Matthew 20, February 3
I think I finally have my email change figured out. Thankfully Verizon didn't delete my account when they said they were going to, which is the only reason I could find a way to change my address and still be able to post to this blog site. Hopefully I won't change email addresses again for a while....too stressful.
Matt 20:1-16 I have always looked at these verses as a clue to what heaven might be like. In some places the Bible says we can store up treasures in heaven, and here it seems like the reward is equal. I can't imagine that my reward would be equal to Moses, or Elijah, or contemporary heroes of the faith. Then again, in heaven who would care about status? Greed, envy and posturing will all be gone. There will be no more lust for power, or jealousy because of what someone else has.
Isn't it interesting that even though Jesus told his disciples (vs 17-19) very plainly that he would be tortured, crucified and raised to life on the third day they didn't ever seem to grasp it? If they had, they wouldn't have abandoned him. And they all would have been at the tomb on the third day.
I wonder what God is telling me very plainly, that I haven't grasped? "Lord, help me to see and understand clearly everything that you are speaking to me".
Vs 20-28. Why do mothers always have to get involved in their kids business? I suppose mom is just trying to help here....but what possible good can come of trying to advance your cause at the expense of the others? No wonder the other 10 were indignant. I'll bet satan used the whole thing to try and get a foothold. Jesus uses the whole event as a teaching moment. Thinking of that, I realize that when something inappropriate has happened at the church in the past, we tend to appease everyone involved, encourage them to work together, and then put the matter behind us. Jesus hits it head on, and then reminds them that if you want to be important in the kingdom of God, you must be the servant of all here on earth. I don' think that James and John were singled out, or made to feel unworthy, and the message of "how to behave correctly" still got across.
vs. 29-34
This account is so wonderful, I love re-reading it. I imagine opening my eyes for the first time and seeing Jesus. Someday when my eyes are closed in death, they will reopen for the first time in heaven, and I will experience what the blind men experienced. Overwhelming joy and love.
These men didn't rest until they had an audience with Jesus. They refused to be quiet when the crowd told them to settle down. Jesus didn't respond when they first called....for some reason He waited until they had called for a while. Maybe that should inform our prayers. Some prayers may not be answered immediately, but only after we have called out for some time. Even after our friends encourage us to give up because the "time to be healed has passed" we should continue to call out....who knows, Jesus may turn from his path and ask us the same question "what do you want me to do for you"? My first response should always be "Lord, I want to be included in your kingdom"
PR
Friday, March 27, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Matthew 19, February 2, 2015
Three main themes here: Divorce, Children and Discipleship Cost
1. Divorce
we probably divorce too often, just as we marry too soon. Our forefathers had the same issue. Back in the days of Moses women were treated as third class citizens, almost the same as cattle. A man could write his wife a certificate of divorce for almost any infraction. This would leave the woman without a source of income, no home to go to, and no legal standing to go out and obtain work.
Today women in the United States are far more independent than they were 2,000 years ago. In fact, women today are just as likely to divorce their husbands as the husbands are to divorce their wives (sorry, no statistic).
But as Jesus says, this is never how it was intended to be. Once we agree to "marry" someone, it's permanent. We should really take more care investigating our potential spouses, because if we leave them for anything other than adultery, the blame is on us. In God's eyes, we cannot remarry, because we are already married.
The reality is that many couple divorce and remarry, and then go on to have happy spiritual lives. But in order to do that we must first admit our sin to Jesus, and be repentant of it. Repenting means more than just saying "I'm sorry". There's an element of grief involved. Change in behavior is required. It's not acceptable to think that we will just divorce, remarry and then ask for forgiveness at some later date. If we try that, I'm not sure we ever really repented.
Obviously there are many who divorce, realize that it was a sin and repent, but cannot turn back the clock to restore the relationship. I guess they go on to marry other people, and trust that God will forgive their shortcoming. Divorce isn't the unforgivable sin. I personally know several people who have divorced and remarried and seem to be operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The bottom line: make every effort to remain in your marriage, and if you are considering a spouse, make very sure that you are compatible and humble enough to live with this person forever.
