My Lord, My God 280 Marvin Miller
Introduction
In the autumn of my life, I sit down to reflect on what is most important to me now and what has been important to me in the past and the name of Jesus comes to mind. As far back as I can remember, I’ve known Jesus. I have to thank my Mother for that. She would get me to church every Sunday morning no matter how much I kicked and screamed. As a result, I grew up lucky, I grew up a Christian. Sure, I have had some trials and tribulations in my life in which I had some doubts, but I always came back to Jesus.
I ask myself what I, a simple uneducated man, can say about the most important person in history that has not already been said by countless scholars and critics. I can say nothing new, but I am compelled to write about the most important person that has ever been in my life or walked the face of the world, for that matter.
Jesus, just the name brings peace and comfort to many, while to others it brings fear and to some, it is a constant reminder that even in today’s society that are still those that cling to the past and believe in myths and fairy tales. His name is revered as well as cursed. Countless thousands of His followers have been murdered from the early days and the persecution continues on to this day in countries all over the world.
Not that we Christians have not done a little persecuting ourselves, we went from being persecuted to being the persecutors all in the name of religion and that my dear friends is where friendship ends and trouble begins. I really wonder, is this what Jesus had in mind? Did He mean for there to be wars fought and won in His name. Did He mean for Christians to march forward and kill everyone that was not a Christian? The answer is a plain and simple no. In short, the world would be a much better place if there was no such thing as organized religion of any kind. I believe that if Jesus did actually come back today to preach the same message that he gave two thousand years ago, it would end exactly the same way, the religions of the world would crucify him and Christianity, as we know it today, would be one of the ringleaders.
Churches bicker back and forth, each one claiming to be right. Preachers stand in front of their congregations and give uninspired sermons and ask for money for their church’s various expenses. TV preachers are on the air begging for money, some of them claim to have the power to heal the sick and crippled while others make claims that they just want to feed the poor and help the sick. Money makes the world go around for these individuals. While they live in multimillion dollar homes and fly around in private jets, they ask us to send their money to them so they can accomplish their missions. Jesus never had a church, he walked just about everywhere he ever went, he never asked for money and he usually preached somewhere outside.
You don’t need preachers, church doctrine, judgmental, self righteous people or expensive buildings to get to know Jesus. All you need is the ability to read and to comprehend what you read in your Bible.
I do not sit down and write this to convince people of my beliefs. I write this out of respect and love for my dear Savior Jesus of Nazareth, my Lord and my God. I write this for the people that are not quite sure if they want to accept Christ and believe in Him. I write this for those who do not know Jesus, but would like to get to know him and for those who would want salvation. I write for those, no matter what race or creed, to come to Jesus and be saved. I do not write for money for that is not my goal. My goals are to worship the Lord in the best way that I know how and hopefully, by someone reading this, turn one lost soul to Jesus.
The Beginning
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:3-5
The opening line of John pretty much says it all; Jesus was in the beginning at the creation of the earth. He was God’s son at the beginning of time and was with God.
This verse illustrates that all things were made by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and without Him, nothing was made. Without Him, there would be no life nor would there be human beings. Sadly, back then and even more so now, the light of men shined pretty dull and, in fact, most of it has gone completely out. Thankfully, the light of Christ still shines brightly to this day and no darkness can overcome it.
Other than this opening statement of John, there is further proof of Jesus’ existence at the beginning of time. That is easily found in the Book of Genesis 1:26 in the story of the Creation.
“Let Us make a man in Our image, according to Our likeness;…”
If not Jesus and the Holy Spirit then who was God talking to? Now, there are other places throughout the Old Testament where God’s Son is mentioned, He is the only man that ever lived whose life and death was foretold hundreds of years before His birth.
Since the Messiah was present at the Creation, it was not until the New Testament that He came to live with the humans. The story of His birth is recorded in first chapter of the Book of Luke. That would be the Christmas story. His genealogy is recorded at the beginning of Matthew.
However, no one knows if December 25th is really His birthday. It may have been moved to that date in the early centuries to correspond with other holidays. While interesting, those arguments are of little significance in getting to know the Lord and are better left to those with idle time because in the big picture, it just really does not matter. The important thing is that He was born.
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell the story of the Christ born of a Virgin. It amazes me how many people try to discredit this story and cannot accept it. It was prophesized in the Old Testament and still argued about to this day. While virgin births are also mentioned in mythology and other religions, it is only in Matthew and Luke that the Holy Spirit is the sole acting agent in the conception and not of “male seed.”
