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“I Am With You Always” We end our study and meditations on the book of Matthew today. We end with the last words and promise of Jesus “I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:20. This promise is to His Disciples. We know that only those who believe and trust in Jesus are His disciples. God's Holy Spirit only lives and abides in His disciples. If you are not a disciple, then this is the time to become one by believing and trusting in the death, burial, resurrection of Christ for forgives of sins and for all righteousness. It can’t be any better that God Himself will be with you us always. God, the Almighty and Creator of all things will be with me always? It is mind blowing and I can’t yet comprehend and absorb it all. Can you? Notice that the book of Matthew started with the same promise and ended with the same promise. In Matthew 1:23, we read, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God wit...

Make Disciples “18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20. “Make Disciple” is a compound verb. It calls for action but it also calls for “being” more than “doing”. We are Disciples of Christ. We are followers and Christ-look-alikes. If we are to make disciples, we must be disciples. Being a disciple is an on-going relationship and fellowship with Christ. We have seen that unbelief will stop anyone from being a disciple. If you do not believe in Christ, you are not a disciple. We have also seen that we must understand He who commands and His authority to send. When we recognize and understand that the one with “all authority” lives in...

“All Authority” to Go and Make Disciples Last week we were confronted with any unbelief and doubt regarding who Jesus is and the truth of His resurrection. If Jesus has not risen, our faith is futile. Any unbelief in this truth is good indication that one is not of Christ and Christ does not live in him/her. We saw that Jesus “rebuked” his disciples of unbelief before He could command them to go make disciples. Today, we look at what Jesus told the disciples regarding who is sending them and the “authority” He has. Here is our text under study: Matthew 28:16-20: "16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teac...

Jesus is Risen – Big Deal! So what that Jesus rose from the dead? What a big deal? It is the biggest deal ever and the biggest deal that will continue to be replicated in millions of lives forever. Jesus is alive and because he lives, we also who believe and trust in Him will rise from the dead and live with Him forever. Hallelujah! Mary and the disciples, though initially did not comprehend and understand that Jesus rose “just as He had said”, they were thrilled to see Jesus again as the risen Lord. We too will see the risen Lord. Not everybody was happy to know and see the risen Jesus then. In fact there were intentional efforts to silence the news with lies and payoffs (see Matthew 28:13-15). It is still same today. People will tell you that Jesus’ resurrection is your opinion and that it is fabricated. The Muslims and likewise many other cults, don’t even acknowledge that Jesus died and what more rising from the dead. People are being paid money in religions to silence the tr...

Jesus Crucified All of creation and all of world’s history and all of God’s plan have come down to one event and to one weekend of activities that have never happened before and will never happen again. Jesus Christ is crucified. God himself have been humiliated and suffered in the hands of his own creation. What God can allow that and for what purpose? Let’s read, be humbled and understand and appreciate how the Son of God died a horrific death and once forever paid the penalty for our sin that restored all of God’s creation to himself. All have missed the mark or target for which we were created namely to worship the creator rather than the created (See Romans 1:18-32). We all enthroned ourselves as god and worshiped self instead of the almighty creator God. Who in their right mind will tolerate being second in preeminence to what he has created? We thank you Lord for your death and for our redemption from our stupidity of idolatry. It is only the love, kindness and mercy of Go...

Pilate and Which Jesus? Pilate was the governor who was to judge Jesus when the Jewish leaders had accused him. Listen to Pilate’s question. “Are you the king of the Jews?” Matthew 27:11. Pilate was more interested in securing his political position than finding the truth (see John 18-19). It is same with our today’s politicians. We all want to approach Jesus from our point of interest and what we can get out of Him. Let’s resist the temptation and choose the right Jesus and for the right reason. He is God and must be worshipped. Which Jesus do you want released – Jesus Barabbas or Jesus the Messiah? Which Jesus are you following? Let’s not make mistakes, we are still making the same choices even today. Everyone living is choosing the Jesus they want. Which have you or me chosen? Please read the account of previous choices people made. Matthew 27:15-26: “15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a we...

