St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 37c; Gathered thy children.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Lamentation over Jerusalem) Part 3.  

For God so loved the world and yet the world loved him not.  His heart yearned for the love that he gave to the world but the world would not give back.  Even his own chosen children that he led from the Egyptian labor camps to freedom refused to show their appreciation for his love.  Years went by and they forgot the mighty hand that he showed their parents and grandparents leading them to freedom.

Their God was a mighty God.  Their God was a loving God.  Their God was a God of mercy and forgiveness.  Yet they were a children and a race that strayed from him and went their own way.  He has said how often he would have gathered them together:  "As a hen gathers her young under her wings."  

How tender a sight to imagine and see such a protective moment that our God would provide for us such a gesture security, such a gesture of love, such a gesture of passion for his children.  Can we not see this happening to us?  Can we not feel his love for us that we would have such a moment of protection over us that nothing would happen to us at any time?  He is our protector.  He is our provider.  He is our be all and end all if we just call upon him to be there for us.

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 23, verses: 36; This Generation.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their persecution of religion) Part 14.  

And the kingdom of heaven came upon them and they were not ready.  The opportunity for repentance came before them and they did not repent.  The day of judgment was there in their presences and they dismissed it as another hoax.  They were blind and could not see, deaf and could not hear, dumb and could not understand the changing of events taking place around them.

Farmers could read the change in the weather.  Politicians could read the change in the moods of the people.  Priest can understand the spiritual needs of their parishioners.  But the Scribes and the Pharisees were so engrained in their beliefs that they could not see the light of Christ that stood before them despite all the signs that were shown.  And Christ told them: Amen, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation."

Theirs was the endpoint of their time.  Christ had come to offer redemption.  They had rejected redemption and instead choose to fight it.  So the time had come to close the books, to end the persecution, to write the names of all those who were persecuted and all the names of those who persecuted the just.  Judgment day had come and their names were written in the judgment book along with all the others who had persecuted the just.

Thank you Father for the opportunity for redemption.  Thank you for the mercy you have shown us in giving me the chance to repent of my sins.  For I know not when or how or where I may be called upon to surrender my life and come before you for judgment.  But that the life I have lived at least I have had the opportunity to change my ways and repent of my sins.  I pray that if I may die tomorrow that you will have mercy upon my soul and not condemn me to hell.

My desire is to be with my savior Lord Jesus Christ in his kingdom that I may be fulfilled by his presence.  For he is my be all and end all.  There is nothing on this earth that can fill me more than his presence.  Thank you Father each day for the love and the protection that you give me and my family.  May we continue to walk the path that leads us to your kingdom. 

 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 23, verses: 32; The measure of your fathers.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their persecution of religion) Part 6.  

They were taught well, the sons.  Their fathers were the leaders of the people who killed the prophets in order to keep the people in line with their interpretation of religion.  They did not want to change.  They did not want to show love, or mercy, or faith, or hope in God that they could show the people.  They only had what they knew to be their own way of knowledge and understanding.

They had the writings of the prophets and the commandments.  They had the rules as given by Moses.  But those were from ancient history passed down from centuries ago.  Their fathers needed new rules and new laws to fit their needs and their ways of thinking so they made their own.  And they taught those new learnings to their sons to rule the people so that they would  continue to persecute the people.  Christ told them:  "You also fill up the measure
of your fathers."

Their fathers would be proud of the way they rule over the people.  They would be honored because their sons carry on the traditions that they established.  The sons continued the sins of the fathers and persecuted religion the same as their fathers.  They know no difference.  They seek no change.  They understand no sorrow or pain for the people.  They know no mercy or love, for they live in palaces away from the common people, they fill themselves with fine foods, dress in the best of clothing and live a life of luxury.  

Has time changed so drastically today that we are that much different from the past?  Some live in poverty, some live just above poverty.  Some live, in the median, and then there are those who live above the median and those that live ultra median.  And above all those are the generational life that has known luxury for many lifetimes.  This is our society today.  This is our way of life today.  This is our religion today. 

Christ came, to bring about change to the system.  He came to open our minds and our hearts to a different way.  We live in the system but we do not have to be a part of it.  We are in the system but we are not bound by it, if we choose.  We are flesh and spirit but we are bound by spirit.  He has given us a new spirit, a new life, a new light.  He has given us the key to the kingdom if we choose to accept it.  

Our key allows us to step out of the worldly system and into the spiritual system.  In our new life we are given the riches of the world plus the wealth of the kingdom of heaven.  We are given the eternal joy and the peace and the everlasting happiness that the worldly system cannot buy or give us.  We are given the love and protection of the ever-living creator of the universe, our Father Almighty God.  We are given the promise of Christ that he will be with us always, that he will guide us and protect us from harm.  All this we are given because of his love for us.  If you have ever been down and out, know that he is with you.  All you have to do is call upon him and you will know his love.  And his love for you will fill you with a love for 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.