Some have pointed out that Paul in some of his letters made it clear that he knew nothing of a virgin birth.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born of the law…” Galatians 4:4
“Born of a woman” not “born of a virgin.” This is clearly just a play of words. Perhaps, Paul did not see the significance of calling Mary a virgin in this text. The story of His birth is even told in the Qur’an.
Other than his infancy, little is known of Jesus’ childhood years. In the early part of the second century there were several infancy gospels that appeared, but none of them were considered canonical. Except for the second chapter of Luke, there is no mention of Jesus as an adolescent. That story is pointed out to illustrate, that Jesus, as a twelve year old boy, was already had a clear idea of His identity. From there, Luke says that He grew in wisdom and stature and found favor with God and men.
It should be noted that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John’s purpose was not to tell the childhood adventures of Christ Jesus, but to focus on His ministry which began around the age of thirty and after His baptism.
Christ Changes Water Into Wine
The first miracle of Jesus came after His baptism and after He went alone into the wilderness and fasted for forty days and was tempted by Satan whom he rebuked. He went to a wedding with his Mother and some of his disciples. While they were there, Mary came to her Son and told Him that they were out of wine.
“Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” John 2:4
Jesus, at this point was trying to distance himself from his Mother. The fact that He called her “woman” instead of “Mother” illustrates this. Perhaps, His question showed some slight aggravation at Mary for asking him to help. Obviously, Mary knew that her son had special powers and she had probably witnessed them throughout His childhood, but Jesus knew that His mission in life was something far greater than a mother/son relationship. However, she had confidence that He would do as she asked. That is why she turned to the servants and told them to do whatever He asked. So when they had filled six water pots holding twenty or thirty gallons apiece, He changed the water into wine.
In my life, I have heard preachers and their followers say that all drinking is a sin. I have even heard some say that it was not actually wine that Jesus made, it was grape juice and that is simply not true. It was wine, pure and simple and wine is mentioned throughout the Bible. Jesus drank wine Himself, but it should be noted that back in the day, wine was often diluted with water to avoid drunkenness.
The Sermon on the Mount
“Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they will be called the sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:3-12
The Sermon on the Mount is the most beautiful and complex words ever spoken. These verses in the opening have come to be known as the Beatitudes. The “poor in spirit” here can mean anything from feeling blue and depressed to those who are spiritually lost in this world and know it. Salvation through Jesus Christ is freely given. All one has to do is ask and it will be done for them. Jesus is calling for anyone to lean on Him through the troubled times.
“Blessed at the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” Jesus quoted from Psalms 37:11 here. Through the years, this has become one of the most quoted verses and has been used in songs, movies, shows and books. Most scoff at it considering the world as it is, but being quiet, gentle of nature and showing submissiveness towards God’s will is a good thing and you will be rewarded. “…hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Not to be confused to self-righteousness. This is the people who strive God’s righteousness and not their own and in their quest to do so, they will be satisfied
Please be compassionate to others in your life because if you will show others mercy, God will also show you mercy. Always strive to have love for God and faith in Him in your heart. Your reward later will be great.
“Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall be called the Sons of God.” It would be wonderful if every world leader from the past through the future would keep this verse in mind when they are making their decisions. Even if some of them, in fact, thought they were God. However, this pertains to everyone, not just world leaders.
If one listened to churches, their doctrines and their congregations long enough, they would be convinced that they would burn in hell. When you confess your sins to the Lord, you are forgiven and that is that, it’s over. From there, you do your best not to do it again. For the brothers and sisters in the congregation, it is never over. They will talk about you behind your back. “He drinks, he smokes, and he’s had sex with a number of women.” “He left his wife and children.” “Did you know that he’s gay?” “Did you see what she was wearing this morning in church?” The list goes on of the things that you can hear when the service is over.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot of men.” Matthew 5:13
The salt here is a metaphor for the soul in this verse. Pure salt never loses its flavor unless it is contaminated. A soul that has been saved by Jesus will last forever.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
If you are a follower of Christ, let it show. Tell people, do not be ashamed although there are some who will scoff. Be proud and try to do good things in your life. A godly life brings glory to God.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20
Jesus wanted to make it clear to all that would listen that He did not come to change the laws of the Old Testament. He came to fulfill the law and the prophecies about Him. Whoever breaks the least of God’s laws will be called the least in heaven, while the one who keeps all of God’s commandments will be called the greatest. That is why Jesus came to earth, to save us from our sins because no man can keep the ten commandments. As simple as they are, there has never been a man that can keep them. I know I want to go to heaven and I would like to think that I will not be the least. However, if I do make it, I will be just as happy on latrine duty as I would as a ranking member. At least I would be there!
