St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 6d; The end is not yet.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 7.  

It was like a horror story they were hearing.  Destruction upon destruction, evil events coming to pass in the near future that would tear the world apart and the end of the world would come.  They wanted to know.  But Christ had to prepare them before telling all that would happen.  The disciples must be prepared.  Their minds, their curiosity, their anxiety were raised to the point of high expectation, but it had to be brought back to reality in order that they would not be led astray by fear.

Christ was coming to the end of his journey.  His time here on earth was almost finished.  It was now up to the disciples to take over and continue the tasks he started.  They were his followers.  They were his students.  They were the witnesses of all that was said and done by the master.  They will be the ones who would receive the spirit of Christ to carry on the message of hope and love.  But as he told them:  "But the end is not yet."

More was yet to come.  More was yet to be revealed.  More destruction, more evil, more hardship, more sorrow, more pain, more suffering, more death.  More was yet to come before the end would come and Christ would return triumphant.  The disciples needed to know some of what would happen but not all.  They had not received the spirit and their souls were not ready to accept what was to come.

Are we ready?  Are we prepared to accept what is to come today, tomorrow, anytime.  Have we made our peace with our Father, repented of our sins, asked of his forgiveness?  Or is that something that we will do later at the last minute when the world comes crashing in?  

I thought so myself.  I was so busy chasing after the golden ring that I did not have the time to stop and repent of my sins.  The things that I did were necessary to survive and thrive in this world.  I did not do enough, I thought, to get ahead.  I needed to do more.  I needed to cheat more, lie more, play the game more, be more aggressive, steal more, do anything and everything I could to get ahead like others.  

And when I crashed from my failures he picked me up and showed me that I was not a failure.  He showed me that I was his precious child that he loved from the beginning.  He told me that the things that I sought here on earth were nothing compared to the things that he had prepared for me in heaven.  I am already rich beyond my wildest imagination.  I am loved beyond any love that I can find.  The peace that I might find here is nothing compared to the peace that I know through him.  I have new life, now and nothing can take that from me.  I am ready, today, tomorrow, forever.  My soul is at rest.  May your soul know peace and be at rest.

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 24, verse: 6c; These things must happen.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 6.  

So they are given line by line item by item of the things that will happen before the end will come.  Christ points out all the things that will happen, in their time, so they will know what to expect when they hear of these things and they will not be alarmed as others.  They will not panic.  They will not show fear.  They will be at peace.

He is preparing his disciples for the great movement of fear and anxiety that will take place by the evil that will come forth.  He told them:  "For these things must come to pass."

There must be wars and rumors or war.  There must be anxieties and fears, and panic to move the people to do unspeakable things that they would not do ordinarily.  For they will not think rationally when they are afraid and fearful.  They will not think clearly when fear rules their thoughts.  But as far as the disciples are concerned, they will have clear vision, clear understanding, clear knowledge of what is to come because Christ has given them the wisdom to know what is coming and what is to happen.

He has been with them in times of hardship and pain, in times of trouble and sorrow, in times of hunger and in times of impending death.  Each time he has chastised them not to be afraid because he was with them and will be always.  Even though he left them and returned to the Father, he sent his spirit to fill them with his presences to let them know that he is still with them.  So even though certain events must come to pass the disciples were not afraid.  They knew that he was with them and would protect them and keep them from harm.

And if it was true for them it is true for us today, his children.  He would not leave us behind without his protection, without his guidance, and without his wisdom to help us along the way.  He is the way, the truth, and the light that leads to life eternal.  All we have to do is follow his lead, keep his light burning within us, and love each other as we love ourselves.  We are all one family, all made in his image and likeness.  Praise be 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 24, verse: 6a; Rumors of wars.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 4.  

Christ knew that they would be fearful.  He knew that fear would enter into them and take over their emotions leading them away from the path that he wanted them to be on.  He loved his disciples.  He had spent all this time, the last three years, teaching and preaching, and walking and talking with them to letting them know how much he loved them, how much he was as human to them as they were to him, even though he was their God and Savior.

Yet, he had to prepare them for the future.  He had to prepare them for the fear that would attempt to overtake them if they were not prepared.  So he told them as much as he could to get them ready for what they would face, what they would hear, what they would see, coming.  He told them:  "For you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars."

Many have experienced war and know the consequences of what it means.  Death, and famine, and ruin, and escaping from fear of capture, fear of torture or imprisonment and fear of forced labor.  Women being brutalized and raped, children killed, elderly being tortured for sport.  All manner of evil existed during the ravages of war.  So when Christ spoke of war and rumors of war the disciples understood the horrors that came to mind.

