NT: The Book of Matthew, Chapter 22

Matthew 22:1-46

22:1 Jesus is going to continue to use parables because He believed that the best way to teach someone about a difficult concept was to relate it to circumstances they are familiar with. So He continues teaching in parable.

22:2 God arranged a union between His son, Jesus and the people of the world. Unfortunately, the people of the world refused to unite with Jesus and everything He was teaching them.

22:3 God sent people to teach others about how wonderful God and Jesus are. He sent people to lead the way by being kind, honest, wise and fair but people refused to be those things. They chose wealth, power and greed.

22:4 God continued to send people to try to bring them into His comfort. He sent people to tell them that God was ready and prepared to heal and comfort everyone... but even with this information, people refused.

22:5 Jesus is telling us something important here, something we can relate to today. Everybody says that they like justice, kindness, and honesty but everybody does not exhibit those traits. In fact, many people are unjust, mean and deceitful. Why? People are cruel because they look out for themselves even if it is at the expense of others. For people like this, what Jesus taught seems like a nice concept to them... but they do not follow it. They choose not to follow it because they think that they can get further, faster, if they use different methods. Jesus came to teach us that our lives on Earth are short and sometimes difficult but that a kind person will live with ease for an eternity. Some people do not try to understand this. They return to their business or home and continue living by their own selfish rules. Be careful that you don't trade kindness for selfishness. The greedy method of living does not yield positive results.

22:6 While some people just ignored the message, others went out of their way to destroy the message -- but killing the messengers (even though they were faultless).

Allow people to have their own opinions, even if you do not agree with them. If they are not harming another person, animal, or institution you can offer your opinion, kindly, but you should not mute theirs. If they are truly wrong, God will communicate with them after their life.

22:7 God will return to clean out the unkind, the murderers... everything that contradicts His sweet and loving world will be eliminated.

22:8 God does not cancel the wedding just because the guests refused to show. He throws the party anyway -- He brings heaven, peace and eternity regardless of the actions of the evil. Awful people will never ruin anything God creates or plans.

22:9 Instead of cancelling the event, God invites everyone to the wedding (not just the people who claim to love Him, because He found out by their refusal to be kind that they truly did not love Him). God invites everyone to join Him in the eternity because He knows that even non-believers can have kind hearts. If you live by God's advice, even if you can't bring yourself to understand the concept of Him, He wants to bring you into His house. He loves loving people. He loves kindness and justice and truth. He throws the party for people who live their lives with those traits regardless of their religion, occupation, mistakes,...He welcomes the broken.

22:10 And guess what? God gathers so many people with His kindness that His eternal house, his party is full and exuberant. It lacks nothing and no one. All of the loving, pure hearts are there.

22:11 There will always be an evil person trying to enjoy the benefits of the people who really deserve them. At this party, God notices someone there who has not done the work to earn it.

22:12 God gives every person their chance to explain themselves -- in a way, this is done by God understand the nature of our true hearts. This party guest however, cannot explain himself... he cannot explain himself because he knows he does not belong. He knows that he was cruel and unfair during his lifetime -- and he knows that he did not apologize for it. This person knows that they did not even want to apologize. And for this reason they will not be allowed to live with the kind.

22:13  When God sees somebody who is trying to attend the party, but has not lived an honest life, He removes them. Completely. They are not allowed to pretend and enjoy the same benefits of those who actually do work to do and be good.

22:14 God reminds us that He has invited everyone to come to His party -- to share in His eternal life. God also reminds us that although he has invited everybody, there is a much smaller group of people that He, personally, hand-selects to be there. Not many people work to be special to God. Although God loves everyone equally, some people are so kind of heart that He can trust them to take on the responsibility of spreading His great word. There are many ways you can spread God's message -- your art, your thought, your compassion towards others... Use the talent and opportunity He has given you to be chosen to do wonderful things for others.