The Pharisees were an ancient Jewish religious group who followed Oral Law in addition to the Torah and attempted to live in a constant state of purity. The scribes were copiers of the Sefer Torah and other Jewish religious documents using a quill pen on parchment. The Pharisees sometimes focused on external obedience more than the actual law and this could be why Jesus was not a fan of them. The scribes perhaps did, in fact, change a jot or tittle somewhere down the line in their writings and that could be what Jesus is referring to here. Whatever the case, He is calling on his followers to exceed their righteousness.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not kill and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment,’ but I say to you that whoever is angry with their brother without a cause is in danger of judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council, but whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there, you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on your way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown in prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.” Matthew 5:21-26
Jesus makes it perfectly clear that we should not kill, but also stressed that we should control out anger toward each other as well including calling each other names. Raca means someone is worthless or empty-headed. Fool is a much stronger word and the point that Jesus is trying to make here is that verbal abuse stems from the same kind of anger and hatred that often leads to murder. He is also suggested that we resolve our conflicts with one another quickly and aggressively.
“You have heard that is was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of you members perish than your body be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you for it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than your whole body be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30.
If this deliberate and obvious exaggeration was taken literally, we would have a society of blind, handless people and I would certainly be one of them. Jesus is not saying that we should mutilate our bodies for that would not cure lust anyway. What He is saying that it would be more profitable to lose a part of your body than to go to hell.
“It has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce,’ but I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” Matthew 5:31-32
Churches have been sidestepping this one for years, but the plain and simple fact is God hates divorce. A man shall leave his parents and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh according to Genesis 2:24. This was God’s plan for marriage, but as we know, there were some problems with that idea because man and woman are such strong willed individuals. By Moses’ time, there were divorces and so he wrote a law concerning them. Deuteronomy 24 covers those laws and what Jesus was referring to was that the rabbis were handily passing out the divorces too readily. Paul later wrote about the principles of marriage in the 7th chapter of 1 Corinthians and added that a man or woman may divorce if their partner is an unbeliever. In any case, God hates divorce and no matter how convenient, a couple should never get one. So beware, that man or woman of your dreams just might end up as an everlasting nightmare that will not go away. Does that mean that those of us who have divorced are condemned? No, because we have the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; not by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair black or white. But let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37
What Christ is referring to is the use of careless, thoughtless and profane swears that people use in everyday life. How many times have you heard someone say, ’Oh, I swear to God!’ or one of the other many things that we should not swear by? We are all guilty. It would be a wonderful world if ‘yes’ meant yes and ‘no’ meant no and no middle ground in-between.
“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Matthew 5:38-42
Exodus 21:24 mentions this in the laws concerning violence. It is mentioned again in Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21. If these laws were used today, there would be little or no crime in this country. As Jesus had mentioned before, He did not come to change the law, but to fulfill it, so there is no attempt here to change it. He taught by example and this was His example. Personal retaliation is not recommended.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to you, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to those that hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends the rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48
For those of us on earth, this is hard to do. Jesus is simply saying that we should love everyone regardless of their race, creed or religion. Love your enemies as well as your neighbor although most of us find that we do not or cannot even love our neighbors. He is calling for us to love them as we love our families because we are the family of man and are all God’s children. Proverbs 25:21-22 states that you should give your enemy bread to eat and water to drink and by doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head and the Lord will reward you. Christ closes this statement with an impossible request for the human race, “you shall be perfect.” Christ’s mission is that He meets this standard for us.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6:1-4
How many times have you seen someone give to a charitable organization or to a church and make a big deal of it? Made possible from a grant from so & so? This is exactly what Jesus says about that sort of thing. That if you give, it should be made anonymously or in private and do not make a big deal out of it so that you will be publicly recognized for it. People that do that sort of thing have their reward by being seen by others. You should make your donations and contributions in private and God will reward you openly.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets that they may be seen of men. Assuredly, I say to you that have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven
Hallowed by Your name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
And do not lead us into temptation
But deliver us from the evil one
For Your’s is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.” Matthew 6:5-15
Jesus was perfect in all ways and in this passage; he teaches us how to say the perfect prayer. Who among us haven’t seen people stand up in church or somewhere in public at some other function and rattle on and on in prayer? They love to be seen and heard by others and, as Jesus said, that they have their reward. Pray in private for prayer is a private matter, it is between you and God, no one else. Do not use vain repetitions like some religions do for prayer should be a heartfelt thing, not just a recital of things you have already said a hundred times before. Think again if you think that you will be heard for your many words. Like Jesus said, your Father knows what you are in need of before you ask Him. Praise the Lord and thank the Lord daily in your prayers for the blessings in your life. Talk to the Lord daily, not just in prayer, but as a friend. He is my constant companion and I talk to Him like a friend because He is my best friend. No one knows me like the Lord and He is with me daily through my good moments as well as my bad.
