by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 20, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
📖 Passage Breakdown: Matthew 10:5–6
Verses:
“These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”
✍️ Authorship & Audience
- Author: Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
- Audience: Jews, to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, the King promised in the Old Testament.
- Context: Jesus is commissioning the twelve apostles to preach the gospel “good news” of the kingdom during His earthly ministry.
📜 Historical & Theological Context
- The gospel of the kingdom was the proclamation that Israel’s long-awaited Messiah had come, offering the promised earthly kingdom (cf. Matthew 4:17).
- This message was exclusive to Israel at this stage because prophecy had always promised that the kingdom would come through Israel first, and then to the nations (Isaiah 60:1–3; Zechariah 8:23).
- The Gentiles and Samaritans are intentionally excluded here—not because God doesn’t care about them, but because His plan was to reach them after Israel accepted the Messiah (see Acts 3:19–21; Romans 15:8–9).
🔑 Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
“These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them”
- Jesus personally commissions His twelve apostles with strict instructions, emphasizing the divine order of God’s plan.
“Do not go into the way of the Gentiles”
- The Gentiles (non-Jews) were not the focus of Christ’s earthly ministry. His mission was to fulfill the promises made to Israel first (Romans 15:8).
“And do not enter a city of the Samaritans”
- Samaritans were a mixed people (Jewish/Gentile) despised by the Jews (John 4:9). They are excluded here because Christ’s ministry was to pure Israelite covenant promises.
“But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”
- Jesus defines the scope of their mission: Israel, God’s covenant people who had strayed but were promised restoration (Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 34:11–16).
- The phrase “lost sheep” recalls God’s tender care for Israel, despite their rebellion, and His faithfulness to restore them.
✨ Key Doctrinal Distinctions
- This is not Paul’s gospel of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). The apostles here are proclaiming the kingdom gospel, rooted in prophecy and covenant promises to Israel.
- The Gentiles would later be reached through Paul’s distinct apostleship when Israel stumbled (Romans 11:11, 25).
- This distinction clarifies why Matthew 10 and Acts 2–3 do not match the content of Paul’s gospel.
💡 Application for Today
- This passage highlights the importance of rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
- What was true for Israel in Matthew 10 is not the same as the Church today. God’s promises to Israel remain, but today God is calling out a people for His name into one body, the body of Christ through the gospel of grace.
- God’s order is perfect. His plan for Israel and His plan for the Church, which is His body, the body of Christ are distinct, but both flow from His eternal purpose in Christ Ephesians 3:11.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 19, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
✝️ Daily Encouragement from Galatians 2:21
Scripture
“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” — Galatians 2:21
Unthinkable Conclusion
Paul’s words strike like lightning across the pages of Scripture: if salvation could be earned, then the cross was unnecessary. Imagine that — the Son of God suffering, being mocked by the crowds, and dying for nothing! That is the unthinkable conclusion of any gospel that adds works, rituals, or religious performance to the finished work of Christ.
To “set aside the grace of God” is to treat His grace as insufficient — to say that what Jesus did is not enough, and that human effort must somehow complete it. But grace plus works is no longer grace (Romans 11:6). The very heart of the gospel is that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are sufficient to justify the sinner and secure eternal life.
This verse calls us to stand firm (Galatians 5:1): salvation is Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. Any attempt to add human effort dishonors the cross and empties it of its power.
Application
- Guard the Gospel: Do not allow tradition, rituals, or self-effort to creep into your understanding of salvation.
- Rest in Christ’s Work: Stop striving to earn what God has already given freely through Jesus.
- Live in Gratitude: Grace received produces grace lived — humility, love, and obedience flow from knowing Christ died for you.
Final Encouragement
The cross was not in vain. Christ’s death purchased your salvation completely. To add anything to His work is to say it wasn’t enough — but to trust Him fully is to honor the grace of God. Live today in the joy and freedom of His finished work.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 18, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
📖 Isaiah 46 is breathtaking.
The Lord contrasts powerless idols with His unstoppable power, declaring:
- I have made
- I will bear
- I will carry
- I will deliver
Five times He says “I” to show His personal involvement with Israel’s preservation and future restoration.
“For Israel My glory” (Isa. 46:13) makes it crystal clear: God is not finished with His chosen people. His promises will stand.
