St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 12b; The Exalted.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 11. 

We end this paragraph topic about the Scribes and the Pharisees but this entire chapter of Matthew revolves around them.  They came together at the end of chapter 22 to challenge Christ since they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees.  Christ used this opportunity to speak directly to all of them since they had come together to challenge him.

This was his chance to give them instructions while he was with his disciples and the people.  Yet even more so, it was an opportunity to open their minds that they might see the truth of who they were and the influence of evil over them.  He had told them that he who is the greatest among you shall be your servant which was contrary to their sense of belief that they would be servants to anyone.  He further tells them:  "And whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."   

These statements were spoken to the Scribes and the Pharisees but were also meant to instruct the disciples and anyone who listened.  The Scribes and the Pharisees certainly were not humble by any means.  They sought recognition.  They sought praise.  They sought honor and fame because of their positions among the people.  They believed that they were above the laws they imposed upon the people.  And their beliefs did not encompass humility.

The disciples were being trained by Christ to follow in his footsteps.  This statement was an instruction to them also.  Do not exalt yourself above the people but follow a humble path.  Follow his example of humility and you will be exalted by the Father.  He is the son of the most high God, first born above all creation, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Princes.  Yet he humbled himself, discarded his crown of glory and became a servant to the people.

Here is our example today of how to live a humble life.  Be of service to one another.  Help where help is needed.  Show compassion on the lowly and the needy.  Give with a loving heart and God will give to you.  We are all from one body, created in the same image and likeness, all the same brothers and sisters.  Let us not go astray from ourselves.  Let us not divide ourselves.  Let us not make comparisons that bring jealousy and envy.  We are all one in him who created us and gave us life.  Christ is our savior.  He is our Lord.  He is the architect of the life we have today.  Be the example.  Live the life he has given us in peace and harmony with our brothers and sisters.  For we are from one God, one Father, one Lord.  Amen.

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 20, verse: 14a, Take what is thine and go.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the laborers in the vineyard)
Part 20.

We come to this part of the parable where the house-holder speaks to the laborers directly concerning their anger and their frustration about their pay.  They have come to believe that they were cheated.  Their minds were influenced by a belief that they deserved more than they agreed to from the beginning.  They saw others come in and work.  They believed that they would receive less.  But when the time came for payment they received the same as those who came before them and worked less.

They saw themselves deserving more.  They saw themselves as being cheated.  They saw themselves as being underpaid even though they agreed to do the labor for a denarius.  Who was at fault?  Who committed a wrong?  Did they deserve more?  Was that the issue or did they compare themselves to others to determine that they deserved more?  The house-holder spoke to them and told them:  "Take what is thine and go." 

What was theirs?  What belonged to them?  What did they own?  They agreed to a denarius when they were hired in the market place and that was what was theirs.  They believed that it was a fair wage for a days work.  So the contract for labor was agreed upon and signed when they went to work.  It was only after they were in the fields, saw others come in after them, and watched as they were paid the same amount that they became dissatisfied and disgruntled.  What would you do?  If you agreed to do a specific task for a fixed amount, would you be disgruntled if you saw others come and do less work and get paid the same amount?  Most would say yes!

Christ tells this parable to his disciples to warn them of the dangers of making comparisons.  He wanted them to know that they would be challenged to compare what they were being offered to what they would receive.  He wanted them to be aware of how evil would challenge them, to weaken them, and to open them up to being influenced.  Knowledge of oneself in the eyes of Christ defends against the outside influence.  Knowing the life that Christ has given to us and the value of that life cannot compare to anything that this world has to offer. 

Evil tempted Christ in the desert and offered him the kingdoms of this world if he would only bow down in worship.  Evil will do the same to us if we do not know who we are in Christ.  It will come and influence.  It will come and tempt.  It will come in and bring anger, and mistrust and disbelief and finally open the door to being controlled.  And when that control takes over one will do what is suggested to get what is being offered by it.

Christ came and opened the door to the kingdom that all could enter.  He gave us a path.  He showed us the way.  He left a message, a book, a light, so that we could find our way home.  And when we come to realize and understand who we are and the path to our destiny, nothing can stand in our way to receive our peace and happiness.  The Advocate will lead the way.  The Advocate will be our guide.  The Advocate will be our council everyday to help us make good decisions as we walk by faith along the path to the kingdom.  Your path is before you.  You can find the way.  Look within and see the light of life given you by Christ.  Seek to know him and you will see.  His love will come and touch you to let you know that he is there waiting for you.  Open your heart and let him in.  Come!  See the true you that is within and let no one or nothing separate you from the love that the Father has for you.

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 10, verse: 11, The Instructions

Our paragraph topic is:  (Instructions to the Twelve) Part 4.  

Christ continues to prepare his disciples for their solo journey.  He has told them where to go.  He has told them who to seek.  He has told them what they are to proclaim.  He has told them how to dress, what to wear, what to carry with them, and what not to carry.  The disciples are to become laborers.  They are to be worthy of their calling and the work they are to perform.  Their work must be deserving of their pay.  Now as he gathers them around, he gives them instructions for the battles they are to face.  He tells them what their first encounter will be.

Christ began his  mission of preaching and teaching with miracles.  He cast out demons, healed the sick and cured the lame.  The words of his ministry spread like wildfire throughout all of Syria.  Large crowds followed him from Galilee and Decapolis, and Jerusalem and Judea and even from beyond the Jordan.  His fame preceded him.  The people had heard of him, and the spiritual world of demons knew about him.  They heard the word of his fame and the battle was being prepared for his coming.  It was a time of war and Christ was the great warrior who conquered all the territories that he entered.  There was no stopping the onslaught of his ministry.  

Now the disciples were being prepared to enter the battle with the spiritual world.  They are given powers to fight the demons.  They are given powers to cure the sick and heal the lame, cleanse the lepers.  They are given powers to push back the forces of darkness and to bring light into the lives of the people.  But the demons do not give up.  Christ instructs his disciples to enter a village or a town and to, "Inquire who in it is worthy."   They are to inquire amongst the people of the village who they thought was holy and spiritually worthy in their town. 

What would this do?  The village or town would spread the word, saying to each other, "There is a man in town seeking the one who is worthy."  Every person who thought that they were worthy would come forth.  Every person who had claims on being worthy would appear.  And those who had authority would appear out of curiosity.  The town would become a buzz with the talk of who is worthy.  And the demon possessed people would also appear to put down this talk of being worthy because it is contrary to their cause.  Finally the true person who is worthy would appear, to reveal himself or herself to the disciple, to receive his blessing.  So Christ gave his disciples a challenge call to bring forth the true person that was holy and worthy, and also to bring forth the evil ones.

Christ gives his disciples a challenge call to bring forth the worthy in the villages and towns they are to visit.  What a wonderful example he has given, even to us, today.  When we enter a new job, who do we align ourselves with?  When we enter a new town, a new community, a new school, who do we seek?  Do we seek the one that is worthy or do we seek the one that is popular?  Do we seek the one that is most talked about or the one that is least talked about?  In our social environment, in our work environment, even in our church environment, we are challenged to fit in.  Those who are there before us, will challenge us.  They will play games with us.  They will trick us.  They will seek us out, to determine where we will fit into the social order.  How do we, as people of the faith of Christ, align ourselves with others in preparation for the battle?  Do we seek or inquire who is worthy or do we just fit into the world???