Title February 2025

Question:

In Matthew 20:20–25, the mother of Zebedee’s sons approaches Jesus and asks that her two sons be granted the privilege of sitting at His right and left hand in His kingdom. Jesus responds that He does not have the authority to grant these positions. However, in Luke 23:39–43, Jesus promises the repentant thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” How do we understand these passages together? Does this mean Scripture contradicts itself?

Careful Examination of Scripture

In Matthew 20:20–23 (NKJV):

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink My cup, but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.

Here, Jesus clarifies that the authority to assign the highest places of honor in the kingdom belongs to the Father. This aligns with John 5:22, which states that the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son, but the Father also has the final authority over the distribution of glory and honor.

In contrast, in Luke 23:39–43 (NKJV), the repentant thief says:

“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Jesus replies,

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

This exchange shows Jesus exercising His authority to forgive sins and grant salvation instantly to one who sincerely repents. The thief’s request is not for status, but for admission into eternal life.

Theological Explanation

1. Authority to Grant Salvation vs. Authority to Distribute Rewards

Jesus has full authority to grant salvation to those who repent and believe in Him (cf. John 10:27–30). Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works or merit (Ephesians 2:8–9). The thief on the cross exemplifies this truth—he received salvation solely by faith in Christ’s mercy, not by righteous works.

2. Rewards in the Kingdom Are Based on Faithfulness and Service

The request of Zebedee’s sons is about receiving positions of honor in the kingdom, which depends on one’s faithfulness and endurance in the Christian life (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him”). Jesus’ answer teaches that rewards will be given according to the Father’s will and the believer’s obedience. This also reflects the principle in Romans 14:10–12 that believers will give an account for their works.

3. The Nature of the “Cup” Jesus Refers To

When Jesus asks if they can drink the cup He is about to drink, He refers to His suffering and sacrificial death (cf. Mark 10:38–39). The sons of Zebedee affirm their willingness to suffer, but Jesus indicates that sharing in His suffering is a prerequisite for sharing His glory, yet the final appointment to honor is up to God the Father.

4. The Immediate Assurance to the Repentant Thief

Jesus’ promise to the thief demonstrates His sovereign authority to grant eternal life immediately upon genuine repentance. This confirms the biblical teaching that salvation is available even at the last moment of life (cf. Philippians 1:23, Paul’s desire “to depart and be with Christ”).

Application and Reflection

Salvation Is the First Priority: Entering the kingdom by faith in Jesus Christ is the essential step. The thief’s humble faith secured his place with Jesus immediately.

Rewards Will Be Judged at Christ’s Return: Positions of honor are granted according to God’s perfect judgment of one’s faithfulness and works (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Watchfulness and Faithfulness: Jesus warns against complacency and hypocrisy (cf. Revelation 3:14–16)—living a double life leads to rejection, but persevering in faith leads to reward.

Are You Ready?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Are you living in humble obedience, trusting His grace daily?

May God richly bless you as you seek Him earnestly, trusting in His grace and walking in His truth.

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Question:

Is there a connection between the kind of life someone lives and the day they were born? Why did Job curse the day of his birth and the night he was conceived? (Job 3:1–6)

Answer:

Let’s first look at what the Scripture says:

After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.

He said:

‘May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said, “A boy is conceived!”

That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine on it.

May gloom and utter darkness claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it.

That night—may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months.

(Job 3:1–6, NIV)

Why did Job curse his birthday?

Job cursed the day of his birth because of the unbearable suffering he endured. He had lost his wealth, his servants, and most heartbreakingly, his children. On top of that, he was struck with painful diseases. The weight of these tragedies led him to lament the very day he came into the world — wishing he had never been born.

This curse was not against God but against his own existence. In essence, Job felt as though being born was a mistake.

Was Job right to do this?

Although Job never cursed God — even amid extreme suffering — his words were still unwise. His lament came from deep pain, not from rebellion, but Scripture shows he spoke without understanding:

So Job opens his mouth in vain; he multiplies words without knowledge.

