St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 23c; The Weightier matters.

Our paragraph topic is:  (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 3.  

These were the times of the Scribes and the Pharisees.  The Romans were the conquering rulers of the Jews so they had to abide by their laws.  Yet the Jews had their own religious Law they had lived by for centuries which did not conflict with Roman rule.  But they did not want to have any problems with the new rulers since the Romans were known for their harsh treatment of the nations they conquered.

But the Scribes and the Pharisees went overboard in their efforts to demonstrate to their new rulers they were willing to cooperate.  They found every means to levy new laws upon their people to demonstrate their eagerness to work with the Romans.  They went over and above the law to collect tithes on all manner of goods and services so that they were able to stay ahead of what ever the Romans would ask of them.  

So the basic tenants of their religion went out the window and the people were given new rules to show their appreciation of their God.  They forgot about loving neighbor and helping one another.  It became more about each one for himself.  This is why Christ told the Scribes and the Pharisees they had forgotten about the weightier matters of religion like:  "Right judgment and mercy and faith."

These are the weightier matters of our religion today.  They are the essentials that should be a part of the life of all who call themselves Christians.  Faith is not something that we hear in church on Sundays.  It should be with us everyday, 24 hours a day, everyday of the week, when we are asleep and awake.  It should be in our bones that we have as a part of who we are.  We believe in our God and know that he is ever-living.  He is life and has given life to us through his son Christ Jesus.  This is our faith and what we believe.

Mercy is from the God that we know because he has forgiven us our sins and had mercy on us, just as we should have mercy on those who trespass against us.  Vengeance is his says the Lord and not ours to take.  So we should forgive those as he has forgiven us.

Right judgment is something that we all wish that we had and should prey for daily, for we are but human and subject to mistakes.  It is only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we can obtain a right judgment in all things.  For he is our guide, our helper, our protector, our provider that our Father has given us to watch over and keep us.  Through his love we are able to rely on his protection from the trials and tribulations of evil that we will face daily.  It is his love and his protection and his guidance that will lead us down the road to the narrow gate to the kingdom of 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 22, verse: 20; The Image and Inscription.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 8.  

They tried all kinds of tricks and traps.  When they did not work they retreated to their dungeons, consulted with each other to come up with other tricks.  Time and time again they continued to seek ways to bring about his downfall and they failed each time.  It was not his time.  It was not his way.  It was not what was written of him that they would bring about his demise.

He would surrender of his own will.  He would lay down his own life because he could.  He would become the sacrificial lamb for all.  So they came and asked him the question as to who to give tribute.  Then Jesus said to them, "Whose are this image and the inscription?" 

They wanted to know what he thought, what he would say.  Would he say that one should give tribute to Caesar and not to God?  Or would he say give tribute to God and not to Caesar?  What would he say that would contradict what he taught and believed?  What would he say that they could use to trap him?  They waited with expectation on his response knowing that either way that he responded he would provide the answer that they wanted to hear.

Teenagers grow up knowing little of the world they live in.  They have great expectations of what the world has to offer but little true knowledge of what really awaits them.  They live in a closed environment at home with their parents and in schools with their friends and associates where they are protected by their teachers and the school system.  

Then comes the time when they go off to college or enter into the world on their own.  In this world there is even less protection and they must rely upon what was given them at home and at school as guidance.  And this is not enough to steer a good course.  It takes a strong environment and a strong family support system to guide one along the path of life.  And without that support one can surely go astray.  

Christ was tested again and again by those that sought to destroy him.  The children of God will be tested again and again in their journey through life.  Pray that they have a strong foundation from their home and their school and their church that keeps them on the path to 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 20, verse:26a, The Disciples exercise no authority over the Gentiles.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Humility according to Christ's example) Part 4.

Christ told them:  "Not so is it among you. "  He wanted them to understand that they were different than the rulers and lords of the day.  The rulers of the day exercised control over the Gentiles.  They set themselves above the local people and exercised privilege over the people.  They were special.  They were not of the ordinary.  They were the rulers and their great men demonstrated their power over the people.

Christ did not want his disciples to think of themselves as such, but the disciples wanted to have power and prestige.  They thought of themselves as though they were to be the new rulers and the new lords according to the authority of Christ.  But Christ had to show them that they were different.  He had to close the door to enmity, and hatred, and anger, and jealousy, and all the emotions that were a part of the rulers of the day.  For his disciples must take their example from him.  They must follow his guidance, his path, his sacrifice.

So he gave them the understanding that they were different than the everyday ruler of the time.  They were his followers.  They were his witnesses that carried his message.  They were his teachers and his preachers and his examples of the love that comes from the Father.  They were not to become rulers and lords of the day.  Not so, is it among you that you lord your authority over the Gentiles. 

They were meek and mild.  They were loving and forgiving.  They were understanding and helpful to all the people because they saw something in the people.  Christ showed them the love that he had for the lowly.  He demonstrated the forgiveness that he possessed for the sinner.  He opened his heart to those who were suffering, the lame, the blind, the sick, the deaf, the widowed.  For he saw that which was in them that was in him.  He saw the beauty of the life that was given to mankind that was created by God our Father.  And he knew that the love that the Father had for him was the same love that he had for all men.

So he came to serve not to become a king.  He came to give and not to take.  He came to light the path and not to leave us in darkness.  He came to pay the price for disobedience and not to trespass against the Father.  He came that what was lost could now be found if we only search for it.  The choice to find it is ours to make.  The choice to believe in it is ours if we want.  The choice to know is ours if we seek to know.  The choice to see the truth is ours if we are not blinded.  What, 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 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 14, verses: 20b - 21, The Needs of the People: All are Satisfied and the Leftovers

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus feeds five thousand) Part 4.  

All ate and were satisfied.  The people were in need.  They needed food.  They needed guidance.  They needed leadership.  They needed hope.  All were in need.  John the Baptist was their voice in the wilderness.  John preached repentance.  John showed the people the way to salvation and told them that the Messiah was coming.  John gave the people hope.  And then John was no more.  And chaos came.  And doubt came.  And fear came and the people did not know what to do.  But Christ came and saw their hopelessness.  Christ came and saw their needs.  Christ came and had compassion and all were satisfied.  For he healed the sick, cured the lame, opened the eyes of the blind and fed the multitudes.

The disciples did not understand.  The disciples did not see.  The disciples did not know who they were and who they were becoming in Christ.  For he told them to feed the people themselves.  But they wanted to send them away for they were fearful of the needs of the people.  But Christ satisfied their needs.  Christ fulfilled the needs of the people and showed his disciples what they were to do.  Do not send the people away because you do not understand!  Feed the people.  Christ told his disciples, bring them here to him and he would satisfy their needs.  And so he demonstrated to the disciples what they were to do when they are faced with the needs of the people.  Bring them here to Christ and he will satisfy their every need.

And they all eat and were satisfied.  For Christ blessed the five loaves and the two fishes, broke them and gave them to is disciples to give to the people.  And the baskets were passed around to the people.  The people took their fill from the baskets and the baskets replenished themselves.  The baskets did not empty.  The baskets did not overflow.  The baskets continued to fill the needs of the people and the miracle took place before their very eyes.  And when every one had taken of the baskets and no one was left to take from the baskets, the baskets stopped replenishing itself.  And as the people broke the bread and the fish and ate, the bread and fish replenished itself and all were filled.

And when the people stopped breaking the bread and the fishes, the bread and the fish stopped replenishing itself and there were leftovers.    And they gathered up what was left over, twelve baskets full of fragments.   Now the number of those who had eaten was five thousand men, without counting women and children.

Five thousand men were fed.  Many women and children were fed.  All were satisfied.  All ate till they were filled.  And the baskets stopped replenishing and the bread and the fish stopped replenishing when all were filled.  And there was no one left to take from the baskets or no one left to break the bread and the fish.  But twelve baskets were left from the five loaves and the two fishes.  The miracle took place before their eyes and all were amazed that had eaten.  For Christ had satisfied their needs and no one was sent away.

Why do we not have miracles today like this one?  Why do our disciples of today not feed the people?  Why do our disciples of today send the people away?  Each Sunday and everyday of the week the people come to places of worship in need.  They come seeking faith.  They come seeking hope.  They come seeking to have their needs met and are sent away with crumbs without being filled.  And they return again to receive the crumbs and are sent away without being filled.  Christ said bring them to me.  And yet the people are not being brought to him.  Can we go to Christ and be filled?  Can we go to Christ and not thirst again?  Can we go to Christ and see  the miracle take place before our eyes? 

