BIBLE IN TEN

Thursday, 27 August 2026
 
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?” Matthew 22:18
  
“Having known, also, the ‘Jesus’, the ‘depravity, theirs’, He said, ‘Why, Me, you test, hypocrites?’” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus was questioned whether it was right to give a census to Caesar, or not. In response, it says, “Having known, also, the ‘Jesus’, the ‘depravity, theirs’.”
 
A new word is seen here, ponéria, depravity. It is derived from ponos, toil, and by implication anguish or pain. HELPS Word Studies defines it as pain-ridden evil. These men were working out evil like a criminal would. Spending their effort on what would benefit them at the expense of others.
 
In Mark, it says that Jesus knew their hypocrisy. Luke uses a word signifying craftiness. Jesus was able to know, without a moment’s hesitation, that they were trying to trap Him. As such, “He said, ‘Why, Me, you test, hypocrites?’”
 
They were presenting one face while getting ready to put on another, as the term hypocrite implies. As soon as they heard Him give an incorrect answer, which they thought would come from any answer He gave, they would pounce on Him like rabid animals.
 
But that seems less likely now that He has demonstrated that He is aware of their wicked intentions.
 
Life application: How often does it happen that you have something occur in your life and you’re not sure what to do about it, but then a few days later, the pastor preaches on exactly what you needed to know? Or maybe, you read the Bible a couple days later, and there is the answer that you could have used to resolve your difficulty.
 
Likewise, how often does something happen which would otherwise be difficult for you to handle, but just the day before, or maybe that very morning, you had read something in the Bible that mirrors the situation in which you find yourself?
 
When this happens, what does that tell you? In the first instance, you might say to yourself, “I need to read the Bible more often. If I had just spent my time there, this wouldn’t have been a problem.” In the second instance, you might say, “I sure am glad I spend each day reading the Bible. If I had skipped this morning’s reading, I may not have had a clue about what to do!”
 
The Bible is a book of many types of instruction, one of which is life in general. As you go through your life, you are bound to have instances like these come up because God created mankind. His word is a blueprint for the proper operation of human beings.
 
Marriage, work ethic, saving money, raising children, etc., are a part of what we engage in during our lives. The Bible gives sound advice, whether implicit or explicit, on such matters. Therefore, it is natural that we will find the answer to difficulties in such matters there.
 
Jesus’ example provides us with the knowledge that we should consider what people are up to when they ask various questions. Some people may seem like they are asking about one thing, when their ulterior motives are kept hidden away for a later time. The people Jesus interacted with are real people, not characters in a book.
 
As such, when we see how they interact with Jesus, we can learn from that. Consider this as you read the Bible. We can learn so much as we consider the words before us, one aspect of which is human behavior. Great stuff from the Creator to those willing to engage with His word, our blueprint for a properly run life.
 
Lord God, it is always a joy to read Your word and then find that what we read fits into the next things we are doing in our daily lives. It is like a wink from You that You have ordained our days and are directing us according to Your wisdom. Thank You for Your wonderful word. Amen.

Wednesday, 26 August 2026
 
Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Matthew 22:17
 
“You tell, therefore, us what You, it seems? It permits to give census to Caesar or not?” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, it was noted that the disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians went to Jesus, buttering Him up with platitudes. Now that they feel He is primed for a fall into the trap they have set, they say, “You tell, therefore, us what to You, it seems.”
 
Here it goes. In the previous verse, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, we have known that true, You are, and the ‘way, the God’ in truth You teach, and not it concerns You about anyone. Not, also, You look to ‘appearance, men’.”
 
Now, instead of asking what Scripture (the ‘way, the God’) says, they ask for an opinion that is surely intended to trap Him in a moral, religious, or cultural dilemma. One can see them salivating over the answer He will give, knowing that they have Him in a box. And so, with this in mind, they ask their question, “It permits to give census to Caesar or not?”
 
The kensos, census, was introduced in Matthew 17:25. It is a poll tax that was not paid in their Jewish currency but in Roman coin. This is a problem and a dilemma that the people faced. Should they obediently submit to those who ruled them, or should they rebel against their authority?
 
This is where they feel that they have trapped Him. If He says to not pay it, the Herodians are standing there, ready to report Him to the Roman authorities for being a rebel against their duly set authority.
 
On the other hand, if He says that they were to pay the poll tax, the Pharisees, as the religious authorities over the people, would be able to tell the masses that Jesus was a traitor to the nation, placing the authority of the Romans above supposed allegiance to God, who established them as a people.
 
The idea of “supposed” is not that the people could be disobedient to God, but that there may be a contingency not suggested in the presentation of their false dilemma that had nothing to do with disobedience to God.
 
Life application: As noted in a previous commentary, fallacies are mistakes in reasoning that render an argument weak, unsound, or invalid. The content of the fallacy is based on an already broken structure of argumentation.
 
The problem is that people quite often do not know what fallacies are or when they are presented. Instead, they hear what is being presented and, without thinking the matter through, assume that what is stated is valid.
 
And there are a seemingly endless number of fallacies to contend with. Some, like the false dilemma, are often so seemingly innocuous that they are hard to pin down, especially when one is under pressure to give a response.
 
