Jonah 4:1-11

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place to give us life…and that abundantly! Thank you Jesus.

Jonah reluctantly followed Gods’ commands knowing In his heart that through the  words given to them, they  would change their ways, and they would be saved. He cared more about his pride and being right than he did about saving the lives that God loved. He was thinking in human terms, not Gods’.

God doesn’t want any of His creation to perish. He loves us so!!!!

Jonah 4:1-11

4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”

4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!”

10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?

Population estimates for the ancient city vary and depend on whether the surrounding countryside is included in addition to the city proper. The estimated population for Nineveh and its surrounding areas is around 300,000 for the seventh century bc, a century after Jonah. 

Much of the population of Nineveh lived in the countryside outside the city walls, farmers, herdsmen, and fishermen. The mention of a great number of animals indicates the reference is to more than those inside the city walls. The figure of 120,000 is reasonable for the city’s population. Most of the inhabitants  have no knowledge of God, indicating spiritual and moral ignorance. Faithlife Bible.

In contrast to God, Jonah had no compassion on the people of Nineveh. Jonah’s irritation belied the good news that the city would be spared. Jonah himself had just been spared God’s fair judgment, but he was unable to appreciate the parallel. Jonah himself had experienced the excellencies of God. Gracious and merciful may be rephrased as “marvelously gracious.” Lovingkindness can also mean “loyal love.” This is the same word that Jonah had used in his praise of God. One who relents from doing harm is a  recital of God’s blessed character, Jonah built on the revelation of the Lord to Moses. 

Jonah’s death wish came from disgust at the people’s repentance. Only a few days before Jonah had screamed for God to keep him alive. In his continuing stubbornness and lack of compassion, Jonah held out hope that God would judge Nineveh. This was God’s chief complaint against him.

The repeated use of prepared is a subtle reference to the sovereignty of God. The nature of this plant is unknown. Some have speculated that it was a castor-oil tree or a bottle-gourd vine. It may have been a species that grew especially fast. The Lord had rescued Jonah from drowning now He wished to relieve His prophet from the misery of the sun. 

The reach of God’s mercy to the undeserving is a theme that continued to elude Jonah even as he experienced it.

Jonah’s anger did not arise from a desire for justice but from his own selfishness. He continued to justify his rebellious attitude. And again, God was merciful. Pity describes an expression of deeply felt compassion. However, Jonah pitied himself more than the plant. The same word used to describe Jonah’s feeling toward the plant is used of God’s feeling toward the people of Nineveh. People are of more value than animals, and animals of more value than plants, but the Lord has a concern that extends to all of His creation. The Lord’s pity comes from His character. If Jonah could take pity on a plant, which is even less important than an animal, it only made sense that God would take pity on human beings, who are made in God’s image. The Book of Jonah ends on this note of contrast between Jonah’s ungracious heart and the kind heart of the Lord. NKJ BIble.

What all the saints make matter of joy and praise, Jonah makes the subject of reflection upon God; as if showing mercy were an imperfection of the Divine nature, which is the greatest glory of it. It is to his sparing, pardoning mercy, we all owe it that we are out of hell. He wishes for death: this was the language of folly, passion, and strong corruption. There appeared in Jonah remains of a proud, uncharitable spirit; and that he neither expected nor desired the welfare of the Ninevites, but had only come to declare and witness their destruction. He was not duly humbled for his own sins, and was not willing to trust the Lord with his credit and safety. In this frame of mind, he overlooked the good of which he had been an instrument, and the glory of the Divine mercy. We should often ask ourselves, Is it well to say thus, to do thus? Can I justify it? Do I well to be so soon angry, so often angry, so long angry, and to give others ill language in my anger? Do I well to be angry at the mercy of God to repenting sinners? That was Jonah’s crime. Do we do well to be angry at that which is for the glory of God, and the advancement of his kingdom? Let the conversion of sinners, which is the joy of heaven, be our joy, and never our grief.  Matthew Henry Commentary

 

Exodus 34:6  And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

Mark 2:17

 Today is my Momma’s 88th birthday. She returned from another stay at the hospital Sunday. She still knows her children. Her grandchildren not so much. She knows little else. Today I will visit and take cake! She still likes treats!!

