Chapter 1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1 – Anytime I get the chance to write about or speak on a chapter with the genealogy of Jesus in it I have to share this same message. The story of Jesus had some messed up parts to it. There was incest, murder, adultery, and even prostitution in the family of Jesus. Not to mention the horrible rulers and all they did to worship idols and other things. What you then need to remember is that your past doesn’t define you and God can make something beautiful out of the worst of things. Your story may as well have some horrible parts to its past, just know God can create something beautiful out of it if you let Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 855
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Matthew 1:17 – In Genesis 12:2 God says, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” What we see in our passage today is the fulfillment of the promise of God to Abraham. Yes Abraham got the chance to see his family grow, but never got the chance to see a great nation come out of it. He never got to see how from his family line the Messiah came to be the truest and deepest blessing the world could ask for. All that God promised Abraham happened, but the majority of the fulfillment of God’s promise happened long after Abraham had died. Be ready to move through life like this. God is promising to bring about purpose, meaning, and victory through the mess of life we can find ourselves in. Yet while we may get the blessing of seeing that promise fulfilled in our time, we may not. The fulfillment of all God said He would do may take place in our kids, grandkids, or great great great grandkid’s story. What God isn’t is unfaithful. Yes, this way of handling our struggles seems unfair and far from how we would wish it to be dealt with. Yet remember even in Abraham’s story what took place. God blessed him with a mighty family, provided for him and his whole family during the famine, allowed his line to grow, and even used his family to birth the Savior of the world. You may not get to witness the full fulfillment of God’s promise within the short span of your life, but have confidence whatever God has spoken to do within your story He’ll do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1951
Chapter 2
…and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:15 – A king was hunting down their newborn son, it just made sense to escape. Yet, while unaware of it at the time, they were fulfilling a part of God’s plan He set in motion long before. We to need to remember God has been working out our future long before we step into it and every little step matters. So keep in mind things like loving the person in front of you at work or having a conversation with someone you’d normally look past might be simple things but they are parts of God’s master plan for you and them. Don’t set aside the little steps of today as worthless when it comes to your lifetime purpose for God. If you think small moments of following God’s ways like treating the person at Walmart with love isn’t important to your master purpose in life, you’ve seriously missed the big picture then. Loving God by loving them is your master purpose. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 856
And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:8-10 – Those who seek Him find Him. Our passage describes two different accounts of people trying to find baby Jesus. One would have been the group of wise men. They sought to find Him to present their gifts and worship Him. God lead them all the way and they found exactly what they were looking for. Herod was the second one trying to find baby Jesus. He wanted to find Him to destroy Him and to secure his own place as king. Herod never found him. To help understand why, let me finish the verse I stated in the beginning…You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13. The wise men found Jesus because they sought to worship Him with all their heart. Herod never found Jesus because his heart wasn’t leading him, his fear of losing power was. Today are you searching for God? Are you searching to hear from Him? Know He’s able to be found and sought out; He wants to be found by you and sought out by you. What then is the bent of your heart in this pursuit? Is it humble, ready to lay it all down at the feet of the God you are searching for? Is it hard, only wanting to discredit? Is your heart even open yet to the possibility there is a God to find? Often the reason it’s hard for people to find God is not because He’s made Himself hidden, it’s because their heart is blinding them from seeing what’s right in front of them. Do a heart check and examine the attitude of your heart. Why do you want to find Jesus? Know He is able to be found by you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1952
Chapter 3
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Matthew 3:1 – We can just read right on past this verse as just part of the introduction to the real story of Jesus’ baptism. This though is huge that John, a prophet, is speaking to the people from God. This hadn’t happened since the time of Malachi. Meaning it had been around 430 years since the people heard from a prophet of God. The would have begun to think God had turned away from them and no longer loved them. What we see though is in that time of silence God was still there and still working and had plans to speak when the time was right. Never take the times in your story where you feel like God isn’t moving as a sign He’s not there and has stopped caring about you. He’s always there, always will love you, and will always be for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 857
Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:5-6 – Remember this is all happening before the cross. Before Jesus spoke on the mount, before He healed the lepers, before He fed the five thousand, and before He raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus was just in the beginning stages of His public ministry, yet great multitudes were flocking to God for repentance. This is a beautiful reminder that the message of the Gospel is enough. Yes, we can see in our churches and cities families, kids, and young adults walking away from church or never even giving it a try. It can seem like then we need to offer something better, something more attractive to get them here. Yet nothing is more attractive than the straightforward message of the Gospel. That you can find forgiveness, freedom, and life with God despite the wrongs you have done. That God loves you. Yes, the manner in which we share this message we can get creative with. John shared it in a desert, I’m sharing it over social media. The medium through which the message travels can change, but the message itself needs no change. Stay steady in sharing the whole truth of the Gospel. Trust when you do this God will bring the people to your church, God will turn the heart that needs turned, and God will open the eyes that need opened. If you are making it your aim to share the love of Jesus and the clear message of salvation with every person you can, trust God with the rest. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1953
Chapter 4
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” Matthew 4:5-6 – Properly using scripture is the best tool to crushing any attack our enemy tries to use against us. Improperly using scripture is a tool that our enemy loves to use in our lives and can destroy us. Improperly using scripture can be taking a verse out of context and not looking at what the verse is really meaning. It can also be us going into scripture trying to find a verse to support our way of thinking rather than our way of thinking being shaped by God’s Word. Know your scripture. Use it properly. Know when it’s being used improperly and be willing to stand up for the true meaning of God’s Word. Allow God’s Word to be the thing that saves you from the enemy attacks, not the thing that trips you when its used wrongly. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 858
