Matthew 23:13-39

The main idea of this passage is clear:
Jesus warns of the danger of outward religiosity without inward heart change.

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Understanding the Word “Woe”

The word woe is not merely an expression of sorrow—it’s a declaration of judgment. Each woe in this chapter exposes another layer of hypocrisy and spiritual blindness in the Pharisees’ hearts. Jesus isn’t speaking to pagans or atheists here; He’s speaking to religious people who look righteous but whose hearts are far from God.

Let’s walk through each of the seven woes together.

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1. The Closed Door (v.13)

Jesus begins by condemning the Pharisees for shutting the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. They neither enter themselves nor allow others to go in. Instead of leading people to God, they keep them from Him.

These leaders sat in Moses’ seat, claiming to teach God’s law, but their traditions and self-righteousness became barriers to grace. As one commentator wrote, “They do not lead the people to God but away from the kingdom of heaven.”

This is the first and most tragic abuse of spiritual authority: to stand between people and the Savior who alone offers rest.

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2. The Misguided Converts (v.15)

In the second woe, Jesus exposes their zeal without truth. The Pharisees traveled far and wide to make converts, but their disciples became “twice as much a child of hell” as they were.

You can be passionate about God and still be lost. Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. As Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Religious enthusiasm, if not grounded in truth, spreads spiritual disease instead of life. That’s why we must always begin with knowing Jesus as Lord before we go out to serve Him.

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3. The Blind Guides (vv.16–22)

Next, Jesus calls them blind guides. They played games with oaths—swearing by the temple, the gold, the altar, or the gift—trying to create loopholes in truthfulness.

Their obsession with technicalities revealed their blindness. God doesn’t want clever wordplay; He wants integrity. As Jesus said earlier in Matthew, “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” Anything else comes from evil.

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4. Majoring on the Minors (vv.23–24)

The fourth woe targets their misplaced priorities. The Pharisees tithed mint, dill, and cumin but neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

They were meticulous about small rules but blind to God’s heart. Jesus’ vivid image says it all: “You strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.”

It’s easy to focus on ritual and forget relationship. We must remember that God cares more about compassion and faithfulness than empty performance.

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5. The Dirty Cup (vv.25–26)

Here Jesus shifts to the heart. The Pharisees polished the outside of the cup but left the inside filthy with greed and self-indulgence.

Their religion was all show—an appearance of purity masking inner corruption. Jesus reminds us that transformation starts inside. Clean the heart, and the outside will follow.

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6. The Whitewashed Tombs (vv.27–28)

To drive the point home, Jesus compares them to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside, but filled with death inside. Before Passover, Jews would whitewash tombs to prevent accidental defilement. The Pharisees looked clean, but beneath their robes and rituals was decay.

They were “dead men walking,” outwardly impressive but spiritually lifeless.

We can wear the right clothes, say the right words, and still miss the heart of God if we only care about appearances.

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7. The Sons of the Murderers (vv.29–36)

The final woe is the climax of judgment. Jesus accuses them of building monuments to the prophets while carrying the same murderous spirit that killed them. They claimed, “If we had lived back then, we wouldn’t have done what our fathers did.” But soon they would crucify the Son of God Himself.

Here, Jesus stands as the divine Judge, declaring their guilt. He alone has the authority to render judgment because He alone is perfectly righteous. The picture is sobering—a courtroom scene where hypocrisy and unbelief stand condemned.

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The Heart of the Passage: There Are No Woes in Christ

The Seven Woes reveal the darkness of hypocrisy, but they also shine a bright light on the perfection of Jesus. Unlike the Pharisees, Jesus is pure, sincere, and consistent. His words and His heart are one.

The Pharisees shut the door of heaven; Jesus opens it wide and says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened.”
They strained gnats and swallowed camels; Jesus offers living water that truly satisfies.
They were whitewashed tombs; Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

There are no woes in Christ. Only grace, truth, and life.

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Seven Applications for Our Hearts

1. Keep the Gospel Central
   Don’t add burdens that keep people from grace. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
2. Live What You Preach
   Let your life be your loudest sermon. People may never read the Gospels, but they will read you.
3. Value the Weightier Matters
   Pursue justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Focus on what matters most to God, not just what looks good to others.
4. Pursue Inner Purity
   Clean the inside of the cup. Let prayer, confession, and Scripture shape your heart before God.
5. Reject Outward-Only Religion
   Don’t settle for appearances. Seek authenticity over image, transformation over performance.
6. Humble Yourself Before God
   Stay teachable. Repent quickly. Without grace, we too could become Pharisees.
7. Stay Close to Christ’s Compassion
   Jesus ends this chapter not with rage but with lament: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…” Stay near His heart of mercy. Let His compassion soften yours.

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Conclusion: The Choice Before Us

As we reflect on the Seven Woes, we see how serious Jesus is about hypocrisy and empty religion. The Pharisees looked holy, but their hearts were far from God. Yet even in judgment, Jesus’ invitation stands open.

Will we follow the Pharisees—content with outward religion—or will we let Jesus cleanse us from the inside out?

Guard your heart. Keep the gospel central. Live what you preach. Pursue purity, humility, and compassion.
Because the greatest tragedy would be to look religious and still miss Jesus Himself.

So let us choose Christ, walk in His light, and echo the cry that one day every knee will proclaim:

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Matthew 23:1–12

In this passage, we come to one of the most powerful and sobering chapters in the Gospel of Matthew. John MacArthur once said, “Jesus’ words in this passage fly from His lips like claps of thunder and spears of lightning. Out of His mouth on this occasion came the most fearful and dreadful statements that Jesus uttered on earth.”

The full weight of those words will unfold in the verses that follow, but today’s text is no small matter. It calls us to look inward, not merely at the Pharisees of old, but at ourselves.

Because leadership is not just for pastors, elders, or bosses. Every one of us leads in some way — at home, at work, in the church, or in our community. And Jesus shows us that true leadership in His kingdom looks very different from what the world expects.

Main Idea: A Christlike leader lives with integrity, seeks God’s approval, and serves others first.

