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(Courtesy of Voice of Prophecy)
The Triumphal Entry
/in Pastors BlogThe Triumphal Entry
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
Matthew 21:1-3
The triumphal entry of Jesus is a very interesting part of Jesus’ ministry. It was prophesied in the Old Testament and so had to happen.
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
Matthew 21-4-7
What is strange about this story is the ending. People were excited. Everyone was ready for a new king but Jesus had very different plans.
8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:8-11
Just when everything seemed to be going right Jesus does something that no one expected. He created a whip with cords and began to drive out the animals from the Temple.
What was the purpose then of the entrance? It must be more than simply fulfilling a prophecy?
When I read it, I see God making it very clear what was in the hearts of his people. They were more than ready to get a new king and defeat Rome and take their place as rulers of the world. They were anxious for power and authority and to escape bondage. What they weren’t ready for was to clean up their spiritual lives. They wanted to continue in their halfhearted worship of God, worshiping in their own way and not His. Can we sometimes be thinking the same way?
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Forgiveness
/in Pastors BlogForgiveness
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Matthew 18:21
How many times do we arrogantly go to God saying or doing something we think is above and beyond? Peter thought he was being an ultimate human being by suggesting forgiveness up to seven times. We often shake our heads at Peter in this story but in real life, from a human standard, he actually was been very generous. Most people don’t give others a second chance or possibly a third. Forgiving someone seven times is a lot.
When God is put in the picture however, seven becomes nothing. How many times has God forgiven you in your life? How many times has he forgiven you just this week or even today? If seven was an adequate amount we all would be very lost.
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:22
Here Jesus greatly multiplies the number seven, not because this is the actual number of times we should forgive but as a lesson to show that we have to learn and grow to greatly multiply what we think God asks from us. Jesus is saying that forgiveness must be given a much greater role and importance in what we think of as a Christian. He is also showing us how God sees forgiveness, and thank God for that.
For God, there really is no limit to the number of times He can forgive. The limit is actually set by us and the amount of times we feel like we deserve forgiveness. Those who no longer receive forgiveness from God are those who have given up and no longer seek it or convince themselves that God will no longer forgive them. The truth however is that, even as the thief on the cross, God is willing to forgive even in our last moments of life and choice.
How can we develop our level of forgiveness to others? We do this by looking at God level for us. If God, a king, can forgive us for so much, how can we not forgive the smaller infractions done by those around us? That is the parable lesson in Matthew 18:23-34 which I’ll let you read on your own.
The last verse is the most important for us.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Matthew 18:35
God will judge and forgive us based on our own level of forgiveness of others. That can be a terrifying prospect. It should also be a great motivator to change ourselves.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Not One Lost
/in Pastors BlogNot One Lost
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:10
At the end of the parable of the lost sheep we have this verse. God’s will is that not even one human should be lost. Unfortunately we know that will not be the case as many will purposely give up their salvation but it’s a loving message none the less. And it is with this contextual verse that we enter into a famous part about dealing with sinful members. Unfortunately most Bibles separate verse 10 from the next part with a title and people don’t read them together but they should. You see, it’s in the context that God wants to save everyone that he speaks about dealing with sinners or in other words, dealing with sinners should be done in a way that everyone should be saved. Dealing with sinners is not about cutting out the bad but saving the bad.
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
Matthew 18:15
This verse makes it very clear that the goal is to save your brother. We should always remember that when dealing with these situations. This work is not about simply keeping the church ‘pure’ and ‘holy’ as is the case many times. That member makes us look bad so we should get rid of him. I’ve heard this many times even if not with these exact words. No, it is about helping someone who’s fallen from finding his footing with Christ again.
16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
Matthew 18:16-17
Two important things can be learned from these verses. The first is that you should only elevate or grow the situation if nothing else can be done. Not every issue in a church should be spoken of in the front like a sermon. Private situations should remain just that and hopefully resolved in like manner.
The other thing is that separating someone from the church is an extreme and final solution only done if the person truly doesn’t repent or even acknowledge their problem. It should never be the first, second or even third choice but always the final extreme. With that said, sometimes it is needed to be done. When done however it is still with the hope and love of trying to bring the person back to God. We should never close a door for good. Remember, God wants that not even one should be lost.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Your Angel
/in Pastors BlogYour Angel
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 18:10
There are verses in the Bible that seem simple yet say so much. This is one of those verses. On the surface, Jesus is simply acknowledging the importance of little children in the sight of God but when you actually look at what Jesus is saying, much more can be gleaned.
The children’s angels see the face of God. What does that mean? What was Jesus trying to say? It is similar to the saying that so-and-so has someone’s ear. The children’s angels see the face of God and therefore are up there with God and have the ability to speak with him. If they feel that their chosen child is being harmed or put down, they will pass on their displeasure with God himself. That is a powerful position. Don’t despise a child because, God himself might come back at you. That child has connections. That child is protected.