Author & Audience
- Author: The prophet Isaiah, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
- Audience: Primarily the people of Judah, but prophetically all Israel, with an extended application to the nations who witness God’s dealings with His chosen people.
Date & Setting
- Date: Around 700–681 BC, during the reign of Hezekiah.
- Historical Context: Assyria was the immediate threat in Isaiah’s day, but this prophecy looks ahead over 100 years to Judah’s Babylonian captivity and beyond—to their ultimate deliverance and restoration.
- Prophetic Context: This chapter is part of the “Book of Comfort” (Isaiah 40–48), where God reassures Israel of His covenant faithfulness in contrast to the utter helplessness of idols.
Purpose of Isaiah 46
- To contrast the living God with lifeless idols—He carries His people, idols must be carried by people.
- To declare His personal involvement in Israel’s history, present, and future restoration (“I” appears five times).
- To remind Israel of His sovereignty—He declares the end from the beginning.
- To call stubborn hearts back to trust in His unfailing promises.
- To affirm Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people “for Israel My glory” (v.13).
Isaiah 46:1–13 Verse by Verse📖
Verses 1–2
“Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages were heavily loaded, a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but have themselves gone into captivity.”
- Bel and Nebo were chief Babylonian gods. In prophetic irony, they “bow down” and “stoop” in defeat—helpless, carried away as plunder.
- Unlike the living God, these idols can’t carry their worshippers—they are a burden even to animals.
Verses 3–4
“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
- Tender covenant language—God has sustained Israel from birth to old age.
- This is the first use of “I” showing personal commitment: I am He… I have made… I will bear… I will carry… I will deliver.
Verses 5–7
“To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike? They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god; they prostrate themselves, yes, they worship. They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it and set it in its place, and it stands; from its place it shall not move. Though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer nor save him out of his trouble.”
- God challenges any comparison—idols are man-made, must be carried, and cannot respond or save.
- This rebukes Israel for adopting the empty worship of surrounding nations.
Verses 8–9
“Remember this, and show yourselves men; recall to mind, O you transgressors. Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.”
- A call to spiritual courage—remember history and God’s unique acts on Israel’s behalf.
- This is the second use of “I”—underscoring God’s exclusivity and supremacy.
Verses 10–11
“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.”
- God’s sovereignty over time—He alone reveals and accomplishes His plan.
- The “bird of prey” is Cyrus of Persia, who would later free Israel from Babylon (Ezra 1:1–4).
- The third and fourth “I” statements: I have spoken… I will bring it to pass… I have purposed… I will do it.
Verses 12–13
“Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory.”
- God addresses Israel’s stubbornness but affirms His plan for their ultimate salvation.
- This is the fifth “I”—the climax: I bring… I will place.
- “For Israel My glory” ties this promise directly to the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants—this is not about the Church; it’s God’s specific covenant with Israel.
Key Themes
- God’s Sovereignty—He declares and accomplishes His will without fail.
- God’s Covenant Love—Even in Israel’s rebellion, His promises stand.
- Idol Futility vs. God’s Power—False gods burden; the true God carries.
- Prophetic Precision—Cyrus’ role predicted over a century before his birth.
- Future Restoration—God’s salvation will be in Zion for Israel’s glory.
Application for Believers Today
- Trust God’s Plan: He has written history’s end before the beginning.
- Reject Modern Idols: Anything we rely on more than God is a powerless substitute.
- Hope in God’s Faithfulness: If He is faithful to Israel despite centuries of stubbornness, He will surely keep His promises to you in Christ.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 18, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
There is only one way into heaven — and it is not by works, religion, or human effort.
Paul writes:
“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel… that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
That’s the gospel — the finished work of Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection on your behalf.
Salvation Is by Faith Alone
This gospel is received by faith alone.
- Not by works.
- Not by law.
- Not by rituals.
- Not by mixing grace with human effort.
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.” — Romans 3:21
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
👉 Religion says “do.”
👉 God says “done.”
Why Works Cannot Save
No one gets into heaven by works. No one earns merit with God by keeping the law. Why? Scripture is clear:
“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” — Galatians 2:21
If salvation could be earned, the cross was unnecessary. But Christ’s death was not in vain — it was the only way.