2. The Children
As was spoken of in yesterday's writing, children have a special place in the Father's heart. We must all become childlike in our faith in order to enter heaven. It was customary for the Rabbi to bless the children who were presented to him as he taught. It was seen as a special favor to the family....
So Jesus prayed over the kids, placing his hands on them and asking the Father to watch over them.
I wonder what He prayed?
3. The Rich Young Ruler
He is willing to serve, to a point. But he isn't "all in" with Jesus. Jesus is number two in his book and his great wealth was number one. Jesus knew this, and that's why he told him to go home and give it away. It was in the way, and needed to be gone. Often the Lord will say the same thing to us about something we treasure. God has no problem with people gaining wealth. Seriously, He isn't impressed with your wealth or power no matter how much you have. it makes us little more than one of the most powerful ants in a colony. God's resources and power are beyond our ability to imagine. What He desires of us is our obedience, and our love...expressed by our willingness to sacrifice. If we are not willing to sacrifice, then our love isn't as deep as it needs to be. The rich young ruler loved Jesus, but he loved money more.
That's too bad, because unless he discovered the error of his ways, we won't be seeing him in heaven...a man who met with Jesus face to face, was loved by Jesus and taught by Jesus. He'll miss heaven unless he repents.
The Lord tells us that even if we give away all that we have, He has plenty more to bestow upon us at the "renewal of all things". Therefore, we shouldn't be discouraged if we have sacrificed here on earth, rather we should be encouraged...elated even. Because every sacrifice is simply an investment in eternal riches.
Moving forward,
PR
Three main themes here: Divorce, Children and Discipleship Cost
1. Divorce
we probably divorce too often, just as we marry too soon. Our forefathers had the same issue. Back in the days of Moses women were treated as third class citizens, almost the same as cattle. A man could write his wife a certificate of divorce for almost any infraction. This would leave the woman without a source of income, no home to go to, and no legal standing to go out and obtain work.
Today women in the United States are far more independent than they were 2,000 years ago. In fact, women today are just as likely to divorce their husbands as the husbands are to divorce their wives (sorry, no statistic).
But as Jesus says, this is never how it was intended to be. Once we agree to "marry" someone, it's permanent. We should really take more care investigating our potential spouses, because if we leave them for anything other than adultery, the blame is on us. In God's eyes, we cannot remarry, because we are already married.
The reality is that many couple divorce and remarry, and then go on to have happy spiritual lives. But in order to do that we must first admit our sin to Jesus, and be repentant of it. Repenting means more than just saying "I'm sorry". There's an element of grief involved. Change in behavior is required. It's not acceptable to think that we will just divorce, remarry and then ask for forgiveness at some later date. If we try that, I'm not sure we ever really repented.
Obviously there are many who divorce, realize that it was a sin and repent, but cannot turn back the clock to restore the relationship. I guess they go on to marry other people, and trust that God will forgive their shortcoming. Divorce isn't the unforgivable sin. I personally know several people who have divorced and remarried and seem to be operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The bottom line: make every effort to remain in your marriage, and if you are considering a spouse, make very sure that you are compatible and humble enough to live with this person forever.
2. The Children
As was spoken of in yesterday's writing, children have a special place in the Father's heart. We must all become childlike in our faith in order to enter heaven. It was customary for the Rabbi to bless the children who were presented to him as he taught. It was seen as a special favor to the family....
So Jesus prayed over the kids, placing his hands on them and asking the Father to watch over them.
I wonder what He prayed?
3. The Rich Young Ruler
He is willing to serve, to a point. But he isn't "all in" with Jesus. Jesus is number two in his book and his great wealth was number one. Jesus knew this, and that's why he told him to go home and give it away. It was in the way, and needed to be gone. Often the Lord will say the same thing to us about something we treasure. God has no problem with people gaining wealth. Seriously, He isn't impressed with your wealth or power no matter how much you have. it makes us little more than one of the most powerful ants in a colony. God's resources and power are beyond our ability to imagine. What He desires of us is our obedience, and our love...expressed by our willingness to sacrifice. If we are not willing to sacrifice, then our love isn't as deep as it needs to be. The rich young ruler loved Jesus, but he loved money more.
