Good morning! It's Friday, another work week is almost behind and the weekend is near.
Today's reading is Luke 21:5-38. Jesus is daily teaching in the temple, and staying on the mount of Olives at night. During this time someone mentioned the gifts and riches of the temple. Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple, and how Jerusalem would be overtaken. It of course would not be an easy time for the people, especially the disciples.
Although this chapter is mostly on the destruction of Jerusalem Jesus gives a warning to his listeners that applies to us as well: don't get caught up in the cares and the ways of the world. Verses 34-36 are warnings to be watchful and prayerful. We don't know when Jesus is coming again but we don't want to be caught unaware. This doesn't mean we cannot have fun in our lives, for God gave us much to enjoy. It's just that we shouldn't let the ways of the world overshadow us.
Showing posts with label chapter 21. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chapter 21. Show all posts
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
A Morning Cup of Tea: The Widow's Mite
Good morning! If you are a mom you know how full days can be, especially once the kids are up. J is wide awake and happily chattering away in his own way, assuring me that breakfast was just simply not enough for a growing boy, and I have a feline son begging for attention. It's my crazy life and I enjoy it. Yes, I grumble and fuss sometimes, but really I don't think I'd want life any other way.
While my plan was to write about the whole of chapter 21, the first 4 verses just seemed to need attention today. When you read them, you will see that Jesus was observing in the temple, and saw others giving their offering. Most were giving large amounts, but this widow gave two mites --all she had. Jesus said that she had given more than all the others. She freely gave all that she had.
To me, that speaks greatly of her faith. She knew God would take care of her. I can't say that I've had that great amount of faith in the past, though I wish I could. I'm still learning --more each day--that God provides for us. I am thankful for what he has done and still does.
I wonder about the widow. Nothing else is mentioned about her other than she gave financially all that she had. It would seem to me, though, that someone with faith enough to give would also give freely of her time and help as well. Was she the type to sit and listen when a friend needed to talk? Did she take the time to enjoy her children and grandchildren, teaching them perhaps a skill or playing a game? These are things that I want to do, try to do. What are your thoughts on this woman of long ago? I would love to hear them.
In the meantime, have a great day!
While my plan was to write about the whole of chapter 21, the first 4 verses just seemed to need attention today. When you read them, you will see that Jesus was observing in the temple, and saw others giving their offering. Most were giving large amounts, but this widow gave two mites --all she had. Jesus said that she had given more than all the others. She freely gave all that she had.
To me, that speaks greatly of her faith. She knew God would take care of her. I can't say that I've had that great amount of faith in the past, though I wish I could. I'm still learning --more each day--that God provides for us. I am thankful for what he has done and still does.
I wonder about the widow. Nothing else is mentioned about her other than she gave financially all that she had. It would seem to me, though, that someone with faith enough to give would also give freely of her time and help as well. Was she the type to sit and listen when a friend needed to talk? Did she take the time to enjoy her children and grandchildren, teaching them perhaps a skill or playing a game? These are things that I want to do, try to do. What are your thoughts on this woman of long ago? I would love to hear them.
In the meantime, have a great day!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea:
Good morning! Today's reading is from Matthew 21:18-46.
Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree. The tree had leaves, but no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree by saying it would never bear fruit. It soon withered away. His disciples marveled at how quickly the tree withered away. Jesus told them that they too could do things if they believed and did not doubt. Ask what you want in prayer and believe, and it will be yours, he told them. While sometimes the answer will be no, I wonder sometimes if we get a no answer because we have doubts. Not prayers for a sports car or a big fancy house, but prayers for healing, for our needs.
Jesus went into the temple to teach. The chief priests and elders did not like this because Jesus always got so much attention and people were listening to him. They asked him, By whose authority do you do this?
Jesus answered the question with a question of his own: The baptism of John, did it come from heaven or from man?
They knew that if they answered from heaven, Jesus would ask why they didnt believe him. If they answered from man, the crowds would turn on them because they knew John to be a prophet. So they told Jesus they couldn't answer. Jesus told them he couldn't answer their question either.