A few common fallacies are: Ad Hominem – Attacking the person making an argument instead of the argument itself. Straw Man – Changing or exaggerating an opponent's argument to make it easier to knock down. False Dilemma – Pretending there are only two choices when there are more options. Appeal to Authority – Claiming something is true just because an expert or famous person says so, without real evidence. Bandwagon (Ad Populum) – Saying an idea is right because lots of people believe in it. Circular Reasoning – Repeating the claim inside the proof itself instead of giving a real reason. Slippery Slope – Claiming that a small first step will lead to a giant, bad disaster without proof. Hasty Generalization – Making a giant rule based on just a small example.
 
We hear these errors in thinking all the time, but don’t consider them because we have not taken the time to understand what is being presented or who is presenting the information.
 
Take time to go to a website that specifically lists fallacies and look them over. Consider each one in your mind before moving on. This will help you immensely when you hear people refer to all types of matters.
 
One from a religious perspective was given by John Hagee when he was selling a book about Jesus. He said, “Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah.” Obviously, he had never read the Bible through because Jesus explicitly claimed to be the Messiah in John 4:26, John 17:3 (which uses the word “Christ”, and which means “Messiah”), etc.
 
Further, the terms Messiah and Christ, when referring to Jesus, are stated well over 250 times. But what John Hagee did was to build a Straw Man fallacy by redefining what “Messiah” means for his own purposes. He then essentially said, “See, Jesus never claimed this.”
 
But how many people went out and bought the book? And how many continued to sit under his teaching after such an enormous, purposeful attack against the position and authority of Jesus? The fact that they accepted his word reflects another fallacy mentioned above, the Appeal to Authority. “Oh, the preacher is a specialist on this or that. Therefore, what he says must be true.”
 
Be careful to know when you are being sold a bill of goods. Jesus was prepared, as we will see.
 
Lord God, keep us from false teachers who present misleading, bogus, and even heretical doctrines that will blind us to the truth of Your word. Give us wisdom to understand how what they present is false so that we will not be duped by their words. Yes, help us in this, O God. Amen.
 

Tuesday, 25 August 2026
 
And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Matthew 22:16
 
“And they send to Him the ‘disciples, theirs’ with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we have known that true, You are, and the ‘way, the God’ in truth You teach, and not it concerns You about anyone. Not, also, You look to ‘appearance, men’.’” (CG)
 
The previous verse noted that the Pharisees left and took counsel on how they might ensnare Jesus in His words. That continues now, saying, “And they send to Him the ‘disciples, theirs’ with the Herodians.”
 
The Héródianoi, Herodians, are introduced at this point. Both Strong and the NAS Exhaustive Concordance say these are “partisans of Herod.” They are mentioned only three times between Matthew and Mark. Of them, Cambridge says –
 
“The Herodians are not named except in the first two Gospels; nor does Josephus include them in his account of Jewish sects. They were probably numerically insignificant, and may indeed have consisted merely of a few renegade Jews, who belonged to Herod’s court.”
 
Though nothing more is known about them, as other scholars admit, there are pages of speculation on them. Whatever their political and/or religious leanings, at this time, they were in cahoots with the Pharisees, having come with their disciples, “saying, ‘Teacher, we have known that true, You are, and the ‘way, the God’ in truth You teach.’”
 
You can see what they are up to. It just said in the previous verse concerning Jesus, “how, Him, they might ensnare in word.” In order to do that, they speak to Him with platitudes, buttering Him up so that He will be caught off guard concerning their true intent. It is a common ploy that is universal to mankind. Continuing on, they say, “and not it concerns You about anyone.”
 
A new word is seen here, meló, to concern. It deals especially with paying attention, giving thought to a matter, or taking an interest in it. In other words, their intent is that “the opinions of others don’t matter.” They are handing out platitudes before the words intended to trap Him are set forth. In confirmation of their words, they next say, “Not, also, You look to ‘appearance, men’.”
 
This is something expected by the law when dealing with people from a judicial standpoint –
 
“You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s.” Deuteronomy 1:17
 
“You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.” Deuteronomy 16:19
 
Thus, these men are essentially saying, “You certainly uphold the standards set forth by Moses.”
 
Life application: These people spoke to Jesus in a manner that buttered Him up based on standards set forth in Scripture. They figured that in this approach, Jesus would be caught off balance when they submit to Him a question intended to ensnare Him. However, they didn’t realize that Jesus is the ultimate Author of Scripture.
 
As this is so, He was fully aware of other verses that warned against people just like them –
 
“For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;Their inward part is destruction;Their throat is an open tomb;They flatter with their tongue.10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!Let them fall by their own counsels;Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,For they have rebelled against You.” Psalm 5:9, 10
 
“A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,And a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26:28
 
Jesus will be able to deal with these men in an appropriate way because He was aware of their tactics. And He was aware of them because He knew what Scripture says about such people. This is why it is important to read the word, contemplating what it says, and remembering the truths it conveys.
 
The more you read it, the more you will be able to do this. Jesus gave us Scripture, expecting us to follow Him in our understanding and right-application of it. Be sure to pay heed to what the word says!
 
Lord God, may we be diligent in our study of Your word. The more we read it and assimilate its truths into our lives, the more we will be molded in our thinking to what You have presented there. Give us the will, desire, time, and ability to grasp its many truths, applying them to our lives as we live in Your presence. Amen.

