Matthew 18:21

Matthew 18:21 says, Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Peter came to Jesus looking for a legalistic answer about forgiving his brother, saying seven times.  At what point would Peter have forgiven him enough.  We don't need to look for ways to no longer forgive others, but must be willing to forgive as long as necessary.  Verse twenty-two declares, Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.  Jesus answered seventy times seven, which basically means more than we can count.  Verse twenty-three says, Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.  Jesus told the disciples another parable, this one about a certain king who called his servants in to give and accounting.  Verse twenty-four adds, And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.  One of his servants who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.  Verse twenty-five continues, But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.  The king ordered the man, his wife, his children and all that he had to be sold when the man couldn't pay him.  The king had the power and even the right to do so legally.  Verse twenty-six declares, The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  The servant fell down and worshipped the king and asked for mercy, saying that he would repay him in time.  Verse twenty-seven says, Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.  The king was moved with compassion and forgave the servant.  The servant had to be rejoicing.  Verse twenty-eight states, But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.  The man who had been forgiven found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence and took him by the throat and demanded payment right then.  We would think that he would have had patience with his fellow servant, but he did not.  Peter was like the servant who had everything forgiven by God, and so are we, and we will never have to repay what we owe, because we cannot.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  His fellow servant reacted the same way that the man had with the king, falling down and asking for patience.  Verse thirty declares, And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.  Instead of being patient, the man had his fellow servant thrown into prison.  He did not treat his fellow servant as his master had treated him.  Verse thirty-one adds, So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.  When the other servants saw what the man had done, they were very sorry and went and told the master.  Verse thirty-two declares, Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  The servant was called before the master and reminded of what the master had done for him because he begged him to.  The master called the man a wicked servant.  When it comes to forgiving others as Christians, we must remember what God has done for us, and we really did not have to beg Him.  God freely forgives those who will put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty-three asks, Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  The man was held accountable for his lack of forgiveness, and I believe we will be also if we fail to forgive others, especially our fellow servants in Christ.  Verse thirty-four continues, And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.  The master was angry with the servant and had him delivered to the tormentors until he could repay his debt.  Verse thirty-five declares, So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.  Jesus told Peter that the heavenly father was the same way with all people.  God forgives us of all our trespasses if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and He expects us to be just as forgiving to others.  God does not limit His forgiveness to us, and we should not limit our forgiveness to others.

Matthew 18:11

 Matthew 18:11 says, For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.  We need never forget why Jesus came.  Jesus came to seek and to save lost mankind.  Verse twelve states, How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?  Jesus asked if a man had a hundred sheep and one went astray, would the man just ignore the one or would he leave the ninety nine and go in search of the lost one.  Once we are saved, Jesus does not need to find us any more.  We are safe in His fold.  Verse thirteen adds, And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.  Jesus said that the man would rejoice more over the one than over the ninety-nine that had not gone astray.  What we have to realize is that we were all at one time the one that had gone astray.  We have all gone astray, but when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we become a part of the ninety-nine.  We are safely in His care forever.  Verse fourteen declares, Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.  Jesus said that it is not the will of the heavenly Father that any should perish.  When someone says that they cannot worship a God Who sends people to hell, we need to tell them that He doesn't.  God has done everything possible to redeem mankind, and only requires that they accept His Son by faith in order to be saved.  Verse fifteen adds, Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  Jesus told the disciples, which applies to us as well if we are His followers, that if we have a problem with someone, that we are to go to that person and tell them the problem.  We are not to go to others and tell them about what the person has done, but we are to keep it between us and the other person.  If we can make things right, then we have gained a brother.  Verse sixteen continues, But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  Jesus then states that if we cannot make things right, then we are to take two or three others with us and attempt to do so with their help.  Once more, we are not to just complain and talk about someone that we have a problem with, but we are to attempt to make things right with them, first by our self and then with the help of fellow believers if necessary.  Verse seventeen declares, And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  Jesus then said if the person still refused to listen, then tell it to the church, and if he still refused to listen then consider him as a heathen.  We too often first tell everyone else and never go to the person them self.  Verse eighteen adds, Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Jesus said that Christians have a lot of power, but only if they are following the will of God.  We cannot simply say that we do not like some one or some thing and have it or him or her barred from heaven.  We must always act out of love under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse nineteen continues, Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  Again, this must be done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and for God's glory and not just so we can get anything that we want if we simply have another Christian to agree with us.  Verse twenty declares, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  We often use this verse to support the idea of gathering together to worship, and it does, but it is more than that I believe.  In context, it means that two or three believers gathering together to solve problems with others, under the leadership of God, they can do so.