22:15 The Pharisees are still looking for a way to discredit Jesus. They despise Jesus because they are not kind or fair and Jesus is disrupting the strength of their power. Jesus is educating the people they control and have power over and because of that they are threatened by Him. They want Him out of their way and they won't stop. Mean people can be persistent, so you also must be resilient. Continue to come alive, continue to be brave under God's love and protection. Nobody can take anything away from you that God cannot replace. And God's replacements are everlasting... they are so much better than anything you had before.

22:16-17 This verse can be a bit confusing, here is what the pharisees actually mean to say: They trying to use Jesus' words against Him. Jesus constantly teaches that He does not bow or pray to any man because He knows that the true creator, the true Father is God. Jesus teaches us this so that we will never sell our souls to a corrupt man. The pharisees try to trick Jesus by saying: Well, if you don't listen to laws of any man, should people stop paying their taxes?

They pharisees are doing several things wrong in this argument but one of them is this: they are trying to confuse the word of Jesus. Jesus was not teaching people that they should be anarchists who aren't participants in fair societies... He was teaching people not worship, revere or become slaves to any man. He told us this for our own good -- humans often are not fair or kind and God does not want us trapped under anyone's evil control. God does not want us to run around like hooligans refusing to participate in organization while we are here on Earth -- He just does not want us to become entangled in religion and thought that is corrupt.

22:18 You cannot fool Jesus, or God. Jesus knew that the pharisees true intention was just to confuse Jesus and His followers and therefore discount their beliefs... but Jesus is too smart, too perceptive to be tricked by deception.

Jesus calls them hypocrites. Jesus knows that the pharisees are trying to make Him seem evil... but they are actually the evil ones... they are aware of their own sin... and yet are trying to pin it on others. It won't work with God-- He seems right through their schemes.

22:19 Jesus wants to teach a clear message -- He asks for a piece of the tax money (for a lesson).

22:20 Jesus asks a question He already knows the answer to, the ruler's image is on the coin.

22:21 Jesus is telling them this: participate in your social system (government) if you believe it is running fairly and honestly. God does not want or require your money -- God is above money. Way above. Jesus is telling them that what God wants is your love, compassion, your kindness, your honesty... those are the payments you make to Him. Therefore, by paying taxes, you are not appointing a new god (you are not doing anything wrong).

22:22 The Pharisees marveled at Jesus' ability to shut them down so quickly and efficiently. When even your enemies are amazed by your abilities... you know that you're working with God. He makes us wise, courageous, successful in our endeavors.

22:23 Jesus' next group of adversaries wants their turn to try to trick Him -- it won't work. These people in particular do not believe in Heaven... or in any kind of life after death. They are going to try to make Jesus' message invalid...but they will fail, because Jesus' message is truth and valid.

22:24  Moses instructed the people that if a brother dies, his sibling should take care of the wife after he leaves. Moses learned this from God -- God wants everyone to be taken care of. God wants a sibling to absorb the responsibility of feeding and caring for the family that is left behind. Simple as that. God wants a family member to support another family member in the time that they require it.

22:25-28 The Sadducees ask Jesus this: If all of the brothers eventually die, each having had the responsibility of caring for the wife, whose wife is she when heaven comes?

By asking this question, the Sadducees are hoping to confuse the idea of heaven but actually there is an explanation!

22:29 Jesus tells them this first: you are mistaken. He wants them to know that they misunderstood the message. First of all, the message is not about marriage or husbands or wives. God just wants to make sure everyone is taken care of. A wife does not belong to anyone except God.

But there's more.

Jesus tells them that they do not understand the power of God. What does He mean by this? Let's examine it in the next verse.

22:30 In heaven there is no marriage. The union in Heaven is the union of God with His children. God becomes our provider, our protector, the person who most loves us. Therefore, even in technicality, the woman is none of the men's wife. She, like all of us, belong to our sweet God.