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1. A Christlike Leader Lives with Integrity

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.” — Matthew 23:2–3

Jesus began by exposing the gap between what the religious leaders taught and how they lived. They knew the Scriptures, quoted the Scriptures, and enforced the Scriptures — but they didn’t live the Scriptures.

They were below the line of Scripture: saying one thing, doing another. Paul described the same hypocrisy in Romans 2:21–23 — “You who teach others, do you not teach yourself?”

Imagine a man who proudly hangs a spotless mirror in his home. He loves to show it off and even critiques the mirrors of others. But what guests don’t realize is that his mirror is cracked — he’s just angled it to hide the flaws. That’s what hypocrisy looks like.

It’s possible to:

• Hear without doing (James 1:22)
• Obey selectively, following the easy parts of Scripture while ignoring the hard parts
• Condemn sin publicly while hiding private sin
• Worship outwardly while the heart is far from God (Isaiah 29:13)
• Conform to culture instead of God’s Word (Romans 12:2)
• Abuse grace as a license to sin (Romans 6:1–2)

Integrity means staying “on the line” — not adding to or subtracting from what God’s Word says. The Pharisees lived below it; at times, they also lived above it, placing heavy burdens of man-made rules on others.

When we live above or below the line of Scripture, we distort the truth. Jesus calls His followers to live on the line — to practice what we preach.

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2. A Christlike Leader Seeks God’s Approval Over Man’s

“They do all their deeds to be seen by others.” — Matthew 23:5

The Pharisees wanted attention — they enlarged their phylacteries, lengthened their tassels, and sought the best seats in the synagogue. What began as symbols of devotion became badges of pride.

Their hearts longed not for God’s approval, but man’s applause. And if we’re honest, we often fall into the same trap. We want to be liked, recognized, and honored.

But true Christlike leadership seeks the audience of One.

Jesus never sought the spotlight. He didn’t chase approval, titles, or admiration. He sought His Father’s will, even when it led to a cross.

The temptation to perform for people rather than to please God is strong, especially in leadership. But our worth isn’t found in titles, platforms, or praise — it’s found in obedience to Christ.

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3. A Christlike Leader Serves Others Before Themselves

“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” — Matthew 23:11–12

Jesus turns worldly leadership upside down. Greatness isn’t measured by power, but by humility.

The Pharisees loved titles like Rabbi, Father, and Instructor, using them to elevate themselves above others. But Jesus reminded His followers that there is only one true Father in heaven, one Teacher — Christ Himself.

We are not called to lord over others, but to serve them.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud.” Pride, he said, is essentially competitive — it finds satisfaction not in having something, but in having more of it than someone else.

That’s why Jesus commanded humility. In His kingdom, those who go down will go up, and those who lift themselves up will be brought low.

Pride destroys leadership. Service redeems it.

Romans 12:10 gives us a better kind of competition: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Jesus, the ultimate servant leader, washed His disciples’ feet, healed the broken, fed the hungry, and died for sinners. His leadership wasn’t about status — it was about sacrifice.

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4. Living in the Light of Jesus’ Example

Jesus did not live below or above the line of Scripture — He fulfilled it perfectly.
He lived with integrity, sought the Father’s approval, and served to the point of death.

That’s our example.

• Integrity: Align your words and actions with Scripture — even when no one is watching.
• Approval: Live for God’s praise, not man’s applause.
• Service: Lead by humility. Influence comes through serving, not being served.

Think back to the mirror illustration: Jesus’ mirror was flawless. Ours is cracked, but through His grace, we are being restored to reflect His image.

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Conclusion

Jesus went to the cross as the ultimate Christlike leader — faithful, humble, obedient. He practiced what He preached, sought His Father’s will above all, and served to the very end.

Every believer is called to follow that example — leading with humility, integrity, and love in our homes, workplaces, and churches.

If we exalt ourselves, we will be humbled.
But if we humble ourselves before Christ, He will lift us up.

by Luke Sills

Matthew 22:41–46

Main Idea: Jesus is David’s Son as man, and David’s Lord as God.A Royal Chair Too Big to Fill

On April 29, 2011, the world tuned in to Westminster Abbey for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. That historic building has long been the place for royal coronations, where kings and queens are crowned while seated on King Edward’s Chair. Built in 1296, the throne is plain, scarred by centuries of graffiti—but enormous. Watching Queen Elizabeth II sit on it in 1953, you could see how small she looked in such a massive seat.

That throne was built intentionally oversized, as if to say: no one monarch can ever truly fill this seat.

Scripture speaks of another throne—David’s throne. In 2 Samuel 7, God promised David an eternal kingdom: “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (v. 13). But the throne was too great for David, too great for Solomon, too great for any of his heirs. Psalm 2 describes a king who would rule the nations. Psalm 72 describes a king whose dominion stretches from sea to sea, before whom all nations bow down.

That throne is far bigger than King Edward’s Chair. And only one person could ever sit in it and fill it completely—Jesus Christ.

As Paul writes in Philippians 2:9–11, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus is David’s Son as man. But He is also David’s Lord as God.Jesus’ Question to the Pharisees

In Matthew 22:41–46, Jesus turns the tables on the Pharisees. For weeks they had been peppering Him with trick questions, hoping to trap Him. But now He asks them:

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”

They answer quickly: “The Son of David.” That was the expected answer, the Sunday school response. And they weren’t wrong—but they weren’t complete.

So Jesus presses them further. He quotes Psalm 110:1, where David, “in the Spirit,” calls the coming Messiah Lord:

“The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’”

Jesus’ question cuts deep: “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”

They had no reply. Their vision of the Messiah was too small. They wanted a new David—someone to overthrow Rome. But Jesus came to overthrow a greater enemy: sin and death.David’s Son, David’s Lord

Think about this: what father calls his son “Lord”? That would be unthinkable in Jewish culture, especially for King David—the greatest of Israel’s kings. Yet David, inspired by the Spirit, wrote of his descendant as his Lord.

This is the heart of the gospel truth: Jesus is not only fully man, the Son of David—He is fully God, the Son of the Living God. The Pharisees couldn’t comprehend it, but the Scriptures proclaim it.

