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. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses: 43a; The Kingdom.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Application of the parable) Part 3. 

The leaders, the priest, and the elders are being told by Christ their fate.  Those who would corrupt the fruit for their own desires are being given a warning.  They are the ones who were put in charge of the vineyard.  They are the ones who were supposed to till the soil and trim the weeds so that the fruit would grow uninhibited.  But they saw the fruit as their own.  They saw the fruit as an opportunity to fulfill their own dreams of wealth and power.  So they cultivated and prepared the fruit so that it would provide them with the desires of their heart, all in the name of the Lord.

Israel was a chosen people.  They were special in the eyes of the Lord.  He came down from heaven to provide for them, to care for them, as a mother hen would care for her chicks.  Yet they rebelled.  They decided their own rules and laws contrary to the laws given them by the Lord.  Their leaders became filled with power and pride and considered themselves above the Law of the common man.  So Christ told them:  "Therefore I say to you, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you." 

Our religious leaders have a special place in the heart of God.  They are the ones we look up to.  They are the ones that we turn to for guidance.  They provide us with our daily lessons that instruct us how to live.  We follow their example in all that we do.  We are the sheep and they are the shepherds.  We hear their voice and we follow.  God has called them to lead us and to guide us along the way.  He has given them special training and leadership skills.  And they are the vine-dressers that bring forth the fruit from the vineyard.

Do we know who we are?  Do we know that we are the sheep?  Do we believe that our leaders are the shepherds that we are to follow?  Or are there doubts as to who leads us and the example that they give?  Pray that you may know the truth of who you are.  Pray that your eyes may be opened as to who leads you and how you follow.  Pray that you may see the light that is within you and know that you are the beloved of God.  Then you will know the truth of who you are and where you belong. 

God will send you the Advocate.  The Advocate will lead you and guide you to find the place where you belong.  He will show you that place where you can grow and become the fruit that your Father has planted within you.  You are a child of God and his love is within you.  He will provide.  He will protect.  He will show you the way to a new path in life that you may live according to the abundance that he has given you.  Look around you and see.  Is this the place that you want to be?  Do you yearn for something more?  Pray that he will guide you!  Pray that he will show you the way!  Pray and listen for his guidance for he will hear 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 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:3, The Lord's needs.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem) Part 3. 

Jesus had sent his two disciples into Jerusalem with his instructions.  They listened to his words and followed them.  They knew not the purpose.  They knew not the why and the wherefore of his actions.  They only knew that they should follow his instructions.

So they proceeded into Jerusalem in search of the ass and the colt that he instructed they would find.  And just as he had instructed they found them tied to a post.  So they untied them and proceeded to return with them.  As fate would have it someone may see them and question the why and wherefore of their actions.  So he instructed them such:  "And if anyone say anything to you, you shall say that the Lord has need of them, and immediately he will send them." 

Those were the instructions that Christ gave to his disciples going into Jerusalem.  He wanted them to be prepared that they would know what to say and what to do.  He knew that they would encounter anyone.  He knew that they would be watched, that their actions would be questioned.  So he gave his disciples specific instructions as to what to say and what to do.  He did not tell them to run.  He did not tell them to steal.  He did not tell them to be ashamed of what they were doing.  They were doing his will and his bidding.  So they followed his instructions as they were given.

The disciples were blessed to be able to walk and talk with Christ in his time.  They were special, chosen by him to do his bidding after he was glorified and returned to his Father in heaven.  Today it must be a very special thing to be chosen, to be recognized by Christ in heaven, by one so great.  It must be special to be given instructions of some task that he wants accomplished here on earth.  It must be a grace given to those who can hear his voice, a grace to those who have understanding, a grace to those whose hearts are open to his calling.  They are the ones able to know and be touched by his love.  Not knowing the why or the wherefore, but following the instructions that are given, must be a special privilege bestowed upon those that are called to do his bidding.

He holds our hands even as we walk through the darkness not knowing where we are going.  He turns us away from the cliff that we are about to jump from in our moments of despair.  He loves us even though we do not know how to love him.  He forgives us even when we do wrong and go against his will.  We are his children and many do not know the truth of his love for us.  Many do not understand who we are and why we are here.  Many do not understand the truth of who they are.  We are lost children seeking to find our way home being led astray by those who would deceive us, those who would destroy us, and those who would see us loose that which was given us by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

God calls all his children.  Christ said that his sheep know his voice.  No one can come to the Father except through Christ Jesus.  Our path is set.  Our instructions are clear.  All we need do is follow them and we will know the truth of his love for us. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage 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.