Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

⁴²  “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” 

Matthew 10:40-42.  

Here are two quotes from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“He is not speaking here about receiving the doctrine, but about receiving the men. The latter meaning, I admit, arises out of the former, but we must attend to the design of Christ. Perceiving that this was exceedingly adapted to support their weakness, he intended to assure them that, if any one would receive them in a friendly manner, and do them kind offices, he would be as highly pleased as if their benevolence had been exercised towards his own person; and not only so, but that in such a sacrifice God the Father would smell a sweet savor, (Genesis 8:21.)

He who receiveth a prophet   He begins with the prophets, but at length comes down to the lowest rank, and embraces all his disciples. In this manner he commends all, without exception, who truly worship God and love the gospel. To receive a person in the name of a prophet, or in the name of a righteous man, means to do them good for the sake of honoring their doctrine, or of paying respect to piety. Though God enjoins us to perform offices of kindness to all mankind, yet he justly elevates his people to a higher rank, that they may be the objects of peculiar regard and esteem.”  (Emphasis added.)

Here is the link to the full Commentary by Calvin on these verses –

Today’s devotion was Matthew 9:35-38.

“35  Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

36  Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

37  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

38 “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38. (Emphasis added.).

The last three devotions are titled: ” ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE’ “, “Gentleness”, and “Compassion: ‘Freely you received, freely give.’ “.  One of the themes of Matthew 9 is compassion.  In the following chapter, we read the command of Jesus: “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘he kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” Matthew 10:7-8. (Emphasis added.).

We may have the truth, but do we have grace?   “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17.  Are we like Jesus Christ?

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”    1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

“But, I am the elect!”

“Oh.  So, where is your name written in the Bible?  Have you read the Book of Life and seen your name?”

Let us follow Peter’s advice.  “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  2 Peter 1:5-11. (Emphasis added.).

We can come back to God and confess: “I am not very compassionate. I am not very generous. I am not very loving. Help me!”  God can put that compassion, generosity, and love into our heart.

We can see those who are good at being compassionate, generous, and loving, and we can encourage them.  It is amazing what a little encouragement can motivate others to do!

We can pray that God sends out workers into His harvest as stated in our Scripture for today.

In conclusion, here is the summary. “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:10

¹⁶  “But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results.

¹⁷  “Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”  Matthew 9:14-17. 

 Here are some quotes (not contiguous) from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“The apology rests on this consideration, that fasting and prayers are adapted to sorrow and adversity: extraordinary prayers I mean, such as are here mentioned. Christ certainly intended to accustom them, by degrees, to greater patience, and not to lay on them a heavy burden, till they gained more strength. Hence we ought to learn a twofold instruction. When the Lord sometimes endures the weakness of our brethren, and acts towards them with gentleness, while he treats us with greater severity, we have no right to murmur.  Again, when we sometimes obtain relief from sorrow and from vexations, let us beware of giving ourselves up to enjoyments; but let us, on the contrary, remember that the nuptials will not always last. 

The amount of the statement (BH – “And no man putteth a piece of fresh cloth …) is, that all must not be compelled indiscriminately to live in the same manner, for there is a diversity of natural character, and all things are not suitable to all; and particularly, we ought to spare the weak, that they may not be broken by violence, or crushed by the weight of the burden.  (Emphasis added).”

Here is the link to the full Commentary by Calvin on these verses –

Click here: Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke – Volume 1 | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

¹⁰  Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.

¹¹  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

¹²  But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

¹³  “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:9-13. 

Here are some quotes (not contiguous) from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“In the choice of Matthew out of that place, not only to be admitted into the family of Christ, but even to be called to the office of Apostle, we have a striking instance of the grace of God.  It was the intention of Christ to choose simple and ignorant persons to that rank, in order to cast down the wisdom of the world, (1 Corinthians 2:6.)  But this publican, who followed an occupation little esteemed and involved in many abuses, was selected for additional reasons, that he might be an example of Christ’s undeserved goodness, and might show in his person that the calling of all of us depends, not on the merits of our own righteousness, but on his pure kindness. 

In the same manner Paul says:  This is a faithful saying, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief, (1 Timothy 1:15.)

Not they who are in health need a physician   It is evident from Christ’s reply that the scribes erred in two ways: they did not take into account the office of Christ; and, while they spared their own vices, they proudly despised all others.  This deserves our particular attention, for it is a disease which has been always very general. Hypocrites, being satisfied and intoxicated with a foolish confidence in their own righteousness, do not consider the purpose for which Christ was sent into the world, and do not acknowledge the depth of evils in which the human race is plunged, or the dreadful wrath and curse of God which lies on all, or the accumulated load of vices which weighs them down.