And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:3 – I see this happen twice in our chapter today where Satan says, “If you are the Son of God.” Satan knew who Jesus was. Jesus knew who Jesus was. Yet Satan wanted put a question in the middle of all that. Satan also knows full well who you are through Jesus. You are a child of God. You are a created, wonderful masterpiece made in the image of God. You are welcomed at the table of God. You are God’s. Satan knows all this, but he loves to put a question in all that. The question of are you really accepted by God after all you did? The question of sure God loves other people but do you really think He could love you? Question after question to make you doubt who you are in Christ. Notice though Jesus didn’t have to defend or debate Himself, He knew who He was. I wonder how well you know who you really are? Satan is going to seek to instill doubt and questions within your mind. That isn’t a maybe, that’s a for sure sort of attack that will come at you. Make sure you know clearly the truth of what God says about you. Allow the truth of scripture to crush any question your enemy throws at you. You are who God says you are. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1954
Chapter 5
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Matthew 5:13 – Since this verse is so familiar, I wanted to unpack really what’s it’s meaning. In a study book I found today it said this means we are to prevent corruption and season the minds of men. So we need to be sharing God’s salvation message as far as we can to help the corruption of sin in people’s lives to cease. We also need to be pouring into the lives of those around us what we know about God to help them be more “flavorful” with the knowledge of God. Let’s not sit around not being used. We see in this verse the worthlessness of salt like that. So today you have my permission, be as salty as you can to everyone you meet today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 859
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew5:22 – “But I say to you.” This phrase is repeated multiple times in this chapter meaning it’s something we should focus on. The Jewish people of the day had been listening to the scriptures taught by the teachers of the law and pasted down from their parents within their homes. They knew well what they were taught. Jesus though, the writer of the first laws, now steps in to bring about a change in all that. He steps into their world, acknowledges the truth they believe in, then changes the teachings from what they’ve been taught. Yes, this may have frustrated some because they would have questioned what authority does Jesus have to make these changes. We though get it, He’s God, He can do whatever He desires with His teachings. So let’s shift this to our story. You may have some ways of thinking about your life with God that you’ve been taught for years. Jesus though sees the inaccuracies and flaws within that belief of yours and confronts it with His truth. Would you be willing to set aside the false belief you’ve clung to for so long to believe this new message you’re hearing from Jesus? Yes this could be something theological about your faith but it could also be a personal way of seeing yourself. You have your truth, Jesus has His. If they conflict, would you be willing to set your’s aside and pick His up? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1955
Chapter 6
Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew6:2 – We see a statement like this show up multiple times in this chapter. It’s forces us to ask a very serious question of ourselves. Why do you do what you do for God? Why do you pray? Why do you give? Why do you go to church? Is it for the attention? Is it so you can have your desire to be liked by others fed? Why do you do what you do for God? The correct answer should be because you love God and want to draw nearer to Him and glorify Him with your life. Let’s pursue that in our service to God today. Do what you do for an audience of one. It’s not about you anymore, it’s all about Him. If others see, fine, but it’s just to help them see a proper example of what someone loving God looks like. Today, make your worship glorify God not you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 860
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 – Yesterday I was sitting in my truck with one of our girls after she had a bad day at school. Lots of tears and lots of talking things out just sitting there in the driveway with the windows down. As the conversation was closing up we sat there for a moment and just listened to the birds chirping and I shared this very passage with her. That God takes care of the birds in our trees and feeds them, how much more will He take care of you who He loves so deeply. Know you are far more precious than any bird to God. Know you matter far more to God than the flowers of the field. You are what has captured His heart and all we see done in scripture has taken place so you can follow Him. Today you are navigating this crazy life not alone. You have the God with you who can move mountains and create pathways where no one else can. He is the one who owns the right to say who you are, no one else. Walk today knowing God is with you and can take care of you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1956
Chapter 7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 – Such a famous verse, but such a verse that gets misused. We use it to almost blackmail God into giving us things. Like we say, “I asked for it now give it!” But we need to see what Jesus is really saying here by connecting it to the verses before it. Those verses talk about the log in your eye and the speck in someone else’s. It’s about how to help you and others with the sin in their life. Then the very next verses are what we are looking at today. Jesus is saying if you are unsure of how to deal with the sin in your life or how to help someone with their sin, ask, seek God out with it, and know He’ll provide what you need. These aren’t verses that make God out into our personal vending machine, it’s saying that God will always help us carry out our mission of loving God with our own life by setting aside our sin and loving people by helping them away from their sin so they can fully embrace God! Let’s make sure we understand scripture the way God wrote it not the way we want to read it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 861
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23 – This passage should cause you to pause. A mere profession of religion is not the same as a wholehearted devotional life to God and His works. Simply looking like a follower of Jesus, talking like a follower of Jesus, and living like a follower of Jesus won’t make you a follower of Jesus. Only giving your life to Jesus and setting everything at His feet so you can freely follow Him will do that. Today, pause and reflect. Have you truly given your life to Jesus? Sure maybe you’ve gone to church your whole life, gone international for mission trips, and maybe even preached sermons, but have you started a relationship with Jesus? At the end of your life what will welcome you into Heaven is the fact you chose to follow Jesus. You may be the most generous, most compassionate, most selfless person on earth, but if you haven’t started that relationship with Jesus what’s said in this chapter will be said to you by Jesus…I never knew you. Make sure today you have things right with God. You may not have tomorrow to do so. Need help figuring out what all that means, DM me and I’d love to chat with you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1957