Matthew 1:23 calls Him Immanuel, God with us. John 1:1 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Philippians 2:6 says that though He was in the form of God, He “emptied Himself”and took on flesh. Colossians 1 shows us that all things were created through Him and for Him. Romans 1:3–4 brings it all together: “concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power… Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Jesus is the God-Man. David’s Son as man. David’s Lord as God.What Do You Think About the Christ?

That is still the question. Not just for the Pharisees, but for every one of us: “What do you think about the Christ?”

The Pharisees stayed silent. They should have bowed down and confessed, “You are Lord! You alone can save!” Instead, they hardened their hearts.

Church, don’t walk away like they did. The right response is confession, worship, and surrender.Three Applications

Think rightly about Christ. Don’t settle for an incomplete view of Jesus as just a teacher, prophet, or moral example. He is Lord of all. Study the Scriptures deeply, and let the Word expand your vision of Christ’s greatness.

Treasure Christ as Lord. Right thinking should lead to right worship. Do you treat Jesus casually—or as your treasure? Let His deity humble you and fill you with awe. Worship Him not only on Sundays but in every moment of life.

Live under the authority of Christ. If Jesus is the exalted King, then our lives must reflect His rule. Obey His commands. Share the gospel boldly. Serve with humility, as He did. Let your mind know Him truly, your heart love Him deeply, and your hands follow Him faithfully.Only Jesus Fills the Throne

The throne of David was too big for any earthly king. But Jesus Christ fills it completely. He alone is Savior and Lord.

So let me ask you: Who is Jesus to you? Don’t walk away silent like the Pharisees. Repent of your sins, trust in Christ, and bow before the one who reigns forever.

Only Jesus can save. Only He could bear the cross and rise again. And only He can sit on the eternal throne.

By Luke Sills

The Greatest Commandment: Loving God and Loving People
A teacher once asked his students, “How can we keep the greatest commandment?”
One student answered, “By praying often.”
Another said, “By reading Scripture every day.”
A third replied, “By going to church faithfully.”
The teacher nodded and said, “These are good. But let me tell you a story.”
A woman was driving home when she saw her neighbor’s car broken down. She thought, I’m tired, I don’t have time, and drove past. Later, she saw another neighbor struggling with heavy groceries and thought, Someone else will help, and kept walking.
That night she prayed, “Lord, I love You with all my heart.”
But the Lord answered, “If you love Me, why did you pass Me on the roadside? Why did you ignore Me in the stairwell? For whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.”
The students sat in silence. Then the teacher said,
“To love God fully is to love your neighbor as yourself. The two cannot be separated. In loving them, you love Him.”
This story brings us to the question: What is the greatest commandment, and how do we live it out in daily life?

The Greatest Commandment in Scripture
In Matthew 22:34–40, a lawyer asked Jesus, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
In that one answer, Jesus summarized the entire Old Testament. Out of 613 laws—248 commands and 365 prohibitions—He pulled out two. Love God fully. Love others as yourself.
Everything else hangs on these two pegs.

Loving God with Everything
Jesus quoted the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
This isn’t a half-hearted love. It’s total devotion—heart, soul, mind, and strength. Yet, in our brokenness, this command feels impossible. Left to ourselves, we can’t love God perfectly. That’s why we need Christ’s saving grace and the Spirit’s power.
But as believers, we grow in this love as we walk with God. Like the poor widow who gave her last two coins in Mark 12:41–44, we show our love by trusting Him with everything. She gave not from abundance, but from sacrifice—an undivided heart surrendered to God.
That’s the challenge: to move beyond a divided heart. Sports, jobs, money, and even good things can pull our devotion away from God. But the greatest commandment calls us to love Him first, above all else.

Loving Others as Ourselves
The second commandment flows from the first. If the vertical beam of the cross represents loving God, the horizontal beam represents loving others. Without both, the cross is incomplete.
Jesus illustrated this love in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29–37). The priest and Levite walked by the wounded man, but the Samaritan stopped, sacrificed, and cared as if the man’s needs were his own. That’s what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
True love moves beyond feelings into action. It forgives, serves, and sacrifices. It looks for the person we’d rather avoid—the lonely coworker, the struggling neighbor, even the one who wronged us—and asks, If I were in their place, how would I want to be treated?

Fulfillment in the Cross
Jesus said all of Scripture hangs on these two commandments. And He Himself fulfilled them perfectly.
Vertical love: Jesus obeyed the Father fully, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:8).
Horizontal love: Jesus laid down His life for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
At the cross, His arms stretched upward in perfect devotion to God and outward in sacrificial love for people. The beams meet in Him.

Living the Greatest Commandment
So how do we carry this out?
Check your vertical love: Am I giving God my first devotion in prayer, worship, and obedience?
Live horizontal love: Who has God placed in my path today? Am I willing to serve, forgive, or sacrifice for them?
One simple prayer can shape this daily:
“Lord, help me to love You fully and love others freely, so people see the cross in my life.”
It may feel impossible at times—but look to Jesus, the one who fulfilled the command perfectly. He is both our example and our strength.

Conclusion
The greatest commandment is not two separate rules but one complete picture. To love God is to love others. To love others is to love God.
As we surrender to Christ, His love fills us, flows through us, and points the world to the cross.

by Luke Sills

As Jesus entered His final days before the cross, He was confronted by a group known as the Sadducees. They came with a tricky question designed to trap Him (Matthew 22:23–33). But in His response, Jesus gave one of the greatest assurances in all of Scripture: there is a resurrection.

That truth changes everything. This life is not the end. Death does not get the final word. And the hope of the resurrection transforms not only our future but also how we live today.

The World Will Deny the Resurrection

The Sadducees were religious leaders who based their beliefs only on the first five books of the Old Testament (the Torah). Because they did not see explicit teaching about resurrection there, they rejected the idea altogether.

So they posed Jesus a word-problem-like riddle: a woman married seven brothers in succession, each dying without children. “In the resurrection,” they asked, “whose wife will she be?”

Their aim was not sincere curiosity but to ridicule the idea of life after death. And in that, they reflect the spirit of our age. Many today still insist this life is all there is. Death, they claim, is final.

But Jesus refused their trap. He exposed their misunderstanding: “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (v. 29).

