St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 16a; The Herodian scholars.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 2.  

They were determined in their views to trap Christ with their tricks.  They had done this before with other prophets.  So they figured that they could do the same with Christ.  They were arrogant in their beliefs.  They were certain in their knowledge of who they were dealing with.  They were blind to the influence of the evil that motivated their actions and blind to the influence of their own needs.

They believed that they were dealing with an ordinary man.  They believed that they were far superior than this ordinary man even though he seemed to be a prophet.  So they thought that they could outwit him.  They even brought along their best minds to help with the task.  And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians.  

They were dealing with the Son of God.  Yet they did not consider this a possibility.  They did not think that he would know them, that he would know their thought, their feelings, their wants, and their desires.  Or maybe they were so blinded by the influence of evil that they could not see the truth that was before them.

It is said that some people are so set in their ways that they are unable to see what is plainly before them.  When the truth is unveiled before their eyes the brain is unable to accept what has been revealed, so it denies in order to remain in what has been the accepted way of thinking.  Or even it creates some alternate reason to rationalize maintaining the thought process that it holds without considering the possibility of change.  The truth shatters the old thought process and allows change to take place.  And with that change comes freedom and joy and peace. 

Christ came into this world that the veil of darkness might be lifted and the light of truth would come that we might be able to see again and not be blinded in darkness.  He lit a candle and that candle is the light that is within.  We can choose to see or continue to live in darkness.  We can choose to be free or live enslaved.  We can choose to be at peace in the knowledge that we are rich in him or we can continue to believe that we are poor and must do anything and everything to obtain the riches of this world.  There is nothing in this world that is more precious than the life that Christ has freely given.  Choose freely and keep that which is yours from eternity.

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. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 15; The trap.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 1.  

Christ is the Son of the Living God who came down from heaven to walk among the people.  He came to teach and to preach and to give an example of how to live according to the commandments of God.  He demonstrated his love and his passion for the people, his mercy and his willingness to forgive the sins of those who sought forgiveness.

But then there were those who were against him, those who sought to tear him down, to destroy him in the eyes of the people.  They wanted to show him as being a fraud and not the genuine article as the real Son of the Father.  They were the ones who were afraid, who feared that he would show the people who they really were.  They were afraid of being fake and not real on the inside as they appeared to be.  Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might trap him in his talk.  

They took counsel among themselves and came up with a scheme as to how they thought that they might catch him in a trap.  They believed that they could trick him.  They believed that they could trap him.  They believed that they could plan a way to bring about his fall, but they did not think that they were dealing with the Son of God who knew their plans before they did.  He saw through them.  He understood them.  He knew where they came from because he knew the influence from which they came.

They could not trap him.  They could not trick him.  They could not harm him in any way.  He came that he might surrender himself for the sins of mankind.  God wanted all men and women, boys and girls to be free of sin, so he gave Adam the choice to decide to obey his commandments.  But Adam was human and Adam came up against the serpent who tricked Eve and brought sin into the world for all mankind.  

Now we each and everyone of us have to make that decision and live by it for the rest of our days.  For Christ came and gave us a new choice, a new life, a new beginning.  He came and freely gave of himself to be our sacrifice, our propitiation, that we may have life and have it more abundantly.  The choice is now ours, individually to make.  The choice is now ours to individually to decide.  The choice is now ours to individually live day in and day out that we may know the truth of who we are in Christ.  He gave us life and it is life that is within us if we choose it.

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. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 14; The Called and the Chosen.

Our paragraph topic is:  (One guest is cast out) Part 4.  

Our parable comes to an end with Christ telling the people the final meaning of this story.  He wants the people to have some understanding of the kingdom of heaven.  So he tells a parable that relates the kingdom of heaven to a king who exercises power over his people in his kingdom.

This king wants to give a party, a celebration, for his son and the bride on the union of their wedding.  The king wanted all to attend and celebrate with him this happy and joyous occasion.  He wanted the word to spread of this party for his son so that all would know of his graciousness and his love for his son and the union with his new bride. 

Yet there were many who did not want to attend, many who did not want the word to get out about the party.  He sent out invitations to all in the town and villages in his kingdom but none would come.  So he sent his servants at to the crossroads and invited all the travelers who were passing through to stop and come to the party.  Many were invited and many came both good and bad.

Many came from the crossroads to see the kings hospitality at this event.  And as the party got underway the king came down to view the guest and to celebrate.  As he walked through the crowd he saw one who came without the proper attire, one who decided to come anyway.  He was displeased.  So he had his servants bind his hands and feet and cast them out into the darkness where there was the weeping and gnashing of teeth.  "For many are called, but few are chosen."  

And this was the lesson that Christ wanted the people to hear from this parable.  That all are called to the celebration of the kingdom but few are chosen to remain.  

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. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 12; The Guest is questioned.

Our paragraph topic is:  (One guest is cast out) Part 2.  

The party had started and the king was ready to make his entrance to see all the guest.  He was excited that he finally had the celebration that he wanted for his son and the bride.  So he entered the feast and viewed the guest as they were celebrating and feasting.  Finally he came upon one guest that was not properly dressed for the occasion and inquired how he came to enter.

"And he said to him, ' Friend, how didst thou come in here without a wedding garment?' But he was speechless."  

It is interesting to note that all were invited to attend the wedding feast.  All were told that they were attending a wedding feast and all knew that the proper attire would be a wedding garment for this occasion.  But this guest decided to come without a wedding garment.  It was as though he decided to dishonor the host by coming without one.  

The king wanted all to remember this happy occasion.  He wanted all to talk about this event to everyone they saw.  He wanted the word to spread of the wedding feast that took place so that people would know of this special event.  The king did not want this event to be scarred by talk of one who came without a wedding garment, one who came in disrespect of the king and the bride and the groom.  This was a happy occasion, a joyous occasion, one to remember for many years to come and not one to be talked about with scandal.

So Christ is telling this parable to the people that they will understand how the kingdom of heaven works similar to this wedding feast given by the king.  God our Father wants all to come to the wedding feast.  He invites the good and the bad, but all must come with the proper attire and not in disrespect of his graciousness.  Come one come all let us celebrate the union of the Christ and the Church here on earth for the sacrifice has been made, the price has been paid, and the union of the two will now take place in this grand celebration.


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.