John 13:3 - Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

Commentary

Jesus came to earth with a mission. One of the ways this is stated by theologians is that Jesus was "self aware" - meaning that He was not on a path of discovery of His identity, but had full clarity of who He was. The accounts of Jesus reveal a being so magnificent that His power was fully engaging the creation around Him in a way that even His followers didn't comprehend; they could only respond in amazement. Do we see Jesus in this light? As someone so powerful that He is engaging our circumstances in such a way that we can't see. Whether we realize it or not, Jesus has been given all power, and He is guiding us in our purpose on this earth.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Matthew 26:33 - Even if all fall away...

Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Commentary

What confidence Peter had when he said this to Jesus! How many times have we made proclamations that rival this when we feel inspired? Yet when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances, we too, can buckle under the pressure. But pressure is God's way to reveal what is in our hearts. The good news is that even when Peter made this statement, Jesus knew what would happen. He was prepared to take Peter down a path that went past his bravado and into the reality of his soul. Peter's failure was already in God's providence - as was the forgiveness that Peter experienced from the resurrected Christ. Peter stands as a witness of how God shows us our heart so that He can heal us from our present condition and set us free from our past failures.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Matthew 4:1-4 - Man does not live on bread alone

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Commentary

Notice the Scripture states that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert. In ancient times, the desert is equated with a place incapable of sustaining life. Matthew (with Luke and Mark) is stating that Jesus was going into a place where His only hope would be in God. Notice that the journey into the desert was the first act of Jesus ministry after His baptism. Do you feel like you are in a wilderness? We may think that we are being set up for destruction, but God is training us to live a life of dependence upon Him and not our surroundings. This was the path of Jesus and we should not be surprised that this is a part of our journey as well.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Genesis 3:19 - For dust you are and to dust you will return

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Commentary

Today is Ash Wednesday, and for those of us from liturgical traditions, this Scripture is used by the priest as ashes mixed with oil are formed in the sign of the cross on our foreheads. It is a reminder that for all of the glories that we achieve in this life there will come a day when dust reclaims us. We will stand before our Creator with none of our possessions; only our deeds will be with us. And before a holy and perfect God, whose deeds can stand? Ash Wednesday is a stark reminder that humanity is in need of a savior. A savior whose life can bear the scrutiny of the judgment day. Thus the sign of the cross; it is our only hope. But what a great hope it is! He died and rose from the dead and we will rise with him from our dust on that final day.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Genesis 3:4 - The serpent said, "You surely will not die"

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Commentary

Today marks a notorious holiday in the New Orleans area known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Traditionally, it is the last day to indulge-and often overindulge-before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that come with Lent. Known for it's sexual decadence, drunkenness, and hedonism, the Mardi Gras festival is almost saying, "Oh no, we're about to take time to remind ourselves of the God who created us and redeemed us back to him! Quick, let's destroy our identities with sin." Like the Garden of Eden, we keep thinking that God's ways will hold us back - that if we take things into our own hands, we'll be like God, able to discern right from wrong. Mardi Gras stands as a monument of the hostility of our sinful nature to God.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

John 12:16 - At first his disciples did not understand

At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Commentary

As we approach the season of Lent, it's important for Christians to see that events on the Christian calendar were meant to remind us of what Jesus did during His time on the earth. However your tradition acknowledges this season, let this be a time of reflection of the things written about Him and an understanding of what we have done to Him. We are prone to fall into familiar patterns - even in our spirituality. Yet when we are faced with any Christian season, we are forced to stop and remind ourselves what that season tells us about Jesus. Lent reminds us that the Messiah was tempted in every way like us, yet was without sin. He experienced our temptations so that we could experience His salvation!

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

1 Corinthians 3:7-9 - For we are God's fellow workers

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Commentary

Paul had planted, or started, the church in Corinth; Apollos had watered it-had a significant ministry there after Paul left. But both men were only servants through whom God worked. The ones who plant and water have nothing to boast about because God gives the increase. Only God draws unbelievers to Himself. It is our responsibility to do our job no matter what the results, for God will reward us for our efforts and the quality of our work.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson study Bible : New King James Version. Includes index. (1 Co 3:5). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Proverbs 8:33 - Listen to my instruction and be wise

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

Commentary

Wisdom's call is to discipleship. Following wisdom is an act of faithful and obedient service. This is reminiscent of Joshua's call to the people of Israel to serve the Lord and forsake other gods (Josh. 24:14, 15). Wisdom offers long-term satisfaction and leads to life, while folly, which brings immediate gratification, ultimately leads to death.