I also like the idea, that even though God knows everything, he seems to allow people (or angels in this case) to argue their points and grievances. It takes away the idea that heaven is a complete dictatorship where only God speaks and makes decisions. This implies that people can reason with God and gain favor.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18
God himself asks us to reason with him. Yes he is all powerful, all knowing and so on, but he still wants to hear your opinion and have you make your choices. This always blows my mind to think about. How much easier and cleaner the world would be if we simply had to follow God’s ideas and paths but no. God wants us to use our brains and think and make decisions.
11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:11
After the verse with the angels seeing the face of God we are left with this verse. Jesus came to save the lost so don’t leave anyone out of your mission for salvation. Don’t say someone is too young or old or black or white or rich or poor. God has a plan to save everyone regardless of themselves. Let us chose to follow that plan and not the Devils, where some are too different or sinful to be saved.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Temple Tax
/in Pastors BlogTemple Tax
24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”
Matthew 17:24
There are a few stories in the Bible that are rarely used. Others are almost always told as a children’s story. This is one of those stories. The temple tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid his temple tax. Just so you know, this was neither tithe nor an offering that was being mentioned here. This was a tax that was created, and of which the Jewish priests were exempt from, which had to be given once a year. It was created during the rebuilding of Nehemiah and was probably supposed to be temporary as Israel was being rebuilt, the people were still enslaved and so regular tithes and offerings were probably not enough. By the time of Jesus, the Temple was flush with funds and there was no need for this tax but obviously the Jewish leaders would not pass up extra funds.
In verse 25, Peter answered, “Yes.” He did this of course without actually knowing or asking Jesus. He assumed or simply didn’t want his master to look bad and so answered with his own idea.
25 And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.
Matthew 17:25-26
As always, even though he wasn’t there to hear, Jesus knew what had transpired and he confronted Peter. The problem was obvious. If the Jewish priests and leaders didn’t have to pay the tax, why would the Son of God? What I love about this story is that, although he corrects Peter, he doesn’t blame or punish him. Instead he uses Peter to a miracle which also saved face for the entire ordeal.
27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Matthew 17:27
I love how Jesus didn’t want to offend the tax collectors even though they obviously asked to offend Jesus. I also love how the coin was to pay for Jesus and Peter. Peter received a blessing even though he made a rash mistake. That is love and grace at work.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Opposites
/in Pastors BlogOpposites
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Matthew 16:24-25
We serve such an interesting God. He seems to relish in opposites. If you want to gain something, you must give up first. If you want to live you must die. He has a plan of salvation which has a death at its heart. Lose your life to find it.
No wonder the disciples and religious leaders were so often confused. Jesus always found a way of doing exactly what people didn’t expect. He would heal people and tell them to not say a word. When they tried to proclaim him king, he would sneak away from the rejoicing crowds. He loved those who were hated and mocked those who were uplifted.
Why is it important to recognize this fact about Jesus and God? Simply put, we can never assume we know God’s plan for our life. It’s very easy to rationalize a situation of path that you think would be best for your life but if the Bible is any marker you can bet sure that you’re wrong.
That is where faith and trust really come in. Being able to put aside your own understanding and plan is the best thing you can do. It’s hard because we think we know what is best. The good news is that God is able to create something even better than your imagination can fathom.
26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:16
Here we see the big secret, or not so secret, reason why God’s ways seem so opposite sometimes. We as human being have a tendency of looking at life in the short term. God is always thinking about the greater picture. He is thinking about your salvation and that is why many times His ways are not our ways.
That is the great choice that we always have to make. Do you follow your own plan which may be good for the short term or do you follow God’s plan which is focused on the greater picture?
To help you chose, I’ll leave you with one last verse.
27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Matthew 16:27
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Who Am I
/in Pastors BlogWho Am I
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
Matthew 16:13
What an interesting question and one that is vital today in our day. As Christians, and especially as Adventists, we have a need to preach Jesus to the people around us. Often we find this to be a difficult task. Why? Because of the question Jesus asked- Who do people say I am?
It’s very important to know someone’s idea on Jesus before presenting Jesus to them. The name Jesus is very loaded. For some, hopefully like yourself, it is a wonderful name full of joy, grace and power. For others, such as Indigenous members who were forced to change their beliefs into a Christian faith, Jesus can have a much darker and negative thing.
Before we speak, it’s important to listen. That is what Jesus was doing here but not for his own good but for the disciples. They needed to realize that their experience with Jesus was different and unique compared to the average person. We need to realize the same thing. Our experience with Jesus and the knowledge we know is a huge blessing that few on this earth have.
After his first question, Jesus asks another.
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Matthew 16:15
Again, this question is vital. How can we preach about Jesus if we haven’t taken the time to truly understand him for ourselves? Why are we talking about him? What makes him special in your own life? These are the questions we need to know before we speak to anyone.
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:16-17
When the right process of questions and hearing is done, this is the result. The Holy Spirit can enter into the conversation and truly do a miracle. This is what God wants to do with you.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto