Loving Jesus Style

Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus Christ as Israel 's long-awaited Messiah and the authoritative King whose reign extends to all nations. Written primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience , this Gospel systematically shows how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy and brings God's redemptive purposes to culmination. The Gospel is carefully organized into five major teaching discourses, each concluding with a variation of "when Jesus had finished these sayings" (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). This structure deliberately echoes the five books of Moses , presenting Jesus as the new Moses who authoritatively interprets and fulfills the Law. These discourses are: the Sermon on the Mount (5-7), the Mission Discourse (10), the Parables of the Kingdom (13), the Community Discourse (18), and the Olivet Discourse (24-25). Matthew frames his narrative with the twin themes of God's presence with His people (" Immanuel —God with us" in 1:23) and Ch...

Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:1b-3 (NIV) He said: “ The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir ; he shone forth from Mount Paran . He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes. Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction, Devotion: As we reflect on Deuteronomy 33:1-3, we encounter a powerful image of God’s enduring love and faithfulness for His people. Moses , nearing the end of his life, is blessing Israel and recounting how the Lord revealed Himself in majesty and glory, coming from Sinai, shining from Mount Paran, and surrounded by myriads of holy ones. These verses remind us that God does not remain distant or detached from His beloved children. He actively pursues, protects, and instructs those whom He loves. The reference to God “dawning over them from Seir” and “shining forth from Mount Paran” depicts His presence as a radiant light...

  Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV) 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Devotion: The call to "put on the full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:11-12 is both a powerful reminder and a source of comfort for every believer. Paul is not speaking figuratively here; he is urging us to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of divine protection as we navigate a world filled with unseen battles. It’s easy to think that our most significant challenges come from circumstances or the actions of others. Yet, Paul makes it clear: our true struggle isn’t against flesh and blood. Rather, it’s against spiritual forces that operate in the shadows, influencing the world around us in ways we may not always pe...

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Devotion: In a world overflowing with advice on fitness, diets, and physical wellness, it’s easy to measure value by what we see and feel. We are bombarded with messages telling us to invest time and energy in our bodies, believing this will yield happiness and fulfillment. While there is certainly benefit to caring for ourselves physically, Paul’s words to Timothy offer a deeper invitation—to prioritize spiritual training, a discipline whose rewards extend far beyond the here and now. Paul urges, “Train yourself to be godly.” Just as athletes commit to daily routines, discipline, and perseverance to improve their physical abilities, spiritual growth also requires intentional practice. This isn’t about rigi...

  Scripture: 15:5-6 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. Devotion: Jesus’ words in John 15:5-6 invite us to reflect on our deep need for connection with Him . He describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches, painting a vivid picture of dependence, intimacy, and life. Just as branches cannot survive apart from the vine, we cannot flourish spiritually or produce true fruit unless we are rooted in Christ. It’s tempting to think we can manage life on our own, relying on our strength or wisdom . Yet, Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we “can do nothing.” When we stray from His presence—even unintentionally—our lives begin to wither. The fruit we long for—love, joy, peace, patience—does not grow by sheer effort but through...

Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12 Devotion: Epiphany invites us to linger with the Magi —those mysterious travelers who saw a light in the sky and recognized it as the beginning of something God was doing in the world. They didn’t know all the details. They didn’t have a map. But they had enough light to take the next step, and they followed it. Their journey reminds us that God often leads us the same way, not with a floodlight that reveals every turn, but with a star—just enough guidance to move forward in faith. Epiphany is the celebration of God making Himself known, not all at once, but in ways that draw us closer, step by step. The Magi also show us what it means to seek Christ with intention. They traveled far, endured uncertainty, and asked hard questions. Their search was active, not passive. And when they finally found the Child, they didn’t simply observe Him—they worshiped Him. Their gifts were expressions of devotion, humility, and trust. Epiphany invites us to bring...