This quotation is made from Hosea 6:6:  For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice;  and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

The subject of the prophet’s discourse (BH – in Hosea) had been the vengeance of God against the Jews. That they might not excuse themselves by saying that they were performing the outward worship of God, (as they were wont to boast in a careless manner about their ceremonies,) he declares that God has no delight in sacrifices, when their minds are destitute of piety, and when their conduct is at variance with uprightness and righteousness. That the statement, I desired not sacrifice, must be understood comparatively, is evident from the second clause, that the knowledge of God is better than burnt-offerings   By these words he does not absolutely reject burnt-offerings, but places them in a rank inferior to piety and faith. We ought to hold, that faith and spiritual worship are in themselves pleasing to God, and that charity and the duties of humanity towards our neighbors are in themselves required; but that sacrifices are but appendages, so to speak, which are of no value or estimation, where substantial truth is not found.”

Here is the link to the full Commentary by Calvin on these verses – Click here: Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke – Volume 1 | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Bill’s Comments:

So, as we try to learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ we come across the following verses:

James 5:20
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

In Calvin’s Commentary to James 5:20, Calvin states:  “And shall hide a multitude of sins.  He makes an allusion to a saying of Solomon, rather than a quotation. (Proverbs 10:12.)  Solomon says that love covers sins, as hatred proclaims them.  For they who hate burn with the desire of mutual slander; but they who love are disposed to exercise mutual forbearance.”

³  And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.”

⁴  And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?

⁵  “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?

⁶  “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.”

⁷  And he got up and went home.

⁸  But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.”  Matthew 9:1-8.  

Here are some quotes from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“Now, as Christ granted to their faith the favor which he bestowed on the paralytic, a question is usually raised on this passage how far do men derive advantage from the faith of others?  And, first, it is certain, that the faith of Abraham was of advantage to his posterity, when he embraced the free covenant offered to him and to his seed.  We must hold a similar belief with regard to all believers, that, by their faith, the grace of God is extended to their children and their children’s children even before they are born. The same thing takes place in infants, who are not yet of such an age as to be capable of faith.  With regard to adults, on the other hand, who have no faith of their own, (whether they be strangers, or allied by blood,) the faith of others can have nothing more than an indirect influence in promoting the eternal salvation of their souls.  As the prayers, by which we ask that God will turn unbelievers to repentance, are not without advantage, our faith is evidently of such advantage to them, that they do not arrive at salvation, till they have been made partakers of the same faith with us in answer to our prayers.  But where there is a mutual agreement in faith, it is well known that they promote the salvation of each other. It is also beyond all question, that earthly blessings are often, for the sake of the godly, bestowed on unbelievers.

With regard to the present passage, though Christ is said to have been moved by the faith of others, yet the paralytic could not have obtained the forgiveness of his sins, if he had had no faith of his own. Unworthy persons were often restored by Christ to health of body, as God daily maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, (Matthew 5:45) but there is no other way in which he is reconciled to us than by faith. There is a synecdoche, therefore, in the word their, when it is said that Jesus saw their faith: for Christ not only looked at those who brought the paralytic, but looked also at his faith.

Thy sins are forgiven thee.   Christ appears here to promise to the paralytic something different from what he had requested: but, as he intends to bestow health of body, he begins with removing the cause of the disease, and at the same time reminds the paralytic of the origin of his disease, and of the manner in which he ought to arrange his prayers. As men usually do not consider that the afflictions which they endure are God’s chastisements, they desire nothing more than some alleviation in the flesh, and, in the meantime, feel no concern about their sins: just as if a sick man were to disregard his disease, and to seek only relief from present pain.

But the only way of obtaining deliverance from all evils is to have God reconciled to us. It does sometimes happen, that wicked men are freed from their distresses, while God is still their enemy: but when they think that they have completely escaped, the same evils immediately return, or more numerous and heavier calamities overwhelm them, which make it manifest that they will not be mitigated or terminated. until the wrath of God shall be appeased, as God declares by the Prophet Amos

If thou escape a lion, a bear shall meet thee;
if thou shut thyself up at home, a serpent shall bite thee,
(Amos 5:19.)

³⁰  Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them.

³¹  The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.”

³²  And He said to them, “Go!”  And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters.  (Emphasis added.) 

