The Greatest Commandment
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
As I read this passage I realized that I know the greatest commandment by heart, that I have quoted it throughout my life and that I acknowledge that it is truth but I never really thought about how difficult a command this is and what it means that all the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.
All of the religious things that we seem to get hung up on and nitpick at really don't matter unless we follow this greatest commandment. Any of those actions should be out of love for God and each other.
If we truly did love our God with all of our heart, soul and mind we would strive to live a life that was holy and pleasing to God which includes obeying all the laws and commands including loving your neighbor as yourself. This one is even harder. I mean, how much do we love ourselves? If we are honest the answer is ALOT. We think about ourselves constantly including how we are feeling, what we want, what we need, whether we've been wronged or hurt. We are also extremely gracious with ourselves in every sense. If we loved everyone else as much as we loved ourselves it would be difficult to break most of the commandments and the things that the pharisees always seem to get hung up on and nitpick at to point the finger at one another in judgment.
It seems that Jesus is giving us the answer on how we can obey his commands and live as he did.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
. . . and now a Word from our Lord . . .
Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God."Jesus says a prophetic word to us today, even as He brilliantly deflected the latest attempt on the part of His enemies to trap Him in His words. Jesus says that we live "in error because we do not know the Scriptures or the power of God". if our knowledge of God is not based on the Scriptures, we will "err" constantly. this is no small matter. not knowing the Scriptures has led to many many problems in our lives--difficulties with relationships, finances, school, work, family, marriage--in short the sum of all the foolish and regrettable actions we are ashamed to admit to. studying the Scriptures is crucial. it is the only way the Holy Spirit can illuminate our minds of God's truth and convict us of our sins.
in hosea 4:6 God states, "My people perish for lack of knowledge". God is saying that we (His people) are perishing (literally dying) because we lack knowledge of Him. are we struggling in our christian faith these days? do we find it difficult to pray? perhaps this is the "perishing" Jesus is talking about. all because we do not know the Scriptures and the power of God!
how differently we would live if we just knew "the Scriptures and the power of God!" knowing God through His Word is the key to obeying the first and foremost commandment--to love Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. simply put, the first and greatest commandment can be stated in this way: to know Him is to love Him.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The pronouncements of the King; In answer to the Herodians
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.
17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius,
20 and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"
21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
Everything in this world is God's and even Caesar's money(tax) is God's. It's meaningless to say what's God's or not. I think Herodians here are asking a wrong question. Anyway Jesus shows us a right anwser for even this wrong question.
What God really wants us to give is ourselves not any "things". If they asked Jesus "Who do our hearts belong to?", he would show a different answer.
16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.
17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius,
20 and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"
21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
Everything in this world is God's and even Caesar's money(tax) is God's. It's meaningless to say what's God's or not. I think Herodians here are asking a wrong question. Anyway Jesus shows us a right anwser for even this wrong question.
What God really wants us to give is ourselves not any "things". If they asked Jesus "Who do our hearts belong to?", he would show a different answer.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
After reading today's passage, I noticed how Jesus described three sets of people.
The first were the first group of invited guests that were asked to attend the banquet. Instead of graciously accepting the king's invitation, they ignored and mistreated the king's servants. Jesus was describing the Jews of the past and of Jesus's present. I think these people can also be seen as the people who will hear the good news after Jesus's death and resurrection. They abused and ignored God's servants, who were the prophets, disciples, and Christians. God will destroy these people for their stubborn and selfish ways. I bet it sucks to be them.
The second are the people who attend the banquet are those who the servants find from the "street corner." the Bible says that they were both good and bad. I think Jesus is referring to anyone, both Jew and Gentile, who is willing to hear and accept the gospel with open hearts. It affirms to me that God doesn't discriminate against our past, no matter how good or bad it may be. As long as we hear, obey, and follow, God will heal our hearts and use us to bear good fruit in His Name.
The third is the one that comes to the wedding but is not wearing wedding clothes. I think Jesus is referring to the Pharisees and teachers of the law because they know of God but do not fully believe in Him. These can be seen as people who appear to act, talk, and think like a Christian but deep in their hearts they are far from it. There are many out there who convince themselves that they are true followers of Christ, but when their time comes to come face to face with Christ, He won't know them. I think that is what Jesus means by saying, "...there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." I mean if you think about it, they know of paradise and it was just within their grasp but they were denied it at the very end because they didn't believe. I can only imagine all the pain and sorrow one will feel if that happen to him or her.
