Daily Writing

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. Matthew 10:41

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“The ‘receiving a prophet’ in a prophet’s name, a prophet’s reward he will receive. And the ‘receiving a righteous’ in a righteous’ name, a righteous’ reward he will receive” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus said, “The ‘receiving you,’ Me receives. And the ‘Me receiving,’ he receives the ‘having sent Me.’” In a similar manner, He now steps down the level of reception, saying, “The ‘receiving a prophet’ in a prophet’s name, a prophet’s reward he will receive.”

This is obviously referring to a true prophet of the Lord. Although the reciprocal could still hold true. Someone receiving a false prophet, if taken in and accepting of his message, will eventually receive the false prophet’s same fate. But that is not the intent here.

Of the prophet, in the Old Testament, he was the highest form of believer in God, having a word issued from God through Him. Although not necessarily an ambassador, he is one who speaks the word of the Lord. In Genesis 20:7, Abraham is specifically said to be a prophet of God. Moses notes he is a prophet in Deuteronomy 18:18.

In receiving such a person, there is an acknowledgment that what the prophet receives, the person will also receive. Although Jesus is probably referring to the reception of rewards in the next life, it is a truth that accompanied some in their earthly lives.

In 1 Kings 17, the widow of Zarephath received Elijah. In turn, she received a supply of food during the drought that consumed the land. In Jeremiah 39, Ebed-Melech tended to Jeremiah the prophet, and the Lord promised to deliver him during the terrible siege upon the city.

Likewise, in Jeremiah 45, Baruch the scribe was given words of assurance from the Lord for his faithfulness to the word of the Lord through Jeremiah. As for a later prophet’s reward, meaning at the resurrection, one is recorded in Daniel 12 –

“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13

Based on Jesus’ words, it can be assumed that those who are saved and raised at the resurrection, and who received Daniel, would receive a similar inheritance. Next, Jesus says, “And the ‘receiving a righteous’ in a righteous’ name, a righteous’ reward he will receive.”

This is another step down the ladder, going from the prophet to the righteous. The categories are set, just as they are in the list given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:28. This demonstrates the wisdom of God in apportioning out His gifts and His grace in various ways.

As for the righteous, the Bible, even during the times of the law, identifies them as those who are of faith. This is made explicit in Hebrews 11, where those of faith are spoken of as righteous. Rahab the harlot received the spies and received her reward because of that. As in the prophet, it can be assumed that this truth goes beyond this life, though.

Those who receive the righteous, holding to their standard themselves, will receive the resurrection of the righteous and what it entails. Jesus is making a point about rewards. This thought will continue in the next verse.

Life application: In Matthew 11:11, Jesus says –

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

One reason for Jesus’ word is certainly that a person who has entered the kingdom of heaven, meaning that which is promised through the Messiah, has received all of what has been spoken of since the beginning, as outlined in the received word.

In receiving the word that speaks of God’s plan, we have received the prophet through whom that word came. In receiving the words of the writings of the gospels, we have received those who authored those books. And in receiving the words of the apostles as written in the epistles, we have received those apostles who penned them.

But people receive the words at various levels of faith. There are those who say they believe Paul was an apostle, but they don’t accept everything he says. For example, they may attend a church with a female pastor, something Paul’s writings forbid.

This will not affect their salvation (assuming they are truly saved), but it will affect their rewards. They have not truly received Paul in the fullest sense. The judgment seat of Christ is something that lies ahead for all believers. Our eternal rewards and losses will be based on our faith and our deeds done in faith.

This must be inclusive of how we receive and apply the word of God to our lives. What level of understanding are you willing to attain concerning God’s word? The church you select, the Bible studies you attend, the manner in which you accept the doctrines contained within the word, etc., are certainly all a part of how God is evaluating you.

Many in the world have never had a copy of the Bible. They lived by faith but without a fuller understanding of the word. Many today hunger for a copy of the word in their own language, waiting years to receive a translation to hold and cherish.

