Mk9:15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.
It's impressive to see, how powerful and mighty Jesus was and how the people treated him.
And the people had a deciding position in Jesus' life:
Mk11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.
=>They made the scribes and chief priests fear Jesus.
BUT on the other side we can see how fast these people could change their mind:
Mk11:8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:...
AND:
Mk15:13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Mark 08
Mk8:38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
I think that it cannot be mentioned often enough (at least for me)!! If we are ashamed of Jesus and his words, then he will also be ashamed of us when He comes in glory.
So: Let us fight without fear for Jesus and for the truth, for this one truth that gives salvation.
I think that it cannot be mentioned often enough (at least for me)!! If we are ashamed of Jesus and his words, then he will also be ashamed of us when He comes in glory.
So: Let us fight without fear for Jesus and for the truth, for this one truth that gives salvation.
Mark 07
Mk.7:24And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.
Why does Jesus not want anyone to know? Didn't he himself said:
Lk8:16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. "
But if we read further:
Mk.7:26“Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
Jesus was sent to Israel. The task to spread salvation to the rest of the world was the job of the apostles:
Acts1:8"and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Why does Jesus not want anyone to know? Didn't he himself said:
Lk8:16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. "
But if we read further:
Mk.7:26“Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
Jesus was sent to Israel. The task to spread salvation to the rest of the world was the job of the apostles:
Acts1:8"and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Mark Chapter 06
Mk.6:51And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.
In german translation it says, that they were more shocked than amazed ("und sie entsetzten sich über die Maßen"). And the reason for that is explained/mentioned in verse 52(Mk.6:52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.).
Although they have seen this great and amazing miracle from Jesus, they did not understand. That's why Jesus also says:
John20:29 "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
In german translation it says, that they were more shocked than amazed ("und sie entsetzten sich über die Maßen"). And the reason for that is explained/mentioned in verse 52(Mk.6:52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.).
Although they have seen this great and amazing miracle from Jesus, they did not understand. That's why Jesus also says:
John20:29 "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Mark 14.15
Mark14
“50Then everyone deserted him and fled.”
Since the big topic of our RE lessons is Jesus fully human, fully God I paid more attention to the verses where Jesus was in situations in which every human can be in. Here the situation is that everyone left him. It is not like the situation when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray in a silent and calm place. Here Jesus was going to suffer and he was in trouble. Although the people could not help him but sometimes to be just present can be a big comfort and an act of care. The disciples did know that Jesus was going to suffer. He told them several times. Not that they were very sleepy when Jesus prayed they also left him. Of course it is not very nice of the disciples but for us as humans I think we should not criticise them too much because if we were in their places would we be able to follow Jesus in first place and left everything? The disciples did things for us to learn but also things we should learn not to do and be different. So this verse just shows us simply that we on earth can easily be deserted by everyone but also that Jesus was in this situation once and is fully able to understand us in this kind of situation. And when we think that Jesus situation was even worse than we can often laugh about ourselves because we already feel so stressed in a better situation.
Mark15
“43 Joseph of Arimathea […] was himself waiting for the kingdom of God […]."
The time to wait, watch and pray, to share the common goal and hope for the same home. That “the kingdom of heaven is near” (Mt3,2) was already said by John the Baptist.
“50Then everyone deserted him and fled.”
Since the big topic of our RE lessons is Jesus fully human, fully God I paid more attention to the verses where Jesus was in situations in which every human can be in. Here the situation is that everyone left him. It is not like the situation when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray in a silent and calm place. Here Jesus was going to suffer and he was in trouble. Although the people could not help him but sometimes to be just present can be a big comfort and an act of care. The disciples did know that Jesus was going to suffer. He told them several times. Not that they were very sleepy when Jesus prayed they also left him. Of course it is not very nice of the disciples but for us as humans I think we should not criticise them too much because if we were in their places would we be able to follow Jesus in first place and left everything? The disciples did things for us to learn but also things we should learn not to do and be different. So this verse just shows us simply that we on earth can easily be deserted by everyone but also that Jesus was in this situation once and is fully able to understand us in this kind of situation. And when we think that Jesus situation was even worse than we can often laugh about ourselves because we already feel so stressed in a better situation.
Mark15
“43 Joseph of Arimathea […] was himself waiting for the kingdom of God […]."
The time to wait, watch and pray, to share the common goal and hope for the same home. That “the kingdom of heaven is near” (Mt3,2) was already said by John the Baptist.
Mark 12.13
Mark12
“27He is not a God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken.”
It were the words "badly mistaken" who captured my attention. At least the disciples were not told this even if they do not understand everything.
“29”The most important one”, answered Jesus, “is this:
’Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31The second is this: ’Love your neighbour as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”
Although I have already heard of these verses so many times, I never really paid attention to verse 29. In German the verses are printed bold from verse 30 to 31. But the commandment does not start in verse 30, it starts in verse 29. Anyway, it is not bad at all to remind one often about these commandments. And one day these advices became part of you.
About reminding I had to think about the Israelites who have to put one different special thing on to remember God and the law he has given to them. But more important than to have these things you wear and put on is to put the word of God into the heart. Even if both the things and a heart can be forgotten/ become forgetful or become old, it is more useful to have them in the heart because there they can take affect on you and remind you to remind and in the end can change you so you will never forget.
Mark13
“37What I say to you, Is say to everyone; “Watch!””
So whoever thinks to belong to the everyone than “watch!”
“27He is not a God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken.”
It were the words "badly mistaken" who captured my attention. At least the disciples were not told this even if they do not understand everything.
“29”The most important one”, answered Jesus, “is this:
’Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31The second is this: ’Love your neighbour as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”
Although I have already heard of these verses so many times, I never really paid attention to verse 29. In German the verses are printed bold from verse 30 to 31. But the commandment does not start in verse 30, it starts in verse 29. Anyway, it is not bad at all to remind one often about these commandments. And one day these advices became part of you.
About reminding I had to think about the Israelites who have to put one different special thing on to remember God and the law he has given to them. But more important than to have these things you wear and put on is to put the word of God into the heart. Even if both the things and a heart can be forgotten/ become forgetful or become old, it is more useful to have them in the heart because there they can take affect on you and remind you to remind and in the end can change you so you will never forget.
Mark13
“37What I say to you, Is say to everyone; “Watch!””
So whoever thinks to belong to the everyone than “watch!”
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Mark 9.10.11
Mark 9
„40for whoever is not against us is for us.“
Jesus here mends that actions not against or hindering the work of God and his church is for us. With this sentence in mind we can think who our real enemy is. Is it a brother or sister in church who has other habits, your siblings who are annoying or your parents who are demanding for too much? As long as you cannot see an intended action or an attitude against God and his church we should not oppose this person. Sometimes we judge too quickly or get angry too quick. There are many good works done by people in the whole world.
Mark 10
“16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
(Just like in Mk9, 36)
Mark 11
“25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
After chapter 11 Jesus does not live in Capernaum anymore. He used to stay in Bethany with his twelve disciples. In verse 11,12,15,19,27 it is recorded how he travels between Jerusalem and Bethany. So he does not stayed the night in Jerusalem, while he went there everyday. And the occasion with the fig tree was on the way to Jerusalem on two different mornings.
„40for whoever is not against us is for us.“
Jesus here mends that actions not against or hindering the work of God and his church is for us. With this sentence in mind we can think who our real enemy is. Is it a brother or sister in church who has other habits, your siblings who are annoying or your parents who are demanding for too much? As long as you cannot see an intended action or an attitude against God and his church we should not oppose this person. Sometimes we judge too quickly or get angry too quick. There are many good works done by people in the whole world.
Mark 10
“16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
(Just like in Mk9, 36)
Mark 11
“25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
After chapter 11 Jesus does not live in Capernaum anymore. He used to stay in Bethany with his twelve disciples. In verse 11,12,15,19,27 it is recorded how he travels between Jerusalem and Bethany. So he does not stayed the night in Jerusalem, while he went there everyday. And the occasion with the fig tree was on the way to Jerusalem on two different mornings.
Mark 05
Mk.5:22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet
"And behold". Behold what? Behold, a ruler of a synagogue came to Jesus to fall at Jesus' feet and to ask him for something. He was actually very brave to do this. Because as we know, the Pharisees and the scribes disliked Jesus and i guess, that they convinced the rulers of the synagogues to reject Jesus.
However, he still had this courage to come before Jesus and also to fall down before him.
What we can learn from him, is to humble ourselves before God!Maybe some of you know the saying 進廟欺神 (as you are close to the temple of God, and you know each other well, you start to lose your respect for God and you don't take him that serious anymore).
If it becomes like that we have to ask ourselves immediately: What is God for us? What is faith for us?
"And behold". Behold what? Behold, a ruler of a synagogue came to Jesus to fall at Jesus' feet and to ask him for something. He was actually very brave to do this. Because as we know, the Pharisees and the scribes disliked Jesus and i guess, that they convinced the rulers of the synagogues to reject Jesus.
However, he still had this courage to come before Jesus and also to fall down before him.
What we can learn from him, is to humble ourselves before God!Maybe some of you know the saying 進廟欺神 (as you are close to the temple of God, and you know each other well, you start to lose your respect for God and you don't take him that serious anymore).
If it becomes like that we have to ask ourselves immediately: What is God for us? What is faith for us?
Mark 7.8
Mark 7
“37[…] “He has done everything well“, they said. “[…]
Mark 8
“36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul”
(“und nähme an seiner Seele Schaden”)
So our soul is an important part of us on which we have to pay special attention. It is very value and much more important and needed than the whole world.
I also thought about the song “It is well with my soul”. It does not matter if this person life is accompanied with peace or when he is surrounded by sorrows, this person had learned to keep his soul feeling well. (verse1) The reason why the person can keep this state and why he at first reached this state is though Jesus who had shed his blood and through whom all the sins are nailed to the cross. Therefore his soul is well and he can praise the Lord (verses2,3) And because he took care of his soul and did not allow it to take harm he can even say that his soul is well, when the Lord is descending.
That the soul is well might be at first to be at peace with God and yourself. Having that peace allows you to live a joyful life (in Chinese it is that the soul is 安樂)
“37[…] “He has done everything well“, they said. “[…]
Mark 8
“36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul”
(“und nähme an seiner Seele Schaden”)
So our soul is an important part of us on which we have to pay special attention. It is very value and much more important and needed than the whole world.
I also thought about the song “It is well with my soul”. It does not matter if this person life is accompanied with peace or when he is surrounded by sorrows, this person had learned to keep his soul feeling well. (verse1) The reason why the person can keep this state and why he at first reached this state is though Jesus who had shed his blood and through whom all the sins are nailed to the cross. Therefore his soul is well and he can praise the Lord (verses2,3) And because he took care of his soul and did not allow it to take harm he can even say that his soul is well, when the Lord is descending.
That the soul is well might be at first to be at peace with God and yourself. Having that peace allows you to live a joyful life (in Chinese it is that the soul is 安樂)
Mark 6.
“34[…] they were like sheep without a shepherd. […]
Is this not a sad image? And it is also reminding that we need a shepherd or that there somehow should be a shepherd. When you think of sheep you will automatically think of a shepherd. These two things belong together and should be together. How can someone be a shepherd when there are no sheep? And how can you be a sheep flock without a shepherd. Of course these two can exist without the other but it would be like that something is always missing and there is a hole which you can not fill on your own. Therefore I hope that we will not become like sheep without a shepherd which have to walk on their own.
Is this not a sad image? And it is also reminding that we need a shepherd or that there somehow should be a shepherd. When you think of sheep you will automatically think of a shepherd. These two things belong together and should be together. How can someone be a shepherd when there are no sheep? And how can you be a sheep flock without a shepherd. Of course these two can exist without the other but it would be like that something is always missing and there is a hole which you can not fill on your own. Therefore I hope that we will not become like sheep without a shepherd which have to walk on their own.
Markus 11
Markus 11, 22-24
"Habt Glauben an Gott!"
"Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Wer zu diesem Berge spräche: Heb dich und wirf dich ins Meer! und zweifle nicht in seinem Herzen, sondern glaubte, dass geschehen werde, was er sagt, so wird's ihm geschehen."
"Darum sage ich euch: Alles, was ihr bittet in eurem Gebet, glaubt nur, dass ihr's empfangt, so wird's euch zuteil werden."
When I read this verses, i only thought how amazing and powerful this verses are.
I never could imagine when i say to a rock or even a mountain that it should move, it could really happen. I think i should try it one day^^
I think this verse (23) shows us clearly what a power Jesus gives us. And the only thing we have to do is to believe and not to doubt in our hearts. It's easier said than done.
Would you say to a rock: "move!" without any doubts in your mind? I think it's not impossible but it is very very difficult.
So we want to try, try very hard, to believe in everything what Jesus said and in our prayer
--> so our dreams will comes true, very soon.
We must firmly believe in Jesus, like a little kid firmly believe in Nicolaus...
"Habt Glauben an Gott!"
"Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Wer zu diesem Berge spräche: Heb dich und wirf dich ins Meer! und zweifle nicht in seinem Herzen, sondern glaubte, dass geschehen werde, was er sagt, so wird's ihm geschehen."
"Darum sage ich euch: Alles, was ihr bittet in eurem Gebet, glaubt nur, dass ihr's empfangt, so wird's euch zuteil werden."
When I read this verses, i only thought how amazing and powerful this verses are.
I never could imagine when i say to a rock or even a mountain that it should move, it could really happen. I think i should try it one day^^
I think this verse (23) shows us clearly what a power Jesus gives us. And the only thing we have to do is to believe and not to doubt in our hearts. It's easier said than done.
Would you say to a rock: "move!" without any doubts in your mind? I think it's not impossible but it is very very difficult.
So we want to try, try very hard, to believe in everything what Jesus said and in our prayer
--> so our dreams will comes true, very soon.
We must firmly believe in Jesus, like a little kid firmly believe in Nicolaus...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Mark Chapter 04
Mk.4:37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
Mk.4:38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.
Jesus has a very deep sleep. Although great windstorms arose and the waves beat INTO the boat, he could continue to sleep. And because he slept so well, his disciples asked him, as they woke him up:
Mk.4:38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.
Jesus has a very deep sleep. Although great windstorms arose and the waves beat INTO the boat, he could continue to sleep. And because he slept so well, his disciples asked him, as they woke him up:
“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”(Mk.4:38)
Don't we sometimes think, that God is "sleeping" and not really caring about us? Just in times of trouble and need, we will start asking God, where he is and if he does "not care that we are perishing".
In times like these, we must not forget all the grace he gave us before. If we think of what he has done to us before, then we will not doubt anymore and we will get even more grace from God.
So: Count the blessings of the LORD!!!
Don't we sometimes think, that God is "sleeping" and not really caring about us? Just in times of trouble and need, we will start asking God, where he is and if he does "not care that we are perishing".
In times like these, we must not forget all the grace he gave us before. If we think of what he has done to us before, then we will not doubt anymore and we will get even more grace from God.
So: Count the blessings of the LORD!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Mark 6
Mark 6 : 11
11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."
My comment:
I like this verse very much. Jesus tells his disciples don`t to accept anything (even the dust on their feet) from people who are against God and against us. In fact it is very wise don`t to accept anything from our enemies. Their gifts are bad presents and often with intrigues. So be careful and don`t desire to receive things from people who are against us. It means also don`t to keep their words in your mind because their words are often confusing and hurting you.
11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."
My comment:
I like this verse very much. Jesus tells his disciples don`t to accept anything (even the dust on their feet) from people who are against God and against us. In fact it is very wise don`t to accept anything from our enemies. Their gifts are bad presents and often with intrigues. So be careful and don`t desire to receive things from people who are against us. It means also don`t to keep their words in your mind because their words are often confusing and hurting you.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Mark 5.
“36 “Ignore what they said”, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”
In this chapter are three more in detail recorded miracles performed by Jesus. The first one is the healing of a demon- possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes which is not far away from Capernaum. I think in Mark it is more often mentioned that Jesus is speaking to them by the lake. It also seems, as if Jesus only went to the region of Gerasenes for a very short time and the only action he did was healing this man. Because right after Jesus got out of the boat this possessed man approached him. And after the man was healed the people of the town heard though those who are tending the pigs what has happened and came to plead with Jesus to leave their region. So Jesus was getting on the boat again to cross the lake to the other side. Something remarkable is that when the healed man wants to follow Jesus that Jesus told this man (like the man before) to go home. But not only go home but to remember the good thing that happened to him and to tell other people “how much the Lord has done for [him]”(V19) So this time there is a explicit reason why the one receiving the blessing should stay or return to the former environment.
It is also funny that the evil spirits came to beg Jesus to allow them to went into the pigs. Otherwise they would be just cast out (not knowing where? Ja where are the demons when they are being cased out? You may remember the verses in Mt12,43 which gives us possibilities where the evil spirit may went to. One can be arid places but wherever it is it can not find rest. By the way can evil spirits be killed? Or are they something that is not living… because we would imagine, at least I do, a evil spirit like an animal or something living. But maybe we can just see by the name it was given “spirit” that it is different from what we usually can observe. Spirit is something different as God also is spirit… At least we know that these evil spirits can harm people and make them unhappy and they are not good.).
When Jesus reached the other side again a man approached to him and asked him for a favour. He likes Jesus to heal his 12 years old daughter who is deadly ill. On the way there another woman also wanted to receive healing and touched Jesus clothes. And immediately her illness was healed without Jesus doing any actions or speaking anything. It seems that Jesus did it not out of himself but that this power from God went thought Jesus to this woman by the will of God without Jesus knowing it before. Because Jesus is in limited like every other human by time and space so he may not have noticed this woman. (But this also can be doubted because the thoughts and intensions or feelings from the people around him he was able to know them. A try to explain it can be that there were to many people around him and that Jesus as human is as already mentioned limited as in comparison to God as a spirit.)
After this little incident he went to the house of the man and healed his daughter although she was already considered dead.
In this chapter are three more in detail recorded miracles performed by Jesus. The first one is the healing of a demon- possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes which is not far away from Capernaum. I think in Mark it is more often mentioned that Jesus is speaking to them by the lake. It also seems, as if Jesus only went to the region of Gerasenes for a very short time and the only action he did was healing this man. Because right after Jesus got out of the boat this possessed man approached him. And after the man was healed the people of the town heard though those who are tending the pigs what has happened and came to plead with Jesus to leave their region. So Jesus was getting on the boat again to cross the lake to the other side. Something remarkable is that when the healed man wants to follow Jesus that Jesus told this man (like the man before) to go home. But not only go home but to remember the good thing that happened to him and to tell other people “how much the Lord has done for [him]”(V19) So this time there is a explicit reason why the one receiving the blessing should stay or return to the former environment.
