The Jesus Pages: Pushing God Off His Throne

Matthew 23: 1 - 22 - Pushing God Off His Throne

Watch out for the lawmakers because they are the biggest lawbreakers. What is it about the ruling class? They get a taste of the throne and decide that they are now God. If one law is good, how about ten? And then why not twenty? Or a hundred? Or a thousand? Wow, this is fun – except for the little people bearing the burdens. 

These religious leaders (like today’s politicians) sit in their holy huddles and take pen to paper and make impossible lists to try and keep the unwashed masses from spilling over into their sacred territory. But they are blind to the fetid and putrid condition they themselves live in. They think they are free from contamination, but are really rotten on the inside. Their god is their rulebook. They pretend to be religious . . . but wait – they ARE religious! That’s what religion is: rules, regulations, lists of dos and dont's.

They forgot about faith, love, and mercy. They pushed the God of the universe off His throne and now ask that people look at them up there in His place. They flash their religious clothing and want people to be impressed. Only Jesus isn’t impressed. He voices what the people already know – they are imposters, all dressed up but dead on the inside. Jesus calls them what they are and I think the people were dancing in the streets!

How did things get this way? Somehow they bypassed a heart change. They ignored what God had modeled for them. They thought that their way of burdens of laws was cleaner and neater. That’s why Jesus calls them blind. He asks the little people to turn their attention to the One who will liberate them from such burdens, and you can be sure they were excited to do it!

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)   

The Jesus Pages: Trapping God

Matthew 22: 23-46 -- Trapping God

Who do we think we are? Do we think we can actually trap God with His own words, like He is senile and forgot the original meaning of what He said or wrote?

“God, you said this . . . but did you realize it could actually mean that?”

We become the ones with the mental problems. God cannot and will not be trapped. We just illustrate how idiotic we really are. The Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection, but they ask Jesus a hypothetical about a thorny issue in the resurrection. The Pharisees don’t believe in Jesus’ power, but want Him to solve a mystery.

Jesus sees through the puny traps we lay down, sidesteps them and watches as we fall into them ourselves. Snap! The snare only hurts us.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)   

The Jesus Pages: Party Time

Matthew 22: 1 - 22 - Party Time

I’ve put together two wedding receptions. A lot of work and money. Would have been a bummer if no

one showed. God did the same thing, but those He invited got uppity. They turned their noses up –

probably vegans who didn’t want to be around all that meat! Actually, He was talking about the Jews and

their refusal to see God for who He was.

They preferred their own rules and perverted way of seeing religion. They couldn’t see that walking with

God was a celebration. A celebration? No, no!! People might actually have fun and enjoy their relationship with Him – we can’t have that! 

He got tired of appealing to the ingrates and extended His party invitation to those outside of His family. How radical! He searched high and low and brought everyone in – especially those “undeserving” of His generosity.

Outrageous! Preposterous! Well, whatever you think, you better hurry up because the food is getting

cold.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)   

The Jesus Pages: Clueless Leaders

Matthew 21:23 - 46 - Clueless Leaders

Sounds so familiar: leaders working only for themselves, feverishly trying to stay on top, saving their tails

at the expense of the body of little people who get the picture right. They are supposed to be leaders but they follow what the opinion of the people is regarding Jesus. 

They are trying to catch Jesus in a “gotcha” moment, but they show what juvenile idiots they really are. They’ve spent their whole lives filling up on knowledge of laws and regulations but have not one speck of wisdom. And here the little people – the ones they think are stupid, clueless sheep – see the better picture of Jesus and recognize Him as a prophet. 

They are consumed with rage that their gig is up, knocked down by the simple things. They

would rather die trying to kill Jesus than follow Him. Now who really are the clueless ones?

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)     

The Jesus Pages: Honoring Donkeys

Matthew 21: 1 - 22: Honoring Donkeys

They were just nobodies waiting for somebody to give them a purpose. A donkey has no other thought than to be available for what humans want. Jesus had known before the dawn of time that this mother and child would be His partners in the Hosannah parade. 

