St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses: 44a; The Broken pieces.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Application of the parable) Part 5. 

Christ continues to tell us about this parable of the vineyard and the vine dressers, how they decided to take control of the vineyard and claim it their own.  In comparison as we look back we can find similarities with mankind today.  God our Father created us in his likeness and image and called us his own.  He gave us life out of the love that was within him to share his existence with us. 

Today we claim our existence as our own, devising our life from the ooze that grew from time immemorial.  And so it is that the elders and the high priest of the Jews claim that they are the rulers of the people.  All that has been written of his coming was not recognized or understood.  Yet they are the ones who were most learned and most educated of the Torah.  They could not see.  They could not understand.  They could not comprehend the signs of the time.  So Christ told them:  "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces." 

And this became their warning, their stop sign.  Do not stand against this corner stone else you will suffer.  And this is our warning today.  Split, broken, pieces, are the results of what we will suffer in our lives.  We are meant to live a life of peace and joy and not a life of pain and suffering.  We seek to reach the top, to be like the others that we see and hear about living a life of luxury.  But in many situations we find ourselves split by pressure and pain, suffering the consequences of our own desires and passions.  Broken we find ourselves.  Wasted, lying on the wayside, forgotten and lost in our pursuit of the pleasures that this life is supposed to give us.

We have forgotten who we are.  We have lost our way.  We are influenced by the consequences of our own minds that constantly change according to the thoughts that we are given on a daily, minute by minute basis.  We are no longer in control of who we are and of our actions.  We are  led by the influences of the world.  Our thoughts tell us that we are not real.  They tell us that the life that is within us is our imagination, it is not real.  Yet Christ Jesus sacrificed his life that we may have life everlasting.

Be not broken.  Be not split in indecision.  Know that you are loved and that your Father lives within you.  You are a child of the living God, a father who provides for you, who protects you, who loves you.  The elders of old had the opportunity.  You have the opportunity today.  Seek to know the truth of who you are and you will come to see, 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 20, verse:27, The First Disciple.

Our paragraph topic is: (Humility according to Christ's example) Part 6.

He had told them many things along their journey over the past three years.  He showed them miracles.  He taught them of the kingdom of heaven.  He spoke to them about his father and the love that he has for them and for all mankind.  He did many things while he walked among and with them on this journey that they were making. 

For surely it was their journey.  It was their walk.  It was their training,  For Christ knew of his path.  He knew of his journey.  He knew the time and place and sacrifice and pain and suffering that he would face.  But the disciples were in training for their own walk, their own path, their own journey which would take place after Christ returned home to his father.  So he had to prepare them.  He had to plant the seeds that would grow into full blown leaders and teachers, and ministers of the church that he would leave behind.  And the disciples had to understand what would make them great, what would make them first among all.  So he told them:  "And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave."

And there it was in plain words for all to understand.  Desire to be first and you desire to be a slave.  Desire to be great and you desire to be a servant.  These were his words to his disciples who were passionate to be great, to be the best.  Yet his words posed a problem for them.  His words did not make since to them because no one wanted to be a slave.  No one wanted to be a servant.  In their time, slaves were the lowest and servants had no power, no prestige or privilege.  And they wanted to be known.

Yet Christ gave them his example.  He gave them the parameters by which they could measure their greatness, their position among each other.  Be a slave.  Be a servant to all.  A slave implied ownership.  A slave implied a lack of freedom.  A slave implied obedience, and those were the qualities that they did not posses nor did they desire to possess. 

Looking back from our vantage point of today, can we imitate the example that Christ left?  Can we become slaves?  Can we be completely obedient?  The temptation is great to do otherwise.  The culture that we live in today compels us to be anything but obedient to the example that Christ gave to us.  We are compelled to be first.  We are compelled to be great.  We are compelled to do whatever it takes to get ahead, to reap the rewards, to come out on top.  We are compelled to show the world that we have made it. 

How we dress, speak, eat, walk, and talk, all express who we are and who we want to become.  Our minds are constantly filled with the ideas and thoughts that drive us to want to be great, to be first, to be on top.  And for those who do not or can not fulfill their passion then the fall from the lofty heights of their passion leaves scars in their lives.  We become broken people who failed to reach the top.  Yet despite all that is given us, all that we see and hear to demonstrate that we are failures, we are great in his eye.  We are loved in his eyes.  We are protected and provided for under his arms.  If we just turn to him and accept that we are his children, we become great. 

 God is our Father.  He is the Creator.  He is the one who provides and protects.  We are winners in his eyes.  We are his children and he has given each and every one of us all that our hearts desire.  Come!  Open your minds and open your hearts and see that which you are since the beginning of time.  You will know the truth that is within you.  You will know the truth that no one or nothing in this world can take from you.  The life of Christ dwells within you and his love awaits your awakening.  You have a new life, a wonderful and glorious life ahead.  Come!  Start yours today.

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.