In Western countries, we have innumerable translations available at our fingertips. And yet, who among those who believe has read even a single translation from beginning to end?

The more you are willing to receive, the greater will be the return on your investment of time, doctrine, and closer fellowship. Be sure to make the word an integral and intimate part of your life.

Heavenly Father, help us to think clearly about how we tend to Your word. It is our connection to understanding You and what You have done in the stream of human existence, culminating in the coming of Christ Jesus. How can we ignore such a gift? May it not be so in our lives. Amen.

Monday, 16 June 2025

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. Matthew 10:40

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“The ‘receiving you, Me receives. And the ‘Me receiving,’ he receives the ‘having sent Me’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that “The ‘having found his soul,’ he will lose it, and the ‘having lost his soul’ because of Me, he will find it.” Now, He will give a few verses to explain relational interactions, especially in regard to a state of rewards for those interactions. He begins with, “The ‘receiving you,’ Me receives.”

The words convey the thought of an ambassadorship. When one is an ambassador, he is sent on behalf of his leader, be it a king, president, dictator, etc. When a nation receives such an ambassador, it is an acknowledgment that he has received the one sending him. Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 5 –

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20, 21

Paul is saying that he was sent on behalf of Christ Jesus. In receiving him and his message, the individual (family, church, etc.) receives Jesus. This is because Paul’s message is the message of reconciliation between God and man through Christ. That continues to be seen in Jesus’ next words, “And the ‘Me receiving,’ he receives the ‘having sent Me.’”

God sent Jesus as His representative on earth. When one accepts Jesus, by default, he accepts God. Obviously, because of the incarnate nature of Jesus, the truth is more nuanced than in other such situations, but it is a truth that Jesus refers to elsewhere –

“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’
²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” John 6:28, 29

God sent Jesus with a message. It is a message that was conveyed both verbally and through demonstrable acts. In believing Jesus’ claim that He is the Messiah, one accepts God’s sending Him as the Messiah. In other words, in believing in the Son, one believes in the Father who sent Him.

The opposite is true as well. When one rejects the Son, he rejects the Father. There is no relationship between the two because of this. For example, in the case of the Jews who have rejected Jesus, they are called “a synagogue of Satan” by Jesus. They are not worshippers of God but are rather followers of Satan.

This is true with anyone who hears the message and rejects it. They belong to the devil and they remain of the devil through their rejection. John explains this in his first epistle, saying –

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. ⁹ Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 3:8, 9

Life application: If you tell people they belong to the devil, you will get all kinds of reactions out of them. Some will laugh and tell you they are fine with God. Some will punch you in the nose for dissing them. Some will be shocked at your arrogance. If you do it at work, you might get everyone angry at you and fired as well.

As such, the best way to approach the issue, even though it is true, is to start by telling them what Jesus came to do, who He is (meaning His nature which is fully Man and fully God), explain why God sent Jesus (such as citing 1 John 3:8, 9), and telling them that this is what the Bible proclaims.

There is a disconnect between God and man because of sin. When man fell, the devil gained control over man’s destiny. God sent Jesus to correct that and reclaim the right to men’s souls. The incredible part of this is that He then gives us the choice to accept the proposition, believe, and be saved, or we can reject it and remain dead in our sins.

Upon our physical death, the separation will remain forever. God has made the first move. He has sent Jesus while we are at enmity with Him. He is not going to force the choice on us. Rather, the offer is made. Be sure to explain the catastrophic situation man is in without Jesus.

There is no need to be pushy, arrogant, or accusatory. Just lay out what the Bible says, explain to them the remedy, and appeal to them not to delay in their decision.

“For He says:
‘In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Heavenly Father, may we not withhold the good news of Jesus when we can easily share it with others. Without it, there is no hope for the lost soul. Give us hearts that feel pity at the plight of such people and the desire to speak! May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.

