St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 41; Jesus questions the Pharisees.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The son of David) Part 1.  

Christ was merciful.  He was kind.  He was gentle.  He was forgiving in that the Pharisees constantly tried him time and time again.  They came at him every way they could because they wanted to show that he was a fraud, a charlatan.  They could not allow themselves to be embarrassed before the people the way that Christ made them feel.  

But that was not the intention of Christ.  He wanted to open their eyes.  He wanted to heal them.  He wanted them to know him for who he really was and not for who they thought that he was.  He wanted to love them but they would not let him.  He taught the people and they were open to him but the Pharisees were not.  Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus questioned them.  

Before it had been that they had came to him with their questions seeking to find ways to trick him.  He played their game each time giving them the opportunity to understand the truth of who in him.  And each time they came away lacking the understanding but filled with anger and hatred that their plans had failed.  So this time Christ decided that he would turn the table and question them attempting to pull the truth out that they might see with their own eyes who stood before them.

Who stands before you today?  Do you walk by the ways of the world or do you walk by your faith?  Today your faith is challenged and hard pressed for direction.  Strick the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.  Where do you go?  Who do you follow?  What do you believe?  Do you still have the strong faith that you had yesterday?  Your church is under attack and is infected by a disease.  Christ said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church but he did not say that it will not suffer attacks.

Evil exists in the world both inside and outside of the church.  Just like the human body has an immune system to fight diseases so the church body must have the same.  Our faith keeps us strong and it is that faith that we must nourish and protect.  Christ gave us a new life, a new beginning.  It is that newness within that we must protect and nourish.  We are the light of the world placed of a lamp stand for all the world to see.  Now is the time for our little lights to shine together for the world is watching.

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, verses: 40; The Whole Law.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The great commandment) Part 7.   

Here they were the great scholars and the masters of the Law before Christ attempting to trick him with their knowledge of the Law which was handed down to their forefathers from God on one side and there was Christ teaching them from the mouth of God the truth of the Law on the other side.  What a contradiction it was.  They could not see or understand who stood before them, Christ giving them every opportunity to have their eyes opened.

It is said that some people  even when faced with the truth refuse to allow themselves to believe what reality presents to them.  Instead they create false reasons and rationales to continue to support their internal belief systems they have created for themselves.  The Pharisees had the first commandment.  They knew and understood it well.  It was Christ who had to introduce them to the second commandment upon which the Law is based.  And he told them:  "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."  

Love was the basis for the Law.  Love the Lord with thy whole heart and soul and mind.  Love thy neighbor as thyself.  Be good to one another.  For the life we live today we will live in heaven with our heavenly father.  There will be no strife.  There will be no anger, no hatred, no fear, no doubt, no darkness as we know it on earth.  We will live in the light of the Lord our God and he will provide all our needs.  Our happiness comes from and flows through him.  We will be fulfilled in peace and harmony with the Lord.

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, verses: 39; The Second great Commandment.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The great commandment) Part 6.  

They stood before him burning with pride thinking that they knew the Law.  They were the scholars, the ones who had studied the Law for years from the masters.  They were the Pharisees, the religious ones that the people revered for their knowledge and wisdom.  Yet here was Christ who had not formal training of the Law who knew what they knew and more.  

They came time and time again asking questions to trick him before the crowds.  And the went away time and time again having failed in their endeavors.  The crowds saw their failures and were amazed at the knowledge and wisdom of Christ.  They thought that they knew the great commandment of the Law, but they did not know the second great commandment.  So Christ told them:  "And the second is like it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' "  

These are two powerful commandments upon which the whole Law is built upon.  Love your God with your whole heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as you love yourself, concepts which are completely contrary to the beliefs we live by today.  It is given to us from birth that every man should be for himself when the time comes.  If it comes down to who lives and who dies between to people most would choose themselves.  In the world of getting ahead we would do most anything to our neighbor to promote ourselves and downplay our co-workers.  So these principles that are given to us from Christ requires practice and work to accomplice in today's world.

But there is something more to the picture than meets the eye if we look beyond the words and understand the truth of who we are in Christ.  We are spiritual beings not physical persons even though we occupy the physical shell for the moment.  For those who know themselves, the light within tells them that they are created in the image and likeness of God our creator.  And he has given us a home, a place more beautiful, more wonderful than anything that this world could ever offer.  Nothing in this world can fulfill our wants and desires except his love.  And his love is so overwhelming that it fills us with everlasting joy and happiness.  

It is that love that we would like to share.  It is that love that we would like to give to others.  It is that love that we would like others to know for themselves, if they choose.  For love is freely given and not forced.  Love is shared and not demanded.  Love is open to all who would accept and those who will not accept, love is still there.  For God is love and he would love all his creation but he gave free will to accept or reject.  And those who reject, pray that their eyes are opened that they may see the truth of who they are in Christ before the thief comes and takes away their choice.

God is merciful.  God is loving.  God is forgiving.  God is patient until the end.

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.