I just finished reading Mathew 23. Man, Jesus chewed the religious leaders up and spit them out! For what, exactly? Pretending that they were better than they really were? Being self-righteous? Probably verse 4 is a huge part of it; "They crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden." It made me even more certain that a child-like faith is the best kind. The Pharisees lived their whole lives trying to serve God the way they thought was right. But they were wrong and Jesus called them "children of hell." Scary! They served the right God, they just forgot to love Him. And His people.
I don't read the gospels often enough. I am not sure why. I read them a lot when I was little and didn't like Jesus very much. Now I read them and I am touched by His mercy and compassion but still a little shocked at how He doesn't soften the truth. I hope this is the beginning of me loving to read the gospels, they way I love to read the epistles.
What is your favorite thing Jesus did/said while he was on earth?
3 comments:
I think even 'scarier' are some of Jesus' last words to us (His own church) in Rev 2:4-5.
"But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first. If you don't, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches." NLT
This really goes along with my 'favorite thing' about Jesus when He was on earth too:
He didn't shrink back from telling the truth. Even when it seemed harsh, it was all in love whether it was to 'friend' (i.e Peter in Mt. 16:23) or 'foe'(as His true heart toward them is shown at the end of the same chapter you noted in vss. 37-39).
Challenging thoughts -- thanks for sharing them.
Dana
I think my favorite thing that Jesus did while he was with us was "John 11:35
Jesus wept."
Jesus knew that Lazarus would be raised, but in his humanity he understood the deep pain of those around him.
He could have said, 'he's in a better place' or 'he won't be dead for long', but instead seeing the suffering of those around He was able to suffer along side them. He chose to feel the pain, He chose to feel grief.
He is Amazing.
Thank you, guys! I realized I forgot to say my favorite thing. At the moment, it is after He rose again and He said Mary's name. Just the love and tenderness for her is so beautiful to me. And of course, it helps me know how He feels about me.
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