St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 3; Their works.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 2.  
Jesus has spoken to the Pharisees, now he speaks to his disciples and to the crowd.  He tells them about the burdens that they face from the rules and regulations made by the scribes and the Pharisees.  Moses was their leader and he made judgements from the judgement seat.  But since his death the scribes and the Pharisees have taken over the judgement seat of Moses and declared many new rules and laws.

So Jesus tells the disciples and the crowd to obey the commands given from the judgement seat of Moses because it is a sacred chair.  He tells them:  "All things, therefore, that they command you, observe and do.  But do not act according to their works; for they talk but do nothing."  

What examples do we have today of all talk and no action?  Who gives us instructions on how to do something but no practical examples of how we may go about it?  We try to follow the example but fail to have the success implied.  We do everything that is given us but still without the results that we are shown.  Get rich!  Follow my lead!  Do it this way; I have laid out all the step by step instructions.  Pay this amount and you will get these results.  They have figured out how to do it or at least tell us that it can be done.

Christ was a doer and not a talker.  He came, leaving his high throne and his crown.  He walked among us.  He talked with us, danced with us, drank with us, suffered oppressions with us, and died for us.  He didn't just talk the talk, he walked it also.  He left the disciples with us as witnesses of the truth that he brought.  They saw it all, witnessed it all, and spoke to us about it all.  These books of the testament are not just writings of the disciples about some fictitious events that they saw.  They are the writings of the word of God become man.

He is our example of how we should become in this time and age.  We should be doers and not just talkers.  We should show our faith in the works that we do for others.  If there is love in our hearts for Christ, then there should be love in our hearts for others.  We are children of God, all are the same.  God is our Father who gave us life.  Christ is our Lord who restored us to life.  The Holy Spirit is our guide who leads us through life until we reach our home in the kingdom of heaven.  

Be not like the Pharisees and the Scribes who do nothing.  Live the life of Christ.  Follow his example and spread the love that is so freely given to you.  Let your heart be filled with that which comes from heaven and pass it own to everyone you meet.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that we might have life eternal with him.  Help others to have it also.

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: 3; Those invited.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The marriage feast) Part 2.  

We are now talking about the parable of the marriage feast that Christ is telling the crowd.  He compares the feast to the kingdom of heaven.  The feast is like a party where there will be singing and dancing and free food and wine.  Who would not want to go to a party especially one celebrating a marriage?  Did they know of the party?  Were they willing to come?  Did the guest want to celebrate with the king or were they not happy with their king?  

The guest, who were invited, refused to come.  They knew the king.  They knew of his son.  They knew of the feast that the king had prepared for his son, but they still refused to come and celebrate.  "And he sent his servants to call in those invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come."  

Were they jealous?  Were they angry?  Invitations were sent out to them telling them of the feast but why would they not come?  What else was there that prevented them from coming to the party?  What prevented them, what stopped them from coming to this great celebration?  They knew about it.  They were given invitations.  So what was the hesitation, what stopped them from coming?

Today, we are called to the party, to the feast of the Father.  We are given invitations everyday to heed the upcoming celebration, the opportunity to prepare ourselves for the feast.  Do we go?  Do we plan what we are going to wear, how we are going to look, with our hair fixed, bathed and clean, shoes shined, with our favorite cologne, perfumes and best clothes?  Are we ready to go to the feast?  We are going to laugh and dance and eat fine foods that our Father has prepared for us at his table.  What a feast it will be!

But are we ready.  Have we made our preparations to go?  Everybody says that they are going to the feast but are they ready?  Are they making preparations now as we speak?  I plan to be there.  I am making my preparations everyday.  I can't wait to get there.  I want to leave my job now and go.  I want to be there early to see all the festivities and all the people that are coming.  What are you doing?  Do you plan to go?  Do you plan to be there?  

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.