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.
Our paragraph topic is: (The son of David) Part 5.
The spirits are talking and David is listening. He is in the mist of the Lord of Lords listening to the conversation of his Lord speaking to his Lord. David was special. He was chosen from among the seven brothers to be crowned a king. He was favored by his Lord because he was just a lowly shepherd boy working in the fields watching over the sheep and God chose him to be anointed king over his brothers who were full of pride.
But not David. He worshiped his God and was a humble servant. And this is why God chose him over his brothers to lead the people of Israel. So David knew that the Christ, his Lord, would come, from his blood line. He knew that the Christ would be a part of his children's children. He also knew from his understanding in the spirit that the Christ would come through him but not of him. And the question would become: "If David, therefore, calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?"
This was the mystery that puzzled the Pharisees. And if we think of it today, it will also give us a twist of mind. How is it that Christ could not be the son of David since he was born through the lineage of David? Yet Christ was not brought forth through David, he was before David, he was before man was conceived, he was before the world was conceived, he was the first born of God conceived of his love. So whose son is he, God's son or David's son? Which one can it be?
Before we were, there was nothing. Before we were brought forth into existence, we were not conceived as human beings. There was nothing of us. Nothing of you and me. We can say that we have parents and grandparents and great, and great and great, great, great parents, but even before them there was nothing. I came into existence one day and now I am. My Lord tells me that I will have a short test in the flesh and then I will transform into the spirit and exist for eternity with him, if I pass the test of his commandments, the test of his love.
My existence will go on into eternity. I am and I will be. I came from nothing and I will be into eternity. Can I grasp this concept? Can I fully understand the magnitude of who I am and the gift that has been given me from my Lord? I think not. For I live as though time is limited. I live as though I am not. My mind is wrapped in a glass ball not knowing that I am, on the outside looking in, instead of on the inside looking around trying to scrape out an existence.
My Father and God is my provider, my helper, my protector. He watches over me. He cares for me. He loves me and I love him. His son has opened my eyes and healed me, forgiven me of my sins, washed away my tears. I know that I am redeemed. I would share the overflowing love that is within me with all who would open themselves to the love that awaits them from the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
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.
Our paragraph topic is: (Christ's answer) Part 5.
They came to him for answers and he gave them knowledge. They thought that they knew about the resurrection. They believed that there was no life after death, that there was no resurrection so they came to him for an answer. He told them that they were wrong, that they knew neither the scriptures nor the power of God. They thought that they knew, but they did not. They thought they had the answers but they did not. They thought that they were right in their beliefs but they were wrong in their assumptions and Christ told them so.
He told them that there would be no marriage in heaven. Therefore, what took place on earth would not be bound in heaven. Men and women would not be bound to each other in heaven. They will be like angels of God in heaven. This was a shocking revelation to the Sadducees because they assumed that the wedding commitment would be bound over at the resurrection after death. Christ had to correct them on this point also. God was a God of the living and not of the dead. He told them what was spoken by God himself saying: " ' I am God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' He is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
Where does that leave us today, those who believe? Do we believe in the living God? Are we right in our faith, in our hope, in our trust in the invisible God? Can we act on that which we believe, walk by, live by, and know, that we have a living God that we can call on, in our time of need? Will he hear us? Will he respond to us? Will he care for our needs? Will he provide for us?
We indeed are weak. Yet something inside tells us, talks to us, encourages us to think otherwise. Something wants us to not be humble, to not be dependent, to not trust in the Lord. History has taught us that he has been there for us. He has walked with us, showed us the way, done things for us, brought us far without problems. So why should we stop leaning on him now. Why should we stop trusting him now. He was a plan for us, all we have to do is be patient and enjoy the ride.
Our God is patient. He is merciful. He is loving. He saved us from the deep depression that we were in where those thoughts of ending came upon us. He gave us new life and new hope. He show us the way. He opened the door for us to enter the kingdom of heaven. He opened our eyes to who we are in Christ Jesus and now we see ourselves in a new light. The Spirit lives with us and guides us daily. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to Jesus Christ. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit.
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.
Our paragraph topic is: (Triumphal entry into Jerusalem) Part 3.
They heard that he was coming. And the word spread of his arrival. They came to see, they came to hear, they came that they could be a part of his arrival. They were simple folks. They were poor, they were humble, they were the downtrodden and the suffering. But they believed in him. They had faith in him that he would change their world, change their suffering, change their pain into joy. They believed.
So they came out to meet him. They had no horns or drums to announce his coming. They had no confetti to welcome him, but they had their cloaks. And they found a way to honor him, a way to praise him, a way to give him the glory that he deserved. And most of the crowd spread their cloaks upon the road, while others were cutting branches from trees, and strewing them on the road.
This was their time to celebrate. This was their time to rejoice. This was their time to show to the world the coming of the Messiah and their belief in him. They were not the governors, or the priests, or the men of power, or the merchants of the day. These were the common folk, the people who had heard the word, the people who were poor and downtrodden, the everyday common people who were trying to eek out a living in those trying times.
And Christ came onto the scene. He heals the sick and the word travels. He cast out demons and the word goes forth. He cures the lepers and open the eyes of the blind, and makes the lame walk, and forgives the sins of those who are sinners. He raises the dead to demonstrate to those who believe that he is the Messiah, the Son of God. And the word becomes wildfire and spreads throughout the land. And now he comes to the annual celebration of the Passover and all want to see, all want to know, all want to be a part of the new beginning that he brings.