The last verse, "For many are invited, but few are chosen," struck me. I want to be like the second kind of person because they are the few that were chosen, and I hope that I am, but sometimes I wonder if I'm more like the third kind because I think about my actions and motive behind my worship and service in the church or in just my every day life. I definitely don't want to be like the third or the first kind. That would majorly stink. What kind of person are you?
The first were the first group of invited guests that were asked to attend the banquet. Instead of graciously accepting the king's invitation, they ignored and mistreated the king's servants. Jesus was describing the Jews of the past and of Jesus's present. I think these people can also be seen as the people who will hear the good news after Jesus's death and resurrection. They abused and ignored God's servants, who were the prophets, disciples, and Christians. God will destroy these people for their stubborn and selfish ways. I bet it sucks to be them.
The second are the people who attend the banquet are those who the servants find from the "street corner." the Bible says that they were both good and bad. I think Jesus is referring to anyone, both Jew and Gentile, who is willing to hear and accept the gospel with open hearts. It affirms to me that God doesn't discriminate against our past, no matter how good or bad it may be. As long as we hear, obey, and follow, God will heal our hearts and use us to bear good fruit in His Name.
The third is the one that comes to the wedding but is not wearing wedding clothes. I think Jesus is referring to the Pharisees and teachers of the law because they know of God but do not fully believe in Him. These can be seen as people who appear to act, talk, and think like a Christian but deep in their hearts they are far from it. There are many out there who convince themselves that they are true followers of Christ, but when their time comes to come face to face with Christ, He won't know them. I think that is what Jesus means by saying, "...there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." I mean if you think about it, they know of paradise and it was just within their grasp but they were denied it at the very end because they didn't believe. I can only imagine all the pain and sorrow one will feel if that happen to him or her.
The last verse, "For many are invited, but few are chosen," struck me. I want to be like the second kind of person because they are the few that were chosen, and I hope that I am, but sometimes I wonder if I'm more like the third kind because I think about my actions and motive behind my worship and service in the church or in just my every day life. I definitely don't want to be like the third or the first kind. That would majorly stink. What kind of person are you?
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Parable of the Tenants
This parable can be read and understood at at least two different ways. I choose to speak to how the Word speaks to my heart condition.
"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."
Verse 43 sums it up for me. We are tenants in this lifetime and the master has in-trusted a portion of the land for each of us... and according the gifts and gifting we are to produce.
Repeatedly, the landlord sends His message... finally the master sends his own Son. But my heart is hardened... I crucify the Son!
The benevolent landowner know how we feel about him by the way we treat his messengers. How much longer will He tolerate our murderous behavior?
Our days are numbered, and there will be a time for each of us to account for what we have done. Jesus cursed the fig tree that did not have any fruits. In another parable, the Master takes away the portion given to the one who did not make any "profit."
My response is like that of the pharisees... I know He is speaking the truth!
Unlike the pharisees, we can choose to repent and ask the Lord for extra measure of Grace and Mercy... may we be healed of the backsliding and bear much fruit for the Master of our hearts.
Grace to you this day my sisters!
"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."
Verse 43 sums it up for me. We are tenants in this lifetime and the master has in-trusted a portion of the land for each of us... and according the gifts and gifting we are to produce.
Repeatedly, the landlord sends His message... finally the master sends his own Son. But my heart is hardened... I crucify the Son!
The benevolent landowner know how we feel about him by the way we treat his messengers. How much longer will He tolerate our murderous behavior?
Our days are numbered, and there will be a time for each of us to account for what we have done. Jesus cursed the fig tree that did not have any fruits. In another parable, the Master takes away the portion given to the one who did not make any "profit."
My response is like that of the pharisees... I know He is speaking the truth!
Unlike the pharisees, we can choose to repent and ask the Lord for extra measure of Grace and Mercy... may we be healed of the backsliding and bear much fruit for the Master of our hearts.
Grace to you this day my sisters!
Friday, May 21, 2010
two kinds of repentance
he answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
jesus is a brilliant teacher. He illustrates the idea of repentance in such a way that it is impossible not to understand His point. He directs His parable directly to you and to me--professing christians in the church. consider the first son who refused at first to obey his father but then changed his mind. the key to genuine repentance is found in those words, "changed his mind". the older son acted upon the change in his mind and heart. what a measure of the richness of God's grace that God accepts so grudging and reluctant an obedience as that of the first son!
the second son is a reflection of too many of us. we know it is right to obey, so we say "i will" when the Father tells us to go, but we haven't gotten around to actually going. for months, even years, our lives have been suspended at the "i will" stage. in the end we have refused to "go" and do what is right. we are foolish to think our spiritual condition is safe if we are going through all the outward, "i will" professions of faith, but have not truly surrendered our lives to the One to Whom it really belongs. the fatal thing about the "i will" stage is that it lends itself to just this kind of deception. how much better to be honest with God and just tell Him "we will not go" if we truly intend not to. as imperfect as the first son's repentance is, how infinitely preferable to no repentance at all!
this parable teaches that all our good intentions, all our "i will" professions count for nothing in the end if not accompanied by simple obedience. "not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (matthew 7:21).
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
I don't know about you but I found this passage somewhat hard to understand.
I didn't understand fully of what these verses meant. In several occassions Jesus was questioned by the high priests and the elders. This time they were questioning what authroity Jesus is doing what he is doing. Jesus instead of responding directly to their questions. Jesus questioned them back to strike the very intention of their question. Regardless of what Jesus' response is, they were going to believe what he would say. They were only interested in digging out a falsehood of Jesus so that they could use it for their own benefit. Jesus’ question revealed the motivation of the religious leaders and exposed them for what they really were – hypocrites. They indicted themselves when they cited only two options and chose neither of them (“We do not know”). The point of Matt 21:23-27 is that no matter what Jesus said in response to their question, they were not going to believe it and would in the end use it against him.
I didn't understand fully of what these verses meant. In several occassions Jesus was questioned by the high priests and the elders. This time they were questioning what authroity Jesus is doing what he is doing. Jesus instead of responding directly to their questions. Jesus questioned them back to strike the very intention of their question. Regardless of what Jesus' response is, they were going to believe what he would say. They were only interested in digging out a falsehood of Jesus so that they could use it for their own benefit. Jesus’ question revealed the motivation of the religious leaders and exposed them for what they really were – hypocrites. They indicted themselves when they cited only two options and chose neither of them (“We do not know”). The point of Matt 21:23-27 is that no matter what Jesus said in response to their question, they were not going to believe it and would in the end use it against him.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Fig Tree Withers
Matthew 21:18-22
18Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Often times we tell ourselves we need to pray and ask the Lord to meet our needs, but we still take matters into our own hands. Maybe it’s just the mere thought of acknowledging we need to pray that alone satisfies us, but if we “have faith and do not doubt” Jesus tells us that we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer.
It’s been very hard to pray these past couple of days, but I am grateful that God continues to provide for me even when I do not ask as I ought to. May we be able to pray to our God in full confidence that He not only hears our prayers but desires to give us what we ask for as long as we come to Him in faith.
18Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Often times we tell ourselves we need to pray and ask the Lord to meet our needs, but we still take matters into our own hands. Maybe it’s just the mere thought of acknowledging we need to pray that alone satisfies us, but if we “have faith and do not doubt” Jesus tells us that we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer.
It’s been very hard to pray these past couple of days, but I am grateful that God continues to provide for me even when I do not ask as I ought to. May we be able to pray to our God in full confidence that He not only hears our prayers but desires to give us what we ask for as long as we come to Him in faith.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Jesus at the Temple (Matthew 21: 12-17)
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,
" 'From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise'?"
17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Growing up I remember this bible story as the first time I see Jesus angry. We had this set of books at home with tapes that narrated the bible stories and I distinctly remember the illustration is of Jesus turning over tables and looking really angry.