We live in a society today that is far removed from the ravages of war.  It is not in our daily experiences to know the meaning of it.  We do not live on the streets where we see or hear of bombs or explosions going off to let us know that we are in a war zone.  It is not in our lives, in our communities, in our towns or cities.  War is something that is far removed from us in another world on another continent.  We hear about it on the news at 6 O' Clock or 11 but not as we look out the window of our homes in our neighborhoods.  We do not know it personally.

But if Christ was telling us today then are we going to experience war in our community, in our city, in our towns?  What if his words to his disciples were meant for us today that we would hear and know of war and hear of war coming to our area?  What would we do?  How would we react?  How would we feel?  Would we be afraid?  Would we fear what we heard and panic about tomorrow or the next day not knowing what was to come?  Who would we turn to for help, for comfort, for support, for protection?

This is where the disciples found themselves.  In the mist of their fears and anxieties, they knew not what to do.  Yet in the mist of all their emotions, they could find calm because they were with him, they were with the Christ, and with him they found peace.  They knew that nothing would happen to them.  They believed in him because they knew who he was.  They had no doubts as to who he was.  They had spent all this time with him, walked with him, talked with him, watched him do the things that he did with others, saw his compassion for the people, come to know that through his miracles he was the Son of God.  He was the one and only one person that gave them peace of mind, knowledge, hope, faith, and a solid foundation to stand upon for the future, whatever would come.  Let us also have a solid foundation upon which to stand in times of troubles that our Savior will bring us through.

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 24, verse: 4; Led astray.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 1.  

So they wanted to know.  Their hearts and minds were curious as to the how and the wherefore of the coming doom.  It was burning inside of them to know.  But they could not know.  They were not ready to know.  It was not the time or the place for them to know.  The panic would have taken hold and led them astray.

They were like little children who had to be protected if they were told of the boogie man without no one to keep them from harm, no father or mother, or sister or brother.  They were not ready to hear the truth of what was coming.  Christ had to prepare them for the truth.  He had to first fill their minds and hearts and spirits with the truth of who they were in him so that nothing could harm them before they could receive the message.  And in answer Jesus said to them, "Take care that no one leads you astray."

Our message today also is to take care not to be led astray.  It is easy in this world of hype, glamour, and glitz to be led astray, to be hypnotized, to be mesmerize by all that we see, hear and come to believe.  We are raised in a protected environment that our parents and guardians try to give us to put us on the right path to life.  But as we grow older we examine that path and want to change it believing that it needs to be changed to fit what we see as our wants, needs and desires.  And as we enter the world on our own we have to make our own decisions as to what is right and wrong for us, as a path to take in life which will lead us in the direction that we want to go.

Many times we find ourselves, later on in life, along a path that we want to change or that we wish we had not taken, a path that led us astray.  And in every attempt we make an effort to turn our lives around  to go in a different direction.  Christ directed his disciples not to be led astray.  He wanted them to stay on the path that he had given them, the path that makes them his disciples, his preachers and teachers of the gospel.  The church must be built and must spread throughout the land after he leaves.  It will be up to the disciples to complete his work.  They must not be led astray.

We have a purpose also, not to be led astray.  Our purpose is to choose to live or to die in Christ, to accept him as our savior, to be born again into a new life or to die into the darkness of death.  And with that choice comes the joy of living a life that he has shown us how to live, sharing the love of the new life he has given us with others that they too may know the truth of new life in Christ.  It is a joyous life, a happy life, a life of peace and love, a life of fulfillment in him who fulfills all.  Come!  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.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 3b; What signs?.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The disciples question Christ) Part 2.  

They wanted to know the when and where the destruction was to take place, the disciples.  Christ had told them that the Temple would be destroyed, that no stone would be left unturned one upon another.  They wanted to know when this was going to take place.  Their minds were full of questions and bewilderment.  

Now was not the time for them to know.  Now was not the time for all to be revealed to them the full knowledge of what was to happen.  There minds were not ready to accept the fullness of what was to happen.  There hearts were not filled with the spirit to be at peace with the knowledge of what was to happen.  And their faith and trust in God was not strong enough at this time for them to know that they would be secure in the protection of the Holy Spirit in what was to happen.  This is why they came to Christ asking:  "And what will be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?" 