(Job 35:16, ESV)

Later, when God appeared to Job in a whirlwind, Job recognized his error and repented:

I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures My plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.

Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.

(Job 42:2–6, NIV)

Should we curse the day we were born?

The answer is no. Cursing our birthday — even if we do not mention God — still questions His wisdom and purposes. The Bible tells us that God has ordained every one of our days (Psalm 139:16) and that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

When we face hardships as severe as Job’s, our response should not be to curse the day of our birth but to humble ourselves before God and seek His purpose in our suffering. Though we may not understand at first, God is faithful; He will either reveal His reason or bring restoration in His perfect time.

A lesson from Job’s story

If Job had known that God would soon restore everything he lost — giving him twice as much as before (Job 42:10) — he would not have spoken words of despair. His story teaches us to trust God’s timing and remain patient, knowing that trials are temporary and God remains sovereign through them all.

Conclusion:

Do not curse the day you were born, no matter how heavy the burden you carry. Instead, bring your pain to God in prayer, trust Him, and wait on His deliverance. The same God who restored Job will sustain you and give you hope.

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Question: What does it mean, according to Job 2:1, to “present oneself before the Lord”?

Answer: Let us consider what the passage says:

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

(Job 2:1, NKJV)

The phrase “to present oneself before the Lord” refers to deliberately coming into God’s presence to give an account, to worship, or to receive instruction. In the original Hebrew, the idea carries a sense of standing before a sovereign King—a posture of reverence, humility, and accountability.

Throughout Scripture, both angels and humans are described as presenting themselves before God, though their purposes and outcomes differ.

1. Angels Presenting Themselves Before God

Holy Angels as Ministers of God

Holy angels regularly stand in God’s presence to serve Him and carry out His commands. Hebrews 1:14 describes them as “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (ESV). Jesus affirmed that angels watch over God’s people:

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

(Matthew 18:10, NIV)

This implies that angels not only guard believers but also report their condition and prayers to God (cf. Revelation 8:3–4, where the prayers of the saints rise with incense before God).

Satan and the Fallen Angels as Accusers

In contrast, Satan and his demons also appear before God, but their purpose is not service—it is accusation. Revelation 12:10 describes Satan as “the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night” (NIV).

In Job’s case, while holy angels presented good reports, Satan came to accuse Job and challenge his integrity before God. God Himself testified to Job’s righteousness:

Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.

(Job 2:3, NKJV)

This scene reveals a profound truth: believers live under constant spiritual scrutiny (1 Peter 5:8). While angels intercede and protect, Satan seeks opportunities to discredit and destroy.

2. Humans Presenting Themselves Before God

Humans also “present themselves before the Lord” through spiritual disciplines. Two primary avenues are emphasized in Scripture:

a) Personal Prayer and Communion

Prayer is the most intimate way to come before God’s throne. Hebrews 4:16 urges believers:

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

Jesus instructed His followers to seek the Father in secret:

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

(Matthew 6:6, NIV)

Prayer is not simply requesting things—it is appearing before the King, acknowledging His authority, and aligning our will with His (Matthew 26:39).

b) Corporate Worship and Gathering

Believers also present themselves before God when they gather in His name for worship, fellowship, and intercession. Jesus promised His presence in such settings:

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

(Matthew 18:20, ESV)

Furthermore, corporate agreement in prayer carries unique spiritual authority:

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

(Matthew 18:19, ESV)

Early Christians understood this principle, devoting themselves to fellowship, prayer, and breaking of bread (Acts 2:42).

What Does Not Bring Us Before God?

The Bible also clarifies that not every outward religious act equates to presenting oneself before God. For example, dietary practices do not draw us closer to Him:

Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

(1 Corinthians 8:8, ESV)

True presentation involves heart posture—humility, faith, and obedience—not mere external rituals (Isaiah 29:13).

