We are one week out from having read the entire book of Matthew! Great job! We’ve considered the theme of Matthew, “The Kingdom of Heaven,” as we’ve read. This expression is used more than 30 times throughout the book. Have you noticed any particular theme in your Bible journaling this month?
Mine seems to be a tiredness. I get that. But I also notice a comfortable closeness. Hopefully God feels the same way. I have also been aware of little waves of grace washing over me. Moments where I just feel the urge to say, “I just really love Jesus y’all.” And I normally do say it because I’m typically in the car, driving someone somewhere and it’s good for our children to hear us love Jesus.
Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, when speaking of this “Kingdom of Heaven” theme state,
The Kingdom of heaven is ethical in the sense that it calls for a human response to Jesus. It summons hearers to repentance (4:17), followed by a lifetime of discipleship, in which seeking the surpassing righteousness of Christ (5:20) is the highest priority (6:33) The Kingdom is also ecclesial in that its saving power is made present in the world through the Church.
P –My vision is so limited Lord. I want to see as You do. Now, yes, that may mean I would like to know how it is all going to turn out as well too; forgive my lack of trust.
O –The further into Matthew I read, the more I feel the impending death of Jesus. Here in chapter 20 He begins with a story of the laborers and their just wage. He fortells His death and then the story of James and John’s mother asking our Lord for a special spot next to Him. Finally He heals two blind men, but first he asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they reply, Lord, let our eyes be opened.” It says Jesus touched them in pity (compassion, tenderness) and immediately they received their sight and followed Him. Ending things are being spoken of–payment at the end of the day, our places in heaven and following Jesus as He makes His way towards Jerusalem.
W —vs 34…And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their eyes. And immediately they saw and followed him.
E –I heard something recently that I cannot stop rolling around in my heart and mind. “Things don’t happen to you, they happen for you.” So I wonder, if these men had not been blind, would they have needed or wanted Jesus? I know the hardest times of my life, in hindsight, bore the most fruit. That is a scary place for me to think of. I of course appreciate the fruit, but cringe at the memory of that pain.
R –I want to see the events of my day, my life as being for me rather than to me. The scriptures state “All things work together for good for those who love God.” Lord open my eyes so I can see this.
Please leave your POWERful reflections in the comments
deb00 says
P- Dear Lord thank you for the gift of growing in knowledge of You thru the scriptures. Please open my eyes and heart to all Your hopes, desires, plans for me.
O- Jesus warns not to be jealous/envious of His generosity. He shows us how, if we call out to Him in Faith, He will heal us. He puts us in our place if we are cocky enough to ask to be treated better than others.
W- Mt 20:15 Am i not free to do as I with with my money? Are you envious because I am generous?
E- How many times am i envious of what others have (not so much material stuff but spiritual/moral) especially when it comes to family- more kids (wanted at least 10), less problems/conflict (have had kid issues with drugs, flunking school…), all kids still in the Church (2 of 4 of ours are not), kids appear more respectful, more moral, more helpful on their own accord…. etc. I need to realize i really don’t know what their challenges are and need to just be thankful for all God has given me! Who knows someone out there is probably envious of what i have.
P- Lord help me to count all my blessings each day rather than focus on what i have not.
Jenny says
So true Deb, we don’t know the challenges these seemingly “perfect” families face behind closed doors.
maddalena70 says
P. God give me the strength to live intentionally, to be kind and merciful with the ones in need… keeping in mind that we are all sons of God in the same way.
O. It strikes me how it is essential to live intentionally following kindly pur faith knowing that our destiny is in Him no matter what… Even Jesus, the son of God, came to serve and not to bw served and to give his life as a ransom for many.
W. “and whoever would be first among you must be your slave even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give hia life as a ransom for many”.
E. I envision the moment in which I will fully accept my role as a servant of my family and I will finally put aside my own pride for their well being.
R. God help me to accept my role as a servant with a light heart and peaceful spirit!
Jenny says
Oh my gracious! When you figure out the key to putting yourself aside solely for your family please share it with me!
Michelle says
Yes, I have had urges to simply say with a heart like a child, “I love you God.” Also, suffering seems to have increased, yet grace abounds. Healing has been a general theme and I feel a call to that particular ministry. I wrote asking God why he might expect me to go around healing others when I am in such need myself. He replied that I am only to give what I have received.
Second to, “Offer it up.”, my father used to say that pain was the touchstone to spirituality. I get the cringe and yet growth of things past. It reminds me of the most disliked school teacher that I’ve ever had and guess what? I learned the most that year. She inspired in me a love for literature and opened my eyes to my strengths and weaknesses.
At the request of the disciple’s mother, Jesus teaches that what makes for real greatness is not lordly power, but humble service. I must remember this every day when my children make me steaming mad!
Lord, open my eyes and have pity on me.
Jenny says
Yes, open my eyes AND have pity on me.