4 x 6 Plan | Read: Matthew 20:17-34 & Ephesians 2:1-10
“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”(Matthew 20:16
Have you ever felt overlooked or unworthy of God’s grace because of your past mistakes or perceived shortcomings? In Matthew 20:17-34, Jesus reveals His sacrificial love and compassion as He predicts His upcoming suffering and death. Amidst this, two blind men cry out to Him for mercy, and Jesus responds with deep compassion, restoring their sight. This passage holds a profound message about the grace of Jesus, who doesn’t bury people under the weight of the law but extends grace to those who need it most.
Sometimes, we can fall into the trap of thinking that our past failures or limitations disqualify us from receiving God’s grace. We may carry the burden of shame or a sense of unworthiness, believing that we must earn God’s favor through our own efforts. However, Jesus challenges this mindset by offering grace freely, regardless of our perceived qualifications.
The blind men in this story exemplify those who recognize their need for grace and cry out to Jesus. They acknowledge their limitations and humbly seek His mercy. In response, Jesus lovingly restores their sight, demonstrating His willingness to meet us in our brokenness and extend His transforming grace.
Thoughts on Ephesians 2:1-10
Imagine yourself walking into your favorite coffee shop. The barista greets you by name and starts making your drink before you even order. That feeling of being known, of being cared for personally, that’ll change the way you approach your day. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul writes that God created each of us to fulfill a plan and purpose. The same way the barista was ready and waiting for you to step into the coffee shop, God is prepped and ready for us to step into the “good works he’s prepared in advance for us to do.”
Think about that. God had a plan and purpose for your life before you had a relationship with Him. The Message paraphrases it this way: “God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing” (Ephesians 2:9-10). Serving others isn’t about earning God’s favor or paying Him back for our salvation. It’s a way to discover how God made us and to join Him in changing the world.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
Recent Comments