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Pr 8:32). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Commentary

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." -Albert Einstein

We are to plead for those who cannot plead their own case and help those who are destitute. Is this not what Jesus did for us?

Psalm 39:5 - Each man's life is but a breath

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Commentary

Psalm 39 is not a criticism of achievement or hard work, but it does urge us to slow down and consider the end of life. Perhaps we need to stop and be quiet for a while (39:1-3). Perhaps we need to reflect on sins that have estranged us from God and confess them to Him, knowing that He is our only source of forgiveness, hope, and strength (39:7-13). We are but sojourners on this planet. If we're moving through life too quickly, we do well to slow down and take time for God.

Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Ps 39:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word...

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Commentary

Believers who hear the Word of God (v. 19) must receive it with a teachable spirit (v. 21), applying it to their daily lives. To hear and not obey is to be deceived.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jas 1:22). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Luke 6:46-49 - I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice...

The Wise and Foolish Builders "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Commentary

The word Lord means Master; it means He has complete authority over our lives, that we belong to Him, and that we are obligated to do whatever He says. To call Him Lord and then to fail to obey Him is absurdly contradictory. A mere professed acknowledgment of His lordship is not enough. True love and faith involve obedience. We don't really love Him and we don't really believe on Him if we don't do what He says.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Lk 6:46). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Commentary

One of the marks of America is it's individualism. We talk about a "personal Savior" or "my calling". Yet the Bible was written to communities about communities. It was meant to be lived and expressed as a people, not a person. According to Scripture, each individual has something vital for the whole community. It is one of oldest schemes of our spiritual enemy, Satan, to isolate people. He knows that isolation will cut us off from the wisdom that multiple perspectives bring. Even in professional athletics, where athletes should know the game, the role of coaches are vital. We may remember major Christian leaders who have fallen publicly. When we learned more we found that they were essentially doing things alone. We all need a community around us that help us to see the blind spots that we won't see on our own. This is what makes victory sure.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 122:6-7 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Commentary

Many scholars would say that this psalm was written to be sung as pilgrims would come into the temple in Jerusalem. It was a way to prepare the hearts of those who were coming to offer sacrifices to God. For those who are followers of Christ, we recognize that the sacrifice has been made once for all. We are free from the need to bring an animal to be slaughtered in our place for our sins. But when we come into the living temple of God's people, the church, do we pray for it's peace? Do we ask God to use our gatherings to be a citadel of security for the broken, the hurting, the pilgrim? This passage is rightly used to continue to pray for Jerusalem, but there is a "Jerusalem" that we should be a part of - a local church. Pray for your church today, and if you don't attend a community, may this Psalm become your guide as you start your pilgrimage to find one.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 16:5 - You have made my lot secure

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Commentary

David, the author of this Psalm, was distressed as he was writing this. Yet in the midst of great hardship, David acknowledged that God guards those things that are valuable to David: his portion, his cup and his lot. His portion was the provision that was needed for him to survive. His cup was the purpose in life that he had (remember Jesus, who spoke to the Father of "taking this cup from him"). His lot was the inheritance of land that was a major part of preserving Jewish lineage. When David felt separated from all of these things, he reminded himself that his current situation was not the final word: it was God's faithfulness that he trusted in during times of trial. That same faithfulness is available to you and me. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Commentary

"...be content with what you have" - doesn't that sound strange in our consumer driven culture? We have created a co-dependence upon the latest model, the newest technology, or the most desired. Part of the economic crisis that we have created is based on people not buying unnecessary stuff anymore. Yet to tighten the belt economically and being free from the love of money are two different things. We can stop spending but still be consumed with our net worth. In other words, the love of money (whether we have it or not) can easily become a cheap imitation of the satisfaction that only God can give. The current economy becomes a brilliant litmus test of where our sense of well being comes from.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the LORD with your wealth

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Commentary

Bringing our firstfruits to God is simply a way to honor Him. When we do so we are proclaiming that He is Lord of all of it. What a coincidence that those who honor God from their wealth are usually found not to be in lack. In other words, if you feel you don't have the money to give you can't afford NOT to give to God. Don't let the over exaggeration of the "health and wealth" preachers take away from the Biblical truth that God promises to materially bless those who honor Him. He wants to bless His children, but He wants them to give that blessing back to him. Each tithe is a deathblow to the idolatry of materialism.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Job 1:21 - The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Commentary

It's interesting that Job, the oldest book in the Bible, is all about suffering and it's purpose. Job wrestles with why bad things happen to good people, but one of the things that keeps his focus intact is the understanding that all of life is a gift from God. The question is not why bad things happen, it's really why good things happen at all! We know that there are things that are good and beautiful, but many times that beauty isn't realized until it's taken away. But Job reminds us that even when life seems to disappear in the dust, that death is a signpost toward the One who loves His creation so much He will reclaim it. For those who follow Jesus Christ, there will come a day when that same God will take us into His arms. May the name of the Lord be praised!

