This week's readings, starting on Monday 31st March, are as follows:
Matthew 5
Matthew 6
Matthew 7
Matthew 23
Matthew 24
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3 comments:
I've really enjoyed the oportunity to read over the last few days an extended section of Jesus' teaching.What came a across for me way the clarity with which Jesus spoke. Theres no ambiguety just straight ahead teaching...This has of course made it hard for me to come up with anything to comment on... But what has challenged me was the idea that what we think is as important as what we do. What I found helpful was in todays reading the idea that our faith is measured by how we act. In the verse it refers to a way in which we can spot true believers but in todays climate it has another useful application. Often my non christian friends will point to things like the Inquisition or some modern church scandal as evidence that Christianity is wrong.Todays verses reminded me we can easily respond that such people clearly do not put Christ first.That despite surface appearances not everyone is a Christian that claims to be.
James, you just beat me to it!
What a great passage this is, from Matt 5-7. No wonder it provokes discussion if people who don't normally open their Bibles actually read this.
In today's reading Jesus clearly claims to have authority regarding who is welcome into his kingdom, God's kingdom, and who isn't. That puts him on a footing with God, once again more than just a great teacher.
He speaks about entrance in 3 ways: opening the door to those who ask (7:8), then encouraging people to go through the narrow gate (7:13) even though the wide one may be easier, less costly and more appealing, and then saying "no entry" (7:21) to those who really have no living relationship with him.
There are people I know who focus on this last part - "God should let me in because I'm a good person" - which is very much taking God on their terms, which is to take God's place and break the 1st commandment.
Jesus starts in a much more gracious, loving and yet challenging place, pointing his audience to examine their heart - who is willing to ask, seek and knock? Who is willing to come to God not demanding or negotiating but in humility, need, seeking mercy and help.
This is the language of grace and love, motivated by a loving Father (7:11) but is not an easy option; we still need to 'surrender'.
Thinking about Jesus' offer and instructions here, when people reject the church, religion or Christianity, have they first of all really heard Jesus' invitation to come to him?
Here's a question for anyone reading: if you were going to devote 3 whole chapters of your 'Gospel', your story of Jesus, to his sermons, what would you want to include?
Put it another way, what topic(s) would you want to hear Jesus speak about from life in 2008?
Just curious ... and wondering who else is checking the blog!
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