Our tour group walked into the ancient city of Philippi on a beautiful day.  The sky was a pleasant blue filled with puffy white clouds.  But, at first, we only recognized it as a good back drop for the pictures we were taking.  Underneath our feet was the weathered Roman road, the Via Egnatia (Vee-ah Egg-nay-she-uh), one of the key elements in the spread of the Gospel.  It was especially moving for me.  Not only did Paul, Silas, Timothy and Lydia walk along this road, but countless "no names"; the people who were touched by the Gospel, but whose names were never recorded across the pages of Scripture.   They were my "spiritual" ancestors who first spread the Good News on this very road.

            When most believers think about sharing their faith, they think in terms of Billy Graham Crusades, missionaries like Jim Elliot, and people they know who "have the gift of evangelism".  But these are more the exception than the rule.  The Via Egnatia is certainly proof of that.  While the activities of Philip, Peter and Paul are featured in the Book Acts, the unsung heroes are all the others who responded initially to their proclamation and then went on to share it with those they knew.  The spread of the Gospel was like the old commercial where an "average person" held up a bottle of shampoo and declared, "I was so pleased with this product, I told my friend!"  The screen continues to divide as friend after friend spreads the word about this fabulous product.  It was the same with the Gospel.  It was passed on to friend, after friend, after friend.

            At the beginning of Matthew 10 (vv. 1-15, particularly 1-7), Jesus calls together 12 disciples, but gives them a new title.  The word “disciple” signifies a student, a learner.  Disciples abounded in 1st c. Galilee.  They would follower a teacher (rabbi) and learn everything about the way that teacher lived, what they believed and taught, and in the end, the disciples’ goal was to become just like him in every facet of life.  In Mt. 10, Jesus inaugurates a new phase in His students’ education.  He calls them apostles and gives them an assignment:  go, preach, heal, and restore life (exactly what Jesus has been doing since they signed on with Him).  The difference between a disciple (student) is found in the meaning of the title “apostle” (sent one).  An apostle is someone who is sent as a representative of a superior with the authority and power of that superior.  They are not just a “stand-in”; they are the real deal.

            We often think that we must know at least 100 Scripture verses by memory, and have all the points of the Four Spiritual Laws memorized in order to adequately share our faith with others.  We think that God demands this, but we are wrong.  The model for sharing our faith is actually set in the Old Testament in the Book of Deuteronomy.  In chapter 6 the Lord admonishes the people of Israel to teach their children diligently to follow God's commands.  They are to make it a part of their daily routine: while at home, while walking along the road, while resting, and while they prepare to work.  In other words, it's a natural part of the conversation.  When Jesus sent out His disciples, He didn’t change this model.  He encouraged them to rely on the hospitality of those they spoke with, turn over their daily needs to the Lord, and proclaim Jesus’ message to anyone who would listen.

            Sharing our faith is as simple as that.  It's part of our natural conversation, because it is who we are as a disciple of Christ, but it is important to remember that we do so “in Jesus’ Name”.  We can't help but tell others about what we've discovered.  When Andrew met Jesus, he was so glad to have found the Messiah, he went and got Peter (Jn. 1:41).  Philip sought out Nathaniel in the same way (Jn. 1:45).  If you're hesitant about sharing your faith with others, remember you do not need to be a Bible scholar or debate team captain to share about your experiences as Jesus' disciple.  Many times you will be surprised at how receptive people can be.   Even Paul, whom we like to label as the greatest evangelist of all time, let the Gospel speak for itself (1 Cor. 2:1-5).

            I can honestly say that I am not bold when it comes to sharing what I believe with others.  I am constantly asking the Lord to step in and take over when I feel timid.  But I am never disappointed when I surrender those fears.  That trip to Greece during my seminary days proved to be a valuable lesson on this.  For later on, I stood with a classmate at Mars Hill in Athens, and as we discussed how the Gospel had spread along the Roman road system, a young woman from England overheard us.  She asked me to repeat it.  I was happy to oblige.  And while I recounted how the Gospel traveled along those ancient roads, I included its message and how it eventually came to me.  Who knows what seeds were planted that day but it was an amazing experience to spread the Good News in Jesus’ Name.  You are an apostle too.  So spread the Good News today!

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            As a member of the Pocono Photo Club I have had the unique opportunity to meet and photograph several local farmers and their beautiful farms.  I am always interested in how they ended up doing what they do.  While the stories vary in particulars, there is always one constant among them- the farmers themselves.  They are passionate about what they do and how they do it!   You can hear it in their voices as they explain what’s growing in which field and the way they plant and cultivate each crop.  The proof is in their product; every bite is delicious.  While some machines have sped up the planting and harvesting process for the farmers I’ve met, there are still some crops which are hand-picked, such as garlic.  Last year several photographers and I watched the crew at Apple Ridge Farm bring in the garlic crop.  It took a team of 5 to uproot, gather and bunch up the garlic which was then brought to the barn and hung up to dry before being washed and brought to the market.

