St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 35; A Doctor of the Law tests him..

Our paragraph topic is:  (The great commandment) Part 2.   

And so they brought forward the great minds of the Law to question Christ.  These were the scholars who had studied and taught the Law down through the ages.  They knew the ends and outs of the Law.  They knew the minutia of the Law.  They knew the intent of the Law as far as man could understand the Law as given by God.  But they could not understand the Law according to the mind of God.  Only Christ had the wisdom and the insight of the Holy Spirit.

You see, they did not believe.  In the face of all that was spoken, all the miracles that were performed, they still did not understand or believe he could be the one.  They only knew that he had to be taken down because he did not belong to their group.  So they gathered together and came up with one question that they believed was the one great question of the Law.  And one of them, a doctor of the Law, putting him to the test, asked him.   

Christ had no formal training in the synagogue.  He did not attend the temple where all the other trainees were taught the ins and outs of the Law.  Yet he knew more of the Law than the masters and the doctors.  They wanted to know who taught him.  They wanted to know how he knew.  They wanted to know were he was trained.  Yet he did not reveal to them who he was and they did not accept that he was the Messiah.  They believed that he was a charlatan, a fake.  

The people knew.  The people accepted him as real.  They could believe what they saw.  They could understand what they heard.  Their minds were opened, their eyes were not blind, their ears could hear.  They could see and believe.  Would we do the same today?  Would we know the truth today if he came to us, spoke to us, performed miracles, healed the sick, made the lame walk, cast out demons? Would we believe?  Yet all that has happened and has been given to us in the written words of the Bible.  He has told us that there will be those who will come after him performing miracles in his name.  He has told us that he will only come again on a cloud with his angels for all to see.  He has given us signs to look for before he comes that we will know that time is drawing near.

Be prepared!  Everyday the thief may come.  Put on your armor in the morning and know that you are ready to face what the day has to offer.  Know that you do not fight alone that you have an army with you to guide you and fight with you in your daily battles.  Be strengthened by your prayers.  Call upon the Lord at all times and he will be your right arm.  Be patient in your needs because he knows what you need.  The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.  I am but a sinner who asks forgiveness and seeks to do his will in the hope that I may be with him in his kingdom.  May the Lord have mercy on my soul.

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 22, verse: 16a; The Herodian scholars.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 2.  

They were determined in their views to trap Christ with their tricks.  They had done this before with other prophets.  So they figured that they could do the same with Christ.  They were arrogant in their beliefs.  They were certain in their knowledge of who they were dealing with.  They were blind to the influence of the evil that motivated their actions and blind to the influence of their own needs.

They believed that they were dealing with an ordinary man.  They believed that they were far superior than this ordinary man even though he seemed to be a prophet.  So they thought that they could outwit him.  They even brought along their best minds to help with the task.  And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians.  

They were dealing with the Son of God.  Yet they did not consider this a possibility.  They did not think that he would know them, that he would know their thought, their feelings, their wants, and their desires.  Or maybe they were so blinded by the influence of evil that they could not see the truth that was before them.

It is said that some people are so set in their ways that they are unable to see what is plainly before them.  When the truth is unveiled before their eyes the brain is unable to accept what has been revealed, so it denies in order to remain in what has been the accepted way of thinking.  Or even it creates some alternate reason to rationalize maintaining the thought process that it holds without considering the possibility of change.  The truth shatters the old thought process and allows change to take place.  And with that change comes freedom and joy and peace. 

Christ came into this world that the veil of darkness might be lifted and the light of truth would come that we might be able to see again and not be blinded in darkness.  He lit a candle and that candle is the light that is within.  We can choose to see or continue to live in darkness.  We can choose to be free or live enslaved.  We can choose to be at peace in the knowledge that we are rich in him or we can continue to believe that we are poor and must do anything and everything to obtain the riches of this world.  There is nothing in this world that is more precious than the life that Christ has freely given.  Choose freely and keep that which is yours from eternity.