Chapter 8
And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:2-3 – Our feelings of worthlessness are not affirmed by Jesus. This leper was fully convinced that Jesus had the power to heal him, that wasn’t the issue. The issue was the leper didn’t see himself as someone worthy enough to be looked upon by Jesus and showed love to by Him. Jesus though saw him, touched him, and healed him; shattering any thought that Jesus saw him as worthless. You as well need to remember God doesn’t see your worth like you do. You are worth everything to Him, you’re even worth dying for. Whatever has been speaking into your story filling you with the thoughts of your worthlessness, let what Jesus has said and done speak louder than the other voices. You are worth everything to God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 862
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:10-12 – Greater faith was found in the hearts of those far off from God than those nearest to the temple. We have a leper demonstrating great faith in the abilities of Jesus. A leper who would have been cast out of the city walls to live away from the rest of the community. Someone who would never be able to approach the temple to worship unless they were healed. We also have a Roman centurion demonstrating great faith in Jesus’ abilities. This would have been the enemy of God’s people, a person that would have defiled a home if they set foot in it and would have never been allowed into the temple of God. Yet both are humbly approaching Jesus, recognizing His power, and faithfully requesting healing from Him. Something even the high priest didn’t recognize or do. Don’t assume because they are outside the walls of the church building they would never humbly approach Jesus. Maybe they don’t know they can. Maybe they’ve never heard His name. Maybe they just need someone to tell them He’s waiting for them. Yes, the outcasts, the far off from God, even the enemies of God’s people may turn to Jesus if they know they can. Will you tell them? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1958
Chapter 9
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 – There is a lot of hurting, lost people out there in the world in need of Jesus’ love. I know that you have your life and you’re mind is so full of accomplishing the things set in front of you, but do your best today to remember your real mission for today. You are to be a harvester. You are alive today to step into the lives of those hurting, lost people and share Jesus’ love with them. It’s so easy to get sidetracked with the busyness of life, but let’s make sure we keep our focus where it needs to be today. Maybe today, because you kept your focus on your mission today, one of those hurting, lost people can become healed and found. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 863
And the report of this went through all that district. Matthew 9:26 – Report of what? That Jesus just raised a dead young lady to life. Maybe attached to that was the story of the woman He just healed from a 12 year bleeding disorder. Maybe attached as well was the story of paralyzed man that got up and walked home because of Jesus. What we do know is the story of what happened was shared. Today this message is at the heart of my sermon, share what you have seen. What amazing things have you seen Jesus do? Share those stories with people who don’t know yet who God is, what He can do, and what He promises to do in their story. Share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world that needs to hear it. As with our Matthew passage we begin to see a movement toward Jesus happening everywhere He went because people began sharing what they had seen with others who hadn’t yet. You want to see the world move to Jesus? Share what you have seen. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1959
Chapter 10
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. Matthew 10:24-25 – Our master, Jesus, was ridiculed, hated, mocked, and publicity humiliated. Some thought He was of the devil and was a terror to the church. As a result, they constantly sought ways to bring Him down and end Him. What this passage is saying is that if they treated the master that way, don’t expect a different outcome for those who follow that master. Keep this in mind, as you more deeply follow Jesus the more pushback you will receive. Culture, our enemy, and even those in the church who don’t want to address their own sin will always seek to bring down those who choose to follow God. Just remember what the next verse talks about. You are more valuable to God than anything and His promise is to take care of those who follow Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 864
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 – I could come up with my own way of describing what “acknowledging” Jesus could mean, but looking at the rest of the verses in this chapter we get a pretty good description right there. Actually fulfilling the mission that God has called you to accomplish of going into lands and lives and doing to work of God, that’s acknowledging Jesus before men. Bearing witness to the glory of Jesus even under the most severe of persecution is acknowledging Jesus before men. Taking the hate of men that’s first shown to Jesus yet still remaining faithful is acknowledging Jesus before men. This chapter shows us that a superficial, selfish, and soft faith isn’t going to cut it with what God is actually calling us to. When we strive to acknowledge Jesus before this world we may face the worst of struggles and pain this world can offer. As our chapter today reminded us, if Jesus went through all this, we’re not greater than Him so how can we expect better treatment? All this shouldn’t scare you from a life of pursuing Jesus, but it should scare you from a fake following of Jesus. If you claim to be a believer in Jesus and a faithful disciple of Him, let that proclamation be clear through the way you live. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1960
Chapter 11
All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27 – Jesus is the only way to the Father. It’s a common truth we hold to in the church, but how often does our lives not match up to our stated belief? We know that Jesus is the only way to come to the Father and know Him, but as we’ve been reading, knowing Jesus means letting go of everything and following Him with our life. Meaning knowing God and being close with the Father means following Jesus like He speaks of in scripture. It’s not just a verbal statement of your knowing Jesus, it’s an entire life devotion to knowing Jesus that opens the way to knowing the Father. Don’t let the pursuit of religion and external demonstrations of how churchy we can be blind you from the fact we need a deep following of Jesus to be with the Father. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus and through Jesus’ way. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 865
Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. Matthew 11:20-22 – While studying over this passage I came across this quote that I believe describes the weight of the passage perfectly. “These cities did not attack Jesus; they did not drive him from their gates; they did not seek to crucify him; they simply disregarded him. Neglect can kill as much as persecution can.” (Barclay) We don’t know what Jesus did within the cities of Chorazin or Bethsaida. We know He must have gone there, taught there, and most likely did some sort of healings since that was His custom. While we can’t say what Jesus did for sure, we know what the people in those cities did for certain. They disregarded Jesus. They saw Him, heard Him, and experienced Him, yet did nothing with Him. How sad is it that in our world today we have so many people in this same situation. Hearing the message of the Gospel, seeing the works of God in front of them, witnessing the truth of God’s love for them played out throughout scripture, yet still choosing to not follow Jesus. Please don’t let this be said of you. Scripture is very clear on the end result of those who go through life never choosing to start a relationship with Jesus. Sure you may not have persecuted Christians or crucified Jesus, but if you choose to not follow Him, Hell is still your end destination. The love of God and the life He is offering you is right in front of you to freely take, don’t neglect all this because you may not have tomorrow to say yes to it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1961
Chapter 12
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Matthew 12:30 – When we follow Jesus we step into His mission of gathering people close to Him. Sometimes it’s intentionally pursuing that, other times people draw close to Jesus just because they see our daily life. This is the outcome of a life that follows and loves Jesus. But look at what this verse says. Those that aren’t about gathering actually scatter instead. So rather than helping people draw close to Jesus they push them away. So where are you with this? Does the way you talk about people gather or scatter? Does the way you live your life outside of church gather or scatter? We could go on with examples, but you get the point. Seek to be about gathering with all you do. I guarantee you don’t want to end your life knowing you pushed people away from a life with Jesus because of your selfishness, carelessness, and apathy. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 866
But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Matthew 12:14 – This chapter talks about a lot of big, theological ideas, yet this simple verse I believe shows the heart of the issue behind it all. The Pharisees saw Jesus do a mighty work right in front of them, yet chose to reject the work of God and sought ways to stop more work from taking place. Often this chapter brings up conversation over the unforgivable sin. What is it, have I done it, and should I be worried. Truly, if you are worried about it, you most likely haven’t committed it. See the only sin that’s unforgivable is going through your entire life never repenting to find the forgiveness and life Jesus gives. If you choose to see the works of God laid out in scripture, hear the message of Jesus spoken to you, yet still choose to reject all this and never turn to follow Him then your future is eternal separation from God. This is why it’s unforgivable, because you haven’t sought forgiveness. God has already revealed His goodness and power, no more evidence is needed to prove that. He has made Himself known to you and made His offer of life known to you. If today, after all that, you still haven’t chosen to follow Jesus, today I am reminding you of the end result of that choice. If you are still alive you have time to choose Jesus, but the moment your life is over so is your chance to choose. Choose Jesus today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1962
Chapter 13
…but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. Matthew 13:25-26 – We see from this passage that those who follow Jesus are the good seeds planted and the weeds are from our enemy. So in our growing we can end up finding some weeds there placed by our enemy. We can learn from earlier in the passage how dangerous growing amongst the weeds can be. Make sure then you are aware in your life who is there to help you grow and who isn’t. Sadly there will be people in your story who don’t care about your walk with God. And don’t be naïve either, just because they look like and talk like and carry the title of someone who would help you grow doesn’t mean they will. Take time to carefully think about who you are going to let be your influencers and those you find support from. You desperately need those people in your life, but more than just needing them you need the right ones to get anywhere. What though may have to begin this process is identifying the “weeds,” the ones who truly don’t care about your growth with Jesus, and pruning them out of your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 867
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. Matthew 13:20-21 – This passage is hitting home today as I think about the events of last night. During our youth gathering I shared the gospel and at least one young lady placed their faith in Jesus. So praises for that for sure! Yet I sit here today knowing how the enemy works. She heard the gospel, received it, placed her faith in Jesus, and that sent signals to our enemy to start working overtime. Let the message of this passage spur you to become the good soil new believers need in their story. This isn’t exactly what Jesus was meaning by good soil, but we can be the support and voice in a new believer’s life to walk with them through the new attacks they’ll be facing. Pray for them. Pray the enemy away from their story. Be available to answer questions. Check in with them and hold them accountable. Set for them an example. Love them when they slip up. Be the soil they need to really, truly grow. Who then in your story is new/young in their faith life with Jesus? How could you step into their story to help them grow? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1963
Chapter 14
Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Matthew 14:19 – This is what faith looks like. Jesus, while seeing the crowd of thousands and seeing the small amount of food available, chose to give thanks to the Father for the little in the midst of needing a lot. He realized that all things come come the Father and what was needed in that moment would come from Him to. You may as well be in the midst of needing a lot. All you see is the little that’s been given to you. I encourage you to pray and give thanks for the little you’ve been given and if it’s where God is leading, move forward trusting He’ll provide. For the disciples the basket loads of food weren’t there at the begin of the journey, but the provision came as they followed Jesus’ directions. That’s how it most often works with us too. Have faith that God will provide as you serve Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 868
He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. Matthew 14:10-12 – Why didn’t Jesus raise John from the dead? Last Sunday I had the blessing to preach on the story of the triumphal entry where Jesus and His disciples came into the city of Jerusalem and the city flocked to Jesus to worship and welcome Him. Yet why did they flock to Jesus? Because those who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the tomb shared what they had seen with everyone in the city and the news ignited a movement to begin towards Jesus. That makes our question even more important, if Jesus could raise John and possibly that miracle would have ignited the city for Him, why didn’t He? I don’t know. Yes, Jesus easily could have, and yes, most likely that miracle would have caused a strong movement towards Jesus. Why He didn’t, I don’t know for sure. What I do know is Jesus is always good and always does what will give the Father the most glory. In our limited view of the situation it’s hard for us to see how Jesus’ choices would be good or give God the most glory, but from His view that’s what He sees. Trust Jesus then all the more in seasons where you know Jesus has the power to do something yet doesn’t. Trust He sees more than we do of the situation. Trust He knows what is truly good and what will give the Father the most glory. Seek to be content with the end result of Jesus’ actions being God receiving glory and not you receiving your request. For when God is gloried in our midst and our hearts are after that, there is where we will find the deepest blessings and the most fulfillment in our story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1964
