That difficult work of sharing love to a world in great need of it but who often refuses it because something else is desired -- that is where our love song comes in.
Read MoreOpening yourself up to new ideas and experiences can be difficult and painful. For that reason we avoid it. Yet we are able to change our mind and ways. That is what repentance is.
Read MoreWe do not always answer God’s call or do his will. Often we answer our own will and convince ourselves that it is God’s. Other times we just do the opposite because that is what we desire.
Read MoreWhat we are reminded of here is that when God calls people into his kingdom he calls them to work. The second point that Jesus makes here is that there is always room for others to work and so he invites everyone who is willing to come in and work in the kingdom.
Read MoreThe question is, “have you forgiven those who have sinned against you?” Look carefully at your own words and deeds, it seems that your forgiveness may depend on how you have (or have not) forgiven others.
Read MoreThis may be a difficult lesson to learn in our selfish world of today where people think that they can do whatever they want without any concern of how their actions affect others. Matthew tells us the opposite of this (as did Paul). We are called to be concerned about others. We are to be careful that our actions do not cause others to sin. We are also called to point out to others how they have sinned, knowing full well that we too are not perfect and have sinned against others.
Read MoreJesus calls you to live in him, not to escape from making decisions or have someone else tell you what to do, how to act, or what to say.
Read MoreJust last week we heard Jesus call [Peter] a rock. This week Jesus calls him a stumbling block. How can that be? Luther had a phrase for that: simul justus et peccator – simultaneous saint and sinner.
Read MoreNoting that it was not Peter who came up with his confession but God’s Spirit, we wonder if Matthew is reminding all that it is God who calls the church together and that God chooses even those who are weak, afraid, and make mistakes; that it is upon the faith given by God that builds the church.
Read MoreWhat we say and how we say it is important in the life of a Christian. We are to be careful that our words do not offend but also we need to make sure that we correct those who are wrong – even those in authority as Jesus shows by correcting the Pharisees and the woman by correcting Jesus.
Read MoreAs we look to the destination and the world around us we can be uncertain of our ability to complete the task and afraid of the consequences of our journey. There are many troubled waters in our life, many obstacles in our way. If we look too long and too hard at the task at hand we will believe that it is an impossible task and just give up and drown in the fears and worries of the world.
Read More“They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” After the meal they do have something to give – twelve full baskets. — God has filled your basket full and now calls you to go out and help feed the people who are in need.
Read MoreThis becomes a morning joy; to be interrupted by the song of a bird or the chatting of a squirrel who was surprised by my presence as he climbed up to see if Jaye had put anything out for him. That is why I enjoy sitting out on my porch. I get to enjoy God's creation and the little surprises that come along with it. Although sometimes, like now, it does distract me a bit from the task at hand.
Read MoreIn our science-minded world where we have unlocked many of the secrets of life, we lose the wonder of the story because we know what yeast is and how seeds grow. But for the people Jesus taught they saw God working in the seed and the yeast. It is God who will grow the kingdom and the mustard shrub. Jesus is saying, “Do your part. Do not worry. God will take care of the growth.”
Read MoreThis was because God did not want to take the chance of harming one faithful person by removing the evil ones. That means we grow together. You know what that means. You have experienced the weeds growing among us and maybe have been influenced by them in your lives. Remember this is just a parable – it does not say once a weed always a weed.
Read MoreThat is the power of teaching with parables. We all bring our own story to Jesus’ stories and hear, by the help of the Holy Spirit, what we need to hear in our lives at that juncture.
Read MoreAn apropos reminder in our time where we are dealing with a novel virus and old attitudes about others. If we fall back on how things used to be, if we strive to return to the old ways we will fail. We are called to approach these troubling times with open minds and, more importantly, hearts.
Read MoreMany who have become members have allowed the world to fill their lives with false hopes, dreams, and desires. Luther reminds us that, while we do not need to do anything for membership, once we know the gift we have received we will desire to return the gift.
Read MoreThe reward for welcoming others comes from Jesus. Therefore they can receive others as if they were receiving Jesus. But, more importantly, they could proclaim Jesus by how they receive others. They may give them a drink of water – life giving water.
Read MoreSlavery is wrong, has always been wrong. So why would Jesus – God’s son – use slavery as an example and why would Matthew use it as well? In part it may be that slavery was common in the Roman empire and was generally accepted as the way life. That still does not make it right. Yet there may be a hidden message here on Matthew’s part at least.
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