It is also funny that the evil spirits came to beg Jesus to allow them to went into the pigs. Otherwise they would be just cast out (not knowing where? Ja where are the demons when they are being cased out? You may remember the verses in Mt12,43 which gives us possibilities where the evil spirit may went to. One can be arid places but wherever it is it can not find rest. By the way can evil spirits be killed? Or are they something that is not living… because we would imagine, at least I do, a evil spirit like an animal or something living. But maybe we can just see by the name it was given “spirit” that it is different from what we usually can observe. Spirit is something different as God also is spirit… At least we know that these evil spirits can harm people and make them unhappy and they are not good.).
When Jesus reached the other side again a man approached to him and asked him for a favour. He likes Jesus to heal his 12 years old daughter who is deadly ill. On the way there another woman also wanted to receive healing and touched Jesus clothes. And immediately her illness was healed without Jesus doing any actions or speaking anything. It seems that Jesus did it not out of himself but that this power from God went thought Jesus to this woman by the will of God without Jesus knowing it before. Because Jesus is in limited like every other human by time and space so he may not have noticed this woman. (But this also can be doubted because the thoughts and intensions or feelings from the people around him he was able to know them. A try to explain it can be that there were to many people around him and that Jesus as human is as already mentioned limited as in comparison to God as a spirit.)
After this little incident he went to the house of the man and healed his daughter although she was already considered dead.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mark Chapter 03
Mk.3:5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts
There were times, when I felt like Jesus (but of course it was because of little things). This inner anger and grief cannot be described.
And even Jesus had this feeling, when he saw the hardness of their hearts. Towards what were their hearts hardened??
=> about the way, which God chose to save his nation. They couldn't accept, that Jesus was the one to come and the one to save them. He expected another, maybe a more glamorous savior- but not Jesus. Their heart were so hard, that they ignored all the miracles of Jesus (which were actually quite a lot. See also how they reacted, when Jesus casts out demons:
Mk.3:22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”).
As Jesus says, that we shall "not do according to their(the pharisee's) works"(Mt.23:3).
So we should not harden our hearts towards God, but soften it. We should let God work in us, so that we may become more perfect. But soften does not mean, that we should accept everything we hear!! We must not let false prophets abuse our heart and lead it astray. We have to "Watch and pray, lest [we] enter into temptation."(Mt.26,41).
Conclusion: We have to soften our heart towards God, but everything else we have to test, if it is according to the bible.
If we do so, then Jesus wil not be "grieved by the hardness of their hearts"(Mk.3:5)
There were times, when I felt like Jesus (but of course it was because of little things). This inner anger and grief cannot be described.
And even Jesus had this feeling, when he saw the hardness of their hearts. Towards what were their hearts hardened??
=> about the way, which God chose to save his nation. They couldn't accept, that Jesus was the one to come and the one to save them. He expected another, maybe a more glamorous savior- but not Jesus. Their heart were so hard, that they ignored all the miracles of Jesus (which were actually quite a lot. See also how they reacted, when Jesus casts out demons:
Mk.3:22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”).
As Jesus says, that we shall "not do according to their(the pharisee's) works"(Mt.23:3).
So we should not harden our hearts towards God, but soften it. We should let God work in us, so that we may become more perfect. But soften does not mean, that we should accept everything we hear!! We must not let false prophets abuse our heart and lead it astray. We have to "Watch and pray, lest [we] enter into temptation."(Mt.26,41).
Conclusion: We have to soften our heart towards God, but everything else we have to test, if it is according to the bible.
If we do so, then Jesus wil not be "grieved by the hardness of their hearts"(Mk.3:5)
Mark chapter 05
9 Then Jesus asked him, What is your name? My name is Legion, he replied, for we are many.
10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
Here comes me two thoughts. First, the demons should also be able to unite as one. I remember someone among us has shared something alike, kind of that demon can do some good things as we do or something. Anyway, it reminds me to keep watching, for fear of gathering each other on the basis of physical or mental solidarity, but not of spiritual union.
Second, the man who was invaded by thoudsands of demons is indeed a warning to us, because this man must has given demons a big and comfortable house to live. Let's imagine it. Is thoudsands of demon attacked him at one time? I think it must be one by one, or one with seven and so on(Mt 12.43-45). So, unwares, so many demons accumulated in this man's mind and he couldn't escape from their control any more. So I think of this verse (Jas 1.14-15):
14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
The sin comes from a process of pregnancy and birth, so it doesn't appear suddenly, but develope gradually nourished by our desires, bad thoughts or weakness. So, let us be good watchmen, of ourselves and also of each other!
Mark chapter 04
21 He said to them, Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand?
22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.
This parable was once explained in previous convocation by Preacheur Chen. And I'd like to think about it more clearly.
The parable of lamp comes after the explanation of those seeds who have 30x, 60x and 100x grains, because Jesus would like to talk about being fruitful. Here, the lamp is something with the function of lightening, so it should do its mission, no matter it was hidden or concealed at moment. Jesus reminds us to listen and to consider it carefully:
24 Consider carefully what you hear, he continued. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you- and even more.
Just as the lamp was filled with oil and use it to do its mission, we should also use the teachings we've listened and received to yeild fruits, which will be the measere to us in the end time.
25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
So, whoever has DONE will be given more; whoever does not have DONE, even what he has will be taken from him. So, Jesus's point is if we go to do something.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mark Chapter 02
Mk.2:27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
Here we see, that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. God does not want to restrict us in order to make our life more difficult. But he wants to help us in our daily life. He does not force us to do nothing on Sabbath, but he gives us a chance to rest on that day. And not only to rest physically but also psychologically.
If we take advantage of this, then we are blessed on this day and our body and spirit can rest in God (that's something very important!!!).
So: If we keep the Sabbath, we will do good to ourselves. But if we don't we will not harm God, but we will harm ourselves (our spiritual life and maybe also our physical life). God will not be hurt, if we don't keep the Sabbath.
Here we see, that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. God does not want to restrict us in order to make our life more difficult. But he wants to help us in our daily life. He does not force us to do nothing on Sabbath, but he gives us a chance to rest on that day. And not only to rest physically but also psychologically.
If we take advantage of this, then we are blessed on this day and our body and spirit can rest in God (that's something very important!!!).
So: If we keep the Sabbath, we will do good to ourselves. But if we don't we will not harm God, but we will harm ourselves (our spiritual life and maybe also our physical life). God will not be hurt, if we don't keep the Sabbath.
Mark Ch4
“6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.”
This is one part from the parable of the sower which is one of the many parables Jesus were speaking to the crowd.
(when i spoke of being "scorched" I was more relating to the german word"verwelken" which means that the plant is running out of water and when if does not receive it it will die synonyms are : nicht mehr grünen (thats nice), eingehen, absterben (just nearly dead))
This is one part from the parable of the sower which is one of the many parables Jesus were speaking to the crowd.
Although the seed grew fast, it was not rooted. Therefore when the sun came up it withered. We know from further explanations of Jesus that the sun represents troubles because of the word they hear. It seems that the difficulties are not “normal” once but once which comes up because the person has received the word.
(when i spoke of being "scorched" I was more relating to the german word"verwelken" which means that the plant is running out of water and when if does not receive it it will die synonyms are : nicht mehr grünen (thats nice), eingehen, absterben (just nearly dead))
Mark Ch3
“25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
In the verses before the scribes said that he is “possessed […] by the prince of demons” (v22) and even his family said that he is “out of his mind” (v21). That all because he healed so many people and is crowded by so many people that he and his disciples hardly have time to even eat something (v20)
Therefore he told them this parable about a house. To exist as a house the inside must be strong and united. Unless it is strong it cannot stand and will fall apart. A very strong bond is being related by blood. But there is not only the one from parents and children but also the blood of Jesus which unify us and also that “whoever does God’s will is [Jesus’] brother and sister and mother.This also tells us about our attitude. How can a team compeat when it is bussy with compeating inside?
It is quite interesting that he answered with such logic reply to a "spiritual" regarding question. Everyone weather religious, beliving or a atheist has to accept this statement if this person is willing to hear the answer.
Markus 4
Markus 4
26-29: Vom Wachsen der Saat
"Und ersprach: Mit dem Reich Gottes ist es so, wie wenn ein Mensch Samen aufs Land wirft und schläft und aufsteht, Nacht und Tag; und der Same geht auf und wächst- er weiß nicht, wie.
Denn von selbst bringt die Erde Frucht, zuerst den Halm, danach die Ähre, danach den vollen Weizen in der Ähre.
Wenn sie aber die Frucht gebracht hat, so schickt er alsbald die Sichel hin; denn die Ernte ist da."
We humans often do not know how we should behave or what we should do in some difficult moments. (er weißt nicht, wie..)
But God is our ground and our rock. He will show us the right way, like the sun shows a plant where is light and where it should grow: (Denn von selbst bringt die Erde Frucht) We will grow up slowly and well with god's help. So we do not need to worry to much because we should always have in our mind that God is with us forever.
And in the end god will send his angels to collect us. (so schickt er alsbald die Sichel hin; denn die Ernte ist da) ^^
26-29: Vom Wachsen der Saat
"Und ersprach: Mit dem Reich Gottes ist es so, wie wenn ein Mensch Samen aufs Land wirft und schläft und aufsteht, Nacht und Tag; und der Same geht auf und wächst- er weiß nicht, wie.
Denn von selbst bringt die Erde Frucht, zuerst den Halm, danach die Ähre, danach den vollen Weizen in der Ähre.
Wenn sie aber die Frucht gebracht hat, so schickt er alsbald die Sichel hin; denn die Ernte ist da."
