I had to read through this chapter several times to figure out what I could learn about God’s character. Several of the parables are really interesting but are more about us than about Him. Finally, I stopped on this verse:

I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Matthew 22:32

I can’t exactly put my finger on why this text is so awe-inspiring to me. Maybe because God is the same throughout history. He is the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and Jacob. Not was, but is. From generation to generation, God is the same.

He cares about the living. God cares about me. And you.

We have hope in a future life. Death is not the end. God is the God of those who have died but they will live again. If we choose to accept Him, death is not permanent. We can live again and live with Him!

Father, thank You for being my God. Thank You for being the same throughout history, for being Someone we can rely on and trust. Please help me to remember that You are eternal. Thank You for the hope that this life is not the end, that there is still more to come. Thank You for making that possible for anyone who chooses. Amen.

Today’s reading is Matthew 19.

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26

When you look over the chapters we’ve read thus far, it’s easy to see how all things are possible with God. So far, God has calmed storms, healed the sick, made the blind see, forgave sins, fed a huge crowd from just one lunch (twice!), and raised someone to life. God really is powerful!

And yet He has a soft side.

And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
Matthew 19:15

To put this verse in context, little children had been brought to Jesus for Him to bless them. The disciples tried to keep the children away. However, Jesus intercepted them and laid His hands on them. The God of the universe who can raise the dead also takes the time to bless little children. What a God!

Father, thank You so much for revealing Yourself through the word. Thank You for being both powerful and compassionate at the same time. Please help me remember your compassionate side, not to be nervous about how powerful You are compared to how weak I am. Thank You for demonstrating that you care for each of us! Help me to show that love to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

I’ve been keeping up with the reading but my blogging has been a bit intermittent in Blogging Through the Gospels!

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Matthew 17:5

This description echoes what happened at Jesus’ baptism. At that time, a voice came from heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Throughout Jesus’s life, God gave evidence to man that He was well pleased with His Son.

I take this to mean that we are to both hear Him (as the Father commanded) and act like Him. Everything Jesus did was approved of by His Father. They acted as one.

Father, please help me to be like You. Like Your Son. Thank You for sending Jesus as an example of what You are like. Please guide me today, tomorrow, and after that. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you want to join us in the reading, please visit today’s devotional guide and jump right in!

For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
Matthew 12:8

I had plans to write a fancy blog post about the Sabbath but right now I just have thankfulness in my heart. No grandiose thoughts, only a heartfelt thankfulness for being blessed with the Sabbath.

My husband worked some crazy hours this week. On Wednesday night, he was up until 1AM. Thursday night, he wasn’t finished with work until 3:30AM. We are tired. I don’t stay up quite that late, but I stay up as late as possible to keep him company. We try to sleep in as much as possible but the cats start bugging around 5AM.

So, when Friday night comes around, we are usually exhausted but ecstatic that Sabbath has arrived. Last night we collapsed into bed at 8 and slept for 12 hours.

Anyways, I am really having a hard time putting thoughts together. I said all of that to say that I am so glad that the Sabbath did not end with Christ’s death. We still have a weekly rest day, a day to spend in communion with God. We need the Sabbath every week. Christ knew we would need a day to recuperate and spend with Him. It was a huge gift to mankind and I am so grateful for it.