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:20b, A Mother's request.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The mother of James and John) Part 2. 

The mother of James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Christ with a plan.  She knew what she wanted.  She knew that it had to be spoken.  So she came to the one who her sons followed and believed in.  She had heard the word.  She knew what was being spoken of him throughout the villages.  And she knew that he was the Messiah.  So she came with her request just as all the others had come to ask to be cured of illness, to ask to walk, to ask to see, to ask to hear.  All the others were drawn to him with their needs and he fulfilled them.  But hers was different.

Mother came to ask for her children.  She came on their behalf not on her own.  She wanted to know that her sons would be taken care of.  She came to ask her own special request of the Messiah, the Chosen One who came down from heaven to walk with men.  And worship-
ping, she made a request of him.

What would your mother do?  Would she act on your behalf?  Would she plead your case before the ruler of the universe?  Would she show her concern for your future, the same as the mother of James and John?  Some would say yes.  Some would hesitate.  Some would say no.  What this tells us is the character of the children?  Are they worthy of a mother's love, a mother's concern?  For surely a mother loves her children.  Surely a mother who gave birth to her children, nursed them through early childhood, watched them stumble and grow to stand on their own, saw them through trying years and adult years; surely this kind of loving mother would speak for her children.  

For what is a mother other than one who came before.  What is a mother other than one who loves, one who cares, one who sees the struggles and pitfalls that their children will face.  What is a mother other than one who provides, one who nurtures, one who teaches, one who guides and directs, one who's heart is the same heart as her children.  And when her work is done she can retire and watch the fruits of her labors in her children and her grand children and all those little ones that come after her. 

The mother of James and John came and made her request.  She worshipped him, bowed down before him and spoke for the ones that she loved.  She spoke that which was in her heart to the one who had the power to grant her request.  Mothers of the world make your requests.  Mothers of the world come before him and worship, knowing that he can fulfill all needs.  Mothers of the world he is your provider, your protector, your deliverer.

Worry not.  Fret not.  Do not be concerned for what tomorrow has to offer.  Only know that today he is with you.  Today he watches over you.  Today he provides for you.  Today, your children will run and laugh and play without a worry because he is with the Father and the Father is with him and all things are possible.  Just as she came and made her request you too can do the same for your children, today and tomorrow and for all eternity.  The Lord is with you and all is at peace.

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: 30b, Those who are last and those who are first.

Our paragraph topic is:  (A hundredfold reward promised) Part 6. 

Jesus made a promise to his disciples and those that followed him that there would be great rewards.  He wanted them to know that the trials and tribulations that they would face for their fellowship with him would be rewarded greatly.  They would face battles.  They would face enemies that they had not known before.  They would face all kinds of trials.  They would face pain, and torture, and even death.  But Christ reassured them that the trails they would face could not compare to the rewards they would receive.

The twelve disciples would be judges over all the tribes of Israel.  Those who followed would receive rewards totaling a hundredfold to what they would sacrifice here on earth.  So the rewards are more than one can imagine receiving.  And then, they also would receive life everlasting for all eternity.  All would be with him in the kingdom when the regeneration comes.  And none would be left out.  For those who came first would be the last to receive.  And as he told them:  "And many who are last now will be first." 

Who will be the last to come?  Who will be the last to enter the kingdom of heaven in the regeneration?  And after the last, comes the judgment that will right all wrongs and balance the scales of justice.  And there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  And many will be left behind.  And many will be left outside.  But the last will become the first and the first will be the last.  And Christ is the first to come, but he, will be the last.

What will be our reward?  What will we receive in the kingdom of heaven?  What is our heart's desire?  What will make us happy beyond our wildest expectations?  The heart only knows what it knows, and it knows what will make us happy.  Surely what we have experienced here on earth has or can, bring happiness and joy.  But will that fulfill the desires of the heart?  Will that satisfy?  Will what we can receive here complete the longings of what is in our hearts?