We are all sinners in need of our Savior. 

Some of us have been forgiven much and out of our gratefulness we love much!

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them,  “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Jesus is simply pointing out that the call to repentance and offering of forgiveness are for those who need it—sinners. Faithlife Bible.

Christ came to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condone the activities of sinners, but required repentance—a change of mind that recognizes the need of a Savior and recognizes Jesus Christ as the only Savior. NKJ Bible.

With God, through Christ, there is mercy to pardon the greatest sins, and grace to change the greatest sinners, and make them holy. If the world had been righteous, there had been no occasion for his coming, either to preach repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Matthew 9:12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Luke 5:31 Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

John 13:1

Knowing that He would not leave them alone and He would give Holy Spirit to abide in them, even knowing that, Jesus made it clear in Scripture that He would love them to the end of His life here with them until they would reunite bodily in God’s Kingdom for eternity. No one will love you more!

Jesus’s apostles and friends were dear to Him. He knew that they would miss him.

We miss those taken from us too early. It is OK. He understands! It reminds me of the shortest passage in Scripture…John 11:35  Jesus wept. 

John 13:1

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

Jesus’ work continues; His coming suffering and death is not the end, but the beginning. Although He is troubled by His coming death, He wants His disciples to have confidence in their knowledge that His death does not mark the end of His ministry. Faithlife Bible

To the end means either “to the last” or “utterly and completely.” What follows demonstrates Jesus’ complete love. Jesus loved His disciples, even though He knew that one would betray Him, another would deny Him, and all would desert Him for a time. NKJ Bible.

Our Lord Jesus has a people in the world that are his own; he has purchased them, and paid dear for them, and he has set them apart for himself; they devote themselves to him as a peculiar people. Those whom Christ loves, he loves to the end. Nothing can separate a true believer from the love of Christ. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.

John 16:28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

Matthew 18:32-34

Forgiveness is easier to say than to actually wish them God’s blessing.

We who have been forgiven much…need to be willing to forgive those in our lives that have caused us, or our family, pain. And to forgive ourselves for past pain that we have brought on others. Gods’ love covers a multitude of hurt!

Help me Father to be as loving, forgiving and compassionate as You.

Matthew 18:32-35

32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Apparently in response to Jesus’ statement in verse 15, Peter asks about the limitations of forgiveness. Jesus replies that he should forgive lavishly. This prompts the parable of the unforgiving servant.

Since God has lavishly forgiven Jesus’ disciples, they should continuously extend that same forgiveness. This is the point of Jesus’ parable. The man’s debt was insurmountable; once in jail, he would not be able to make restitution. Faithlife Bible

This parable reiterates the principle that we should forgive others because God forgives us. Matthew 6:12 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. NKJ Bible.

The greatness of sin magnifies the riches of pardoning mercy; and the comfortable sense of pardoning mercy, does much to dispose our hearts to forgive our brethren. We are not to suppose that God actually forgives men, and afterwards reckons their guilt to them to condemn them; but this latter part of the parable shows the false conclusions many draw as to their sins being pardoned, though their after-conduct shows that they never entered into the spirit, or experienced the sanctifying grace of the gospel. We do not forgive our offending brother aright, if we do not forgive from the heart. Yet this is not enough; we must seek the welfare even of those who offend us. How justly will those be condemned, who, though they bear the Christian name, persist in unmerciful treatment of their brethren! The humbled sinner relies only on free, abounding mercy, through the ransom of the death of Christ. Let us seek more and more for the renewing grace of God, to teach us to forgive others as we hope for forgiveness from him. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Mark 11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

Luke 11:42-44

The letter of the Law kills. God seeks mercy above sacrifice. There is a dangerous Seven Mountain mandate of Christian power seeking going on in America it is against the teachings of Jesus. All things hidden will be uncovered and exposed.Power corrupts…total power corrupts totally. History has shown us what happens…the Crusades!