Chapter 15
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Matthew 15:8 – This was Jesus’ struggle with the religious people He encountered. What they said and taught others to do was on point, but inside, the way they thought and the lack of compassion for people, was far from where God wanted it to be. Thankfully this isn’t a problem at all in the Christian life today. We never see people who are one way with their words and yet their heart and mind aren’t in the same place. I hope you gathered I was joking there because it still is a problem in our lives today. Let’s make sure that the compassion and love for others that Jesus showed is growing deep on the inside as well as being expressed with our words. Don’t let their be a difference between what comes out and what’s growing within. If though you know what’s inside wouldn’t be good on the outside, then begin the work needed to change that inside (remember, that’s the sort of work God is amazing at). I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 869
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone. Matthew 15:18-20 – I’ll direct you often in these devotions to do a heart check, to check to see if the attitude and bent of your heart is after Jesus. This passage enlightens us to how to do a proper heart check. Examine what came out of your mouth yesterday. See yesterday you didn’t know about this whole examination so you weren’t abnormally careful of what you might say. So thinking back to yesterday, what would the things that came out of your mouth say about your heart? Was rudeness, gossip, anger, impurity, and/or dishonesty coming out? Was compassion, truth, kindness, purity, and/or love coming out? If you’re like it was a mix of both sides, which side do you think your kids remember the most today? Or your spouse? Or your friends? It’s of the utmost importance that we prioritize the healthiness of our heart. For out of a defiled heart comes the things that will scar people and push people away from Jesus. Out of a pure heart comes the things that will heal and push people towards Jesus. Ask God to change your change to one that is clean and after Him and be wise about what you are consuming. If the state of your heart matters this much, let’s not treat it as something that doesn’t matter. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1965
Chapter 16
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15 – This is a pretty big question to ask of Peter. In fact, this is a pretty big question to ask ourselves. Who do you say that Jesus is? Don’t just say what your parents taught you to say. Don’t just say what will make you look good in the crowd you’re currently in. Don’t say either just whatever culture today says Jesus is. From your life experiences with God and from your studies of Him yourself, who is Jesus to you? Is He just a God you claim to follow because socially where you’re at it would be big issue if you said otherwise? Or is He truly your Lord who you trust your life to and follow the lead of? This Easter season is the perfect time to answer this question for yourself. Who is Jesus to you? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 870
An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. Matthew 16:4 – The ones who were against Jesus wanted a sign to prove Jesus truly was the Messiah. Jesus responded by saying no sign will be given except the “sign of Jonah.” What’s that? The death and resurrection of Jesus. Just as Jonah was in the fish three days so will Jesus be in the tomb three days and rise again. This will be their evidence, the sign they are asking for. Yet for those who see this sign yet still refuse to believe, there is no hope for them. Today we are celebrating that the sign of Jonah has been given. Jesus died, was buried, was in the tomb three days, yet now is alive and seated on the throne of Heaven. All the evidence we need to believe in Jesus has already been given. Now that everything is laid in your lap, what will you do with it? Will you keep searching for more proof of God’s love for you? More proof than the crucifixion? Will you keep searching for more signs that Jesus is who He says He is? Will you choose to believe what has been revealed already and place your trust in God? For those who believe Easter is the most beautiful story to remember and has an everlasting blessing for us attached to it. For those who reject to believe what Jesus did, Easter then has no joy for you. My prayer today is that you will choose to accept the truth that Jesus loves you, has died to be with you, and is alive again by His power to forever walk with you. If you need to talk about all this, DM me and I’d love to walk through any of this with you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1966
Chapter 17
As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. Matthew 17:22-23 – They were greatly distressed because they hadn’t seen Sunday yet. Sure Jesus told them He was going to rise from the dead, but to them all they really understood was He was going to be killed and was leaving them. But when Sunday came they were no longer distressed. We must remember we are on the other side of Sunday. Jesus told them struggle was going to come then glory afterwards and we can look back and see what He said to be true. So today as God leads us in life and we encounter struggle, even the sort of struggles that overwhelmed and cause distress, we must remember that God has a plan for us through and after this struggle. Easter reminds us that our God isn’t the type to leave us in the struggle and fear of Friday. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 871
And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:4-5 – Our passage today included the story of the transfiguration, where Jesus takes three of His disciples up a mountain to show them something amazing. Jesus shows them just a portion of His glory. In the midst of all this Moses and Elijah showed up and began speaking to Jesus. Peter, utterly amazed at all that was happening, proposed to build each of the three a tent, a temporary shelter that would be used during their Feast of Tabernacles. Yet what Peter was rashly doing was putting all three on the same level; something God quickly corrected. Peter wanted to spotlight all three, but God spotlighted only Jesus. Be careful that you aren’t lifting up things for glory that God isn’t focused on. Peter was wanting to glorify all three, God spoke only of His Son. While we may not be building a shrine for another person, is your story spotlighting and glorifying anything other than Jesus? Is work for you as important as Jesus? Would sports get a tent just as big as Jesus’ on your mountain? Would the hurt you’re holding onto get a tent as well because it’s getting so much attention from you? Remember, when God speaks of the things in your life that’s worth highlighting, spotlighting, and building a tent for, He’ll only speak of Himself. Are we then highlighting, spotlighting, and building a tent in our life for things God wouldn’t? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1967
Chapter 18
Then his master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” Matthew 18:32-33 – A forgiving heart comes from a heart that has taken in how deeply it has been forgiven. When we realize how much horrid things we have done that God has forgiven us for how can we continue to hold unforgiveness over the heads of those around us? We plead for God not to do that with us yet think it’s okay to do that for others? Love like you have been loved and forgive like you have been forgiven. God’s about unity which is why He forgave us, seek unity with others by forgiving them like God has forgiven you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 872
