St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 25a; Hypocrites.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their hypocritical purity) Part 1.  

Once again Christ called the Scribes and the Pharisees out in the public eye.  He wanted the people to know who they were.  They acted as though they were pious religious leaders, but instead they were wolves in sheep's clothing.  To the public they were revered.  They were honored by the people.  But to Christ they were masquerading as something else. 

They talked the talk and walked the walk some of the time but behind closed doors the masks came off and the talk was completely different.  They looked down on the people.  They were arrogant and unbelieving in what they preached to the people.  They thought the people were fools, unlearned, and could not discern the truth.  They were deceitful and this is why Christ called them out: "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"   

Is this a warning to our religious leaders today?  Are they the same as the Pharisees of old who were hypocrites?  We see from time to time where preachers have transgressed the line and committed sin, had some affair with another woman while married, molested children, robbed from the church, even committed murder and attempted to cover it up.  

These are just a few of some of the stories that have come to the public's attention.  Christ was telling the Scribes and Pharisees back then they had a greater responsibility to the people as do the preachers of today.  We are all human and subject to failure, but those who take up the calling to become messengers and preachers are governed by a higher standard.  They are given a special blessing from God to carry his message to the people.  

I pray each time that I write that the words that come from me are not mine but come from the spirit through me.  I seek not glory in these words but only to complete a commitment made upon become a new person, a new me.  My awareness was so strong that I wanted to do something to let anyone know that they too could experience what was given to me, a new life, a new beginning, an awakening.  I know forgiveness.  I know love.  I know eternal life within.  I know the light of life that Christ has awaken within me.  I know God's love. 

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 10, verse: 17, The Enemy

Our paragraph topic is:  (Opposition foretold) Part 3.  

Christ continues to give instructions to his disciples about the enemy.  He has given them instructions on who they will face, ravenous wolves.  He has told them how they should conduct themselves, with the wisdom of serpents and guileless as doves.  Now he gives them a forwarning.  He tells them to, "Beware of men."   Men are not who they appear to be.  He tells them, "They will deliver you up to councils, and scourge you in their synagogues."  Christ is telling his disciples that men will betray you.  The disciples are going to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  They are going amongst their own people.  They are proclaiming the good news to the lost sheep.  And yet they are to beware of the men they meet.

Christ gives these instructions because he wants his disciples to be prepared for what they are going to meet.  They do not know the hearts and minds of men.  They do not know what is said behind closed doors.  They do not see the evil that men do.  So he is providing them with instructions that are vital to their survival on their solo journey.  For we are spiritual creatures in a physical body and are influenced by the evil one who wants to maintain power over the lost sheep.  So he inhabits the minds and bodies of men influencing them to do evil.  Through his control, men will betray their mothers.  Through his control, men will kill their brothers.  Through his control, men will lust after their sisters.  And they will do anything to maintain the power that they have acquired.

So Christ wants his disciples to beware.  He wants them to be wise as serpents and guileless as doves.  He wants them to know that they are going into the midst of wolves.  He wants them to be prepared.  The battle is a spiritual battle fought in the physical realm.  The spoils are the souls of men.  And the disciples will have a taste of their future calling.  They will become generals fighting the battle after Christ has returned to the kingdom with his father.  They will train the future solders, and captains, and lieutenants of tomorrow.  So they must lead the way.  They must learn from the master all that is necessary to be successful in this war.  It is through their learnings and teachings from the master, written in this training manual that we survive today.

The war continues.  The enemy has taken over the world and exerted his influence over the lives of men of power, the captains of industry, the rulers of advertisement.  Their payment to participate in the battle with the evil one is paper money whose value provides them with the passions of their heart.  And the children of God live in a sea of passion, a sea selfishness, a sea of lust, and all manner of evil.  We must not take in the fumes of darkness.  The temptations are present all around in our everyday lives. 

Put on your gas masks that you may not die.  Put on your protective suits that you may not be contaminated with the toxins of evil.  Guard your eyes and put on your eye gargles that they may not be filled with the lusts of this world.  Cover your ears with the muffles of spiritual soundness that you may not hear the blasphemy of the dead.  But above all remember Christ's words and carry them with you daily.  For they are your protection.  They are your shield.  They are your weapons of war to do battle with the enemy.   Beware of the council of men for they will deliver you up to be scourged.  Are you ready for battle?  Are you ready for the war?  Prepare yourself!!!

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 16b, The Enemy

Our paragraph topic is:  (Opposition foretold) Part 2.  

Christ has told his disciples about the ravenous attitude of the enemy.  They are like wolves and he is sending them among them.  He wants them to appear as sheep.  He wants them to be disguised so that the enemy will not recognize them.  He wants them to have an advantage.  The enemy knows Christ.  They can spot him from far off.  His spirit is the light of the world.  But the disciples are just beginning to obtain their light and it does not shine as brightly as the light of Christ.  So he is instructing his disciples on how to appear before the enemy.  He tells his disciples,  "Be therefore wise as serpents."  

