Our paragraph topic is: (The authority of Jesus) Part 6.
They were befuddled, not knowing how to respond. One person believed that they should say this, another person said that they should say that. There was no consensus among them as to how to answer the question asked by Christ. They heard of his wisdom. They knew of his insight from others who had spoken to him or tried to capture him in a falsehood. So they gathered together to determine the best answer to give.
Jesus knew their uncertainty. He knew of their plot. He foresaw their scheme to trick him to answer their question. But they did not foresee that he would pose a question in response. So they argued among themselves: saying, “If we say, ' From heaven,' he will say to us, Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, ' From men,' we fear the people, for all regard John as a prophet."
And so it was that they came to an impasse. They did not know how to respond. They were befuddled and without answer. How do you respond to such a question? How do you say things one way so as not convict yourself? Our minds work with lightening speed to give us answers. But will the answer free us from harm? If that is the case of where you would like to be, then you are practiced in the art of deception. For we deceive ourselves when we give way to the influences of what comes to our minds in the way of deceit.
Do we intend to deceive? Do we intend to lie? Do we intend to sway others to think differently of ourselves, contrary to the real us? Do we intend to exercise power over others to lead them along a path of our beliefs? And who leads us in such a direction? Are we led by fear, anger, hatred, disgust, pity, sympathy, love, care, understanding or wisdom. Or are we led by the influence of evil.
Our Father gave to us the joy of life. He gave to us a life similar to his own spirit. He is love. He is joy. He is peace. He is merciful, and forgiving, and understanding, and truth. It is his truth that guides us through life. It is his knowledge and wisdom that sets us on a path that will change our entire destiny of who we are and who we will become not who we were in the past. We are his children. He is our loving Father. He provides. He protects. He guides. He directs. And when the time here on this plane of existence ends, we rejoice in our transition to spend eternity with him. Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die. And yet it is in death that we escape from this plane and enter into his realm.
Peace be with you. The knowledge of who you are awaits your coming. The reward of heaven awaits your acknowledgement. The struggle of this existence will concede to you when you accept who you are and rejoice in the life that is within you. Come! The Spirit awaits your awakening. It awaits your rising up from the slumber of this world and your embracing that for which you are. Christ loves you. The Father loves you. The Holy Spirit feeds you and you will live.
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 nd 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.
They were befuddled, not knowing how to respond. One person believed that they should say this, another person said that they should say that. There was no consensus among them as to how to answer the question asked by Christ. They heard of his wisdom. They knew of his insight from others who had spoken to him or tried to capture him in a falsehood. So they gathered together to determine the best answer to give.
Jesus knew their uncertainty. He knew of their plot. He foresaw their scheme to trick him to answer their question. But they did not foresee that he would pose a question in response. So they argued among themselves: saying, “If we say, ' From heaven,' he will say to us, Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, ' From men,' we fear the people, for all regard John as a prophet."
And so it was that they came to an impasse. They did not know how to respond. They were befuddled and without answer. How do you respond to such a question? How do you say things one way so as not convict yourself? Our minds work with lightening speed to give us answers. But will the answer free us from harm? If that is the case of where you would like to be, then you are practiced in the art of deception. For we deceive ourselves when we give way to the influences of what comes to our minds in the way of deceit.
Do we intend to deceive? Do we intend to lie? Do we intend to sway others to think differently of ourselves, contrary to the real us? Do we intend to exercise power over others to lead them along a path of our beliefs? And who leads us in such a direction? Are we led by fear, anger, hatred, disgust, pity, sympathy, love, care, understanding or wisdom. Or are we led by the influence of evil.
Our Father gave to us the joy of life. He gave to us a life similar to his own spirit. He is love. He is joy. He is peace. He is merciful, and forgiving, and understanding, and truth. It is his truth that guides us through life. It is his knowledge and wisdom that sets us on a path that will change our entire destiny of who we are and who we will become not who we were in the past. We are his children. He is our loving Father. He provides. He protects. He guides. He directs. And when the time here on this plane of existence ends, we rejoice in our transition to spend eternity with him. Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die. And yet it is in death that we escape from this plane and enter into his realm.
Peace be with you. The knowledge of who you are awaits your coming. The reward of heaven awaits your acknowledgement. The struggle of this existence will concede to you when you accept who you are and rejoice in the life that is within you. Come! The Spirit awaits your awakening. It awaits your rising up from the slumber of this world and your embracing that for which you are. Christ loves you. The Father loves you. The Holy Spirit feeds you and you will live.
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 nd 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.
