St Matthew, Chapter 18, verse:1, Pride: Who is the Greatest

Our paragraph topic is:  (Against ambition) Part 1.    

So the disciples were in the house with Jesus.  Simon Peter was off fishing to deal with his thoughts of anger and frustration with the taxing system.  But the others were debating and dealing with other issues.  Satan was at work, never resting.  He was dividing.  He was instigating, he was seeking ways to turn the disciples away from Christ so that he could use them for his own purposes.  

The disciples were young in the spirit.  They did not completely understand what they were doing or who they were dealing with.  It was spiritual warfare and Satan was on the prowl.  He could not directly affect the disciples because of Christ but he could influence them with little suggestions.  He could plant thoughts in their minds.  He could give them ideas like seeds that would grow and fester in their minds until they became full blown thoughts that would lead to actions that were against the spirit.  So, at that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 

Who is the greatest?  Who is the best?  Who is the prettiest?  Who is the strongest?  We could think about all these superlatives all day and wonder where we fit in the grand scheme of things.  What are our greatest qualities?  How can we maximize upon these qualities to get ahead, to make ourselves noticed, to put us above the rest of the crowd.  Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  The disciples discussed this question among themselves and wanted to know the answer.  They thought about and argued the question among themselves with each having their own opinion as to the answer.  And while they were arguing the answer Satan was working in their midst.

We all want to feel proud.  It is a natural human emotion that makes us feel good about ourselves while at the same time making us feel bad about ourselves.  For in considering the question of what we have done and what we have accomplished, we can also think about what we have not done and what we have not accomplished.  We are proud of what we have.  We are proud of who we are in the community.  We are proud of our accomplishments, our titles, our homes, our cars, our clothes, how we look, our physical being, and all the things that will make us feel good about who we are and how other people will see us.  We are proud of the physical and not the spiritual.

For how can we be proud of the spiritual?  How can we have others see the spiritual being that we are and make us feel proud that we are spiritual?  Do we become religious?  Do we become knowledgeable of the scriptures that we can show others our spiritual growth?  Do we speak of religious things among our friends and associates that we can demonstrate our spiritual being?  Do we do all these things that we may become spiritually proud of who we are?  Only God sees our true spirit.  Only God knows what is in our hearts.   Only God is the true cause of how we feel about who we are. 

For it is the truth of the knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus that leads us to know the true nature of our being.  And without the knowledge of our spirit we are still just physical beings, lost in the physical world.  We are spiritual beings not knowing the light of the spirit that is within us.  We are spiritual beings unable to perceive the light within us, unable to see the light of life given us by Christ Jesus through his sacrifice.  And without true knowledge we are walking in darkness, simply physical beings. 

Christ told us that the eye is the lamp of body and if the eye is sound then the body will be full of light.  Do you have a sound eye?  Can you not see the light within you?  Do you not know the light of your soul?  Come!  Follow the path before you.  See the spirit that you are.  Know the light of Christ that is within you and you will no longer be in darkness.  Christ has opened the door for you.  He has given the path to walk.  He will come and send the Holy Spirit to be with you for the rest of your days, if you simply ask. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in. 

St Matthew, Chapter 17, verse: 26, Tribute to the kings of the earth: The Payment.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Paying the Temple tax) Part 4.   

Simon Peter was questioned by the tax collectors about the didrachma and he was angry.  The question opened a wound.  The question made him see red.  The question made him see the injustice of the system and it did not sit well with him.  For many years Simon did not like how the tax collection system was administered and he wanted to do something about it.  But Christ wanted to teach him a lesson.  Christ wanted to show him how to overcome the anger.  He wanted Peter to learn not to let the injustices of the world cause him to open the door to anger, to frustration, to hatred, and not to give evil a foothold into his heart.  

Christ saw how Peter was disturbed.  He knew the turmoil in his heart.  He felt the anger and the frustration in Peter so he wanted to help him to understand how to accept it.  Christ sought to question Simon on the injustice.  He sought to show Simon how to overcome.  And he sought to demonstrate to Simon the trust that he must have in the father to overcome all injustices.  So Christ sent Simon fishing.  He gave him a task that would bring him peace, a task that would take away the pain of injustice and bring calm into his mind and soul. 

Simon was a fisherman and that was the one thing that he knew.  And Christ sent him to fish that he might believe in the providence of God.  He told Simon:  But that we may not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up.  And opening its mouth thou wilt find a stater; take that and give it to them for me and for thee."

What can we learn today from this lesson that Christ gave Simon then?  Simon was disturbed by this injustice.  This injustice had been with him for years and each experience made him feel worse.  He wanted to react.  He wanted to do something.  He wanted to find some solution.  We face the same situations today.  There are many things that would disturb us.  There are injustices that we face that would make us angry, disturb us, frustrate us, make us want to take action into our own hands to find a solution.  But God is our father and it is his to resolve, his to deal with, his to exact wrath and punishment.

How then do we find resolution?  How then do we cope with what we face daily?  How then do we allow ourselves to have peace with the pain and horror in the world?  Christ sent Peter fishing.  He gave him something to do to past the time until the issue would be resolved.  He gave Simon a task that would give him the time to trust in God's justice.  He gave Simon a task that would allow him the opportunity to practice patience.  And so it is with us today.  God's rule will prevail.  God's justice will be upheld and the wrath of God will be exacted upon those who practice injustice.  We must trust in God to fulfill his promise.  We must have faith in God's will for us that we do not open the door to the evil of hatred, fear, frustration, anger, and all manner of wrongs that are against the will of the father.

Christ gave us a commandment that we should love one another as he has loved us.  For we are all created in the image and likeness of our father.  We all have the spiritual life given to us by our father and it is that life within us that is most precious.  For our father loves each and every one of us and if we understood the love that he has for us we would know the truth of who we are in him.  That knowledge of love brings a peace that is not of this world and that peace is the joy of who we are in him.  Let not your peace be disturbed.  Let not your joy be overturned that you loose the inner peace that comes with the truth of who you are. 

For God so loved the world that he sent his only son that we would have life eternal in him.  And it is that precious gift of life that we must strive to protect from the destruction that comes through the open door of the injustices of this world.  Hatred, fear, frustration, anger, all are intended to disturb the peace that Christ has given us through the father.  Practice Perfect Patience and you will know the justice of God.  Practice Perfect Patience and you will see the miracles of the father.  Practice Perfect Patience and you will know the love of the father that will fill your heart and soul completely.  Be at peace.  Be with love.  See the truth of the light of the life that Christ has given you and you will see your brothers and sisters as they truly are in you.  Come!  Follow the path before you.  The truth is before you.  Seek it.  Follow it.  Find it and you will know.  Christ loves you.  The Holy Spirit awaits you.  God the Father be with you. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in. 

St Matthew, Chapter 17, verse: 25, Tribute to the kings of the earth: The Exempt.

Our paragraph topic is:  Paying the Temple tax) Part 3.   

  Peter was disturbed by the question asked of him by the tax collector.  When he entered the house, Christ knew that he was disturbed.  So he questioned Peter as to the reason that he was disturbed.  He asked Simon who paid the taxes to the kings of the earth.  Was it the sons of the kings or was it everyone else that bore the tribute to the kings?  And this was the questioned that weighted heavily upon Peter, that everyone else paid the tax while the sons were exempt.

Christ saw the anger and the frustration in Simon and sought to address it.  He knew that Peter was disturbed over this issue.  He knew that the door to anger was being opened in him.  He could see the years of frustration that Peter had experienced with the payment of the tax and he wanted to demonstrate to him the protection and the provision of his heavenly father.  So he questioned Peter on the issue to demonstrate the power of our father.  He asked Peter who paid the tax, was it the sons or others?  Peter responded:  And he said, "From others." Jesus said to him, "The sons then are exempt."

Those that have and those that have not, is a reality that we face each day of our lives.  We all want to be privileged.  We all want to have the things in life that we see others with.  We want to live like movie stars because that is what we are presented with.  We want to live like royalty.  We want to have the things that this world offers to us as things we need to have, things we desire, things that will make us happy.  

The sons of kings are exempt.  They are given the luxuries of this world.  They are provided the joys and happiness that comes with wealth.  They do not have to suffer the trials and tribulation that we all face in our daily lives.  We are given the opportunity to achieve all through our hard work, through our intelligence, through our ingenuity, through what ever means are available to us, even if that means transgressing the natural laws or the spiritual laws of heaven.  We want what we want and this is what we live with daily.