We humans often do not know how we should behave or what we should do in some difficult moments. (er weißt nicht, wie..)
But God is our ground and our rock. He will show us the right way, like the sun shows a plant where is light and where it should grow: (Denn von selbst bringt die Erde Frucht) We will grow up slowly and well with god's help. So we do not need to worry to much because we should always have in our mind that God is with us forever.
And in the end god will send his angels to collect us. (so schickt er alsbald die Sichel hin; denn die Ernte ist da) ^^
Mark chapter 03
4 Then Jesus asked them, [...] But they remained silent.
5 He looked round at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts[...]
Here Jesus expressed his anger coming with a deeply distress. Of course he was angry at their blind obedience to the teachings of Rabbis, but the most thing aroused his anger should be their silence. Which meant that they did know the answer but just wouldn't like to admit it. Just like those Pharisees and scribes who heckled Jesus and pretended having no answer to Jesus's re-question(Mt 21.23-27),the behavior of keeping silent or pretending having no idea is not honest nor humble. That's why Jesus saw them stbborn and hypocritical. In front of the Truth, yse is yes, and no is no. All Jesus asked us is to admit our sins and faults with heart and honesty.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Mark Chapter 01
Mk.1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Why does Jesus rise up a long while before daylight? Because he wants to pray at a solitary place.
We can see, that it is very often the case, that Jesus goes to a solitary place to pray after he has performed great miracles. He is aware of the danger of pride.
He knows, how to win against human nature.
He knows that God will help him to overcome these temptations and that God will lead him, if he wants to.
Do we also go to a solitary place, after we have done or experienced something amazing in our life? Do we give all the honor and glory to God, which we might have received from this world?
Why does Jesus rise up a long while before daylight? Because he wants to pray at a solitary place.
We can see, that it is very often the case, that Jesus goes to a solitary place to pray after he has performed great miracles. He is aware of the danger of pride.
He knows, how to win against human nature.
He knows that God will help him to overcome these temptations and that God will lead him, if he wants to.
Do we also go to a solitary place, after we have done or experienced something amazing in our life? Do we give all the honor and glory to God, which we might have received from this world?
Little sharing about Father's Home
Just a reply to totoro's sharing about home:) . Here comes me a song again. So I translated the lyrics and share it with you. I like the sentence that "At Father's home, there are many rooms". In Taiwanese, "many" said as "多多" (ㄗㄨㄟ ㄗㄨㄟ, something like what totoro liked "大大", hehe...). Ok, hope that we all can be taken to Father's glorious house, after finishing our work in the world.
By the way, where are Peng, Miki and Maggie? There are some time without your messages. Miss your words ne:)
_________________________________________________
In My Father’s House (Based on Jn 14.1-6)
words & music by Pepper Choplin
The apostles gather closely to listen to what Lord has promised
If you heard of the Truth and are willing to obey it,
There will be great reward in Heaven
And Lord said,
In Father’s house, there are many rooms
In Father’s house, there's the place
Those who trust in me will live with me forever
Because in Father’s house, I've prepared a place for you
Don’t let your heart be in troubled. You should trust in me right away
If you trust in me,
You will see me how glorious in Heaven
And Lord said,
In Father’s house, there are many rooms
In Father’s house, there’s the place
Those who believe in me will live with me forever
Because in Father’s house, I've prepared a place for you
I’ll always be with you
With my company, you shall never be alone
When you finish your work in the world,
I’ll take you to Father’s house
And Lord promised,
In Father’s house, there are many rooms
In Father’s house, there’s the place
Those who believe in me will live with me forever
Because in Father’s house, I've prepared a place for you
In Father’s house, in my Father’s house,
In my Father's house, Father’s house…
_____________________________________________________
Mark Ch 2
"11I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."
Only powerful words are needed to be told to make a sick man strong. After Jesus saw their effort to bring this man forward to him and saw the faith of all of them he forgives the sins of this paralytic man.
But what I liked about this verse is the part about go home. We all have a home and maybe more than one. It depends on what places you make to your home and in which locations you feel like home. When you feel home it is a comfortable and careless feeling which can be described as warm. So it can be the place where you grew up but also various different places can be your home and some can become your new home as well as some homes can be lost. I hope that we all have two nice homes one by our parents and with our siblings and the other in the church. So we have a place to go and a place to put our mat to in order to rest and find relief.
I hope that we all can go often to our home to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Of course the term “home” is also been closely linked to the home in heaven which our father has prepared for us. But first we have to learn to behave appropriate in the homes on earth in order to go to the better home:)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Matthew Chapter 28
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
This verse is often quoted by other denominations to justify their baptism. Because they baptise in the name of "the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
But if we look at this verse more precisely, we can see, that this "name" is singular (at least in german it's very clearly "auf den Namen"). So there is one name for them. And as we all know, this name is "Jesus":
John17:11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.
I think that you all know the other bible verses, which prove, what I am talking about. I will just list them up:
Acts2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts4:10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
Acts4:11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
Acts4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
... And there are many more...
This verse is often quoted by other denominations to justify their baptism. Because they baptise in the name of "the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
But if we look at this verse more precisely, we can see, that this "name" is singular (at least in german it's very clearly "auf den Namen"). So there is one name for them. And as we all know, this name is "Jesus":
John17:11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.
I think that you all know the other bible verses, which prove, what I am talking about. I will just list them up:
Acts2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts4:10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
Acts4:11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
Acts4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
... And there are many more...
Matthew Chapter 27
Mt.27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
Mt.27:12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
Mt.27:13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
Mt.27:14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
In this passage we can read Jesus last words recorded in Matthew before he cires out “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” . So in Matthew he does not say a word during the entire process of his conviction, mocking (i mean when he was mocked) and crucifiction. That's really hard to achieve. If someone accuse you, although you are innocent, you would immediately "stand up, speak up" yourself and answer back (sich verteidigen).
So we will ask ourselves: Why does Jesus do this??
=> He knew the will of God, and what his purpose on earth was. So if he defended himself, he would act against the will of God.
Now we ask ourselves: Do we know when to speak and when to be still?? Do we act due to the will of God??
Mt.27:12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
Mt.27:13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
Mt.27:14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
In this passage we can read Jesus last words recorded in Matthew before he cires out “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” . So in Matthew he does not say a word during the entire process of his conviction, mocking (i mean when he was mocked) and crucifiction. That's really hard to achieve. If someone accuse you, although you are innocent, you would immediately "stand up, speak up" yourself and answer back (sich verteidigen).
So we will ask ourselves: Why does Jesus do this??
=> He knew the will of God, and what his purpose on earth was. So if he defended himself, he would act against the will of God.
Now we ask ourselves: Do we know when to speak and when to be still?? Do we act due to the will of God??
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Mark chapter 01
38 Jesus replied, Let us go somewhere else- to the nearby villages- so that I can preach there also. That is why I have come.
The discipes come to find Jesus with somehow blame because many people came to ask Jesus to heal them but failed to find him. The disciples didn't know the tasks Jesus has charged, but Jesus did. He knew very clearly the reason why he has come, because he devoted lots of time to prayer.
So, we should also devote to prayer, think about the reason why we have come (to any situation, or to any place) and try to fulfill it. Just as this teaching:
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1Peter 2.21)
So, to what were we called?
The discipes come to find Jesus with somehow blame because many people came to ask Jesus to heal them but failed to find him. The disciples didn't know the tasks Jesus has charged, but Jesus did. He knew very clearly the reason why he has come, because he devoted lots of time to prayer.
So, we should also devote to prayer, think about the reason why we have come (to any situation, or to any place) and try to fulfill it. Just as this teaching:
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1Peter 2.21)
So, to what were we called?
Matthew Chapter 26
The story with Peter denying Jesus is very known. But I would like to look at it a bit more deeply:
Mt.26:33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
Mt.26:34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
Mt.26:35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.
So if we look at the last sentence: "And so said all the disciples." we can see, that not only he said this. But all the other disciples said the same and said, that even if they had to die with Jesus, they would not deny him.
And they all acted in the same way:
Mt.26:56Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
But after they fled, Peter was the only one, who had this boldness to follow Jesus and to see, what would be done to him. Although he denyed Jesus afterwards, I still think, that he was more courageous than the other disciples- and that is already a big step towards his goal.
Mt.26:33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
Mt.26:34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
Mt.26:35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.
So if we look at the last sentence: "And so said all the disciples." we can see, that not only he said this. But all the other disciples said the same and said, that even if they had to die with Jesus, they would not deny him.
And they all acted in the same way:
Mt.26:56Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
But after they fled, Peter was the only one, who had this boldness to follow Jesus and to see, what would be done to him. Although he denyed Jesus afterwards, I still think, that he was more courageous than the other disciples- and that is already a big step towards his goal.
Mark Ch1
32-35 “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed [...] and Jesus healed many […] and drove out many demons. […]Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
What I just wanted to show was that Jesus might not slept very long that night. He healed while the sun already was set and he got up to pray when the sun was still not out. It seems that in that time there where many sick people and people possessed by demons. And today? Can we observe demon possessed people? What is the appearance today?
In this first chapter of mark there are many things simplyfied and shortened.
Daniela has no access to the internet. She also might be unable to post for this week.
What I just wanted to show was that Jesus might not slept very long that night. He healed while the sun already was set and he got up to pray when the sun was still not out. It seems that in that time there where many sick people and people possessed by demons. And today? Can we observe demon possessed people? What is the appearance today?
In this first chapter of mark there are many things simplyfied and shortened.