³³  The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.

³⁴  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region.”  Matthew 8:28-34.

Notice that Jesus did not argue with the demons.  Jesus did not answer their questions.  Jesus did not even explain what he was doing other than simply command:  “Go!”. 

We read the powerful and completely obedient results of that simple command.  “And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters.”  Matthew 8:32.

If Jesus can do that to the demons who caused the two men to be “so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way”, then can He deal with our temper?  Can he deal with our other sinful propensities? 

Let us be both ashamed for doubting Him and also be encouraged that He can perform all of His promises that we read in Scripture to sanctify us and bear fruit within us.

²⁵  And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”

²⁶  He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.

 ²⁷  The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”  Matthew 8:23-27. 

²¹  Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

²²  But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”  Matthew 8:19-22.  

Here are some quotes from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“It might at first sight appear strange, that Christ sends back, and does not admit into his family, one who offers to follow him immediately and without delay: while he detains another along with him who, by asking leave for a time, showed himself to be slower and less willing. But there are the best reasons for both. Whence arose the great readiness of the scribe to prepare himself immediately to accompany Christ, but from his not having at all considered the hard and wretched condition of his followers? We must bear in mind that he was a scribe, who had been accustomed to a quiet and easy life, had enjoyed honor, and was ill-fitted to endure reproaches, poverty, persecutions, and the cross. He wishes indeed to follow Christ, but dreams of an easy and agreeable life, and of dwellings filled with every convenience; whereas the disciples of Christ must walk among thorns, and march to the cross amidst uninterrupted afflictions. The more eager he is, the less he is prepared. He seems as if he wished to fight in the shade and at ease, neither annoyed by sweat nor by dust, and beyond the reach of the weapons of war. There is no reason to wonder that Christ rejects such persons: for, as they rush on without consideration, they are distressed by the first uneasiness of any kind that occurs, lose courage at the first attack, give way, and basely desert their post. Besides, this scribe might have sought a place in the family of Christ, in order to live at his table without expense, and to feed luxuriously without toil. Let us therefore look upon ourselves as warned, in his person, not to boast lightly and at ease, that we will be the disciples of Christ, while we are taking no thought of the cross, or of afflictions; but, on the contrary, to consider early what sort of condition awaits us. The first lesson which he gives us, on entering his school, is to deny ourselves, and take up his cross, (Matthew 16:24.)

Foxes have holes.   The Son of God describes by these words what was his condition while he lived on the earth, but, at the same time, informs his disciples what sort of life they must be prepared to expect.

Lord, permit me to go first and bury my father.   We have said, that the scribe was rejected by Christ as a follower, because he made his offer without consideration, and imagined that he would enjoy an easy life. The person whom Christ retains had an opposite fault. He was prevented from immediately obeying the call of Christ by the weakness of thinking it a hardship to leave his father. It is probable that his father was in extreme old age: for the mode of expression, Permit me to bury, implies that he had but a short time to live. 

From Christ’s reply we learn, that children should discharge their duty to their parents in such a manner that, whenever God calls them to another employment, they should lay this aside, and assign the first place to the command of God. Whatever duties we owe to men must give way, when God enjoins upon us what is immediately due to himself. All ought to consider what God requires from them as individuals, and what is demanded by their particular calling, that earthly parents may not prevent the claims of the highest and only Father of all from remaining entire.”

Here is the link to the full Commentary by Calvin on these verses –  

I am soft and lazy.  I crave comfort even luxury.  I fear that I may flee if times got too tough.  So, I turn to my Savior and admit my weakness and ask for help.  “Lord, these words are hard to read.  I am soft and lazy.  I crave comfort even luxury.  I fear that I may flee if times got too tough.  Help me!” 

Our Savior and Lord will indeed strengthen us to handle whatever we face:

1. Ephesians 3:16
   that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
   
2. Philippians 4:13
   I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
   
3. Colossians 1:11
   strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
   
4. 1 Thessalonians 3:2
   and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
   
5. 2 Thessalonians 2:17
   comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
   
6. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
   But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
   
7. 1 Timothy 1:12
   I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
   
8. 2 Timothy 4:17
   But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
   
9. Hebrews 12:12
   Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
   
10. Hebrews 13:9
    Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
    
11. James 5:8
    You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
    
12. 1 Peter 5:10
    After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
     

⁷  Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

⁸  But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

⁹  “For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

¹⁰  Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.

¹¹  “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;

¹²  but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

¹³  And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.”  Matthew 8:5-13.