St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 12; Iniquity abound.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 9.  

It was a recipe for disaster.  All that could happen would happen, Christ told his disciples.  They should know what was to come.  They should be prepared for any and all outcomes during the trials and tribulations that Christ was telling them.  They were not prepared for all the things that were to come but he put the fear of what was to happen in them to test their faith and belief. 

Did they believe in him?  Did they really accept him as being the Son of Man, the Messiah?  Did they believe all that he was telling them or was this just another tale he created like so many other stories he told to the crowds?  But these were his disciples he spoke with, he said:  "And because iniquity will abound, the charity of the many will grow cold."

Iniquity, injustice, sin, lawlessness, all will abound and love for the many will cease and grow cold.  What will tomorrow bring?  What will this time in history look like?  Will there be war, famine, pestilence, disease?  What will happen to humankind?  What will become of the good qualities of mankind?  Will they cease to exist, will man return to the dark ages?  Even today these are some questions that we can ask ourselves in the present political and civil climate.

What will our God do during such a time?  Can we still rely upon his grace?  Can we still believe that he will provide for us, protect us, show us the way forward in spite of all that occurs around us?  Or should we become afraid for our lives not trusting that our God and Father will provide?

Iniquity my abound.  Lawless may increase.  Sin may become common place in and around us but all this is no reason for us to waver in our faith and trust in our Father who has given us life eternal.  We are but clay vessels in this earthly realm, waiting for the time to be called to our permanent home.  

Christ came to let us know that we are more than just human beings, flesh and blood, skin and bones.  He came to open the door for us that we would know that there is a heavenly kingdom awaiting us when we leave this earthly realm.  He came to let us know that we are spiritual beings given eternal life by the sacrifice he paid on the cross for our sins.  He came to give us eternal life everlasting that no one can take from us except us.  

So despite what is happening around us, our faith and knowledge in who we are should not waiver.  We are children of God, created in his image and likeness given life eternal through Christ Jesus.  Iniquity begone!  Sin begone!  Lawlessness begone!  In the name of Jesus Christ we command you begone!  We are the children of the almighty, ever living God.

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 24, verse: 7a; Nation against nation.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 8.  

Christ continues to tell his disciples about the destruction that is to come.  He does not want to fill them with fear but he would rather that the word come from his mouth than from the mouths of scandal, spread by anyone who has added words to embellish the tells of destruction and add fear to the minds of those who would hear it.

The disciples must know.  They must understand what is to happen.  They must remain calm in the eye of the storm because Christ is with them and he has told them of the coming doom.  They are his witnesses here on earth of all that he has said and done, all that was prophesied, all that was foretold.  They are the ones who will carry the message of hope and faith in the one true God.  This is why he is telling them:  "For nation will rise against nation."

The prophesy is written.  It has been foretold.  It is there for all to see, for all to read, for all to believe if they choose.  The choice is theirs.  One cannot say one did not know for it has been there for two thousand years.  Maybe it will be tomorrow or the next day or next week or next year.  Who knows.  The question to ask is are we ready when it comes.  Have we prepared ourselves for that time and place to accept who we are with our Father?

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 and 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 23, verses: 37a; Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

Our paragraph topic is:  (Lamentation over Jerusalem) Part 1.  

Love hurts.  Those who have experienced deeply the pleasure of love know the pain that comes from rejection, separation, and breakup.  The experience is one that all humans must go through at some point in their life.  It is important to know it in order to know how to overcome the pain and the sorrow.  It is important to know how to overcome that experience in order to know how to go on living.  

We experience love in life and in death.  We love in life and we love lost those that are taken away from us in death.  It is a part of how we live, a part of how we learn to live, a part of how we must grow and accept who we are in this world.  Living is pleasurable but it is also painful in many ways.  Yet it is something that we must accept.  We loose mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, love ones, children, relatives, and yet we must find some way to accept and go on living in this world.  

Christ cried for those that he loved.  He lamented for the many times that he sent love messages that were rejected, scorned, trashed, burned, and ignored.  His passion for those that he loved burned deeply within his soul.  He lamented deeply for the souls of the people knowing what they would do to the people that he sent.  He cried out:  "Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Thou who killest the prophets, and stonest those who are sent to thee!"

We were children together.  We played in the same yard, ran on the same streets, grew up in the same schools, had the same friends, yet you know me not.  Have you become so high and mighty, so proud, so famous, that you do not know from where you come?  Jerusalem wherefore have thou come?  Jerusalem, the high and mighty city on the hill.  The one where kings and rulers live.  Forget not from which from which you have come, for you are but the same as the man in the street or the village down the road.  It is God's love that has brought you forth, that keeps you in the light of time.  It is God's love that will leave you in the limelight and shine on another, least you forget who you are.

We are but children of God, our Father who created us and gave us life.  For he has life within him and it is that life that he shares with us.  We have a choice.  We can choose life or we can choose to remain in death.  The passion of Christ gave us that choice.  Which do you choose? 