In heaven, we do not do the same things we do on Earth. Our lives are so much more brilliant...they are elevated above the traditions we have on Earth. It might be hard for us to understand now, but know that in Heaven marriage isn't necessary -- we are united with God, we arrive at our spiritual home. We will never experience the amazing love of God before His house and when we have it, we will not need anything to supplement it.

22:31 Jesus reminds them (and us) that in Heaven there is no such thing as death!

22:32 God is a God of the LIVING... when we leave Earth we immediately enter Heaven. We immediately come alive in a new form. God is a creator of LIFE and he only destroys that which destroys or corrupts life.

22:33 Again, Jesus band of enemies walks always astonished. He is brilliant and wise, they cannot win against Him.

22:34 They're back. The Pharisees are going to continue to try to get Jesus out of their way.

22:35 Here we see that someone who was likely in a high position of society (wealthy and powerful), as a lawyer, wants to test Jesus.

22:36 He wants to know what the special commandment from God is.

22:37-38 Jesus tells him (and us) that we should love God with our everything... with everything we have we should love him. God wants us to love Him because when we decide to love Him, it means we have decided to love his message -- it means we have decided to be kind, fair and compassionate. God is always looking out for US... not for Himself. He knows that if we live our lives as good people we will find happiness, safety, determination, motivation, love, friendship...

22:39 Jesus explains that the second special commandment is that we love others as we love ourselves. We should protect and nurture other people with the same compassion we have for ourselves. When another is cold, we should desire desperately to give them heat... when another is hungry, we should feed them as if we were starving...We should protect others are we protect ourselves. We should put others' needs in the forefront of our minds and hearts because LOVE is life and LIFE is love. Compassion is so important because it denies selfishness and greed -- the things which corrupt the world and ruin it for others.

We should not separate ourselves from others -- they are our siblings. We are all part of each other.

The pharisees were hoping that Jesus would not be able to choose a commandment that encompassed all of them -- but Jesus did. By loving God and by loving others, you cover the important messages from God.

22:40 Jesus tells us that we should always keep those commandments and utilize and refer to them in everything that we do.

22:41 Jesus switches the perspective -- He has a question for the pharisees. Jesus knows everything, He just wants to teach them something.

22:42 Jesus is confirming with them that Christ came from David's genealogy.

22:43-45 Jesus is teaching us that even though He was born through David... Jesus is still the Lord's son, shared with David's family and the Earth for teaching. David still calls Jesus Lord.

22:46 Jesus' enemies were done questioning Him because they knew that He was right and they they could not triumph against Him.

NT: The Book of Matthew: Chapter 21

Matthew 21:1-46

21:1-2 Jesus, through God, has a plan both in this verse and in life. Everything they foretell happens because of something and happens for something although it may not only be clear to us.

I know that for a lot of people this concept is difficult to accept and even understand -- but it's true, our experiences on Earth create who we authentically are. God allows for the repercussions of our our decisions because He gives us complete freedom. He doesn't punish us but humanity punishes itself with the selfish choices it makes. God lets the plan unfold -- right now, we are in the part of His plan where He lets us choose our own way. He doesn't choose suffering or pain or disparity... He chose to give us our freedom because he's not despotic. Humans create and allow suffering, pain and disparity not God. So, when Jesus has a plan, we listen because ultimately He has our best interest at heart (where we understand His plan in the beginning or not).

21:3 When God requests something it happens immediately. There are no barriers. He created everything and therefore everything exists only under His will. 

21:4 Jesus' plan here it to fulfill scripture and for a purpose -- He has a symbol He wants to teach us for an important reason.

21:5 For scripture foretold that Jesus would come to the people on a donkey or a colt. There is a symbol in this.

21:6 The disciples went. They trusted Jesus and His plan and they were willing to work to have it come into fruition. We are lucky enough to join the mission but we must be productive and brave. Jesus did not chose procrastinators because the mission was and remains important.

21:7 Jesus mounts the donkey/colt. Here we should get into the metaphor. Jesus, during His first visit to the Earth, came and started as a baby. He grew to be a young man and teacher, healer, friend to all. By riding a small donkey, the metaphor teaches that Jesus' came in a peaceful manner, with a new message for love in life. 