That's too bad, because unless he discovered the error of his ways, we won't be seeing him in heaven...a man who met with Jesus face to face, was loved by Jesus and taught by Jesus. He'll miss heaven unless he repents.
The Lord tells us that even if we give away all that we have, He has plenty more to bestow upon us at the "renewal of all things". Therefore, we shouldn't be discouraged if we have sacrificed here on earth, rather we should be encouraged...elated even. Because every sacrifice is simply an investment in eternal riches.
Moving forward,
PR
Matthew 18, Jan 31, 2015
Asking who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is sort of guaranteeing that you aren't going to be considered. It's like bragging about how humble you are...it doesn't work.
Jesus says that we need to become like children. Of course, He isn't talking about childish behavior, but rather childlike attributes. The older we become the less likely we are to learn new things. We become suspicious and guarded, we don't say exactly what we are thinking, we have learned to hold back our opinion so we aren't embarrassed or out of favor. We tend to believe that we are wiser as we get older...and in some cases we are, but the idea that we wise enough makes it hard for us to learn from others. The saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" has some truth to it.
But Jesus says that if we want to enter into heaven "we must change". When it comes to relating to Jesus, we must become teachable, trusting and transparent. Humility is the only way into the kingdom. Humbly accepting that Christ has done for us what we could never do for ourselves is the only way to gain entrance. The proud and arrogant will never enter. Only those who develop childlike humility.
In verse 5 the topic shifts from the child as a metaphor for behavior to the actual child. I see Jesus pointing to the children around Him and saying these things. Since Jesus says that children can sin, and in so doing they can lose their place in heaven, we should take care to make sure that never happens. We should teach and encourage them to remain faithful with every resource that we have. Those who lead children astray will be punished, but that doesn't mean the children won't have to pay for their sin. They will suffer as well.
I think of Judas, or of Pharaoh when I read verse 7. Woe to the person through whom sinful things come! Lord, may I never be the person that serves as a conduit for any evil to be visited upon others.
When I was younger in my faith I thought that cutting off a hand might be literal, even though I knew it couldn't be true. As I grow older I realize that you could gouge out both of your eyes and still be guilty of sin. The problem is the heart, and our thoughts. We need to be cleansed in our hearts, purified of evil desires in heart and mind, that will stop the progress of sin in our lives. However there is a part that we can do, and that is to ruthlessly eliminate from our lives anything that tempts us to sin. If it's the computer, then lose it, or limit it's scope. If it's the TV, do the same. Maybe it's friends....share your faith and then let them go. Anything that leads you back into sin must be removed before it causes you to stumble. Releasing some of these things will be hard, and probably painful. It may cost something..but it's worth it.
Thinking of the children being able to sin and lose salvation, the next passage balances it a little. It would seem that the children also have personal angels assigned who are always in the presence of God. This seems to imply that there is a certain number of years during which a child isn't responsible for their original sin.
I wonder, does the passage about looking for a lost sheep mean that Jesus is looking for children who are lost...meaning that even though the children have angels who see the face of Christ, they must at some point become responsible for their behavior. Perhaps it's as early as when we can determine right from wrong. That's pretty early in development.
18:15-20 is often used to mediate church disagreements. If serving Christ is our primary goal and desire then the guidance offered here will provide sufficient motivation to change behavior. However, if serving Christ is a secondary goal and pleasing our own carnal desires in our primary desire, then this sequence of events will only lead to disunity. The selfish person will break communion with the body in order to please themselves.
And then finally the passage regarding the unmerciful servant. You can sum up this passage simply by saying that "we have been forgiven of much, so we should also forgive others". Why is it that we complain about the things that others do while we are just as guilty? We are just as inclined to accept forgiveness and then point our finger at others as was this servant. It's almost as if once our sins have been forgiven we forget how dysfunctional we were...or still are, in many cases. Although forgiven we aren't perfect, and yet our critical behavior often would lead you to believe that we believe ourselves to be blameless. A person once forgiven should become a forgiving person! Too often the reverse is true. The solution to the problem is spending more time thanking and praising God for what He has done, and considering our lost state without Him. This will generate more love for God and for others in our lives. The more we love, the less likely we are to be critical.
focusing forward,
PR
Asking who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is sort of guaranteeing that you aren't going to be considered. It's like bragging about how humble you are...it doesn't work.