The Only Way of Salvation
There is no other way. Jesus paid it all.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9
And every person will one day give an account by this same gospel:
“…in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” — Romans 2:16
✝️ The Unchanging Truth
Salvation is found in Christ alone —
by grace alone,
through faith alone,
in His finished work alone.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 9, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
🚨 Read This First
This post will clearly show that Peter is preaching to Jews only—proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, not the gospel of salvation by grace alone apart from the Law.
The distinction could not be more clear than right here in Acts 3. The audience is Israel, the message is Israel’s repentance, and the promised outcome is the return of their Messiah to establish His kingdom on earth.
Most of Christendom has gotten this wrong! The language and the context of Scripture leave no room for twisting—Peter is not preaching Paul’s gospel here, and the Body of Christ is nowhere in sight.
But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
Acts 3:18-21
📜 Background, Setting & Purpose
✍️ Author:
Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14)
👥 Written To:
Primarily to give Theophilus (Acts 1:1) and early believers an orderly account of the Acts of the Apostles. This section specifically records Peter preaching to the men of Israel (Acts 3:12) in Jerusalem.
⏲️ When:
Shortly after Pentecost, likely AD 30–31.
🌍 Setting & Purpose of Acts 3:
Peter has just healed a lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:1–10), causing amazement among the crowd. Seizing the moment, Peter preaches—not a mystery gospel revealed to Paul—but the gospel of the kingdom foretold by the prophets.
Here, Peter calls Israel to repent so that God may send the Messiah back and usher in the promised times of refreshing (Millennial Kingdom). There is no Church Age language here—only the continued prophetic program with Israel still in view.
🔍 Acts 3:18–21
18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
✨ Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets…”
- Peter roots his message in prophecy, not mystery revelation.
- “All His prophets” refers to Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah’s suffering (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, etc.).
- This is still the prophetic timeline—no break, no hidden truths revealed.
“…that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.”
- Peter declares the suffering of Christ as fulfilled prophecy—not a new doctrine.
- Notice: There’s no mention yet of the Body of Christ, Jew/Gentile unity, or salvation apart from Israel’s rise.
“Repent therefore and be converted…”
- Kingdom gospel call to national repentance.
- This echoes Jesus’ earthly ministry to Israel: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
- Peter is not offering a personal, individual gospel of grace; he’s calling Israel as a nation to turn.
“…that your sins may be blotted out…”
- This forgiveness is conditioned upon national repentance—in contrast to Paul’s gospel, where forgiveness is received instantly by faith alone in the finished work of Christ (Ephesians 1:7).
“…so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…”
- “Times of refreshing” = prophetic language for the Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 35, Isaiah 61).
- Peter links Israel’s repentance directly to the return of Christ to establish His kingdom.
“…and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before…”
- If Israel repents, God will send the Messiah back.
- This is the exact opposite of the current Church Age reality, where Christ’s return (rapture) is not contingent on Israel’s repentance.
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“…whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things…”
- Christ remains in heaven until Israel fulfills the condition of repentance.
- “Restoration of all things” = restoring Israel to her covenanted position in the Kingdom (Amos 9:11–15, Isaiah 2:1–4).
“…which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”
- Again, Peter is drawing entirely from prophecy since the world began—the opposite of Paul’s mystery gospel, which was kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25).
❌ What This Passage Does Not Mean
- It does not teach the beginning of the Church, the Body of Christ.
- It does not reveal the mystery gospel of grace—no mention of salvation by faith apart from Israel’s covenants.
- It does not place Gentiles on equal footing with Jews—Gentiles are still outside the prophetic program here.
✅ What It Does Mean
- Peter is still offering the prophetic kingdom to Israel, contingent on their national repentance.
- The Millennial Kingdom is ready to be ushered in if Israel responds.
- The early chapters of Acts are still within Israel’s program—Paul’s mystery gospel is not yet revealed.
🙏 Summary
Acts 3:18–21 is a kingdom gospel message rooted in prophecy, offered to the nation of Israel.
Peter is clear: if Israel repents, the Messiah will return, sins will be blotted out, and the Kingdom will be established. This is still the same prophetic hope spoken since the world began.
The Church, the Body of Christ, is not yet in view. That revelation would come later—after Israel’s continued rejection, after the stoning of Stephen, and after the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles (37-40AD).
