260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 22 - Matthew 22: A Royal Invitation, Obligations, Resurrection, The Greatest Command, Who Jesus IS & a Really Long Title!

Wow – a lot in this Chapter! Here we go…
1-14: This parable predicts and describes the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel. The Jews were God’s chosen people and they would not accept Jesus as the Messiah, the promised Savior. The last verse explains: “For many are invited, but few are chosen." God’s offer of salvation is open to all, but each of us has to choose to receive this free gift. Rejection occurs when either we are indifferent (5), rebellious (6) or when we try to be self-righteous (12).
15-22: Don’t ya’ just love the wisdom of Jesus! The Pharisees were constantly trying to catch Him and they constantly failed. “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" You and I have an obligation to both God and government. To live in a society run by the people for the people costs money, so we are obligated to pay our dues. To our Creator God………well………..we owe everything else!
23-33: Because we only know life as we have it on earth, we often assume things to be true elsewhere. For instance, if you’ve ever traveled out of the USA you know things are not the same in other countries. The Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection (that’s why they’re sad-you-see…hehe….) were comparing the protocol on earth to heaven in regards to marriage. Jesus corrected them by going to the Scriptures and explaining that “at the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage…”
34-40: Again the Pharisees test Jesus by asking Him which commandment is the greatest. He responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, part of the “Shema”, used by all Jews in their daily prayers. Basically Jesus says here’s what matters most: Love God, Love People!
41-46: The greatest discovery a person can make is to know the truth about who Jesus IS! As CS Lewis put it, “He’s either a liar, a lunatic or He is Lord” – those are the only choices we have. Jesus made it clear to the Pharisees that Christ was not just the son of David but truly the Son of God, Messiah and Savior – David even knew it! And the Pharisees’ response? “No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.” – Ha!
SO WHAT?!
*Are you one of God’s kids? He invites all to join His family! “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” Have you gone from death to life yet? If so, you are a chosen one! If not, why not today?!~
*My guess is that we all pay our taxes or we’d face consequences! But how are you and I doing in giving to God what is God’s? If I was given sideline tickets to this year’s Super Bowl, I’d find a way to make it there! Why? Because I’ve learned over the years that we all MAKE time for what we WANT to do! The same is true with God. We can “say” we owe Him everything, but does our schedule, our checkbook, and what we do with our energies prove it? Let’s MAKE time for Jesus! Love God, Love People!