 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: 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 21, verses: 37; The Vine-dresser's respect.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the vine-dressers) Part 4. 

The householder of the vineyard continues to send messengers to the vine-dressers requesting samples of wine from his vineyard.  He sent one set of servants to the vine-dressers and they beat one, killed another and stoned another.  When he did not hear from them he sent another group of messengers.  But the same thing happened to them, they did not return.  So now he is wondering what has happened to his property and why he has not heard from the vine-dressers about his wine.

Maybe they were detained.  Maybe they were robbed on the way and killed.  Maybe there was a bad storm that killed them and they could not reach the vine-dressers.  Maybe a number of things could have happened that the householder did not know.  So as a last effort he decides to send someone with honor and respect that they, the vine-dressers, would see and yield to the householders requests.  Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 

His son was his replacement as spokesperson.  His son was a key figurehead for the Father.  His son was the future for the Father and brought respect and obedience the same as the Father.  The pride of who we are as fathers goes forth with our sons.  We have raised our children to the best of our ability.  We have given them the wisdom and knowledge that was passed down to us from our fathers as well as the life's lessons that we have learned throughout our years.  We give them all that we can and all that we know.

Yet we are not they and they are not us.  They grow up in a time and place different from what we have known as parents.  They have opportunities that we did not have as children.  They come to know much more than we can know about the future.  Yet the knowledge and wisdom from the past is their guiding lessons to lead them in the future.  Some things about life are changing and some things are constant.

This parable is about opportunity.  It is about redemption.  It is about mercy and forgiveness and love.  The householder gave ample opportunity to the vine-dressers to do what was right with respect to his property, his vineyard.  Twice they refused.  And twice the householder was patient and merciful and not sending an army to retake what was rightfully his.  The fruit was so good and the wine so precious that the vine-dressers decided to take what was not theirs.

And the Father sent his son to allow for redemption assuming that the vine-dressers would respect him.  He assumed that they would recognize the authority of the son and do what was right.  He assumed that the vine-dressers were honorable men; they would understand the consequences of the appearance of the son and would relinquish and return to the householder his fruit.  But they were not respectful.  They were not honorable.  They were not men who could see the opportunity that was being offered to them.  They could only see the greed in taking possession of the vineyard.

We steal, we lie, we cheat, we murder, we deceive to get that which we believe is ours to have.  Our passions drive us to see only that which is given us by this world, where it is common and expected to be this way.  Yet we miss the opportunity given us by what has been freely given.  We came with nothing, for we were dust.  We leave with everything for we are spirit, eternal life given us freely by the passion of Christ.  His love, his compassion, his mercy, his blessings, his forgiveness is all that we need.  He has given us the riches of the world and more, if we believe in him.  Yet we do not.  We believe in the dirt that the world offers that does not fulfill.  Be not the vine-dressers taking what is not yours.  Be not the disrespectful not knowing who you are.  Be not the lawless, not seeing the truth of the boundaries set for your protection.  For God your Father has given every opportunity to change, every opportunity to accept, every opportunity to believe.  Opportunity knocks at your door.  Open and receive the riches 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 21, verse:20; Seeing is believing.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Power of faith) Part 1. 

Christ cursed the fig tree because it had no purpose.  It had leaves but no fruit.  It had leaves but no seed bearing fruit.  It had life but no purpose.  So he cursed it and it withered up.  It had life but upon the spoken words it withered up immediately.  The life that was in it was no more.  It ceased to exist.

The disciples heard the words spoken by Christ.  They heard him speak the curse.  They saw the effect of his words.  And they were in disbelief.  And upon seeing this the disciples marveled, saying, "How did it come to wither immediately?"

They saw it but marveled at how it happened.  They saw it but did not understand how.  They saw it but were in disbelief.  Christ was hungry and wanted something to eat.  God gave life to all the world and provided all kinds of fruit bearing trees.  The trees have a purpose.  We have a purpose.  But this tree did not have a purpose.  It existed without bearing fruit.  So Christ cursed it and it ceased to exist. 

Can you see?  Can you believe?  Can you understand that we have a purpose here on this earth?  Can you know that we will not be cursed?  Can you trust that you are loved?  There is something more than just to exist without a purpose.  There is something more than to just live and then to die with no conscience of what lies beyond death.  There is more to the life that we are given than to wither up and cease to exist after death.

Stop and think.  Stop and get off the merry-go-round of life.  Stop and open your mind and your heart and receive the love that awaits you.  For you are loved.  You are alive.  You are filled with the light of life.  Believe and you shall receive.  Accept and you shall know.  Trust and you shall see the miracles that will come to you from the one who loves.  There are those who would destroy.  There are those who would deny.  There are those who would deceive and blind you and take away your ability to understand.  Be not turned by the lust of the world for it is death.  Instead seek that which you know in your heart is truth and life and love.  For he awaits your call.  He awaits your open heart.  He awaits your opening the door that he may come and be with you.  Come!  Join the living and the love of Christ will come upon you that you may live forever.

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.