Sunday, 15 June 2025

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“The ‘having found his soul,’ he will lose it, and the ‘having lost his soul’ because of Me, he will find it” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that he who did not take his cross and follow after Him was not worthy of Him. Now, to build upon that, He says, “The ‘having found his soul,’ he will lose it.”

The words at first seem paradoxical. However, Jesus is using the thought of the psuché, the soul, in two ways at the same time. The word itself was introduced in Matthew 2:20. It is derived from psucho, breath. The meaning is based on the context, and it can mean the breath of one’s life, the seat of affection, the self, a human person, or an individual. The word corresponds to the Hebrew word nephesh.

In the case of Jesus’ words, He indicates that a person who has found his soul, meaning his earthly self, will wind up losing his soul, meaning his eternal self. Finding one’s earthly self involves looking after oneself, getting the best out of life, advancing in one’s career, or whatever motivates a person to ingratiate his existence apart from God’s guiding hand.

The problem with this type of life is two-fold. The first and main consideration is that it leaves God, the Creator, out of the picture. It ignores man’s responsibilities to Him and sets one’s course for self-directed aims. The second problem with this is obvious to all and yet it is ignored most of the time. Man is destined to die.

As this is so, all self-directed advances and aims have an end because the self has an end. Jesus says elsewhere –

“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 16:26

This is Jesus’ intent. The person finds his soul, the epitome of self-satisfaction and aggrandizement, maybe even living to the point of hedonism, but because he has left God out of the equation, he winds up losing his soul. On the other hand, Jesus next says, “and the ‘having lost his soul’ because of Me, he will find it.”

The “because of Me” is the key point of His words. Many scholars and philosophers have stated words similar in thought to Jesus’ words –

Plato said, “O my friend! I want you to see that the noble and the good may possibly be something different from saving and being saved, and that he who is truly a man ought not to care about living a certain time: he knows, as women say, that we must all die, and therefore he is not fond of life; he leaves all that with God, and considers in what way he can best spend his appointed term” (“Gorgias,” 512). (via Vincent’s Word Studies).

Euripides said, “Who knows if life be not death, and death life.” (via Vincent’s Word Studies).

The Pulpit Commentary notes, “In Talm. Bab., ‘Tamid,’ 32a, Alexander the Great asks ‘the elders of the south’ ten questions, among them, ‘What shall a man do that he may live?’ They answer, ‘Let him put himself to death.’ ‘What shall a man do that he may die?’ ‘Let him make himself alive.’”

Such sayings are found in cultures around the world, and many live lifestyles that bear this concept, such as those living as monks or in asceticism, stoicism, etc. The problem with such lives is that such people are still set to die. Without the “because of Me” of Jesus’ words, their end is the same as the others. The main difference between them and those in the first half of Jesus’ words is that those in the first category probably had a lot more fun in the process.

Jesus is telling His disciples that the pursuit of God in Christ is the key to finding one’s soul, meaning his eternal existence in the presence of God.

Life application: It is common for Christians to use Jesus’ words here and in similar passages to give up various earthly delights, to reject wealth, to live in hovels when they could live in a mansion, etc.

Some, such as the Judaizers and Hebrew Roots Movement adherents, live for self while claiming they are living for God. They do this by living by precepts of the Law of Moses instead of living in Christ. Their religion is self-directed because it has rejected the fulfillment of the law by Jesus.

Many such paths of existence in Christianity are unbiblical. For example, concerning wealth, Paul says –

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Paul did not say that rich people need to give up their wealth. He instructs them how to use it in a godly manner. People who are attempting to “find life” since the completed work of Jesus need to simply believe in the full, final, finished, and forever work of Christ. That is how one finds his life. Trust. Believing the gospel and trusting God that it is true by faith is how one finds life.

Jesus’ words in this verse in Matthew have a context. Our instructions for finding life now, because of His completed work, have a new context. Don’t stop part of the way in the redemption story. When you get to the cross and resurrection, you have come to the point where God has brought you for life. Find life by finding the risen Savior and trusting in Him.