Daniela has no access to the internet. She also might be unable to post for this week.
Matthew Ch28
“8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.”
I liked the combination of being afraid and still be joyful. In Chinese its even a 大大 joy. It is indeed really something to be very joyful. Jesus resurrected. And now we do not only, in comparison to other religions, have a Lord that died but also won the victory and came back to his disciples to give them a last commission and the assurance to be with them always, to the very end of age. And this very and of age is not here yet so he is also telling us this. But still to this joy we also still have to be afraid which I closely relate to something more like respecting. Our God does not only love but is also a mighty, powerful and righteous God. It is strange to combine these two feelings together but it is maybe the right attitude. On the one hand we need not to be only afraid like some people in the middle age were they punished themselves. (Therefore David once said: it is better to be in the hand of God than in the hand of the enemy)On the other hand we should not be like some people today who only want to see the God of love and forget about all the other teachings and his mightiness and his superior position.
I liked the combination of being afraid and still be joyful. In Chinese its even a 大大 joy. It is indeed really something to be very joyful. Jesus resurrected. And now we do not only, in comparison to other religions, have a Lord that died but also won the victory and came back to his disciples to give them a last commission and the assurance to be with them always, to the very end of age. And this very and of age is not here yet so he is also telling us this. But still to this joy we also still have to be afraid which I closely relate to something more like respecting. Our God does not only love but is also a mighty, powerful and righteous God. It is strange to combine these two feelings together but it is maybe the right attitude. On the one hand we need not to be only afraid like some people in the middle age were they punished themselves. (Therefore David once said: it is better to be in the hand of God than in the hand of the enemy)On the other hand we should not be like some people today who only want to see the God of love and forget about all the other teachings and his mightiness and his superior position.
Matthew Ch27
„50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”
This whole chapter reminds us about his death. How he died and why he died.This reminds me about Acts and the first Christians. They devoted themselves to the apostles´ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer. (Act 2,42). Beside to follow the teachings and to pray they were kept themselves reminding about Jesus. Sometimes we start get bored to be reminded about his death. When this happens or when we have stopped to feel anything about him dying for us, than we have to start to reflect and tell ourselves to hold for a second and to think really hard about what happened to us. Something must be wrong than.
This whole chapter reminds us about his death. How he died and why he died.This reminds me about Acts and the first Christians. They devoted themselves to the apostles´ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer. (Act 2,42). Beside to follow the teachings and to pray they were kept themselves reminding about Jesus. Sometimes we start get bored to be reminded about his death. When this happens or when we have stopped to feel anything about him dying for us, than we have to start to reflect and tell ourselves to hold for a second and to think really hard about what happened to us. Something must be wrong than.
Little sharing about Galilee
The location "Galilee" brings a song into my head. I'd like to share it with you. The lyrics here is translated by me from the Taiwanese transcrip. It just talks about the memories we have with Jesus. Thanks for the footprints along the seashore of Galilee, we can go through everyday. Enjoy it! :)
ps. Sorry, please turn up the vollume due to the low quality of my file.
_________________________________________________
Footprints in the sand
lyrics by Joseph M. Martin; music by David Angerman
Lord, your tender voice is gentlly calling me to follow you
Lord, your footprints in the sand guide me to return to you
I've passed through deep darkness and valleys of death
That's your footprints along the paths leading me step by step after you
Those are the footprints in the sand along the seashore of Galilee
Those are the footprints in the sand extending to Golgotha
How beautiful the footprints are
The footprints of King of Peace
We're thankful that you gave us footprints in the sand
Lord, I saw you walking along the sparkling seashore at dawn
Lord, I can see your footprints along the seashore till dusk
Leading me go ahead
Calling me work hard
I know that Lord is always with me and that I'm never alone
Those are the footprints in the sand along the seashore of Galilee
Those are the footprints in the sand extending to Golgotha
How beautiful the footprints are
The footprints of King of Peace
We're thankful that you gave us footprints in the sand
Our saviour came to this world to lighten our ways
Today the paths he has been through still glorify
The sand of time couldn't cover his footprints at all
Those who search for him will all find Him
Those are the footprints in the sand along the seashore of Galilee
Those are the footprints in the sand extending to Golgotha
How beautiful the footprints are
The footprints of King of Peace
We're thankful that you gave us footprints in the sand ___________________________________________
ps. Sorry, please turn up the vollume due to the low quality of my file.
_________________________________________________
Footprints in the sand
lyrics by Joseph M. Martin; music by David Angerman
Lord, your tender voice is gentlly calling me to follow you
Lord, your footprints in the sand guide me to return to you
I've passed through deep darkness and valleys of death
That's your footprints along the paths leading me step by step after you
Those are the footprints in the sand along the seashore of Galilee
Those are the footprints in the sand extending to Golgotha
How beautiful the footprints are
The footprints of King of Peace
We're thankful that you gave us footprints in the sand
Lord, I saw you walking along the sparkling seashore at dawn
Lord, I can see your footprints along the seashore till dusk
Leading me go ahead
Calling me work hard
I know that Lord is always with me and that I'm never alone
Those are the footprints in the sand along the seashore of Galilee
Those are the footprints in the sand extending to Golgotha
How beautiful the footprints are
The footprints of King of Peace
We're thankful that you gave us footprints in the sand
Our saviour came to this world to lighten our ways
Today the paths he has been through still glorify
The sand of time couldn't cover his footprints at all
Those who search for him will all find Him
Those are the footprints in the sand along the seashore of Galilee
Those are the footprints in the sand extending to Golgotha
How beautiful the footprints are
The footprints of King of Peace
We're thankful that you gave us footprints in the sand ___________________________________________
Matthew chapter 28
(Mt 28.10) Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brother that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
In the last chapter of Gospel Matthew, Jesus was risen from the dead and asked the disciples to go to Galilee to meet him. However, why Galilee? Why at this moment? As the records in Act 1, before being taked to the heaven, Jesus asked the disciples to go to Jerusalem again, to stay there praying and waiting for the holy esprit. So, why did Jesus recall the disciples go back first from Jerusalem to Galilee since his resurrection?
I reviewed Jesus's whole life and his paths and found that Province Galilee is where he's from and where the disciples were chosen. Jesus spent most of his time in this area preaching, saving people and training his disciples. I think that Galilee was the very place memorable to all the disciples. They can recall many things there, like as the touching moment, the parapoles they heard, the difficulties they faced, and the peace and the joy they experenced...etc. (Just as what we're doing. We finish reading this Gospel and try to recall what we experienced with Jesus in this month:) ) I think that one of the meanings to recall them back to this "start-point" is to make them recall the mood that they decided to follow Jesus. Besides, this is also an important preperation for sending them to preach in the future. So, whenever we became weak, we should go back to our start-point of faith to recall our memories with God and to restrenthen ourselves; whenever we're going to do some works for God, we should go back to our secret base with God to search for strength and teachings.
In the last chapter of Gospel Matthew, Jesus was risen from the dead and asked the disciples to go to Galilee to meet him. However, why Galilee? Why at this moment? As the records in Act 1, before being taked to the heaven, Jesus asked the disciples to go to Jerusalem again, to stay there praying and waiting for the holy esprit. So, why did Jesus recall the disciples go back first from Jerusalem to Galilee since his resurrection?
I reviewed Jesus's whole life and his paths and found that Province Galilee is where he's from and where the disciples were chosen. Jesus spent most of his time in this area preaching, saving people and training his disciples. I think that Galilee was the very place memorable to all the disciples. They can recall many things there, like as the touching moment, the parapoles they heard, the difficulties they faced, and the peace and the joy they experenced...etc. (Just as what we're doing. We finish reading this Gospel and try to recall what we experienced with Jesus in this month:) ) I think that one of the meanings to recall them back to this "start-point" is to make them recall the mood that they decided to follow Jesus. Besides, this is also an important preperation for sending them to preach in the future. So, whenever we became weak, we should go back to our start-point of faith to recall our memories with God and to restrenthen ourselves; whenever we're going to do some works for God, we should go back to our secret base with God to search for strength and teachings.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Matthew Chapter 25
Chapter 25 gives us a respond to Chapter 24, how to act so that we can face God without fear.
Mt.25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
- We have to be prepared (this is shown in the parable of the ten virgins, who actually all fell asleep, but the difference between them is, that the clever ones had brought oil with them and the foolish ones did not.)
- We have to utilise our gifts -which are all given by God- correctly (the parable of the Talents)
- We have to love each other (the Judgement over the sheep and goat)
Mt.25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew Chapter 24
Chapter 24 talks about the endtime. The two main points, which Jesus mentions, for us in the endtime are:
To watch:Mt.26:40 "Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping"
To endure to the end: Mt. 26:56 "Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.").
In actual fact to "endure" and "watch" belongs together. In order to endure we have to watch. But Jesus tells us that only watching is not enough, but we also have to "pray, lest [we] enter into temptation." (Mt.26,41)
- Mt.24:13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
- Mt.24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
To watch:Mt.26:40 "Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping"
To endure to the end: Mt. 26:56 "Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.").
In actual fact to "endure" and "watch" belongs together. In order to endure we have to watch. But Jesus tells us that only watching is not enough, but we also have to "pray, lest [we] enter into temptation." (Mt.26,41)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Matthew Chapter 23
Mt.23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
That's the first "woe" to the scribes and the pharisees. And I think that it is also the worst and the sadest one. For the pharisees neither go into the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor do they let others enter the heavenly kingdom. They, being the leaders of the Jewish people, have a really big responsibility. They have to bring the people on the right way (just as the kings in the old testament. But because these kings were often godless God sent prophets to bring his people back to him).
