Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 7:13-14 (day two)  

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Are you a fan of the Indiana Jones series? Well, I certainly am, and my favorite of them all is “The Last Crusade”. At the end of the movie, and I hope I’m not spoiling this, Indy has to face various trials in order to reach the Holy Grail. The scene cuts between Indy and his dying father. The trial is called “The Breath of God” and the father keeps muttering the phrase “only the penitent man will pass”. Indy realizes that a penitent man is humble before God and must, therefore, bend the knee. I will stop there, as it is a work of fiction.

As I re-read verse 14, I am struck by the visual image Jesus creates. Small and narrow are the words he chooses. If we take this idea of someone looking for these gates, you get two different pictures. The broad gate is easy to find. You don’t have to look hard, you will practically run in to it. The small, narrow gate requires you to seek after it. Jesus’ words create a picture, in my mind, of one who is humble, penitent, aware that something will be required for entry through this gate. The requirement is our very self. We must be prepared to humble ourselves and search for the untrodden path. Jesus will be found when we are penitent of heart.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 7:7-11 (day two) 

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! vs. 11

Jesus addresses an interesting dichotomy that exists in our very nature. The first is our sin nature. Make no mistake, we are sinners. Born under the curse of sin, none of us is born righteous. This flies in the face of any modern sensibility. You will hear people speak of human nature as basically good, and you know they are not speaking from a Christian worldview. Our bent is to sin and self-preservation.

In our sin nature, however, we are also wired with the capacity to love. We are especially wired to care for our children. We share this with virtually every species on the planet.

What separates us from the rest of creation is our capacity to recognize our sin nature. Jesus uses this ability to reason to help us look around. If we, even in our fallen state, will care for our children: If we, see God as not only creator, but sustainer: If we then, see God as providing for us as his children, we can rest in his care and provision.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 7:1-6, 12 (day two) 

For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. vs 2

Have you ever listened to your children, or people who have been around you a long time, using your words when they argue or complain? I have, on more than one occasion, heard my girls arguing using the same phrases I use when disciplining them. More often than not, I cringe to hear my words in their mouths. Whereas when I utter them they come out and I rarely give them thought. To hear them in their mouths is very convicting. It shows how I can often lack grace when I’m upset. Whether we recognize it or not it we often respond negatively to those things we see in others that are really a reflection of our own wounds. When tempted to find fault with someone, find your own contribution to the hurt. You are more likely, then, to show compassion. Recognize where you are weak, and ask the Lord to strengthen those areas rather than castigate someone for struggling with the same issues.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:25-34 (day two) 

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 

We have a saying in our house “talking about talking about it.” Throughout our marriage we have used this phrase in various contexts. Early on it was used as a defense strategy in an argument to prove who was ‘right.’ Rather than deal with the issue we would go around and around about how and why we got to where we were. PSA: this isn’t a good strategy for young married couples.

I have noticed in recent days we use this ‘technique’ to worry and stress about the overwhelming schedules and responsibilities that come with parenting. We won’t be able to get from point A to point B in time. We don’t have enough bandwidth to help with homework, deal with work issues, get the rest that we need, etc. We often spend so much energy on this crazy cycle it leads to a sense of near hopelessness. We can’t do it. We can’t find enough time.

The time we spent worrying adds nothing to what is before us. It often makes us dread each and every task or chore. We miss opportunities to sit and enjoy because of the next deadline. This scripture doesn’t fix our busy schedules, but perhaps gives us a lifeline in the  midst of a crazy life. If we recognize the ‘worry’ actually takes time, we might be less inclined to do it so much. Wherever God has called you today, be there. Be all there. Tomorrow isn’t going anywhere.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:19-24 (day two) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…vs 20a

