St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 37a; Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

Our paragraph topic is:  (Lamentation over Jerusalem) Part 1.  

Love hurts.  Those who have experienced deeply the pleasure of love know the pain that comes from rejection, separation, and breakup.  The experience is one that all humans must go through at some point in their life.  It is important to know it in order to know how to overcome the pain and the sorrow.  It is important to know how to overcome that experience in order to know how to go on living.  

We experience love in life and in death.  We love in life and we love lost those that are taken away from us in death.  It is a part of how we live, a part of how we learn to live, a part of how we must grow and accept who we are in this world.  Living is pleasurable but it is also painful in many ways.  Yet it is something that we must accept.  We loose mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, love ones, children, relatives, and yet we must find some way to accept and go on living in this world.  

Christ cried for those that he loved.  He lamented for the many times that he sent love messages that were rejected, scorned, trashed, burned, and ignored.  His passion for those that he loved burned deeply within his soul.  He lamented deeply for the souls of the people knowing what they would do to the people that he sent.  He cried out:  "Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Thou who killest the prophets, and stonest those who are sent to thee!"

We were children together.  We played in the same yard, ran on the same streets, grew up in the same schools, had the same friends, yet you know me not.  Have you become so high and mighty, so proud, so famous, that you do not know from where you come?  Jerusalem wherefore have thou come?  Jerusalem, the high and mighty city on the hill.  The one where kings and rulers live.  Forget not from which from which you have come, for you are but the same as the man in the street or the village down the road.  It is God's love that has brought you forth, that keeps you in the light of time.  It is God's love that will leave you in the limelight and shine on another, least you forget who you are.

We are but children of God, our Father who created us and gave us life.  For he has life within him and it is that life that he shares with us.  We have a choice.  We can choose life or we can choose to remain in death.  The passion of Christ gave us that choice.  Which do you choose? 

 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: 31a; Witness against self.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their persecution of religion) Part 4.  

It must have been a great honor and privilege to live in the time of Christ.  Though I must admit that compared to today there were many hardships.  Many of the conveniences that we have today they did not have.  Running water, and toilets, and refrigerators, stoves, and TV's, music, radios, all the modern things we take for granted they did not have.  But then they had the greatest gift of all, Christ.

He came to be amongst the people, to walk with them and talk with them, to hear their laughter, their cries, their sighs, their tears, moans and groans.  And he gave relief to many. Yet he saw the cause of much of the sorrow and pain of the people, the evil and the fear that came from the misdirection of the religious leadership of the people.  For years the religious leadership had persecuted the people.  The Scribes and the Pharisees ruled over the people as though they were slaves and not the people of God whom they were to love.  They killed the prophets and the messengers sent by God because they wanted to maintain their positions of power.  Christ told them:  "Thus you are witnesses against yourselves."


The Bible tells us that our words will be our witness against us on the day of judgment.  Every word we speak will be written in the book of judgment and on that day will be used to judge who we are.  Speak good or speak evil, it will all come out on that day.  The truth will be known as to who we are.  Are we a tree that bears good fruit or one that brings forth bad fruit?  The mask will be taken off and the truth will be known.

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 20, verse:34a, Compassion.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The blind men at Jericho) Part 9. 

How do you see someone without seeing them?  How do you hear someone without hearing them?  How do we know someone without knowing them?  Christ was surrounded by people on all sides.  He did not see the two blind men.  He could not hear them over the din of the crowd.  But in his spirit he knew that their hearts were calling him.  They could not make their way to him because of the crowds.  They could not move closer to him because they could not see.  They could only stand by the wayside, out of the crowd and call to him with their belief, call to him with their hope, call to him with their faith in the words they had heard of him.

And he heard the sorrow in their hearts.  He heard the belief in their minds that he was the one who could transform their lives.  He heard the pain in their lives that they had endured in the darkness all of their life.  And he was moved.  And Jesus, moved with compassion for them.

He is the Son of God, our Father.  He lives in heaven.  He is Lord of all.  And yet he gave up all, that he might become like man and walk among us.  He became flesh and blood like us.  He laughed and ate with us.  He walked and talked with us.  He taught us how to live and he gave us an example of how he died for us.  He loved us then and he loves us now. 

I think of all the homeless and lost souls who wonder the streets, hopeless, living day to day, by any means they can.  I think of those who are trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction, not only to drugs but to any addiction that compels them to do the same things over and over again expecting the different results.  Even those who are stuck in the financial rut striving to find a way out of that cycle, wishing and hoping for something better.  They search for that one big opportunity to hit it big that will change their lives forever. 

I was there.  I ran the cycle.  I was lost.  I cried out to the Lord and he had compassion for me.  He heard my cry.  He heard my sorrow.  He felt my pain.  He rescued me from the depths of my hopelessness and brought me back from the abyss. I am a witness of his love, of his compassion, of his mercy.  I am no longer on the path to destruction.  Today I have a new path to follow, a path given me by my Father.  Today, I am saved and have the knowledge of who I am in him.  My spirit rejoices in who I am.  My heart is filled with the happiness of the life that is within me, the life given me by Christ.  His love overwhelms.  His love fulfills.  There is nothing that I want or need that he has not provided.  My life is full, my purpose is clear, my task is at hand and I rejoice in its completion. 

Christ loves each and everyone of us the same.  He is the reason that we have life today if we choose.  Without him we are dead, without a soul.  But with him we have the light of life within us and the Holy Spirit to guide us along the way.  And with him there is no sorrow, no pain, no regrets.  There is only the last day to go home to be with him for all eternity.  Come, join the party and be with those who love you.  Christ Jesus loves you.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ.   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 20, verse:22a, A Mother's misunderstanding.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The mother of James and John) Part 5. 

The mother of James and John came before Christ and made her demands for her sons.  She spoke what they would not speak.  She asked that her sons be seated with Christ on his left and on his right when he comes into his kingdom and sits upon his throne.  She believes that they deserve the place of distinction.  She knows, in her mind, that they are worthy of such an honor above all the other disciples.  They were the first to follow him.  They were the first to believe in him.  They were born to the role that they now follow as disciples of Christ, the Messiah.

All their lives the Jews have waited for the time when the Messiah would come.  Their history told them of this time.  They believed that he would come and redeem them.  They knew of the promise made by God but did not know the time that it would take place.  So they lived their lives in expectation of what would happen.  And when it did happen not many knew or believed that the time had come.  But the apostles James and John believed.  They knew that he would come and they prepared all their lives for the time when it would happen.  And that time had come and they were a part of history in the making.  Yet little did they know what they were a part of.  And little did their mother know what would come.  She only knew that he had come and now was the time for redemption.  So she came and made her request thinking that the redemption would be of an earthly or worldly event.  But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you are asking for." 

And certainly they did not understand what they were asking.  They thought that he would come and overthrow the rulers.  They thought that he would come and create armies and take back all that was stolen.  They thought that he would come and be declared a new king over all the rulers.  But they were mistaken.  He did not come to conquer the world.  He did not come to destroy the rulers of the world.  He did not come to be served as a king.  He came to become a lamb.  He came to be sacrificed.  He came as an offering to compensate for the sins that man had committed.  And they thought that they wanted to be with him in his sacrifice.

They did not understand that they were asking to be a sacrifice.  They did not understand that they were asking to suffer and die.  They did not understand that they were asking to be scorned, beaten, bruised, battered, mocked, and crucified on a cross to suffer and die.  For this was the price that had to be paid for the sins that had been committed.  This was the price that had to be paid for redemption.  This was the price that was due for all the wrongs that man had committed against the commandments of God.  And they thought that they wanted to be a part of this price that had to be paid. 

Can we say the same today?  Do we want to be a part of the price that Christ paid for our redemption?  Do we want to suffer?  Do we want to deny ourselves?  Do we want to be beaten, mocked, suffer and die for what we believe about the Christ that came to die for us?  Is that something that we can accept?  Most would say no.  Most would not think of suffering.  Most would not think of sacrificing themselves for someone else.  Most would not be able to see the good in those actions.  Yet it is through the suffering, the pain, and the sacrifice that Christ was able to save me and you and all mankind from damnation. 

We were dead and now we have life.  We transgressed and now we are forgiven.  We were lost but now we are found and redeemed.  It is only through acceptance that we are able to find that which was lost.  It is only through recognition that we can come to the light.  It is only through sorrow that we can come to joy.  And it is only through the search that we are able to find that which was originally ours in the beginning.  The path is open.  The way is fixed.  The light of life is within you if you only seek.  For Christ has paved the way.  All we have to do is follow.  The choice is ours to make.  Redeem what was lost or loose what was taken away.  Only you can make the decision.  Come!  Christ awaits with open arms to receive you with love.

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 19, verse: 22b, The commandments: Having great possessions.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The rich young man speaks to Jesus) Part 16.

And now we come to the culmination of this paragraph topic, the rich man speaks to Jesus.  He came because he wanted to know.  He had conquered all the experiences of his time, having the freedom to do as he pleased.  Yet within all that he had accomplished he still desired something more.  He had a hunger within.  He had a hole that needed to be filled.  He had yet to find anything in this world that could fill it.  He had riches.  He had opportunity.  He had freedom to do all that his wealth allowed.  Yet he did not have the fulfillment that enlightenment brought.

He sought Christ because he heard the word.  He sought Christ because the word opened the door to his heart and stirred something within him.  He sought Christ because that which was within pointed him in the direction of Christ to get the answers.  And when he found Christ he was given answers.  Keep the commandments he was told.  That he did, but that was not enough to fill the hunger.  If he wanted to be perfect he was given other tasks to complete.  Sell what he had.  Give to the poor and have treasure in heaven.  And then, to reach that perfection, come and follow Christ to fill the hunger within.  When he heard the words he was filled with sorrow and sadness.  "He went away sad, for he had great possessions."

He had great possessions.  Much had he acquired in his lifetime even though he was a young man, he had great possessions.  Typical of what we aspire to have today is great possessions.  We want much riches, cars, beauty, good health, love, passion, power, beautiful homes, travel, fine clothes, fine wines, fine men or women in our lives.  All these are the things that we aspire to have today.  Is it wrong to want these things?  Is it wrong that we see and feel the desires of our hearts?  Is it wrong for us to want what is given to us to have?  After all we see these things presented to us everyday.  We are given to want these things because others have them and they tell us that we should want them also.

Great possessions are the things that are plugged into our brains daily.  Yet it is those same possessions that possess us.  It is the desire, the passion, the need, that drives us that consumes us, that possess us in our every waking thought and deed that lead us to the destination that we seek.  Some succeed in that goal.  Most do not.  What must we do to obtain that goal?  Or is that goal something that we truly want or desire?  Thousands of potential actors, singers, comedians, and performers grow up seeking to be the stars of today.  Yet only a handful succeed in reaching that goal.  And what are the consequences that are paid to obtain that goal?  What price do they pay to be number one? 

The rich young man had an opportunity.  He had an opportunity like nothing else that he had experienced in his life.  He had the opportunity to become a follower of Christ, to become a disciple.  Yet he had possessions.  He had great possessions.  And those possessions had a hold of him.  He could not find a way to let them go.  He was blinded by the glitz and glamour of death.  For all that is physical leads to death.  And all that is spiritual leads to life.  What is the dollar but ink on paper?  What is gold but a shimmering rock?  All that we are given to value in this world does not give life but death.  And there is nothing in this physical world that will give life except that which is life. 

Christ came that we would have life and have it more abundantly.  We are the life that he has given us if we only are able to see it, to feel it, to know it, to be it.  We are given death in the disguise of life, but life is within us and not from outside.  Life is the light that is within us.  It is the essence of that which Christ gave to us.  It is the light of life that results from the spirit within.  I am the spirit and not the physical.  I am the light within and not the body.  I am the life of the spirit and not the darkness of death.  For I know the truth of who I am in Christ and so can you.  I know the consolation of the Spirit and so can you.  I know the protection and the provision of the Father and so will you.  Come!  Know the truth of who you are in the spirit and see the life that is within you. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you.  Open the door and let him in.  

ST Matthew, Chapter 12, verse: 40, The Pharisees request for a sign: The sign of Jonas.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The sign of Jonas) Part 2.  

And he told them a mystery.  He told them a wonder.  He told them things that they did not comprehend.  For the Pharisees sought to prevail over Christ by asking him to provide another miracle, a sign, that they might believe that he was the Messiah.  Christ refused their request.  He refused their demand.  He refused to allow them to continue down this path of unbelief based upon their desire to have a sign.  For they wanted a sign.  They wanted to see another wonder.  They wanted to see his power so that they could attempt to understand who he was.  But the demons that possessed them only wanted another opportunity to try to trick him.  They wanted another opportunity to persuade the people to turn away from Christ.  Christ refused them.

Instead Christ gave them a mystery.  He gave them a prophecy that they would ponder, that they would wonder about.  He told them that the only sign they would receive is the sign of Jonas in the belly of the whale.  The Pharisees knew of the story of Jonas but they did not understand how this applied to Christ.  He told them,  "For even as Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."  

And they did not understand.  They did not know his words nor could they figure out the meaning of this mystery he spoke.  For he spoke of being in the earth for three days and three nights.  He compared this to Jonas being in the belly of the whale.  Yet Jonas was disobedient to God who sent him to Nineve to give a message to the people.  Jonas was swallowed up by a whale because he refused to go.  Jonas ran from the assignment that God gave him and was thrown overboard and swallowed by a whale.  The Pharisees wondered how could this story relate to Christ.  They wondered how could this be a sign or a wonder that would proclaim the his identity.  Christ gave them a sign that would fulfill itself in the future so that when it happened they would know that he was the Messiah, they would know that he spoke the truth, they would know that he was of the Father.

What do we see of this same situation, today?  Many would have a sign that Christ is Lord.  Many would have a miracle that there is a God in order to believe.  For they do not believe otherwise, even if a miracle were performed before their very eyes.  They still would find some reason not to believe.  They still would attempt to rationalize, within their minds, the power and authority of God.  Do you need a sign?  Do you seek to understand the power and authority of God, today? 

Do you give him praise and glory no matter what the situation?  If death comes, if destruction comes, if disasters comes, if moves of nature come, if senseless killings come, if whatever comes, do you still give him the praise and the glory?  For he is the Lord almighty and his ways are higher than our ways.  Not giving praise means that you do not accept God as all powerful and having all authority.

We question the actions.  We doubt the need.  We seek to understand the meaning within ourselves.  We give way to pain.  We give way to sorrow.  We give way to despair and anger.  We give way to the isolation and the loss which the devil brings after the storm.  But the loss should be joy.  The loss should be jubilation.  The loss should be exultation.  For the loved one has gone to Christ who has prepared a place for you and for your loved one in heaven and there they await your arrival.  Christ is still King of King and Lord of Lords and he moves with a mighty hand.  And we should always and at all times give him the praise and the glory that he is on the thrown and rules the world.  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah, praise his holy name!