Jesus arriving on a donkey/colt was planned by God. He has a productive, thought-out plan for humanity which began even before we got here. Whether a person can accept this metaphor, that the colt and donkey were part of God's plan before colts or donkeys even existed, does not necessarily matter. What matters most is that you understand the metaphor.

However -- God does plan much in advance and He uses details of circumstances to prove it to us. The scripture which told of Jesus' coming on a colt was written before Jesus came.

When Jesus returns, He will not be riding the metaphorical colt/donkey because he will not be returning as a baby and He had already completed His work as a teacher. When Jesus returns, He returns as King.

In Zechariah 9:9 predates Matthew 21, in predicting Jesus' arrival. 

21:8 Another wonderful, instructive metaphor! Jesus sets the direction and then allows us to help all of His children down the path toward arrival into God's protection and love. People worked to keep the path accessible. When there was a barrier they removed it. God still needs people to work this hard for His other children. There are so many ways you can help to keep the path visible. You can also be a teacher, a comforter, a guide, an example to others on how to survive and grow from the journey.

21:9 Before Jesus and after Jesus' time here, there have been people who are pure and kind of heart. We are just as important, just as loved as those who inspired Jesus' coming and those who lived during His time here. Remember, God has seen the entire plan. He wants to keep and protect all of us; we each are uniquely important to Him. No matter where we exist on the timeline, we can follow God, we can lead the way for others by being merciful and forgiving.

21:10 When people see an astonishing sight, such as Jesus and His multitudes, or a person or group of people who are kind despite having difficulty in life... they want to know how and what inspired their resilience. Proudly answer as the multitudes did in 21:11...

21:11 Jesus is the reason for this multitude of people, of love and forgiveness. 

21:12 Jesus discovers that a church, which claimed to preach the beautiful and fair word of God, was instead existed in corruption. The church was swindling money out of people and neglecting to teach them anything besides greed and suffering. Understandably, Jesus was infuriated. 

God is so, indescribably perturbed by people who fool and use His beloved children. He cleans them out of the way when they are discovered. You can always rest assured that God sides with YOU. If you are kind you can always expect and delight in His presence beside you. Find comfort in Him.

He turns the place upside-down so that it can no longer function. It was functioning for the wrong purpose and God puts the flame out of people and institutions that do.

21:13 Here Jesus is saying to them that they know better. They are going directly against the text and way of life they claim to preach. A house of God, a church, does not exist to take people's money. The word of God can be taught in a field, in a parking lot, on a sidewalk... anywhere, for free. To use the church as a business to trick people into spending loads of money (which is used for frivolity) is contradictory to God's word and plan.

21:14 Jesus gathered that church's victims and welcomed them into His arms. He opened their minds to the corruption and trickery they were under and they found peace and relief in Him.

This happens in churches still -- church elders build grand building and archways, windows with fancy glass and color... and this money is taken from church goers who think they are doing good. Choose God over money and grandeur. If a church collects money, it should be used strictly to help people who need it. Do not be fooled. Likewise, do not use your money on frivolous things because money becomes a god to so many. People devote their trust and love to money and they sink in the consequences.

There should never be an abundance of money, in any person's bank, if there is an abundance of suffering in the world.

And truly many of us are guilty of having more than we need, often buying things we desire when people around the world have less than even what they require to be alive.

21:15 The leaders of this church Jesus stormed into were not happy with what He had to say. They were so in love with money that they closed their ears to the message He had to say. Do not let money control you in such a way that you lose your common sense at the expense of a human life.

21:16 Jesus reminds us that innocent, young child and babies who have not yet been corrupted by the world are full of pure wisdom. It's true, children often see through corruption and deceit. Right and wrong for children is often clear. Adults confuse and make situations complex with their desires for power, wealth and fame.

