St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 27c; Dead men's bones.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their hypocritical purity) Part 7.  

Christ gave them an example they could understand.  He spoke of the grave.  He spoke of what happens to man's body after death when it is buried and laid to rest in the grave which most could understand and visualize.  In those times one could smell the stench of death before seeing it.  The wind carried it for many miles to let people know they were approaching death.  People often died in the open wilderness without being buried.  And in those times the Romans crucified people on the cross and left their bodies to rot and decay on the cross as a warning to the people of what could happen to them if they did not obey the Roman laws.

So the people had ample opportunity to see and smell what happened to the body after death.  One could imagine the same thing happened inside the grave as took place outside of the grave.  Christ calling the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, calling them whited sepulchres was very graphic for them to imagine.  He wanted them to understand the true nature of their sins.  He told them:  "But within are full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness."  

They looked good on the outside but on the inside they were full of rotted flesh and dead men's bones.  They were nasty, filthy, unclean.  They were not worthy to be near.  One should be able to smell them from afar as with rotted flesh and dead flesh.  Christ wanted to be graphic.  He wanted to shock.  He wanted to open peoples minds and souls so they would see and believe his message.  He even wanted the Scribes and the Pharisees to have the opportunity to change, to hear the new message of forgiveness and repentance.  But they were unforgiving.  They were lost.  They were blind and deaf and could not nor would not hear or see the change that was happening before their eyes.

Where are we today?  Are we the same?  Are we blind and deaf to the change that is taking place before us.  Are things happening that we should be aware of that is going to affect our souls, our beliefs, our faith, our hope in the promise given us by Christ.  We have the words of the one true God who does not lie.  We have the words of the Son of Man who came down from heaven to walk with us that he might show us how to live, how to love, and how to be free.  We have the guidance of the Holy Spirit that lives with us every minute of the day to help us walk the narrow path to the kingdom of heaven.  What more could we ask for?

Some believe.  Some do not believe.  Some will question.  Some will ask.  Most will continue to walk the path of the world not knowing or believing that there is a God who loves them and wants to provide for all their needs.  Yet here we are walking through the phases of life seeking to grasp the riches of the world which are already given to us.  We are wealthy beyond all imagination.  We are rich beyond all worldly means.  We are loved beyond all the love that can be given us from all the people in the world.  Yet we believe that we are not.  God forgive us.  God touch us.  God awaken us to know that you are ours and we are yours.  

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: 24; The gnat vs the camel.

Our paragraph topic is:  (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 5. 

They were so concerned about the minutiae of the Law so they looked for every little detail they could find to burden the people.  The Scribes and the Pharisees were the police of the people.  They were supposed to be the religious leaders, helping the people understand their God, giving praise and glory.  But instead they policed the people in every way they could, making sure that no one transgressed any small detail of what was written or spelled out.

Christ came and called them blind guides because they knew not what they were doing.  They had no idea where they were leading the people.  They thought they were doing the right thing but instead they were moving the people in the opposite direction away from God.  Christ told them they were:  "Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel!"  

They were zealous in their desire to do right for the Lord and their Synagogue.  They wanted to impress their leaders, the high priest, and the Roman rulers to show that they were in control of the people to maintain their positions of power and influence.  

These were hard times for the people.  They were oppressed all around.  For years they had known no hope, only fear and oppression.  But times were changing and a new wind was in the air.  A prophet, John the Baptist, was calling for repentance saying that the Messiah was coming.  This gave the people hope that change was coming.  Maybe the Messiah would come and bring about a change to the oppression of the Roman rule and the oppression of the Scribes and the Pharisees.

What do we look for today?  Are we happy with our current condition or do we seek change?  The nation cries out for a change in the gun laws.  The immigrants seek asylum.  The people seek jobs that pay a living wage.  The students want education without lifelong debt.  The elderly seek the promise of security in retirement with medical care.  What do you seek today?  Does it all matter?  

Will it all make sense to cry out about those things that we need to those who may not care about our needs?  Why do we suffer and worry about what tomorrow will bring when we have a God who will take care of all our needs?  Why are we not at peace?  Why are we not like little children, joyous about today?  Do we trust?  Do we know?  Do we believe?  If we put our faith in him who promised to provide for us, him who promised to be with us throughout all time, what worry do we have?  If we live, if we die, if we suffer, we suffer in his name.  We suffer for his name to demonstrate our love, our faith in him who loved us first.  God is ever-living.  Christ is our savior.  The Holy Spirit is our guide.  Live in peace and joy. 

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: 16a; Blind Guides.

Our paragraph topic is: (Their distorted religion) Part 1.  

These were scary times and they did not realize or recognize the nature of it.  The Scribes and the Pharisees were gathered together to trick Christ.  But while they were gathered together he had the opportunity to address them as one.  He scolded them for their hypocrisy.  He told them of their false pretenses.  He showed them how they made converts for Satan.  And told them that they shut the doors of heaven for themselves and for others who wanted to enter.

These were indeed scary times to have the Son of God speak those words to the leaders of the people.  We would today shake to our very core and cry for repentance given the opportunity, but not the Scribes and the Pharisees.  Their core was filled with anger and rage as they listened to those words from Christ.  They did not believe.  They did not think.  They did not even consider the possibility that this man could be the Messiah.   He told them:  ''Woe to you, blind guides."

Some of us know but most don't.  Some submit to the temptation and ask for forgiveness knowing within that what was committed was against their beliefs.  But there are those who do not know and are influenced internally and externally to commit wrongs that go against man and God.  And yet God is a forgiving god because he knows that for those who ask he is willing to forgive.  Evil must have doers to commit its wrongs and it is the influence that it works within the mind and the hearts of men that brings about the evil that we experience today.

Blind guides, indeed they were, influenced by the ways of evil.  So pervasive had evil become rampant in the time of Christ that men were not only influenced by evil but they were possessed by demons also.  And the people cried out for help everywhere he went.  He came to put a stop to the storming of mankind.  He came to pay the price for our sins.  He came to set us free from death and dominion of evil.  And he arose to open the doors of heaven for all.

Christ is our Savior.  He is our Lord.  He is our life and our love.  Through him we have a new life, a new opportunity, a hand to hold, an ear to listen to our cries, an understanding heart to know our suffering.  He is with us.  His love fills us if we open ourselves to his heart.  He provides and protects.  His Holy Spirit will be our guide in daily life to show us the way.  He is yours for the asking.  Ask and receive!     

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: 32a; The way of Justice.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the two sons) Part 5. 

The harlots and the publicans were entering the kingdom of heaven before the chief priest and the elders and the scribes.  They were the lowly.  They were the forgotten.  They were the ones who were the scum of the city that everyone hated.  Yet their eyes were being opened.  Their hearts were being filled.  And they were the ones who came to believe and see the light that had come into the world.

They came to Christ indignant of his teachings and questioned his authority to teach.  They were blind and could not see.  All the signs were there, but they refused to believe that the Messiah had come without consulting them first.  The chief priest and the elders were the rulers of the people.  They knew the Law.  They read and studied the Torah.  They knew from the readings that someday the Messiah would come and walk among the people.  They could not believe that he would come in such a lowly fashion.  He told them:  "For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him." 

John the Baptist was a prophet that all believed.  He wore scant clothing, ate locus and honey, and lived in the dessert away from the cities.  He was a holy man.  His coming was foretold before his arrival.  He was the voice of the one crying in the wilderness making the way for the coming of the Messiah.  His words traveled far and wide and many came to see him.  Even the chief priest and the elders came out to see this man of God.

He was too plain.  He was not clothed in fine linen.  He did not live in a palace and eat fine foods.  He was different.  He spoke of repentance and baptized those who believed in his message.  But many did not come.  Many did not believe.  Many did not know even though they heard of him through the voice of the people who saw him and heard him and believed in him.

Here we are today, living in a different time and place, yet still being the same people.  We have not escaped to a different reality.  We have not transformed into a different people.  We are still human flesh and bone and suffer from the same weaknesses.  We fear the unknown and what will come tomorrow.  We strive to be independent, without the help of anyone.  We believe that we are self sufficient and can provide and protect ourselves.  Yet the darkness of death looms over our every move, our every thought, our very being.  Our life is not of this world.

He offered them the opportunity to believe.  He gave them twice the chance to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  He is patient and loving and forgiving.  Until the completion of time, then will it be too late.  Then will time turn.  Then will human life end and a new spiritual life begins.  John came in the way of justice.  Christ came in the way of fulfillment.  The door is open.  His love awaits his children.  Believe and you will see.  Knock and the door will be opened.  Seek and all will be revealed.

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 19, verse: 9b, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The question of divorce) Part 9. 