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Ecclesiastes 7:14 - When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this.

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Commentary

Ecclesiastes is an amazing book of the Bible. The main point of this book is that life without God is an exercise in vanity. We can work very hard over things that bring no real value to our lives. If we think that good circumstances are the validation of our lives, we have set ourselves up for despair when bad circumstances come. Both responses don't give us the perspective needed to know how to proceed in victory or defeat. The person who has been apprehended by God has a perspective that goes far beyond being blessed or experiencing want.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Proverbs 13:11 - Dishonest money dwindles away...

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Commentary

America has been known for a long time as a pragmatic nation. That's one reason why English is the international business language. But when the most pragmatic thing to do was to leverage money to make a quick dollar, we went from pragmatism to dishonesty - and that caused a lot of money to dwindle away. Many times it is the less spectacular aspect of wise and boring (and long term) gathering that causes growth for the future. America is learning this painful lesson the hard way: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Matthew 22:37-40 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

And He said to him, " '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 foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:37-40

Commentary

When we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, we declare that we have no other gods or idols in our life. God alone is worthy of our worship, admiration and affection. Everything and everyone else pales in comparison to this great and loving God! This total heart, soul, and mind devotion to God encapsulates our desire to obey all of his commands. And because this loving God loves me, I overflow with love and generosity toward others. No longer do I need to control though lies, or steal from others to provide for myself. I do not spend my days wishing for that which others have. I am satisfied. I can love with God's love. When God is in the center of my life I can rest. And loving others as we have been loved includes declaring praises for all that God has done, through Christ, on our behalf. Praise the name of the LORD-this is the law fulfilled!

Today's Commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

Exodus 20:17 - You shall not covet

You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Exodus 20:17

Commentary

The word covet does not come up in everyday language much. But it certainly is a part of everyday life! The definition for coveting is: to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others. Behind this is a heart of ingratitude, selfishness and a belief that God has somehow withheld something from us. "I sure wish I had one of those... or, "why isn't my spouse more like them...or, "why do I have to stay in this job...?"

Wanting what we don't have displays that we are not satisfied with God's provision in our life. "I deserve better than this!" And, "I know what I need better than God does." When we believe that God is infinitely good, and we remember that he alone is sovereign, we can set all coveting aside. Another way of translating this command would be, "Be satisfied with what your generous God has given you!"

Today's Commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

Exodus 20:16 - You shall not give false testimony

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Exodus 20:16

Commentary

Lying distorts reality. We give a false testimony, or tell a lie about something, to change someone's perception. It may be a person's opinion of us, our abilities or strength. It may be to change their perception of another person. Either way, we are trying to be "God" in the situation. We are actually taking control over another person's mind and emotions when we tell lies. Lying is an offense to God because he has commanded that we have no other gods before him-including us! If we believe and trust God to love and care for us in all things, we never have to lie to try and manipulate the circumstances. We only lie because we do not believe God is big enough to handle a given situation, so we take control of people and things with our words. We act like we are God in the situation. Trust that God is 'large and in charge' of everything in your life. Allow him to be your defender and you will no longer need to lie.

Today's Commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

Exodus 20:15 - You shall not steal

You shall not steal.

Thou shalt not steal.

You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15

Commentary

When someone steals something, in essence they are being their own provider. They are thinking, "God has not taken good enough care of me, so I will have to supply this for myself..." We are not keeping God first in our life when we steal. Stealing betrays the fact that we think we can provide for ourselves in ways that are better and richer than God! We put our provision for self above his-in essence making our self into a god over our lives. Also, when we want something that God has not yet chosen to provide in our life, and we want it bad enough to steal for it, we have made that thing into an idol. "I must have it!" We have effectively placed that "god", and our own desires, before God and his perfect will and provision in our life. So we see that stealing something is not just a matter of it being wrong to take something that is not ours, but it's an offense to our good and generous God.

Today's Commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities