There is an old – old story that is told about ten men who happened to be soldiers… These soldiers had been locked in vicious battles for three years, and in one battle, all ten of them were killed. All ten of them went up to the “pearly gates in heaven” to see Simon Peter […]
I have been thinking a lot about “perfection” of late. And I have finally reached that age where I have to admit, it is elusive… Perfection for me…is not obtainable… I try and I try and it always escapes me…I always fall short…wayyyyyy short! Now I am aware that some people think that they are […]
Yep, the Sermon on the Mount continues… So, Let’s talk a little bit about perfection! Have you found the perfect place to live? Do you have the perfect job? Have you been blessed with the perfect spouse and the perfect children… [You children] – obviously have the perfect parents…right? For the record, I am not […]
Let’s talk about light. Matthew has previously sited the prophet Isaiah when he said, “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” Now we have Jesus addressing folks in the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus says to them, “You are the light of the world!” And I envision him pointing at […]
You are the salt of the earth…and you are the salt of the earth…and you and you…all of you are the salt of the earth! You are needed. You are necessary. You add much to this life and therefore, you are of infinite value and worth. Never allow anyone to tell you otherwise! I did […]
There can be no doubt about it – Jesus is “THE” Teacher, “par excellent.” His “Sermon on the Mount” – being a case in point… But also his Beatitudes speak volumes about his ministry, its direction and his various teachings – which will soon follow… The disciples, the twelve, his “chosen ones” are the “in-crowd,” […]
Our Gospel text is known –traditionally as being the “Beatitudes” – based on the “original Latin word” for “blessed.” This is like the preamble or the prologue or the forward to the infamous “Sermon on the Mount.” It is the opening or the beginning… In Hebrew – “blessings” – give life, whereas “curses,” – take […]
There had to be something about Jesus. Something that the scriptures are not telling us. Something … maybe that people could not quite put their finger on….but there was something about him. His person…His looks…His demeanor…His eyes…Something! Why would so many people have flipped their lives inside out, literally dropped their nets, for a chance […]
Background information or context is important. It gives us the setting and an important understanding. Without, I am afraid we wander in darkness… We are talking about the northern kingdom in the land of Zebulum and Naphtali, only much later is it – to be called “Galilee of the Gentiles.” It is around 732 BCE […]
The important thing to know and to remember – is that the text that is before us – is the Gospel writer (John’s) introduction to Jesus. This is the first time we “meet him.” This is the first time we “hear him speak.” This is the first time we “see him!” This is big stuff! […]