Jesus says that we need to become like children. Of course, He isn't talking about childish behavior, but rather childlike attributes. The older we become the less likely we are to learn new things. We become suspicious and guarded, we don't say exactly what we are thinking, we have learned to hold back our opinion so we aren't embarrassed or out of favor. We tend to believe that we are wiser as we get older...and in some cases we are, but the idea that we wise enough makes it hard for us to learn from others. The saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" has some truth to it.
But Jesus says that if we want to enter into heaven "we must change". When it comes to relating to Jesus, we must become teachable, trusting and transparent. Humility is the only way into the kingdom. Humbly accepting that Christ has done for us what we could never do for ourselves is the only way to gain entrance. The proud and arrogant will never enter. Only those who develop childlike humility.
In verse 5 the topic shifts from the child as a metaphor for behavior to the actual child. I see Jesus pointing to the children around Him and saying these things. Since Jesus says that children can sin, and in so doing they can lose their place in heaven, we should take care to make sure that never happens. We should teach and encourage them to remain faithful with every resource that we have. Those who lead children astray will be punished, but that doesn't mean the children won't have to pay for their sin. They will suffer as well.
I think of Judas, or of Pharaoh when I read verse 7. Woe to the person through whom sinful things come! Lord, may I never be the person that serves as a conduit for any evil to be visited upon others.
When I was younger in my faith I thought that cutting off a hand might be literal, even though I knew it couldn't be true. As I grow older I realize that you could gouge out both of your eyes and still be guilty of sin. The problem is the heart, and our thoughts. We need to be cleansed in our hearts, purified of evil desires in heart and mind, that will stop the progress of sin in our lives. However there is a part that we can do, and that is to ruthlessly eliminate from our lives anything that tempts us to sin. If it's the computer, then lose it, or limit it's scope. If it's the TV, do the same. Maybe it's friends....share your faith and then let them go. Anything that leads you back into sin must be removed before it causes you to stumble. Releasing some of these things will be hard, and probably painful. It may cost something..but it's worth it.
Thinking of the children being able to sin and lose salvation, the next passage balances it a little. It would seem that the children also have personal angels assigned who are always in the presence of God. This seems to imply that there is a certain number of years during which a child isn't responsible for their original sin.
I wonder, does the passage about looking for a lost sheep mean that Jesus is looking for children who are lost...meaning that even though the children have angels who see the face of Christ, they must at some point become responsible for their behavior. Perhaps it's as early as when we can determine right from wrong. That's pretty early in development.
18:15-20 is often used to mediate church disagreements. If serving Christ is our primary goal and desire then the guidance offered here will provide sufficient motivation to change behavior. However, if serving Christ is a secondary goal and pleasing our own carnal desires in our primary desire, then this sequence of events will only lead to disunity. The selfish person will break communion with the body in order to please themselves.
And then finally the passage regarding the unmerciful servant. You can sum up this passage simply by saying that "we have been forgiven of much, so we should also forgive others". Why is it that we complain about the things that others do while we are just as guilty? We are just as inclined to accept forgiveness and then point our finger at others as was this servant. It's almost as if once our sins have been forgiven we forget how dysfunctional we were...or still are, in many cases. Although forgiven we aren't perfect, and yet our critical behavior often would lead you to believe that we believe ourselves to be blameless. A person once forgiven should become a forgiving person! Too often the reverse is true. The solution to the problem is spending more time thanking and praising God for what He has done, and considering our lost state without Him. This will generate more love for God and for others in our lives. The more we love, the less likely we are to be critical.
focusing forward,
PR
Matthew 17 Jan 30, 2015
After a long hiatus in my daily readings, I pray that I am returning to some form of normalcy. I cannot help but replay the words in my head that I spoke to the congregation at the beginning of the year. I said "I don't care who you are, you can find 15 minutes a day to read your Bible". That applies to me as well, and I stand convicted by my own words. Fortunately, our salvation isn't dependent upon our flawless performance. So today I begin again, and redouble my efforts. I is still my goal to finish reading and blogging on the whole New Testament by the end of the year.