Monday, 24 August 2026
 
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. Matthew 22:15
 
“Then, having gone, the Pharisees, counsel, they took: how, Him, they might ensnare in word.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus summed up the parable of the wedding feast, saying, “Many, also, they are invitees, and few, elect.” Having said that, and fully understanding Jesus’ meaning as conveyed in the parable, it next says, “Then, having gone, the Pharisees, counsel, they took.”
 
The word tote, then, tells us this is chronological. Jesus has told them in parables what was to come upon them. This would have them completely riled up, understanding that Jesus’ intent was that they would not be included in the good things that lie ahead.
 
It would be like telling the pope the same type of thing today. He would be incredulous that anyone would dare say he was not fit for the position he held and that he would be swept away in his iniquity. Therefore, these Pharisees assembled to hold counsel “how, Him, they might ensnare in word.”
 
Here is a word found only here in Scripture, pagideuó, to ensnare. It is from pagis, a snare. They will attempt to ensnare this great wordsmith who was so eloquent in speaking parables by the very words He seemed to have such mastery over.
 
The singular “word” signifies an utterance. It is like our question today, “What is the good word?” They are looking to take some thought expressed by Jesus and have Him ruin Himself. In a society ruled by Rome, words could lead to execution. In a society under the authority of the Law of Moses, words could lead to punishment, being cut off from the nation, or execution.
 
Therefore, if they could pit what Jesus said against one side or the other, they could have Him out of their way.
 
Life application: In today’s world of social media, it isn’t hard to know what a person is really thinking. Politicians come forward with platforms that appeal to the masses, but later, their old posts or tweets are brought forward that are completely contrary to the public statements they have recently made.
 
In such cases, it is clear that the words they should be identified with are those said when there was no public eye to watch over them. If they took a particular stand at an earlier time, it is to be accepted that this is their true stand.
 
Likewise, when undercover reporters talk to someone about their views in private, those views are to be trusted above what they would say in public. They will reveal the true substance of the person’s thoughts.
 
When a person is put into a spot where he is trapped between two seemingly conflicting ideologies, he will need to navigate clearly through the snare that has been set for him. In such cases. This type of situation is often only what is known as a false dilemma. A false dilemma is also known as an either-or situation or a black-and-white scenario.
 
Limited choices are presented as the only possible options. However, such a submission will often ignore other paths that are present. Unfortunately, when people are put in such a spot, they cannot mentally untie the knot they have been presented. And so, they feel they have to make a choice where they will look good in one way while looking bad in another.
 
Follow the words ahead and see how Jesus navigates through such a false dilemma. When you understand that what was presented was not the full scope of what He could do, you can and should learn from His response. Pay attention to such challenges you may face and take a moment to think through your response.
 
Also, be sure to be as consistent in your words when you are in a private setting as you would be in a public setting. In addition to that, if you truly have changed over the years, you might consider going back through your past social media posts to remove things you said when you were thinking in a manner that no longer reflects your values.
 
Lord God, help us to have proper words that are filled with grace, respect towards others, and that always honor You. It is easy to stray into unhealthy discourse with others if we don’t monitor ourselves. So remind us of who we are because of who we belong to and what we should be saying as we live our lives in Your presence. Amen.

Sunday, 23 August 2026
 
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
 
“Many, also, they are invitees, and few, elect.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus finished His words to the leaders of Israel concerning the parable of the wedding feast, where the king told his servants to bind the man without garments, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, where there is weeping and the gnash of the teeth. With that stated, He repeats words from Matthew 20:16, “Many, also, they are invitees.”
 
Most translations say “called.” But that is a past participle forming the passive verb phrase “are called.” That is not the intent. The word means invited (as in the state of being invited), but saying invited makes it a predicate adjective. To make the intent unmistakable, it should read “invitees.”
 
In other words, it is the state in which people are. The gospel is spoken. All who hear it are invitees. However, only those who respond become a part of the next category, where Jesus says, “and few, elect.”
 
The word elektos, elect, can carry some theological baggage in people’s minds, because of the debate of what it means, especially the wrongly considered idea of election claimed by Calvinists. The most literal way of saying this would be “and few, selectees.” But that sounds like people on a county commission.
 
The intent is the state in which the people exist. They are the elect because of what was done and what they accepted in relation to that. The call for the wedding went out, people responded (free will), and they became elect because of their assent to attend. Paul uses the word in Romans 8:33 –
 
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect [elektos]? It is God who justifies.” Romans 8:31-33
 
God sent His Son, delivering Him up for us. We heard the message, believed it, and became elect. The process is grace. One cannot merit grace. A banquet was prepared based on the completed work of God’s Son. After that, people were called to attend (invitees). Those who were called rejected the offer.
 
From there, others outside of the first group were called (invitees). They did nothing to merit the call. Instead, it was God’s grace being directed toward them. Those who heard and responded from the invitees became elect.
 
HELPS Word Studies says, “Typically, eklektós (‘select, chosen’) describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God’s choice by freely receiving faith (pístis) from Him. Accordingly, these two terms are directly connected (see Tit 1:1; Lk 18:7,8).”
 
Life application: Entering the kingdom only comes through faith, and it only comes apart from the law, even if those under the law have faith. For those of Israel who were invitees, it was based not on what they did, but on what Jesus did. However, most rejected the premise, feeling that because of the law, they merited God’s favor already.
 
