Here in chapter 22 we find Jesus being put to the test and yet in the end its Jesus who asks the difficult questions. John 5:39 reminds us, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
One of my favorite children’s ministry stories is of the little boy named Johnny who was in the 4 year olds class. His teacher asked the class. “Can anyone tell me what has a long fury tail, loves to climb trees and collects nuts and stores them for the winter?” All the children looked at each other and raised their hands except little Johnny sitting in the back of the class. The teacher asked the little boy, “Johnny, do you know the answer?” Johnny hesitantly answered, “I know the answer is Jesus but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.”
The good news of the Gospel this morning is, Jesus is the answer! Amen!
Passing The Test
November 10, 2019 • Mike Osthimer • Matthew 22:15–46
Betrayed
March 8, 2020 • Mike Osthimer • Matthew 26:31–75
What did Jesus say? “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me...” It would have been better for all the disciples to agree with Jesus than to think they could alter the course of human history. Everything we do in this life fulfills the Word of God one way or another. Instead of fighting God’s Word, we need to learn to surrender to it, to accept and understand Father knows best. No one has ever proven God wrong. Ever.
Remember Me
March 1, 2020 • Mike Osthimer • Matthew 26
Jesus Christ is transforming an ancient “Seder” meal into a different meaning. No longer does this speak up the temporary physical bondage out of Egypt but the permanent spiritual deliverance from sin. It's my blood. It's my body that is broken. And Jesus said, "You will do this often and you will do it in remembrance of me.
Undenying Love
February 23, 2020 • Mike Osthimer • Matthew 26:14–35
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests Judas as one of the 12 Only 12 people in human history had the privilege Judas had. Judas proved to be a bad man. English philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon once said, "A bad man is worst when he pretends to be a saint." 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. What will you give me? What they offered Judas says everything about the worth the chief priests and elders placed on Jesus. 30 pieces of silver for a slave that was gored to death by an ox of a neighbor. Exodus 21:32 “If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned” Judas Iscariot put the value of Jesus equal to that of a gored slave. Wow! The sin of covetous. The ungodly desire for more. “When I want something more than I want God” All sin leads to death. First its spiritual death and then ultimately its physical death. The first thing that goes with the sin of covetousness is my personal relationship with Jesus. It no longer brings me pleasure, its no longer enough. I begin to compromise my relationship with Jesus for more of something else. The pursuit of wealth, the pursuit of a relationship, the pursuit of anything that causes willful disobedience to the Word and will of God for my life.