If you drive around today you are liable to see corner preachers with signs proclaiming the end of the world is near.  In many large cities this may be the case to get people to turn from their ways back to church and back to God.  Telling people that the end is near may be true for some for who knows when their time may come.  Anyone could die today or tomorrow.  Anyone could leave their house walk out to the street and get hit by a car, a falling airplane, or even a meteor.  One never knows.  We all take our life as though we will live for a long time, at least until the end of our life expectancy.  We do not prepare as though that day may be the next minute or the next hour.

God is merciful and loving, kind and patient.  He gives each of us the opportunity to come to know him, time to cleans ourselves, time to repent of our sins.  But when that time comes it is final.  Thank you Father for the many opportunities that you have given me to come to know you.  Thank you for giving me the chance to repent of my sins and ask for forgiveness.  Thank you Father for holding my hand and walking with me to let me know the love that you have for me this day and every day.  I pray that I may be able to share that love with others that they too may also come to know you.  In Jesus Christ name I pray, 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 23, verses: 33a; Brood of Vipers.

Our  paragraph topic is:  (Their persecution of religion) Part 7. 

The words of the Son of Man came down upon the Scribes and the Pharisees.  He described them as they are.  He tells them to their face how he sees them and he spares no words.  The people do not see as Christ sees.  He offered opportunity to the Scribes and the Pharisees.  He offered an open door.  He gave a chance to change but that was not forthcoming.

They were so entrenched in their way that nothing could save them.  Nothing could change their minds about who they were or how they thought about their religion.  They were persecutors.  They were destroyers.  They were recruiting newcomers to hell and that was not the religion of God.  Christ called them: "Serpents, brood of vipers."


Slithering, sliding, hissing, these were the Scribes and the Pharisees.  They would just as soon be your friend then turn to bites you in the back when the opportunity presented itself.  They were opportunist, using their position as religious leaders to dupe the people any way they could.  When they saw the chance to take advantage they did.  When they saw the opportunity to steal they did.  When they saw the opportunity to be who they were then their true nature, serpent, came forth.  The evil within them had completely taken over.

Judge for yourself, but judge carefully.  Seek the wisdom of your spirit within that you may know who is friend and who is foe.  Many will come in sheep's clothing but may turn out to be wolves.  We are given a spirit of peace within.  Let no one take that from you.  

Seek always to build upon your peace.  Find ways to strengthen it daily, weekly that you may not be taken advantage of at the wrong time.  Always know that Christ has promised that he will send the Advocate to be with us, to guide us along the way.  We all seek companionship, friendship, family, love, community, membership with others.  This is our heritage.  But seek the membership of those who love, those of the fellowship of Christ.  He is our beginning and our end and our God is our all.  

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: 27a; Woe to you.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their hypocritical purity) Part 5.  

He cried for them because he knew their fate.  He knew what would happen to them and he wanted to give them the opportunity to change, so he cried out for them.  Woe to you, he said, as though they were going to suffer the fate of those men who were beaten, flogged, hung from the cross, or even worse, suffered the eternal flames of hell.  Christ knew what would happen to them if they continued on the path they followed.

He used the harshest words that he could think of in the worst way he could use them to affect them in the deepest sense.  Did it work?  Probably not.  Did they change.  Probably not.  Yet he still wanted to open a crack in their armor so that maybe some light might get through.  So he cried out for them:  "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"  

He called them hypocrites and he did it in the public where everyone could hear.  He knew that it would anger them.  He knew that it would enrage them.  He hoped that it would cause them to question their beliefs, their motives, their faith in their religious behavior.  Were they that blind?  Could they not see the purpose of what he was doing?  Were they so far gone that they had no idea of what was happening around them that they failed to see the obvious?

What is life all about?  There are those who are the achievers in life who are in the spotlight.  There are those who are talked about all the time in the news, in the media, on the radio, television, and elsewhere.  There are those who are our favorite persons that we would like to be like, movie stars, persons of interest, people we would like to know.  And there are those who in our immediate circles that we wish we could be like or have the character traits they have so that we can be liked by so many.  

The need to be liked, be wanted, to have friends that like us that we can influence is very strong in our lives today.  It goes a long way in our everyday life both at work, at play, in the community, in social circles, and in all walks of our lives.  We are compelled to be liked, to be known, to be loved, and to do almost anything to gain that attention and to keep it.  Compare this to the quiet person who seeks no attention, the person who is just there being who he is without the need to show off or take the spotlight.  What speaks of his character, his personality, his wants, his desires, his beliefs, his needs to be known.  Are they nonexistent?  Or is he at peace with himself as he is without the need for attention?