            Farmers in Biblical times operated in much the same way as my contemporary Monroe County counterparts.  Crops were planted, cultivated and harvested.  The farmer would tend to his crop and wait for the right moment to harvest it.  When the time came, he would assemble a team to help him bring it in.  Although a farmer in ancient Israel did not have the advantage of modern technology to plant or reap, the same attention was given to his crop.  His life and the lives of those he loved depended on it.  The fact that the farmer did not have technology in his favor made him more readily recognize that the outcome of his harvest was truly in God’s hands.

            Jesus as a master storyteller knew the close connection his audience had to farming.  Many of His parables and lessons are agriculturally based (Mt. 13:1-8; 20:1-16; 21:33-44; Mk. 12:1-12;Lk. 8:4-15; 13:6-9; 20:9-18).  In Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus uses the agricultural industry as a simile to the spreading of the Gospel.  He has been traveling through the Galilee region preaching the Good News and healing the sick.  Matthew notes in verse 36, that Jesus had a tremendous amount of compassion on the people who came to Him.  The verbs which describe this multitude accentuate the contrast in the way that Jesus saw the crowd over the perception of the Pharisees.  The people are distressed; a word derived from the verb “to skin, flay, or lacerate”.  It is used metaphorically here to signify their state of being.  The multitude is also down-trodden.  This verb brings forth the picture of something that has been dropped or scattered (such as a handful of marbles; once unified every piece has rolled off in its own direction).  While Jesus had compassion toward these people, the Pharisees in previous verses have demonstrated a different view of them.  John Barclay wrote, “The Pharisees saw the common people as chaff to be destroyed and burned up; Jesus saw them as a harvest to be reaped and saved.  The Pharisees in their pride looked for the destruction of sinners; Jesus in love died for their salvation.”

            We have no record of what prompted Jesus’ admonition to His disciples in verse 37, but I can imagine what may have preceded it.  With multitudes of needy people coming to Jesus day after day, I’m sure the disciples grew weary of it at times.  I’m also sure that some of those people were looking for what they could out of Jesus without any further commitment to Him.  I’m sure the disciples noticed this.  Perhaps they reflected on what they’d left behind to follow Jesus and resented the ones who were taking advantage of Him.  And I’m sure they felt obligated to point this out to Jesus!  It’s human nature.  But Jesus sees the behavior of the multitude as a direct result of their situation.  They are a flock without a shepherd (v. 36); a field ready for harvest with no workers to reap its bounty (v. 37).  I can almost guarantee that the disciples’ response to this was, “Well, Jesus, what do you want us to do about it?!”  So He tells them!

            Jesus says that the disciples are to “beseech the Lord of the Harvest”.  Most of us do not use this word today.   It is not merely “to ask” for something.  It means to make one’s needs known, particularly in the context of an inferior to a superior.  The request here is that the Lord of the Harvest would send out (literally “thrust forth”) workers (this Greek word is directly associated with farming).  Matthew relates this lesson as a rather brief moment in the ministry of Jesus.  But the parallel passage in Luke is connected to the sending out of 70 disciples to “every place where He Himself was going to come” (Lk. 10:1-12) moving the exhortation from His immediate disciples to all who follow Him.  Barclay wrote, “If the harvest of men is ever to be reaped, then every one of us must be a reaper, for there is someone whom each one of us could, and must, bring to God”.  What does the harvest look like to you?  Or perhaps I should say, “Who is your harvest?”
 
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            The sun was heading toward the horizon when we boarded the boat which going to give us a short cruise around the Sea of Galilee.  With a bit of fanfare, the captain raised both the Israeli flag and the Stars and Stripes.  He explained that while his boat operated with a motor, the boats that Peter, Andrew, James and John used when they were fishermen were fairly similar in size and purpose.  In reality, the boats used by Galilean fishermen were much smaller since they didn’t have to accommodate tour groups! We often think of those first four disciples who were transformed from fishermen to “fishers of men” when we think of Jesus’ earthly ministry in that region.  We forget the other eight who came from an even broader spectrum of first century culture with the exception of those who had a few brief moments in the spotlight such as the calling of Matthew and Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.

            The Gospel writers did not provide us with a specific timetable as to how and when Jesus made these 12 men His closest companions for the three years leading up to His death and resurrection, but we do know from extra-biblical writings what that commitment looked like.  The word for disciple (mathetes) stressed the relationship between the teacher (rabbi or master) and the disciple (student).  Most disciples of Jesus’ day would separate themselves from their daily life to solely follow the teacher.  It was not enough to know what the rabbi said.  Rather, the foremost goal of any disciple was to become like the rabbi and do what the rabbi did (Lk. 6:40).  Jesus’ disciples were quite the assortment of personalities, but each chose to follow Him, and in the end, most of them lived and died just like the Master taught them.