The church is to be a house of prayer where the blind and lame can come for healing and children can shout praises. While reading this passage I wondered what Jesus would do if he came to our church today. We are not blatantly selling or buying goods but what worldly influences have we brought into his temple? Would Jesus be angry at the state of our church? Is it a house of prayer and do we welcome the lame and blind so they may be healed?
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,
" 'From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise'?"
17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Growing up I remember this bible story as the first time I see Jesus angry. We had this set of books at home with tapes that narrated the bible stories and I distinctly remember the illustration is of Jesus turning over tables and looking really angry.
The church is to be a house of prayer where the blind and lame can come for healing and children can shout praises. While reading this passage I wondered what Jesus would do if he came to our church today. We are not blatantly selling or buying goods but what worldly influences have we brought into his temple? Would Jesus be angry at the state of our church? Is it a house of prayer and do we welcome the lame and blind so they may be healed?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Matt 21 The Triumphal Entry:
Matt 21
The Triumphal Entry:
As I am on my last week of my trek towards the alter, I couldn't help to think about the how Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem was His last trek on His way to the cross. For 3 years Jesus has been active accomplishing the will of God the Father for Him and now He is just days away from fulfilling the purpose for which God sent Him to earth. I know what it's like to have the "big day" just looming over the horizon. I'm nervous and excited at the same time for I know some moments will be sweet and some probably very difficult. Did Jesus have mixed emotions as He rode in on the donkey? Was He glad and overjoyed at the fulfillment of God's good and pleasing will? Or was He sad and pained even at the thought of the horrible death He is about to endure?
Well, despite all the emotions that may have been simmering within Him, Jesus knew exactly what must and will be done because He was one with God the Father. We know He didn't move according to a man's will or desire because He did what fulfilled that which was spoken through the prophets long ago. Also, what was spoken by the prophets long ago was not something any man could merely mimic, because riding on" a colt, the foal of a donkey" is not something any man could do. I learned that a foal of a donkey means a baby or young offspring that has yet to be tamed or trained to be ridden. Until it is tamed, it is impossible for anyone to ever ride on it. Jesus, being the gentle King, the humble Son of God, rode into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey.
Was He confident and at peace being exactly where God wanted Him to be? Or was He anxious or sad about the hard and terrible things that would happen on the rest of the way to the cross? Being God and man, maybe both. I could only imagine.
The Triumphal Entry:
As I am on my last week of my trek towards the alter, I couldn't help to think about the how Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem was His last trek on His way to the cross. For 3 years Jesus has been active accomplishing the will of God the Father for Him and now He is just days away from fulfilling the purpose for which God sent Him to earth. I know what it's like to have the "big day" just looming over the horizon. I'm nervous and excited at the same time for I know some moments will be sweet and some probably very difficult. Did Jesus have mixed emotions as He rode in on the donkey? Was He glad and overjoyed at the fulfillment of God's good and pleasing will? Or was He sad and pained even at the thought of the horrible death He is about to endure?
Well, despite all the emotions that may have been simmering within Him, Jesus knew exactly what must and will be done because He was one with God the Father. We know He didn't move according to a man's will or desire because He did what fulfilled that which was spoken through the prophets long ago. Also, what was spoken by the prophets long ago was not something any man could merely mimic, because riding on" a colt, the foal of a donkey" is not something any man could do. I learned that a foal of a donkey means a baby or young offspring that has yet to be tamed or trained to be ridden. Until it is tamed, it is impossible for anyone to ever ride on it. Jesus, being the gentle King, the humble Son of God, rode into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey.
Was He confident and at peace being exactly where God wanted Him to be? Or was He anxious or sad about the hard and terrible things that would happen on the rest of the way to the cross? Being God and man, maybe both. I could only imagine.
Friday, May 14, 2010
"What do you want from me?" Matthew 20:29-34
29-31As they were leaving Jericho, a huge crowd followed. Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!" The crowd tried to hush them up, but they got all the louder, crying, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!"
32Jesus stopped and called over, "What do you want from me?"
33They said, "Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!"
34Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant, and joined the procession. (The Message).
32Jesus stopped and called over, "What do you want from me?"
33They said, "Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!"
34Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant, and joined the procession. (The Message).
We can learn many things from this passage, but what caught my attention today was this question " What do you want from me?" If I could ask God for one thing, what would it be??