How do we go to Christ?  How do our disciples, our pastors, our ministers, lead us to Christ?  Do they know how to lead us to him?  What is the path to Christ?  Have they been lead to Christ themselves?  Will we have to come back again and again to only receive crumbs or will we be filled, no longer needing temporary satisfaction?  Christ said, bring them to me.  He will satisfy their needs.  How do we know when we are with Christ?  Can we tell when we are with Christ?  What sign do we have to know that Christ is with us?  How can we know? 

Each Sunday we listen to sermons on various subjects from the bible by ministers and preachers.  Can they show us how to come to Christ?  Have they come to Christ that they can show us the path to have Christ with us?  What must we do?  What is the way?  How do we receive Christ within us that we no longer thirst?  For he will satisfy our needs.  He will not send us away.  He will come and abide with us that we may know.  And he will give us a sign that we may know the truth of who we are in him.  For through him, and in him, and with him, we become one with the father.  Come, ministers and preachers, feed the people.  Bring them to Christ!  Show them the way that they may be satisfied eternally!

St Matthew, Chapter 14, verses: 13 - 14, The Needs of the people: Christ's compassion.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hunger of the crowd) Part 1.  

And so it was.  John the Baptist was murdered by Herod, Herodias and her daughter, agents of evil.  They had planned their plot with the advice of evil and carried it out.  John had warned the people of the evil of Herod.  John had spoken to them about his lies and deceit.  And John was imprisoned for speaking out against evil.  For evil wanted to silence John the Baptist.  Evil wanted to put John to death.  Evil wanted to stop John from winning souls to Christ.  John baptised the people.  John preached to the people of repentance.  John won souls for Christ and turned people against the evil that existed in the kingdom.  And evil wanted him dead.  And so it was.  John was murdered and sent home to his father.  His mission accomplished on this earth to prepare the way for Christ.

And the disciples of John came and removed his headless body from the prison and gave him a proper burial.  For Herod and Herodias were gloating over the head of John the Baptist.  They were rejoicing to his lifeless head how they had triumphed over him.  And evil watched on the sidelines as they became embolden in their merriment of their power.  For the people did not revolt.  The people did not cry out in shame over the death of John.  But the word spread how Herod was against his death and how he swore an oath to Herodias' daughter to give her anything that she asked for her reward to dance at his birthday party before the people.  Their plan was crafty.  Their plan was deceitful.  Their plot was carried out flawlessly.  And they rejoiced over the death of John the Baptist.

And the word spread of the death of John the Baptist.  The people were lost.  The people were in need and without a guide.  The people were in chaos.  For John was their leader.  John was their prophet.  John was their sign, pointing to the Messiah.  They were in need.   When Jesus heard this, he withdrew by boat to a desert place apart; but the crowds heard of it and followed him on foot from the towns.  And when he landed, he saw a large crowd, and out of compassion for them he cured their sick. 

Jesus traveled by boat and the crowds traveled by foot.  And they were in need.  A great loss had taken place here on earth and a new beginning was unfolding.  And the people were in chaos.  They new not where to go.  They knew not what to do.  They knew not any more of John the Baptist so they turned to Christ for their answers.  And the word spread of the loss of John the Baptist.  And the word spread of the whereabouts of Christ.  The people were in need and when Christ landed and saw the crowds he was moved with compassion because of their need for direction, their need to believe, their need for hope, their need for guidance.  And he gave them their direction.  He gave them their hope.  He gave them their belief.  He showed them that God was still with them and he cured their sick.

The time is coming and is almost here.  Chaos is coming.  Unbelief is coming.  Doubt is coming.  Fear is here.  And the people are lost and without direction.  With the uncertainty in the world today, people are feeling uncertain.  People are loosing faith.  People are loosing hope for themselves and their God.  For the evil one is bringing about uncertainty that the people will know doubt.  The evil one is bringing about uncertainty that the people will loose their belief.  The evil one is bring about uncertainty that the people will loose their hope and open the door to fear. 

There is no fear in Christ.  There is no doubt in Christ.  There is no uncertainty in Christ.  For all things are in Christ.  There is no impossibility in Christ for all things are in Him.  Those who know will stand tall in this time of uncertainty.  Those who are rooted will not be moved by uncertainty.  Those who believe will see the truth come forth in spite of the fear and doubt in the world.  And those who practice perfect patience in the Lord will see the certainty of his love.  Christ is Lord of all and he sits at the right hand of God our Father in heaven.