Always forgive others the wrong that they have done you. Do not hold a grudge. If you forgive others, God will forgive you. If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you.
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:16-18
Some church organizations do not fast and neither do I, but I sure do need to! I am on the ‘all you can eat and drink buffet’ all day, everyday and according to most people’s size in this country, so are they. Consider fasting. It is a time to seek the Lord’s will and for prayer. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, surely we can make it at least one day.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where the moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth no rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures vary from person to person, but we all like treasures. Who does not want a house to live in or a car to drive? Just about everyone has a collection of something. While they may be a necessity for our well being or for our entertainment, Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God is where we should be building our treasures. When we are called to heaven, all that we take is our souls. All treasures and earthly things are left behind.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, you whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22, 23
Jesus uses a metaphor here. In this case, he is talking about the heart, not the eye, but the heart can hardly be called a lamp nor can it see the light. The light is the Will of God, the darkness is ungodly ways.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
Literally, you cannot serve God and Satan; you must serve one or the other. Mammon is material things such as money and the treasures spoken of earlier.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Matthew 6:25-27
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil or spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30
People do have a tendency to worry too much about everything. What will I eat? What will I drink? What will I wear? Where will I live? What shall I do about this, that and the other? What Jesus is saying here is that we should have faith that God will provide. He is not advocating laziness, drunkenness or suggesting that we should become sloth. We should not be idle, birds are not idle, and they seek and find the food that God has provided from them, it is not delivered to their nests.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all of these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34
Instead of worrying, Christ is calling for us to seek the kingdom of God. Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will have its own problems.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye, and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck in your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
Mercifully, judging folks is in God’s hands instead of peoples, but there are those of us who would love to be the judge. Sometimes, Christians are some of the most judgmental, self righteous people in the world and that don’t mind judging a person at all even if they don’t even really know the person that they are passing judgment on. Half of them do not even know what the Bible says even if they read it. As Jesus illustrated they think nothing at all about seeing a little speck in your eye while they have a whole board stuck in their own, they still want to judge. Just remember, if you judge harshly, your Father will also judge you harshly. Instead of judging people, pray for them.
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.” Matthew 7:6
Although much has been said of this statement, Jesus often spoke in parables and used metaphors. Under Jewish law, dogs and swine were considered unclean. In this context, they probably mean the snarling, scoffing opponents to the teachings of Christ who were rejecting the good news that He was preaching and how useless and sometimes dangerous it is to try and preach it to them.
“Ask, and it will be given unto you; seek and you shall find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give them a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11
Christ did not mean that all you have to do to get what you want is ask God for it, so asking for that new car or a winning lottery ticket is probably not going to happen. It has to be God’s will. It never hurts to ask and if it is His will, it is your’s, but as we have already discovered, God already knows what you are in need of before you ask. All a person can do is ask, God will decide what you need. Trust in Him.
Seek and you shall find. First, seek the will of God and the way to salvation through our Lord Jesus Chirst. That is what everybody should be looking for because in the end, nothing else matters. It can also apply to anything else in your life that you might be looking for. For instance, a job. You have to look for it. The chances of someone coming to your house and asking you to go to work for them are pretty slim. Have faith in Him. The mercy and salvation on the Lord is there for you. Knock and it will be opened for you.
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
This is the golden rule. It is used in most religions around the world, different words perhaps, but with the same meaning. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13,14.
Jesus is emphasizing that it is difficult to follow Him.
“Beware of false prophets, who will come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, not can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:15-20
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesized in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23
There is not enough time in the day to write about false prophets and teachers. Just turn on the TV and just about any televanglist you see will fit into that category. There’s no doubt about it, religion is big business with billions of dollars to be made and it seems that every wants their slice of the pie. Anyone who claims that they can heal, anyone who claims that know when the end of time will be or anyone who claims that they do anything other than what a normal human being can do is a false prophet/teacher and a liar. Beware of anyone who asks for money. Beware of anyone who preaches/teaches and does not follow Christ’s example. Did Jesus own mulimillion dollar homes? Did Jesus travel around the world in his own jet or ride in first class on airlines? Did Jesus ask for money? Did Jesus have accomadations at five star hotels when he traveled? Do you think these wealthy false teachers, preachers, and prophets would be so dedicated to spreading the Word if there was no money, they had to walk everywhere they went when they traveled and sleep on the ground?
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock: and the rain descended, the floods came , and the wind blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
But whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was that fall.” Matthew 7:24-29
The foundation of one’s faith should be built on the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what anyone else says, no matter what anyone else does, follow the teachings of the Lord and decide what is right for you in your life.