Honestly ... I am asking the Lord to search my heart, and show what is my real desire. There are so many things I want. But if it was only one thing... just one thing... I want to be in His presence, resting in His arms...
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM GOD??
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Rank in the kingdom 2
20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup," but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-
26 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Hello. Korea is now getting so warm even hot!! how's there?
When I read this part, one thing is not clear to me. Why Jesus asked "can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" I thought it's about his cross and sharing his suffer..but I don't think it is...
I see it's talking about to serve. Who doesn't want to stand high upon others? I think it's so hard to serve, I mean, truly. Well, what's the bad thing about being first or great among people? I think that's to have self conceit(I don't know if I'm using right word but..). "I am someone very speicail! I should be treated better than others!" like this. The difficulty of being humble with being first makes serving truely almost impossible. May we keep our mind humble and humble before God whatever place we take.
21 What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup," but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-
26 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Hello. Korea is now getting so warm even hot!! how's there?
When I read this part, one thing is not clear to me. Why Jesus asked "can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" I thought it's about his cross and sharing his suffer..but I don't think it is...
I see it's talking about to serve. Who doesn't want to stand high upon others? I think it's so hard to serve, I mean, truly. Well, what's the bad thing about being first or great among people? I think that's to have self conceit(I don't know if I'm using right word but..). "I am someone very speicail! I should be treated better than others!" like this. The difficulty of being humble with being first makes serving truely almost impossible. May we keep our mind humble and humble before God whatever place we take.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
17And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18"See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."
Today's passage is pretty self-explanatory, but what really struck me was in the title of the passage. The word "again" somehow caught my eye. The fact that Jesus spoke again about his impending death made me wonder why he had to say this again.
I may be over-thinking this but Jesus was a person with feelings and fears. Plus, he knew that he was going to die, let alone all the pain and suffering he was going to have to endure because of it. And the people, he was sent to save, are the ones who will condemn and mock him. These aren't pleasant thoughts to have and to announce.
Going back to the word "again," I wondered if Jesus had to predict and reveal his death because nobody really believed him or didn't want to listen to him. And was Jesus afraid or sad over knowing that he was going to die very soon.
But I did notice at the very end of this short passage that Jesus gave hope because he told them that he would rise again after the third day. Even though he said it in only brief sentence, its meaning holds so much power and hope because it reveals who Jesus really is. Maybe I can say this because I already know the what was to come and the disciples and the people in Jesus's time didn't.
I see that even though Jesus gave grave news again, he still gave his disciples hope and reveal a glimpse of who he really is. Sadly, they probably didn't really understand it nor believe it at the time.
Today's passage is pretty self-explanatory, but what really struck me was in the title of the passage. The word "again" somehow caught my eye. The fact that Jesus spoke again about his impending death made me wonder why he had to say this again.
I may be over-thinking this but Jesus was a person with feelings and fears. Plus, he knew that he was going to die, let alone all the pain and suffering he was going to have to endure because of it. And the people, he was sent to save, are the ones who will condemn and mock him. These aren't pleasant thoughts to have and to announce.
Going back to the word "again," I wondered if Jesus had to predict and reveal his death because nobody really believed him or didn't want to listen to him. And was Jesus afraid or sad over knowing that he was going to die very soon.
But I did notice at the very end of this short passage that Jesus gave hope because he told them that he would rise again after the third day. Even though he said it in only brief sentence, its meaning holds so much power and hope because it reveals who Jesus really is. Maybe I can say this because I already know the what was to come and the disciples and the people in Jesus's time didn't.
I see that even though Jesus gave grave news again, he still gave his disciples hope and reveal a glimpse of who he really is. Sadly, they probably didn't really understand it nor believe it at the time.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Matthew 20:1-16
in my early memory of these verses, my reaction was similar to that of the workers who were hired first... it didn't seem just that those who labored only one hour should receive the same pay that was promised those who worked 12 hours!
in verse 15, the landowner says pretty much that he can bless whom he chooses to bless... then he adds, "are you envious because I am generous?" and that question put my jealous heart in it's shameful place!
what a privilege to be called to labor for harvest of the master... at any hour... it is a gift of Grace! it is joy enough to be counted among the workers.
