St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 18; Flee from the fields.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 4.  

Flee to the mountains.  Flee from the housetops.  Take nothing with you except your life least you die.  These are the words of Christ.  Destruction is coming to Jerusalem and all should know of the impending doom.  All should be aware of what is to happen.  

Jerusalem was a great and beautiful city.  How could this happen to it.  It was well constructed and well guarded.  Yet here was this man, this prophet, this Messiah proclaiming that it would fall and that all should flee least they loose their lives.

How could this be?  The Jews were a religious people protected by the hand of God.  He was their protector, their provider.  Had they not followed his commandments?  Had they not worshipped him according to his precepts, handed down by their fore fathers?  Why was it that this Christ was predicting the destruction of their sacred city?  What did he know?  What knowledge did he have that the Scribes and the Pharisees did not?  Yet he told his disciples and the people:  "And let him who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak."

The destruction of Jerusalem from the mouth of Christ must have been a shocker for the disciples.  They were proud of their city as were all the inhabitants and the Jews.  It took many years for it to be built.  It took many hands and lives for it to be completed.  Yet here he was proclaiming its destruction to the people.  Who would have thought or even imagined that this would happen?  But here was Christ Jesus proclaiming it will be destroyed.

Would you believe?

 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: 43b; The fruit of the Kingdom.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Application of the parable) Part 4. 

It was accepted by the people of Israel that they were a special people.  They lived by the Law because it was given to them by their priest and the elders.  The Law was written for the people and handed down from God so that they would have principles to live by.  Their history was written for them to study and learn and was read to them each Sabbath to remember.  But throughout their long history up to this point when Christ came, the people became disgruntled and objected to the implementation of the Law.

Over the years much was added to the simple commandments handed down to Moses for the people.  And so the Law became oppressive to keep the people in line.  God sent many prophets to warn the people and their leaders that they must change.  Yet the messengers were brutalized and killed.  And when time was completed Christ came  just as it was written in the Torah and foretold by the prophets.  But the rulers could not see.  They could not understand his words.  They were unbelieving of the miracles he performed.  So they missed the opportunity to change.  Christ told them:  "Therefore I say to you, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a people yielding its fruits." 

They were the first people chosen by God.  He led them out of the wilderness and gave them a promised land.  He protected them.  He provided for them.  He loved them as his own.  But they were a disobedient people.  A willful people who were determined to make their own way, even though they had seen the power of the strong arm of the Lord.  They knew that he watched over them.  They knew that they were special to him.  Yet they were led astray through the whims of their leaders and the evil that was in the world.

We are the people of yesteryear.  Our ancestors go back to the time of the Jews and the Gentiles.  We are a part of that culture, a part of that history.  That was two thousand years ago and this is today.  And a long time has passed since that history was written.  Do we continue to believe in the words that are written in those ancient texts?  Do we continue to follow the commandments?  Do we continue to follow the traditions handed down to us by those who came before us?

We have the world of today and the world of yesterday.  What we see, hear and believe of today is more exciting and compelling than the world of yesterday.  The commandments tell us to live one way and the world of today tells us to disregard yesterday and live for today.  Party!  Live life to the fullest!  Do whatever it takes to make it to the top!  There is no tomorrow or afterlife so one must enjoy what is here today.  These are the precepts that we hear and see daily.  Yet are they the truth, are they enough to bring joy and happiness into our lives?

The truth be told we struggle to find the truth.  But for those who seek it, their eyes will be opened, their minds will believe, their hearts will be given a new life that will bring peace and joy.  For those are the ones who will know that God lives.  Those are the ones who will be able to see his miracles worked in their lives.  Those are the ones who will know his love for them and have no doubts about what lies beyond the death of the body.  He said: "My sheep know me and they hear my voice."  He calls to all.  But only his sheep hear!

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.