Where do we want to be in this world?  The beauty of the answer to that question is, we are already there.  Christ has promised us a new life.  He has opened the doors for us.  All we have to do is walk in and accept him as our savior.  We do not have to fight or struggle to gain his attention.  We don't have to put down or trample others to get to him, because he has a place for all who will accept him, all who will love him.  We can be at peace in this world because he has already given it to us and more.  He has given us more than our hearts can desire if we simply ask to be with 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: 11; The Greatest.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 9.  

Honor and prestige they sought.  Dominion they practiced over the people.  They were the law makers.  They were the enforcers.  They were the eyes and the ears of the law.  Everyone must obey or suffer the consequences of punishment.  Respect was what they needed and the Scribes and the Pharisees demanded it.

They were out in the public everyday watching the people to make sure that the rules were followed.  They had spies who reported to them the what and wherefore of the people.  It was a hard time for the people and they resented the rule of law.  But the Scribes and the Pharisees sought to be great among the people.  And Christ turned the tables upon them.  He told the people and the disciples:  "He who is greatest among you shall be your servant."   

Indeed, he was the servant of the people; he came to serve mankind.  He was greatest among them.  They did not know.  They did not believe.  They did not see who he was.  Their minds could not comprehend the truth of the statement.  Even the evil that dwelled within them knew who he was and paid tribute to him.  But he would not have his identity known until it was his time.

The Scribes and the Pharisees hated him.  They wanted to get rid of him because he exposed them to the people.  He removed the masks so that the people could see who they really were.  Christ taught the people the truth.  He taught them who they were and how to live with one another in peace and love.

Today we can take a lesson from his teachings.  Serve the people.  Humble thyself.  Live a peaceful life, not one filled with self seeking love, competing to be the best, the greatest.  Be your self.  We all have God given gifts and talents that can be used in service of others.  It is those gifts that allow us to become fruitful.  It is those talents that allow us to multiply the kingdom of heaven.  It is those gifts that will help us to spread God's love to all our brothers and sisters that they too may know the truth of who they are in Christ.  Love one another.  Keep the faith.  God's will be done.

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: 9; One Father.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 7.  
The Scribes and the Pharisees were worshipped in their day and time.  They were thought to be high priest by the people because of the way they carried themselves and the respect they demanded.  Yet Christ wanted the people to know that their worship of the Scribes and the Pharisees was wrong and out of place.  

There was only one person that they should worship and he is in heaven.  There is only one master whom they should show respect and that is the Christ.  One is the Father and there is not one else.  No one should not be placed above the One Father.  He told them:  "And call no one on earth your father; for one is your Father, who is in heaven."  

What is the difference?  Why the distinction?  Christ helped the people to understand the true meaning of Father in the highest and greatest expectation of the word.  For we have but one.  All others are less than and do not deserve the highest connection with the title of Father.
We call our male parents father.  We call our priest father out of respect for their spiritual position as shepherds of the people.  We give the title to those who have gone before us and have been a part of our heritage.  But not one deserves the highest meaning and understanding of the word than our Father the creator.  One should not confuse this distinction.  And this is the understanding that Christ wanted the people to know.

For they praised the Scribes and the Pharisees.  They worshipped them as though they were indeed the lords of all knowledge and understanding without having any knowledge of the true Father in heaven, a concept that we must not confuse today.  We call our leaders in different fields of study father i.e., father of physics, or father of modern medicine, or father of aviation, because they were the first to discover principles in certain fields of study.  And we revere them because of their knowledge and expertise in their field.

It is important that we realize that we are all brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of the One.  He alone is the object of our praise.  For from him and through him and with him we have life.  Without him we are nothing.  He is our be all and end all and with him we have everlasting peace that surpasses all understanding. 

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 23, verses: 8; One Master.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 6.  
These were the times in which the people lived.  The Scribes and the Pharisees were the caretakers of the people of Israel and the Jews.  It was their job to see that the law was taught and understood by the people.  They were the teachers.  They were the learned.  They were the authority for the people.  And the Romans were the authority over them.  

The Scribes and the Pharisees considered their job description to include binding heavy and oppressive burdens for the people.  They had to make sure that the people suffered so that they would follow the Law and not rise up against the ruling class.  They loved the front seats in the synagogues, the first places at suppers, and to be called Rabbi.  But Christ told the people:  "But do not you be called 'Rabbi'; for one is your Master, and all you are brothers."

It was important that the people understood the significance of Master.  God created all men equal in his image and likeness.  We are all children of light, one not more or less than another.  We live in a world that makes distinctions of who we are.  We are subconsciously given to categorize each other.  One has more money than another.  One is prettier than another, one is more athletic than another, more intelligent, more witty, more loving, more etc...  This is how and where we live.  But we all are the same, children of our Father in heaven, who sees us all as the same.