Christ told his disciples that they should not commit adultery.  He told them that anyone who puts away his wife and marries another commits adultery.  Moses allowed the Jews to give a written notice in order to divorce their wives or husbands.  Accordingly, anyone could give any reason, in written notice, and divorce their spouses.  Anyone could give any excuse to separate from their spouses so that they could marry another. 

Christ told his disciples that this is not the case.  God created them male and female for a purpose.  He created them that they should be together and not to separate.  This how he created them.  And Christ told them that the only reason for separation, the only reason for a divorce is, for immorality.  So if one decides to remarry to one who has been put away by written notice except for immorality, then one commits adultery.  And he told them:  "And he who marries a woman who has been put away commits adultery."

God created them male and female that they would bond together for a purpose.  He created them in his image and likeness.  What is it about this commandment that marks us?  What is it about this rule that prohibits us, that binds us, that creates a boundary that we must not cross and why?  Two people, male and female, come together for a reason, for a purpose, for love, for happiness.  For it is in the moment of commitment that we are most happy to be joined together.  So this commitment to stay together, has meaning, has purpose, has happiness?  Why is it that we find reasons to separate when there was such a cause to come together? 

We live in a society that brings male and female together.  We grow up, become adults, set out into the world to secure a place for ourselves, and then we have strong physical drives to mate, to bond, to become one.  We are driven physically, both male and female.  We are compelled, both male and female.  Our physical makeup, both male and female, drives us to come together.  And it is that internal drive, that physical compulsion, that hides, that overshadows, the spiritual being that we are.  For when we are fully engulfed in the physical, when we are fully experiencing the physical nature of bonding, we are consumed in the physical pleasure of our physical beings, like a drug that takes us to a height of pleasure that we have never known.   And it is that full experience of the physical that compels us to want more physical, to want more pleasure, to want more passion.  And it is that physical passion that turns us away from the spiritual beings that we are.

We are spiritual beings experiencing the physical realm through our physical bodies.  We live in the physical and we die in the physical and transition to the spiritual.  We leave the physical behind and become the spiritual beings that we are, transforming into butterflies from our cocoons.  Yet the physical holds us.  The physical binds us.  The physical wants to keep us, even though we are spiritual.  Thou shalt not commit adultery.  Thou shalt not transgress this rule least you commit to the physical and surrender the spirit.  For through this transgression one becomes engulfed in the physical.  Through this transgression one crosses the line into passion, to live in the physical experience of bonding.  Through this transgression one opens the door to the physical experience of the world and closes the door to the spirit, putting it in the closet away from the truth of the knowledge of who you are. 

We are created in his image and likeness.  But evil wants us to deny our spirit and accept our physical as reality.  We are created by God our Father who wants to love us and protect us.  But evil wants us to deny him.  He is a loving God.  He is a merciful God.  He is a forgiving God and Father.  Our hearts must be open to his love, to his mercy, to his forgiveness.  Come!  Find the truth of who you are in Christ.  He forgives those who have transgressed.  He is merciful to those who seek repentance.  He is loving to those who seek his love.  He is joyous to those who rejoice in his words.  And he is bountiful to those who know him and seek to do his will here on earth.  Seek the truth of who you are and you will know the light of the Holy Spirit that will be your guide.  Open the door to your heart and he will come and reside with you all the days of your 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.  

St Matthew, Chapter 18, verses: 23 - 27: Have patience with us!

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the unmerciful servant)  

Peter asked the question and Christ responded.  He asked: " But how often shall we forgive?"  How often shall we endure the hurt and the pain of our brother's and sister's sin and still forgive them of their transgressions?  How often shall we stand by and watch them play the game of seeking repentance only to turn around and sin again?  How often can we put up with their problems and not get angry?  Is seven times enough, he asked?  Christ wanted his disciples to know that seven times was not enough.  Even if their brothers and sisters continue to sin, to forgive them should not be limited by the disciples inability to forgive. 

He told them that they should forgive not seven times but seventy times seven.  Forgive as often as it is necessary and then some.  Forgive more than they can sin and then some.  Forgive that they will know that you are different and that there is something in you that will not allow you to judge, to be angry, to not love, or to not forgive.  Forgive that they will see that there is something inside that allows you to see them in a different light.  Forgive that they will see that there is something inside you that allows you to be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful with you.  Forgive that they will see that there is no limit to your mercy as there is no limit to his mercy and there is no lack to his justice.