Suicide – Judas Hanged Himself According to Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC. “Suicide is one of the top 10 causes of death in the US right now, and it's one of three causes that is actually increasing recently”. Some recent celebrity deaths by suicide have brought more attention to a hopeless generation dying rapidly of suicide. This is a complex, difficult subject and not to be taken lightly. Suicide is a spiritual problem and always instigated by the evil one. Satan always lies and say, "O it will be better for everyone, just end it." God created life and it is not up to us to end it by suicide, murder, abortion or any other means. We are discussing suicide in the context of our continuing study of the Gospel of Matthew. How can one go from hanging out with God himself for about three years to hanging himself? I do not know the answer and we will never understand every suicide on this side of eternity. Judas, however, was called the “son of...

Guilty for being God Emotions and words are flying high across America because of the President’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Everyone wants a judge who will render impartial and unbiased judgment from their own point of view. May we be reminded that our justice and salvation does not come from man or woman, the white house or out house but from the Lord, the righteous perfect Judge. Pray for the souls of Americans. This world will never offer us justice because no justice was offered to the only guiltless and perfect Son of God. We are all guilty and rightly so but Jesus was never guilty. Stop pleading your innocence for we are not and accept His righteousness for yourself. Today, we look at the mockery of justice in the hands of the chief priest and the Sanhedrins. Jesus was condemned to death for being God and for declaring that He is God. What an absurdity! I thank God that Jesus, as Messiah the Christ, took my place, my guilt and sin and have made me righteous forever....

Not as I will, but as You will Jesus had a choice to pray a different prayer at Gethsemane but He choose to pray three times, “O My Father, [h]if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Jesus would have prayed to “My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels.” Why? Jesus knew the will of the Father, and as Son and God, knew that there was no other plan for the salvation of humans from the wrath of God. We rejoice and thank God that His plan to be betrayed, arrested, tried, unjustly crucified, buried, rising from the dead, and ascending to heaven never changed. That is the good news, the gospel for which we are saved from our sins and reconciled to God forever. There is still no other plan for you and me. Jesus is the only plan and the only will. Will you allow God’s will to be done in your life today? He has died to give strength to our flesh (humanity) for “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Oh fr...

Can we Deny Jesus like Peter? Last week, we looked at Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Judas never believed and trusted in Jesus. In pretense, he was just carrying on just like many in the church today. We found this betrayal to coincide with the last supper or what we now celebrate as the church ordinance of Holy Communion. Jesus broke bread and gave to his disciples and poured wine and drank with them. These were symbols of what Christ has done on the cross for us. His body was broken for us and His blood was poured out for us once and forever for the cleansing of our sins. That is the good news of the gospel – forever forgiven and forever reconciled to God. Right after the last supper, Jesus informs the disciples, not just Peter that they will all deny him. Peter is the one who spoke up and said, not me. Also, the other disciples said they will never deny Jesus. Are we like Peter, insisting and saying not me Lord? In our flesh and natural strength, we can do nothing worthy for Chr...

Judas Betrayal and the Last Supper How could Judas desire and agree to betray Jesus? How could Peter succumb to deny Jesus? These are two hard questions with different outcomes. Today, we will look at Judas’ betrayal. There will always be an opportunity to betray Jesus. The opportunity is always offered by the devil and not God for God cannot tempt us to do evil. The fact we have offers does not mean we accept the offers. How do we reconcile Judas betrayal to the following statement by Jesus? “24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!” Was Judas designed from beginning to betray Jesus or could it have been another person? As “written of Him”, is this just a prophecy or prediction but not particularly to be accomplished by Judas? We have more questions than answers. One thing is for sure; there was a personal and willful decision by Judas just like for any other human being. Judas asked Jesus, ““Rabbi, i...

Jesus anointed to Die for Us - Be a Fool for Christ We transition to the road to the cross after hearing Jesus tell us what will happen at the end and the signs and timing of his coming. Before any of these will come to pass, Jesus has to die because that is why He came into the world. Jesus reminds his disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Matthew 26:2. “You know”. What do the disciples know? They knew from Scriptures that the Messiah, the Christ is destined to die for the sins of all. It was not a secret though the authorities wanted to secretly kill Jesus. Mary, takes a bold step of faith to anoint Jesus at the home of Simon the leper. She honored Jesus and became a fool for Christ and was criticized even by the disciples. Let's be fools for Christ in doing what the Holy Spirit inspires us to do. Please let’s read the account: Matthew 26:1-13: The Plot to Kill Jesus 26 Now it came to pas...