We were on a trip recently and the phrase ‘jewel in your crown’ came up. The girls had never heard it before, so we had an opportunity to talk about storing up treasures in heaven. When viewed with the totality of scripture, it is an odd phrase. We know that any ‘crown’ that we could achieve will ultimately, and gladly, be laid at the feet of Jesus. The image of accruing possessions or wealth in eternity is used so that we can have some temporal understanding. I can understand money, but it would be better to understand relationship. Our treasure or jewel should be knowing Jesus. The more we know him, the more we desire to be near him. That is a treasure worth having.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day two) 

But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Vs. 15

Jesus spoke about his relationship with God the father quite often. Do you remember the language he used? He would often speak of a complete unity, a oneness. He also prayed that we would be one. His desire was that we would be marked by love; known by that gracious, kind, and forgiving nature. Our church-wide theme this year is ‘Love Your Neighbor,’ and in the coming months we will find different ways to demonstrate this command. You may be living your life in obedience to scripture, but holding a bitterness toward someone. As a result, you may feel an emptiness to your prayer life. You may feel there is a hollowness to your faith. Restoring relationships is a full-time calling, and you have received it. Don’t let a broken friendship, bitterness toward family, or past transgressions muddy your ultimate relationship with Jesus.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 (day two) 

So when you ^[a]give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Vs. 2a

Happy Boxing Day! This second day of Christmas tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. In more recent times it has been associated with aristocracy presenting gifts, or boxes, filled with food or other things to their servants who had worked hard the day before to make sure Christmas Day was properly celebrated. Before that churches and other charitable institutions had collection boxes for the poor and needy which would be distributed on December 26.

Thinking about Boxing Day with regards to these verses, I realized this is a picture of the Christ child. He did not come with fanfare. He, for a time, was weak and helpless, not mighty and authoritarian. His beginning was quiet and humble. And he came for the poor. Those who were broken, and those who were in need. Regardless of your station in life, he came for you. Happy Boxing Day.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 5:33-48 (day two)  But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. Vs 37

I am not a good poker player. That should probably bring comfort for you to know one of your pastors doesn’t gamble well. It’s the bluffing. I can’t do it. Put another way, I am not the guy you want to walk into a car dealer with to try and purchase a new vehicle. Too often, I tell them exactly how much we have to spend, and what our old car is worth, and I always feel they are telling me the best price they can give. As far as bartering, I am deficient. The older I get, the more I recognize not everyone operates with this mindset. My assumption is that if I am telling the truth why would I think the other person is lying? 

Regardless of how I fare transactionally, this is the path the Jesus set for us as we deal with others. Frankly, we cannot be accountable for what other people say, but we are responsible for our words. Frankly, it’s so much easier to keep up with the truth than a lie. Know what you believe, and say it. Don’t try to be or say anything other than what you know.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 5:17-32 (day two) 

I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. vs. 17b

How many times have you heard a non-believer say that religion is a series of ‘thou shalt nots’? In doing so they have boiled the entirety of scripture into a sound bite of impossible standards of living. Jesus highlights a few of the commandments, and even takes them to their extreme with how we should treat one another. In the final analysis, it’s true, we can’t keep up our end of the bargain, so what are we missing? We are missing the work of a perfect savior. He and he alone can perfectly keep the law, and it is on him that we are to rely when we cannot. It is through the lens of his atonement which makes these conversations possible, or we would be constantly fretting about how poorly we measured up to the law today. We live, not free from the law, but wholly justified by his perfection. Walk in that light today.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 5:13-16 (day two) 

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. vs. 16

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” C.S. Lewis

Think of someone in your life who simply radiates the love of Jesus. Do they have a glow about them? If you are thinking of someone like I am, they certainly do. What amazes me is how clearly they understand the source of all hope and joy. They see that it is not anything about themselves, but everything about who Jesus is, and what he has done in their lives. When our lives become more about Jesus, and less about self we become a beacon, a lighthouse, a way point to a world that cannot comprehend light.

If you think about it more, it is a sad reality that you don’t know more people who radiate Jesus love. It makes the ones who do shine brighter, but our prayer should be that we fill the world with his love, so we all can shine.