Now serpents are cunning creatures.  They slither on the ground with amazing swiftness and they strike with lightning speed, delivering a venom that is deadly to humans.  But the important thing about serpents is that you seldom see them.  You may walk upon one in the wild, not having any indication of its presence.  You may walk past one not knowing that it is there, hidden under a log or a bush.  You may even step on one, at which time you will feel its presence in a bite.  But most serpents seldom just stroll around in the open to be discovered by humans.  To find a snake you have to go hunt for them.  Their amazing senses alert them to oncoming danger and gives them an advantage to seeking their pray.  

So Christ in telling his disciples to be wise as serpents.  He is telling them to consider the serpent and keep themselves hidden.  He wants them to proclaim the kingdom of heaven but he wants them to not do so that it attracks so much attention that they are discovered.  Do not go out and seek to be the next rock star.  Do not go out and seek to be the next American Idol.  Consider the serpent.  He keeps himself hidden, either purposely through the use of his senses or through camouflage.  The mission of the disciple is not one of fame and fortune.  It is one of camouflage and battle, detection and advantage.  Be wise as serpents!!

Christ also tells his disciples,  "Be therefore guileless as doves."   He wants his disciples to be straighforward, frank, and without deception.  Doves are harmless creatures.  They are creatures that envoke love.  So Christ instructs his disciples to be the same as doves, sincere, honest, and without cunning.  Their mission is not to deceive the people.  Their mission is one of love and peace.  They bring the good news of the kingdom of heaven to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  They are to gather, not to scatter.  They are to love, not to hate.  They are to bring life, not to destroy.  The come to restore hope in the Lord God Jehovah. 

The enemy is watching.  The enemy is waiting.  The enemy will seek to turn them around.  The enemy will fight to maintain their stronghold on the people.  But the disciples have been trained and are ready to do battle.  We live in a society today where cunning and deception are accepted traits.  Can you be wise as a serpent and guiless as a dove for Christ? 
  

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 16a, The Enemy

Our paragraph topic is:  (Opposition foretold) Part 1.  

Christ now instructs his disciples about the enemy that they will face.  He tells them that he is sending them into the midst of the enemy clothed as sheep.  He tells them that they will be in the midst of wolves.  He wants them to know who they will face.  Christ says to his disciples,  "Behold, I am sending you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves."   He wants his disciples to appear as sheep to the enemy.  He wants them to be disguised as timid.  He wants them to appear as prey to the wolves that they will encounter in the villages and towns they will travel on their solo journey.

The lines are drawn and the battle is set.  The disciples have had their training and instructions on the enemy.  Christ knows that the evil one has taken over the towns and villages.  He knows that the enemy is well entrenched in the people.  And he knows the type of enemy that his disciples will face.  So he tells them how the battle will begin and how they will encounter the enemy.  A sheep is like dinner to wolves.  And to have one enter into their den is like heaven sent.  It's like the poor animal got lost and just wondered into their midst, onto their plate for dinner.  Seeing this the wolves will be watering at the mouth ready to tear the sheep apart.  But little do they know that beneath the wool of the sheep is a lion waiting to devour them, to scatter them, and put them to the test.

So Christ has given his disciples instructions on what to wear, what to take with them and what not to take.  He tells his disciples go barefoot into the den of the wolves.  They will not see them coming and they will not suspect the outcome.  He has told them that wherever they go, preach the kingdom of heaven.  To the wolves everyone who claims to be spiritual is no match for them.  For they have tricks to deal with the local priests and rabbis.  They know how to take care of that type of person.  They know what to do to turn them around.  They know that the local preacher has no power compared to what they have done to others in the past. 

So the wolves of the towns and villages see a rabbi coming.  They see a preacher coming.  They see a fool coming into their midst and they are laughing among themselves because they will be able to deal with this person.  Little do the wolves know that the disciples have the power of Christ with them.  Little do the wolves know that Christ has given them the power to cast out the wolves.  He has given them the power to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cure the lame.  So they are in for a surprise.  Christ has given them the power to bring hope back to the people, which is what the wolves do not want to happen.

So, we see this battle beginning to unfold.  We see the tactics that will be used by the disciples and we come to know the ravenous behavior of the enemy that they will face.  Christ wants to give you power to face the enemy.  He wants to give us, the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, cure the lame.  He wants to prepare you to be a warrior for him, to fight today's enemy.  The task is not easy.  The reward is great and the victory is yours.  Come, gather up the words of Christ and make them your stronghold.  Feed upon his power and prepare for battle with the wolves of today who would steal, kill, and destroy the children of the kingdom.  Are you ready to join the team of the elite?  Are you ready to accept your orders for battle in the army of Christ???  Come!!!   Join the team!!!