Matthew 18:1

Matthew 18:1 says, At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  The disciples came to Jesus asking who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  The disciples were beginning to let ego come into the the picture, since at this time, they were still looking for Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom I believe.  At least they came to Jesus for the answer.  Verse two declares, And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,  Jesus called for a little child and set the child in the midst of the disciples.  It mat have seemed to the disciples that Jesus was ignoring their question.  When we ask God a question, we must allow Him to answer in His own way.  Verse three adds,  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus told the disciples, and tells us today, that we must be  converted and come to Him as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven.  It is not about working to be the greatest, but about coming to Jesus by faith alone.  Verse four continues, Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus said that anyone who came to Him in child like faith, totally dependent on Him for salvation, would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Verse five declares, And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.  Jesus does not differentiate between little children, but tells us that if we receive even one of them that we receive them.  Verse six adds, But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Jesus told the disciples that a person would be better off if he or she drowned them self than they would if they offended, or harmed, a little child.  Verse seven adds, Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  Jesus acknowledged that offences were going to come, but He also said that woe be to him by which they came.  Verse eight continues, Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  Jesus said that we are to take sin seriously, and that if our hand or foot offends us, or leads us into sin, that we should cut it off, and that we are better off entering the kingdom of God halt and maimed than entering hell with all our body parts intact.  Verse nine states further, And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.  This is just a continuation of what Jesus said about the hand or foot.  Verse ten declares, Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.  There was a further warning about not despising the little ones.  I believe that Jesus was talking about any little child anywhere in the world and not just those who are closest to us.

Matthew 17:22

 Matthew 17:22 says, And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:  While Jesus and the disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus told them that He would be betrayed by the hand of man.  We are betrayed when those who we claim to be close to us turn against us.  Verse twenty-three adds,  And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.  Jesus told the disciples that He would be killed and would rise again on the third day.  They were saddened by this statement.  We today as Christians should be saddened by what happened to Jesus, but we should rejoice in the fact that He rose again on the third day.  Verse twenty-four says, And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?  Jesus and the disciples traveled to Capernaum, where Peter was approached and asked if Jesus didn't pay tribute.  The ones asking did not go to Jesus, but to Peter, who did not even keep their purse, or money.  If someone has questions about how God works, the best thing is to go to God Himself, though we as His disciples should be able to answer some questions.  Verse twenty-five states, He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?  Peter did not go to Jesus for the answer but said yes for Him, then when Peter came to Jesus, He asked Peter what he was thinking.  Jesus asked Peter if He thought that the  kings of the earth take tribute of their own citizens or of strangers.  Verse twenty-six says, Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.  Peter replied of strangers, and Jesus then stated that the children were free.  Since Jesus is the King of all the earth, there is never a reason for Him to pay tribute to anyone in the earth.  Verse twenty-seven declares, Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.  Jesus said in order to not offend those asking tribute, that Peter was to go to the sea, cast his net, take up the first fish and open its mouth, and there he would find a piece of money to give them for tribute.  Jesus could have just produced the coin, but He included Peter in producing it.  God today could just give us everything that we need, but He usually includes us in providing for our needs.  This requires faith in action.  

Matthew 17:14

 Matthew 17::14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,  Once more, their was a single individual who came to Jesus for help, and even in a multitude, we must come to Jesus individually, even if we are asking for help for someone else.  Verse fifteen adds, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.  It would not be politically correct to call someone a lunatic today, but he man's son had problems.  He would often harm himself.  The man was concerned for the physical wellbeing of his son, and we should be concerned with the physical wellbeing of our children today, but even more importantly we should be concerned with their spiritual wellbeing.  We should always bring them to Jesus in prayer in either case.  Verse sixteen continues, And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.  It is a good thing to bring those that we care about to the church, God's disciples today, but unless they then bring the problems of the person to Jesus, then they will not be able to do anything.  Since Jesus was evidently unaware of the man's problem, then we have to assume that the disciples attempted to help the man on their own.  Since the disciples were unable to help the man, we also have to assume that they were acting under their own power and not by faith in Jesus to empower them.  We must be careful that we as followers of Christ never begin to act under our own power instead of allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to work through us.  Verse seventeen declares, Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.  Jesus was basically talking to the disciples I believe.  He called them, and of course nearly all others as well, a wicked and perverse generation, and then asked how long He would be with them.  Jesus had already told the disciples the parable of the mustard seed concerning faith, yet they remained basically powerless to do anything for God.  We have that same promise, but we often act as though we are powerless in the world today.  Jesus then told the man to bring his son to Him.  Verse eighteen adds, And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.  Jesus rebuked the devil in the son and that very hour he was healed.  The child had been acting the way he was not because of some mental defect but because he was allowing a devil to control him.  Once more, there was no big battle, but when Jesus told the devil to come out of the child the devil had no choice but to do so.  Verse nineteen asks, Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?  The disciples came to Jesus wanting to know why they could not heal the boy.  We today may often feel that we are unable to do something for those around us, but if we do then we need to come to Jesus and ask Him why.  It may be that we are asking something for our own benefit and not asking in accordance with God's will, or it may be that we are asking without real faith that God can do what we ask.  Whatever the reason, we need to look to God for the answer.  Verse twenty declares, And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  Jesus once again told the disciples that they could move a mountain with even faith the size of a mustard seed, which they evidently lacked at this time.  Verse twenty-one adds, Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.  Jesus said that faith like that came only from prayer and fasting.  They could not do it by their own power, and neither can we.