Christ has given us a choice.  He has provided us with an opportunity.   He has opened a door that will lead us to the riches of the universe if we just believe in him.  For our treasure is in heaven and not on this earth.  Our provisions are with him and not with this physical realm that we are faced with daily.  And with our treasure our hearts are filled with his love, his peace, his joy.  And this is a joy that nothing on this earth can compare with, a joy that fills us, a joy that completes us, a joy that is everlasting and not fleeting.  

Fret not upon the things of this world that you see.  Desire not the passions of this life that will lead astray and possess.  Our goal is Christ.  Our passion is his love.   Our desires are his will.  Our peace is his provision.  Our knowledge is his wisdom that comes through the Holy Spirit.  Our truth is our Father in heaven who loves us, protects us, and provides for us.  He calls to you.  He waits for you.  He holds you in his arms.  He will fill you with his love.  Open your heart and see the truth of who you are in him.  See the truth of your light and your life in Christ and you too will know.    

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in. 

St Matthew, Chapter 17, verse: 24b, Tribute to the kings of the earth: Who pays?

Our paragraph topic is:  (Paying the Temple tax) Part 2.

Simon Peter was returning from the chores of the day, speaking with the people, walking in the market place, meeting with old friends, etc.  He had come to be known amongst the people.  He had some connections.  He was recognized as a follower of Christ and his disciple.  So people came to him.  People recognized him.  People in the villages and towns knew of him as he traveled with Christ.  But Simon was not yet known as the leader of the church that was about to come.  He was not yet seen as Christ's representative here on earth.

Christ recognized him as a leader.  Christ trained him to lead.  He gave him knowledge that he gave to no other disciple, knowledge that would be called upon to lead the people after the sacrifice .  So he tested Simon to see if he had learned what was being taught.  He questioned him about the lessons that he was given.  And he asked specific questions of Simon to see what his response would become.  So when Simon returned from his chores  Christ asked of his learning.  But  when he had entered the house, Jesus spoke first, saying, "What dost thou think, Simon?   “From whom do the kings of the earth  receive tribute or customs; from their own sons, or from others?"

Tribute was a touchy subject in those times just as it is today.  Christ wanted to know the thoughts of Simon Peter.  He wanted to demonstrate to him a lesson.  He wanted to show him that there was no reason to worry or to allow the trials and tribulations of the day to infect his mind and soul.  Just as Jesus wanted to instruct Peter in his time, he wants to instruct us today about all the issues that we as a people face.  He wants to comfort us.  He wants to protect us.  He wants to provide for us just as he did with Simon.

We worry about the issues that we face each day, especially for those who do not have the wealth of riches.  And even those who do have wealth, they worry also how to keep that wealth, how to hold on to it and not loose it or have it taken from them.  Yet it is that same wealth the same riches that becomes the reason for our downfall, the prison for an eternity.  Worry opens the door to anxiety about what we will eat, where we will sleep, will we have a roof over our head, what clothes we will wear, and many other issues we face daily.  It is these issues that will lead us astray.  It is these issues that will pressure us and force us to make decisions that could cause us to lie, cheat, steal, bear false witness, commit adultery, and all manner of sins against our father.  And they all stem from our disbelief in the Lord of the Universe, our God.

Our Father sent his only son from heaven that he may teach us and instruct us how to live, how to have joy, how to have peace.  He sent Christ Jesus to us that we may have life, first and foremost.  We were dead!  We had no life!  We are spiritual beings in a physical body.  We were doomed for an eternity in our physical bodies, and Christ came and gave us spiritual life, life beyond the physical.  Believe and you shall receive.  Ask and it shall be given you.  Seek and you shall find.  Knock and it shall be opened to you. 

Do not worry.  Do not fret.  Trust in the Lord and he will provide.  Worry no more.  Fret no more.  Receive the gift that God has in store for you.  I have.  I trust.  I know the truth.  My destiny has been rearranged that I may walk in the way of the Lord and I see miracles in my life each and everyday.  Believe in the Lord and practice "perfect patience" and you will witness miracles.  Come!  Walk with me and I will show you how to receive the light of the Holy Spirit.  He will reveal all to you.  God our father loves you.  Christ loves you and so do I.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.