The Parable of the New Cloth and the Old Garment & New Wine in Old Wineskins
“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16-17
He said this parable to the disciples of John the Baptist when they came to Him and asked why they and the Pharisees fasted often, but the disciples of Jesus did not fast. Jesus first answered with this question, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Here He is saying that His disciples cannot fast as long as He is with them, but the day will come when He is taken away and then they will fast. As far as the parable goes, it means that Jesus is the New Covenant and trying to patch the New Covenant into the old one will not work. Using cloth and wine as examples, the ceremonial fasting of John’s disciples and the Pharisees under the old law was not fit for the New Covenant. Rituals have no part in the gospel.
The Parable of the Sower
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, more to him will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
‘Hearing you will not hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will not see and not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear, for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Therefore hear the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes, and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received the seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the world and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received the seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received the word on good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:3-23
In these verses, Christ tells the parable, is questioned by His disciples, explains to them why he speaks in parables, quotes Isaiah 6:9,10 and explains the parable to them. The seeds in this parable are the souls of men, the sower is Christ. Their souls are scattered along the wayside and are snatched up by Satan. The souls that were scattered along the stony paths are the souls of people that hear the Word, believe in Christ, have strong emotions about it for a short while and then when there is some adversity in their life, lose all faith. Those that fall in thorny places are the ones that put the Word in their life, but due to the cares and the desire for riches in their lives, put Jesus last and when that happens, they become unfaithful Christians. The ones planted in the good soil are the Christians that no matter what the crises is, always put Christ first in their lives and lead others by example.
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let them both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” Matthew 13:24-30
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Another parable He put forth to them saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that birds of the air come and rest on its branches.” Matthew 13:31,32
The Parable of the Leaven
Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid under three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it may be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying:
“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”
He answered and said to them: “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the son in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear! Matthew 13:33-43
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45,46
The Parable of the Dragnet
“Again the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into the vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:47-50
The Parable of the Householder
Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out his treasure things new and old.”
Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished these parables, that He departed from there. Matthew 13:51-53
We are not to reject the old for the new. We are to embrace both for greater understanding.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment was made. The servant therefore fell down before him saying, ‘Master have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Matthew 18:23-35
The message here is plain and simple. If God can forgive us for our transgressions which are many, why can’t we forgive those which owe us so little? Forgive each other and hold no grudges, if we do not, the heavenly Father may not forgive us.
The Parable of the Laborers
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard and whatever is right you will receive.’
So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have only worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is your’s and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:1-16
The last will be first and the first last. All are equal in the kingdom of God. A sinner who has been forgiven in the last hour of his life will be the same as those who have spent their whole lives laboring for Christ. All will enjoy the blessings of God. For many are called, but few chosen. All we can do is work toward the honor of being a Christian.
The Centurion’s Servant Is Healed
In Capernaum, a Roman centurion came to him pleading that He heal his sick servant who was paralyzed and dreadfully tormented. When Jesus said that He would come and heal him, the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Jesus marveled at the man’s faith and said to all who followed: “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from the east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:8-13
Here was a gentile Roman soldier with more faith in Jesus than many of His followers and what Jesus said to him did not sit well with some of the Jews because they believed that only the Jews would enter the kingdom of heaven. And here was Jesus telling them that they would be cast out and a bunch of Gentile heathens would be in.
A Paralytic is Healed
Again, in Capernaum, Jesus was teaching in a house and many were gathered there crowded inside and outside. Four men came bringing a paralytic, but they could not get near Jesus or even inside of the house. So the men climbed on top of the house and brought the paralytic with them. They removed some of the roofing making a hole in the roof and let the man who was strapped to his bed down through the hole.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, you sins are forgiven you.” Mark 2:5
In attendance at this meeting were some of the scribes and they were sitting there reasoning and wondering why Jesus speaks blasphemies thinking that no one can forgive sins but God.
But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned this within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ’Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”- He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed and go to your house.” Immediately, he arouse, took up the bed and went out in the presence of them all, so that were amazed and glorified God saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:8-12
The scribes were right in saying that only God can forgive sins, Isaiah 43:25 makes reference to this. Although they were wrong in thinking that He had blasphemed because Jesus Himself was God. It was just that they refused to accept that.
Dinner at Matthew’s
When Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him, Matthew has a big dinner over at his house and invited other tax collectors and other sinners. Apparently, Matthew knew quite a few. They all sat together with Jesus and His disciples. Obviously, there were some scribes and Pharisees in attendance and asked they asked His disciples why is it that Jesus could eat with tax collectors and sinners.
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