and pain from past situations for so long instead of seeking forgiveness? When approaching someone so that you can forgive them, it is not a time to blame, shame, or “let it all out”. It is a time to let your heart speak, release the emotions/pain, and free yourself! I want to encourage you to search your heart for any unforgiveness that resides within it. We tend to think that we are always right when in all actuality, we are wrong at times. Apologies are not just for people who have committed the wrong; they are freeing agents for the people who were wronged. Apologize even if it wasn’t fully “your fault”. Forgive, Be free. And move forward.

We must live with humility, sensitivity, compassion, discipline, and forgiveness.

In verses one through 13, we read about Jesus taking the three (Peter, James and John) to a mountaintop to witness His transfiguration. Jesus’ appearance changed, Moses and Elijah appeared, and God spoke. This event validated Jesus as the Messiah and increased the disciples’ faith via showing Jesus’ divinity. When coming down the mountainside, the disciples questioned Jesus as to why the religious teachers said Elijah had to come prior to Him (the Messiah). Jesus stated this was true before revealing that “Elijah” had already come; He said that the people had not recognized him and chose to abuse him. The disciples later realized that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist as Elijah. Friend, imagine the sight of Jesus shining as bright as the sun and His garments glowing in appearance. Imagine the voice of God being heard to validate Jesus bring the Messiah. Imagine the honor of being able to witness such an event. Then imagine how blind the religious teachers were; they were looking for someone who had already come and died. While caught up in laws, religious teachings and traditions, they missed “Elijah” and were missing the Messiah as well.

In verses 14 through 21, Jesus and the three met a crowd at the bottom of the mountain. A man came before Jesus kneeling. He explained how his son was suffering from seizures which caused him to be thrown into the fire and water. The man stated that he had brought his son to the disciples, but they were not able to heal him. Jesus rebuked the disciples for not having any faith and told them to bring the boy to Him. Jesus rebuked the demon, and the boy was healed. Privately, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast the demon out. Jesus replied they did not have enough faith; for with faith, nothing is impossible. He also added that it took prayer and fasting to cast out certain kinds of demons. The latter verse is a very popular verse in the “demon casting out” world. I would like to render you an explanation of this verse. Prayer and fasting are spiritual practices which decrease the desires of our flesh and increase the desires of our spirit. These practices build our faith and relationship with God. They also increase our spiritual power allowing us to walk in our God-given power and authority. As a result of the spiritual increase via such practices, we, enabled by God’s Spirit, are able to perform such things as casting out demons.

We read of a very similar scene to open this chapter. In verses one through four, the Pharisees and Sadducees come to Jesus demanding a miraculous sign to prove His authority to them just as they had done in chapter 12. Jesus responded questioning them on how them they knew the signs to predict the weather, but they didn’t know the signs of the times. And just as He said in chapter 12, He mentioned the only sign they would receive was the sign of the prophet Jonah. If we are being honest, we have had or still have a degree of the Pharisees and Sadducees within us. Despite Jesus proving to us time and time again, we continue to ask for a sign. Despite seeing Him work in so many ways, we continue to need reassurance and clarity. But just as Jesus did not grant their request, there comes a time when He does not grant our request. We have to stand on His words. We have to trust Him at His words. We have to have faith that He will perform His words.

After that interaction with the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus and the disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake. It is there where the disciples realized that they did not bring any loaves of bread. Jesus rebuked them telling them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples disregarded what He said and argued amongst themselves regarding the forgotten loaves. Jesus called their lack of faith out and referenced the miracles that He had performed with the loaves and fish. He then reiterated for them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. It wasn’t until verse 12 that the disciples realized that Jesus was not speaking of yeast in bread but of the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. How could the disciples who had witnessed Jesus perform miracles with such little be worried about having nothing? How could they not just have faith in His power and authority? How could they allow the deceptive teachings and traditions of the Pharisees and Sadducees to override the manifestations of Jesus’ power? Friend, when I said “they”, I am referring to “us” as well.