In Matthew 17 we read about the transfiguration. I wonder if that's a clue as to what our bodies will look like when we transformed to be like Jesus. Some scoffers have said that they were delusional, having climbed up the mountain to a great height, in very thin air. How then do you explain that everyone had the same delusion? That's even more remarkable! They all heard the same thing at the same time, and fell to their knees at the same time. This was no delusion.
Peter was clearly out of his mind, wanting to stay in this wonderful moment, but not knowing how to prolong it.
Jesus warns them several times that He will be persecuted and killed. He also told them He would rise from the dead. I wonder why they were so shocked and afraid when it actually happened? They were listening, but not hearing, I guess.
The demon possessed boy reminds me of several things: 1. demons are no respecter of people. They will inhabit whoever they can, and will torture whoever they can. That includes the people who are watching what the demons are doing to a loved one. 2. Prayer is an important part of the disciples life. Without prayer, there are some things that we will never accomplish. 3. The demon possessed person doesn't call out for himself, another person does it for him. What a high honor is ours to be able to cry out on behalf of the possessed, that they might be freed from their chains!
Faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain. It's hard to believe that such a small quantity of faith can do such great things, and yet we rarely see evidence of great things. I wonder, how much faith do we really have? Based on this our faith must be lacking. Lord, increase our ability to believe more deeply in you!
Since Jesus tells us to be obedient to those in authority over us, He also provides a way for us to pay that which we owe. God won't put us in a situation where we cannot pay when He has said that we must. And if He ever did, it would be because He had a greater purpose in mind. (I'm thinking of righteous Joseph who was thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit). This also reminds me that God has resources that you and I cannot begin to imagine.
I'll bet you some misguided person spent the next several days trying to catch another fish with a 4 drachma coin in it's mouth....missing the point entirely.
God's blessing to you,
PR
After a long hiatus in my daily readings, I pray that I am returning to some form of normalcy. I cannot help but replay the words in my head that I spoke to the congregation at the beginning of the year. I said "I don't care who you are, you can find 15 minutes a day to read your Bible". That applies to me as well, and I stand convicted by my own words. Fortunately, our salvation isn't dependent upon our flawless performance. So today I begin again, and redouble my efforts. I is still my goal to finish reading and blogging on the whole New Testament by the end of the year.
In Matthew 17 we read about the transfiguration. I wonder if that's a clue as to what our bodies will look like when we transformed to be like Jesus. Some scoffers have said that they were delusional, having climbed up the mountain to a great height, in very thin air. How then do you explain that everyone had the same delusion? That's even more remarkable! They all heard the same thing at the same time, and fell to their knees at the same time. This was no delusion.
Peter was clearly out of his mind, wanting to stay in this wonderful moment, but not knowing how to prolong it.
Jesus warns them several times that He will be persecuted and killed. He also told them He would rise from the dead. I wonder why they were so shocked and afraid when it actually happened? They were listening, but not hearing, I guess.
The demon possessed boy reminds me of several things: 1. demons are no respecter of people. They will inhabit whoever they can, and will torture whoever they can. That includes the people who are watching what the demons are doing to a loved one. 2. Prayer is an important part of the disciples life. Without prayer, there are some things that we will never accomplish. 3. The demon possessed person doesn't call out for himself, another person does it for him. What a high honor is ours to be able to cry out on behalf of the possessed, that they might be freed from their chains!
Faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain. It's hard to believe that such a small quantity of faith can do such great things, and yet we rarely see evidence of great things. I wonder, how much faith do we really have? Based on this our faith must be lacking. Lord, increase our ability to believe more deeply in you!
Since Jesus tells us to be obedient to those in authority over us, He also provides a way for us to pay that which we owe. God won't put us in a situation where we cannot pay when He has said that we must. And if He ever did, it would be because He had a greater purpose in mind. (I'm thinking of righteous Joseph who was thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit). This also reminds me that God has resources that you and I cannot begin to imagine.
I'll bet you some misguided person spent the next several days trying to catch another fish with a 4 drachma coin in it's mouth....missing the point entirely.
God's blessing to you,
PR
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