And because they have this responsibility, their punishment is also much stricter:
James3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
That's the first "woe" to the scribes and the pharisees. And I think that it is also the worst and the sadest one. For the pharisees neither go into the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor do they let others enter the heavenly kingdom. They, being the leaders of the Jewish people, have a really big responsibility. They have to bring the people on the right way (just as the kings in the old testament. But because these kings were often godless God sent prophets to bring his people back to him).
And because they have this responsibility, their punishment is also much stricter:
James3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Matthew Chapter 22
Mt.22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.
Mt.22:23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,
Mt.22:35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
Mt.22:45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”
The Pharisees & the Sadducees asked him three times and tried to "entangle Him in His talk". But Jesus always replied with an excellent answer and he also used the bible- which the Pharisees were very familiar with- to counter the questions. He did not only know the verses, but he did also know, how to interpret these according to its meaning.
So after the Pharisees & Sadducees asked him three times, and Jesus made them unspeakable with his answers, it was Jesus' turn to ask them. Although he only asked them once, they could not answer his question.
That's strange, because the Pharisees were the leaders of the Jewish religion at that time, and how could they not answer this question??
=> The Pharisees did not completly understand the word of God. Their TRADITION (oh I know, that using this word is very dangerous), that the son's position must be under the position of the father, did not allow them, to understand the word of God. They have already made up their own pattern of the bible and according to this pattern they understood the bible.
Sometimes this also happens to us. If e.g. we see the topic of today's bible study, we might think that we already know what this person will say or what bible verses he will use. But we should never do this because if we do so, we won't get further onward in our faith because we do not let anything renew our pattern of the bible. So we should be able to give up our own position (for it might be wrong or incomplete) and renew our attitude/position/pattern,.. towards God and the bible.
Therefore why Jesus says:
Mt.13:52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
Mt.22:23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,
Mt.22:35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
Mt.22:45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”
The Pharisees & the Sadducees asked him three times and tried to "entangle Him in His talk". But Jesus always replied with an excellent answer and he also used the bible- which the Pharisees were very familiar with- to counter the questions. He did not only know the verses, but he did also know, how to interpret these according to its meaning.
So after the Pharisees & Sadducees asked him three times, and Jesus made them unspeakable with his answers, it was Jesus' turn to ask them. Although he only asked them once, they could not answer his question.
That's strange, because the Pharisees were the leaders of the Jewish religion at that time, and how could they not answer this question??
=> The Pharisees did not completly understand the word of God. Their TRADITION (oh I know, that using this word is very dangerous), that the son's position must be under the position of the father, did not allow them, to understand the word of God. They have already made up their own pattern of the bible and according to this pattern they understood the bible.
Sometimes this also happens to us. If e.g. we see the topic of today's bible study, we might think that we already know what this person will say or what bible verses he will use. But we should never do this because if we do so, we won't get further onward in our faith because we do not let anything renew our pattern of the bible. So we should be able to give up our own position (for it might be wrong or incomplete) and renew our attitude/position/pattern,.. towards God and the bible.
Therefore why Jesus says:
Mt.13:52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
Gonna miss y'all
Hello fellow sheep :) Carol and I will be going to Los Angeles tomorrow. I shall try to post as we get the opportunity to use the internet. Keep up the good sharing that we have started. Do not become weary and lose the zeal. I have noticed that lately we have become less vigilant in our sharing, and I missed your inspirational insights :( . Remember to press on towards our goal and not lose sight of our good purpose as a result of our surroundings, may it be people, school, tv, etc...
Please continue on with gospel Mark once we finish the book of Matthew. Continue to share your spiritual insights through our reading. Please also pray for us. God Bless!
Please continue on with gospel Mark once we finish the book of Matthew. Continue to share your spiritual insights through our reading. Please also pray for us. God Bless!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Matthew 26
This chapter is not only a very long on (over one double page long) but its content is also very intense and tells a important historical occasion for the religion and our faith and of course the basis for our hope. It is the first part where Jesus suffered, died and finally resurrected.
But my verse for today is
"30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
It is the first time that i read this verse. And it did kind of surprise me that Jesus once had sung.
It was not something impossible but I never thought of it. So we also shall sing to praise and glorify.
In happy times but also when we gather together like Jesus was with his desciples.
Songs and their lyriks can have effect on us in times of need but also when we can not express some fellings. The bible tells us to sing when we are happy and to pray if we are sad at heart.
So we should pray than to be able to sing more. Otherwise we might be too sad to sing:)
But my verse for today is
"30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
It is the first time that i read this verse. And it did kind of surprise me that Jesus once had sung.
It was not something impossible but I never thought of it. So we also shall sing to praise and glorify.
In happy times but also when we gather together like Jesus was with his desciples.
Songs and their lyriks can have effect on us in times of need but also when we can not express some fellings. The bible tells us to sing when we are happy and to pray if we are sad at heart.
So we should pray than to be able to sing more. Otherwise we might be too sad to sing:)
Matthew chapter 26
Two observations in this chapter.
1. "Is it I, Lord?"(Mt 26.21)
When Jesus told disciples that one of them would betray him, they all felt sorrow and asked one by one, "Is it I, Lord?" I think it's a good attitude--always examing or reflecting from our own. Even though the disciples never believe themselves would be the one who will betray, they still make their thoughts checked by Jesus. So, we can often ask in the prayer in the same way, to keep ourselves under Jesus's sight and to check if there is any evil neglected or unknown in our mind. Just as David's prayer,
"Who has full knowledge of his errors? make me clean from secret evil. (Ps 19.12)"
We should pray for our hidden faults.
2. Comparison these dialogue:
"Peter says to him, Even if I am put to death with you, I will not be false to you. So said all the disciples.(Mt 26.33)"
"And he comes to the disciples, and sees that they are sleeping, and says to Peter, What, were you not able to keep watch with me one hour?(Mt 26.40)"
Peter and all disciples see themselves with very strong faith and alliance with Jesus, but actually they are even not able to keep watching and preying with Jesus for one hour. That's why Jesus reminded them with emotion,
"Keep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test: the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble.(Mt 26.41)"
1. "Is it I, Lord?"(Mt 26.21)
When Jesus told disciples that one of them would betray him, they all felt sorrow and asked one by one, "Is it I, Lord?" I think it's a good attitude--always examing or reflecting from our own. Even though the disciples never believe themselves would be the one who will betray, they still make their thoughts checked by Jesus. So, we can often ask in the prayer in the same way, to keep ourselves under Jesus's sight and to check if there is any evil neglected or unknown in our mind. Just as David's prayer,
"Who has full knowledge of his errors? make me clean from secret evil. (Ps 19.12)"
We should pray for our hidden faults.
2. Comparison these dialogue:
"Peter says to him, Even if I am put to death with you, I will not be false to you. So said all the disciples.(Mt 26.33)"
"And he comes to the disciples, and sees that they are sleeping, and says to Peter, What, were you not able to keep watch with me one hour?(Mt 26.40)"
Peter and all disciples see themselves with very strong faith and alliance with Jesus, but actually they are even not able to keep watching and preying with Jesus for one hour. That's why Jesus reminded them with emotion,
"Keep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test: the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble.(Mt 26.41)"
Matthew 25
"9"No",they replied,"there may not be enough for both us ans you.[...]"
Although the five other virgins asked for help and hoped to receive a share of the prepared oil. But surprisingly the others fives refused to share. Is it that they do not want to help? Are they too greedy? Where is the love gone. The important and needed love and care between sisters? I think here the situation is different. It is not that they do not want to help. It is because they are not able and can not do it. There are some requirements you have to prepare on your own. You alone are responsible for preparing it and to own certain things. If not there will be no one who can back up you and take care of your responsibility. Although we walk together the path of faith but in the end we are standing alone before His throne.
Although the five other virgins asked for help and hoped to receive a share of the prepared oil. But surprisingly the others fives refused to share. Is it that they do not want to help? Are they too greedy? Where is the love gone. The important and needed love and care between sisters? I think here the situation is different. It is not that they do not want to help. It is because they are not able and can not do it. There are some requirements you have to prepare on your own. You alone are responsible for preparing it and to own certain things. If not there will be no one who can back up you and take care of your responsibility. Although we walk together the path of faith but in the end we are standing alone before His throne.
Matthew Chapter 21
Mt.21:9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“ Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’[e]
Hosanna in the highest!”
Mt.21:10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
Mt.21: 11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem the mulititudes were praising him and shouting words of blessing. But this multitude will change its attitude towards Jesus soon. If we look at the crucifiction of Jesus, we recognize...
Mt.27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
Mt.27:22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
Mt.27:23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
This time they also cried after him. But this time they did not cry words of praise, but they "cried out all the more, saying, "Let him be crucified!""
Thats a pretty heavy turn from before. This shows us, that these mulititudes did actually not really know, who Jesus was. They had not a firm rooted faith.
Mt.13:4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
Mt.13:19 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 seed by the wayside.
They are like the seed, which is by the wayside. The word was sown into their heart, but the wicked one comes and snatches it away. So they changed their attitude towards Jesus so fast and heavy. And what this multitude/people have done, many other multitudes/people would also do. It's like a specific attribute of multitudes/people crowded.
“ Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’[e]
Hosanna in the highest!”
Mt.21:10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
Mt.21: 11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem the mulititudes were praising him and shouting words of blessing. But this multitude will change its attitude towards Jesus soon. If we look at the crucifiction of Jesus, we recognize...