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Matthew 18:17 – In the past I always understood this passage to be directing us to remove the person from our midst and have no contact with them. Even writing that out just now seemed so wrong and so contrary to the heart of Jesus. What then is this passage saying instead? What might help with that is remembering who is writing this gospel account. Matthew, who before Jesus called him, was a tax collector. So how are we to treat those who refuse to listen? We are to treat them as a gentile and as a tax collector. Meaning we are to treat them as someone far from Jesus, yet someone who deeply needs Jesus. We are to show deep love to them so they can see the deep love God has for them. We are to seek opportunities to share the gospel message with them. We are to pray that their hearts would be open to Jesus. Would we shun and refuse to love someone that doesn’t know Jesus? Of course not, why then would we do this here with those who clearly don’t know the gospel of Jesus. Be sure when you come across passages that may be confusing to understand you compare it to the entire narrative of scripture. That God’s heart is people coming to Him and our role is to point people to Jesus. Who then in your story has walked away from the church that you can begin showing deep love to today? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1968
Chapter 19
But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” Matthew 19:11-12 – I’ve heard this called the “gift of singleness” and far too often in the tone of fear of it being placed on someone who really wants to be married someday. We see here that Jesus says this is not for everyone, that in just the previous verses He speaks on how marriage should look like. What I see here is that this state of being unmarried really has more to it than just not finding the right person yet. It’s more of asking do you need to grow a little more on your own in God before stepping into a relationship. Also, like with the eunuchs who made themselves that way, this gift is really for those who just don’t have those same desires for relationships and sex. I’m for sure no expert on this topic of this gift of singleness, but this verse may help those struggling with this. Know that this gift is something God sets you up for and gives you a heart for. If those burning desires are there for a relationship those are there from God to. Just be prayerful and patient, the words all people who are single want to hear. Trust that God knows your desires better than you do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 873
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26 – All this is said after the rich, young ruler speaks with Jesus and walks away saddened by the words Jesus spoke to him. Hearing all his works weren’t enough and hearing he’d have to give up everything to follow Jesus wasn’t the message he wanted to hear. For us we too can be saddened hearing that all the good you’ve done isn’t enough to cover your wrongs and open the doors of Heaven for you. You may have done anything and everything good you can think of. You may have walked away from every bad thing you could walk away from. Yet on your own you can’t make yourself right in God’s eye. This reveals why the disciples said, “Who then can be saved?” It seems like there is a treasure being revealed to us but the path to it is impossible to get to. What’s even more sad is you’re right, it is impossible for you on your own to get to. It is impossible for you to find forgiveness and find life with God through your own deeds. Know though that’s not me attacking you, this is true of me as well. It’s impossible for us, but with Jesus what’s impossible becomes possible. This is why Jesus told the guy to follow Him. On his own he couldn’t find eternal life, but with Jesus he could. Eternal life in Heaven comes only through a life with Jesus. The treasure we talked about is available to you, but only through Jesus. If you’ve been trying to reach perfection on your own to somehow find yourself in a right relationship with Jesus, know that pursuit won’t come with the end result you’re looking for. But life with Jesus is possible, but only through Jesus alone. If you want to know more about all this and how to start a life with Jesus, reach out. I’d love to share with you! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1969
Chapter 20
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? Matthew20:15 – Easter and all that surrounds this story reminds us of the amazing generosity of our Heavenly Father. He sent His only Son to die and rise again for our behalf when we were enemies of His. We don’t deserve anything God is offering to us except the wrath that was placed on Jesus’ shoulders. But we’ve been given life with God instead, the most precious thing in existence. When we really unpack what God has given us and how much we don’t deserve it, it helps us not be so jealous and bitter when He gives the same to others. Yes you’ve been faithfully living for God for years and they haven’t and God gives them life like you have, just remember why you’ve been faithfully living. It wasn’t to earn that life but to say thank you for it. Let’s celebrate when someone claims the life God is offering rather than being bitter about it. Happy Easter. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 874
And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:32-34 – Imagine you’re on death row and about to be executed. As you are walking to the room to where you will be executed a judge stops you and says he’ll grant any one request you have in that moment. Your request, “Can these handcuffs be removed? They are bothering me.” You could have asked for freedom, you could of asked for anything because he had the power to do anything. Yet you asked for something so little. I think this is why Jesus asked the blind men, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus, who is all powerful could have given them life eternal, forgiven all their sins, yet they only asked for sight. Don’t be blinded to the real situation you are in. Yes, pray to receive sight if that’s what you need. Ask for help in math, or help finding a spouse, or help navigating a work struggle. God welcomes those requests. I just want to encourage you to remember who you’re talking with, the God whose vapor of His breath created galaxies. I also want to remind you that being “blind” isn’t the biggest healing you need. If you haven’t sought forgiveness of your sins, that first needs to be asked for. It would be better for you to live life blind and enter into Heaven than to live life with sight and spend eternity in Hell. Come to God with your requests, yet be sure to not forget to address the sinfulness in your story with God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1970
Chapter 21
Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ Matthew 21:5 – God comes into our story as we need Him to come, not always as we expect Him to come. The people of the city expected a warlord charging in on a mighty war horse, but how Jesus entered was riding humbly on a colt. Jesus gave them what they needed and didn’t just follow the lead of their expectations. Be grateful that this is what God does for you as well. You may be praying for something when right now God knows you really don’t need that. He steps into your story as you need Him to. A loving father doesn’t just drown his child with everything the kid asks for. We know that’s not a good father because children don’t really know what they need, and God is the best Father. Trust that how God chooses to come in and work in your story is what’s best for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 875