Christ came to teach us how to live, how to love, and how to see who we are.  He is our example in life.  He brings peace to those who understand who they are in him.  We have life.  We have love.  We have protection and guidance and provision for everything that we need in life.  And we have joy and fulfillment in the transformation of this life to that which we are in heaven.

Our life is simple.  Carry the message.  Live the life of peace.  Show the love that is freely given you to your brothers and sisters.  And for those who are of darkness, fear not what they may do.  For you are a child of the most high and life is yours.  They are lost souls who are blinded and deceived by evil.  However, they were once also created in his image and need love to awaken from the darkness.

Love is the key to open the doors of heaven.  Love is the life that is given us from our Father.  For his love fills completely and satisfies all desires.  He is our be all and end all.    

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: 30a; At the Resurrection.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ's answer) Part 2.  

They came to him with the question of the resurrection.  They did not believe that there was life after death.  They did not believe in the resurrection of the soul.  They only believed that after life you die and there was nothing else.  So they wanted to hear what Christ had to say since he was the up and coming preacher of the day.  He was the person that everyone was talking about.  Some called him a prophet, some called him the Messiah.

So to get their answer they conceived a question about life and death, marriage and heirs that would address the question of the resurrection.  Christ told them that they erred in their assumption of marriage and ownership after death, after the resurrection.  He said:  "For at the resurrection they will neither marry nor be given in marriage." 

Imagine that!  Christ gave them insight into the kingdom of heaven.  He told them that there will be no earthly ties in heaven.  God created man and woman, gave them the garden, and told them to be fruitful and multiply.  But in heaven man and woman will be free of those earthly ties.  They will be free of those physical bonds that held them to the pain and suffering in the physical realm.  They will be able to experience freedom in the kingdom of heaven.  In the spiritual realm created by God there will be no marriage, no physical as on earth.

Christ came that we could know what to do, how to live, what to believe, and how to love one another.  He came as an example for us to live by, as an example to love by, as an example to believe and to hope by in our daily lives.  He created his church to continue his message and to be witnesses to his message for those who did not see him or did not hear his words personally.  He is the living word of God the Father.  He is the eternal love of the creator of the universe, our hope and our passion for life today and tomorrow.

We struggle each day with the trials and tribulations of this world that we live in seeking to maintain a sense of peace amongst all that is not peaceful.  To look around and see the world in its true form only leads to discouragement.  Yet peace comes from within, from the connection with the living soul of life given us through the sacrifice of Christ's passion.  The Spirit abides with us.  The Spirit guides us.  The Spirit lives with us daily to help us along the way when we become weary of life.  Thank you Christ for that which you have given us.  Thank you Father for all that you provide for us.  Thank you Holy Spirit for your guidance. 

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: 16a; The Herodian scholars.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 2.  

They were determined in their views to trap Christ with their tricks.  They had done this before with other prophets.  So they figured that they could do the same with Christ.  They were arrogant in their beliefs.  They were certain in their knowledge of who they were dealing with.  They were blind to the influence of the evil that motivated their actions and blind to the influence of their own needs.

They believed that they were dealing with an ordinary man.  They believed that they were far superior than this ordinary man even though he seemed to be a prophet.  So they thought that they could outwit him.  They even brought along their best minds to help with the task.  And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians.  

They were dealing with the Son of God.  Yet they did not consider this a possibility.  They did not think that he would know them, that he would know their thought, their feelings, their wants, and their desires.  Or maybe they were so blinded by the influence of evil that they could not see the truth that was before them.

It is said that some people are so set in their ways that they are unable to see what is plainly before them.  When the truth is unveiled before their eyes the brain is unable to accept what has been revealed, so it denies in order to remain in what has been the accepted way of thinking.  Or even it creates some alternate reason to rationalize maintaining the thought process that it holds without considering the possibility of change.  The truth shatters the old thought process and allows change to take place.  And with that change comes freedom and joy and peace. 

Christ came into this world that the veil of darkness might be lifted and the light of truth would come that we might be able to see again and not be blinded in darkness.  He lit a candle and that candle is the light that is within.  We can choose to see or continue to live in darkness.  We can choose to be free or live enslaved.  We can choose to be at peace in the knowledge that we are rich in him or we can continue to believe that we are poor and must do anything and everything to obtain the riches of this world.  There is nothing in this world that is more precious than the life that Christ has freely given.  Choose freely and keep that which is yours from eternity.

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.