St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 31b; Those who killed the prophets.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their persecution of religion) Part 5.  

Christ is speaking directly to the Scribes and the Pharisees on how they are destroying the religion of the people.  The things they are doing and the rules and the laws they enforce have little to do with increasing the faith of the people but instead destroying their belief in their God.  Why is it so difficult on the people at this time in their lives?  Why do the leaders proclaim so many laws that they have to follow?  Why are they treated like slaves where every move is watched over by the religious leaders to make sure they are doing no wrong?  Why is there no mercy in the Lord?

God heard the cries and sighs of his people and sent his prophets to warn the leaders of their harsh treatment of the people.  He sent messengers to the Pharisees to tell them of their wrongs. The prophets proclaimed in the streets the message of God but the leaders would not have them stirring up the people with a different word than that which came from them.  To put an end to the messenger they killed the prophets, spilled their precious blood.   And the people were left without the message.  The new leadership followed in the same footsteps as their fathers maintaining the same rules, persecuting the religion as their fathers before them.

When Christ confronted them about their fathers, they tried to escape their heritage but they only convicted themselves by their own words.  He told them that they can not deny: "That you are the sons of those who killed the prophets." 


They, indeed, were the heirs of their fathers who killed the prophets.  As much as they might try to hide from that fact it would be part of their heritage.  Their fathers trained them, taught them how to rule the people.  They taught them the ins and out of leadership, and getting ride of the opposition was one of the key tools handed down to the children.  This was how they ruled the people.  Keep everyone in line.  

We see this even today, in every corner of industry, government, management, finance, business, etc.  As long as you stay in line with your leaders and do as they ask, keep your head down, don't make trouble, no matter what, you will be fine.  If you see something wrong, ask too many questions, speak up at the wrong time, you are subject to find yourself at the back of the line and out the door.  These are the rules of our society and they are enforced down to the man.

Ask yourself, where do you want to be in life?  On the inside or on the outside?  How far are you willing to go to achieve your goals?  What are you willing to do to get there?  Are you willing to lie, cheat, steal, slander, cause harm, murder, lower your moral standards, whatever? We are driven to get ahead.  We are motivated daily to have the things that we see that others have.  We want the same things and we will have them!  And then there is that little voice that sits on our shoulder that tells us how to get what we want if we only have the guts and the courage to take it.  Evil has come full circle.

Christ came to redeem us from the evil in the world.  He came to give us a new life, a life rich with all the joy and happiness that this world cannot offer.  He came that we might have peace within, knowing that we are already wealthy, rich beyond the worldly material of mankind.  Our joy lies with him.  Our peace is in him.  Our love is from him.  We are in him and he is in those who will accept 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.

St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 23d; Things you ought to have done.

Our paragraph topic is:  (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 4.  

They were blessed to have known their God.  He spoke to them through the prophets.  He sent messengers to the leaders giving directions and instructions.  He guided them through hard times and he chastised them when they did not listen to his words of wisdom.  Yet they were a hardened people, prone to their own ways.  They had the Law handed down to them by their forefathers to guide their daily lives.  But they had the desires to live in a world of riches like other men.

The Romans ruled over them so they had to obey Roman Law.  They had to keep the peace or suffer the heavy hand of Roman justice or punishment.  Some of the people did not like it and would have rebelled.  But it was up to the leaders of the synagogue to keep the people in line and prevent any uprising.  So the Scribes and the Pharisees, out of fear, found every way to clamp down on the people to keep them in line.  Christ called them hypocrites because they did not believe in their faith.  They only knew the positions of power they wanted to keep.  They did whatever was necessary to rule over the people to keep the Romans happy.

They had a God who created the universe and yet they feared the Romans.  They had a God who separated the Red Sea for their people to cross over yet they gave up their belief and faith in him for fear of the Romans.  They had a God who brought plague upon the Egyptian nation but they stopped having mercy and forgiveness as their God had instructed them.  Right judgment was a thing of the past in the face of the Imperial Roman Cohort even though their God was the God of all mankind.  Christ told them:  "These things you ought to have done, while not leaving the others undone."

Faith, right judgment, mercy Christ tells us are an essential part of our religion, what we believe.  Despite all that happens in the world around us today, we should have a solid foundation in the knowledge and belief that we have a God and Father who cares for us.  He will provide and protect us no matter what happens in the world.  If all else fails, if the world comes to an end, if the sun explodes and the moon crashes into the sea, we will always have our Father to rely upon to take care of us.  We are his children and he is our Father and his love is ours to count on.