We see and feel and smell and taste all the wonders of the creation of man.  We are given to desire that which is presented before us in the news and the media and socially and online.  Everyday we are given examples of what it would mean to have all our financial needs met.  And that is something that we all want and desire, to have enough money to not have to worry about working and toiling for tomorrows needs.  But is this enough to satisfy?  Is this enough to fulfill?  Is this the be all and end all to the longings within our hearts?

Christ came that we would have life and have it more abundantly.  He came to tell us that there is something more than we perceive in the here and now.  He came that we would be able to see the light, that our eyes would be opened and our hearts would know the truth of who we are.  He gave us the example to follow.  He opened the door for us to come, into the kingdom.  And he led the way to the kingdom of fulfillment.  Satisfaction is not in the physical.  Happiness is not in the present.  Only with him and through him and by him can that which fills our longings be complete.  Only through and with and by the love of God our Father can we know that which is truly ours to know.  The true fulfillment of who we are is only available in the Father and his love.  Come!  Be the true life that Christ has given you through his passion.  He loves you.  He awaits you.  He will fulfill 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 14, verses: 22 - 23, The Test of Heart: The Disciples sent alone.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus walks on the water) Part 1.  

All were filled and the baskets of leftovers were collected.  And there were twelve basketfulls left when the fragments were collected.  The miracle took place before their eyes.  Only now did they realize.  The people were in need.  The disciples did not know how to satisfy their needs so they wanted to send them away.  But Christ told his disciples to feed the people themselves.  They only had five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed multitudes, thousands of people.  But the disciples did not know who they were becoming.  They did not know the truth of the nature of Christ.  And they did not know what he was training them to do.  So they wanted to send the people away.

Christ told them to feed the people themselves but they did not know how.  After the miracle had taken place and all were filled, Christ made his disciples leave.   And immediately afterwards he made his disciples get into the boat and cross the sea ahead of him, while he dismissed the crowd.

And now they are to be tested.  For they were sent away and Christ remained with the people.   The disciple did not know what to do.  They did not know what to think, for the first time they were alone without Christ.  He was on the land and they were in the boat.  He was the Christ and they were his disciples.  He was their coach, their teacher, their mentor, and they were his pupils.  But Christ was not with them and they did not know what to do.  They did not know where to go or what would happen next.  And confusion came to them and remained.   And when he had dismissed the crowd, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.  And when it was late, he was there alone.

So the disciples wanted to send the people away instead of tend to their needs, but Christ sent the disciples away.  He made them get into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake ahead of him for he was to catch another boat, this is what the disciples thought.  They were to wait for him on the other side.  They were to be without him during the travel to the other side.  They were to be tested without Christ at their side.

Are you ready for the test?  Are you ready to be sent forth into the world and wait for Christ?  We live in the world today, without the knowledge and the truth of Christ.  Many carry the word within them but yet do not know the truth of who they are.  Therefore, when the test comes we have no strength to draw from since we do not know who we are and from whom our strength comes.  We call on the Lord in times of need.  We beseech his help in times of trouble.  We seek his assistance when all else fails, but we do not know the truth of who we are in Christ and the strength that he has placed at our disposal.  

Are you ready for the test?  Do you seek to know the truth of your true nature or do you just seek to know what is given to you?  We go to church.  We go to religious studies.  We go to conferences, but do we go to Christ.  For he is our source and our strength and our comforter in times of need, always.  Yet we seek him not.  Instead we seek the temporary fix of church.  We seek the temporary good feeling that church service has to offer and we return to the world for our fix.  Turn to Christ and receive the truth!  Turn to Christ and receive the power!  Turn to Christ and receive the knowledge of who you are in Christ!  He has redeemed us.  He has saved us from eternal damnation.  He has justified and sanctified us before our Father that we may become holy in his eyes.  Hear the good news!  Seek the gospel truth for yourself and he will come to you.  The truth is not in the sanctuary.  The truth is not in the Sunday service.  The truth is not in the religious teachings, religious books, music, shows, conferences.  The truth is within you.  Read the gospel,  read the good news, read the new testament and find it for yourself.  Are you ready for the test? 

