Our paragraph topic is: (The mother of James and John) Part 10.
The words have taken form and were spoken by the mother of James and John. They were in her mind and on her tongue and they were put forth to Christ. The brothers did not speak. Their mother spoke for them. They did not ask but their mother asked for them. They did not open their mouths but their mother open her mouth and spoke. And the words came forth.
Christ took those words and replied to them. But first he had to help them to understand what they were asking. He had to put forth in words what he knew was coming, something that they did not understand now. They did not know of his passion and of his sacrifice. Would they understand? Could they comprehend the meaning of what would happen. Would they flee in horror fearing for their own lives? These words had to be spoken because they were on the mind of Christ. Could they drink from the same cup? Could they follow in his footsteps? Was their passion, their desire, their love of him great enough that they could also suffer the same as he?
Only the Father knew. For it was his plan to save man. It was his plan to bring back the children that were lost in the garden of Eden. And it was his son that would complete the plan despite all that he would face. So Christ told James and John that it was the Father's plan. And it was his Father's choice as to who would receive the rewards. He told them that seats at his right hand and his left did not belong to him to give: "But it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
God knew from the beginning. He understood what would happen. He created man in his image and likeness and gave him free will to choose to know him. So he gave man a test. He told Adam not to eat of the forbidden fruit least he would die. And then Satan came along with his superior will and tempted man that he would eat of the tree and loose the life given him by God. But God the Father knew that man was no contest for Satan. He knew that he would fail. He knew from the beginning that man did not have all knowledge and wisdom. So he had a plan to redeem man from death.
He foretold, through the prophets, the coming of the Messiah, the coming of the savior. He gave mankind hope. He helped them to see that there would be something more to come. All that was needed was faith in him, belief that he could achieve what he promised. All it took was patience in his word. And to show that he was sincere he demonstrated his power and his will through time that all would know that he was the one true God.
It was his plan from the start. And it is his plan to the end that will be achieved. He has given man new life. His will is done. Despite all that transpires through time, his will is done. All we have to do is believe and know that he is the one true God. He is the all powerful God. He is the loving, merciful, and forgiving God. He will provide, protect, and defend those who love him. Fear not death. For death is but a door that opens to his kingdom for those who know him and love him. The life we know is but death in slow motion. The life he has given us is eternal. He has prepared a place for us and awaits our coming.
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.
The words have taken form and were spoken by the mother of James and John. They were in her mind and on her tongue and they were put forth to Christ. The brothers did not speak. Their mother spoke for them. They did not ask but their mother asked for them. They did not open their mouths but their mother open her mouth and spoke. And the words came forth.
Christ took those words and replied to them. But first he had to help them to understand what they were asking. He had to put forth in words what he knew was coming, something that they did not understand now. They did not know of his passion and of his sacrifice. Would they understand? Could they comprehend the meaning of what would happen. Would they flee in horror fearing for their own lives? These words had to be spoken because they were on the mind of Christ. Could they drink from the same cup? Could they follow in his footsteps? Was their passion, their desire, their love of him great enough that they could also suffer the same as he?
Only the Father knew. For it was his plan to save man. It was his plan to bring back the children that were lost in the garden of Eden. And it was his son that would complete the plan despite all that he would face. So Christ told James and John that it was the Father's plan. And it was his Father's choice as to who would receive the rewards. He told them that seats at his right hand and his left did not belong to him to give: "But it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
God knew from the beginning. He understood what would happen. He created man in his image and likeness and gave him free will to choose to know him. So he gave man a test. He told Adam not to eat of the forbidden fruit least he would die. And then Satan came along with his superior will and tempted man that he would eat of the tree and loose the life given him by God. But God the Father knew that man was no contest for Satan. He knew that he would fail. He knew from the beginning that man did not have all knowledge and wisdom. So he had a plan to redeem man from death.
He foretold, through the prophets, the coming of the Messiah, the coming of the savior. He gave mankind hope. He helped them to see that there would be something more to come. All that was needed was faith in him, belief that he could achieve what he promised. All it took was patience in his word. And to show that he was sincere he demonstrated his power and his will through time that all would know that he was the one true God.
It was his plan from the start. And it is his plan to the end that will be achieved. He has given man new life. His will is done. Despite all that transpires through time, his will is done. All we have to do is believe and know that he is the one true God. He is the all powerful God. He is the loving, merciful, and forgiving God. He will provide, protect, and defend those who love him. Fear not death. For death is but a door that opens to his kingdom for those who know him and love him. The life we know is but death in slow motion. The life he has given us is eternal. He has prepared a place for us and awaits our coming.
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.
