Our paragraph topic is: (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 5.
They were so concerned about the minutiae of the Law so they looked for every little detail they could find to burden the people. The Scribes and the Pharisees were the police of the people. They were supposed to be the religious leaders, helping the people understand their God, giving praise and glory. But instead they policed the people in every way they could, making sure that no one transgressed any small detail of what was written or spelled out.
Christ came and called them blind guides because they knew not what they were doing. They had no idea where they were leading the people. They thought they were doing the right thing but instead they were moving the people in the opposite direction away from God. Christ told them they were: "Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel!"
They were zealous in their desire to do right for the Lord and their Synagogue. They wanted to impress their leaders, the high priest, and the Roman rulers to show that they were in control of the people to maintain their positions of power and influence.
These were hard times for the people. They were oppressed all around. For years they had known no hope, only fear and oppression. But times were changing and a new wind was in the air. A prophet, John the Baptist, was calling for repentance saying that the Messiah was coming. This gave the people hope that change was coming. Maybe the Messiah would come and bring about a change to the oppression of the Roman rule and the oppression of the Scribes and the Pharisees.
What do we look for today? Are we happy with our current condition or do we seek change? The nation cries out for a change in the gun laws. The immigrants seek asylum. The people seek jobs that pay a living wage. The students want education without lifelong debt. The elderly seek the promise of security in retirement with medical care. What do you seek today? Does it all matter?
Will it all make sense to cry out about those things that we need to those who may not care about our needs? Why do we suffer and worry about what tomorrow will bring when we have a God who will take care of all our needs? Why are we not at peace? Why are we not like little children, joyous about today? Do we trust? Do we know? Do we believe? If we put our faith in him who promised to provide for us, him who promised to be with us throughout all time, what worry do we have? If we live, if we die, if we suffer, we suffer in his name. We suffer for his name to demonstrate our love, our faith in him who loved us first. God is ever-living. Christ is our savior. The Holy Spirit is our guide. Live in peace and joy.
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 so concerned about the minutiae of the Law so they looked for every little detail they could find to burden the people. The Scribes and the Pharisees were the police of the people. They were supposed to be the religious leaders, helping the people understand their God, giving praise and glory. But instead they policed the people in every way they could, making sure that no one transgressed any small detail of what was written or spelled out.
Christ came and called them blind guides because they knew not what they were doing. They had no idea where they were leading the people. They thought they were doing the right thing but instead they were moving the people in the opposite direction away from God. Christ told them they were: "Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel!"
They were zealous in their desire to do right for the Lord and their Synagogue. They wanted to impress their leaders, the high priest, and the Roman rulers to show that they were in control of the people to maintain their positions of power and influence.
These were hard times for the people. They were oppressed all around. For years they had known no hope, only fear and oppression. But times were changing and a new wind was in the air. A prophet, John the Baptist, was calling for repentance saying that the Messiah was coming. This gave the people hope that change was coming. Maybe the Messiah would come and bring about a change to the oppression of the Roman rule and the oppression of the Scribes and the Pharisees.
What do we look for today? Are we happy with our current condition or do we seek change? The nation cries out for a change in the gun laws. The immigrants seek asylum. The people seek jobs that pay a living wage. The students want education without lifelong debt. The elderly seek the promise of security in retirement with medical care. What do you seek today? Does it all matter?
Will it all make sense to cry out about those things that we need to those who may not care about our needs? Why do we suffer and worry about what tomorrow will bring when we have a God who will take care of all our needs? Why are we not at peace? Why are we not like little children, joyous about today? Do we trust? Do we know? Do we believe? If we put our faith in him who promised to provide for us, him who promised to be with us throughout all time, what worry do we have? If we live, if we die, if we suffer, we suffer in his name. We suffer for his name to demonstrate our love, our faith in him who loved us first. God is ever-living. Christ is our savior. The Holy Spirit is our guide. Live in peace and joy.
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.
