Trying to blog again.
meanderthru.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Taking Up Our Cross
Matthew 16:21-28
Hope everyone spent a good Valentine's Day. I hung out with a couple people from church, ate dinner, and got some school work done. I have a lot of things coming up for school, so it's going to be a rough couple days from here on out.
I was able to catch the Dunk Contest and I must say I was unimpressed. Every year the dunk contest seems to be losing value. They had to create that whole Superman VS Kryptonite story just so people will watch it. Oh well, hopefully next year will get better.
Jesus Fortells His Death/Discipleship Is Costly
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:21-28;&version=49;
So Jesus in this reading finally warns the disciples about what is to come. He tells them that He will suffer through many things and eventually be killed by the chiefs. Eventually after three days, however, He will be risen from the dead. Peter is shocked and said none of this should happen to Jesus. Jesus surprisingly tells Peter to get back and not be a hindrance from the path of God. He even says Satan and tells him to get back. The interest of man should not get in the way of the path of God.
This shows how all this was destined to be and how when something is decided by God, there is no turning away from it. We have to realize that what is in God's plans will ultimately always prevail. This means we do not have to worry about whether or not God's plans will be able to follow through. It will. Whatever we do will not hinder it. Another thing that this shows is how the death of Jesus Christ was planned and was His main mission while here on earth. Remember how Jesus felt compassion for the people. While He was here to heal, teach, and share, His main purpose was for this ultimate climax.
Jesus tells us something important here. He says that whoever wants to follow Him must deny Himself and take up on the cross. We will lose our lives if that's what we seek to save, but find it if we lose it for the sake of Him. Jesus declares that He will repay every man according to their deeds. We will not be saved unless Jesus does this.
This is the beautiful story of Jesus's death. It's something that's so crucial to our belief. We have to believe that this was all destined and that if it didn't happen, we would not be able to enter the kingdom. Our sins would not have been repented for. We need Jesus. Are we able to take up the cross and follow Jesus? That's the big question. We need to be able to sacrifice everything and follow Jesus.
Hope everyone spent a good Valentine's Day. I hung out with a couple people from church, ate dinner, and got some school work done. I have a lot of things coming up for school, so it's going to be a rough couple days from here on out.
I was able to catch the Dunk Contest and I must say I was unimpressed. Every year the dunk contest seems to be losing value. They had to create that whole Superman VS Kryptonite story just so people will watch it. Oh well, hopefully next year will get better.
Jesus Fortells His Death/Discipleship Is Costly
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:21-28;&version=49;
So Jesus in this reading finally warns the disciples about what is to come. He tells them that He will suffer through many things and eventually be killed by the chiefs. Eventually after three days, however, He will be risen from the dead. Peter is shocked and said none of this should happen to Jesus. Jesus surprisingly tells Peter to get back and not be a hindrance from the path of God. He even says Satan and tells him to get back. The interest of man should not get in the way of the path of God.
This shows how all this was destined to be and how when something is decided by God, there is no turning away from it. We have to realize that what is in God's plans will ultimately always prevail. This means we do not have to worry about whether or not God's plans will be able to follow through. It will. Whatever we do will not hinder it. Another thing that this shows is how the death of Jesus Christ was planned and was His main mission while here on earth. Remember how Jesus felt compassion for the people. While He was here to heal, teach, and share, His main purpose was for this ultimate climax.
Jesus tells us something important here. He says that whoever wants to follow Him must deny Himself and take up on the cross. We will lose our lives if that's what we seek to save, but find it if we lose it for the sake of Him. Jesus declares that He will repay every man according to their deeds. We will not be saved unless Jesus does this.
This is the beautiful story of Jesus's death. It's something that's so crucial to our belief. We have to believe that this was all destined and that if it didn't happen, we would not be able to enter the kingdom. Our sins would not have been repented for. We need Jesus. Are we able to take up the cross and follow Jesus? That's the big question. We need to be able to sacrifice everything and follow Jesus.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Who Is Jesus?
Matthew 16:13-20
Today was very tiring. I slept pretty much the entire day because of my cold. I wanted to get rid of my cold as fast as possible. I want to make sure that I'm healthy by next week because I have a lot of exams coming up. Today's Bible Study was rather small, but I liked the topic. I wish my small group members gained something out of it.
I don't know why yesterday's post got cut off. I wrote my summary of the passage, but for some reason it was deleted. I think I deleted it before publishing it. In any case, my bad. I posted it again in case you want to know what it was about. Actually I re-wrote it because I can't seem to get back what I wrote. :(
Peter's Confession Of Christ
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:13-20;&version=49;
Jesus and His disciples arrived in Caesarea Philippi and He asked His disciples who the people in the district were saying the Son of Man was. They replied that the people thought John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah were the Son of Man. Then Jesus asked the disciples who they think He is. And Peter replied that He is Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus blessed Peter and told Him that He will build churches with him. Then He told the disciples not to tell anyone that He is Christ.
Now to go back to when Jesus asked who the people thought the Son of Man was, I think this question had two purposes. The first was to see what the crowd thought and to see what kind of an impact He may have left on the people. It could be to check on what people were thinking so that He can make preparations for His death. He could also be checking to see if people were being affected by His presence, both good and bad. I think Jesus's intention with the question was to see the faith of these people. If the people's faiths were strong, they would have noticed who the real Son of God was.
The second intention was to see what the disciples thought. I think when He especially asked who they thought He was, it was a question of their faith. Then I thought, if Jesus asked us that question, would we be able to answer the way Peter did. Do we have a faith strong enough to answer that He truly is the Son of God. Or is He just another one of those things that we follow because a lot of other people follow Him.
This passage really made me wonder about how I think about Jesus. The way Jesus asked the first question really hit me because it made me wonder how I view Jesus. Do I perceive Jesus the same way other people perceive their gods? Or is Jesus something more, or maybe even less. Is He just something I worship because I've been taught to? Or do I really believe He is Christ. Am I strong enough in faith for Him to build a church with. That's the question we really need to be asking ourselves.
Today was very tiring. I slept pretty much the entire day because of my cold. I wanted to get rid of my cold as fast as possible. I want to make sure that I'm healthy by next week because I have a lot of exams coming up. Today's Bible Study was rather small, but I liked the topic. I wish my small group members gained something out of it.
I don't know why yesterday's post got cut off. I wrote my summary of the passage, but for some reason it was deleted. I think I deleted it before publishing it. In any case, my bad. I posted it again in case you want to know what it was about. Actually I re-wrote it because I can't seem to get back what I wrote. :(
Peter's Confession Of Christ
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:13-20;&version=49;
Jesus and His disciples arrived in Caesarea Philippi and He asked His disciples who the people in the district were saying the Son of Man was. They replied that the people thought John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah were the Son of Man. Then Jesus asked the disciples who they think He is. And Peter replied that He is Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus blessed Peter and told Him that He will build churches with him. Then He told the disciples not to tell anyone that He is Christ.
Now to go back to when Jesus asked who the people thought the Son of Man was, I think this question had two purposes. The first was to see what the crowd thought and to see what kind of an impact He may have left on the people. It could be to check on what people were thinking so that He can make preparations for His death. He could also be checking to see if people were being affected by His presence, both good and bad. I think Jesus's intention with the question was to see the faith of these people. If the people's faiths were strong, they would have noticed who the real Son of God was.
The second intention was to see what the disciples thought. I think when He especially asked who they thought He was, it was a question of their faith. Then I thought, if Jesus asked us that question, would we be able to answer the way Peter did. Do we have a faith strong enough to answer that He truly is the Son of God. Or is He just another one of those things that we follow because a lot of other people follow Him.
This passage really made me wonder about how I think about Jesus. The way Jesus asked the first question really hit me because it made me wonder how I view Jesus. Do I perceive Jesus the same way other people perceive their gods? Or is Jesus something more, or maybe even less. Is He just something I worship because I've been taught to? Or do I really believe He is Christ. Am I strong enough in faith for Him to build a church with. That's the question we really need to be asking ourselves.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Signs
Matthew 16:1-12
So I did catch a cold and it sucks. My throat hurts really bad and everytime I cough or sneeze it hurts. :( I took my vitamins, ate food, and had a good night sleep. I don't know what I lacked, but I want to get over this stupid cold as fast as possible. It just makes me feel so lazy. I feel like just going home and hibernating for a while. Too bad I have a lot of stuff due the next week and will probably have to study for a couple classes with exams coming up. This cold could not come at a better time.
Classes today were annoying because of my cold. Chinese I was just hoping the teacher wouldn't call on me to read something because talking hurts. Lab was tedious and I was done with the lab before we even started with the second part. I was just going through the motions, harassing the TA with questions, and pretty much making the TA do everything. Senior design was a waste of time because I absolutely couldn't think. This was a very unproductive day.
Pharisees Test Jesus
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:1-12;&version=49;
The reading today was about another time when the Pharisees tested Jesus. They've been pretty persistent with the tests till now. The last time we read about the tests in Matthew was back in Galilee when they asked Jesus why His disciples did not follow the traditions of the elders. Jesus replied that it was not about what entered the mouth but what came out that defiled the man. He immediately rebuked and put down the traditions that the Pharisees so treasured and lived with.
This test was about vision. They said that when it is evening Jesus says it will be fair weather because the sky is red and when it is morning Jesus says there will be a storm because the sky is red. They were wondering if Jesus had any abilities in telling the future or any prophetic signs. Jesus replied to this saying that the wicked generation always seeks signs, but no signs will be given to them. How many of us always look for signs for truth? In an age where people are so desparate for vision, if we don't have a sign, we don't believe it. Why are people so into science? Because we can see something. We see a result. And we believe that result. We are always looking for signs. But Jesus tells us here that we will not be given any signs.
Jesus then goes on and His disciples forget to bring any bread. Jesus tells them to beware of the food that the Pharisees have. The disciples think that He said this because He realized that they did not have any bread. Immediately Jesus asks why they had so little faith. He fed them before, the five thousand, and the four thousand. Yet, they still don't believe that He is capable of supplying them with daily needs. The command was simply a warning against the Pharisees.
This is very important because we are always into signs. And when we do get a sign, we eat it up. When we are desparate for something and we get it, we'll be so into it that we forget everything else. Jesus is giving us a warning for that. We have to build up on our faith to protect against such things.
So I did catch a cold and it sucks. My throat hurts really bad and everytime I cough or sneeze it hurts. :( I took my vitamins, ate food, and had a good night sleep. I don't know what I lacked, but I want to get over this stupid cold as fast as possible. It just makes me feel so lazy. I feel like just going home and hibernating for a while. Too bad I have a lot of stuff due the next week and will probably have to study for a couple classes with exams coming up. This cold could not come at a better time.
Classes today were annoying because of my cold. Chinese I was just hoping the teacher wouldn't call on me to read something because talking hurts. Lab was tedious and I was done with the lab before we even started with the second part. I was just going through the motions, harassing the TA with questions, and pretty much making the TA do everything. Senior design was a waste of time because I absolutely couldn't think. This was a very unproductive day.
Pharisees Test Jesus
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:1-12;&version=49;
The reading today was about another time when the Pharisees tested Jesus. They've been pretty persistent with the tests till now. The last time we read about the tests in Matthew was back in Galilee when they asked Jesus why His disciples did not follow the traditions of the elders. Jesus replied that it was not about what entered the mouth but what came out that defiled the man. He immediately rebuked and put down the traditions that the Pharisees so treasured and lived with.
This test was about vision. They said that when it is evening Jesus says it will be fair weather because the sky is red and when it is morning Jesus says there will be a storm because the sky is red. They were wondering if Jesus had any abilities in telling the future or any prophetic signs. Jesus replied to this saying that the wicked generation always seeks signs, but no signs will be given to them. How many of us always look for signs for truth? In an age where people are so desparate for vision, if we don't have a sign, we don't believe it. Why are people so into science? Because we can see something. We see a result. And we believe that result. We are always looking for signs. But Jesus tells us here that we will not be given any signs.
Jesus then goes on and His disciples forget to bring any bread. Jesus tells them to beware of the food that the Pharisees have. The disciples think that He said this because He realized that they did not have any bread. Immediately Jesus asks why they had so little faith. He fed them before, the five thousand, and the four thousand. Yet, they still don't believe that He is capable of supplying them with daily needs. The command was simply a warning against the Pharisees.