Gentiles, never having the law, hear the message and become elect by believing it. Where was law (other than Jesus’ fulfillment of it) ever a part of the process? It was not to be found! And yet, as soon as people hear that Christ died for their sins and they believe, someone comes along and tells them they must observe the law!
 
How can we be so dull as to believe such an unscriptural thing? The gospel of our salvation does not say a word about law –
 
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
 
That is it. That is the gospel. Once one believes, Paul then says –
 
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14
 
How can we take such a simple message and muddy it up so badly? Trust the plan that God has given. Don’t add to it. Just believe and then stand fast in what you were told! Jesus did it all. We can rest in that.
 
Lord God, may we confidently put our faith in Christ alone for our salvation and for all future promises related to that. Keep us from getting misdirected by those who look to gain from our freedom, placing us again in the chains of law observance. We are free in Christ. Help us to always remember that and praise You for it. Amen.

Saturday, 22 August 2026
 
Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 22:13
 
“Then, the king, he said to the servants, ‘Having bound his feet and hands, you take him, and you cast into the ‘darkness, the outer’. There, it will be the weeping and the ‘gnash, the teeth’.’” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, the king asked the man how he came into the nuptial without a wedding garment. When asked, he was speechless. It next says, “Then, the king, he said to the servants.”
 
A different word is used here. In verse 3, it was doulos, a bondservant. Here it is diakonos, an attendant, such as a waiter at a table.  It would be best not to read too much into this. Paul calls himself both in his epistles. However, the distinction may be that because the wedding ceremony is readied, the designation of the attendant is in line with voluntary service rather than that of compulsion. Of these servants, the king says, “Having bound his feet and hands.”
 
Things are not looking good for this fellow. As he is representative of anyone who is not properly attired, meaning covered by the righteousness of Christ, there will be many who will find out what it means to reject Him and His offer of peace with God.
 
As suggested in previous commentaries, the man is being used as a representative of not having Christ’s righteousness. It is not that any will somehow creep into the gathering of the saints who are not worthy, but that this is what those who are not worthy can expect. Of them, the command continues, “you take him, and you cast into the ‘darkness, the outer’.”
 
Some manuscripts leave off the words “you take him.” So either a scribe missed that in the original (something that is very easy to do), or maybe it was added to relieve the abrupt nature of the command without that inclusion.
 
Either way, the ultimate end of the man remains unchanged. He is cast into outer darkness, a thought repeated from Matthew 8:13, which followed the thought, “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:12).
 
In both, the idea of Israel not getting a free pass is seen. They must come to God in the same manner that is set for all people. There is one way to be deemed right before God, and it centers on the Person and Work of Jesus. Understanding that, the parable continues with, “There, it will be the weeping and the ‘gnash, the teeth’.”
 
Again, the words follow what is said in Matthew 8:13. There will be joy and blessing for those who receive the gospel. There will be sadness and misery for those who do not. The parable details this fact. Faith in Jesus is the difference between the two.
 
Life application: The account of Matthew 8 detailed the faith of the centurion, a gentile who understood Jesus’ authority and capabilities. His faith exceeded that of all others in Israel (Matthew 8:10). This is what prompted Jesus’ words concerning those who would sit and dine with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom.
 
The parable of the wedding feast parallels that thought. Though it doesn’t mention faith, it does note the unworthiness of some and the worthiness of others. Determining what makes one worthy, faith, makes the parable understandable.
 
It is not uncommon to hear people say that they have lost their faith because of a calamity, difficulty, or major trial in their lives. Is that a reason to lose faith? If so, it means that we are conditioning our faith on our circumstances, not on the object of proper faith, meaning Jesus. 
 
If anything, our hope in Christ should strengthen when we face such catastrophes. If this world (not God) is weighing us down, we should want to be out of here and with God all the more, not less. Take time to evaluate why you believe what you believe. God does not promise us easy lives, freedom from pain or trial, wealth, or any such thing during this life.
 
He does, however, promise us a new and far better existence in His presence someday. That is what we should be focusing on. Be sure to fix your eyes on Jesus. Anything else will lead to unhappiness as you walk through this fallen, troubling world.
 
Lord God, it is certain that difficulties, trials, and tribulations can be expected in this life. Help us to navigate through them with our faith only increasing as we await the day when we are forever in Your presence. Give us the wisdom to stand fast on Your promises which lie ahead. Amen.
 

Friday, 21 August 2026
 
So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Matthew 22:12
 
“And he says to him, ‘Shammer! How – you entered here, not having ‘apparel, nuptial’?’ The ‘also’, he muzzled.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus, still relaying the details of the parable, said that when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man who did not have on a wedding garment. Seeing him, Jesus notes, “And he says to him, ‘Shammer!’”
 
This is the second of three uses of the word hetairos. HELPS Word Studies defines it, saying, “properly, a companion (normally an imposter), posing to be a comrade but in reality only has his own interests in mind.” They also note he is acting for self-gain.
 
The man is seen to be unqualified to be at the wedding. Therefore, the king continues, “How – you entered here, not having ‘apparel, nuptial’?”
 
As noted in the previous commentary, this is an example of the care that will be given to the matter of the feast. It’s not that a person who is not qualified to be there will be mistakenly taken at the rapture. Rather, it is a way of demonstrating limitation. Only those who are properly attired will be able to attend.
 
