Day 243 - Matthew 13–15 Psalm 49

Outside Hebrew culture, Romans, Greeks, and Syrians all record Jesus’ existence as a crucified teacher, whose followers worshiped Him as divine. In Syria (c. 73 AD – Mara bar-Serapion), a Stoic philosopher wrote to his son about wise men who died unjustly. He was named the wise king of the Jews, noting that though He was executed, His teaching lived on, unlike others whose voices faded. In Rome (c. 116 AD – Tacitus), the great historian recorded that Christus was executed under Pontius Pilate during Tiberius’ reign. He explained that this crucified man’s followers, though hated and persecuted, had already spread across the empire, even to Rome itself. In Greece (2nd century – Lucian of Samosata), a satirist mocked Christians for worshiping a crucified man from Palestine. His ridicule was meant to belittle, but it confirmed that the story of Jesus was known far beyond Judea. In Persia (c. 175 AD – Celsus), a philosopher fiercely opposed Christianity, calling Jesus’ miracles tricks learned in Egypt and mocking His birth. Yet in his criticism, he showed that the account of Jesus’ life and works had reached even Persian thinkers. In Matthew 13, Jesus told many parables. He spoke of a farmer scattering seeds: some fell on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil that grew strong. He explained that God’s Word is like seed, and people’s hearts are the soil. He also told of wheat and weeds growing together until harvest, showing that good and evil will exist side by side until the final judgment. Other parables spoke of mustard seeds and yeast, small but powerful, growing into something great. In Matthew 14, Herod killed John the Baptist, and Jesus withdrew in sorrow. Still, when crowds followed Him, He had compassion and fed over five thousand with only five loaves and two fish. Later, He walked on the water toward His disciples. Even in fear and storms, Jesus invites us to step out in faith. In Matthew 15, religious leaders accused Jesus’ disciples of breaking traditions, but He taught that what defiles a person is not what goes into the mouth, but what comes out, from the heart. True faith is not about empty traditions but about a heart that trusts Jesus. He multiplies even the little we bring Him to meet the needs of many. Psalm 49 reminds us that riches and power cannot save anyone from death. Both the rich and poor face the same end, but those who trust in God have hope beyond the grave.