He reminds the church leaders that the children who are cheering because of Jesus are cheering because they have heard the truth. They have heard a truth that makes sense.

21:17 Jesus continued on -- likely realizing how much work was to be done! And truly, there is so much to be done. Humans have created a lot of problems in the world. You can choose any place on the Earth and there will be an abundance of good the place is starving for.

With God you are never mission-less. You are never direction-less. There is always an opportunity to create happiness or opportunity for a person suffering.

21:18 Jesus is hungering to teach an important lesson. Upon waking up, He has a plan... He has a lesson to bring truth.

21:19 Jesus arrives at a tree and finds that there is no fruit. The metaphor is this: When God sees a person or organization that is not producing good, healthy produce (people), He puts an end to it. Forever.

21:20 People will marvel at God... they will wonder, "How did you eliminate evil so easily... so quickly?" 

21:21 Jesus teaches us that good, honest, kind hearts will always persevere against evil - quickly and easily. When you give your trust to God nothing and no person can win against you. They might continue to try... but they fail each time because you are strong and courageous in God. You are protected by Him because you believe that He will protect you. He loves to have you on the mission, bringing others into His house because of your actions.

Jesus tells us that we have power against adversity. You can change the world, a mountain is a symbol for a nation. Your voice, coupled with God's wisdom can and will accomplish beautiful things with its impact.

21:22 This verse is so tender, so personally written to each of us. Honestly, when I read it I am so overcome by its truth, but the love existing within it. Not only are you loved by God, you were made by Him... He's your father, your kin, and when you accept your place in His family... there is nothing He will not do for you. He will cross or eliminate every mountain, every stone and pebble in your way.

God is eager to remove the fear from your life. God is eager to remove the pain in your heart. God is eager to eliminate the confusion or addiction in your mind. He wants to heal you. His purpose is love. He wants you to open yourself up to let Him pour His light into you... healing everything, in every crevice. When you call to Him, He hears you. When you ask of Him and you truly believe He is capable... when you trust Him, He will move that mountain just to see you smile. You will receive. 

How beautiful and freeing is it that we have a God who gives, freely and abundantly? You will receive. God does not take anything from you except that which damages or scares you. He gives. You receive. You will receive... believe. Everyday reaffirm your trust in Him -- ask and be patient because He's working on it... specifically for you. He loves you.

21:23 Jesus reaches a new location to teach to people who are starving for truth and love. Jesus is teaching pure, kind things and yet... his adversaries arrive and question His authority. I find it particularly ironic that they were questioning the authority of the Teacher whose father... well, owns the place. And by place I mean, the Earth... and universe. Likely one is not going to have any more authority than having authority over... everything...ever. But anyway, here's another lesson. When you're doing something good and true and right, do not allow yourself to be walked over or tested by evil people. Likewise, do not taunt and tempt people who are doing their best and are teaching a good message. 

21:24 Jesus uses their own logic against them to answer their question.

21:25-26 John the Baptist cleared the way for Jesus (through God). So, if the they answer that John was from men they contradict what this entire population of people believes --dangerous. Yet, if they admit John was sent from Heaven... they give Jesus credit for His authority.

21:27 Jesus (and God) does not waste His time with deception and trickery. These adversaries know the truth, they just want to twist the truth because they fear they are losing their power to Jesus. If they will not listen to the beautiful message Jesus is teaching... He really has nothing else to say to them. God will help us in anyway He can... but He instructs us and we openly reject it... He accepts that you ignore Him... and He makes it easy for you. He moves on to more important matters... saving the kind.

21:28 (The Parable of the Two Sons) A man had two sons, you can understand this to mean that God has two types of people in the world. These two types of people live and work on the Earth. By work, here we can understand that to mean work in relation to other people (i.e having compassion, being truthful, selfless, humble).

21:29 One of the children refuses to work for Him in keeping God's children safe and happy. An example of this could be someone who does not really appear to be a great character on the surface. 