And then Christ told his disciples this parable to help them understand why they should not limit their forgiveness.   "This is why the kingdom of heaven is likened to a-king who desired to settle accounts with his servants.  And when he had begun the settlement, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.  And as he had no means of paying, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.  But the servant fell down and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will pay thee all!'  And moved with compassion, the master of that servant released him, and forgave him the debt."

When the time comes for the settlement of accounts will we meet our debts?  At the judgment day when we are called upon to review our lives on the scale of justice will the scales tilt to good or will the scales tilt to evil?  When we are faced with eternal happiness in heaven or eternal damnation in hell, how will we plead, guilty or not?  Will we beseech justice to have mercy?  Will we ask for clemency?  Will we be sorrowful for our sins?  Will we seek compassion?  How will we plead?

It is the honesty in our hearts that will weigh upon justice.  It is the realization that flashes before our minds that will awaken us to the judgment before us.  And it is the absence of the worldly and the presence of the spiritual reality of who we are that will press upon us the justice that we face.  We had the words.  We had the teachings.  We had the built in presence of right and wrong.  And then we had the world that transformed us into physical beings that allowed us to hide behind the veil of untruth.  Yet the end comes when we are faced with the truth of justice.

Christ gave us all that we should know.  He came to us.  He walked among us.  He spoke to us.  He left us to return to God his Father.  And he sent us his presence in the Holy Spirit.  He established for us the written word and built for us his church.  The time for settlement comes.  And it will come for all without delay or postponement.  It cannot be stopped.  It cannot be changed.  It is the justice of God.  Will you be ready?  Will you be prepared?  Our Father is merciful.  Our Father is Loving.  Our Father is forgiving.  Have patience with us Father that we may come to know the truth of who we are in Christ!  For we are lost.  We are blind.  We are influenced by evil.  We pray that the day of settlement will not find us without your mercy, without your grace, without your love.  In Jesus Christ name we 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 and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.   

St Matthew, Chapter 14, verses: 15, The Needs of the people: The Disciple's inability.

Our paragraph topic is: (Hunger of the crowd) Part 2.   

And the people were lost.  The people needed a leader.  John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod and Christ was there to fulfill their needs.  For when he arrived from the boat, the people were waiting.  The people were in need.  The people had come from all around to hear his words, to see his face, to be near him that they may be comforted.  For chaos had come.  Fear had come.  Doubt had come since the word spread of the murder of John the Baptist.  For John was their beacon.  John was their voice.  John was their inspiration for the things that were to come.  John baptized the people.  John called the people to repent.  John told the people of the coming of the Messiah.  And then he was gone.

And Christ came ashore and saw the crowds.  And Christ came ashore and saw the people waiting.  And Christ came ashore and saw the need in the hearts of the men, women, and children. And Christ came ashore and he cured the sick that they may believe.  But then the disciples came, the disciples that followed Jesus and knew of his teachings.  But then the disciples came, the disciples that knew of the power and majesty of Christ.   But then the disciples did not know.  The disciples did not see.  The disciples did not understand the truth of the Christ they followed.  For they were concerned about the people.  They were concerned about the needs of the people that they did not believe that they could fulfill.  They did not understand that they followed Christ who could fulfill all needs.  They did not understand that they followed a Christ who was the fountain of satisfaction.  They did not understand that they followed a Christ that was filled with the spirit of fulfillment and they did not know.

So they came, with their concerns of their own needs for feeding the people.  They did not believe.  They did not understand.  Their needs were pressing upon them so they brought them to Christ.   Now when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, "This is a desert place and the hour is already late; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."

So often today we see the same scene repeating itself.  Many, come to a place of spiritual worship, seeking.  They come seeking hope.  They come seeking faith.  They come seeking relief.  They come seeking truth.  They come, with their needs, seeking fulfillment.  And what do they find?  They find momentary relief.  They find momentary hope.  They find momentary faith.  But they do not find lasting peace, they do not find lasting fulfillment.  For we do not give them what they seek.  We only give them a daily piece of bread, we give them something that will only last for a moment.  For we do not know.  We do not understand.  We do not believe that Christ is our satisfaction.  Man is not our satisfaction.  Pastor is not our satisfaction.  Priest is not our satisfaction.  Apostle, nor preacher, nor minister, nor anyone can be our satisfaction.  God is our satisfaction and through Christ we have the opportunity to find eternal satisfaction, eternal peace.  But man does not lead us to Christ.  Man turns us to himself.  