Theological Implications

1. God’s Courtroom Reality – Job 2 gives us a glimpse into heaven’s court, where divine justice, angelic reports, and satanic accusations intersect (cf. Zechariah 3:1–2). Believers must understand that their lives are observed and contested in the spiritual realm.

2. Christ as Our Advocate – While Satan accuses, Christ intercedes. 1 John 2:1 reminds us: “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (ESV).

3. Believers’ Call to Holiness – Presenting oneself before God implies readiness, accountability, and purity (Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1). Our daily lives should reflect continual worship.

Final Reflection

Are you consciously presenting yourself before the Lord—both privately in prayer and publicly in worship? Angels continually stand in His presence. Satan never ceases to accuse. Yet Christ intercedes for us and invites us to draw near:

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

(James 4:8, NKJV)

May we live every day aware that we stand before a holy God who delights to receive us through Christ.

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The Question

Many people wonder: “The Bible was written by human beings—Paul, Peter, Moses, David, and others. How can we trust it as God’s Word? What if these writers were simply recording their own opinions? Why should we believe in a book that came through human hands?”

This question is crucial, because our faith stands or falls on the reliability of Scripture. If the Bible is merely human opinion, it holds no more authority than any other book. But if it is truly God’s Word, then it carries ultimate authority over our lives.

1. Jesus’ Own Principle: Believe Because of the Works

Before answering, let us see what Jesus Himself said:

John 14:11 (ESV)

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or else believe on account of the works themselves.

Jesus is saying: Even if you struggle to accept My words, look at My works—the miracles, the signs, the changed lives. These works confirm that My message is from God.

This principle applies to Scripture itself. The Bible’s truth can be seen in the fruit it produces: transformed lives, miraculous deliverances, and fulfilled prophecies. The external evidence confirms the divine origin of the message.

2. Human Writers, Divine Author

It is true that the Bible was physically written by human beings. But Scripture itself explains that these humans were guided by God’s Spirit:

2 Peter 1:20–21 (NKJV)

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

This means the Bible is both fully human and fully divine—just as Jesus Himself was fully man and fully God. The human authors used their own vocabulary, style, and historical context, but every word they wrote was inspired (God-breathed) and preserved by the Holy Spirit.

Paul affirms this truth:

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

3. Testing the Bible by Its Results

The truth of Scripture can be tested in the same way we test scientific laws—by applying them and observing the results.

The Bible promises that demons flee at the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17). Millions of believers throughout history—including today—testify that this is true.

It declares that those who repent and are baptized receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Countless people have experienced this exact promise in their lives.

The prophecies of Scripture, such as the birth of Christ in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1) or His suffering on the cross (Isaiah 53; John 19), have been fulfilled in exact detail—centuries apart.

These evidences show that the Bible is not a collection of human guesses, but a divine revelation confirmed by history and personal experience.

4. An Everyday Illustration

Think of a physics textbook. Scientists wrote it, explaining principles like gravity or aerodynamics. At first, you might doubt it. But when engineers apply those principles and planes actually fly, the truth of the book is proven—not by theory, but by results.

In the same way, the writings of Paul, Peter, or Moses prove themselves true when people live them out. The Word of God transforms sinners into saints, brings healing to broken hearts, and continues to change lives across cultures and centuries. No other book in history has this power.

5. A Spiritual Challenge

If someone denies the Bible’s truth despite seeing its power, it reveals more about their heart than about Scripture itself. As Paul says:

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

In other words, rejecting Scripture often comes from spiritual blindness, not from lack of evidence. Those who humbly seek God will see His fingerprints all over His Word.

Conclusion: Approach the Bible as God’s Living Word

The Bible may have been written by men, but it carries the voice of God. It is inspired, tested, and proven true across generations. As Hebrews reminds us:

 Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Approach Scripture not as a human book, but as the living Word of God. Test its promises. Apply its teachings. And you will discover firsthand that it is indeed the truth.

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