God knows, in advance, who is His and who is not. In a good church with good doctrine and a right heart for the Lord, there may be some who are only there for a selfish reason. They will be excluded.
 
In a bad church with few who care about the Lord, there may be some who still hold to the truth and have faith in the Lord and His word. They will be included while the others are excluded. As it says in 2 Timothy 2:19, “The Lord knows those who are His.” Finishing up the thought, Jesus says, “The ‘also’, he muzzled.”
 
Considering that Jesus’ parable points to those of the law who have rejected the grace of God in Christ, Paul’s words of Romans 3 fit these words well –
 
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19, 20
 
Life application: For those who insist on law observance, it is good to be reminded for whom the law is designed. Is this how you want to be perceived by God? Paul says –
 
“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” 1 Timothy 1:8-11
 
Is that how you want to be considered in God’s eyes? If so, keep up with your law observance! When you are evaluated in accord with the standard you have chosen, you will find yourself removed from God’s presence because of your unfaithful stand.
 
You have willingly continued to place yourself at enmity with God, because it is by law that we have the knowledge of sin. When sin is committed under the law, judgment must be meted out. However, in Christ, because of trusting in His fulfillment of the law, Paul says we are not under law but grace.
 
As we are not under law, there is no judgment leading to condemnation. Sin cannot be imputed where law does not exist. This is what it means to be “in Christ.” As Jesus has met God’s standard, and because we have trusted in the imputation of His righteousness to us by faith, we are a part of Him, set aside from any chance of condemnation.
 
Why would anyone want to set that aside and live under law? And yet, it is as common as mosquitoes in Florida in the summertime. People need to think clearly about the consequences of their prideful actions. By placing oneself under law, he is bound to the consequences of violating that law.
 
People understand this in other areas of life. In the US, there is an enormous exodus of people from liberal states where laws are passed to punish the people with high taxes, removal of personal freedoms, and the imposition of nutty restrictions. They want to be freed from those things, understanding that the move will take them to a place where those laws don’t exist.
 
Law is the problem! And yet, in our spiritual lives, so many keep going back to the source of penalties instead of the freedom in Christ. Think things through. Trust in God’s grace. Rest contentedly in the full, final, finished, and forever work of Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
Lord God Almighty, help us to think clearly about where we will hang our proverbial hat in matters related to salvation. May we never consider hanging it anywhere but on Jesus’ completed work. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Thursday, 20 August 2026
 
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. Matthew 22:11
 
“Having entered, also, the king, to view those reclining, he beheld there – man, not ‘having been donned, apparel, nuptial’.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus continued the parable, noting that the king’s servants went to the roads and gathered as many as they found, both evil and good, filling the nuptial. He next says, “Having entered, also, the king, to view those reclining.”
 
The verb theaomai, to look closely at, is used. It is as if gazing at a spectacle. As seen previously, it is the root of théatron, a spectacle in a theater, something one carefully sees and contemplates. The king is pleased to look upon his guests and see them all acceptably ready for the event.  However, it next says, “he beheld there – man, not ‘having been donned, apparel, nuptial’.”
 
The eye of the king, while looking over the theater of humanity who have been invited from all areas, lights upon a single man who is not appropriately attired. Many commentators refer to ancient customs where those attending weddings were given special garments by the one inviting in order to identify them as members of the wedding party.
 
A list of verses from the Bible is given, none of which prove this was a universal custom. Despite that, it seems logical that this is the case here, not because it was standard custom, but because of who was invited, meaning everyone they could find, including both evil and good.
 
It would be unlikely that the poor would have a particular garment identifiable to a king at a wedding. Hence, as the invitation was accepted, for the sake of the parable, a garment identifiable to him would be issued. That is referred to by Jesus in Revelation –
 
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5
 
Although referring to a different group in Revelation 19, the same metaphor is clearly explained there –
 
“And it was given to her that she should be clothed – ‘fine linen, pure, and radiant’. The ‘because’ fine linen: the ‘righteousnesses, the saints’ it is.” Revelation 19:8 (CG).
 
Although one might ask, “How could someone get into the wedding banquet if this is referring to a time after the rapture?” Such a supposition would mean that God made a mistake in rapturing someone who wasn’t worthy.
 
That is not the point. A single man is identified out of the seemingly endless number of people there. Thus, the point is one of limitation. Not a single person who does not possess the righteousnesses of Christ will be accepted. Thus, the meaning is that one will not be accepted because of wealth, status, culture, intelligence, or any other reason than the imputation of righteousness from Jesus to the individual.
 
Therefore, the “man, not ‘having been donned, apparel, nuptial’,” is an advanced warning that if one has not called on Christ, he is not worthy of participating in His wedding feast. As the parable is spoken to the people of Israel who are under the law, Jesus is telling them, quite plainly, that they will no longer be a part of. what God is doing.
 
The burning of the city, the rejection of their supposed worthiness, and the calling of all others is the highlight of this verse, summed up in the man’s not wearing the appropriate attire. It is a truth that extends to all in the future, but the focus is on Israel and the law at this time. Only in coming to Christ is one acceptable before the Father.
 
Life application: Those in Israel who were determined to hang their proverbial salvation hat on Moses would never the righteousness of Christ. Original sin blocked them from being qualified, and sinning under the law marked them as incapable of overriding the fallen nature of Adam.
 