Mt.27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
Mt.27:22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
Mt.27:23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
This time they also cried after him. But this time they did not cry words of praise, but they "cried out all the more, saying, "Let him be crucified!""
Thats a pretty heavy turn from before. This shows us, that these mulititudes did actually not really know, who Jesus was. They had not a firm rooted faith.
Mt.13:4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
Mt.13:19 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 seed by the wayside.
They are like the seed, which is by the wayside. The word was sown into their heart, but the wicked one comes and snatches it away. So they changed their attitude towards Jesus so fast and heavy. And what this multitude/people have done, many other multitudes/people would also do. It's like a specific attribute of multitudes/people crowded.
Matthew Chapter 28
"11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ "
How foolish people could be. How they can know the truth, but yet deny it and hide it. For what? For pride. How dark, how ruthless, and uncaring. By ruining their own souls, they also ruin the souls of others with such a great lie and deception. Their end has already been told to us through Paul:
"1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them into gloomy dungeons[b] to be held for judgment" (2 Peter 2)
Therefore, knowing the truth, we should not hide it or pervert it. Just tell it as it is.
How foolish people could be. How they can know the truth, but yet deny it and hide it. For what? For pride. How dark, how ruthless, and uncaring. By ruining their own souls, they also ruin the souls of others with such a great lie and deception. Their end has already been told to us through Paul:
"1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them into gloomy dungeons[b] to be held for judgment" (2 Peter 2)
Therefore, knowing the truth, we should not hide it or pervert it. Just tell it as it is.
Matthew Chapter 27
"52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!"
Do not wait until it's too late to believe what Jesus says is true. The Jews were saying that if He is God, he should save himself, He can save others but not Himself, let's see if Elijah will come save him, etc...mocking Him. What they did not know or choose not to believe was that this death was necessary for their life. It wasn't until it's fulfilled and the signs appeared that they start to fear and see that Jesus was the Son of God.
Do not wait until it's too late to believe what Jesus says is true. The Jews were saying that if He is God, he should save himself, He can save others but not Himself, let's see if Elijah will come save him, etc...mocking Him. What they did not know or choose not to believe was that this death was necessary for their life. It wasn't until it's fulfilled and the signs appeared that they start to fear and see that Jesus was the Son of God.
Matthew Chapter 26
"17 Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’ 20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it."
Two observations here. First from vs. 18 where Jesus told them just find a certain man and tell him we'll have Passover in his house. If there were someone that did that to us now, we would've thought the person crazy. We would've probably thought, "Who are you, and why should I be obligated to open my house to a bunch of strangers?" This is the same situation when Jesus requested for the donkey to ride into Jerusalem. But somehow, it was never recorded what the reaction of these people are. But both incidences were done sucessfully, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on somebody else's donkey, Jesus held Passover at somebody else's house. Which then perhaps means that the donkey and the house are not really somebody else's, but belongs to Jesus. If there was a king who rules over a nation, everything in that nation somewhat belongs to him, he can take possession of it as he wished. With the same likeness, everything on earth belongs to God, and we are just given portions to take care of. When God needs it, he will come and get it. But unlike a worldly king who will take away for his own gain (e.g. Ahaz wanting Naboth's vineyard 1 King 21), God will take away for his purpose and glory to benefit us in His plan of Salvation.
Second observation I have always wondered about. That is Judas' inability to jump out even though he knew he was the one to betray Jesus. He was already found out before his deed that he was the guilty one. He had the chance to get out before being condemned. I think for most people, if they were planning to do something bad to someone, but that someone found out before the bad things happened, the planner would probably not carry out his plans and look like a guilty fool. But yet, here Judas did just that. It makes no sense, I can only attribute that to being possessed by Satan and unable to withdraw himself from the hole he already started digging for himself early on. He had already left a foothold for Satan to enter (Ephesians 4:27). From there, Satan helped him dig a deeper hole where he is unable to jump out. It is quite scary if you think about it. Knowing it's bad, being found guilty prior to the deed, but yet unable to correct it. Hopefully we will never come to this point in our lives where not even God can save us. Even Jesus said, "It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." Let us not start a trap for ourselves and invite Satan to dig a deep hole for us, to the point where God would give up on us. May the Lord help us.
Two observations here. First from vs. 18 where Jesus told them just find a certain man and tell him we'll have Passover in his house. If there were someone that did that to us now, we would've thought the person crazy. We would've probably thought, "Who are you, and why should I be obligated to open my house to a bunch of strangers?" This is the same situation when Jesus requested for the donkey to ride into Jerusalem. But somehow, it was never recorded what the reaction of these people are. But both incidences were done sucessfully, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on somebody else's donkey, Jesus held Passover at somebody else's house. Which then perhaps means that the donkey and the house are not really somebody else's, but belongs to Jesus. If there was a king who rules over a nation, everything in that nation somewhat belongs to him, he can take possession of it as he wished. With the same likeness, everything on earth belongs to God, and we are just given portions to take care of. When God needs it, he will come and get it. But unlike a worldly king who will take away for his own gain (e.g. Ahaz wanting Naboth's vineyard 1 King 21), God will take away for his purpose and glory to benefit us in His plan of Salvation.
Second observation I have always wondered about. That is Judas' inability to jump out even though he knew he was the one to betray Jesus. He was already found out before his deed that he was the guilty one. He had the chance to get out before being condemned. I think for most people, if they were planning to do something bad to someone, but that someone found out before the bad things happened, the planner would probably not carry out his plans and look like a guilty fool. But yet, here Judas did just that. It makes no sense, I can only attribute that to being possessed by Satan and unable to withdraw himself from the hole he already started digging for himself early on. He had already left a foothold for Satan to enter (Ephesians 4:27). From there, Satan helped him dig a deeper hole where he is unable to jump out. It is quite scary if you think about it. Knowing it's bad, being found guilty prior to the deed, but yet unable to correct it. Hopefully we will never come to this point in our lives where not even God can save us. Even Jesus said, "It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." Let us not start a trap for ourselves and invite Satan to dig a deep hole for us, to the point where God would give up on us. May the Lord help us.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Matthew Chapter 25
"41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Surprisingly, devil has angels too. Somehow the term 'angel' has come to symbolize what is good and innocent, at least in the English language. How are we so deceived by it, that angels could be evil too. Although I think in the original text, 'angel' simply means 'messenger'. But translated to 'angel' it can become misleading that it almost always is perceived in the positive, unless referring to the fallen angel. Anyway, just an observation.
Secondly, not meaningn to be pessimistic, but more so to be watchful, to note how severe the punishment could be to neglect our brethren in need; to the point of everlasting punishment. Therefore, let us not look lightly upon our members in need. Do not turn our eyes away when we see something, do not turn our ears away when we hear something, do not turn our heart away when we feel something. Most important of all, do not think you are still young and not able to help or not in the position to help. This is when Paul's encouragement to Timothy comes in handy, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,[a] in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). It is often the acts of those who we expect the least from which is felt the most. I still remember something that touched my heart the deepest...of a 6 year old little girl.
She was one of my Religious Education students, a sweet girl, has the heart of a servant, and feels a great lot more than other kids her age. She was six at the time of the incident. It was during a Spiritual Convocation (Freizeit) in Dallas Church. Dallas church is no longer a small church, each Spiritual Convocation there are at least 150 people who would attend. I was assigned to do dishes during dinner for Sabbath, the most people out of any day of SC. The little sister knew I was doing dishes and she look up at me and begged me saying, "Can I PLEEEEASE do dishes with you?" Any other person would think her crazy, a girl of 6 washing huge dishes for 150+ people? But at that moment I was so touched because I knew she meant it. Mind you, the dishes in Dallas church are bigger than her, 61cmx30.5cmx13cm; the sink can fit 4 of her, 46cmx50cmx46cm; and she can hardly see over the sink. She was so determined, we got her a chair and she climbed on top of it, bent over, buried her head in the sink and started scrubbing away. Needless to say, she touched many hearts that night and made many ashamed of themselves in their servitude. She certainly touched my heart and inspired other students in her class to serve the Lord with their little hands.
It is often the smallest hearts that can strikes the greatest chord. Think how the incident would be a no big deal if it was a grown up washing dishes for 150+ people, that's normal and a must. However, it is because she was only 6 that she was able to touch so many hearts. Let us not look down on ourselves thinking things are none of our business because we are still young. Take every business in Christ as your business, because you are part of the family. When others expect it from you the least, it is when you can be of the greatest comfort, help, and inspiration. May the Lord helps us
Surprisingly, devil has angels too. Somehow the term 'angel' has come to symbolize what is good and innocent, at least in the English language. How are we so deceived by it, that angels could be evil too. Although I think in the original text, 'angel' simply means 'messenger'. But translated to 'angel' it can become misleading that it almost always is perceived in the positive, unless referring to the fallen angel. Anyway, just an observation.
Secondly, not meaningn to be pessimistic, but more so to be watchful, to note how severe the punishment could be to neglect our brethren in need; to the point of everlasting punishment. Therefore, let us not look lightly upon our members in need. Do not turn our eyes away when we see something, do not turn our ears away when we hear something, do not turn our heart away when we feel something. Most important of all, do not think you are still young and not able to help or not in the position to help. This is when Paul's encouragement to Timothy comes in handy, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,[a] in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). It is often the acts of those who we expect the least from which is felt the most. I still remember something that touched my heart the deepest...of a 6 year old little girl.
