Good morning! I'm sorry I'm a little later this morning getting the posts out. I slept long and hard last night, for which I am thankful. But because I woke late, everyone is awake, demanding attention. My sweet husband is making breakfast so I can begin writing. He enjoys cooking, sometimes more than I do.
Today we are beginning in verse 28 and finishing up Luke 19. Jesus and his disciples are closing in on Jerusalem. They come near to Bethphage and Bethany, and Jesus sends two of the disciples ahead to find a colt that was tied. No man had ever ridden this colt. They were to bring the colt to Jesus, and if anyone asks why they are taking the animal, they are to reply that the Lord has need of it. Of course, the owner did ask why they were taking his colt. They answered and the man let them take it. The disciples, once the colt was brought to Jesus, placed their clothes on the back of the colt and Jesus sat on it, and they led him into town. People were cheering and praising him all the way through. The Pharisees told him he should rebuke them for what they were saying. Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people should stop, "the stones would immediately cry out." (v 40). Can you imagine? What a wondrous thing that would have been to witness.
But Jesus looked around at the city of Jerusalem and wept. He told them that the city would be destroyed, and it could not be helped. They had not listened to the prophets of old who had told them this. They wouldn't listen now. Some probably had the idea that although they knew they sinned, they were God's chosen ones, so surely God would not allow Jerusalem to fall.
It was during this time in Jerusalem that Jesus drove out the people selling and profiting from a holy place from the temple. Luke tells us that Jesus taught daily in the temple at this time, and scribes and chief priests sought to destroy him. They just didn't know what to do yet, because the people were very attentive to Jesus' teachings.
Have a wonderful day.
Showing posts with label chapter 19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chapter 19. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Morning Cup of Tea: Parable of Ten Pounds
Good morning! How are you today? I hope you had a pleasant Lord's day, as I did. My husband, son and I went to worship, then spent the afternoon quietly together, resting and talking and reading and creating just a little. Last night was our monthly singing night in our congregation. Such beautiful hymns the congregation chose for the evening.
Today's reading is Luke 19:11-27. Jesus told a parable of a nobleman who went into a far off country to receive a kingdom then return. Before he left he called his ten servants and gave each of them a pound. They were to handle things till the nobleman got back.
The man was hated, and his citizens said we will not have this man rule over us! When the man took the kingdom and came home, he called his servants to him one by one. One servant told him, I took the one pound and now I have ten pounds. The nobleman praised him for such good work and rewarded him with authority over ten cities. Another servant had taken the one pound and now had five pounds. Again, the nobleman praised the servant and rewarded him with authority over 5 cities. But there was one who had taken the pound and wrapped it in a napkin and hid it away. He had not gained anymore.
The nobleman rebuked him for this. Because he did well with what he owned and gained more, he expected his servants to do the same. He took the pound away from that servant and gave it to the one who had ten pounds.
The nobleman is Christ. We are the servants. We are supposed to do his will until he returns. We should be teaching others, through example as well as in word, whether it's our children, other family members, our friends, or just simply someone with whom you strike up a conversation. My mother in law told me that while she was in the hospital after having one of her children --my husband I think -- the woman in the bed next to hers noticed mom reading her bible. The woman asked her which church she was a member of, then told her about the Church of Christ. You never know when an opportunity will present itself.
Have a wonderful day.
Today's reading is Luke 19:11-27. Jesus told a parable of a nobleman who went into a far off country to receive a kingdom then return. Before he left he called his ten servants and gave each of them a pound. They were to handle things till the nobleman got back.
The man was hated, and his citizens said we will not have this man rule over us! When the man took the kingdom and came home, he called his servants to him one by one. One servant told him, I took the one pound and now I have ten pounds. The nobleman praised him for such good work and rewarded him with authority over ten cities. Another servant had taken the one pound and now had five pounds. Again, the nobleman praised the servant and rewarded him with authority over 5 cities. But there was one who had taken the pound and wrapped it in a napkin and hid it away. He had not gained anymore.
The nobleman rebuked him for this. Because he did well with what he owned and gained more, he expected his servants to do the same. He took the pound away from that servant and gave it to the one who had ten pounds.