Heavenly Father, our lives are short, and we often focus way too much on making the best of our days without considering You in the process. Forgive us for this. Help us to include You in our every thought and action. Whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, single or married, or in any other way, may our priority be to include You in our lives and interactions! Amen.

Saturday, 14 June 2025

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:38

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And who not, he receives his cross and he follows after Me, not he is worthy of Me” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that those who love son or daughter more than Him are not worthy of Him. He now elevates the thought further, saying, “And who not, he receives his cross.”

In His words, the stauros, cross, is introduced. The word is derived from the base of the verb histémi, to stand, set, establish, place, etc. Of the word, Strongs says, “a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. Self-denial.” A lengthier explanation is provided by HELPS Word Studies –

…the crosspiece of a Roman cross; the cross-beam (Latin, patibulum) placed at the top of the vertical member to form a capital “T.” “This transverse beam was the one carried by the criminal” (Souter).
Christ was crucified on a literal Roman cross … (“cross”) is also used figuratively for the cross (sacrifice) each believer bears to be a true follower-of-Christ (Mt 10:38, 16:24, etc.). The cross represents unspeakable pain, humiliation and suffering – and ironically is also the symbol of infinite love! At the cross, Jesus won our salvation – which is free but certainly not cheap! For more discussion on the untold suffering of Christ on the cross see … /stauróō (“to crucify on a cross”).
[The “cross” (Mk 8:34) is not a symbol for suffering in general. Rather it refers to withstanding persecution (difficult times), by the Lord’s power, as He directs the circumstances of life. As Christ’s disciples, believers are to hold true – even when attacked by the ungodly.]

As this is the first mention of the cross, something Jesus knew He would eventually have to suffer the torture of, His thoughts probably went forward to that moment and contemplated what He would endure for those gathered around Him. Of this, however, Vincent’s Word Studies probably takes that point too far, saying –

“This was no Jewish proverb, crucifixion not being a Jewish punishment; so that Jesus uses the phrase anticipatively, in view of the death which he himself was to die.”

Though not a traditional Jewish punishment, it was a common one within the empire. As Israel was ruled by the Romans, everyone would know full well the meaning of the saying. In essence, it had by default become a Jewish saying as much as a Roman saying.

As noted in the explanation by HELPS Word Studies, those with Him would have understood this as a metaphor for withstanding persecution. Saying “his cross” makes the situation personal. Each person hearing the gospel could expect to face his own personal cross when accepting the message. Understanding this, He continues with, “and he follows after Me, not he is worthy of Me.”

Jesus was essentially bearing a cross, a state of persecution. The apostles would have seen this with each city they visited as He received blowback from the Pharisees, Sadducees, and others who constantly came against Him and His teaching. His words are telling them that they, too, would face this type of persecution as they went out.

This is the point of the instruction He is giving to them. They are being commissioned to go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. When they speak, they will be persecuted for it. And more, those who hear and accept should expect this as well. There will be a cost to accepting the message that Jesus is the Messiah. He is telling them this in advance.

Life application: There are various views on what Jesus’ cross was like. Some say it was an upright pole with a beam on top like a capital T. Some have it as an upright pole with a cross beam somewhere in the midst of the pole, like a small t.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses call it a “torture stake” and say that it was a single upright pole with one’s arms affixed above the head and the body hanging down below that. The Hallelujah Scriptures say Jesus was impaled on a stake. There are other forms of crucifixion, but these are the ones generally provided. Is there a way to tell which is correct? The answer is, “Yes. There is a way to tell. Check Scripture.”

Jesus was not impaled. Twice, the notion of Him being nailed to the cross is stated –

“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’
So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’” John 20:24, 25

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15

Did Jesus die on a “torture stake?” No. He did not. It says in Matthew –

“And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Matthew 27:37

If Jesus was crucified on a stake, Matthew would have said “over His hands,” not “over His head.” That leaves the big T and the little t. Which is it? The answer is a little t. If Jesus were crucified on a big T, the sign could not be over His head. Therefore, the standard little t is what Jesus died on after being nailed to it.