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. Matthew 21:6 – The story this verse follows is one of those passages that we today don’t need to apply precisely to our walk. Jesus tells his disciples to go into the city ahead of Him, find the donkey that has been prepared for Him, and bring it back to Him. Know God isn’t asking us today to go into the neighboring city to search for a donkey to take. Yet God is expecting us to do what the disciples did according to our verse today. What Jesus told them to do, they did. Could that be said of your story today? That all of what Jesus has told you to do, you did as directed. He’s told you to forgive. He’s told you to love the unlovable. He’s told you to make your life about Him. He’s told you to let go of the sin you’ve held onto for so long. Have you gone out and done as Jesus has directed you? In what directions have you not fully committed to following yet? What is it about those directions that has been so difficult for you to follow up till now? Our chapter reminds us that we’ll witness the power and even experience the power of God in our story when we fully commit to following Him. Don’t miss the power of Jesus in your story because you didn’t commit fully to His lead. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1971
Chapter 22
But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Matthew22:11-12 – It was customary at the time to wear a special garment to a feast like this. With the nature of how the guests came (just randomly off the roads, unprepared to come to a feast like this), the king would have offered the guests these special garments to wear. This man was found though not to be wearing one which meant while he wanted the feast he didn’t want the gift that the king was offering to him. Without the forgiveness of Jesus on us we can’t enjoy the feast of an eternal life with God. It’s accepting what God offers or life like those who rejected the feast to begin with. So have you accepted this gift yet from God? Are you wearing His forgiveness well? Do others see it on you and ask about it? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 876
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” Matthew 22:41-42 – Jesus flipped the talk around and asked them a question. Up till now in our passage it’s primarily been the religious leaders asking Jesus question after question. They asked about taxes, marriage, and laws. Notice though when Jesus finally asked a question what it was about…the Christ. I wonder if our talk could often match that of the religious leaders in our passage. We talk about so many things like work, sports, our kids graduation parties, politics, stocks, or even our pets. Yet how often is the Christ talked about by you? Yes, or course, it’s totally fine to talk about work, your kids, and your pets. What we see though in our passage is Jesus, when He talks, He speaks of Himself. Seek out conversations with others, listen well, and always have the name of Jesus within your speech. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1972
Chapter 23
You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Matthew23:26 – If you want to be clean you have to start in the right place. You can make something appear clean on the outside without touching the mess inside, but we know it doesn’t take long before the disgusting inside begins to find its way to the outside. Jesus is telling us to first care for our heart and minds before caring about how people see us. If we work on those things, the outside will become beautiful on its own. Today, let’s do some spring cleaning but not just a wiping down of the exterior of our life so if someone passed by they’d think we’re good. No, let’s deep clean so that if someone were to come close and see into us deeply, they’d see a clean all the way through. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 877
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37 – God is willing, are you willing to let Him? Here Jesus is speaking to the city of Jerusalem saying how He would have loved to over the generations care for, provide, and save its people. His heart was that He could have been like a mother hen whose shuffles all here baby chicks under her wings and cares for them. This was the heart God had for His people. If then God had such a heart, why didn’t He? Because the people rejected Him and His care. They refused to listen to the words He said, they killed the messengers, and demonstrated with their lives they had no desire to follow God’s ways. Turning this message around to us isn’t hard. Just as with Jerusalem Jesus has a deep desire to bring you close and watch over you. To provide, love, and save you. He’s spoken this to you and brought into your story people that have shown this to you. What will you do with this message now? My hope is that you see today how much God is for you and has been for you before you even existed. He desires a walk with you where He can lead you, support you, and change your life for the better. Don’t be like the people spoken of in our passage who just threw all that out as nothing. Choose today to live for Jesus who died for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1973
Chapter 24
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 – When sin grows love dies. Our passage is sharing this in context of the end times but we see this truth even in our lives today. As sinfulness grows in a church family the unity and love begins to fade. As sinfulness grows in a marriage intimacy and love begins to die. While God’s loves for us will never fade, as we allow sin to live in our life our passion for God begins to fade. Sin kills off love and our mission in life is all about love. Seek to let go of the sin you’re holding fast to so love can grow in your story like God desires it to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 878
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.” Matthew 24:44-47 – I love how Jesus closed out this talk concerning end times. In our passage Jesus went into some pretty clear details about what’s to come at the end of days. I’ll be real with you though, while I’ve studied this topic a lot, there is still much that confuses me. What’s so beautiful is that Jesus in His talk here wasn’t pushing them to fully comprehend everything He was saying in that moment. He was calling them to begin living a faithful life of following His example, inviting all into His kingdom. Church, we don’t know when Jesus will return, but we do know what we’re called to do today. Serve, love, share, give, embrace, preach. Live as is you knew Jesus was returning the very next moment and you wanted to be caught serving Him faithfully when He comes. Don’t let yourself be discouraged if you don’t fully understand everything concerning end times (I’m a pastor and I don’t fully understand everything!) You do know what God has called you to do today, to love Him and love people by showing them God’s love. Get after it and get caught being a good and faithful servant of Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1974
Chapter 25
And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Matthew 25:10 – Christ is coming back, this is something we can have absolute assurance on. We just don’t know when that will be. Our passage hits on the decision we must make then knowing all this. Do we prepare for His return now or hold off and just plan on preparing last minute hoping that’s good enough? Jesus Himself directs us to prepare now. Get our hearts right, be sharing the love of Jesus today, spend time with Jesus today. Don’t let tomorrow be your go to time to begin living like the disciple you know you’ve been called to live like. It’s a simple question but one that may help, if Jesus were to return today would you be ready and would you be fine with Him coming as you are today? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 879