She was one of my Religious Education students, a sweet girl, has the heart of a servant, and feels a great lot more than other kids her age. She was six at the time of the incident. It was during a Spiritual Convocation (Freizeit) in Dallas Church. Dallas church is no longer a small church, each Spiritual Convocation there are at least 150 people who would attend. I was assigned to do dishes during dinner for Sabbath, the most people out of any day of SC. The little sister knew I was doing dishes and she look up at me and begged me saying, "Can I PLEEEEASE do dishes with you?" Any other person would think her crazy, a girl of 6 washing huge dishes for 150+ people? But at that moment I was so touched because I knew she meant it. Mind you, the dishes in Dallas church are bigger than her, 61cmx30.5cmx13cm; the sink can fit 4 of her, 46cmx50cmx46cm; and she can hardly see over the sink. She was so determined, we got her a chair and she climbed on top of it, bent over, buried her head in the sink and started scrubbing away. Needless to say, she touched many hearts that night and made many ashamed of themselves in their servitude. She certainly touched my heart and inspired other students in her class to serve the Lord with their little hands.
It is often the smallest hearts that can strikes the greatest chord. Think how the incident would be a no big deal if it was a grown up washing dishes for 150+ people, that's normal and a must. However, it is because she was only 6 that she was able to touch so many hearts. Let us not look down on ourselves thinking things are none of our business because we are still young. Take every business in Christ as your business, because you are part of the family. When others expect it from you the least, it is when you can be of the greatest comfort, help, and inspiration. May the Lord helps us
Matthäus 25
Matthäus 25
There are three “stories“ in Matthews 25:
1) About ten women who wanted all to go in the heaven but only five of them could go in because they were prepared. The other five was not allowed to go in because they were not careful.
Matthäus 25, 12+13:
“Er antwortete aber und sprach: Wahrlich, ich kenne euch nicht.“
„Darum wachet! Denn ihr wisst weder Tag noch Stunde.“
We really do not know when Jesus will come again to this world. Perhaps in 1000 years, perhaps in 100 or 10 years. What if he comes in 1 year, or in 1 month? Are you prepared if Jesus comes in one week or even tomorrow?
Therefore we should ALWAYS be prepared for His coming. When we regret when the time is coming, it will be too late.
So try to use every day you still have for the mission of Jesus and pay attention!
2) A story about three menials. The first two doubled their earnings and gives it their master back. But the third was lazy and can not give anything back.
Matthäus 25, 21:
“Da sprach sein Herr zu ihm: Recht so, du tüchtiger und treuer Knecht, du bist über wenigem treu gewesen, ich will dich über viel setzten; geh hinein zu deines Herrn Freude!”
We get the Holy Spirit from Jesus. Now our mission is it to make of these one Holy Spirit a lot of Holy Spirits. We should preach and bring a lot of people to Jesus. We should be assiduous and wait for the coming of Jesus. Then we could show Him our work proudly, and not like the lazy servant who disappointed his master.
3) Matthäus 25
34: “Kommt her, ihr Gesegneten meines Vaters, ererbt das Reich, das euch bereitet ist von Anbeginn.“
35: „Denn ich bin hungrig gewesen, und ihr habt mir zu essen gegeben. Ich bin durstig gewesen, und ihr habt mir zu trinken gegeben. Ich bin ein Fremder gewesen. und ihr habt mich aufgenommen.“
36: „Ich bin nackt gewesen, und ihr habt mich bekleidet. Ich bin krank gewesen, und ihr habt mich besucht. Ich bin im Gefängnis gewesen, und ihr seid zu mir gekommen.“
40: „Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Was ihr getan habt einem von diesen meinen geringsten Brüdern, das habt ihr mir getan.“
If you do not want to help someone, you have to think: „I will do this for Jesus.“ Because Jesus helped everybody in His time, no matter if he was his friend or enemy. Of course none of us want to help someone we do not like. But Jesus did, do and will do this forever. So we should learn from Him and never should hate our enemies, because we should love us each other.
There are three “stories“ in Matthews 25:
1) About ten women who wanted all to go in the heaven but only five of them could go in because they were prepared. The other five was not allowed to go in because they were not careful.
Matthäus 25, 12+13:
“Er antwortete aber und sprach: Wahrlich, ich kenne euch nicht.“
„Darum wachet! Denn ihr wisst weder Tag noch Stunde.“
We really do not know when Jesus will come again to this world. Perhaps in 1000 years, perhaps in 100 or 10 years. What if he comes in 1 year, or in 1 month? Are you prepared if Jesus comes in one week or even tomorrow?
Therefore we should ALWAYS be prepared for His coming. When we regret when the time is coming, it will be too late.
So try to use every day you still have for the mission of Jesus and pay attention!
2) A story about three menials. The first two doubled their earnings and gives it their master back. But the third was lazy and can not give anything back.
Matthäus 25, 21:
“Da sprach sein Herr zu ihm: Recht so, du tüchtiger und treuer Knecht, du bist über wenigem treu gewesen, ich will dich über viel setzten; geh hinein zu deines Herrn Freude!”
We get the Holy Spirit from Jesus. Now our mission is it to make of these one Holy Spirit a lot of Holy Spirits. We should preach and bring a lot of people to Jesus. We should be assiduous and wait for the coming of Jesus. Then we could show Him our work proudly, and not like the lazy servant who disappointed his master.
3) Matthäus 25
34: “Kommt her, ihr Gesegneten meines Vaters, ererbt das Reich, das euch bereitet ist von Anbeginn.“
35: „Denn ich bin hungrig gewesen, und ihr habt mir zu essen gegeben. Ich bin durstig gewesen, und ihr habt mir zu trinken gegeben. Ich bin ein Fremder gewesen. und ihr habt mich aufgenommen.“
36: „Ich bin nackt gewesen, und ihr habt mich bekleidet. Ich bin krank gewesen, und ihr habt mich besucht. Ich bin im Gefängnis gewesen, und ihr seid zu mir gekommen.“
40: „Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Was ihr getan habt einem von diesen meinen geringsten Brüdern, das habt ihr mir getan.“
If you do not want to help someone, you have to think: „I will do this for Jesus.“ Because Jesus helped everybody in His time, no matter if he was his friend or enemy. Of course none of us want to help someone we do not like. But Jesus did, do and will do this forever. So we should learn from Him and never should hate our enemies, because we should love us each other.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Matthew Ch 24
„25See, I have told you ahead of time”
Jesus already told the disciples while he was still on earth about the coming of an end time and that he will come again. That’s asked in V1 Therefore the disciples asked him about the when and what signs there will be on earth to proof its coming. (hm I can not really remember the place where he told them directly. Because the disciples don’t doubt about this occasion will happen. The kind of asked this question after Jesus told them about the destruction of the temple)
Do we know about the end time and understand what will happen in these days? Because Jesus already told us about this ahead of time so we can prepare ourselves and work hard till the trumpets are calling.
Jesus already told the disciples while he was still on earth about the coming of an end time and that he will come again. That’s asked in V1 Therefore the disciples asked him about the when and what signs there will be on earth to proof its coming. (hm I can not really remember the place where he told them directly. Because the disciples don’t doubt about this occasion will happen. The kind of asked this question after Jesus told them about the destruction of the temple)
Do we know about the end time and understand what will happen in these days? Because Jesus already told us about this ahead of time so we can prepare ourselves and work hard till the trumpets are calling.
Matthew Chapter 20
Mt.20:32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Although Jesus already knew, why they were crying, he still asked them :"What do you want Me to do for you?". He wanted to know wants to know something, what he already knew?
No! He wants to know, if the to blind men know what they need and what they want and if they are willing to tell it to Jesus, or if they are just crying and hoping, that Jesus would heal them without telling him, what they want.
So Jesus wants to know exactly what they want and he wants them to define their thoughts and needs. And as they tell him honestly, what they want, Jesus acts according to their need.
Although Jesus already knew, why they were crying, he still asked them :"What do you want Me to do for you?". He wanted to know wants to know something, what he already knew?
No! He wants to know, if the to blind men know what they need and what they want and if they are willing to tell it to Jesus, or if they are just crying and hoping, that Jesus would heal them without telling him, what they want.
So Jesus wants to know exactly what they want and he wants them to define their thoughts and needs. And as they tell him honestly, what they want, Jesus acts according to their need.
Matthew Chapter 19
First of all.. I'm really sorry for not writing my comment for some time...
So you might skip through the chapter before reading my comment- and in that way you can revise the chapter.. ;)
Mt.19:18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mt.19:20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
Mt.19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Mt.19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
If we were like the young man, having kept the law and teaching of good, what should we do then? Here it tells us, that we should do, what is most difficult for us to do.
For this young man it was to sell all he had and to follow Jesus. What is it for us? Is it giving up our reputation in the society? It's actually something, which we should be willing to lose for Jesus - whatever it is!
Then we may ask :
Mt.19:27"Therefore what shall we have?”
And what does Jesus answer? :
Mt.19:28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mt.19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
Mt.19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
So you might skip through the chapter before reading my comment- and in that way you can revise the chapter.. ;)
Mt.19:18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mt.19:20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
Mt.19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Mt.19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
If we were like the young man, having kept the law and teaching of good, what should we do then? Here it tells us, that we should do, what is most difficult for us to do.
For this young man it was to sell all he had and to follow Jesus. What is it for us? Is it giving up our reputation in the society? It's actually something, which we should be willing to lose for Jesus - whatever it is!
Then we may ask :
Mt.19:27"Therefore what shall we have?”
And what does Jesus answer? :
Mt.19:28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mt.19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
Mt.19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
