St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 16c; The person of men.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 3.  

The Herodians continue with their set up.  Their premise was to lead the conversation by beginning with a preset foundation upon which to build a trap for Christ.  They made conditions.  They made assumptions.  They made initial conditions upon which they believed that Christ would accept so that they could come back and use those same assumptions to tear him down.

He was a man of God who taught the truth.  He did not care for the any man.  He was truthful in his speech and words.  And he did not care who heard or did not hear what he said about them.  One of their premise:   "And that thou carest naught for any man; for thou dost not regard the person of men."  

You see these were the initial steps that they used to set the foundation to trap Christ.  They believed that they were smart and wise and cunning.  They believed that they knew who this Christ was.  So they had conceived a plan to trap him and to deceive him in his own words.  They had no idea who they were dealing with, who they were standing before, who they were speaking with.  All knowledge and wisdom was with him.  All things hidden were revealed to him.  And all that was under the influence of evil was open to him.  Nothing was hidden, nothing was covered up.  He knew all.

Yet here were the wise of the wise before him seeking to show that their wisdom was greater.  Here were the knowledge of the knowledgeable seeking to show that they knew more than he who held all knowledge in the palm of his hand, he who created the wisdom of the universe before they were even conceived in the mind of God.  Yet their arrogance brought them before him with the grain of knowledge that they possessed in an attempt to show how limited they were in their understanding of the master of knowledge.  Yet he was humble.  He was merciful.  He was loving in his judgement of them.

For they were his children and he was their Lord and Savior.  He knew them before they were conceived, before they were born into this realm.  He loved them because they were his own.  He forgave them of their ignorance because he knew that they did not know, they did not understand, they were influenced by others who would deceive them and lead them astray.  But such is the love of Christ.  Such is the love of the one who forgives and forgets.  Such is the love of the one who sees the good in what he has created and wants all to come to him of his/her own free will. 

Let it be known that the choice is ours to make.  Let it be known that the world we live in today seeks to turn us away from that which was freely given to us and paid for at a high price, the price of death.  The choice is yours.  Choose wisely, if you have wisdom.  If not then ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the doors shall be open unto you, and you shall know the truth of who you are in Christ.

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 21, verses: 45; To whom do I speak.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Application of the parable) Part 7.  

Christ came to the conclusion of his parables and the chief priest and the Pharisees consider all that he has said.  They ponder the meanings.  They seek the understandings.  And they finally know that Christ has spoken of them and directly to them.  There is no doubt that all that was spoken was spoken of them. 

There is a part that denies what was spoken and there is a part that knows what was spoken to them.  Finally the word breaks through that which was concealed, that which was hidden and brings to the surface that which is known to the conscience mind.  They were blinded and could not see.  They were deaf and could not hear.  They could not understand the Word and refused to allow meaning to enter.  But now the words were clear, the meaning was unmistakable, and the reaction came forth.  And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them.  

We see, we hear, we taste, we touch, we know.  These are the faculties that we use to determine meaning.  Often times we hear something spoken by someone and we do not know if the person is talking about us or if they are speaking in general.  In our houses of worship we listen to the homily by out pastor and imagine that the sermon applies to us or not.  When we allow for the words to sink end we find that there is meaning, there is a lesson that can and does apply.  

How do we hear?  How do we make meaning of what we hear?  How do we understand?  We use comparisons to relate.  We refer to our history to make sense of what we hear.  We translate meanings in order to use them for future use.  Above all to survive in this world we must have meaning in our lives.  Things must make sense.

But how can we make sense of that which the world claims does not exist?  How can we make sense of that which all society ignores.  We stand on the outside trying to compare the world with the spiritual, the non-world.  Christ gave us a key.  He opened a door so that we would not be left alone.  He built an institution that would help us, guide us, protect us in our daily lives.  And he provided a written testament to the journey that we would face in this world.

Within us is the key.  Within us is the knowledge.  Within us is the tool that we must use to transcend that which is physical to that which is spiritual.  The journey requires a leap.  The path is broken and we must cross a deep gorge.  The only way to the other side is through the belief and the faith that Christ has given us through his life here on earth.  Many times did he tell us to not be afraid.  Many times did he scorn us for our lake of faith.  And many times did he tell us that a mustard seed of faith would move mountains.  Ours is the opportunity.  Ours is the journey.  Ours is the joy in knowing that he lives and is with us at all times.  Take the leap.  Reach the other side.  Know the true meaning of who you are in Christ and yours will be the reward of heaven.

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 11, verse: 26 - 27, The Revelations.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus draws men gently to himself) Part 2.  

Christ continues to give praise to his father for the things that he has done.  It was pleasing to God to hide the mysteries of the kingdom from men who have earthly wisdom.  It was pleasing to God to prevent the prudent of this world from knowing the things of heaven, and Christ praises the father for his wisdom.  For Christ says all thing have been given unto him by the father.  He says,  "Yes, Father, for such was thy good pleasure.   All things have been delivered to me by my Father."   

For Christ has all wisdom and all knowledge and all understanding of the will of the father.  And that pleases the Father.  Christ has made the effort to bring the message to the villages and towns throughout the land.  He has preached to the multitudes.  He has cast out demons, cured the sick, made the lame walk, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers, and provided all signs and wonders to the people that they may believe that he was from the Father, God in heaven.  Yet they do not repent.  They do not believe.  They do not understand the judgment that they bring unpon themselves.  But all things have been given to Christ.

No one knows the Father.  No one knows the Son except the Father.  And they are one with each other.  Christ says,  "No one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and him to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."   For that wisdom and knowledge of the Father and of the Son has been hidden.  Yet it is revealed to the little ones.  It is shown to those whom Christ chooses to reveal it.  For if they knew who walked among them they would understand.  If they truly understood the power and majesty of the one in their midst they would be in awe.  If they knew the glory of the one who walked before them they would fall down in honor, giving glory to the one who is worthy of honor and glory.  But they did not repent.  They did not understand.  They did not know the true nature of Christ.

The knowledge and wisdom of the Father is hidden.  It is not revealed.  Only to those who seek him will find him.  Only those who desire his presence will glory in the reception of his spirit.  For he has hidden himself and will reveal himself only to the little ones.  Christ says that the knowledge of the Father will only be revealed to those he chooses to reveal him.  Do you know Christ?  Have you received him?  What has he spoken to you to do?  The harvest is great but the laborers are few.  Are you a laborer in the field for the harvest?  Are you a shepherd for the body of Christ?  Where do you lead your sheep?  For who's glory do you labor?  All things have been given to Christ and he is calling you.   Come, Christ wants to reveal to you the Father.  Are you wise and prudent?  Will you receive the gift of God?  The little ones are open to his ways.  Are you?