The nobleman is Christ. We are the servants. We are supposed to do his will until he returns. We should be teaching others, through example as well as in word, whether it's our children, other family members, our friends, or just simply someone with whom you strike up a conversation. My mother in law told me that while she was in the hospital after having one of her children --my husband I think -- the woman in the bed next to hers noticed mom reading her bible. The woman asked her which church she was a member of, then told her about the Church of Christ. You never know when an opportunity will present itself.
Have a wonderful day.
Friday, September 2, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea:The Rich Young Man
Good morning! I'm running a little late this morning. I had a little excitement with the cats last night. Things finally returned to normal so I could get back to sleep.
We are finishing up chapter 19 of Matthew today, verses 16-30. A man came to him and asked Jesus, what good thing should I do to have eternal life. Of course Jesus said keep the commandments, and mentioned 6: Thou shalt do no murder, that shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (v 16-19)
The young man told Jesus he kept the commandments since he was a young child. Was there anything he lacked doing? Jesus said if you are to be perfect, go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and come and follow me. The man went away sorrowful because he had a lot of possessions. He did not want to give them up.
Jesus told his disciples it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter into heaven. He did not mean that only poor people will gain eternal life, but that you cannot buy your way into heaven.
Here on on earth we tend to become attached to things -- collections, homes, family, friends, money, etc. Jesus was letting the young man and the disciples, and us know that we shouldn't let anything or person distract us from the goal of eternal life:
29.And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.
We can have relationships and things here on earth, but they should not keep us from following in Jesus' footsteps. We can't take possessions with us, but they pale in comparison to the riches in heaven.
We are finishing up chapter 19 of Matthew today, verses 16-30. A man came to him and asked Jesus, what good thing should I do to have eternal life. Of course Jesus said keep the commandments, and mentioned 6: Thou shalt do no murder, that shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (v 16-19)
The young man told Jesus he kept the commandments since he was a young child. Was there anything he lacked doing? Jesus said if you are to be perfect, go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and come and follow me. The man went away sorrowful because he had a lot of possessions. He did not want to give them up.
Jesus told his disciples it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter into heaven. He did not mean that only poor people will gain eternal life, but that you cannot buy your way into heaven.
Here on on earth we tend to become attached to things -- collections, homes, family, friends, money, etc. Jesus was letting the young man and the disciples, and us know that we shouldn't let anything or person distract us from the goal of eternal life:
29.And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.
We can have relationships and things here on earth, but they should not keep us from following in Jesus' footsteps. We can't take possessions with us, but they pale in comparison to the riches in heaven.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus Loves the Little Children
Jesus loves the little children! All the children of the world...
That is one of the first songs I remember learning to sing. These days it's considered un pc to sing it because because the author described skin color as red and yellow, black and white, but I still enjoy the song and the simple message. They are all precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.
In most of the scriptures concerning Jesus and others, he is dealing with adults. He's teaching, healing, conversing, all of the above. In Matthew 19:13-15, he deals with children.
Some of his followers brought their children with them so Jesus would hold them and pray. The disciples tried to stop them; surely Jesus has more important matters to deal with than to stop and deal with little ones, but Jesus stopped them:
14. But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15.And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them. The children weren't afraid of this man. They knew in their hearts who he was! These two verses give me comfort. He took the time to be with the little ones. We can learn a lot from the faith of a child.
They are trusting and innocent. Most kids know that Mom or Dad is going to take care of them and keep them safe. I think Jesus was also subtly pointing out, spend time with the little ones. They are precious. Have a great day.
That is one of the first songs I remember learning to sing. These days it's considered un pc to sing it because because the author described skin color as red and yellow, black and white, but I still enjoy the song and the simple message. They are all precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.
In most of the scriptures concerning Jesus and others, he is dealing with adults. He's teaching, healing, conversing, all of the above. In Matthew 19:13-15, he deals with children.
Some of his followers brought their children with them so Jesus would hold them and pray. The disciples tried to stop them; surely Jesus has more important matters to deal with than to stop and deal with little ones, but Jesus stopped them:
14. But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15.And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them. The children weren't afraid of this man. They knew in their hearts who he was! These two verses give me comfort. He took the time to be with the little ones. We can learn a lot from the faith of a child.