This is what law does. It puts up a barrier between God and man. And more, in pursuing the law instead of resting in Christ’s righteousness, pride is revealed. That only puts a greater barrier between the two. It is a barrier that cannot be breached but which must be removed entirely.
 
In Romans 8, Paul writes of the law of the Spirit (trust in Christ) being opposed to the law of sin and death (living under the Law of Moses). He sums up that thought, saying, “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).
 
If you are trusting in adherence to the Law of Moses, you are not pleasing to God. You are an affront to Him. He has given us the way of righteousness by sending His Son to do what deeds of the law could never do. Trust in Christ, give up your arrogance of law observance, and be reconciled to God before it is too late.
 
O God, how foolish we are if we think we can do better than what You have done in the sending of Jesus. May we trust in His merits alone to obtain our garments of righteousness. Thank You that they are attainable through what He did for us! Amen.

Wednesday, 19 August 2026
 
So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. Matthew 22:10
 
“And having departed, the ‘servants, those’ into the roads, they gathered all, as many as they found, evil, both, and good. And it filled, the nuptial – reclinings.” (CG)
 
The previous verse noted that the king said to his servants to go through the through-departures and as many people as they found, to call them to the nuptials. He next says, “And having departed, the ‘servants, those’ into the roads, they gathered all.”
 
Out they went, dutifully looking for people to attend the wedding ceremony. One can imagine the apostles and early disciples, once finding that Gentiles were to be a part of the kingdom, actively going out and sharing the good news.
 
Those who heard this parable would remember it and consider that the plan waswe set and all they needed to do was engage their feet and get going. What they had no idea about was the scope of the task, either in expansion or in time –
 
“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7 And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Acts 1:6-8
 
When Jesus was departing, these disciples were still thinking of the promised earthly kingdom, not realizing that two-thousand years would pass, and that every nation on the planet was to be evangelized. Nations that didn’t exist at the time would participate in the process.
 
As the world has evolved, the priority has remained unchanged in the lives of those who have accepted the call to continue inviting others to the coming event. That is in fulfillment of the words of the parable, saying, “as many as they found, evil, both, and good.”
 
A new word is seen here, te, a primary particle of connection or addition. Generally, it is translated as both or also. HELPS Word Studies says it “occurs 204 times in the NT and unfortunately is often not translated.” They rightfully rue over the fact that translators do not include such articles, as if they are unnecessary.
 
Of the words of this clause, Cambridge says, “bad and good] Who will always co-exist in the Church on earth.” Other commentators repeat the same thought. That misses the point and incorrectly explains the parable. This is not referring to bad people who remain bad in the church, as if they will or will not participate in the event. This is referring to the state of those who are called, when they are called.
 
No person is to be excluded from hearing the gospel. The “good” people who are honest, responsible with their lives, pay their bills by working decently, etc., need Jesus. The “bad” people like drug addicts, prostitutes, swindlers, and politicians(!) need Jesus too. All are invited to respond favorably to the good news. Someday, the last person to be evangelized will hear and respond. At that time, the rapture will take place, “And it filled, the nuptial – reclinings.”
 
Well, we don’t need to worry about what the seating arrangements will be like. The idea of “reclinings” is the Middle-Eastern style of sitting at a low table. Of this style of dining, the Topical Lexicon says it –
 
“...portrays the first-century practice of reclining on a couch while partaking of a meal. In Scripture it frames scenes of fellowship, invitation, judgment, and eschatological promise. The posture itself is never incidental; it locates the participants within covenantal meals that anticipate the Messianic banquet and reveal the heart of Christ for sinners and saints alike.
 
Cultural Background of Reclining
 
By the early Roman period Jewish and Gentile diners adopted the Greco-Roman triclinium. Guests lay on the left side, feet extended outward, right hand free for eating. Reclining indicated belonging, honor, and enjoyment. Servants moved among the couches; hosts signaled welcome through seating order.”
 
Life application: As noted above, those who are in the church and who do not believe will not be a part of this event. The rapture will take those who are sealed with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13,14). Our job is to tell others about Jesus. Their job is to believe.
 
Those who join a church and don’t believe, for whatever reason, will not be taken. It is the sealing of the Spirit, something known by God, that will bring about our being taken to the feast that is coming. This gives good reason why the strong delusion Paul refers to in 2 Thessalonians 2 will be possible.
 
Although we don’t know who is or who is not sealed with the Spirit, it is rather certain that the Pope has no personal relationship with Jesus. This unbelief permeates much of the Roman Catholic church, along with leaders and adherents of many major denominations.
 
When the rapture happens, and they are not taken, it will be easy to dismiss the event. They sit smugly in their religiosity, thinking they are the center of God’s plans and purposes. The world, too, looks at them as the representatives of “true” Christianity. As such, their being left behind will provide a simple means of beginning this strong delusion.
 
Lord God, help us to diligently tell those around us about the prospect of eternal life in Your presence, paid for solely by the merits of Jesus Christ. May we never water down the gospel. There are no works of our own that will bring us any closer to You. Our faith in His works is the ticket. Thank You for this wonderful gesture of love and reconciliation. Amen.
 

