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Seek
(Matt. 7:7-8) By Joel Pettit

Sometimes it is very easy to find a specific passage in scripture on focus on that. But we must remember that every passage is surrounded by other pieces of information that put it in perspective. One of the places in Matthew we might see this is in what we often hear referred to as “The Sermon On the Mount.” Jesus, in Mathew 7:7-8 says “Keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who keeps asking will receive, and the person who keeps searching will find, and the person who keeps knocking will have the door opened.”

Jesus tells us here that if we seek (search), we will find. But what will we find? Will we always find truth?

Only if we search for it.

Fortunately, Jesus also told us what to search for. He told us that very thing in the very same conversation.

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says “But first be concerned about God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well.” The world “concerned” means, in Greek, “seek.” It seems that Jesus is telling us that, if we seek God, His Kingdom, and righteous, we will surely find it.

If we are really looking for Truth, and really looking for God’s will, His plan, and His desires for our heart, we will find it. Jesus has already promised us that. But Truth is sometimes a little scary, and hard to seek. We don’t always want it. But if it is Truth we want, it is Truth we will find. God cannot lie. Give it a try. Look for Truth.

Sheep & Goats
(Matt. 25) By Joel Pettit

As I write this I cannot help but stare into my laptop screen as if it were a mirror. I debated within my own mind whether or not to write on this specific topic - it is deep, convicting, and pointed. But I would be wrong - I believe - to not write it.

I speak of Matthew 25:31-46. I suggest you take a moment to read it. Don’t take my word for it. I truly believe this is one of the - if not the - focal passages in Matthew.

Here Jesus tells us that, when he returns, all people will be gathered to him. Some will go to eternal life and some to eternal punishment. We must ask ourselves, “What is the difference between these two groups - the sheep and the goats.” Jesus tells us that the difference between the two groups is how they treat Him. And how will we know it’s Him?

We won’t.

Jesus is the next door neighbor. Jesus is the bum on the street. Jesus is the stranger in the store. Jesus is the server at the restaurant. The way we treat other is exactly how we are treating Jesus. How do I know? He told me so, right there in Matthew. The amazing thing is how consistent Jesus is. When He tells us this toward the end of his ministry, He is telling us exactly what He did at the beginning of His ministry in Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven.”

It seems our choice to follow Christ is demonstrated in our attitude, and Jesus has told us what attitude He requires of us in Matthew 5. I sometimes wonder how I’m doing, how we’re doing, how the Church is doing.

The poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of God but we refuse the beggar on the corner a dollar because “he’d just spend it on booze, anyhow.”
Those who mourn will be given comfort, but we ignore the hurting around us.
The meek will inherit the earth, but we’ll step on anyone for our 15 minutes of fame.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, but we leave our Bibles on the shelf and let any radio show, TV program, or blog tell us what righteousness should look like.
Those who are merciful (which, by the way, means “actively compassionate) will receive mercy but we rail against helping others with the tired classic “why should my hard work go to help someone else?”
The pure in heart will see God, but we revel in broadcasting that celebrates the cruelty of others.
The peacemakers shall be called sons of God, but we fight amongst ourselves over trivial, unspiritual matters.
The persecuted inherit the kingdom of heaven, but we justify our persecutions of those who don’t think like we do.

Jesus is quite clear throughout the book of Matthew: our love for Him is demonstrated in our love for others. How are we doing?

What Jesus Did
(Matthew 28:18-20) By Joel Pettit

As I have said before, I struggled with the whole What Would Jesus Do campaign. I realize the concept is well-intentioned, but the idea is severely flawed. In order for us to decide what Jesus would do, we would need to be Jesus. None of us are. By trying to do what Jesus “would do” we set ourselves up for failure. In truth, there are two things we are required to do.

We must Do What Jesus Said to Do.
We must Do What Jesus Did.

Jesus himself told us these things. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus says, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me continually.”

In Matthew 28:18-20 He says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, as you go, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age."

It is actually a wonderful relief to know that we don’t need to figure out Jesus would do. It is enough to know that he told us what to. And he led by example. He asked nothing of us that he did not do Himself.

Jesus told us to humble ourselves; then he walked to the cross.
Jesus told us to love our neighbor; then he gave his life for each of us.
Jesus told us to forgive those who sin against us; then he asked His father to forgive the very people who crucified him.
Jesus told us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him; then he made that journey first.

If we concern ourselves with doing what Jesus did and what He told us to do, I cannot help but think we will be far too preoccupied to worry about what he would do.