The Bible Speaks of the Resurrection

Jesus reminded them that resurrection life is not just an extension of earthly existence. Marriage, family structures, and earthly institutions do not define eternity. Instead, our resurrected lives will resemble the angels—not in nature, but in the fact that we will live in perfect fellowship with God, beyond the limitations of earthly relationships.

Scripture affirms this hope over and over:

• “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise” (Isaiah 26:19).
• “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” (Daniel 12:2).
• “After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26).

And strikingly, Jesus didn’t appeal to those passages. He used the very authority the Sadducees claimed to respect: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). Not “I was”—I am. The patriarchs live on, because God is the God of the living.

We Are Astonished Because of the Resurrection

The crowd listening to Jesus was astonished. And they should have been. If God is the God of the living, then death is not the end. Cemeteries are not permanent. Grief is not forever.

The resurrection of Jesus proves it. Just days after this exchange, He was crucified and buried. But on the third day, He rose again—never to die again. That moment astonished the guards, the women at the tomb, the disciples, and eventually the world.

And it still ought to astonish us today. The resurrection is not just a doctrine; it is the defining event of history. It means Jesus has power over the grave, and that His victory guarantees ours. As Paul says, Christ is the “firstfruits” of those who belong to Him (1 Corinthians 15:20). His empty tomb is the down payment on ours.

Living With Resurrection Hope

If the grave could not hold Jesus, it cannot hold those who trust in Him. That changes how we live:

• We grieve with hope, knowing death is temporary.
• We face trials with confidence, knowing eternity is secure.
• We live with awe and gratitude, knowing God’s love is greater than death itself.

John 3:16 reminds us why this matters: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

That is resurrection hope. And that hope should never cease to amaze us.

Conclusion

Like my daughter Olivia says when she sees something that fills her with wonder: “Wow, that cool.” That childlike amazement is exactly how we should respond to the resurrection.

Don’t treat it as a mere doctrine. Don’t let it become familiar. Instead, let the astonishing truth of the resurrection shape your daily life. Because Jesus lives, we too shall live. And that hope changes everything.

By Luke Sills

As Christians, we live in a unique tension: we are citizens of both the earthly kingdoms of this world and the eternal kingdom of God. Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:15–22 remind us that while we must give proper respect and obedience to earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God.

The Trap of the World

In Matthew’s account, the Pharisees and Herodians came together to trap Jesus with a loaded question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v. 17). This was no harmless inquiry. If Jesus said “yes,” the Jewish people—already weary of Roman oppression—would see Him as a traitor. If He said “no,” He could be accused of treason against Rome.

The very alliance between the Pharisees and Herodians reveals the world’s schemes. The Pharisees despised Roman rule, while the Herodians benefited from it. Yet, they joined forces against a common enemy: Jesus. Their goal was not truth but entrapment.

The world still operates this way today. Different voices, agendas, and powers may clash with each other, but they often unite in opposition to Christ and His Word. As followers of Jesus, we must recognize that traps still exist—temptations, compromises, and cultural pressures designed to draw us away from God.

The Hypocrisy of the World

When Jesus asked to see the coin used for the tax, His opponents handed Him a denarius. On it was the image of Caesar, along with inscriptions claiming divine status. The very presence of that coin in the temple exposed their hypocrisy. They claimed to honor God while carrying around tokens of idolatry.

Jesus’ response cut through their act: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (v. 21). In one sentence, He avoided their trap and exposed their duplicity. They sought to mask their intentions with flattery and false respect, but Jesus saw their hearts.

The same danger exists for us. Hypocrisy is not just for the Pharisees—it’s a temptation for every believer. We can say one thing while living another, honor God with our lips while carrying “Caesar’s coin” in our pockets. Jesus’ words remind us that true worship demands integrity and wholehearted devotion.

Living in the World, Serving God

Jesus’ answer also provides a framework for how Christians are to live. We are called to honor legitimate earthly authority—paying taxes, obeying laws, and respecting leaders. As Paul wrote in Romans 13:1–7, governing authorities are “God’s servants” to maintain order. Peter likewise urged believers to “honor everyone… fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

Yet our obedience is not blind. If earthly authority ever demands what belongs to God—our worship, our conscience, or our obedience to His Word—we must echo the apostles’ conviction: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29).

This balance requires wisdom. Like traffic signs on the road, laws are meant to protect and guide. But if a sign directed you off a cliff, you would not follow it. In the same way, Christians can and should be the best citizens possible—while always remembering that their true citizenship is in heaven.

What Belongs to God

The coin bore Caesar’s image, but humanity bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27). That means our very lives belong to Him. To render to God what is God’s means worshiping Him above all else (John 4:24), living holy lives that reflect His character (Romans 12:1–2), obeying Him even when culture disagrees (Acts 4:19), and dying daily to self in order to follow Christ (Luke 9:23).

Giving to God is not just about finances, though it includes faithfulness in offerings and tithes (Malachi 3:10). It’s about surrendering every part of our lives—our hearts, our decisions, our time, and our allegiance.

Our Plea Today

Dr. R.C. Sproul once noted that in Rome, citizens were required to declare, “Caesar is Lord.” But the early church refused, confessing instead, “Jesus is Lord.” That refusal cost many their lives, yet it preserved their souls.

The call for us today is the same. The world will try to trap us with compromises and distractions. It will dangle false measures of success—money, power, influence. But true success in God’s eyes is faithfulness, humility, and obedience.

So, let us live in the world but not of it. Let us honor authorities without idolizing them. Let us carry Caesar’s coin in our pocket, but God’s image in our soul. And above all, let us give to God what is His—our worship, our trust, and our lives.

By Luke Sills

When you think about Christianity, many words come to mind—faith, hope, love. Yet there is one word you cannot leave out: grace. Grace is what sets Christianity apart from every other religion. In a world where people strive to earn acceptance, the message of the gospel is radically different. Salvation cannot be bought or earned; it is a gift, freely given by God.

Yet tragically, many people miss the invitation of grace. Jesus illustrated this in one of His most striking parables—the parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1–14).

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son…”

In this story, a king sends out invitations to a wedding banquet. But those who were invited make excuses. Some are indifferent—too busy with their fields and businesses. Others are hostile, mistreating and even killing the messengers. In response, the king judges them and opens the invitation to others—the poor, the outcast, the ones no one expected. Still, not everyone who enters the feast belongs, as one guest is thrown out for not wearing the proper wedding garment. Jesus concludes with sobering words: “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This parable gives us three powerful lessons about the invitation of grace.

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1. Rejecting Christ Brings Judgment

The first group of guests missed the banquet not because they didn’t know about it, but because they ignored it. Their ordinary routines mattered more than the king’s extraordinary invitation. That same danger exists today.

We live in a world where busyness keeps people from hearing the gospel. Like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, many rush through life declaring, “I’m late! I’m late! No time to say hello—goodbye!” They are too busy to notice that God Himself is calling them to a feast.

Others respond with hostility. History is full of examples—prophets rejected, apostles beaten, believers martyred. Even today, some of the strongest opposition to the gospel comes not from atheists but from religious elites who scorn the simplicity of grace.

But ignoring or rejecting Christ has consequences. Just as Jerusalem fell under Roman judgment in A.D. 70—fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy—not one person who rejects the Son will escape God’s justice. Grace is free, but it is not to be treated lightly.

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2. God’s Grace Reaches Beyond Borders

Here is the beauty of the story: when the original guests refuse to come, the king tells his servants, “Go to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” The invitation expands beyond Israel to the nations—to the highways and hedges of the world.

That is how the gospel reached us. Grace crossed borders, broke through cultural walls, and extended to “the good and the bad.”

One powerful example is the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Philip, led by the Spirit, explained the Scriptures to him and preached Christ. The eunuch believed, was baptized, and “went on his way rejoicing.” Grace reached him on a desert road—and through him, it spread even further.

This is the heart of the gospel: God’s invitation is not for one people only. It is for all.

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3. God’s Grace Makes Us New

The parable ends with a man cast out of the feast for not wearing a wedding garment. At first glance, that seems harsh. But Jesus was making a crucial point: while the invitation is free, entering the kingdom requires transformation.

Different theologians have debated what the “wedding garment” represents—faith, baptism, righteousness, or holy living. Perhaps it is intentionally broad. The truth is, grace does not leave us as we are. To come to Christ is to be made new.

As Paul writes, believers are called to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self” (Colossians 3). True faith produces holiness, not as the basis of our salvation but as the evidence of it. God’s grace clothes us with Christ Himself—and that changes everything.

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The Invitation Today

Jesus ends the parable with both comfort and warning: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” God’s invitation goes out broadly, but only those who respond in faith and are transformed by His grace will share in the feast.

So the question is this: Have you accepted the invitation?

Grace is not an abstract idea. It is God Himself, extending His hand and saying, “Come to the wedding banquet. Everything is ready.” The cross of Christ is the invitation written in blood, and the resurrection is the guarantee that the feast is real.

One day, the Bridegroom will return. The banquet will begin. The question is not whether the feast is prepared—it already is. The question is whether you will be there, clothed in the grace of Christ, ready to rejoice forever.

By Luke Sills

When Jesus stood in the temple courts in Matthew 21, He told a story that cut to the heart of Israel’s leaders—a story of a vineyard, tenants, and a rejected son. At first glance, it may seem like just another parable. But behind it lies a sobering truth: to reject God’s messengers is ultimately to reject God Himself.

The Parable of the Tenants

Jesus describes a landowner who carefully prepares a vineyard: he plants vines, builds a fence, digs a winepress, and sets up a watchtower. With everything in place, he leases it to tenants and departs. When harvest comes, he sends servants to collect the fruit. But the tenants beat, stone, and kill them. More servants are sent, and the violence repeats. Finally, the landowner sends his son, hoping they will respect him. Instead, they conspire, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.” And so they cast him out and kill him.

The symbolism is unmistakable. The vineyard is Israel. The landowner is God. The tenants are Israel’s leaders, entrusted with the care of God’s people. The servants represent the prophets, who were beaten, mocked, and killed for speaking truth. And the son—of course—is Jesus, whom the leaders would soon reject and crucify.

Jesus’ warning is clear: rejection of God’s servants leads to judgment, and rejection of God’s Son leads to eternal loss.

God’s Patience and Grace

What is striking in this parable is God’s patience. He sends servant after servant, giving opportunity after opportunity to repent. Even after repeated rejection, He sends His beloved Son. This is not a picture of a harsh, impatient ruler—it is a portrait of astonishing grace.

The apostle Peter echoes this heart of God: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

From the prophets of old, to the apostles, to countless witnesses through history, God has never stopped sending messengers into the world with one plea: repent, and believe in Christ.

A Pattern of Rejection

Sadly, history confirms the parable’s pattern. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned after boldly proclaiming Christ (Acts 7). Polycarp, an elderly bishop in the early church, refused to deny his Savior and was burned at the stake. John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English so ordinary people could read God’s Word, only to be condemned as a heretic. Missionary Jim Elliot and four others were speared to death in Ecuador in 1956 for bringing the gospel to an unreached tribe. Even in our own century, believers like Asia Bibi in Pakistan have endured imprisonment and persecution rather than renounce Christ.

The vineyard is still being tended, and the servants are still being sent. Yet often, the world responds the same way—rejecting, mocking, or persecuting those who carry God’s message.

The Cornerstone Rejected

Jesus presses the parable further by quoting Psalm 118: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” The leaders may cast Him aside, but God makes Him the very foundation of His kingdom. That stone will either be the rock upon which you build your life—or the stone that crushes you in judgment.

To reject the Son is no small matter. It is the greatest crime in human history, for it was not merely the death of an innocent man, but the rejection of the only One who came to save us. And yet—here lies the wonder of grace—that very rejection became the means of salvation. The death that sinful humanity plotted was the very death by which Christ bore our guilt, so that through His resurrection we might have life.

What Will You Do With Jesus?

The parable leaves us with a searching question: What will you do with God’s Son?

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day wanted the blessings of the kingdom without submitting to the King. Many today still want the hope of heaven without surrendering to Christ’s authority. But Scripture is plain: eternal life belongs only to those who receive the Son in faith.

God is still sending messengers. Perhaps He has sent one into your life—a preacher, a friend, a family member—urging you to turn to Christ. Will you, like the tenants, reject the messenger? Or will you receive the message and bear fruit for the kingdom?

The stone has been set in place. It is marvelous in our eyes. And it demands a response.

Walking the Narrow Path — The Legacy of King Josiah

When we open the pages of Scripture and meet King Josiah, we encounter more than just an ancient ruler—we meet a living example of what it means to pursue God wholeheartedly in a world full of distractions and darkness. Josiah’s story invites us to consider our own journey as believers: Are we walking the narrow path, or have we strayed to the right or to the left?

A King Raised for a Purpose

Josiah became king at just eight years old, inheriting a kingdom steeped in idolatry and rebellion. His father and grandfather had led the people away from God, embracing false gods, occult practices, and horrific sacrifices. It would have been easy for Josiah to follow their example or simply give up in despair. But Scripture tells us something remarkable—Josiah was different.

From a young age, God’s Spirit moved in his heart. His mother, Jedidah, whose name means “beloved of the Lord,” likely played a vital role in guiding him toward the ways of righteousness. Unlike many kings before him, Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He was determined to walk the narrow path—and not just to follow it, but to guard it fiercely.

The Narrow Path: Hard But Worth It

Josiah’s commitment to the narrow path reminds us of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-14, where He describes two gates—the wide gate leading to destruction and the narrow gate leading to life. Josiah walked this narrow gate with courage and conviction. He didn’t veer right or left; he followed God’s law with an unwavering heart.

This narrow path is not the easy road. It is one that demands discipline, courage, and daily surrender. Josiah’s example challenges us not to settle for the convenience of the wide road, which the world so often chooses. It calls us to a higher standard—a commitment to live fully for God in a world that pressures us to conform.

Destroying the Idols Within

One of the most striking parts of Josiah’s story is his boldness to destroy the idols scattered throughout Judah and Jerusalem. He didn’t simply warn the people to stop worshipping false gods; he took action. He cut down altars, smashed idols, burned bones of false priests, and cleansed the land. He knew that as long as these idols remained, they would continue to tempt the people back into sin.

What are the idols in our lives today? Unlike the ancient physical idols Josiah destroyed, our idols might be less obvious but no less powerful. They could be things we cherish more than God—our phones, careers, hobbies, sports, comforts, or even good things that become ultimate things. These idols distract us from true devotion.

Josiah’s example calls us to take a hard look at our hearts. What must we destroy to fully follow God? It is a challenging question, but one that leads to spiritual freedom and renewal.

Living Josiah’s Legacy Today

Josiah’s story is not just history; it is a call to action for believers today. We live in a world that often mirrors Josiah’s time—full of darkness, idolatry, and easy distractions. But like Josiah, we can choose to be different. We can choose to pursue God with all our hearts, walk the narrow path without turning aside, and destroy the idols that hinder our faith.

This journey begins with repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. It continues with daily commitment and courageous obedience. Josiah reminds us that walking with God is possible, even when the odds seem stacked against us.

As we begin this study of Josiah, let us open our hearts to God’s transforming work. May his legacy inspire us to be kings and queens of our own lives—ruling with faith, courage, and a heart fully devoted to God.

Encountering the Word — Josiah’s Transforming Discovery

In the midst of a kingdom long plunged into spiritual darkness, King Josiah’s reign stands as a beacon of hope — not because of military might or political alliances, but because of a rediscovered treasure: the Word of God.

The year was 622 BC. Josiah, now twenty-six years old, had already shown himself to be a king after God’s own heart. Having walked the narrow path and destroyed idols, Josiah was now ready for a deeper transformation — a revival rooted in the rediscovery of God’s Law.

The Temple’s Restoration: More Than Bricks and Mortar

Josiah initiated a bold project: the repair and restoration of the temple in Jerusalem. This sacred place had suffered neglect and desecration under previous kings who had led the people astray. Josiah’s leadership was careful and intentional. He ensured that the resources dedicated to rebuilding the temple were handled honestly, reflecting his commitment not just to restoration of stone and wood, but to integrity and faithfulness.

But what Josiah and the people found during this restoration was far greater than physical renewal. They uncovered a scroll — the Book of the Law — a forgotten voice of God that exposed their sin and beckoned them back to Him.

The King’s Reaction: A Heart Broken and Moved

When the Book of the Law was read aloud, Josiah’s response was immediate and powerful. He tore his clothes — a sign of deep grief and repentance. Here was a king overwhelmed by the weight of the people’s unfaithfulness and his own responsibility to lead them back to God.

The Word cut through the complacency and rebellion of Israel. Josiah recognized the gravity of the covenant God had made with His people and the consequences outlined for breaking it. The law was not simply a set of rules; it was a life-giving covenant with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

The Prophetic Warning: Judgment and Mercy

Seeking clarity, Josiah sent envoys to the prophetess Huldah. Her message was sobering: judgment was coming upon Judah because of their persistent rebellion. Yet, because Josiah’s heart was tender, humble, and repentant, God promised to spare him from witnessing the coming disaster.

Josiah’s humble response to God’s Word secured him peace — a peace that fueled his resolve to lead a national covenant renewal. He gathered the elders, priests, Levites, and all the people to the temple and read the Law to them. Josiah then made a solemn covenant to follow God fully, and he called the nation to join him in this commitment.

Responding Properly to God’s Word

Josiah’s story reveals a profound truth for believers today: encountering God’s Word demands a response. It is not enough to hear or read Scripture; we must be moved by it, repent of sin, and act in obedience.

The Word of God should break our hearts like it broke Josiah’s — not to leave us in despair, but to lead us to hope and transformation. His example challenges us to ask: When was the last time the Word truly grieved you? When did it move you to repentance and renewed devotion?

The Choice Before Us

Like Josiah, we face a choice. The Scriptures declare life and death, blessing and curse. Choosing to love the Lord, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him leads to life—eternal life. Turning away brings judgment.

The gospel, revealed fully in Christ, is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise. Jesus’ death and resurrection offer forgiveness for sin and a restored relationship with God. This message should humble us and motivate us to respond rightly.

Walking Forward in Faith

Josiah’s revival was not just a moment in history; it is a call to each of us. To properly respond to God’s Word is to live under His authority daily, letting it shape our hearts, minds, and actions.

If you are a believer, let Josiah’s example inspire you to embrace Scripture with reverence and obedience. Let it move you to tears, to confession, and to a life fully surrendered to Jesus.

If you have yet to trust Christ, consider Josiah’s story carefully. The Word of God is alive and active, calling you today to repent and believe, to choose life through Jesus Christ.

Reformed — The Commitment and Change of Josiah

In the journey of King Josiah, we witness one of the most remarkable transformations in biblical history. A young king who began his reign with a heart after God, Josiah not only responded to God’s Word but took bold, decisive action to reform his kingdom. His story challenges us today: to be truly reformed is to be committed and changed.

Reform Requires Commitment

After hearing the words of God’s Law, Josiah did not hesitate. He gathered the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, priests, Levites, and many others to the temple — the house of God — and publicly read the Book of the Covenant. This book likely contained the core of the Torah — the first five books of the Bible, which contain God’s commandments, statutes, and testimonies.

Josiah’s public reading was not merely informative; it was a call to collective commitment. Standing by a raised pillar so that all could witness, Josiah made a solemn covenant before God and the people. This was not a half-hearted promise. It was a commitment with all his heart and soul to obey God’s commands and live by the words written in the covenant. The people joined him, pledging to follow the Lord with the same dedication.

This moment was pivotal — reform demands commitment. Josiah’s deep desire was to honor God not only privately but openly, publicly, and corporately. True reform is never a quiet, hidden affair; it is a bold declaration and a lifestyle lived out in community.

Commitment Leads to Change

Josiah’s commitment immediately produced tangible change. He began by purging the temple — the very place of worship — from every trace of idolatry and false religion. Priests who had never served the one true God but instead sacrificed to pagan fertility gods like Baal and Asherah were removed. These gods, imported from Canaanite religion, had replaced the worship of Yahweh and were completely incompatible with God’s holiness.

Josiah’s zeal was fierce and thorough. He destroyed idols, burned them outside Jerusalem, and scattered their ashes over graves to demonstrate their powerlessness even over death. He tore down shrines to false gods, dismantled places of child sacrifice like Topheth, and even removed images and altars that Solomon had once allowed into the temple.

No compromise was made. Josiah’s reform was total.

He extended this cleansing beyond Jerusalem, defiling high places and altars throughout Judah and Samaria, ensuring that no place of idolatrous worship remained. The priests who served these places were put to death, fulfilling the prophecy that had foretold Josiah’s purifying work.

Yet amid his destruction of idols, Josiah showed discernment. He spared the monument of a man of God who had prophesied these very reforms — a testament to honoring God’s messengers even while cleansing the land.

What Can We Learn?

Josiah’s story is a call for all believers today to consider the nature of true reformation.

Are You Committed?

True reform begins with a personal commitment to God. This commitment springs from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ — the only one who can transform hearts and empower change. Without repentance and faith, no lasting reform is possible.

For believers, commitment extends to the local church — the body of Christ where we worship together, encourage one another, serve, and grow. Josiah’s people gathered collectively to covenant before God; so must we be committed to community, gathering faithfully and supporting the mission of God.

Are You Changed?

Josiah’s reform was visible — he removed everything that dishonored God. Likewise, spiritual reformation demands change in our lives. It means identifying and removing idols — whatever takes the place of God’s rightful worship in our hearts and lives.

Idols today might not be carved statues but can be anything from misplaced priorities, unhealthy habits, time-wasters, or anything that diverts our devotion from God.

A practical step is self-examination: What consumes your time, attention, or affection? What might you need to surrender to live fully for God?

The Challenge to Us

Josiah’s example challenges us to be like him — committed and changed. Change your diet, as one pastor put it: feast on Christ’s Word and fast from sinful indulgence. As we feed on Christ, our desire for sin diminishes and our hunger for God grows.

Imagine what transformation could happen in your life and church if we all embraced such commitment and change.

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Josiah’s story is a powerful reminder that reformation is a journey — beginning with a heart fully committed to God, producing deep and lasting change, and culminating in worship that honors God alone.

Are you ready to be reformed? To commit fully? To be changed profoundly? The path is clear. Like Josiah, let us say yes to God’s call and live lives worthy of the gospel we have received.

Proper Worship — The Restoration of the Passover

As we conclude our study of King Josiah, we are struck not only by his heart for God but by his commitment to restoring true worship. Josiah’s restoration of the Passover after more than four centuries of neglect reminds us of what it means to worship God properly. His example calls us to examine our own worship and challenges us to ensure it has the right purpose, right preparation, right people, and right practice.

The Right Purpose for Worship

Josiah’s restoration of the Passover was a historic event. The people of Israel had not properly observed this festival for over 400 years. To understand the significance of Josiah’s actions, we must first understand the original purpose of the Passover.

The Passover was instituted by God during Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. On that night, the Lord struck down every firstborn in Egypt — except in the homes where the blood of the Passover lamb was painted on the doorposts. This act of divine protection was not only a demonstration of God’s judgment on Egypt but also a display of His mercy on His people.

Exodus 12:21-28 captures this beautifully, describing how Moses instructed the people to sacrifice the lamb, apply its blood, and remember this event as a statute forever. The Passover was a memorial of God’s grace — a powerful reminder that God “passed over” the houses of His people and spared them.

Josiah’s purpose in restoring the Passover was to worship the Lord rightly — to remember God’s saving acts and to proclaim His mercy and faithfulness. Likewise, our worship today centers on remembering and celebrating the saving work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Just as the Passover lamb’s blood protected Israel, Jesus’ blood covers believers and grants us forgiveness and life. Our purpose in worship is to proclaim this truth, to bow our hearts before the resurrected King, and to live in the light of His salvation.

The Right Preparation for Worship

Worship does not happen by accident. Josiah’s restoration involved extensive preparation, and ours must too.

The text in 2 Chronicles 35 shows that Josiah personally provided thousands of lambs, goats, and bulls for the sacrifices. Priests, Levites, and many leaders contributed generously. The Ark of the Covenant was placed properly, and meticulous attention was given to every detail to ensure the Passover was celebrated according to God’s commands.

This preparation was necessary to bring about proper worship.

Similarly, every time we gather as a church, countless hours of preparation go on behind the scenes — from cleaning and maintenance to planning sermons, rehearsing music, organizing children’s ministry, and praying. Without this preparation, our worship would falter.

Preparation also extends to our hearts. Proper worship requires personal readiness. Like Josiah, we must prepare by examining our hearts, confessing sin, and coming before God with reverence and humility.

The Right People in Worship

Josiah’s Passover was not a one-man show. The priests, Levites, singers, leaders, and all the people of Israel participated together. Each had a specific role, and everyone’s presence was vital.

The church today is a body, with many parts, each uniquely gifted and essential. Some preach, some sing, some teach, some serve, but all are needed.

Most importantly, the entire congregation — the gathered people of God — must come together to worship.

Your presence matters. Whether you lead, serve, sing, or simply sit and receive, you are part of the worshiping community. Proper worship requires the right people — believers united in one purpose, lifting their voices and hearts to God.

The Right Practice in Worship

Josiah was careful to follow God’s instructions exactly. The Passover lamb was sacrificed on the fourteenth day of the first month, the priests and Levites performed their duties precisely, and the people participated as God commanded.

This was worship done “by the book,” in obedience to God’s Word.

Worship today must be the same. We worship according to Scripture — proclaiming the gospel, singing truth-filled songs, partaking in ordinances like the Lord’s Supper, and living lives that honor God.

The Lord’s Supper, for example, calls for right purpose, preparation, people, and practice. We remember Christ’s death and anticipate His return. We prepare our hearts by confessing sin. Only believers partake. And the ordinance is carried out reverently and according to Christ’s institution.

True worship honors God not just in spirit but in truth.

Responding to the Call for Proper Worship

Josiah’s restoration reminds us to examine our worship:

• Do we worship with the right purpose? Are we coming to honor Jesus for what He has done?
• Are we preparing our hearts and lives to meet God?
• Are we part of the right community — God’s people gathered in unity?
• Are we practicing worship as God has instructed through His Word?

As we reflect on Josiah’s life, we see a model for worship — purposeful, prepared, participatory, and practiced rightly.

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The End of Josiah’s Story and Our Hope

Josiah’s story does not end with the Passover. Soon after, he faced a tragic death in battle (2 Chronicles 35:20-27). His faithfulness was not a guarantee of earthly blessing or long life. Like Josiah, each of us will face the certainty of death and judgment (Hebrews 9:27-28).

But the good news is this: Christ bore our sins once and for all, securing forgiveness and eternal life for those who trust in Him.

Our worship today is rooted in this hope — the Lamb who was sacrificed and the King who will return. Josiah’s faithful worship challenges us to worship with hearts fully committed to God’s glory.

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Will you worship God properly today — with purpose, preparation, people, and practice — as an act of faith in the One who saved you?

By Luke Sills

Easter Sunday is a day of joy, hope, and victory. It is the day Christians around the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, as we celebrate the empty tomb, we cannot forget the cross that preceded it. In Matthew 16:21–28, Jesus speaks openly to His disciples about the necessity of His suffering, death, and resurrection. It’s a passage that not only points us to the heart of Easter but also calls us to examine our own response to the gospel.

The main truth is simple but life-changing:
We would not have eternal life if Jesus had not died on the cross and risen from the dead. But since He did, we must take up our cross and live for Him.

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1. Jesus Had to Be Crucified and Resurrected

When Jesus told His disciples He “must go to Jerusalem” to suffer and die, He wasn’t speaking of a tragic accident or an unfortunate twist in history. He spoke of a divine necessity. The cross was not optional—it was God’s plan from eternity past (Acts 2:23).

From Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 53) to Jesus’ own words (Luke 24:7), Scripture consistently reveals that His suffering and resurrection were central to God’s redemptive work. At the cross, Jesus bore our sins, endured God’s wrath, and satisfied divine justice so that we might be forgiven.

Paul reminds us, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Without the cross, there is no forgiveness. Without the resurrection, there is no hope.

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2. The Cross Reminds Us That God Knows More Than We Do

Just moments after Peter boldly confessed Jesus as the Christ, he tried to correct Him. “This shall never happen to you,” Peter said when Jesus spoke of His coming death. Peter wanted a Messiah who would conquer Rome, not one who would be crucified.

But Jesus rebuked Peter sharply: “Get behind me, Satan!” Why? Because to avoid the cross would have been to reject the Father’s will.

Like Peter, we sometimes think we know better than God. We want salvation without sacrifice, blessings without obedience, and crowns without crosses. But the cross shows us that God’s wisdom often runs counter to our expectations—and His way is always best.

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3. To Live for Christ, You Must Take Up Your Cross

Jesus’ call is not simply to believe in Him but to follow Him—and that means taking up our own cross (Matthew 16:24). In other words, we must deny ourselves, surrender our will, and live in obedience to Him, even when it costs us.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” That death is not always literal, but it always involves dying to self.

Colossians 3 paints a vivid picture of what this looks like—putting away sin, clothing ourselves with compassion and humility, forgiving others, and letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. It’s not about earning salvation; it’s about living in a way that reflects the One who saved us.

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Peter’s Story and Ours

Peter’s journey is a reminder of God’s patience and grace. The same man who rebuked Jesus and later denied Him three times was restored, forgiven, and used mightily in the early church. According to tradition, Peter would one day face his own cross—crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same way as his Lord.

His story reminds us that even when we stumble, Christ offers forgiveness. The same invitation is open to you: repent of your sins, trust in Jesus, and follow Him.

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The Empty Tomb Demands a Response

Easter is not just a celebration of what happened two thousand years ago; it’s a call to action today. If Jesus bore your sin and conquered death, then He is worthy of your life.

Christian, take up your cross. Live for Him. The tomb is empty, the King is alive, and a crown awaits all who follow Him.