Tuesday, 18 August 2026
 
Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ Matthew 22:9
 
“You go, therefore, upon the ‘through-departures, the roads’, and as many, if you should find, you call to the nuptials.” (CG)
 
The previous verse noted that the king said to his servants that the nuptial was ready, but that those who had been invited weren’t worthy. Because of this, Jesus continues, saying, “You go, therefore, upon the ‘through-departures, the roads’.”
 
This is a word found only here in Scripture, diexodos. It is derived from dia, through, and exodos, a departure (sometimes figuratively, as in death). The word signifies a way out through, such as an outlet. One could think of a modern indoor shopping mall where one goes through it to come to a way out. Thus, you traverse a distance in order to exit.
 
In the case of what is being conveyed, the focus has been transferred away from Jerusalem and, indeed, all of Israel. The city has been burned (verse 7), those who had been called were not worthy (verse 8), and so the gospel is now going into foreign lands. Where there are gatherings of people, be it on a country road, a small town, or a bustling city, one must go through in order to continue on, as if the whole world is a giant shopping mall of human souls.
 
Following the travels of Paul and those with him in the book of Acts will show this process. As he arrived in a city, he would begin the process, usually starting at the synagogue. They would normally quickly harass him, be found unworthy, and then he would press on with the saving message of the gospel to the Gentiles he encountered –
 
“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:“I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.”’48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:46-48
 
This process of going to the through-departures has continued on for over two thousand years as people walk, bike, take cars, trains, ships, and airplanes in order to go from one place to the next. Airports are like their own through-departures as a person gets off one plane coming in from Sarasota, Florida, through-departures in Atlanta, through-departures again in Detroit to Japan, and through-departures again to Iligan City in the Philippines.
 
As people traverse these airports, if they are industrious, they will blanket the airport with tracts about Jesus (be sure to give one to the lady at the coffee stand!). And why is this done? Because it is the commission of sharing the gospel, reflected in Jesus’ next words, “and as many, if you should find, you call to the nuptials.”
 
The word has gone out. There is a Redeemer, and He has come to bring people from all languages, cultures, races, and locations to Himself through the sharing of the good news.
 
Life application: Why is it so important that you share the gospel? The reason is that if you don’t, the people you come in contact with may never hear the saving message of Jesus. John 3:18 tells us that all people are “condemned already.” We don’t need to do a thing to wind up in the Lake of Fire. That is our default position. If not you, then who?
 
And more, it should be taken as an axiom that Satan is doing his best to frustrate the going forth of the true gospel. One way that happens is by sending out his minions with false gospels. And they are diligent to get their word out. The annoying Jehovah’s Witnesses who come to your door are doing Satan’s bidding, stealing away souls from coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
 
The Mormons... they have a worldwide organization set up to share the wrong news, plant false churches, and lead people down the path to perdition. They are effective in getting their false gospel out, and they are motivated to do so. Most cults are. When you have to perform in order to participate, you are normally highly motivated to act.
 
Instead, Jesus trusts that those who have been deeply touched by the grace of the gospel will be willing to open their mouths and speak. Be a part of what is presented by Jesus in Matthew 22:0. He gave this parable as a revelation of what would be happening in the world after Israel turned their collective back on their Messiah. Now, it is our job to let the world see the glory of the Christ of the nations. If not you, then who?
 
Lord God, may we diligently go forth to the through-departures of the world, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ as we do. Be it a shopping mall, an airport, or a large city, whatever we are passing through, help us to remember to be about sharing this wonderful release from sin, which leads to restoration with You. Amen.

Monday, 17 August 2026
 
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Matthew 22:8
 
“Then, he says to ‘servants, his’, ‘The, indeed, nuptial, ready, it is. Those, also, having been invited, not they were worthy.’” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, the king heard of what transpired, and, being angered, he sent his troops, killed the murderers, and destroyed the city. Remembering that, it next says, “Then, he says to ‘servants, his’, ‘The, indeed, nuptial, ready, it is.’”
 
The invitations had been sent to those in the city, representing Jerusalem, the seat of power and religious authority in Israel. Hence, it extends to the people of Israel who are under the authority of the leaders. Together, they are bound under the Law of Moses and its consequences, having rejected the offer of the New Covenant. The wedding, however, will still take place, despite the fact that “Those, also, having been invited, not they were worthy.”
 
Israel (those not worthy) rejecting Christ does not stop the redemptive process. It will just continue without them. Their unworthiness is based on their rejection of Christ. This is something anticipated in their time in the wilderness, as seen in Hebrews 3 –
 
“For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:16-19
 
The author of Hebrews directly ties “obey” to “belief.” Israel rejected Christ, typologically seen at the times the spies entered Canaan, followed by their rejection of the Lord’s offer because of the bad report that was given. As such, they went into forty years of wandering in the wilderness, a type of their current state in the world for the past two thousand years.
 
Israel is unworthy of salvation in Christ because they rejected Christ and wanted to turn back to the world of sin (Egypt). This is their state at this time.
 
Life application: Despite being found not worthy, it does not, however, mean that Jews cannot be saved. Nor does it mean that they are saved in a different way than Gentiles (the heresy taught by hyperdispensationalism). Rather, they must do as stated in the Book of Hebrews –
 
“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” Hebrews 13:10-13
 
The camp signifies the religious expression of the Law of Moses. Certain sacrifices were made, and then the bodies of those animals were burned outside of the camp, signifying sin’s removal from the person or people for whom the atonement was being made. Those sacrifices being taken outside the camp typified Christ, who was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem.
 