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 – What have you been entrusted with and are you being faithful with it? When I look at my own story, I’ve been entrusted with some big things. I’ve been blessed with a beautiful wife that I’m called to support in her pursuit of Jesus. I’ve been entrusted with two teenage daughters who have seen the evil of this world and I’m called to show them the beauty of Jesus, His love for them, and what a father is truly supposed to be. I’ve been called as a pastor and blessed with a church family that I’m supposed to wisely lead toward Jesus. I could go on about all the other relationships and blessings God has given me, but you get the point. Maybe money, as with our passage, isn’t what you’ve been blessed with, but you have been blessed. Those blessing God is calling you to steward well. If the blessing is a person, stewarding well means helping them to Jesus and all He has called them to. If it’s a thing, stewarding it well means using it to its full extent for the mission of reaching people for Jesus. Know even if it’s breath in your lungs, you’ve been blessed, and that breath has a purpose. Go out and use your blessings for the purposes of God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1975
Chapter 26
Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. Matthew 26:50 – Knowing full well what Judas was doing Jesus still showed love to him. That’s not an easy task to follow the lead of Jesus on. When we know someone’s heart isn’t in the right place and they clearly aren’t caring about us to still show love and grace to them is hard. Yet it’s a part of the example Jesus left us to follow. Loving people includes those who don’t love you back. This weekend dwell on how you can begin loving more deeply the people that haven’t even expressed a shallow amount of love towards you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 880
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 – And going a little farther… Jesus, in order to really have the space and time needed for this sort of connection with His Father He knew He needed to go a little farther into the garden. Yesterday at our church leadership conference a speaker shared how deeply important it is for us to spend time gazing at Jesus and not just live off of quick glances at Him. Sometimes a gaze is going to take you going a little farther than you normally would or what people normally do for time with God. Yup, a little farther may mean getting up before everyone else so your time with Him is uninterrupted. A little farther may mean reading scripture in spaces no one else is or praying when no one else is. Going a little farther may mean when every gets up at church you keep sitting to spend more time with your Father because you know you aren’t limited to a 30 minute talk from some pastor to dictate the intimacy of your walk with Jesus. Today, go a little farther with Jesus. We see in our passage He’s not afraid of going deeper. In order for you to have a real gaze at Jesus today, what may have to change about your routine? However deep you want to go in your walk with Jesus know He’s ready to go even deeper. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1976
Chapter 27
When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54 – Just the events that took place as Jesus died were powerful enough to change the hearts of Roman soldiers, what about the power of Jesus coming back to life? My hope is that by seeing this verse you never lose hope for the people in your life that currently want nothing to do with Jesus. If these soldiers when seeing the realness of Jesus were convinced of who He really was, our people we know can too. The soldiers though got to see Jesus on the cross, His love for people, and all the craziness that unfolded afterwards. Today people are going to see Jesus through you. Give them the chance to have their minds changed by the Jesus inside you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 881
He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ Matthew 27:43- If he desires him… Sadly the way these leaders spoke is how so often I hear people today speak. They thought that if God wanted Jesus then He’d show that desire for Jesus by moving in a big way. That if God didn’t move like this then this was their evidence Jesus wasn’t wanted by the Father and wasn’t who He claimed to be. For God wouldn’t let His Son go through something so difficult…right? Yes, He would, and He did. God can desire you and still allow you to see pain. I know that seems so backwards and I don’t fully understand it either. Yet what we get with this story is the fuller picture. Jesus went through deep pain, the Father didn’t remove that pain or take Jesus off the cross, and Jesus died. But…Jesus rose from the dead. You have to remember God’s not done when you think things are done. Yes God may leave you on that cross of yours, and He may let you experience deep pain and death, but that is not evidence He’s done with you and no longer desires you. Trust He sees the resurrection on the other side of all this. Trust He loves you. Today you may find yourself on a cross and a God who deeply desires you will leave you on it. Trust He knows what He’s doing when you can’t see past the pain. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1977
Chapter 28
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 – Today we need to be reminded once again by Jesus of our purpose for existing. We are here to worship God and make disciples. What we must remember is that we are here to make disciples, not just Christians. Yes of course we want people to choose Jesus as their Savior, but we also want them to change their life to deeply follow His lead and obey His commands. This is going to take more than just a few minutes saying a prayer with them. This might mean involving yourself deeply in their life helping them know what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus. Walking through their failures and discussing their questions. This takes time and commitment from you, but this is our purpose. Today, who can you help become a better disciple? Who can you invest in to help them follow God more deeply? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 882
And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. Matthew 28:17 – In our verse we’re taking about the disciples of Jesus the moment they first saw Him post resurrection. We see they worshipped Jesus, but, for whatever their reason was, some doubted all they were seeing in front of them. We can look down on them and condemn them for that doubt, but let’s be real, would there have been no doubt in your heart and mind if your were there in that moment instead? Yesterday I heard a message that spoke on doubt and how in our churches we should welcome those with doubts and create space for it to be discussed without judgement. Why? Because often that doubt, when addressed and brought out into the open, can be the doors for deep growth and firming of our faith. For church history reveals the whole of the disciples lived out their faith life for Jesus and many died for it as well. This included even those that in the moment of our passage doubted. Let’s not discard people’s doubts as nothing or judge them harshly because they have questions about all this. Walk alongside them, listen deeply, speak scripture into their story, show them Jesus’ heart for them…and repeat this for however long is needed. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1978
Daily DEVO 