June 27
Matthew chapters 4-6
There's so much in the next three chapters, I could study it all week, all month and still need to study it more.
The
Temptation of Christ. I think this particular part of scripture is to
remind us that our King isn't just looking down on us, not understanding
us (think politics, particularly Western democracy in the 21st
century). Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. I read recently that
when 40 is a time span, it means renewal - of a generation, of a
spiritual calling, of one's self. I believe Jesus fasted for 40 days
and nights for all of those.
He was about to change from
carpenter to itinerant preacher, presenting himself as a normal guy into
the Son of God. The temptations afterwards? Their significance is to
show us that Jesus was ready to begin his ministry. When we are renewed
in Christ, something we should be every day, we are ready to face
whatever gets thrown at us. And we are ministers, even if just by our
behavior.
The First Four. Peter and Andrew, James and John.
"Come with me" he says. And they do. It's like, they were just
fishermen, but also Jewish adult males who had been taught all their
lives the Law, the scriptures. They had no doubts about who was calling
them. Are we immersed enough in the Word of God to know when the Lord
calls us?
The Sermon on the Mount. Too much to write about in
one sitting. I am both blessed and appalled when reading these
chapters. Blessed, because Jesus speaks directly to the people where
they are - not "I'll talk to you as soon as you shape up." God isn't
like that - He hears our cries in our despair - no one is too sad,
depressed, busy, whatever, for God to listen.
I'm appalled
because there is so much basic stuff here that I've been neglecting,
especially the parts about anger. I am angry all the time - being
Highly Sensitive, I notice all the little stuff around me that other
people just let go. The constant hum of a fan, the just-a-bit-too-loud
music coming from the cubicle next to mine, the string hanging off
snagged pants, bad grammar - the list is endless.
And I'm worried
all the time. Too many things to do, to much chaos , what do I do
first? It's frustrating, especially when people who aren't like me tell
me "Just get over it" or "Just do/don't do it." It's like my kitten,
who is going through the biting stage. He doesn't understand why I get
so mad when he's just playing, but he can't really help himself - he has
to learn a new behavior, and really, it's quite a long lesson, because
my arms are all teeny-weenie little scabs from my efforts at teaching
him.
But God, who is perfect in every way, sees me and gathers me
into His arms and says "Chill, I've got it covered." Sometimes I
scratch and bite - but God doesn't stop loving me. He just keeps
teaching me. I'm 51 years old now, but still that jumpy, hissy kitten.
Getting into the Word, meditating on it day and night is just the next
part of God's instruction.
I will ponder these chapters a lot
today. It seems like it's so many little things to remember, but really
it's just one - The Lord is in control if I choose to allow Him, and
honestly, He knows better than I do what the day holds.
No comments:
Post a Comment