Peter, whose Hebrew name is based on the verb “to hear” was impulsive and outspoken.  But Jesus gave him the name Peter, which means “rock” (Mt. 16:16-19; Jn. 1:42) and it came to more aptly describe his foundational role in the early church- an extensive ministry that reached from Jerusalem to Asia and Rome.  Like his brother Peter, Andrew, which means “manliness”, was a Galilean fisherman.  He was originally a disciple of John the Baptist.  According to John 1:35-42, it was Andrew who introduced Peter to Jesus.

James and John, the other brotherly pair in Jesus’ disciples, were apparently partners with Peter and Andrew (Lk. 5:1-11).  Matthew, Mark and Luke all note that their father’s name was Zebedee (Mt. 4:21-22), but it’s Mark who takes note that Jesus gave them a nick-name, “Boanerges”, which means “Sons of Thunder” (Mk. 3:17) and this ability to make noise apparently ran in the family (see Mt. 20:20-28).  While James eventually gave his life for the Gospel (Acts 12:2), John is noted as the only disciple not to see a martyr’s death.  He was exiled to the island of Patmos by the tyrannical Emperor Domitian and contributed 5 books to the New Testament including the Gospel that bears his name and the Book of Revelation.

            The most controversial disciple was Simon the Zealot.  Scholars debate over whether or not he actually belonged to the Zealots who were pledge to violently erase all Roman dominance, including Jews who were sympathetic to Rome, from society.  Many believe it is highly unlikely Jesus would call someone with such political aspirations.  Instead, they believe the tag-line describes his personality.  We have no further evidence either way, but we do know he followed Jesus.

            Judas Iscariot gets a few “scenes” as Jesus’ ministry moves forward but his actual embrace of Jesus’ teaching is questionable.  He is more known for his betrayal of Jesus and subsequent suicide than his adherence to the Gospel.  The remaining disciples, Philip, Nathanael (a. k. a. Bartholomew), Thomas, Matthew, James “the son of Alphaeus”, and Thaddaeus, range from being mentioned at their initial call to complete obscurity.  We know something about Philip, Nathanael, Thomas and Matthew, but the other two are barely mentioned except for being included any time the phrase “the disciples” is used.

            An interesting point to note is that at some point “the disciples” took on a new title, “apostles” (Mt. 10:1-2; Mk. 3:13-14; Lk. 16:13).  While a disciple is a student, an apostle is one who is sent to represent someone.   Jesus gave His disciples the task of representing Him by sending them off to continue His ministry.  Therefore, if we too are His disciples, He has done the same with us.  Although we do not have many details on most of the disciples, we know they made an impact and a difference wherever they landed because the Good News spread.  The question before you today is the same?  If you are His disciple, where has Jesus sent you to be His apostle?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/

            The synagogue of Nazareth was filled with expectation.  The son of Joseph had come home and was about to read from the Prophets.  Word had spread of the wonderful and intriguing events which had taken place since He left the village.  The people stood anxiously as He ascended the platform and unrolled the scroll.  The words of Isaiah poured out of His mouth and flowed over the people like the Latter Rains on parched ground.  Such a great promise of the Messiah!  He would have God's Spirit on Him, bring good news, liberate the poor, set free the captives, give sight to the blind, and proclaim a year of Jubilee to God's people.  Their hearts, heavy as the Roman rule over them, dared to dream that such a Messiah would come, but the hope of this promised Deliverer, could never be fully torn from them in spite of the Romans' persistent attempts to do so.  They listened and watched Jesus, recognizing that there was something amazingly different about this Man, and not yet understanding what it was.  Jesus completed the reading, rolled the scroll closed and took the Seat of Moses, the place where visiting rabbis would sit and teach.  The room was quiet; not a soul dared to breath.  "Today," Jesus said with authority, "this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."  (Lk. 4:16-21)

            I'm sure we can imagine that a number of reactions were present that day when Jesus spoke those words.  The hope for a Messiah had a lengthy history in the Jewish mind, beginning with the promise to Eve in Gen. 3:15, on through the calling of Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3, and through the lineage of Judah (Gen. 49:8-12).  The identity and work of the Messiah took further shape and purpose in the words of the prophets, and while Matthew’s Gospel may not include that momentous day recorded by Luke in his, Matthew underscores Jesus’ fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Is. 61:1-2) by recording a lengthy description of Jesus’ healing ministry in the Galilee region (Mt. 8:1-9:35) and continues to make note of this aspect of the Messiah throughout the remainder of his Gospel (Mt. 12:9-14; 15:21-28; 17:14-20).  Matthew will often write, “This happened in order to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet,” (Mt, 2;15, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17) but in these chapters he demonstrates to us that it did.

            There are 30 specific prophecies concerning the first advent of the Messiah.  Some of these prophecies include: that He would be born of a virgin (Is. 7:14), that He would be a descendant of Jesse (Is. 11:1-2), that He would be born in Bethlehem (Mi. 5:2), and that He would be God's Son (Ps. 2:7).  When Jesus stood before the congregation in the synagogue that day, He claimed that He fulfilled these prophecies.  But the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words concerning the healing ministry of the Messiah was perhaps the place where Jesus made the most impact during the initial days of His earthly ministry.  From a man with leprosy, the sickness of Peter’s mother-in-law, demoniacs whose oppressors were cast into a herd of pigs, to the healing of a paralytic, the revival of a synagogue ruler’s daughter, the healing of a hemorrhaging woman, and the restoration of sight and voice to the blind and mute, Matthew proves time and again, Jesus was indeed, The Messiah.

            Responses to this revelation were as varied as the healings Jesus performed.  Some were eager to experience healing for themselves (Mt. 8:16-17).  Some were amazed by His authority (8:27, 33).  But others, doubted and criticized the miracles because their own power and authority were threatened by Jesus (9:3, 34).  Jesus continued His ministry in spite of this (9:35) and demonstrated great compassion toward the crowds because He saw them as “sheep without a shepherd” (9:36).  He then informed His disciples there was a large task set before them- a harvest that was plentiful, but a workforce that was few (v. 37).  “Ask the Lord to send out workers,” Jesus compels His disciples.  He is asking the same of you and me. 

            There are many roads to healing today.  I have experienced both the advantages of modern medicine and the miracle of prayer as a survivor of one of the worst cases of Covid 19 in my county.  And I can tell you this with no hesitation or doubt, Jesus the Messiah still heals today.  Sometimes it is a physical ailment that He touches and cures, but at other times, He heals sorrow and heartbreak through workers like you and I, who speak love and compassion into the world of a lost and lonely sheep. Jesus is calling for workers and He is asking you to go into the field.  Are you ready to respond with the words, “Here I am.  Send me,”?  (Is. 6:8; Mt. 9:38; Jn. 21:15-17)

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            It is a captivating painting even though the bulk of it is in dark chocolate and sepia tones.  A group of five men are gathered around a table and two stand across from it on the right.  One man at the table is intent on counting out some coins, another looks on and one has his back to us but he is looking at one of the men who is standing as if in conversation with him.  A swath of light falls dramatically across the group.  The fifth man at the table is pointing at himself and the other man who is standing is pointing at him too, but you barely see him when gazing at this painting.  Your eyes are constantly drawn to the man pointing at himself.  The look on his face is one of disbelief and surprise.  The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio perfectly captures what the moment when Jesus said, “Follow Me!”  and one could truly believe it may have looked like this but there’s one glitch- it’s not set in Capernaum circa New Testament times, it’s set in 16th century Rome.

            Sometimes we dive into a Bible study and get right into the verses- especially in the Gospels where the focus is on Jesus and His teaching ministry.  We want to know what He said and what He did so that we can live the way He taught us.  We never give much thought to who compiled that information and wrote it down because, after all, the Gospels are not autobiographies.  But the Gospel of Matthew contains one autobiographical moment that is both compelling and surprising in its brevity and simplicity.   One would also think this moment would be one of the first things Matthew records, but it doesn’t show up until chapter 9.  One would also think that Matthew would include a little more detail about himself but only Mark’s Gospel includes the name of his father (Mk. 2:14).  With the lack of specific information that our 21st century minds are accustomed to the focus remains solely on the action- that is the moment when Jesus called Matthew and how Matthew responded to that call.  However, that doesn’t mean some of those details are lost to us.  It just means we have to do a little research. 

            It is noted that Jesus comes upon Matthew working at a tax collector’s booth in Capernaum (either at the dock collecting customs or on the international road which ran through the city taking tolls).  Jesus sees him and gives a simple but direct command, “Follow Me” (Mt. 9:9).  There are no deliberations or excuses to put off a response as previously demonstrated by two would-be disciples in Mt. 8:18-22.  Matthew immediately gets up and follows.  There are two amazing aspects concerning this.  First, tax collectors were not welcome in most circles.  They were considered to be traitors working for the oppressive Roman government.  They were also distrusted as most added exorbitant surcharges on to the taxes they collected to pocket for themselves.  They were generally ostracized and barred from the synagogue and the Temple so it was a rather lonely life in many ways.  So, Jesus’ call to a despised tax collector should definitely raise a few eyebrows.  The second aspect which holds a great surprise is Matthew’s willingness to walk away from what might have been a very cushy lifestyle.  There was something so compelling, so inviting about Jesus’ invitation that Matthew knew then and there that Jesus was the answer to whatever he’d been searching and hoping for in life. 

            It probably took some major attitude adjusting for the other disciples to see Matthew as part of Jesus’ inner circle.  But Jesus was always stretching their comfort zone!  However, the talents and skills Matthew had as a tax collector (not the unlawful ones!) made him an accurate and detailed observer of Jesus’ ministry and a precise record-keeper.  And in spite of being distanced from the synagogue and Temple worship, he was a wealth of Scriptural knowledge, often recognizing the connection between Jesus and Scriptures pointing to the work and ministry of the Messiah.  His call and response was indeed, dynamic but so was his brand of discipleship.

            Matthew’s moment of decision is also ours.  No matter where we are or what we are doing, there is a point where Jesus says, “Follow Me!” and He waits for our response.  The Lord has given each of us the ability to be His servant and He invites us to join Him on an amazing adventure called discipleship.  Matthew didn’t know beforehand that the very skills he had used as a tax collector would become assets when it came to recording the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, but Jesus did.  The same is true for you and I.    So, how will you use your skills and abilities for Him today?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            In 2009 I was teaching Bible at a small Christian School just outside of Allentown, Pennsylvania.  Every Fall the High School volunteered their services at nearby camps.  We cleaned and painted cabins, cleared trails, and helped with some minor construction projects.  Apparently I made quite an impression on the students the first time I was able to participate in Service Week.  During one of the work sessions one of the students made a comment about my involvement with the job at hand.  “What do you mean?” I asked.  “Well,” she said, “The other teachers don’t usually help.  They just watch us work and tell us what to do.  We really like it that you work too.”  The students were not necessarily critical of the teachers who didn’t join in, they just liked it that I did.  It was one of those moments when I realized how much I loved my job and how my actions as a teacher taught lessons I wasn’t even aware of.

            The best teachers are always the ones who demonstrate what they teach.  My thought was if I wanted my students to be giving and helpful Christians, then I should demonstrate that for them by picking up a paintbrush too.  The best teachers are also people who demand excellence and commitment from their students.  In its day the movie To Sir with Love embodied this kind of teacher-student relationship.  The inexperienced Mr.Thackeray abandons a traditional teaching style after a confrontation with the raucous and undisciplined class he is assigned to teach.  Instead of textbooks, his lessons will now be based on life and from that point on he demands and expects his students to be the grown-ups they will be once they graduate.  The road to adulthood is a rocky road and some of his students seem destined to never grow-up but he never loosens his expectations or demands and it pays off.

            Jesus was that kind of teacher.  He expected complete and total dedication from his “talmidim”, disciples, that demanded the highest level of commitment from them.  Matthew takes note of two “talmidim" in Matthew 8:19-22 who initially express that kind of commitment, but eventually fall short of actually “going all-in” as we like to say.  The first is notable in that he is described as a “scribe” (teacher of the law).  In previous chapters of Matthew the scribes, like the pharisees, have not ranked high in Matthew’s opinion, so you would expect this person to also be an object of dissatisfaction, and he proves to fall short as all the others before him did. 

            He addresses Jesus as Teacher (didaskale)- a title given to Christ in Matthew only by those who do not fully believe in Him (cf. 12:38; 19:16; 22:16, 24. 36).  The scribe professes that he would like to fully commit to following Jesus, but Jesus realizes he does not really know what that means.  Jesus responds to his statement by explaining that following Him would mean a life even more austere than the lives of birds and foxes.  So, the unrecorded question put to the scribe is, “Are you willing to live like this?” 

            Matthew describes a second follower as “another disciple”.  The “official 12” won’t be introduced to us until 10:1-4 so at this stage the term “disciple” must be taken more loosely as anyone who follows along with Jesus and shows some kind of interest in Him.  He is in strong contrast to the previous disciple- the first, was overly eager; the second is quite lackluster!  In fact, he begins by telling Jesus what he must do first, before he follows Him!  His statement “Bury my father” implies at the very least that the man wishes to postpone discipleship until some sort of funeral takes place.  Some commentators say right away; others look at the grammar and say this phrase is an idiom which means the man’s father hasn’t died yet and he’d like to remain with the family until that happens.  One can’t tell either way- but the point is this- the man’s actual priorities lay elsewhere and not with Jesus.  Jesus’ reply to this would-be disciple could be taken as bitingly sarcastic if He is taken literally.  “Let the spiritually dead take care of the physically dead,” Jesus tells the man, “Are you really willing to put all that aside and follow Me?”

            Matthew does not record how either of these men reacted to Jesus’ response to their desire to follow Him.  Some have idealistically assumed they responded in faith, but without specifying any positive action, Matthew seems to imply that they refused Jesus’ terms.   It’s popular to call Jesus a “Good Teacher” these days.  But we tend to define that role as someone who merely imparts knowledge (as in a list of facts or mottos to live by).  Jesus the Master Teacher is not interested in you knowing a fact or two.  He is not interested in mottos.  He is interested in your level of commitment.  He demands to be first and foremost in every area of your life.  Are you willing to do that?  Your response will determine what kind of “talmid” you truly are.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            It has been said that there are two things which are inevitable in life.  They are death and taxes.  Although that may be true, I believe the number count is off by one.  The third thing every person must come to grips with is the answer to the question, "Who is Jesus?"  Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, people from a wide cross-section of society must answer this question and then decide how they will respond to the answer.  Here are some examples:

            Matthew 8:23-27.  Jesus Calms the Sea:  Jesus and His disciples board a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee.  One of the Sea’s infamous squalls kicks up while Jesus is sleeping in the boat.  The disciples wake Him in a panic questioning if He is going to let them perish in the storm.  Jesus rebukes the wind and settles the raging water which causes the disciples to ask, “What kind of man is this that even the wind and sea obey Him?”

