Verse 28 starts off with "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." I wonder if these women are more dedicated of if this was just expected of them. I like how it lists Mark Magdalene and the "other Mary" and it makes me wonder if I want to me a main character in this story or an "Other." I think we are all in a story and we get to choose how active a role we take in that story. Something to think about anyway :)
Next we have a violent earthquake ( i wonder how much seismic activity they have in the middle east), an angel from the Lord comes down, scares the guards, who become like dead men and moves the stone away from Jesus's tomb. The angel greets and instructs the two Marys and sends them to tell the disciples.
I am not sure why it struck me on this verse, but I wonder about the roles of men and women at this point because these ladies are sent to the disciples and I have never thought about the fact that they were all male. Will need to research this more later, but I know the gender roles in that time are much different from today, but how many people, male or female got to talk to angels???
While the Marys are running to the disciples, the guards have been able to realize they have a problem and are running to the chief priests and we see how corrupt they are yet again.
Matthew ends with the Great Commission. Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus is with us. Even today. Do I live my life in such a way as to acknowledge that Jesus is with me? Lord help me to honor you with all I do! Amen!
It only took me a year but I finally finished Matthew, Next I get to start Mark!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Matthew 27
This chapter starts off with Judas revealing that he realized what he had done. Verse 4, “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility. Both Judas and the chief priests acknowledge the innocence of Christ. The money was thrown into the temple and and then Judas went and hung himself. In verse 6 "The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” The hypocrisy is amazing. They are willing to pay for the betrayal of Jesus betrayal but the "Blood Money" could not go into the treasury so they used it for foreigners...
In verse 11, Jesus is asked by Pilate if he is the king of the Jews and Jesus answered him but when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.The governor seems to be playing both sides, he wants to keep the Jews happy while still trying to find a way to keep Jesus alive since he did not think Jesus was guilty. In verse 19, While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” So this brings up the fact that in prior chapters we have seen Gods plan and how there were certain things that had to happen to bring about the fulfillment of the scriptures. If this is true was the dream brought about by Satan as a way of trying to stop the fulfillment of scripture or was it God confirming yet another way that Jesus was innocent.
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.It amazes me the power that religious leaders have on the general population. The governor tried to help I think but in the end had to give in due to the fear of riots. Jesus was flogged and Barabas was set free. I wonder how many times the crowd looked back on that moment and asked themselves, "What have we done"
Jesus is mocked by the soldiers and tortured prior to the crucifixion.45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. The curtain being torn is one of the most important and symbolic occurrences that I can think of and one of the main reasons Jesus died for our sins. For every person to have the ability to go before God through the blood of Christ. I guess this also leveled the playing field in the religious circles so that the sacrifices were done, since the perfect sacrifice was done. A perfect and willing sacrifice, wow.
The faith that Joseph showed by going to Pilate to ask for Jesus's body, is amazing. I believe it was divine favor because I am sure the religious leaders would have loved to have the body to prevent future problems, but God is bigger than the plans of men. Jesus is prepared for burial and guards are set at his tomb.
In verse 11, Jesus is asked by Pilate if he is the king of the Jews and Jesus answered him but when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.The governor seems to be playing both sides, he wants to keep the Jews happy while still trying to find a way to keep Jesus alive since he did not think Jesus was guilty. In verse 19, While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” So this brings up the fact that in prior chapters we have seen Gods plan and how there were certain things that had to happen to bring about the fulfillment of the scriptures. If this is true was the dream brought about by Satan as a way of trying to stop the fulfillment of scripture or was it God confirming yet another way that Jesus was innocent.
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.It amazes me the power that religious leaders have on the general population. The governor tried to help I think but in the end had to give in due to the fear of riots. Jesus was flogged and Barabas was set free. I wonder how many times the crowd looked back on that moment and asked themselves, "What have we done"
Jesus is mocked by the soldiers and tortured prior to the crucifixion.45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. The curtain being torn is one of the most important and symbolic occurrences that I can think of and one of the main reasons Jesus died for our sins. For every person to have the ability to go before God through the blood of Christ. I guess this also leveled the playing field in the religious circles so that the sacrifices were done, since the perfect sacrifice was done. A perfect and willing sacrifice, wow.
The faith that Joseph showed by going to Pilate to ask for Jesus's body, is amazing. I believe it was divine favor because I am sure the religious leaders would have loved to have the body to prevent future problems, but God is bigger than the plans of men. Jesus is prepared for burial and guards are set at his tomb.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Matthew 26
2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Jesus, did not hide the fact of what was coming. I wonder how I would have responded if I was told something of that gravity. We then read about the plots going on behind the scenes to keep their power and get rid of Jesus.
In verse 6, "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper." Simon must have been healed or no one would have been able to be around him and his property would have been taken. Why did Jesus stay here? Jesus seems to always do the unexpected. Next a women places very expensive perfume on his feet and Jesus says that "she has done a beautiful thing... and were ever the gospel goes, she will be remembered"
If I am honest, I think I can relate more to the religious leaders and Judas than the other people. God help me to see when I am acting like something that you do like and I should not be. Then we see how Judas tries to capitalize on what the religious leaders wanted. What selfishness...