This is very important because we are always into signs. And when we do get a sign, we eat it up. When we are desparate for something and we get it, we'll be so into it that we forget everything else. Jesus is giving us a warning for that. We have to build up on our faith to protect against such things.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Compassion Of Jesus
Matthew 15:29-39
Classes today weren't all that exciting either. We're getting closer to that stage where we know the drill and everything is just repetition now. Why can't education by more exciting. *sigh*
I hope I didn't catch a cold. Chances are that I did. I had a very sore throat this morning. My body was feeling alright till around noon when it started to feel weak. I went over the Panda Express (yes, it's now open if you guys didn't know) and got some hot and sour soup. That felt good. Only now I need more. It was a rough day.
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2015:29-39;&version=49;
The passage moves on from the woman and Jesus is again continuing on with His voyage and healing people along the way. The one thing to note here is how He is now meeting gentiles, meaning non-Jews. He's healing and teaching everyone, not just the chosen people. It's important to note that this is important as Jesus shows us His true motives. Yes He came to tend the sheep that have been chosen, but it's through these people which He intends to reach everyone. While He is on His journey, everyone realizes His greatness and worships the God of Israel.
Then Jesus says something that is very important. He says that He has "compassion" for these people. What exactly is compassion? If you look up the word compassion in the Merriam Webster dictionary, you would find that it means something along the lines of feeling sympathy and others' distress, and a desire to alleviate it. Jesus is stating here that He feels sympathy for the crowd. Remember, that He's with a crowd that includes gentiles. So He feels sympathy and a desire to alleviate our distress. He realizes how sin is holding us back and wishes to solve this problem. This is very very important as it gives us the reason for Jesus's dying on the cross. Not only was it a mission that Jesus came on earth to do, but it's something he desired because He wanted to alleviate our pains. And that's why Jesus is so great.
Continuing on you will find that Jesus tells the disciples not to send the crowd away. He also says that He realizes that the people have had nothing to eat for the past 3 days. The disciples, like they have before, asks how they should manage this situation. Now why would the disciples ask this question a second time after they saw what Jesus was capable of doing? Could it be because the first time it was for the Jews and it was almost a given that Jesus would save them and now that the crowd involves gentiles it's a different situation? Perhaps they're trying to see what else Jesus is capable of? In any case Jesus asks what food is availabe, and again they had loaves of bread and some fish. Once again, Jesus used this supply to feed the crowd and the crowd was satisfied.
Now is this situation different from the first time Jesus fed the crowd? A little, because the crowd is different. Jesus also might be in a different situation now that He has had a little conflict with the Pharisees. Afterall, He insulted their traditions and as a result Jesus might have more enemies now. Regardless, Jesus continued to supply and heal, and most importantly, He had compassion on the people. Jesus, regardless of who you are, is here for us. He feels compassion for all of us and wishes to bring all of us to His kingdom.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Great Faith
Matthew 15:21-28
Anyone listen to the interview with Alex Rodriguez? I thought it was a good interview, even though we all probably knew that was the way he was going to come out. I mean looking at how Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettite handled the situation, the only good way to come out of this situation is simply by telling the truth. And I'm glad A-Rod decided to take that path and hopefully things will be better from here on out. But let's talk about this for a second because I think it's interesting and somewhat aggravating.
If you haven't seen the interview, just go to espn.com and they have the entire interview. Listen to it and see if you agree with him, feel sympathy, etc. Regardless, I'm mad about the entire situation. First off the fact that this was supposed to be a concealed test and the result was leaked out bothers me a lot. Especially since the test dates back to 2003. Are you serious? Lesson to be learned, you can't trust anybody. Make sure you see the end of everything before moving on. Seriously, does anyone keep their word these days? I know we're all quick to say A-Rod is at fault and I agree he should be penalized for doing something that's wrong, but the people heading these tests should get penalized as well for lying about privacy.
Now having that out of the way, what do you guys feel about steroids? I mean at first I hated it and hated everyone having to deal with it, but after hearing numerous interviews and radio talks about it, I don't know what to think. The people who side with steroids (or feel sympathy, at least) respond by saying that at the time the culture was different. The rules were very lax and a lot of the people were taking it. They took it for 3 reasons: to get a position on the team, to recover from an injury to avoid losing a spot, and to compete. Getting a position on the team I'm not sure about because I think with natural talent you should be able to get the position. But recovering and competing I can see a case. If you have a serious injury that may take 2-3 years away from your playing time, this could be detrimental (lol) to your career. Especially when younger kids come in year after year, I can see the pressure to come back. Competing? If the rules were this lax and everyone was taking it, then what's to say that your job is safe without it? If you know that Bob in the lockerroom is roid'ing up and he's not getting caught and producing better stats than you are, and your job is now at stake, what are you going to do? Then it's not a simple "say no to drugs" situation.
But at the end of the day, cheating is cheating and lying is lying. But these are all interesting viewpoints and especially with so many players coming out to have taken such substances, it's really hard to get a stance in something.
The Syrophoenician Woman
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2015:21-28;&version=49;
The reading I did for today is an amazing one because it shows what faith should be like. In numerous encounters with the sick, Jesus met people with different types of faith. And He healed those that had faith in Him. Only the ones with faith could truly be healed by Jesus. But you must wonder, after they've been saved and cured, would they still truly obey and follow Jesus like they should? You would think they would, but think about it. I think a very few actually continued with Jesus and continued to thank Him everyday.
Today's reading is a story of a woman that deserves nothing. Well in all honesty, none of us, including the Jews, deserve anything. But the woman in the story is like an outcast. Her ancestors betrayed God and were to be destroyed by the Jews. She was a Canaanite. These people were the last people to be expected to receive any grace. Yet here comes the woman begging Jesus to save her daughter. Think about what she had to do to come to this place. First off she had a lot of idols that she probably worshipped, but none of them seemed to be working for her. Then she decided that Jesus was the only one who could possibly save her daughter and went to Jesus, where she probably thought she would get rejected.
What's interesting is Jesus's answer. Many times when we ask Jesus something, it's our lack of faith that usually hinders us from truly getting to know Him. This is the first case we see where Jesus Himself rejects someone. Why? Look at the situation. The first time Jesus answer that He was sent only for the lost sheep in Israel. In other words, she is not one of the people that He came to save. Basically Jesus is telling her that because she's not a Jew, she doesn't deserver this! How insulting! Yet, she persists and continues to beg and honor Jesus. She could have easily said, the heck with that, fine you want only Jews? What kind of religion is this!? Yet, she understood the truth. She understood what was true.
Then Jesus answers that the food for children is not for the dogs. Yet the woman persists and says that she is willing to even take the crumbs of that food. This hurts. JESUS is saying that the woman is basically a dog! Imagine what you would do if the one you worshipped is offending you in such a way. Yet, the woman knows the truth and continues. Then Jesus replies that her faith is great and heals her daughter.
Now why did Jesus do this? I believe it was a test. It was a true test for true faith. So many people show faith and quickly forget. But this woman showed genuine faith. She showed great faith. That's the kind of faith we need to have.
Anyone listen to the interview with Alex Rodriguez? I thought it was a good interview, even though we all probably knew that was the way he was going to come out. I mean looking at how Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettite handled the situation, the only good way to come out of this situation is simply by telling the truth. And I'm glad A-Rod decided to take that path and hopefully things will be better from here on out. But let's talk about this for a second because I think it's interesting and somewhat aggravating.
If you haven't seen the interview, just go to espn.com and they have the entire interview. Listen to it and see if you agree with him, feel sympathy, etc. Regardless, I'm mad about the entire situation. First off the fact that this was supposed to be a concealed test and the result was leaked out bothers me a lot. Especially since the test dates back to 2003. Are you serious? Lesson to be learned, you can't trust anybody. Make sure you see the end of everything before moving on. Seriously, does anyone keep their word these days? I know we're all quick to say A-Rod is at fault and I agree he should be penalized for doing something that's wrong, but the people heading these tests should get penalized as well for lying about privacy.
Now having that out of the way, what do you guys feel about steroids? I mean at first I hated it and hated everyone having to deal with it, but after hearing numerous interviews and radio talks about it, I don't know what to think. The people who side with steroids (or feel sympathy, at least) respond by saying that at the time the culture was different. The rules were very lax and a lot of the people were taking it. They took it for 3 reasons: to get a position on the team, to recover from an injury to avoid losing a spot, and to compete. Getting a position on the team I'm not sure about because I think with natural talent you should be able to get the position. But recovering and competing I can see a case. If you have a serious injury that may take 2-3 years away from your playing time, this could be detrimental (lol) to your career. Especially when younger kids come in year after year, I can see the pressure to come back. Competing? If the rules were this lax and everyone was taking it, then what's to say that your job is safe without it? If you know that Bob in the lockerroom is roid'ing up and he's not getting caught and producing better stats than you are, and your job is now at stake, what are you going to do? Then it's not a simple "say no to drugs" situation.
