St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verse:2, The Instructions.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem)
Part 2. 

So the two disciples were sent into Jerusalem with specific instructions.  They were given instructions before and knew how to follow them.  He had given them powers before to do his bidding.  He had instructed them before on what to expect and what they would find in their journeys.  So they knew that his instructions were good and that they would find exactly what he had told them.

So they went into the village and followed his instructions.  He:  saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you and immediately you will find an ass tied and a colt with her; loose them and bring them to me." 

So they did as they were told, following his instructions.  Jesus knew the purpose of his instructions to the disciples.  He knew how he would use the ass and the colt, but the disciples did not.  They could only wait patiently until understanding came to reveal itself of the purpose.  They had patience.  They did not have understanding.  They did not have the knowledge of his actions.  They only had his words to them to follow.  And lo more was revealed.

Christ gives us instructions today.  He wants us to follow what he has given us to live by.  Why should we follow these instructions?  Is there some reason that they apply to us today as we live our lives in this world.  Most would say that they do not apply because we live in a different time and place than some two thousands years ago.  Do we even believe in those instructions or even the consequences of them? 

Christ came that we would know.  He came that we would have a reference, an example.  He came that we would not have any excuses of not knowing.  For at the end of our time here on this earth, here in this realm, we will be transformed and will face the consequences of our actions.  He came out of love for us.  He came out of compassion.  He came out of mercy that we might have the opportunity to a new life.  He came that we might not die.  For the jury is instructed by the judge and they will return a verdict.  There is no deadlock.  There is no mistrial.  There is only the verdict that awaits us.  Follow the instructions and get your reward, eternal life.

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 21, verse:1, Being Sent.

Our paragraph topic is:(Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem)
Part 1.

We begin this new paragraph as Jesus is drawing near to Jerusalem.  He knows that his journey is coming to an end.  He knows what his task is as given him by the Father.  He knows that he will complete the Father's will despite all the obstacles, pain, and suffering he will face.  Fear is not with him.  Courage and the love of his Father is his mainstay.  He knows that he is going home, the place from which he came.

His disciples do not know what will happen.  They have followed Christ from the beginning.  They have heard his words, witnessed his deeds.  They have wondered at his origin, the nature of his power, the goal of his journey.  He has told them on several occasions what will happen to him.  But they are in disbelief.  They do not know.  They do not see.  They do not completely understand, but they continue to follow him because they know that he is the Messiah.  AND when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples. 

They loved him, the disciples.  They believed in him, the disciples.  They walked with him, eat with him, listened to his words, spoke with him, touched him, saw him, and knew his gentle presence.  They experienced in themselves what no one has experienced since the beginning of time.  They knew Christ.  They had a physical experience of him that no disbelief could erase.  He gave them his heart.  He gave them his soul.  He gave them his love.  And he gave them the life that was in him that they too would know spiritual life.

They were sent.  They did not know the why and the wherefore.  But they went in accordance with his will.  They followed his instructions.  They believed in him.  They loved him.  We today do not have the physical experience of knowing Christ Jesus.  We can not walk with him in his presence.  We can not talk with him in his presence.  We can not know him with all certainty the way that the disciples knew him.  Yet his words live on through their experience.  His presence lives on through their words.  His love comes through because of the love that he gave to them.  And his spirit lives on through the words.

Christ gives purpose and meaning to our lives.  Because he came and walked among us, he has understanding of who we are, understanding of how we feel, understanding of our lives and our struggles.  He knows our wants and our desires.  And he loves us despite of the sinners that we are.  I sinned in my life, grossly.  I turned away in disbelief.  I was bitter, isolated, struggled, and died to his love.  But then I was touched by his love.  I was moved by his compassion.  I was given new life and I was sent forth to share with others what has been given me. 

I write that others may know.  I write that others may see.  I write that others may receive what has been given me.  I have purpose.  I have direction.  I have love.  I have his protection, and his provision, and the knowledge of who I am in him.  I am sent.  Come!  When will you receive your blessings?  When will you know who you are?  When will your eyes be opened, your heart released, your life given to you?  Come!  When will you be sent? 

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 20, verse:34c, The ability to see.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The blind men at Jericho) Part 11.

We finish this paragraph on a happy note.  The two blind men sat by the roadside begging for their existence.  They could not see.  They had no means of support.  Their life and their livelihood depended upon the generosity of those who passed by their station.  They lived in darkness.  They were without hope and believed only in what they could get from those who passed by.

Some were generous.  Some were meager.  Some gave nothing.  And others cursed them for their plight.  But this was all they knew how to do to provide for themselves.  And then the word came their way.  The people spoke of his miracles.  The people spoke the word of all that he had done for others.  He healed the sick, opened the ears of the deaf, made the lame walk and cast out devils.  He even raised the dead.  And suddenly their hearts leapt for joy.  Suddenly there was hope.  Suddenly they had dreams of being able to see and they believed in the words that they heard.

And Christ came their way.  He walked the road that they sat upon begging for their daily bread.  And they heard his coming.  They heard the crowds shouting his name.  They cried out for his help.  Even as everyone pushed them aside they continued to cry out for his help.  And he heard their cries over all the others.  He heard their sorrow, their pain, their hope, and their belief that he could help them.  And he touched their eyes:  and at once they received their sight, and followed him. 

They were touched by Christ and received their sight.  He made them whole.  He gave them new hope and new faith and a new life to live.  Their hearts were filled with joy that they could now see the world as it was.  Their hearts rejoiced that they no longer lived in darkness.  Their hearts rejoiced that they were released from their prison and could finally be independent and provide for themselves.  Imagine the transformation that took place in their lives to go from darkness to light, to go from being dependent to independence, to go from being blind to now being able to see the world in its true form and beauty.  This was the gift that Christ gave to these two blind men.

We live in a world today that is filled with the things that we are given to see.  We have access to instant everything that consume our attention and occupy our time.  We can text, skype, talk, Instagram, Tweet, Google, Facebook, be Linkedin, use all sorts of new technology to make our lives better and more convenient.  We can even binge watch TV to idle the time away until our brains are fried.  But can we see the truth where all this leads us?  Where are we going? What are we doing with our lives?  What is the meaning of why we are here?  Is this all that there is to life?

Christ opened the eyes of the two blind men.  He transformed their lives in an instant.  And they followed him.  What would you do if your eyes were opened that you could truly see where you were going, where you could see what your purpose was in life, where you could understand who you are?  I saw but I did not see.  I knew but I did not know.  I understood but I did not have knowledge.  And then Christ touched me and opened my eyes.  He gave me new purpose and new life.  Now I know who I am in him.  Now I see clearly the world around me.  Now I have knowledge that comes from him and not from the world around me.  Now I have knowledge that comes from the Lord.  Come!  Receive your sight from the Lord and you too will be transformed.  You too will know the truth of who you are in him.  You too will see the light of life that is within you.  Come!  Cry out to the Lord and he will come, touch you and transform you into a new being, a being of light and life eternal.

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.