They are trusting and innocent. Most kids know that Mom or Dad is going to take care of them and keep them safe. I think Jesus was also subtly pointing out, spend time with the little ones. They are precious. Have a great day.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus Speaks of Divorce
Today's reading is from Matthew 19:1-12. It's a strange morning for me, after so many weeks of being awake by myself. J was awake but has gone back to sleep. Jim is in the kitchen listening to music and beginning his day. Because he has third shift tonight I do believe he will be napping later in the day.
Jesus left Galilee and is now in Judea. Wherever he goes crowds follow -curiosity seekers, those truly interested in his message, and Pharisees are invariably there as well. They really are not happy that Jesus is getting all this attention and teaching what they don't wish to believe. Trying to trap him, they asked him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus asked them, have you not read that God made man and he made them male and female, and a man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one? They are no longer two, but one flesh. What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (verses 4 -6)
Man and woman come joined together in matrimony. That is a very strong bond, or should be.
Not really satisfied with that answer, the Pharisees asked, why did Moses command to give a writing of divorcement? And we think our divorce laws are easy. All they had to do was write it down and it was done. The man could go on his merry little way, single again. But listen to what Jesus says to them:
8. He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Did you catch that? God didn't tell his people they could give a writing of divorcement and be done with it. Moses allowed that because that is what they wanted. God's law and man's law are sometimes two different things. Just because the law of the land says something is okay does NOT make it okay in God's eyes. In this case Jesus said that divorce for any other reason than fornication is not acceptable. If you choose to divorce for any other reason and remarry, you're committing adultery. And if the person who committed the sin in the first place remarries, they are in the wrong.
The disciples said, well if this is how things are maybe its not good to marry. But Jesus told them not all people can heed to that. Some are eunuchs by birth, some by man, and some choose to make eunuchs of themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake. They want to focus purely on God. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. (v12). Meaning, if you can live a marriageless life and not sin, go ahead. If you can't, it is better to be married.
Marriage is the only place where God has sanctified sex. It is not something casual like a handshake. It is something wonderful, meant to be shared by two people who love each other and commit their lives together as one. When we keep our eyes only for our mate we save a lot of grief and heart ache. If we are not out having sex with multiple partners before marriage, we know that we won't get an STD and we won't get pregnant. We also don't get our hearts broken because he got what he wanted and moved on to the next conquest. These are just a few reasons I see why we should remain pure until marriage, other than God said so.
Jesus left Galilee and is now in Judea. Wherever he goes crowds follow -curiosity seekers, those truly interested in his message, and Pharisees are invariably there as well. They really are not happy that Jesus is getting all this attention and teaching what they don't wish to believe. Trying to trap him, they asked him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus asked them, have you not read that God made man and he made them male and female, and a man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one? They are no longer two, but one flesh. What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (verses 4 -6)
Man and woman come joined together in matrimony. That is a very strong bond, or should be.
Not really satisfied with that answer, the Pharisees asked, why did Moses command to give a writing of divorcement? And we think our divorce laws are easy. All they had to do was write it down and it was done. The man could go on his merry little way, single again. But listen to what Jesus says to them:
8. He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Did you catch that? God didn't tell his people they could give a writing of divorcement and be done with it. Moses allowed that because that is what they wanted. God's law and man's law are sometimes two different things. Just because the law of the land says something is okay does NOT make it okay in God's eyes. In this case Jesus said that divorce for any other reason than fornication is not acceptable. If you choose to divorce for any other reason and remarry, you're committing adultery. And if the person who committed the sin in the first place remarries, they are in the wrong.
The disciples said, well if this is how things are maybe its not good to marry. But Jesus told them not all people can heed to that. Some are eunuchs by birth, some by man, and some choose to make eunuchs of themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake. They want to focus purely on God. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. (v12). Meaning, if you can live a marriageless life and not sin, go ahead. If you can't, it is better to be married.
Marriage is the only place where God has sanctified sex. It is not something casual like a handshake. It is something wonderful, meant to be shared by two people who love each other and commit their lives together as one. When we keep our eyes only for our mate we save a lot of grief and heart ache. If we are not out having sex with multiple partners before marriage, we know that we won't get an STD and we won't get pregnant. We also don't get our hearts broken because he got what he wanted and moved on to the next conquest. These are just a few reasons I see why we should remain pure until marriage, other than God said so.
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