But at the end of the day, cheating is cheating and lying is lying. But these are all interesting viewpoints and especially with so many players coming out to have taken such substances, it's really hard to get a stance in something.
The Syrophoenician Woman
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2015:21-28;&version=49;
The reading I did for today is an amazing one because it shows what faith should be like. In numerous encounters with the sick, Jesus met people with different types of faith. And He healed those that had faith in Him. Only the ones with faith could truly be healed by Jesus. But you must wonder, after they've been saved and cured, would they still truly obey and follow Jesus like they should? You would think they would, but think about it. I think a very few actually continued with Jesus and continued to thank Him everyday.
Today's reading is a story of a woman that deserves nothing. Well in all honesty, none of us, including the Jews, deserve anything. But the woman in the story is like an outcast. Her ancestors betrayed God and were to be destroyed by the Jews. She was a Canaanite. These people were the last people to be expected to receive any grace. Yet here comes the woman begging Jesus to save her daughter. Think about what she had to do to come to this place. First off she had a lot of idols that she probably worshipped, but none of them seemed to be working for her. Then she decided that Jesus was the only one who could possibly save her daughter and went to Jesus, where she probably thought she would get rejected.
What's interesting is Jesus's answer. Many times when we ask Jesus something, it's our lack of faith that usually hinders us from truly getting to know Him. This is the first case we see where Jesus Himself rejects someone. Why? Look at the situation. The first time Jesus answer that He was sent only for the lost sheep in Israel. In other words, she is not one of the people that He came to save. Basically Jesus is telling her that because she's not a Jew, she doesn't deserver this! How insulting! Yet, she persists and continues to beg and honor Jesus. She could have easily said, the heck with that, fine you want only Jews? What kind of religion is this!? Yet, she understood the truth. She understood what was true.
Then Jesus answers that the food for children is not for the dogs. Yet the woman persists and says that she is willing to even take the crumbs of that food. This hurts. JESUS is saying that the woman is basically a dog! Imagine what you would do if the one you worshipped is offending you in such a way. Yet, the woman knows the truth and continues. Then Jesus replies that her faith is great and heals her daughter.
Now why did Jesus do this? I believe it was a test. It was a true test for true faith. So many people show faith and quickly forget. But this woman showed genuine faith. She showed great faith. That's the kind of faith we need to have.
Monday, February 9, 2009
What's In Your Heart?
Matthew 15:15-20
It's Monday again and I don't think it was that crazy. I had classes, I went a ton of homework assignments and I have a lot of things that I need to take care of for the week. A lot of today I found myself listening to sermons though. I recently found that John MacArthur has a website with a lot of his sermons on it. It's very very good, so if you guys have an opportunity to listen to them, you should check it out.
Other news is Alex Rodriguez. What do you guys think about this? I mean steroids at first I was completely against, but it's gotten really out of hand. It's to a point where I don't know what to think of it. I'm waiting for how he will respond.
The Heart Of Man
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2015:15-20;&version=49;
To start this reading, we need to go back to the reading from yesterday, which I said I will cover today. Starting from verse 10, Jesus tells the crowd that it's not what enters the mouth that defiles the man but what comes out of it. The disciples were worried that this would hurt the Pharisees and asked Jesus if this was such a good idea. Jesus replied that every plant that God did not plant will be uprooted. He tells them to leave them alone for the blind lead the blind into a pit.
Before moving on it's important to note the situation. Jesus just told the Pharisees that what they were worshipping was not God but their traditions. And that for the sake of tradition, the Pharisees were not truly worshipping and honoring God. Then Jesus tells the crowd, probably the crowd that has been following Jesus, that it's not what enters the mouth but what comes out of it. Why is this important? Well I think Jesus is actually trying to explain two things here.