The Faith to Perserve
Hello
I know it's not my turn to blog today but I just wanted to share with the wonderful message that I have read for Saturday devotion from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It really touched my heart and encourage me and hope it does same to you as well.
Perseverance means more than endurance-more than simply holding until the end. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of archer. God is aiming at something the saint can not see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, every once in a while the saint says, "I can't take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God's hands. Is there something in your life for which yo need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did," Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).
FAITH IS NOT SOME WEAK AND PITIFUL EMOTION, BUT IS STRONG AND VIGOROUS CONFIDENCE BUILT ON THE FACT THAT GOD IS HOLY LOVE. AND EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT SEE HIM RIGHT NOW AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS DOING, YOU KNOW HIM.
Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is supreme effort of your life-throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.
God ventures His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to venture our all with total abandoned confidence in Him. There are areas in our lives where that faith has not worked in us as yet- places still untouched by the life of God. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ's life, there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, " This is eternal life, that they may know you..." (John 17:3).
The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we will take this view, life will become one great romance-a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power. By Oswald Chambers
I know it's not my turn to blog today but I just wanted to share with the wonderful message that I have read for Saturday devotion from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It really touched my heart and encourage me and hope it does same to you as well.
Perseverance means more than endurance-more than simply holding until the end. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of archer. God is aiming at something the saint can not see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, every once in a while the saint says, "I can't take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God's hands. Is there something in your life for which yo need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did," Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).
FAITH IS NOT SOME WEAK AND PITIFUL EMOTION, BUT IS STRONG AND VIGOROUS CONFIDENCE BUILT ON THE FACT THAT GOD IS HOLY LOVE. AND EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT SEE HIM RIGHT NOW AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS DOING, YOU KNOW HIM.
Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is supreme effort of your life-throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.
God ventures His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to venture our all with total abandoned confidence in Him. There are areas in our lives where that faith has not worked in us as yet- places still untouched by the life of God. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ's life, there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, " This is eternal life, that they may know you..." (John 17:3).
The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we will take this view, life will become one great romance-a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power. By Oswald Chambers
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Divorce
Matthew 19:1-12
1When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.3Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"
4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
7"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"
8Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."
10The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."
11Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" Jesus clearly explains that it is unlawful to divorce except for marital unfaithfulness. It's very heart-breaking that the divorce rate in America is currently at 50%, but not surprising. In our society, divorce seems to be the answer to all our marital problems. In light of our previous post, it's so common for us to avoid our problems or handle it the wrong way rather than dealing with them the right way. I see how the way we handle problems or offenses affects our relationship with another, and in this case our spouse. As a newlywed, I am confronted with so many different issues with my husband that I didn't realize was going to even been an issue. Many of these issues could have led to divorce if we were not considerate of each other's feelings and thoughts. Just trying to consider the other person before yourself can really make all the difference. Possibly save you from even entertaining the thought of divorce. May the idea of marriage be more than just feelings of love, but rather a commitment you make to one another.
The Little Children and Jesus
In a world dangerous to children, loving parents wanted to bring their children to Jesus. If he would bless them, pray for them, place his hands on them, then surely those children would be protected, healed, and blessed. Who could blame them? They had seen the amazing things Jesus had done for others. They loved their children. Jesus himself had talked about letting children come to him. Why would the disciples stop them? Maybe it's the same reason we do. We get distracted by other things and let them take us, and our children, away from the Lord. We let problems with our spouse destroy our home and crush our children's hearts. We get involved in important religious things and forget to involve our children in our spiritual journey. No matter what, Jesus' message is clear: "Quit! Quit getting in the way of the children from coming to me!" Let's not only hear his words, but let's respond to them
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
This parable is so true of the nature of man. Though as Christians we see and feel the enormity of God's grace and what was done at the cross on our behalf, we simultaneously hold grudges and cannot forgive our fellow brothers for offences small or large against us. This is how we are wired. What God is telling us to do by forgiving our brother goes against the nature of man. I think this is possible if die to self and act as Jesus would and has done for us. When reading this passage I think about all of the little grudges and large ones I have held in the past and find them all so trivial. The grudge holder that cannot forgive probably harms themselves more than the offender. I imagine it to be so freeing and wonderful if we could truly live graciously and mercifully forgiving those who wrong us.