St Matthew, Chapter 14, verses: 17 - 18, The Needs of the People: Christ's Demonstration.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus feeds five thousand) Part 2.   

And the disciples did not know.  They saw with their eyes, heard with their ears, but they did not perceive with their hearts.  For they had not seen of such before.  They had not heard of such before.  They had not understood of such before by any man.  Yet Christ was before them.  Christ was with them.  Christ was in them and they did not understand.  They were surrounded by masses of people.  They were with hundreds or even thousands of fellow countrymen who were lost.  There were many with needs that they could not fill.  And the disciples were overwhelmed.  And Christ saw their needs and the needs of his disciples.

Christ understood.  Christ knew of their needs.  Christ wanted to fulfill their needs but his time had not yet come, for his sacrifice would fill the needs of all mankind for all eternity.  And the disciples did not know.  For life was in Christ.  Life flowed from Christ and he wanted to give it to the people and his disciples that they would know the truth.  The people were in need.  They needed a leader.  They needed a guide.  They needed love.  They needed.   And Christ was their to fulfill their needs.  But the disciples did not know.  The disciples did not understand.  The disciples did not see the truth of fulfillment within themselves.  So they brought their needs to Christ.

But Christ told them, you, yourselves feed them.  Christ told them, in so many words, they had to power to feed the people.  Christ told them, in so many words, they could feed the people, but they did not understand.  They did not comprehend his words.  They only thought in terms of their earthly being.  They did not see the seed that was growing within them through Christ.  For he had planted the seeds of life within his disciples and growth was taking place.  Christ had watered the seeds of life and they were growing.  Christ had nurtured the seeds of life and they were growing.  Christ had protected the seeds of life within them and the evil one wanted to destroy the seeds.  The disciples did not understand.  Christ told them, you, yourself feed the people.  And they only thought with their human minds and responded with,  "We have here only five loaves and two fishes."

Therefore, Christ had to demonstrate to them what was possible.  Christ had to show them what to do.  Christ had to lead them that they may understand who they were in him.  So he told them  "Bring them here to me."  This is what the disciples had to do, bring all things to him.  Bring all problem, bring all sickness, bring all needs, bring all sorrows, bring all to him, for he would satisfy all needs.  And the disciples did not understand that the seed in them was Christ.

I found myself in a store the other day buying something to eat.  And a man was sitting at the table.  When I approached the condiments table he spoke to me.  His first question was how much was the sandwich I purchased.  I did not know because it was not an issue with me that I should be concerned with the cost of the item.  I knew that the cost was within my means to pay because I picked a place where I could buy something to eat for under $3.00.  Yet his question to me was how much did one sandwich cost.  I told him that I did not know and gave him an approximate amount that I thought it cost.  He continued to talk saying that they reminded him of a sandwich from his home town.  He was from up north.

The conversation was nothing special but what stayed with me was my reaction.  You see, I was afraid of the conversation.  I did not know who I am in Christ.  I feared that he was about to ask me for some money to buy something to eat.  I was afraid and I was only concerned for myself.  It was not about the money, it was about the need in him that I did not see.  I did not understand who I am in Christ and who he is in Christ.  Fear entered me and I was only concerned for myself.  I wanted him to ask me for some money so that I could give it to him and he could buy something to eat.  I am accustomed to giving to beggars and street people but this was up close.  I wanted to help him but I was afraid also.  I wanted him to ask me for some money that I may give it to him and then I could be on my way and not be concerned or committed with his needs.  I was selfish and only concerned with myself.    You see, I was detached and did not want to concern myself with his needs.   For concerning  myself with his needs meant getting involved, it meant getting close, it meant becoming attached.  And I was afraid for myself.