Do you think they understood that their Creator was honoring them with His use? Maybe. Can you imagine their little donkey hearts so excited?! But they were just doing what He asked of them, humble, lowly donkeys. Without them Jesus would have just walked into town. But they elevated Him for all to see. 

I think Jesus loves especially to use the common, simple and lowly among us. He says that all His creatures have value. All beings can participate with Him to bring glory to God

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)    

The Jesus Pages: Be Careful What You Ask For

Matthew 20: 17-34 – Be Careful What You Ask For

 

I can understand the audacity of the mother. She wanted the “best” for her sons and asked that they get to rule with Jesus in the afterlife. Gee, I wish I had thought of that for my girls (but they will be there, and that’s enough.) 

She came to Jesus. He asked her, “What do you want?” and she blurted out her outrageous request! How many of my requests are outrageous? Am I seeking power? Control? Do I want freedom from inconvenience or pain or bothersome people? Or am I like the two blind men? They weren’t seeking power. Their lives were totally controlled by their disability and were relegated by their society to lives of begging. 

For them, Jesus had compassion. He asked them, “What do YOU want?” Excuse me!! Say that again! What do we want?! They wanted to SEE, and to be set free! And Jesus found great joy in granting that request.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)    

The Jesus Pages: God Doesn't Play Fair

Matthew 20: 1-16 – God Doesn’t Play Fair

            

             We each have entered into a contract with God. I have my terms and you have yours. Why do I feel I have to compare? But when I find out you have more than I do as compensation, I get all crazy and blame God for not being fair. But God doesn’t play fair; if He did, we’d all be cooling our heels in the pit of fire. God has the right to spend His resources as He wishes. This is a hard concept for my culture to understand.

 

             “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?” we ask. “No, you don’t!” We are envious and our eyes swing back and forth in a frenzy because God has sliced the pie into irregular sized pieces. What I have is enough for me, but you got a bigger piece and I’m mad about that. I should just eat my own pie and be satisfied. But my envy has poisoned it and I complain against God’s generous hand.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)   

The Jesus Pages: Getting Beyond the Impossible

Matthew 19: Getting Beyond the Impossible

 

             “Jesus. I just don’t think it’s possible to stay married to this person. I need a divorce. How does that fit in with your laws?”

 

             “My laws? Do you really care about my laws? Or do you want to twist them to fit with your circumstances rather than twist your circumstances to fit in with my laws? My laws were right from the beginning. I said that I made man for woman and they belong together. When they get married they should stay together. Yes, it’s tough. You have two sinners cooped up in the same space jockeying for position. If you call it impossible, then maybe it’s better to stay clear of marriage. Divorce was not an option in the marriage contract when I first wrote it. You’re just looking for an escape clause.”

 

             Now, YOU think it’s impossible that little children matter to Jesus. Are you kidding? He thinks they should be put at the front of the line. They are the essence of the kingdom of heaven. It’s not the powerful, educated, rich adults that turn His heart, because their hearts are HARD. Jesus loves the little children because they believe that anything’s possible and have a simple and pure faith in God. They do not know the word “impossible.” That’s an adult word – what a shame to become such an adult.

 

             Wealthy people: nothing wrong with having money unless you pile it up between you and Jesus. Money comes and money goes – just be careful that you are not tied to it because it will take you DOWN with it. Wealth to the left, eternal life to the right. Sometimes they work together; sometimes they don’t. Wealth can work on behalf of God, making things possible to usher others into God’s kingdom. When it becomes impossible to walk with God because of your wealth, you better have a yard sale and get rid of it!

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)  

The Jesus Pages: Really, Jesus?

Matthew 18: 21-53 – Really, Jesus?

 

             Jesus never pulled a story out of thin air. He carefully calculated His words to say exactly what He intended for His audience. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you – unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Throw me in prison – to be tortured? Never let me out until all of my own offenses have been taken care of?