            Matthew 14:13-21.   The Feeding of the 5,000:  Many people are now following Jesus but His opponents are also growing in number.  Jesus tries to withdraw from the public spotlight but the crowds find Him.  At the close of the day only a small amount of food is available.  The disciples advise Jesus to send the crowd away, but instead, Jesus blesses the food and has it distributed.  The supply multiplies beyond what is humanly possible.  The event must have caused many to ask, “Who else but God could do this?”

            Matthew 16:13-28.  Peter's Confession and Jesus' Teachings on the Cost of Discipleship:  Jesus and the disciples have retreated to a quiet place to pray.  Jesus asks the disciples about the crowd's opinion of Him.  They say the people perceive Him to be a prophet like Elijah or John the Baptist.  Jesus then asks the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"  Peter speaks for the 12 and states they believe Jesus is the "Anointed of God" (Messiah).  Jesus recognizes the truth of this confession but admonishes His disciples not to reveal His identity at that time.  He affirms that Peter and the disciples will continue the proclamation of the Good News in spite of the opposition they will face.  He continues to warn them of the suffering both He and His disciples will encounter as they proclaim the Good News.  The cost of discipleship is high, but its rewards are even greater.  Whether or not you will accept the cost of discipleship depends on how you answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”

            Matthew 17:1-13.  The Transfiguration:  Jesus takes Peter, John and James to a quiet mountain to pray.  During this time these disciples are introduced to a side of Jesus they have never seen before.  Elijah and Moses also make an appearance prompting Peter to offer temporary housing for the trio.  God the Father affirms Peter's confession in Matthew 16 by instructing the disciples to listen to "My Beloved Son" in a scene reminiscent of Jesus' baptism (Mt. 3:13-17).  The Transfiguration occurs after Peter's confession and the teaching on discipleship which demonstrates that Jesus is God and His glory far surpasses any earthly suffering.  Many people like to label Jesus as a great teacher, but that is only partially true.  He was not a misguided revolutionary either as some like to speculate in order to avoid some of the challenges He spoke concerning sin and personal accountability for it.  The Transfiguration proves that Jesus was more then that; more than a mere mortal and that He has every right to make the demands of His disciples that He does.

            The question of Jesus' identity is central to all the Gospels and to those who want to be His disciples.  It is similar in principle to the idea of an interpreter.  You wouldn't hire an interpreter who didn't know the language you wished to communicate in.  In the same way, you would not want to be the disciple of someone who was delusional or an all-out liar.  If you are to respond in faith, you must believe in something or someone who is completely trust-worthy.  When you read through the Gospel of Matthew (as well as Mark, Luke and John), watch for the ways Matthew authenticates Jesus' claims and proves them to be true.

            Discipleship, however, is more than a mental assent that Jesus is Who He claims to be.  If that were so, then centuries worth of creeds and faith statements, but even more importantly Jesus’ own words, would not have turned the world on its heels. Discipleship is a total lifestyle change and commitment.  It is reshaping the way we look at the world and interact with it.  It reorients our priorities, thoughts and actions.   And so, just as Jesus questioned the 12, He asks us today as well, "Who do you say that I am?" (Mt. 16:15)  How we live as His disciples answers that question every day.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            I have a picture in my mind, a memory actually, of my sisters and I gathered around the dining room table with our heads bowed and my mother saying “grace” with us.  My father and mother usually dined later when he arrived home from work, but “the girls” ate earlier so we’d be in bed on time.  While we had that prayer memorized, there was still something quite personal about it and it instilled in us the belief that we should be both thankful for the food on the table but unafraid to ask God to take care of us each and every day.  We truly believed He was listening and that He answered our prayers.  (And we were right!)    

            Prayer can be beautiful and poetic but routine if not kept honest, simple as bedtime prayers spoken by a child, or as desperate as someone facing a crisis they’re not sure they’ll survive.  Prayer can be taken lightly or seriously, spoken as part of a daily routine, or casually remembered as part of a yearly ritual.  The latter two forms are perhaps the most ineffective because they not only disregard the power of prayer, but they also disregard the One to whom the prayers are directed.  Whatever approach a person takes in their prayer life reflects and discloses what they truly believe about prayer itself. 

