Arise and Abide

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT) ~the Most Important Commandment ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Deut. 6:4, the heart behind the law. Though Jesus continued to amaze with His answers the religious leaders missed opportunity to go Jesus to learn. Lev. 19:17. Baring a grudge is a trap for the one who holds it.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 22:23-33 (NLT) ~Discussion about Resurrection ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Sadducees thinking, they have it figured out something about the afterlife. Taking scripture out of contexts. Mistakes can take us off in a wrong direction while remaining convinced of being right. The letter of the Law vs the Heart of God. The clarity Jesus brings and the truth He reveals in scripture.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 22:15-22 (NLT) ~Taxes for Caesar ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Pharisee’s attempt to trap Jesus with a question about money. The Kingdom of the world overvaluing money. The Kingdom of God valuing and operating through relationships. Visa’s priceless moments with a cost. The imprinted image of Caesar vs the imprinted image of God.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 22:1-14 (NLT) ~Parable of the Great Feast ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Pharisees identity was not rooted in God, it was in the positions God gave them. The wedding attire is something God gives you. Isaiah 61:10, wrapped in a robe of righteousness. The spiritual fruit produced in our life by the Holy Spirit. The open invitation, the gift of salvation and righteousness. Addressed as a friend but gives no reply. Our response to Jesus is everything.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 21:33-46 (NLT) ~Parable of the Evil Farmers~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Following after God’s vision and not your own. The Pharisees did not like Jesus’ disruption to their vison. Believing God should move a certain way can cause us to miss what He is doing. Producing the proper fruit. The Pharisees respond exactly as the wicked farmers in the parable.

Reading Psalms 25 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Continuing Jesus’ conversation with the leading priests. Giving our life and putting our trust in God in the big leaps of faith and in the little things. David understands the heart of God being for relationship, loving God, loving people. God shows the path to follow. God know what we need and provides for us the saving we need.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 21:28-32 (NLT) ~Parable of the Two Sons~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Continuing Jesus’ conversation with the leading priests. The Pharisees clearly see the point of the parable but fail to humble themselves. Repentance is not just apologizing or admitting we’re wrong, it is turning towards God. Repentance is not doing a good at keeping yourself from sinning.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 21:23-27 (NLT) ~The Authority of Jesus Challenged~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The leading priests were aggravated as Jesus’ works were causing people to glorify God, as they felt the temple belonged to them. Caring for the temple is different than being in control of what God does within the temple. Jesus bringing John’s role back into discussion. Jesus validating John. Giving the Pharisees another opportunity to think about the call to repentance

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 21:18-22 (NLT) ~Jesus Curses the Fig Tree~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus went looking for the fruit. Jesus desiring to see fruit in our life. Time is given to grow and produce fruit. The symbolism of Israel. The fruit of the Holy Spirit that is produced as we surrender our will for His. God is faithful to show up. The greater things we will do when we walk in faith.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 21:12-17 (NLT) ~Jesus Clears the Temple~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The encouragement for those who are financially taken advantage of by spiritual leaders. The Warning for spiritual leaders. The opportunity for us now. Jesus removed what wasn’t supposed to be there to make room for what was supposed to be happening. The contrast between the children and the spiritual leaders of the people. The physical picture of the spiritual truth.