Then we get to the last supper and Jesus again warns the others that he will be betrayed. I can not imagine having to go through life and know that you are about to be betrayed and to even know the betrayer. Jesus knows the big picture and I guess that is something we must learn to do. We may not have the knowledge of Christ, but God blesses us with discernment and I think the battle that I face is learning to be patient and wait on God.
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” This makes me think of all the times I make promises that I shouldn't. This goes back to the big picture and how things must happen to further God's kingdom. How many promises have I made to God and not kept???
Now I am to verse 36 "the garden of Gethsemane" Jesus takes 3 disciples with him and asks them to sit and wait for him. I am assuming that he wants to pray so maybe he is expecting them to pray. I am not sure but what happens is that they fall asleep and Jesus comes back and has to wake them up and this happens not once, but twice. It is hard to image the series of events that led to the garden, but in my mind I assume that with passover and Jesus talking about being betrayed and dieing that there should be some sense of urgency. I wonder how often I should have this sense of urgency about holy things and I fall asleep when I have been asked to wait and pray...
Now in verse 47 Jesus is arrested and these verses jumped out at me.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
I have noted several times about a series of events and Jesus confirms that with these verses. I still can not wrap my mind around what Jesus knew would happen and then had to allow it to happen, to fulfill scripture.
The chapter ends with the religious leaders trying to find grounds for having Jesus killed. There were lies and all sorts of trouble but they come back to the comment Jesus made about the temple being destroyed and rebuilt in three days. The moral of this story was crowds of religious people can find many ways to get want they want and the end justifies the means in their eyes or so it seems. They decide he is worthy of death and then Peter denies Jesus 3 times just as he was told he would. The death of Jesus is hard and we are not even there yet, but I can picture the passion in my mind and what it is expected that Christ went through and I am at a loss of words...
In verse 6, "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper." Simon must have been healed or no one would have been able to be around him and his property would have been taken. Why did Jesus stay here? Jesus seems to always do the unexpected. Next a women places very expensive perfume on his feet and Jesus says that "she has done a beautiful thing... and were ever the gospel goes, she will be remembered"
If I am honest, I think I can relate more to the religious leaders and Judas than the other people. God help me to see when I am acting like something that you do like and I should not be. Then we see how Judas tries to capitalize on what the religious leaders wanted. What selfishness...
Then we get to the last supper and Jesus again warns the others that he will be betrayed. I can not imagine having to go through life and know that you are about to be betrayed and to even know the betrayer. Jesus knows the big picture and I guess that is something we must learn to do. We may not have the knowledge of Christ, but God blesses us with discernment and I think the battle that I face is learning to be patient and wait on God.
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” This makes me think of all the times I make promises that I shouldn't. This goes back to the big picture and how things must happen to further God's kingdom. How many promises have I made to God and not kept???
Now I am to verse 36 "the garden of Gethsemane" Jesus takes 3 disciples with him and asks them to sit and wait for him. I am assuming that he wants to pray so maybe he is expecting them to pray. I am not sure but what happens is that they fall asleep and Jesus comes back and has to wake them up and this happens not once, but twice. It is hard to image the series of events that led to the garden, but in my mind I assume that with passover and Jesus talking about being betrayed and dieing that there should be some sense of urgency. I wonder how often I should have this sense of urgency about holy things and I fall asleep when I have been asked to wait and pray...
Now in verse 47 Jesus is arrested and these verses jumped out at me.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
I have noted several times about a series of events and Jesus confirms that with these verses. I still can not wrap my mind around what Jesus knew would happen and then had to allow it to happen, to fulfill scripture.
The chapter ends with the religious leaders trying to find grounds for having Jesus killed. There were lies and all sorts of trouble but they come back to the comment Jesus made about the temple being destroyed and rebuilt in three days. The moral of this story was crowds of religious people can find many ways to get want they want and the end justifies the means in their eyes or so it seems. They decide he is worthy of death and then Peter denies Jesus 3 times just as he was told he would. The death of Jesus is hard and we are not even there yet, but I can picture the passion in my mind and what it is expected that Christ went through and I am at a loss of words...
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Matthew 25
The Parable of the Ten Virgins - 5 foolish and 5 wise...
How often am I in each of these categories. I would hope to think that as I grow and mature that I am more wise then foolish but if we judge based solely on our actions and take our intentions out of the equation, I wonder what the result would be. I am also hear in the back of my mind Isiah 694:6 "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags"
SO the Bride groom gets back and all 10 run out to meet him and only 5 will have enough oil to make it. in verse 8, "The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
How unchristian not to share! I am sure the bride groom got mad at these 5 girls for not thinking of others! In verse 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’. Now this shows me that when it comes to God he is a jealous God and our feelings are not as important as we think they are.
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
This parable is a little scary to me. Three servants given different amounts of Gold before that Master leaves and when he returns he has expectations. He expects what he has given to be used and multiplied. What I think most everyone is scared to hear one day is verse 26, 29-30 "His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!"29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
I think there is much more wrapped up in this that I am getting at this point, but the base level message I am getting today is that we have been given gifts to use, not to waste. I wonder if this is true of all people or just Christian? I personally think every human has been given gifts but not all will heed Jesus's call.
The Sheep and the Goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.For the sake of time, God help me to be a sheep!
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