            Jesus introduced one of the most important perspectives on prayer in what we call the Sermon on the Mount which is more of a collection of His teachings than it is one discourse delivered on a hillside.  The traditional site which is located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee is a beautiful setting and one can easily imagine Jesus there speaking to the crowd surrounding Him.  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  So, if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  (Mt. 7:7-11)

            There are four prominent action verbs in this passage:  ask, seek, knock and give.  The first three are a special verb form in Greek which could literally be translated as, “the asking one, the seeking one, and the knocking one” and it’s obvious why our English translations smooth it out for us, but the tense drives home the aspect of prayer which is persistent and personal.  Spiros Zodhiates noted that this type of prayer is not demanding but humble.  It involves the same type of trust exhibited by a child when he/she asks for bread or fish (two basic staples of the audience in Jesus’ day). 

            The fourth verb, give, is a key word throughout the passage, appearing 5 times and relating back to the verses that appear just prior to this passage which speaks of the “good gifts” God gives to those who are seeking His kingdom and righteousness (6:33).  Jesus’ teaching here also corresponds with the prayer He taught at the beginning of chapter 6 whereupon faithful disciples ask the Lord for “daily bread” (6:7-8) with full assurance that the Lord will supply for their needs.  God’s good gifts do not necessarily match what we ask for word for word, but the teaching here implies that God will give us what is best for us.  The parallel passage in Luke adds further insight by replacing "good gifts” with “the Holy Spirit” (Lk. 11:13)-the preeminent example of a good and perfect gift coming down from heaven above.

            There are two other interesting aspects of prayer here.  First, the word “son” which we often think of as a child, is not a young child who might not know the difference between a “good” and “bad” morsel of food, but an older one who would naturally be able to distinguish that a stone and a snake were not edible.  Therefore, we can conclude the one asking, seeking and knocking will know when the answer is given or the answer is found and when the door is opened.  And secondly, the obvious contrast between a Heavenly Father and an earthly father.  Jesus assumes that an earthly father, even with his faults and failures, knows what is best to give his child when he needs food.  So, then, wouldn’t a Heavenly Father who is holy, just and loving, give gifts that were even better?

            The struggle we have is that we often think we know what God should give us!  We never ask with the idea of patiently waiting to see how God will answer our prayers, rather we basically send up a list of what God should do and then complain He hasn’t answered when that list is not fulfilled.  Jesus promotes that prayer is an action that God will respond to and that our trust in His ability to give good gifts should compel us to continually ask until we recognize the answer.  This approach to prayer is a powerfully dynamic one filled with complete trust.  God hears.  God answers.  We will see  and recognize it when the answer comes.  Is this how you are praying?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            When it comes to the nature in my backyard, I confess it does not take much to entertain me.  While my birdfeeder is not the most important thing there (that would be the woodpile) it does provide me with some fun things to watch.  Not only do I enjoy the variety of birds that like to visit it, but thanks to its “squirrel proof” design, the furry gray critters who try to raid it also bring about some humorous moments as well.  I think the person who defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results” may have been drawing that definition from the squirrels who attempt to get the sunflower seeds out of my bird feeder.  They will climb, stretch, and maneuver themselves into the most awkward positions trying to get the black seeds out of the little holes to no avail.  Yet, they will not give up!  Sometimes they lose their balance and awkwardly drop to the ground.  It’s like a burlesque comedy show at times.  The smaller feeder outside my kitchen window which is filled with a suet mixture during the winter months also provides similar entertainment.  A number of birds like to visit this feeder throughout the day, but, the most consistent patrons are a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers.  It's always fun to watch them maneuver their way across the feeder.  As the suet gets lower, they must find some pretty acrobatic poses in order to keep their balance while feeding.  Many times they will use their tail feathers, making a V formation with their body, to accomplish this.  Who would have ever thought a bird would use its tail like that?

            Sometimes our lives demand that we perform a balancing act.  All sorts of things can fight for our attention and pull us off balance.  Demands at work, home, and our own desires can cause us to tilt, slip or fall into unbalanced and unhealthy behaviors.  Matthew 6:33 states there is only one way to keep our lives balanced, and that is to seek God and His ways first. But this thought is echoed in numerous passages throughout God’s Word (Ps. 123: 1-2; Prov. 2: 1-7; Is. 55:6; Col. 3:1-2; Phil. 4:18).  The concept here is not much different than unbalanced wheels on a car.  Wheels that are balanced assure you that your vehicle is safe, rides smoothly and you get the best mileage with all that expensive gas you’re pouring into it to make the motor go.  But unbalanced wheels not only wear out faster, they can even cause accidents.  So having your tires checked and rotated on a regular basis is a good idea.  Jesus suggests we check and rotate our “life-tires” too.  He points out in Matthew that when your inner life is not balanced, your outer life will not be balanced either.