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
This parable is so true of the nature of man. Though as Christians we see and feel the enormity of God's grace and what was done at the cross on our behalf, we simultaneously hold grudges and cannot forgive our fellow brothers for offences small or large against us. This is how we are wired. What God is telling us to do by forgiving our brother goes against the nature of man. I think this is possible if die to self and act as Jesus would and has done for us. When reading this passage I think about all of the little grudges and large ones I have held in the past and find them all so trivial. The grudge holder that cannot forgive probably harms themselves more than the offender. I imagine it to be so freeing and wonderful if we could truly live graciously and mercifully forgiving those who wrong us.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
the right way to deal with the offence
the matter of church discipline is rarely discussed if ever practiced in the church today. i found it particularly interesting how Jesus approaches the issue in this passage. He starts by saying, "if your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you". church discipline is rarely enacted because we fail at this very first step. if our brother or sister "sins against us", we very often neglect or put off or refuse to "show him his fault" until the matter is either suppressed or forgotten or added to the list of resentments you already have against the person. and rarely is the issue kept "between the two of you". we rarely "go and show the brother his fault" but confide in others of the perceived hurts and injustices and offences we have suffered at the hands of that person.
this practice of not confronting the "sinning brother or sister" is fatal to the body of the church. we have all witnessed the terrible consequences that gossip and slander and the overall lack of church discipline has had on churches we grew up in. the fighting gets so bad and the hatred so deep that no one really remembers what the issue was in the first place. Jesus understood that if we have resentment or hurt within us that it will come out somewhere and somehow. better it come out privately to the person who has offended than in secret whispers to every other member of the church except the offender.
what destroys the unity of the body of believers, the fellowship of genuine, caring christians? the seed of resentment, the lack of a generous and forgiving spirit toward others, pride, and self-righteousness. moreover, we are just not willing to honestly confront each other even when it is necessary. it goes without saying that we must bend over backwards to do so gently and with great sensitivity and tenderness. but let us practice "conflict management" and "admonishment" in the right way when the need arises. we should not wait until the cancer becomes so deep-rooted that it destroys the whole body.
this practice of not confronting the "sinning brother or sister" is fatal to the body of the church. we have all witnessed the terrible consequences that gossip and slander and the overall lack of church discipline has had on churches we grew up in. the fighting gets so bad and the hatred so deep that no one really remembers what the issue was in the first place. Jesus understood that if we have resentment or hurt within us that it will come out somewhere and somehow. better it come out privately to the person who has offended than in secret whispers to every other member of the church except the offender.
what destroys the unity of the body of believers, the fellowship of genuine, caring christians? the seed of resentment, the lack of a generous and forgiving spirit toward others, pride, and self-righteousness. moreover, we are just not willing to honestly confront each other even when it is necessary. it goes without saying that we must bend over backwards to do so gently and with great sensitivity and tenderness. but let us practice "conflict management" and "admonishment" in the right way when the need arises. we should not wait until the cancer becomes so deep-rooted that it destroys the whole body.
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Parable of the Lost sheep
10"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
11 The Son of Man came to save what was lost.
12"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. (NIV)
I was looking for something different to post today and find out this video:
The sheeperd doesn't wait until morning, he goes immediately in search of this lost sheep because it can become an easy prey for wolves and lions. Can you imagine his desperate heart? And how it turns into joy when he finally find this lost one?
Like the sheep in this video, we can get away from God by following wordly things, they look beautiful at first...but they can take us to dangerous places.
Jesus watches over us, every step. Do we follow the path he has set?
11 The Son of Man came to save what was lost.
12"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. (NIV)
I was looking for something different to post today and find out this video:
The sheeperd doesn't wait until morning, he goes immediately in search of this lost sheep because it can become an easy prey for wolves and lions. Can you imagine his desperate heart? And how it turns into joy when he finally find this lost one?
Like the sheep in this video, we can get away from God by following wordly things, they look beautiful at first...but they can take us to dangerous places.
Jesus watches over us, every step. Do we follow the path he has set?
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