Matthew 17:1

 Mat5thew 17:1 says. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,  Jesus took three of the disciples up a mountain with Him.  Not all of the disciples were together with Jesus all the time.  Verse two states, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  There, the three, Peter, James and his brother John saw the transfiguration of Jesus.   Jesus' face shined like the sun and His raiment was white as light.  Verse three declares, And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  Not only did the disciples see Jesus, but they saw Moses and Elijah talking with Him.  I personally believe that Moses and Elijah were there in spiritual form more than in physical form, but they were seen and recognized either way.  Verse four states Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.  Peter once again spoke out and said it was good for the them to be there and offered to build three tabernacles for Moses, Elijah and Jesus.  Peter was a take action man, but often his actions were not based on the leadership of Jesus and some times his faith faltered..  We do not need to be the same way.  Verse five states, While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  Even as Peter was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them and  there came a Voice from heaven declaring Jesus to be His beloved Son and telling the three disciples to listen to Him.  We need to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit today, even if it only comes as a still small voice.  Verse six declares, And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.  When Peter, James and John heard the Voice, they fell on the ground because they afraid.  This was quite an experience, and we would probably have the same reaction today, but they should they have?  They should have recognized that this was the Voice of God and giving them a command and not threatening them.  We should be able to hear the Voice of God today without fear, as long as we are a follower of Christ and are living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse seven adds, And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.  Jesus told them to arise and be not afraid.  As long as we are listening to God today, we need to arise and be not afraid, no matter the situation.  Verse eight declares, And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.  When the three looked up, they saw only Jesus.  When we are in any situation today, whether bad or good, we need to look up and keep our focus on Jesus alone.  Verse nine adds, And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.  Jesus told Peter, James and John to not tell anyone of the vision until after His resurrection.  We must act in God's timetable at all times.  Verse ten says, And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?  The disciples asked Jesus why the scribes said that Elijah must come before the Messiah came.  Verse eleven declares, And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.  Jesus said this was true.  God's word is not going to change.  Verse eleven adds, But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.  Jesus said that this had already occurred.  Verse thirteen states, Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.  The disciples then recognized that John the Baptist fulfilled this prophesy.  We must never attempt to know more than God, but must simply look to the Holy Spirit to help us understand what God is saying to us.

Matthew 16:13

 Matthew 16:13 says, When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  Jesus asked His disciples who they said He was when He came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi.  It was important that they knew that He was more than just a carpenter's son turned preacher.   We today must know Who Jesus really is in order to be saved, and it is a question that we must all one day answer.  Verse sixteen states, And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  The disciples answered by telling Jesus Who other people said He was, but that wasn't the question.  It does not matter Who other people say Jesus is for a person to be saved, but Who each person says Jesus is for himself or herself.  Verse fifteen declares, He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  Jesus once again asked the disciples Who they said He was, and we may be asked the question more than once today.  Verse sixteen says, And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Peter gave the only answer that can be given in order to accept salvation.  Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Verse seventeen declares, And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  Just as Jesus told Peter, we will never come to a knowledge of Who Jesus really is by earthly understanding but only by the revelation of God.  Verse eighteen adds, And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  The rock that Jesus said He would build His church on was not Peter, but Peter's faith in Jesus as the Messiah.  It is our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord that still builds the church today.  Verse nineteen continues, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Some would claim that it was Peter himself who was given control over who entered the kingdom of heaven, but it was Peter's faith in Jesus as the Messiah and his sharing that knowledge that gave him the control.  Verse twenty states, Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.  At that time, Jesus told His disciples to not tell anyone that He was Jesus the Christ, because He had not completed His mission in coming to earth.  We today as followers of Christ have the command to go and tell everyone, because Jesus has completed His work of salvation.  Verse twenty-one declares, From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  Jesus began from that day to tell the disciples His real mission, that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer, die and be raised again on the third day.  As Christians today, we must accept by faith the fact that this really happened.  Verse twenty-two says, Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, telling Him that this would not happen to Him.  Maybe Peter felt that because Jesus told him that He would build the church on faith like Peter had he felt that what he said was more important than what Jesus said.  We will never become so important in God's kingdom that we can change what Jesus did to make Him any less than Who He is.  Verse twenty-three declares, But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.  After telling Peter that his faith was the rock the church was to be built on, Jesus now called him Satan.  That was quite a rebuke to Peter.  Verse twenty-four adds, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  Jesus said that not only was He to suffer and die, but that if anyone would follow Him that he or she would have to daily die to self will and follow Him.  Verse twenty-five adds, For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  If we put ourselves above the sacrifice of Christ, then we will lose our life spiritually.  Verse twenty-six continues, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?   Jesus asked the disciple, and asks us today, what do we gain no matter how rich we may become if we lose our soul.  Verse twenty-seven declares, For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.  Jesus said one day He would be coming to judge everyone based on their works.  This does not mean that we can work our way into heaven, but that after we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord that our works should be done for God's glory and to advance His kingdom.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.  This did not mean that Jesus was going to return in judgment in their lifetime, but that they would come to understand Who He really was.