In Israel, there are Christian baptismal fonts (Jewish mikvehs) that have been found in the shape of this cross. The standard cross has been accepted since the earliest days as the one on which Jesus died. The main question is whether He carried only the lintel or the entire cross to His death. That can be argued over, but the shape of the cross, once erected, is clearly identifiable from Scripture.

But this should be no surprise. The shape of the cross is actually seen in Old Testament types and pictures as well. Though too long to include such a study here, it was clearly identified long before.

The question that should arise in our minds is, “Why do people try to change what has always been accepted as Jesus’ type of crucifixion into something else?” The reason seems obvious when considering the source. People like the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Hebrew Root Movement adherents are heretics.

In order to draw people away from traditional Christianity and set orthodoxy, they introduce destructive heresies to confuse those who do not check things out, pulling them away from sound doctrine while drawing them to their own perverse instruction.

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

Lord God, thank You for the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Friday, 13 June 2025

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:37

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“The ‘affectionating father or mother’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me. And the ‘loving son or daughter’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus said that a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Having said that, He next builds upon that thought, saying, “The ‘affectionating father or mother’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me.”

The words are based on what He said in verse 35. He noted that He had come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, etc. He would become the main Subject of the individual’s life. The allegiance to Him would be greater than to even such a close relationship.

If it were not so, it would mean that the person had set a member of the family over Him. But, as will be seen in verse 40, receiving Him means something else is involved that disallows such a notion. To further enforce this thought, He continues with, “And the ‘loving son or daughter’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me.”

The natural affections for one’s child are normally exceedingly strong. They are an extension of who we are, and our children are a product of all the time and effort we have put into them. Parents generally would put their children above their own lives. And yet, Jesus tells them that someone who would do this is not worthy of Him.

Again, the reason for this is based on who He is in reality. There are people who might make such statements but who are just cult leaders leading the blind to destruction.  However, if Jesus is who He claims to be, and if He is coming on behalf of God, then such an allegiance to Him must be the highest priority in one’s life.

Life application: The thought presented in this verse can be summed up in the question, “Who do you say Jesus is?” If Jesus were like the leader of North Korea, He would have demanded submission from those under Him and ruled them with an authoritarian hand, caring little about their lives.

If He is like Jim Jones or David Koresh, leaders of religious cults, He would have looked to benefit from their allegiance, taking their possessions and money and even their wives as His own. In the end, He would have led them to destruction and separation from God.

However, despite noting that those who follow Him must make Him the highest priority in their lives, He doesn’t threaten them, benefit personally from their labors, or order them into submissive lives. Jesus gave (and gives) free will to those who come to Him. Peter was allowed to stray, but Jesus did not permanently reject him.

And for those who have died in the cause of Jesus Christ and His gospel, there is still the sure hope of the resurrection and glory to come. None of those who come to Him will be lost. These are guarantees that other leaders cannot give.

Think of all of the waste of human life of those who have followed false religions and false teachers. They have exerted their efforts in life, been led down a false path, and will die apart from God, eternally separated from Him because of the sin in their lives.

Only Jesus can restore man to God because only Jesus has dealt with the issue of sin. Without that, the existence of humanity is ultimately pointless. We strive for the wind during our lives, we die, and we will be forever removed from God’s glory. Only in Jesus is this corrected because only Jesus is God incarnate.

Be sure to get Jesus right. In doing so, your allegiances will be rightly directed.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Lord God, help us never to waver in our convictions. May our devotion to You through Jesus be steady and uncompromising. May we never presume to put anyone or anything above You in our lives. You are the Creator. We owe all of who we are to You. Through Jesus, this becomes a joy that will restore us to You forever. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.