Verses 13 through 20 contain a few of my favorite scriptures. Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”. The disciples respond. Then He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”. Peter had the revelation and insight, and we see it via his response in verse 16. Jesus called him blessed beaucse He knew Peter’s revelation didn’t come from a human viewpoint. He professed that His church would be built on the rock, and hell would not conquer against it. He professed that the Keys of the Kingdom would be ours to bind and loose on earth and in heaven. Then He told the disciples not to reveal that He was the Messiah. How have people described Jesus to you? How would you describe Jesus to someone else? In reflection, I have heard people describe Jesus as such and such. But I didn’t know Him as a healer until I faced an illness needing to be healed. I didn’t know Him as the Lord over my life until I laid my will down and picked His will up. It’s something to hear about what God has done for someone else, but it is such an honor to experience Him for yourself.

In verse 21, we read that from that point forward, Jesus began to plainly tell the disciples that He would have to go to Jerusalem, suffer many terrible things, and be killed; but he would be raised from the dead. In verses 22 through 23, we see an exchange between Peter and Jesus as Peter was speaking against God’s will. Jesus rebuked him for doing so saying that Peter was looking at the prophecy from a human viewpoint instead of God’s viewpoint. But didn’t Peter just reveal that Jesus was the Messiah from God’s viewpoint? That lets us know that our emotions can charge us to the point of our eyesight being shifted from God’s viewpoint to a human’s viewpoint. I want to encourage you to keep charge over your eyesight, friend. As the devil desires to cause our eyesight to be obscured so that we cannot see things from God’s viewpoint.

This chapter is brought to a close with verses similar to those found in chapter 10. In verses 24 through 27, Jesus reiterated that we must give up our way, take up our cross, and follow Him. We must give up our lives for His sake so that we can be saved. He questions what the benefit is with gaining the world but losing our souls. He mentioned that He would come with His angels and judge all people according to their deeds. What type of deeds would you be judged for if Jesus came back today?

To open this chapter, we read that some of the Pharisees and teachers of religious law came to Jesus asking Him why His disciples didn’t obey their tradition of ceremonial hand washing prior to eating. The Pharisees and teachers were saying that the disciples not performing the ceremonial hand washing made them/the food unclean. Jesus clapped back by calling them out regarding them not obeying the direct commandments of God. How could they ask Jesus such a thing about the traditions that they had made up? How could they ask that question while knowing that they were not obeying God’s commandments? They were attempting to cancel out the word of God for the sake of tradition. If you were to think back over your life, I am sure that you would pinpoint times when you chose tradition over the Bible too.

In verses 10 through 20, we read about Jesus teaching the crowd regarding what defiles us ( makes us corrupt, unclean, or impure). It is not what goes into our mouths but what comes out of our hearts that defiles us. The disciples interrupted Jesus’s teaching in verse 12 telling Him that He had offended the Pharisees in His response. Jesus replied that every plant that is not planted by the Father in Heaven will be uprooted before referring to them as the blind leading the blind. After that, Jesus provided an elaboration on defilement. He said that the things we consume go into our stomachs and pass into the sewer. But the words we speak come from the heart, and those words make us corrupt, unclean, or impure; for from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These things defile us; not eating with unwashed hands.

In verses 22 through 28, we read where a Gentile woman comes to Jesus seeking healing for her demon possessed daughter. Due to cultural differences, Jews and Gentiles were not a cohesive unit. We are allowed a view of this indifference via Jesus’ responses to the woman in verses 24 and 26. But the woman’s FAITH caused Jesus to grant her request, and her daughter was healed instantly. There goes Jesus again; healing due to a person’s faith. This has been a common theme for many of the chapters within this book. Take heed to it. I also want to mention verse 25 as I close this posting. After Jesus told the woman He had been sent for the people of Israel (which means she was not included), she came and worshipped Him pleading for Him to help her. Not only that, in verse 27, she told Jeuss that even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table. And friend, I believe that is what caused Jesus to move on her behalf. Basically, she said, “I know I do not belong to that population, but I know that you are my Master so I will take whatever they didn’t partake in”. Whew! We know from our previous readings that Jesus’ people had rejected Him…they left scraps in the rejection. And this woman was hungry enough to “eat” the scraps that had fallen beneath her Master’s table.