In other words, a person bound by the law today, meaning a Jew who has not received Christ, must put aside Moses as their religious identity and come to Christ (through His sacrifice), entering the New Covenant.
 
Further, their rejection of Jesus as a nation does not mean that they are permanently rejected by God and will never come to a national reconciliation with Him, another false teaching known as replacement theology, where the church is said to replace Israel.
 
What happened to Israel after the years of wilderness wandering? Moses died outside of Canaan, a picture of the law ending. From there, Israel, the nation, was brought through the Jordan (Christ, the Descender), they were brought to Gilgal, the Liberty – freedom in Christ, and they were circumcised as a nation, picturing the circumcision of the heart promised to the nation.
 
Everything has its place in God’s economy. Unfortunately, people run with a particular doctrine because of failing to understand the larger picture of what God is doing in redemptive history. A lot of this is also based on a lack of trust in a literal reading of God’s word from Old Testament passages.
 
God made promises to Israel that were never fulfilled at Christ’s coming. Because of this, people have spiritually applied them to the church, robbing what belongs to Israel and taking it for themselves. Rather, those promises do belong to Israel, and they will be fulfilled when Israel calls on Jesus. May that day be soon.
 
Lord God, help us to rightly pursue Your word by keeping things in their intended context. Give us wisdom in how to evaluate Your word so that things will fall into their proper place, so that our doctrine will be correct. We pray that we will never mishandle or misrepresent Your intent for what is given in this sacred word. Amen.

Sunday, 16 August 2026
 
But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Matthew 22:7
 
“Having heard, also, the king, he angered, and having sent the ‘troops, his’ he destroyed the ‘murderers, those’, and the ‘city, theirs’ he burned.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, the parable continued, noting that others among the kings’ servants seized his servants and mistreated and killed them. Because of this, it next says, “Having heard, also, the king, he angered.”
 
Newer versions use a text that leaves off the verb “having heard” –
 
Having heard, also, the king, he angered. (CG)And the king was enraged. (BSB)
 
Either way, the king’s fury was aroused. To reject his offer of attending the wedding was the greatest of offenses. It showed total disrespect to reject this. Notice how in this parable, the son is not killed. This is a post-resurrection parable directed at the rejection of the living Christ.
 
As noted, the servants picture those apostles and converts who were calling Israel to come to Christ, their recognized Messiah. The nation, following the leaders’ rejection of Jesus, eventually turned away from any possibility of calling on Him, instead mistreating and killing those who believed. Therefore, the parable continues, saying, “and having sent the ‘troops, his’ he destroyed the ‘murderers, those’.”
 
This is not specifically recorded in Scripture, even if it is alluded to in various ways. However, it is a well-known part of Jewish history. The troubles that came upon Israel are detailed in the writings of Josephus in The Jewish War. Tacitus (AD 105-110) gives descriptions of the event, as does Suetonius (around AD 120).
 
Other later writers include references to this, including Cassius Dio (AD 220), the Babylonian Talmud, and others. Josephus is particularly important concerning the last words of the verse, “and the ‘city, theirs’ he burned.”
 
In Josephus, Books 5–7, it describes the factions within Jerusalem, Titus’s siege, terrible famine and cannibalism, the burning of the Temple, the capture and destruction of the city, and finally, it details the events of prisoners, executions, and Roman triumph.
 
All these were first hinted at in Scripture as far back as Moses. It continued in types and shadows in the writings, prophets made proclamations, and Jesus affirmed that this was coming upon the people. His words tie it all up in the rejection of God’s offer, which is their uniting with His Son.
 
Life application: To this day, Israel continues to claim that they are God’s people, rejecting the clear and precise wording found in Scripture that at this time, they are not. They will be God’s people again someday because God is faithful to His covenant. But for now, they are Lo Ammi, Not My People.
 
This is confirmed in the Old Testament. It is found in Moses’ writings, the types and shadows of the historical writings, and in the words of the prophets. From there, it is directly alluded to by Jesus and then confirmed as such by Paul and the other New Testament writers.
 
But there is a sense of boastful pride, even in many Jewish Christians today, along with the naivete of people who fail to consider the context of Scripture. Churches and even denominations continue to proclaim that the Jews are God’s people, in the sense that He currently favors them. This damages any chance of them realizing their guilt and coming to Christ. Thus, it is a harmful doctrine that needs to be shelved.
 
Israel needs to know that they, as a people, are currently not what God is doing. They are still under the curses of the law, and they – as a nation – will continue in this state until they call out for Jesus to rescue them. Jesus said this with His own mouth –
 
“Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. 33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:31-39
 
Yes, Israel is doing great things in the world, but greatness in finances, military prowess, medical innovation, and other leading technologies and disciplines does not equate to being right with God. Until they realize this, they will continue in their national self-delusion, and they will continue to reject Jesus.
 
Pray for Israel. They need Jesus. Without Him, there is no salvation.
 
Lord God, open the eyes of more and more Jewish people to their need for Jesus. May that continue to expand within their society so that many will be saved before the day of wrath comes. And help us to get this message out to all other nations as well. The world needs Jesus. Amen.