Only the Love of God in Christ Jesus covers sin. His power resides in the love we show to others out of our desire to do His will… not mans’.

Luke 11:42–44

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

These examples of tithing illustrate the Pharisees’ meticulous attention to the smallest details of the law of Moses. A metaphor for the Pharisees’ pious appearances, which disguised their inner wickedness. When graves were not appropriately marked, people could walk over them and potentially become ritually unclean. Faithlife Bible.

The Pharisees worried about tithing ten percent, even down to the smallest herbs, which were tithed according to the dictates of tradition, not the Law of Moses. The Law spoke of tithing all produce, but what constituted food was debated. Some Pharisees took the strictest interpretation and counted almost anything, including spices. However, they neglected two basic things that the prophets also had warned about: love and justice (Micah 6:8).

The Pharisees were like hidden graves. To have contact with a grave or with the dead was to become ceremonially unclean. Anyone or anything in the same room as the dead was considered in Jewish tradition to be impure. This is Jesus’ stronger condemnation. The Pharisees, the paragons of purity, were in fact the height of uncleanness. NKJ Bible.

Judgment and the love of God—in Mt 23:25, “judgment, mercy, and faith.” The reference is to Micah 6:6–8, whose third element of all acceptable religion, “walking humbly with God,” comprehends both “love” and “faith.”. The same tendency to merge greater duties in less besets us still, but it is the characteristic of hypocrites. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly,To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 23:6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Matthew 23:27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

Colossians 4:2-6

 Prayer essentially is communication with God. 

Jesus said that when we ask… we receive. Our heartfelt response to the events in our lives, the lives of those we love, the Church and the world matter to Him. Jesus did not leave us alone. 

Holy Spirit, will always pray for us and with us, even when we do not know the words to say!

Our lives lived in pursuing God are our prayers for hope, Christ within. 

We are His representatives on earth.we may be the only Christ follower that a person communicates with.

Colossians 4:2–6

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Paul refers to practical and transformational wisdom, not intellectual insight. Those who apply such wisdom can reflect God’s values and character. In the ancient world, salt  was used to preserve food and enhance flavor. Conversation that is figuratively seasoned with salt is uplifting. Faithlife Bible

Early Christians were often viewed with suspicion, distrust, and disdain. They were considered atheists because they would not worship the gods of Rome and Greece. Many labeled them as unpatriotic because they would not burn incense before the image of the emperor. Some accused the early Christians of participating in orgies because of their talk of “love feasts” (Jude 12). Others harbored suspicions that Christians were really cannibals, who ate and drank the blood and the body of the Lord. With such misrepresentations of Christian belief and practice running rampant, it was very important for misunderstandings to be dispelled by the virtuous and impeccable lives of Christian believers. NKJ Bible.

No duties can be done aright, unless we persevere in fervent prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving. The people are to pray particularly for their ministers. Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting prejudice against the truth. Let all discourse be discreet and seasonable, as becomes Christians. Though it be not always of grace, it must always be with grace. Though our discourse be of that which is common, yet it must be in a Christian manner. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, and keeps it from corrupting. It is not enough to answer what is asked, unless we answer aright also. Matthew Henry Commentary

Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Ephesians 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 6:19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Luke 21:14-19

 We want change in our life to come in an instant. God does not always work that way. 

Precept by precept we are changed by the power of Holy Spirit in the testimony of Jesus Christ. Most of us struggle with this…we want to be like Jesus now and know what He would do. Listening closely to that still, small voice inside, full of wisdom and grace, is the door to the mind of God. By your patience possess your soul!

What does God require of us?

Be fair

Be forgiving

Be humble

Micah 6:8

Live a life of gratitude for His mercy and grace knowing that all things come from His hand!

Luke 21:14–19

14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

Earlier in Luke, this ability to testify about God’s work is attributed to the Holy Spirit. Here, Jesus says that He Himself will empower His followers to speak wisely and persuasively, showing a strong connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Verse 16 states that some of the disciples will be put to death, and church tradition holds that all but one (John) were martyred. Jesus is thus referencing the eternal fate of His followers. Faithlife Bible.

Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will assist them in giving testimony. The initial fulfillment of this promise is found in Acts. The persecution of the disciples would be painful and severe. Identifying with Jesus often means risking the rejection and denunciation of family, and in some cases martyrdom. NKJ Bible.

With much curiosity those about Christ ask as to the time when the great desolation should be. He answers with clearness and fulness, as far as was necessary to teach them their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order to practice. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times, yet God makes use of temporal judgments also. Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name’s sake, and encourages them to bear up under their trials, and to go on in their work, notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with. God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you. This was remarkably fulfilled after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples wisdom and utterance. It is by Christian patience we keep possession of our own souls, and keep out all those impressions which would put us out of temper. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Matthew 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Luke 12:7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Mark 11:9-11

Our life, and our whole purpose in the gift of life, is to know and love our Savior. 

Without His willingness to be the sacrificial Lamb, to die in our place, there would be no hope for mankind. The grace of God cannot be purchased, it is a gift, from the very mind, body and heart of our Triune God.

No one will care for you like God…no one! 

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not die but have everlasting life in relationship with Him.

Mark 11:9-11

 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David

That comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

A transliteration of the Hebrew phrase hoshi'ah na, which means “save us!”  This announcement happens in response to a display of God’s favor. It reflects the expectation that the kingdom of David would be restored to Israel, involving someone from David’s line sitting on the throne and the restoration of Israel. Faithlife Bible.

This was the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday. The crowd recognized Jesus’ lordship by repeating a messianic psalm118:25, 26. Jesus retired to Bethany each night, perhaps staying in a friend’s home (maybe Lazarus’s or Simon’s. But in view of the fact that Jesus appears to have had no breakfast the next day, He and the Twelve may have camped outside this night. NKJ Bible.

Psalm 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.

Psalm 148:1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!

Matthew 21:9 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!”

Matthew 21:12 | Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

1 Corinthians 2:9-11

Jesus promised that He would not leave us alone but He would give us Holy Spirit, the very heart of Father, to abide in us. He will take the lessons of Jesus and explain their meaning and significance in our lives today!!

Nothing in this life has more impact on my thoughts on being a follower of Jesus Christ than Him. He is the lover of my soul!!!! 

In Jesus and in the unity of Holy Spirit we are precept by precept transformed in to the image of Gods’ Son.

Isaiah 64:4 | For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him.

1 corinthians 2:9-11

9 But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

Paul uses Isaiah 64:4 to assert that people cannot understand the things of God through human faculties they must rely on the Spirit graciously given to believers by God. Paul emphasizes that love for God—not love for wisdom or knowledge—yields an understanding of the things of God, including His plan of salvation through the cross. Yet Paul later explains that God grants wisdom and knowledge as spiritual gifts. What the Corinthians desire (and overemphasize at the detriment of the gospel and Christ’s lordship over their lives) will come after they’ve accepted Christ and recognized who He is and what He has done for them. God has shown the hidden wisdom of God to those who follow Christ. Paul argues that people desiring to know more or have greater wisdom should seek to walk more closely with Christ, as God reveals His eternal work to people this way.

Just as people know their own minds, so the Spirit (pneuma in Greek) knows the things of God. Faithlife Bible.

Only the Holy Spirit could reveal the truths of God. The first verb refers to innate knowledge; the second refers to experiential knowledge. We could never have discovered the mysteries of God or the benefits of Christ’s death by ourselves. But we can know them by experience because they have been freely given to us by God. NKJ Bible.

The spiritual man only, is the person to whom God gives the knowledge of his will. How little have any known of the mind of God by natural power! And the apostles were enabled by his Spirit to make known his mind. In the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully made known to us. It is the great privilege of Christians, that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit. They experience his sanctifying power in their hearts, and bring forth good fruits in their lives. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Job 32:8 | But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

Psalm 17:3 | You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Isaiah 52:15 | So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall consider.