Christ is my provider.  Christ is my protector.  Christ is in me and yet I failed to be in him.  I failed to see the needs of that man.  I failed to listen to his concerns.  I failed to open my heart to his conversation that I might help his needs.  For I feared that it may concern me and I would be involved.  How do you help a person?  How do you love a stranger?  How do you fill the needs of a person that you do not know?  How do you overcome the fear of injury, the fear of harm, the fear of loss?  How do you open yourself up to a stranger?   He started the conversation and spoke out of his need.  I withdrew from the conversation and spoke out of my fear.   

I missed the opportunity to feed the people.  I missed the opportunity to bring him to Christ.  I missed the opportunity to open  my heart up to show the love of Christ in me to another person.  I missed the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ in me.  Be open to the opportunity!  Realize that Christ is your provider, your protector.  He will provide and protect you no matter where you are or what you are doing, if you carry him with you.  Do you carry the seed within you?  Let him show you the way.  Open your heart to the opportunity and he will lead you to overflowing love and abundant life.  You, yourself, feed the people!

St Matthew, Chapter 14, verse: 16, The Needs of the People: Christ's ability.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus feeds five thousand) Part 1.    

The people came.  They came looking for Christ.  They heard the word.  They heard that John the Baptist was murdered and they came looking for Christ to satisfy their needs.  Christ saw their needs and was moved with compassion.  He cured their sick.  He preached the good news of the kingdom.  He restored hope.  He instilled faith.  He gave them assurance.  For chaos had come.  Doubt had come.  Fear began to spread throughout, taking away faith, taking away hope.   But Christ was there and the people sought him for guidance. 

The disciples walked at his side.  The disciples saw the miracles first hand.  The disciples heard the words of heavenly wisdom from the King of Kings, yet not really knowing him.  They watched him cure the sick.  They watched him heal the lame and oppressed.  They saw the casting out of demons.  They knew that he was different.  But they did not know.  The disciples were filled by his presence.  The disciples were at peace in his surroundings because he protected them.  The disciples knew hope from the present day worries through him, but they did not know him.  Christ filled them.  Christ nurtured them.  Christ taught them.  He gave them his blessings that they may perform miracles.  Yet they did not know.  They only knew what was before them and not what was in them.

The night was drawing near and the crowd was large.  There was no food to feed the people and the disciples became worried.  They thought about the needs.  They thought about the consequences.  They thought about the anger and frustration of the people.  The people would come upon them with their frustration and they did not know what to do.  They did not know what was in them so they feared.  The disciples came to Christ and pleaded that he release the people that they may go into the villages and towns and buy food to eat.   The disciples wanted Christ to dismiss the people and send them away for they feared of not meeting the needs of the people.  But Jesus said to them, " They do not need to go away; you yourselves give them some food."    

The disciples did not know what was in them.  They did not know the power that Christ had bestowed upon them.  They did not see the strength that he had given to them within.  They did not understand the glory of his presence that rubbed off on them.  But they wanted to send the people away.  They did not understand what to do with the people.  They did not know that they had the power, through Christ, to feed the people, to satisfy their hunger.  They only wanted to send them away, back to the pits, the trials, the temptations, the sin.  Christ said to the disciples, you yourself feed them, but they did not understand.  

Too often today lost souls come to Christ through the church.  Christ said, you yourself feed them but we do not.  They hunger for spiritual food and we do not feed them.  They are fed scrapes.  They are fed crumbs.  They are fed pieces of what is to be, only to return hungry for more.  Church people are addicted to pieces.  They are addicted to scrapes, not knowing that they can be filled and hunger no more.  But how can you feed the people if you are hungry yourself?  How can you feed the people if you are not filled yourself?  How can you feed the people if you do not know what is in you, yourself?   You will only give scrapes.  You will only give pieces.  You will only give crumbs if you are not filled and overflowing yourself.  Christ told his disciples to feed the people themselves.  They did not know they had the Holy Spirit within them.  They did not know the power of the Holy Spirit to satisfy all needs.  Do you know the Holy Spirit?  Feed the people!   

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?