1. The tradition that the Pharisees have. You have to understand that the Pharisees were very faithful in following the law. Anything that came out of Leviticus, they followed strictly. If you remember, in Leviticus, God lists things that you can and cannot eat. Things that would be not good before worshipping. Jesus is saying that that's not the point. It doesn't matter what you eat. How offended would they be! Here all their lives the Pharisees have been living under the notion that this was crucial. Yet Jesus is showing them that they're missing the point. If you look around the New Testament, Jesus will show us this. I think the following verse in Titus summarizes it best:
"This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth." Titus 1:13-14
Basically all these "myths and commandments" are turning men away from what's true. It's interesting to note that Jesus tells us to completely ignore these people. He calls them the blind. He leads other blinds into a pit. It's not our job do anything with them. In other words, don't go out there trying to make it right yourself. God never told us to do that. It's God's job. Don't worry about it. Don't let it hurt you in return.
2. What comes out of your mouth is important. Now why Jesus uses the mouth I don't know. But basically what comes out of you is what matters. What then do you need? You need a firm foundation. You need something good inside to come outside. That's what's important. What then is that important thing? We learn that from today's reading.
The heart of man is the response. Peter asks Jesus what all this meant. Jesus tells us that in order to have the good things come out of our mouth, we need a pure heart. If the heart is unclean, then we will in turn be defiled. If you have a bad heart, then nothing good can come out of it. And this brings us back to the Beattitudes. Remember, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This is the key point. If we don't have a pure heart, then all this is meaningless. I hope we can all pray for a pure heart.
It's Monday again and I don't think it was that crazy. I had classes, I went a ton of homework assignments and I have a lot of things that I need to take care of for the week. A lot of today I found myself listening to sermons though. I recently found that John MacArthur has a website with a lot of his sermons on it. It's very very good, so if you guys have an opportunity to listen to them, you should check it out.
Other news is Alex Rodriguez. What do you guys think about this? I mean steroids at first I was completely against, but it's gotten really out of hand. It's to a point where I don't know what to think of it. I'm waiting for how he will respond.
The Heart Of Man
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2015:15-20;&version=49;
To start this reading, we need to go back to the reading from yesterday, which I said I will cover today. Starting from verse 10, Jesus tells the crowd that it's not what enters the mouth that defiles the man but what comes out of it. The disciples were worried that this would hurt the Pharisees and asked Jesus if this was such a good idea. Jesus replied that every plant that God did not plant will be uprooted. He tells them to leave them alone for the blind lead the blind into a pit.
Before moving on it's important to note the situation. Jesus just told the Pharisees that what they were worshipping was not God but their traditions. And that for the sake of tradition, the Pharisees were not truly worshipping and honoring God. Then Jesus tells the crowd, probably the crowd that has been following Jesus, that it's not what enters the mouth but what comes out of it. Why is this important? Well I think Jesus is actually trying to explain two things here.
1. The tradition that the Pharisees have. You have to understand that the Pharisees were very faithful in following the law. Anything that came out of Leviticus, they followed strictly. If you remember, in Leviticus, God lists things that you can and cannot eat. Things that would be not good before worshipping. Jesus is saying that that's not the point. It doesn't matter what you eat. How offended would they be! Here all their lives the Pharisees have been living under the notion that this was crucial. Yet Jesus is showing them that they're missing the point. If you look around the New Testament, Jesus will show us this. I think the following verse in Titus summarizes it best:
"This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth." Titus 1:13-14
Basically all these "myths and commandments" are turning men away from what's true. It's interesting to note that Jesus tells us to completely ignore these people. He calls them the blind. He leads other blinds into a pit. It's not our job do anything with them. In other words, don't go out there trying to make it right yourself. God never told us to do that. It's God's job. Don't worry about it. Don't let it hurt you in return.
2. What comes out of your mouth is important. Now why Jesus uses the mouth I don't know. But basically what comes out of you is what matters. What then do you need? You need a firm foundation. You need something good inside to come outside. That's what's important. What then is that important thing? We learn that from today's reading.
The heart of man is the response. Peter asks Jesus what all this meant. Jesus tells us that in order to have the good things come out of our mouth, we need a pure heart. If the heart is unclean, then we will in turn be defiled. If you have a bad heart, then nothing good can come out of it. And this brings us back to the Beattitudes. Remember, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This is the key point. If we don't have a pure heart, then all this is meaningless. I hope we can all pray for a pure heart.
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