Then Jesus told them the parable of the vineyard owner. He set it all up, then rented it out to people to care for it. When harvest time came near, he sent his servants to the man in charge to get the product. The servants were beaten and killed. The vineyard owner sent more servants, and they too were killed. The man sent his son, saying they will reverence my son. But the greedy people running the vineyard killed him too, to try and take over the vineyard.
He asked, what do you think the vineyard owner would do to these men? They answered he would destroy the wicked men and let out the vineyard to those who would do his will.
Jesus told the chief priests and elders that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to a nation that would bring forth fruits.
The chief priests and Pharisees did not like the way Jesus was speaking of them.They wanted to kill him then, but did not because they were afraid of the people.
Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree. The tree had leaves, but no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree by saying it would never bear fruit. It soon withered away. His disciples marveled at how quickly the tree withered away. Jesus told them that they too could do things if they believed and did not doubt. Ask what you want in prayer and believe, and it will be yours, he told them. While sometimes the answer will be no, I wonder sometimes if we get a no answer because we have doubts. Not prayers for a sports car or a big fancy house, but prayers for healing, for our needs.
Jesus went into the temple to teach. The chief priests and elders did not like this because Jesus always got so much attention and people were listening to him. They asked him, By whose authority do you do this?
Jesus answered the question with a question of his own: The baptism of John, did it come from heaven or from man?
They knew that if they answered from heaven, Jesus would ask why they didnt believe him. If they answered from man, the crowds would turn on them because they knew John to be a prophet. So they told Jesus they couldn't answer. Jesus told them he couldn't answer their question either.
Then Jesus told them the parable of the vineyard owner. He set it all up, then rented it out to people to care for it. When harvest time came near, he sent his servants to the man in charge to get the product. The servants were beaten and killed. The vineyard owner sent more servants, and they too were killed. The man sent his son, saying they will reverence my son. But the greedy people running the vineyard killed him too, to try and take over the vineyard.
He asked, what do you think the vineyard owner would do to these men? They answered he would destroy the wicked men and let out the vineyard to those who would do his will.
Jesus told the chief priests and elders that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to a nation that would bring forth fruits.
The chief priests and Pharisees did not like the way Jesus was speaking of them.They wanted to kill him then, but did not because they were afraid of the people.
Monday, September 5, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea
Matthew 21:1-17
During this time in their traveling, Jesus and his twelve disciples are coming close to Jerusalem. At Bethphage he tells them to go into the village and there they will find a donkey with her colt. Take them both. If someone asks, let them know the Lord needs them, and they will let you take them.
This was done to fulfill a prophecy. The disciples put their cloaks on the donkey's back and Jesus rode into town on the donkey. The people watching him come through shouted hosannas! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!
Visiting the temple, Jesus is not happy at what he sees. Money changers are there, which is the custom at the time, so that those who did not have the proper sacrifice could buy it and do what needed to be done. However, these people were overpricing the sacrificial birds and lambs and in general making a mockery of the temple and the worship. Jesus overthrew tables and cast them all out of the temple. He saw something very wrong happening and he did something about it.
He then healed the sick and the blind who came to him. The children in the temple were shouting Hosanna to the Son of David! This displeased the chief priests and scribes. They don't like all the attention that Jesus has been getting.
During this time in their traveling, Jesus and his twelve disciples are coming close to Jerusalem. At Bethphage he tells them to go into the village and there they will find a donkey with her colt. Take them both. If someone asks, let them know the Lord needs them, and they will let you take them.
This was done to fulfill a prophecy. The disciples put their cloaks on the donkey's back and Jesus rode into town on the donkey. The people watching him come through shouted hosannas! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!
Visiting the temple, Jesus is not happy at what he sees. Money changers are there, which is the custom at the time, so that those who did not have the proper sacrifice could buy it and do what needed to be done. However, these people were overpricing the sacrificial birds and lambs and in general making a mockery of the temple and the worship. Jesus overthrew tables and cast them all out of the temple. He saw something very wrong happening and he did something about it.
He then healed the sick and the blind who came to him. The children in the temple were shouting Hosanna to the Son of David! This displeased the chief priests and scribes. They don't like all the attention that Jesus has been getting.
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