St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verse:24; The Question.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The authority of Jesus) Part 3. 

The chief priest and the elders came to Jesus with the question.  They wanted to know from where he obtained his authority to preach.  They wanted to know where he trained, who taught him, and how he came to do such miracles, since they did not know of him or from whence he came.  So they came with the question of his authority.

They were incensed that he taught the people without their permission.  He taught in the temple where they taught and the people listened to him rather than their teachings.  The people were leaning away from the teachings of the Law and leaning towards the teachings of Christ.  And the chief priest and elders witnessed the change that was taking place and they did not like it.  So they came and confronted him directly and asked the question.  Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question, and if you answer me this, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things." 

And so it became a standoff.  The chief priest and the elders wanting to know the answer and Christ having a question for them, wanting to know how they would respond.  Would they come to an agreement or would they have a standoff each taking a different side? 

The Mexican standoff was at play here.  Good verses evil, left verses right, your side verses mine.  Were do we go from here or do we continue to stay divided?  This sounds like a position that we face everyday in our lives.  Where do we stand?  And that question is put to us so often that the answer comes automatic because of our programing.  We have a choice but which do we take.

Do we go right or do we go left?  Are we naturally inclined to the right but the persuasion and influence of the left draws us in.  We fight.  We struggle.  But it is only with the help of something stronger than ourselves that we are able to stay the course.  Where do we find the strength?  Where do we find the courage, the enlightenment, the belief, the faith and the hope to continue each day.  

We are spiritual beings encased in a physical body.  We live in the physical but we belong to the spiritual.  Our physical existence is given to us without our asking.  Yet our spiritual being requires feeding, requires nourishment, takes exercise and practice for it to grow and develop into the life of its own.  It is there but we need to recognize it and feed it.  And we have a source that will lead and guide us along the way.  But the need and desire to grow is up to us.  It is our decision where to stand, to the right or to the left.  Where do we want to be?  Do we want to be with the authority of the universe or do we want to be with physical realm of death?  The answer is ours only.  No one can make it for us but many can influence.  Will you answer my question or will I answer yours?  

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:17; Leaving Them.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Anger of the Jewish leaders) Part 5. 

He taught in the temple.  He cured the sick in the temple.  He was praised in the temple.  And the chief priest and the scribes were indignant in the temple.  They saw and could not believe.  They heard and could not know.  They felt the praise and their response was anger and jealousy and fear.  They were the leaders.  They were the Law.  They were the ones that the people feared and looked up to.  But Christ came and brought change.  He came and was different.  He came and the people turned to him and not to the leaders.

The leaders came to him to ask what he was doing.  Did he not know that even the children were giving praise to him?  Did he not know the effect that he was having on the poor, the blind, the lame, all the people?  For they all came to be cured.  They all came to hear.  They all came to be touched by his presence.  But the leaders did not see, they did not know, they did not feel presence of his grace.  And he tired of their indignance.  And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and he stayed there.

He could have stayed.  He could have continued to speak with them in an attempt to open their eyes.  He could have continued to show them the miracles that he performed.  But they were blind.  They were filled with their own importance.  They were already under the influence of  the evil that was within them and could not change.  So he left.  He went away.  He did not want to continue to be in their presence for it was offensive. 

Often times, even today, we may find ourselves in situations that are not tenable.  We may find ourselves in situations with others where we are presenting our point of view and trying to sway others.  But in some instances the others cannot see, they cannot understand, they refuse to hear what we are saying.  This continued back and forth opens the door to anger and frustration that may escalate to aggressive behavior or violence.  This is not our intention.  It may be better to leave, to walk away, to cut off the argument and not go any further.  For continuing to engage opens the door to violence and this is where reason leaves and anger comes in.  And with that anger comes evil.

Christ came to teach us how to love one another.  He came to help us to understand who we are in the eyes of God our Father.  He came that we may have new life instead of death.  Death came into the world long ago with Adam.  But Christ conquered death.  He came that we would have peace in our minds and our hearts, not hatred and anger and jealousy, and envy.  He came that we would be able to see and know that we are loved in this world.  We are not alone.  We are not lost.  We are not forgotten. 

We are not poor but rich is the love and grace of God our Father.  He is the one who created the moon and the stars and the earth and all that is within.  He is the one who gave us life out of the goodness of his love.  He is the one that will gift to us the riches of the universe if we come to know him and open our hearts to his will.  Come join us.  Leave the old behind and take on the new.  Forget the chaos that you knew and know the peace and joy of the kingdom of heaven.  Throw off the darkness of death and take up the light of Christ.  You will know the truth of who you are in him.  

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.