Preach the gospel!  Preach the word!  Tell all the nations about the Christ who came down from heaven to save the world.  Be the shepherd!  Lead the people!  But where do you lead them?  Do you lead them to the church?  Do you lead them to the synagogues?  Do you lead them to the temples, the places of worship?  Resoundingly, we say yes.  But why do they still need?  Why do they return again and again to hear the same sermons, the same preachings, the same words without having some relief.  Christ saw the need in the people.  Christ knew the satisfaction that would fill the hole in their hearts.  Christ was their need.  If you do not know Christ how can you lead someone to him?  If you do not know Christ how can you show someone how to find him?  If you do not know Christ how can you tell someone how to find the satisfaction they seek?  If you do not know Christ how can you demonstrate hope and faith and love?  Is Christ in you?  Can you show the people the way to Christ.  Words will not get them there.  Only your example of knowing him will show the people the way to their satisfaction.  If you do not now the way how can you lead?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St Matthew, Chapter 14, verses: 3 - 5, Herod's murder plot: Imprison John the Baptist.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Herod murdered John) Part 1.  

Herod was fearful.  He thought that Christ was John the Baptist resurrected.  And he knew that he had murdered John.  He knew that he had planned and plotted to get rid of John.  John was loved by the people.  He was a prophet.  He carried the message of the kingdom preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah.  Many came to John to repent.  Many came to John to be baptized.  Many came to John that they may prepare themselves for the coming of the kingdom.  And John was the messenger.  John was the voice of one crying in the wilderness calling people to repent, telling them of the evil in the world.  And John spoke of Herod.  This is why Herod wanted to get rid of John.   For Herod had taken John, and bound him, and put him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife. 

John told the people of Herod.  John told the people of the sins of Herod.  John told the people to repent of their evil ways and not to follow the ways of Herod.  For Herod was their ruler.  He set the morals of his people by his own example.  And the people followed what they believed was true and correct as set by Herod.  Herod had married his brother's wife.  Herod had his brother murdered so that he could marry his wife, Herodias, for he wanted her.  Lust had filled him with desire and he wanted his brother's wife.  So he created a plot to get rid of his brother that he may have Herodias.  And she, Hereodias, participated in the plan.  For she lusted for Herod.  She lusted for power.  She lusted for the position to be the mate of Herod the king.  So together they plotted that they may be together.  And John spoke to the people of this evil.   "For John had said to him, “It is not lawful for thee to have her."

John had spoken of the evil that existed in the kingdom.  John had preached of repentance to the people.  John preached of the coming of the Messiah and told the people to repent of their evil ways that they may be saved.  Do not follow the ways of Herod, he preached.  Do not fall into temptation as Herod did, he told the people.  Do not lust as Herod does, he told the people.  For Herod was living in sin and should repent of his ways.  Herod should repent and rid himself of Herodias.  But Herod did not follow the preachings of the prophet.  Herod did not believe that he should rid himself of Herodias.  Herod lusted of her pleasures and wanted to rid himself of John and his preachings.   And he would have liked to put him to death, but he feared the people, because they regarded him as a prophet.

John spoke of the evil in his time.  He told the people to repent.  He spoke to them of the coming of the Messiah that they may be saved.  John was bold.  John was outspoken.  John was a man of God.  He spoke to the evil wherever it stood.  John feared not.  Are you like John the Baptist, today?  Are you fearless?  Are you outspoken?  Are you a man/woman of God?  Speak to the evil wherever you see it.  Speak to the evil wherever you encounter it.  Be bold yet be loving.  Be courageous yet be understanding.  For God is the ultimate judge of evil. 

We speak to evil that our words may open the eyes and the ears of those who may hear the message of the kingdom, helping them to repent of their sins and be healed by Christ.  We are not to judge.  We are not to condemn.  We are to love.  We are to understand that those who commit sin are like us.  We are all human.  We are all sinful.  But with the light of Christ within us we sin no more.  And if we do sin we have his forgiveness and his love to bring us back from sin.  For it is through our repentance that we are justified.  It is through our repentance that we are sanctified.  It is through our repentance that we are born anew and glorified in Christ.  Be a John the Baptist today.  Preach the gospel wherever you go.  Call for repentance with whoever you meet.  For God is our creator and our father.  He loves us all and would have us with him in the kingdom of heaven for eternity.