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 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, verses: 36; The Great Commandment.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The great commandment) Part 3.

Time and time again they came to question his knowledge of the Law.  They could not believe that he had a complete grasp of the Law.  They did not know him.  Their colleagues did not know him.  No one had studied with him.  So how was it that he knew the Law?  How is it that he knew the Torah, the ins and outs, the intricacies of what had taken others years of study to comprehend.  They had to test him.  They had to prove him a fake, a charlatan.

Yet he came to teach the people in simple ways the love of God.  He came to walk and talk to them.  He came to show compassion and mercy to those who were in pain and sorrow.  He came to give relief to the lost and to open the minds and hearts of all who would hear him and believe in his message that the kingdom of heaven was at hand.   But they questioned him saying: "Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? "

What is the great commandment in the Law?  Is it thou shalt not steal?  Is it thou shalt not kill?  Is it thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife?  Or is it thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy soul?  There shall be no other greater love before you.  Is this true today?  Do we love the Lord more than we love anything else?

To love something we have to know something about that which we love.  Do we know the Lord enough that we can love him?  Or do we love something else more because we know more about that thing which we love?  We love money.  We love what money can buy.  We love what money can bring.  We love what money can do for us.  We love all the things that having lots of money will bring us.  We lust for money.  We dream for money.  Our eyes glaze over when we think of winning millions of money in a lottery.  Yet do we think of winning love of God the same way?

We see with our eyes not.  We hear with our ears not.  We know with our mind not.  We are our hearts.  The heart knows the emptiness.  The heart knows true love.  The heart knows what it needs to fulfill its desires.  Do not be fooled by what you see and hear in the world.  The world is dying.  God is life and through his love we are renewed.  Christ Jesus came to renew life to those who would receive his message.  Now is the time.  Now is the place.  Now is the reason to open your heart and know the truth of who you are in his love.  The heart knows.

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: 17a; Tell us thy thoughts.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 4. 

Now that the foundation was laid the real question comes.  They want to know the inner workings of his mind since they have laid the trap for him and set the parameters surrounding what they thought would be his response.  They were wise in their own conceited way.  They believed that they were knowledgeable enough to know more than this simple man called Jesus. They had met many others like him and brought about their downfall.

They did not know.  They did not understand.  They were blinded by their own arrogance and conceit in thinking that this man was the same as the others that they had met.  This was the Messiah, the living Christ, Son of God the Father.  But they did not know him.  So they asked him:  "Tell us, therefore, what dost thou think?" 

They wanted to know his thoughts, how he processes the questions that they would ask of him, and how he would respond since he is a man of truth and teaches the way of God.  They had set this trap with the knowledge of how they thought that he would respond but their knowledge was limited.  Their knowledge was flawed, their knowledge was human.  It was influenced by the desires of evil and wickedness that drove them to be blind to the truth that was before them, drove them to be deaf to the word that came to them, they could not hear, drove them to not believe in wisdom that had come down through the ages from the prophets that came before him.  They were lost without hope.  But they wanted to know his thought even though they could not comprehend them.  They could only anger at how their plan would fail.    

Yet Christ was loving.  Christ was gentle.  Christ was understanding in his knowledge of where they were and what they were doing.  He offered a way out.  He is merciful in that he never relents in his mercy.  He never stops offering his mercy to us no matter what we do, no matter how often we turn away, no matter how often we let go of him, he is always there waiting for us to call out to him.  He hears our voice.  He knows our cry and he will come to our aid if we are true to him in our need.  

That inner voice will tell us to give up, to not believe, to end it all.  But I am here to say that he, Our Father, is real.  Our God will come.  Our God will provide.  Our God does love you and will demonstrate his love for you everyday.  Patience is the key.  Belief is the way.  Once you taste the fruit of his love you will know that there is nothing else on this earth that will satisfy you.  You will walk your hand in his hand and no one or nothing can take that away.  And now your  journey begins.  

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: 15; The trap.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 1.  

Christ is the Son of the Living God who came down from heaven to walk among the people.  He came to teach and to preach and to give an example of how to live according to the commandments of God.  He demonstrated his love and his passion for the people, his mercy and his willingness to forgive the sins of those who sought forgiveness.

But then there were those who were against him, those who sought to tear him down, to destroy him in the eyes of the people.  They wanted to show him as being a fraud and not the genuine article as the real Son of the Father.  They were the ones who were afraid, who feared that he would show the people who they really were.  They were afraid of being fake and not real on the inside as they appeared to be.  Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might trap him in his talk.  

They took counsel among themselves and came up with a scheme as to how they thought that they might catch him in a trap.  They believed that they could trick him.  They believed that they could trap him.  They believed that they could plan a way to bring about his fall, but they did not think that they were dealing with the Son of God who knew their plans before they did.  He saw through them.  He understood them.  He knew where they came from because he knew the influence from which they came.

They could not trap him.  They could not trick him.  They could not harm him in any way.  He came that he might surrender himself for the sins of mankind.  God wanted all men and women, boys and girls to be free of sin, so he gave Adam the choice to decide to obey his commandments.  But Adam was human and Adam came up against the serpent who tricked Eve and brought sin into the world for all mankind.  

Now we each and everyone of us have to make that decision and live by it for the rest of our days.  For Christ came and gave us a new choice, a new life, a new beginning.  He came and freely gave of himself to be our sacrifice, our propitiation, that we may have life and have it more abundantly.  The choice is now ours, individually to make.  The choice is now ours to individually to decide.  The choice is now ours to individually live day in and day out that we may know the truth of who we are in Christ.  He gave us life and it is life that is within us if we choose it.

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: 5, Thy King Cometh.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem) Part 5.  

The words were spoken through the prophets for all to hear.  They were written in the books for all to see.  And they were waiting for fulfillment so that they may return to the Father complete from their purpose.  The rules were in place long ago.  The disciples were given the instructions by the rules so that the words written could be fulfilled.  And Christ spoke the words that were uttered by the prophets so that they would be fulfilled.

The disciples did not know.  They were given the instructions to follow.  It was only after the words were fulfilled that they realized the significance of their actions and the role they played in the completion of the word fulfilled.  "Tell the daughter of Sion: Behold, thy king comes to thee, meek and seated upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of a beast of burden."

And now we understand the purpose of the instructions.  God works in mysterious ways, ways that are not available for man to understand.  He has given us the words that we might follow.  They have been written for us to follow if we wish.  They are waiting for completion that we might further understand the will of God our Father.  Patience is the key.

He has told us of his love.  He has told us of his mercy.  He has told us of his forgiveness of our sins.  He has given us a new start, a new life, a new beginning.  Those who believe will follow.  Those who see will know.  Those who want will understand the need for patience to see the fulfillment of the word.  Those who want will come to know who they are in Christ and understand that their heavenly Father loves them.

We are a chosen people.  Chosen by God to pass through the trials and tribulations of this life to be transformed into the spiritual beings that we are, created in the spirit and likeness of our heavenly Father.  Out of the love and kindness of his heart he created the heavens, the earth and all that dwells within.  He created the angels, powers and principalities that exist in heaven and he created us, mankind.  He gave us life eternal that we might know him and love him.  And he gave his only son to come, walk with us, die for us, and to be the substitute for the propitiation of our sins.  We are blessed if we do not loose sight of who we are.  For the word has been spoken.  The time has come.  And the fulfillment of its purpose is at hand.  Will you be a participant in its completion?  The choice is yours.  Come!  Join the living spirits that have gone before that you too may know the truth of 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.

St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verse:2, The Instructions.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem)
Part 2. 

So the two disciples were sent into Jerusalem with specific instructions.  They were given instructions before and knew how to follow them.  He had given them powers before to do his bidding.  He had instructed them before on what to expect and what they would find in their journeys.  So they knew that his instructions were good and that they would find exactly what he had told them.

So they went into the village and followed his instructions.  He:  saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you and immediately you will find an ass tied and a colt with her; loose them and bring them to me." 

So they did as they were told, following his instructions.  Jesus knew the purpose of his instructions to the disciples.  He knew how he would use the ass and the colt, but the disciples did not.  They could only wait patiently until understanding came to reveal itself of the purpose.  They had patience.  They did not have understanding.  They did not have the knowledge of his actions.  They only had his words to them to follow.  And lo more was revealed.

Christ gives us instructions today.  He wants us to follow what he has given us to live by.  Why should we follow these instructions?  Is there some reason that they apply to us today as we live our lives in this world.  Most would say that they do not apply because we live in a different time and place than some two thousands years ago.  Do we even believe in those instructions or even the consequences of them? 

Christ came that we would know.  He came that we would have a reference, an example.  He came that we would not have any excuses of not knowing.  For at the end of our time here on this earth, here in this realm, we will be transformed and will face the consequences of our actions.  He came out of love for us.  He came out of compassion.  He came out of mercy that we might have the opportunity to a new life.  He came that we might not die.  For the jury is instructed by the judge and they will return a verdict.  There is no deadlock.  There is no mistrial.  There is only the verdict that awaits us.  Follow the instructions and get your reward, eternal life.

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.