Romans 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Matthew 17:24-27

 No detail of our life goes unnoticed. I had just finished the final details of Mom’s taxes when He led me to this passage in Scripture. I love how He works this way!!

Thank you for loving me, help me to love others in the same way!

Matthew 17:24-27

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?”

25 He said, “Yes.”

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. 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.”

Unique to Matthew’s Gospel, this passage addresses whether Jewish followers of Jesus’ day should continue to pay the temple tax. This was particularly relevant to Matthew’s audience, since they were most likely Jews. Jesus’ response not only communicates the continued sanctity of the temple, but also demonstrates the miraculous ways in which God provides for His people.

Every Jewish man 20 years and older was required to pay the temple tax, which was used for the general maintenance of the temple. Priests (Levites) were exempt, and by Jesus’ time some rabbis were as well. 

This section is particularly significant if Matthew’s Gospel was compiled and circulated after ad 70. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in ad 70, they continued to enforce the temple tax. However, rather than use the funds to maintain the Jewish religious centers, the Romans used them for the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. In doing so, they punished the Jews for their revolt. Matthew could have included this passage for the sake of his Jewish audience, who probably struggled with the idea of paying taxes for a pagan temple. Matthew might be advising his readers to pay the tax out of respect for their overlords instead of enlisting further reprisals from Rome. In doing so, they also would maintain a good testimony among their neighbors. Jesus gives instructions that allow Peter to pay the tax voluntarily, to avoid offending the authorities. Faithlife Bible.

The temple tax was a tax given annually by every adult Jewish male over 20 years of age for maintaining the temple. This tax amounted to two day’s wages for a common laborer. Evidently Jesus had not yet paid the tax, and the temple tax collector was following up on it. Peter, desiring to maintain the best reputation and also assuming the best of his Master, replied to the tax collector that Jesus had paid the temple tax. Anticipated implies that Peter was about to speak, evidently about the matter of Christ paying the temple tax, when Jesus spoke first. Their sons may refer to citizens of a country as opposed to conquered peoples or strangers. However, citizens often pay customs and taxes. More likely the contrast is between the imperial family and the common people. NKJ Bible.

Isaiah 6:3-7

 Water Baptism is for the repentance of sin and a public statement of your acceptance of Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It atones us from sin and makes us acceptable in the eyes of the Father…He sees His spotless Lamb in our place.

Jesus gives us baptism by fire. 

He gives us Holy Spirit who  resides in those who accept His Son for remission of their sins. He will accomplish in our lives what we are incapable of and get us safely home to our heavenly abode.

Isaiah 6:3-7

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

The whole earth is full of His glory!”

4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am undone!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King,

The Lord of hosts.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

“Behold, this has touched your lips;

Your iniquity is taken away,

And your sin purged.”

The threefold repetition intensifies the superlative. For example, the “holy of holies” is the holiest part of the temple (the most holy place). This line is often translated as a statement, “the whole earth is full of His glory,” but it could also be translated as an invocation, “may His glory fill the whole earth”—looking ahead to the ultimate fulfillment of Yahweh’s visible earthly reign. The glory of Yahweh is His visible earthly presence. Isaiah’s vision recalls a past time in Israel’s history when Yahweh was visibly present among them. 

Isaiah is cleansed of sin so that he can remain in the divine presence and live to tell about it.

Atonement achieved a ritual cleansing of sin, usually by means of blood sacrifice. The Hebrew word used here can mean covering over or wiping away. Atonement restores the relationship between God and sinners. 

Isaiah’s atonement without sacrifice illustrates God’s freedom to extend mercy by His grace. Faithlife Bible

To say the word holy twice in Hebrew is to describe someone as “most holy.” To say the word holy three times intensifies the idea to the highest level. In other words, the holiness of God is indescribable in human language. To be holy means to be different, distant, or transcendent. Thus the song of the seraphim is a constant refrain that the transcendence of God is indescribable. 

Although the Lord is totally different from us—He is perfect—in His mercy He still reaches down to take care of us. 