Only a hand full know what is about to happen. Only the few have been warned of the sacrifice. Only a few follow in horror of the greatest suffering that is about to take place for one so innocent and unblemished as Christ. They did not know what was happening. They did not understand why this was taking place. They thought that he came to take over the kingdom, to be ruler of the world, to transform all the evil that was taking place. They did not know or fully believe that he came to be the sacrifice, the propitiation for our sins. They did not know that he would rise again, triumphant over death, never to die again. They only knew that they could see what was in front of them and what they saw was horror.
Two thousand years later we know why he came. It has been given to us to see the church that he created through the disciples. It has been given to us to know of his sacrifice, of his suffering, of his pain, of his death, of his resurrection, and of his ascension into heaven to sit at the right hand of his Father. We who believe know the why and the wherefore. That has been given to us. What we do not know is when he will return, when the words will be fulfilled. Will you be ready? Do you believe? Do you know 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.
Our paragraph topic is: (Humility according to Christ's example) Part 7.
Whoever wishes to be first shall be your slave is what Christ told his disciples. Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant. And they did not understand his meaning. He spoke in parables. He spoke in riddles. He spoke in words that had one meaning on the surface and a different meaning on a deeper level.
They wanted to be great. They wanted to be known. They wanted all the things that they saw exhibited by the leaders of their time and that was their example. So they assumed that he would follow the example of the day and lead them to be great leaders of the new order. But his example had one meaning on the surface and another meaning on a deeper level.
On the surface they were repulsed at the thought of being great with being a servant. They definitely did not want to become a slave in order to be first. But on a deeper level Christ was telling his disciples not to be like the leaders of their time. He was telling them to be humble, to be obedient. He wanted them to understand that greatness comes from the Father and that it is rewarded through humility. He told them that even he who is lord of all, came to be a servant: "Even as the Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve."
Follow his example. Listen to his words. Walk in his footsteps and know the will of the Father. For we are but his servants, here to spread the good news of our redemption to all who have not heard, to all who do not know, to all who are blinded by the world. Love is the key to what we do. For we are all his children. We are all brothers and sisters. We all come from the same tree of life that he created. And we are all created in his likeness and his image.
We are not black or white, Asian or Latin, Native Indian or immigrant. We all belong to one family. We are all the same. Beneath the skin of the flesh, beneath the muscle and bones of the body, we are all living spirits created in his image and likeness. And we all have one Lord, Jesus Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. For he loved the life that was in us. He came to restore that life because it was lost. And through the knowledge of the spirit within us we can come to know and come to see that which he gave to us.
Follow the example. Humbly seek that which has been given you. We all have a purpose. We all have a place. And we all are loved by the Father who knows our hearts desires. He will provide. He will protect. He will listen to your needs. But you must open the heart to believe in him. You must act on him. You must know, with everything that is within you, that he will take care of you. Practice the patience of heaven. And in that patience is the proof of who you are in him. Open the mind! Open the heart! Seek the truth that is within you and you will know the truth of who you are in Christ. God, your father loves 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.
Our paragraph topic is: (The lost sheep) Part 1.
Christ has instructed his disciples about the little ones, those who are humble like little children. He has given them a simple example through a little child. Do not seek to be ambitious, he tells them. But seek to be like little children, without worry, full of play, having the world before you, as a new place to explore and enjoy. For such is the kingdom of heaven, he tells them, filled with little ones. Those that are humble, those that are meek, those that are mild of manner, those that are at peace, will enter into the kingdom of heaven.
But despise not the little ones. Hold not a grudge against these little ones. Bear not hatred against those that have turned to become like little children. For they are protected. They are watched over. They are the ones that the angels provide for, protect, and care for. Christ tells them that these are the ones that the Father in heaven hears about because their angels behold the face of God. " See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father in heaven."
Do not despise the little ones. Do not despise those that are humble and clean in spirit. For they are the new life from the tree of life, uncorrupted and undefiled. They are the ones that are protected. They are the ones who's angels behold the face of God. They are the ones who's angels have the ear of God the Father to petition to him for retribution, for wrath, and for
vengeance. Be careful how you speak. Be careful how you think of the little ones. Be careful how you act with, around and influence the little ones, for they are the ones that are protected.
We are adults living in a modern world that requires our physical being to live, to survive, to rest, to play, to work, to be alive. For we seek to be alive, to live a life of freedom, without fear, without pain, without worries, without restrictions, free to live as we please. What is this but to be a child? What do we seek but to not have the cares and worries of the world. To play with our children, as though we were children ourselves, brings such joy and happiness, such pleasure. It makes us feel alive. But the world comes crashing in and we must return to being adults again.
Christ offers us that freedom. He gives us that opportunity. He tells us that we must turn away from the world and become like little children. For children do not worry. Children do not have cares. Children rest with ease and are at peace. And children have parents who watch over them and care for them as we have a father who watches over us. Do we trust him? Do we rely on him? Do we believe in his ability to provide for us? Most do not. Yet he waits patiently that you may discover his presence, that you may come to him, that he may show you his love, his care, his provisions, his peace.
Come! Seek the peace that Christ offers. He gave you new life. He came that you would not be lost. He made the sacrifice that you would live. Open your heart and let him in. Open your mind and see the truth. Open your soul and welcome in the Spirit of the Lord. You will know his love! You will know his provision! You will know his protection! You will know his peace! I do. I have come to know that I have a Father in heaven who provides for me, a Father who protects me, a Father who loves me, a Father whom I trust in all things and who gives me peace. Follow the path before you and awake to the new life that is within you and you too will come to know your 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.