 

             God has a HUGE heart, full of forgiveness and He expects us to mimic Him. When we don’t and take advantage of that, not extending the same lavish generosity to others, then He lets the full wrath of His punishment fall down on us. Very sobering.

 

             God is not an indulgent parent. He expects us to grow up and act like Him. Or else He’ll let us spend some time in spiritual jail.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)  

The Jesus Pages: God's Pecking Order

Matthew 18: 1-20 – God’s Pecking Order

We ask: who is the biggest? Most powerful? Who’s in control? The one with the most money? Biggest army? Largest castle? Jesus turns it upside down, inside out and shocks us all. He says it’s just a little child – I’m not kidding! The most valuable is a little child – humble, without the hardness of a bitter life, layers of sin, calloused from poor choices. 

Jesus knows that to be free of all the trappings of the world keeps a heart pure and simple. A heart that sees clearly, without the clutter of things, can see Jesus and follow Him.

When it’s all over, can you take your money and shoes and houses and degrees with you? No. So just hold onto them very slightly and grip onto Jesus ever so tightly. Jesus takes the hand of a child and leads him into eternity. Does He have your hand?

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com) 

The Jesus Pages: Acid Trip Jesus Style

Matthew 17 – Acid Trip Jesus Style

Jesus brings an acid trip to His disciples and it terrified them. To be fair, no drugs were involved, but Jesus is really tweaking them here. He stands on the mountain top and “glows like the sun” and brings Moses and Elijah back from the dead and has a chat-fest with them like a late night talk show. Why on earth did He go other-worldly on them? 

He sealed the vision with a cloud and a voice from heaven boomed a serious message. No wonder they were terrified! Like He really needed to tell them not to say anything? Did He think they were nuts?!

They weren’t even sure if they saw it, so who would believe them anyway? Jesus links John the Baptist (who already lost his head for the cause) with this Elijah they saw and then predicts His own fate as the same harsh treatment John got (minus the chopped off head). 

This was too much for the disciples. Where was that comfy, boring life they used to have? Tripping with Jesus is SO scary!

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)

The Jesus Pages: Hey, This is All I Have!

Matthew 16 – Hey, This is All I Have

The religious leaders were blind and didn’t know it. They “saw” things but said “no” anyway. Seeing was NOT believing because, what they saw was impossible!

“Can you show me Plan B??

Jesus said, “Hey. This is all I have: lots of miracles. A great variety, too. I doubt if you saw another one you’d believe.”

The disciples were no better. Dumber than a rock. They never seemed to get Jesus’ parables. And Peter, after all those years, didn’t seem to get the connection between Jesus being the Messiah and what Scriptures had predicted was His final outcome. I can only imagine Jesus wanting to breathe a huge sigh and want to say, in a very loud voice: “Enough with these puny humans!”

He has to remind them that following Him is counter-cultural, not popular and has a big down side. It means saying “no” to a lot of things that scream their siren song. It’s just that in the end you can’t take all your possessions with you. You actually have to leave them behind. Yes, you do! So, leave them behind now for His glory.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)

The Jesus Pages: Heartless Jesus

Matthew 15: 21-39 – Heartless Jesus

"Jesus, help me! My daughter has demons!" Silence. He gives this pagan the cold shoulder.

"What's up, Jesus?"

"She doesn't belong to my elite group; not my party affiliation."

"Help me!!"

"Sorry, but I only have enough for my own children, ungrateful though they are. I don't have

anything but crumbs for you."

"Please, Jesus, give me the crumbs. They're magic crumbs and they will be enough to heal my

daughter."

Now Jesus sees faith in this pagan that He's not seen in his select group, the Jews. Who really are

the pagans here? I think Jesus was setting things up for when He opens up the floodgates and lets

everyone in. That was His intent and He wants to make sure the Jews understood He was not an

elitist. The magic crumbs of salvation are for everybody.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)