In verses one through 11, we read the backstory of John the Baptist’s arrest, imprisonment, and death. Basically, a man married his brother’s ex-wife, and John spoke out against it publicly. He told the man that his marriage to the woman was unlawful; this was because the man and the woman had divorced their spouses to marry each other. The woman was upset with John for speaking out against her new marriage. The man was upset as well and wanted to kill John, but He was afraid that the people would riot due to John being considered a prophet. Eventually, the woman, via her daughter, had John beheaded. Although you may not be imprisoned or beheaded, you will suffer consequences for standing up and speaking out against unlawful (unGodly) things/people. Take the stand and speak out anyways! When you are led by God in these moments, remember that Heaven is backing you up!

I know you’ve heard the miracle of the 2 fish and 5 loaves; this is referenced in verses 15 through 21. We read that Jesus took those 2 fish and 5 loaves, looked up to heaven, and blessed it prior to feeding 5,000 men in addition to all the women and children there. We read that there was an abundance of food as everyone ate as much as they desired, and there were 12 baskets of leftovers when everyone was finished. Friend, be encouraged and full of faith!! God is able to take that little that you have and multiply it into much!!

John’s disciples had told Jesus about John’s death earlier in the chapter, but He was occupied. After He had finished feeding the crowd, Jesus sent them and the disciples away so He could go and pray alone. Even Jesus took moments to address hurt and grief. So why do you feel as if you can tuck your emotions under the rug and not deal with them? Why are you afraid to face the things that you’ve buried with the lie of “I don’t care” while knowing you’re feeling a certain way? The best place to release that pain, hurt, disappointment, and sorrow is at His feet in prayer!

Another miracle is referenced in this chapter as well in verses 22 through 33. Jesus was walking on the water to catch up with the disciples after He finished praying. A great wind came upon the waters and the waves were great; the disciples were having a hard time on that boat. I can just imagine Jesus casually walking towards them, and Peter working up enough courage to request to do the same. Jesus told him to come, and just like that, Peter was walking on the water too. But Peter became afraid due to the wind and waves so he began to sink. Jesus saved him from sinking and rebuked Him by saying, “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?” In the midst of the storms, Jesus calls for us to exercise our faith and step out onto the water. Most of the time, we find ourselves remaining in the boat due to fear, lack of faith, and doubt. Most of time, we held ourselves back from experiencing the fullness of God’s power. He desires us to not doubt what He is able to do, but more greatly, He desires us to not doubt what we are able to do through Him. FRIEND, STEP OUT AND WALK ON THAT WATER!

Friend, I need you to read this chapter in its entirety. I love when Holy Spirit provides me with fresh revelation on scriptures that I’ve read in the past. I’m going to keep this reflection short and sweet because it is my prayer that you will experience revelation as you read it for yourself. I want to encourage you to ensure the seeds (God’s words) being thrown out to you are planted into your heart and produce harvest (a life multiplied by God). I want to encourage you to be the wheat and not the weed. Do not allow the enemy to convince you that living a life of sin is worth dying and going to hell for. Instead, realize that only living a life led by God ensures that you will see the Kingdom of Heaven. Lastly, I want to encourage you to address and allow Jesus to heal your heart from rejection that you’ve experienced from your family, friends, and your hometown. We read in verses 54 through 58 that Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. The people were amazed by His teachings and miracles, but ultimately, they were offended and rejected Him due to “knowing His family”. Instead of Jesus attempting to convince them of His worth (like we do at times), He performed less miracles because they didn’t believe in Him. If people don’t believe in you, your calling, your Godly lifestyle, don’t attempt to prove yourself to them. Do as Jesus did!