Jesus returns as the glorious King and Judge Today, we look at the conclusion of the answer of Jesus to the disciples’ question, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3. We have been told by Jesus to be ready for his sudden and soon return. We have also been told to be watchful and occupy and do the good works in our being ready. There is no room for laziness but we are to employ all that God has given us to serve others. As we read Matthew 25:31-46, it sounds like the judgment here is based on doing good and being nice to people. It could be misunderstood and must be viewed with everything else Jesus said and the entire counsel of God in the Scriptures. No one will inherit the kingdom of God on the basis of being nice and doing good. The good works we must do as those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus shed for the forgiveness of our sins. The key here is that they were called “the righteous...

Ready to Account for Your Life? We have just witnessed the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan. About 3 billion people watched it worldwide. This is the last wedding of its kind for a long time up to 30 years. This could also be the last royal wedding before the real majestic wedding of the bride of Christ. Are we ready? Notice that this wedding is the first to bring more races and nations together. Also a powerful gospel message was preached to the whole world – the redemptive power of love. Soon and very soon, Christ is coming again for His bride, the Church. In anticipation of His soon return, Jesus gives us a parable on how to occupy and be ready until he comes. The parable of the talents, is again like the previous two that emphasize being faithful to the very end. There is no room for the fearful and lazy person who says, ‘God did not give me enough to do what I am supposed to do’. We have been gifted according to our abilities and enablement of the Holy Spirit. We must ...

Be Watchful – Wise/Foolish Virgins We continue to look at the signs of the end and the soon return of Jesus Christ our Lord. In Matthew 24, Jesus gives us pointers but said ““Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Mathew 24:36 Jesus shows us the urgency for readiness towards His return in three parables of the faithful and wicked servants (Matthew 24: 45-51); the ten wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13); and the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In all, Jesus is looking for our faithfulness and obedience to the voice of His Holy Spirit. Last week, we studied the faithful and wicked servants. Today we are studying the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. This one is a very sobering and worth a lifetime of meditation because of the similarities of the ten virgins though there are major differences. We will focus on their diff...

Be Ready – Faithful Servant We are in the graduation and commencement season. Congratulations to all graduates at all levels. How do you get ready along the years for the commencement day? Simple. By attending classes, listening to your teacher, doing your home works, passing scheduled and surprise exams and quizzes and living life with other students, and occasionally playing some sports or other decent activities that make for a joyful student life. We have been looking at the signs of the end and the soon return of Jesus Christ our savior. In Matthew 24, Jesus gives us pointers but said ““Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Mathew 24:36. Comparing the Day of Christ’s return to the Commencement Day, though we do not know the exact day, there is still on-going and daily readiness. However, there is more urgency and too much at stake with ...

Signs of the End and Christ’s coming Matthew 24 is one of the most debated and variously interpreted words of Jesus. Let’s just agree that what is contained in this chapter is difficult to understand but not impossible. If Jesus did not want us to know about these events, he would have remained silent. After all Jesus was answering three specific questions asked by His disciples. "The disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matthew 24:3. We can agree on some points. One of these is that when Jesus pointed to the temple and said it will be destroyed, it was destroyed in A.D.70. Most of the remaining prophecies in Mathew 24 are on-going and some will take place in the future. There are on-going wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes and all kinds of natural disasters, but Jesus said it is not the end. There will be a great tribulation like never before which is...

Signs of the End – Don’t Be Deceived Jesus said the end of times was to begin. How come we are still in the beginning and how far in the beginning are we? Are we close to the end of times? We certainly don’t know and cannot with certainty answer any of those questions. Any attempt to be precise to a date is anti-Christ. We are given enough guidance to live in these end-times, therefore, we are not confused but we must not be deceived. For sure with certainty, Jesus is coming back soon as He said. Be ready. Let’s hear what Jesus said regarding signs of the times and the end of the age. Matthew 24:1-14: “Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the discip...

Who Are You Weeping For? Weep Like Jesus There comes a time when we are wounded so deep down into the core of our being. If you have not been there, you will. I can assure you of that. It is not if but when. It may be your own suffering but usually, it is about someone you love so dearly. It may be a child suffering unbearable pain from ill health and going through what you do not understand. It may be a teenager who has rebelled and gone his/her own way contrary to all you have taught him/her. A lost love? Have you been wounded deep down? What should we do when we are so wounded in our spirit? As disciples, we learn from our master and our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is Jesus weeping and lamenting for Jerusalem: 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for ...