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 23, verses: 5b - 7; The things they do to be seen.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 5.  
The Scribes and the Pharisees walked among the people.  They talked to the people.  But they considered themselves above the common people.  They were learned.  They had knowledge that was not available to the common man.  So they portrayed themselves as better than everyone else.  They expected recognition from the common man.  

They liked to be seen and acknowledged in the markets and on the streets.  They liked to be heard in the synagogues.  They wanted first places at table.  They were above everyone else.  As Christ told the people:  "For they widen their phylacteries, and enlarge their tassels,  and love the first places at suppers and the front seats in the synagogues,  and greetings in the market place, and to be called by men 'Rabbi.' "

All their works they do to be seen.  This is what Christ was telling the people about the Scribes and the Pharisees.  He told them all things that they command you, observe and do, but do not act according to their works.  For they do everything to be seen, to bring praise to themselves, to gain recognition to their position.  

And we can see examples of this behavior today.  We can find many in our circle of experience who seek to be seen and heard.  Humility is not a trait to practice.  Pride is their moto.  Recognition is their game.  Persuasion and influence is the rules by which they operate for it is required for them to succeed.  This is the picture that Christ wants the people and the disciples to see, to open their eyes that they might understand how not to be.

Yet it is a natural tendency for us to observe and to emulate those who seek to be seen.  We want to be like them.  We want to be liked.  We want to be loved so that we can have the front seats, be recognized, be called by all.  For we are but human and we do what we see.  But Christ wants us to have another example to follow, another example to see.  He wants us to know that despite what we see, as a model to follow in life, this is not the road to travel.  

We are all sisters and brothers, born from the same father.  All are alike in the same spirit.  We are all sinners in the eyes of God, seeking forgiveness, acceptance, justification, and sanctification.  Christ came that we might be transformed in the eyes of God.  He came to be our example.  He came to be our sacrifice.  He came that we can have new life instead of death.  He came because of his passion and love for all mankind.

His love is overflowing.  His love is ever forgiving.  His love is fulfilling.  Tread not the ways of the world but the path of Christ.  For he will lead you.  He will guide you.  He will protect you and provide for you all the days of your life.  Open the door and let him in.

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: 5a; To be seen.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 4.  
We are talking about the Scribes and the Pharisees.  They are the leadership class in the time of Christ.  They are the educated and learned.  The ordinary people do not have books to read.  They do not got to schools to learn how to write.  The ordinary people labor in the fields and build for the kings and the ruling class to earn a living for themselves.  But for those who are fortunate enough, they go to schools and to the synagogue to learn to read and write and become educated.

The Scribes and the Pharisees are educated and learned; they are seen as different from ordinary people.  They dress differently, they talk differently, they consider themselves above the common man because of their training.  Christ tells the crowd:  "In fact, all their works they do in order to be seen by men."

Christ wants the disciples and the common people to see the Scribes and the Pharisees as they are.  He wants to pull the blinders from the peoples' eyes so they can see the true nature of the Scribes and the Pharisees.  Most people would look up to them because of their position.  But Christ wants them to see what lies underneath the clothing, underneath the masks of the Scribes and the Pharisees.  He wants them to understand who and what they revere as their leaders.

Is this an example for us today to look at our leaders, those that we look up to as examples of who we want to become?  Is this what Christ wants us to see?  Do we want our actions to be guided by what we do to be seen?  Are we hypocrites?  We are given examples daily of those persons that we wish we could become, the rich and the famous.  We see constantly on TV hear on the radio, in publications all those celebrities that we would like to know and meet.  Are they similar to the Scribes and the Pharisees that Christ talks about?

The Bible is a book of life.  It has many lessons that we can learn from.  There are real life examples that we can apply today to our lives as to how to live.  Who are we?  What are we?  Seven billion people on this planet, living in this time and space.  What do we have that can bring us joy and peace?  What do we have that can give us pause to the fast pace of life today?  

Two thousand years into the future Christ stands as the rock of all times.  He teaches, he speaks to us, he comes to us in our time of need.  If you do not know him, seek him out.  If you do not know him call his name.  If you do not know him, he knows you.  He sees you everyday that you live.  He knows your needs and your wants.  He hears your sighs and your cries.  He feels your pain and understands your sufferings.  He calls to you but you do not listen.  

Come!  He waits for you.  Come!  He wants you.  Come!  He will protect you and provide for you all the days of your life.  He is the Son of the living God.  He sits at his side.  He will speak to his father about you and ask him to help you in your time of need.  You are precious in his eyes.  His love for you is more than any love you have known.  Open your heart.  Let him in and he will come and be with 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.