The Hebrew word order is, “The fullness of all the earth is His glory.” 

We know that the glory of God transcends the universe yet in order to balance the expression of the transcendence of God in the first half of this verse, the words of the second half emphasize God’s closeness to His creation—His involvement with the earth and its people.

If even the doorposts of the heavenly temple shook in response to God’s holiness, how much more will the whole earth shake when the Lord visits it.

Confronted with this vision of the Lord, Isaiah realized that he was under judgment—that he was undone. He must have thought that he had come to the end of his life. Isaiah knew that he was a sinner. He realized that his lips were the only ones not giving God praise in that setting Isaiah’s plight is the plight of every person. No one, in his or her present state, is capable of standing before the Holy One. After contemplating the death of Uzziah, Isaiah had seen the King who will never die.

The live coal … from the altar symbolizes both the purification of blood and the fire of the Spirit that enabled the prophet to speak. From that point on, his words would be light to his hearers and power to those who would listen. 

The fact that a coal from the altar was used reminds us that ultimately all sin is forgiven because of a sacrifice. The sacrifices on the temple altar point to the ultimate sacrifice of the Savior Jesus. The Hebrew word translated purged means “covered” and is the same word that is translated atonement. NKJ Bible

Numbers 14:21 but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD—

Psalm 72:19 And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.

Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me:“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

2 John 4-11

My dearly loved Brother in Law passed March 13th from covid-19. Hospitalized on January 27th he was an example of courage in trial. He was only 59. That he and my sister were Christ followers is my biggest joy and consolation right now. Texas is a long way from here but I am wrapping her and their son in love and prayers.

There is no other way for man to be saved than through the blood of Jesus Christ!

John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

2 John 4-11

4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

This warning echoes that of 1 John and seems to address a similar situation. John warns the congregation to beware of false teachers—those he calls the antichrists who contest Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God who came in the flesh. John aims to cut off the influence of the false teachers by denying them hospitality in the homes of believers. Faithlife Bible.

Walking in truth means having an authentic relationship with God. Our walk with the Lord if genuine must be based upon His Word. Specifically, our walk with God is based on His commandment to love one another. God’s love is the basis of His desire for our obedience, and it is the reason He has revealed His will through His commandments in His Word. We prove our obedience to Him by demonstrating love toward one another. Love is an unlimited resource readily available to us, and it is tremendously effective in furthering the work of Christ.

Coming in the flesh refers to the Incarnation, the fact that Jesus is the God-man. The humanity of Jesus provides a test by which false teachers can be identified. The Gnostic heresy, against which John wrote in 1 and 2 John, included a denial of the physical body of Christ. People who deny the physical reality of Jesus are not Christians, but antichrists.

Every believer has the potential of a full reward or a complete loss of reward. The determining factor is our faithfulness to Christ. Justification is not in view here because it is not something we worked for, but something we received as a gift from God. This doctrine refers to the Christian belief that Jesus is God come “in the flesh” He is completely human and completely divine. NKJ Bible

The deceiver and his deceit are described: he brings some error concerning the person or office of the Lord Jesus. Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist; he deludes souls, and undermines the glory and kingdom of the Lord Christ. Let us not think it strange, that there are deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ’s name and dignity now, for there were such, even in the apostles’ times. The more deceivers and deceits abound, the more watchful the disciples must be. Sad it is, that splendid attainments in the school of Christ, should ever be lost. The way to gain the full reward is, to abide true to Christ, and constant in religion to the end. Firm cleaving to Christian truth unites us to Christ, and thereby to the Father also; for they are one. Let us equally disregard such as abide not in the doctrine of Christ, and those who transgress his commands. Any who did not profess and preach the doctrine of Christ, respecting him as the Son of God, and salvation by him from guilt and sin, were not to be noticed and countenanced. Yet in obeying this command, we must show kindness and a good spirit to those who differ from us in lesser matters, but hold firmly the all-important doctrines of Christ’s person, atonement, and holy salvation. Matthew Henry Commentary.

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

3 John 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.