            So how about a spiritual check-up this week?  Ask yourself some of the following questions to see if your life is balanced as it should be.  If it is, GREAT!  If it isn't, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to healthier choices for the balance in your life and seek out a Christian friend whom you can trust and ask them to keep you accountable as you fine tune your balance.
            1.  How is my relationship with God?
            2.  Have I been reading my Bible?
            3.  What has God been saying to me as I read His Word?
            4.  Where have I been resisting Him these days?
            5.  What is the state of your perspective and desires?  Tempted?  Dealing with fantasies?  Are you more focused on amusing yourself or serving the Lord?
            6.  What challenges do you see yourself facing in the coming week or month?  In what ways will you meet that challenge?
            7.  What things take priority over spiritual matters in your life?  Why?
            8.  Are there any unresolved conflicts in your circle of relationships right                                   now?  Are you able to reconcile them in a Biblical manner?

            Gordon MacDonald wrote, "If the private world of a person is in order, it will be because they are convinced that the inner world of the spiritual must govern the outer world of activity."  No one knew this principle better than King David.  After a disastrous encounter with Bathsheba, he was confronted by the prophet Nathan and then wrote Psalm 51.  If you should find yourself "unbalanced", follow David's footsteps and then rest on the promise of 1 John 1:9.  No one said the path of a disciple would be easy, but with God's grace, it can be balanced (Phil. 4:13).

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink!  That little ditty ran through my head several times during the first full week of March 2011.   Not only did we see record rainfall here in the Northeast, an earthquake in Japan set off a tsunami which destroyed property and beaches in the Northwest.  The rainfall coupled with melting snow caused rivers and creeks to overflow their banks and commuters to detour around the more troublesome areas of flooding.  Thanks to the fact that I had to drive up Route 209 more than once that week, I was able to see the rising waters first hand.  Saturday afternoon found me stopping at the Bushkill Access on the Delaware River to take a rather comical picture of a Stop sign submerged in four feet of water with debris caught on the One-Way sign below it (going in the wrong direction of course!).   There was lots of water, but not much of it was worthy to drink.  And it appears that the first week of June this year is going to give 2011 a run for its money.  The ground in my backyard is so saturated it looks like I might have a pond soon!

            Sometimes I marvel at people who build houses along the coast or next to a river.  They must know about the risks, but the setting is so appealing, it's worth taking them I suppose.  I have to confess I've daydreamed about living near the ocean.  I love the vast horizon, the sound of the waves, and the shells!  There is an appealing place like this in Israel too.  It is mentioned in Psalm 23 verse 2.  The word for this location is usually translated as two in English, "green pastures", but the Hebrew word actually relates to the well-watered and green area at the bottom of a wadi (wah-dee).  I suppose translators knew most of us would not relate to this unique place and word so they used this English “equivalent, but in a way, they’ve done us a disservice by doing so, because Jesus uses this beautiful but dangerous spot to illustrate a very important point.  But first…

            "What's a wadi?" you ask.  Wadis are like gorges, but not as wide.  They were carved out of the limestone rock in the wilderness areas of Israel in the same way the Colorado River carved out the Grand Canyon in Arizona.  Shepherds who raise their flocks in these areas of Israel must know the layout of a wadi inside and out, because although they are a great water source and provide some nice vegetation for grazing, they are dangerous.  Rain which falls miles away will eventually travel into the wadi which, if there’s a lot of it, can cause flash flooding.  So good shepherds know it is wiser to get your water and leave, rather than make yourself comfortable and stay.

            Jesus had this geographical characteristic in mind in Matthew 7:24-29 (cross reference- Lk. 6:46-49).  Maybe you remember singing this as a child:  "The wise man built his house upon the rock...".  It's not necessarily convenient to build on the top of those rock walls that line the wadi.  It would be far more pleasant to build down in the gorge, next to the water source if you’re planning to stay for a while.   When you build next to the water, you don't have to lug those big water urns up and down the path.  It's easy.  It's comfortable.  But Jesus warns us that building in the sand at the bottom of a wadi is unsafe!  When the rains come down, and they will, your house will wash away.  Likewise, it's tempting for us to "build our lives" in the conveniences of the world.  We think life should be easy, comfortable. The trouble is, putting trust in the comforts of this world, is exactly like building a house in the bottom of a wadi.   When storms come rushing into our little world, its sandy foundation is washed away with the water.

            What should disciples build on?  Jesus says in verse 24 that those who come to Him, hear His words, and act on them have built their life on the rock.  Their foundation is so solid that when the storms come, the house withstands the onslaught.  In other words, if we are letting the Bible (Jesus’ Words) guide us in the way we live and what we believe, when the storms of life come (and they will come), we will be able to weather the storm.  But this is not an easy or convenient way to build.  It is certainly more popular to build on worldly things.  It's easier, more comfortable and advertisers do their best to show how appealing it is.  But building a life this way is unstable.  Today's fads are tomorrow's history lessons.  The latest trends are forgotten tomorrow when the "next big thing" becomes news.  And do those modern conveniences really help when we are slammed with loss, sorrow, turmoil or loneliness?  No.  Why build on the shifting sand of pop culture and the “latest thing”?  Build your life on God's Word so that you will stand firm when storms come your way (Proverbs 3:1-8; Colossians 3:2).  So, what’s your building plan today?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/