December 11, 2024
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Advent 2024 – Day 11 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.19 through 3.28 (pages 44-48)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Advent Day 11
Jesus covering and answering every major question and concern a human would struggle with. Anger!! Have neighbors in Florida who have been disputing over maybe 2 ft of land. Been to court twice. 2 different suits. Now one says they’re selling. 30 minute sit down this could easily be dissolved. Pay for dinner and the land is yours. Human nature. Without God. Pride!! Lust. Rather skip this one. Find line between having natural desires for the opposite sex. But to fantasize with evil intent. I believe this is what our lord is mentioning. Divorce! For myself. If I was to leave my wife for another. I would not have a relationship with my children and not see my grandchildren. That alone would absolutely crush me. Never mind all other implications!! Extremely happy right where I am. Vows. To tell of a promise and not keep. No integrity. Found a letter from 100 years ago from my grandfather. He promise to pay another gentleman. $300 down and $50 dollars a month for a piece of property. They both signed it. Done!! Ok the toughest lesson of all. You hurt my family. And I’m supposed to forgive?? Not sure how that will play out. Rather not be tested. Love the message about giving to the needy. No credit if your intentions are to announce. Between you God and the recipient. Much better to give then receive. Spirit leaps inside when God lines you up with someone in need and you respond. Same with prayer. Praying at 3am is so beyond words. It’s just you and Your father. The world is asleep.
How true it is that loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself summarizes the whole law and is at the core of Jesus’ instruction here too. If we thought more about serving people rather than having them serve or please us, many of these things would be addressed as well. There is so much wisdom here that if we follow it, we and others would be far better off. We might feel like we would be losing something if we did all that Jesus commands here, but in reality we would be gaining something. And naturally we shouldn’t do things for show or accolades but to please God and because we know it is a right thing to do. Far better to live our lives for the benefit it will bring in heaven than the benefit it brings on earth and live our lives the way God wants as opposed to the way we want.
Amen, Pastor. Sums up correct prospective of life
Jesus shakes up the whole thought process of the law when He starts the sermon on the mount. Up until that point, and even still today, we look at blessing and the blessed with the mindset of man. Prosperity, wealth, power, success, safety, security….these are what appear to be blessing right? So then by that definition the Pharissees were certainly the blessed. However, Jesus says NO the blessed are the meak, the humble, the sad, even the persecuted because they are truly following the kingdom of heaven. He is showing us the importance of not just doing the right thing but doing the right thing, in the right way, and for the right reason! He is speaking a new message about not just following the law but living the law and being changed by transformative power of Christ in your life!
Advent Day 11
Wow, there is a lot of wisdom packed in these few pages! Words to live by: do our best to make peace with those people we are angry with. Then we won’t be dragged down with bitterness and resentment. Don’t make promises; instead let our answer be yes or no. Those words are enough to bind or end an agreement with someone. The best way to fight back is to pray for those who hurt us. Be children of the light by loving our enemies – this is what differentiates us from other people. Give without bringing attention to it. Pray in private. Our hearts belong with God, focus on doing his will – that is where our treasure is. In heaven, not on earth. That is what’s most important!
Jesus changes the measure of the law and goes deeper, to the heart. Anger, divorce, lust, enemies….he addresses many “simple” aspects of relationships and shows us the better way.