This passage is a dividing line for anyone who wants to understand the Bible—divided rightly. Until Paul, Israel’s prophetic program is still center stage.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 5, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
📓 Background, Setting & Purpose
✍️ Author:
Unknown (commonly attributed to Paul, though not stated)
👥 Written To:
Jewish believers who were tempted to return to Judaism under pressure and persecution
⏲️ When:
Likely between AD 64–68, just before the destruction of the Temple
🌍 Setting & Purpose:
The letter to the Hebrews is written to Jews who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah but were being tempted to abandon that faith due to trials, social rejection, and doctrinal confusion. The author exhorts them to stand firm, showing that Christ is better in every way: better than angels, Moses, the priesthood, the sacrifices, and the Law.
Hebrews 1:1–4 launches this powerful letter with a majestic declaration of who Jesus is: the very radiance of God, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and the final Word.
🔍 Hebrews 1:1–4
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
✨ Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets…”
- This refers to the Old Testament period, when God spoke progressively through different prophets (Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, etc.).
- Revelation was partial and fragmented, given in types, shadows, and symbols.
- God was not silent, but the full message had not yet been revealed.
“…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…”
- “These last days” began with Christ’s first coming.
- God’s final revelation is not through more prophets, but through His Son.
- Jesus is not just a messenger; He is the message.
“…whom He has appointed heir of all things…”
- As the Son, Jesus is the rightful heir of all creation.
- This reflects Psalm 2:8, where the Father promises the nations as an inheritance to the Son.
“…through whom also He made the worlds…”
- Jesus is not a created being. He is the Creator.
- “Worlds” (Greek: aiōnas) includes not just the physical universe but time, space, and all created order.
- Colossians 1:16 affirms that all things were created by Him and for Him.
“Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”
- Jesus is the exact representation (charaktēr) of God’s nature.
- He’s not a reflection or a shadow—He IS the radiance of God’s glory.
- To see Jesus is to see the invisible God (John 14:9).
“…and upholding all things by the word of His power…”
- Jesus is not only the Creator, He is the Sustainer of the universe.
- The galaxies are held together not by gravity alone, but by the authority of Christ’s Word.
“…when He had by Himself purged our sins…”
- The phrase “by Himself” emphasizes the sufficiency and solitary nature of His work on the cross.
- No priest, no sacrifice, no ritual can add to what He accomplished.
- Hebrews 9:12 – He entered once for all with His own blood.
“…sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”
- To sit down signifies a finished work (Hebrews 10:12).
- The right hand of God signifies authority, honor, and power.
- Christ reigns even now, though His enemies are not yet made His footstool (Psalm 110:1).
“…having become so much better than the angels…”
- Jesus is not an angel; He is infinitely superior.
- Angels are messengers; Jesus is the eternal Son.
- This was critical to Jewish believers tempted to elevate angels (Hebrews 2:5).
“…as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
- That name is Son.
- Jesus inherited it by eternal right, not by appointment or creation.
- Philippians 2:9 also speaks of the name above every name.
❌ What This Passage Does Not Mean
- It does not teach that Jesus is part of creation.
- It does not imply that angels are worthy of equal worship.
- It does not support progressive revelation beyond Christ.
✅ What It Does Mean
- Jesus is God’s final Word.
- He is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and King.
- The fullness of God is revealed in the Son.
- His sacrifice once for all purged our sins.
- He is seated—His work complete—reigning in glory.
🙏 Summary
These verses are some of the most breathtaking in all of Scripture.
The same Jesus who spoke galaxies into existence walked the dusty roads of Israel.
The hands that flung stars into space were the same hands pierced for our transgressions.
He made the tree on which He would be crucified.
He formed the hill on which He would die.
He created the very men who nailed Him to the cross.
But death could not hold Him.
And we praise the God who gives us the victory through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Creator. Sustainer. Redeemer. King.
This is the Supremacy of Christ—unmatched, unchanging, and unshakable.
If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. He is the full and final Word. And because of Him, our sins are purged, our future is secure, and our Savior reigns.
“He upholds all things by the word of His power.”
Worship Him. Trust Him. Rest in Him.
For deeper study or practical application, click here to visit the “What to Do Now?” section on our Devotionals page.