21:30 God asks the other child to go work on the Earth, too. This child says that he/she will. But does not. This person lies to get the favor of God, thinking they can trick him by saying the right things rather than actually doing the right things.

21:31 Jesus explains here that He welcomes people who have done bad in their lives but turned their lives and selves around. We don't begin perfect or productive but we can become productive and good and this is a process God delights to see. God is explaining that the groups of people others like to judge and exclude or scoff at, are the very groups God will welcome into His house before the deceptive, judging types.

21:32 When John the baptist came, teaching of Jesus and God's message, the people of churches did not listen. The arrogant and powerful people who claimed to be the most holy revealed themselves to be wicked and corrupt. The people who were judged by them heard and saw the truth and changed. God loves us based on who we are inside and we cannot fool Him.

Keep in mind that if others put you down or do not accept you because of something you have done, their inability to accept you despite it speaks badly of them, not of you.

Likewise, do not judge and hate others because you do not know what is in their heart; you do not know what lead them to make certain decisions that you do not agree with. In their hearts, they can be the most selfless and kind of all.

21:33 These next verses exemplify God' story with the Earth. God created the Earth and built it so that it would house and sustain its inhabitants.

21:34 Before Jesus, God sent strong, kind people in His name to teach and lead the rest of His children. He sent them to take inventory... to see how we were doing.

21:35 The teachers sent were destroyed by the inhabitants of the Earth. People refused to hear truth and killed those bringing it.

21:36 He continued to try to help and save people. He wanted to save the evil from corruption and He wanted to save the kind from the evil. The teachers kept being harassed and killed.

21:37 God brought His son to Earth, Jesus, hoping that the people of the world would accept the message directly from the source...

21:38  ...but people beat and rejected even Jesus, who healed and taught and comforted.

21:39 They killed even Jesus.

21:40 Jesus is saying... when God comes... those who beat and rejected truth and kindness, well, what do you think they can expect?

21:41 Well, they can expect to be eliminated. They can expect to lose their spots in God's heart to those who were kind and just. People who are evil do not really fear this moment because they do not love God -- they refuse to contemplate His existence or to accept it and because of this, they fool themselves into believing that they will reign forever on the Earth with their wealth, fame and power. Wrong. They will not.

This is not to say that atheists are bad, everyone has their own personal circumstance. God loves everyone and a lot of people do not have the chance or opportunity to understand Him. God forgives this... they will have their chance to see Him, in truth and to accept or reject Him like everyone else.

An atheist can have a good heart -- accept everyone, God does, if they are kind.

21:42 Jesus and God are the center of everything. Jesus, who was rejected, is our foundation.

21:43 Understand that all of God's gifts and love will be given to those who were kind and good and were trampled on by the wicked and evil-doers. The evil lose everything and the kind gain it.

21:44 Isaiah 8:14 If a person rejects the foundation of what Jesus teaches, they become victims and participants in corruption and evil. Metaphorically speaking, Jesus the solid, foundation stone will crush them to powder so that they cannot do anymore harm to anyone.

21:45 The chief priests and Pharisees accurately perceived that Jesus was talking about them -- and they were not pleased.

21:46 They would have liked to kill Jesus right then but they were to afraid to upset the many people who loved and followed Jesus.

NT: The Book of Matthew, Chapter 20

Matthew 20:1-34

20:1 We begin a new parable in this chapter. In verse one, we can understand that God is the landowner, Earth is the vineyard and humanity are the laborers.

20:2 God has had an understanding with certain believers since early in their lives -- they agree to do His work because they love what He stands for and in return, they get His love and protection.

20:3 Time passes -- you can think of this two ways, time passes in an individual's lifetime and also time passes in humanity's lifetime. God is there throughout time creating relationships with people as generations pass and also as individuals age and mature over their lifetimes. He is always ready for us when we are ready for Him. He continues to welcome new laborers, those who missed their chance in the beginning continue to get chances as He makes himself available over and over again.

20:4 He creates and begins relationships with people -- offering them answers to their prayers in the form of love, courage and perseverance. Each laborer (servant/lover of God) has a unique agreement and understanding with Him that is promised to be fair.

20:5 He continues to come throughout our lifetime, offering all that He is to those who will accept it.

20:6 Humanity has been here for a long time -- those of us living now have been taught and have experienced the repercussions and achievements of those who have come before us. Also, as individuals some of us grow older without maturing either spiritually or generally in life. When we are listening, God asks us... "Are you ready to begin? To become passionate and beloved and purposeful?" In other words, when we spend our lives away from wisdom, we become greedy or lazy which is the symbol for "idleness" in this verse.

20:7 Some people answer God that they have never had the opportunity to be better -- either they were not taught or they did not try -- but regardless, God offers even the late-comers to join His family with the same fair deal as He made with the early-risers. Why? Because God is impartial; He loves all people equally and His is so forgiving and patient -- when we are ready to join Him, He's right there ready for you.

20:8 When it is our time to meet God, we get to bask in that relationship we made with Him --regardless of when we joined His mission. God does not pick favorite people and He considers all work done in His name valuable no matter who did it. The last to join His family is equal to the first person to join. And that is really beautiful -- we do not have to compete for God's attention or His love, it is there, abundantly for each of us. God accepts and understands that we each are on our own program.

20:9 The last received the same as the first: His Love, His Gratitude for our work, His Eternal House...

20:10 But we are not quite as perfect and fair as God is -- often we fall quite short. The parable here lets us know that some people want to be loved more than others, they want a higher prize for the same work... this is not true compassion. A lover, child and student of God wants equality for all people. A child of God exhibits honest humility -- and would never be comfortable in any kind of hierarchical position. A child of God accepts his or herself as a part of a family.

20:11 Some people are greedy -- they complain to God; they want better and more rewards. But God loves those who do His work without and despite the promise of a reward.

20:12 These people are counted their deeds and comparing them with others --which immediately taints any good that they have done. God is not keeping score. For God, compassion is immeasurable. We should be thankful that God rewards us equally and we should be as fair with others.

God knows each of our struggles. It is a wonderful moment for Him when someone who has made the wrong decisions their entire life chooses to change for the better -- those people have traveled a long and difficult journey and because of this God believes they have earned equal love from Him.

20:13 God reminds these workers in this parable that He has had a unique and beautiful relationship with them all their lives and that He has been perfectly fair with them. He was been perfectly honest -- having agreed on terms with each participants.

20:14 God reminds us to take what we have earned with gratitude and especially without complaint. He will continue to be fair and loving to all of His children.

20:15 God reminds us this too -- this universe, this world... is His. It has been created by Him. He will distribute His compassion equally as He wishes to. If a person has difficulty accepting equal portions of Love from God... that person is exhibiting a characteristic of evil: greed.

How can we relate this to today? Do not always measure your earnings against another person's. Envy and jealousy are spawned by selfishness -- be compassionate and selfless in all things. The world needs people to be giving and empathetic and fair in all things.

Sometimes it appears that we have worked longer for something than someone else and yet been given the same reward -- we need to consider that the other person might have worked a shorter amount of time, but their journey much harder. God finds the perfect balance -- He knows every detail of our lives and in that we should be so glad, so grateful.

God asks us not let our greediness question His goodness.

20:16 Remember, God puts at the forefront of His mind, those who have struggled against people and circumstances -- because they have worked hard and are compassionate. They are kind despite all of the challenges they have faced.

God tells us that He has invited and encouraged many to be a part of His mission but many succumb to their jealousy, their envy and their greed instead. Some people are so kind, selfless and compassionate that He has chosen them to be His loving-dutiful workers.

He has chosen some because even though they have worker long, hard hours in His name, they never count the time or labor of others. It is rare for a person to be so selfless and God chooses these people for great missions (with equal reward!).

20:17 Now, Jesus has a message specifically for the disciples so they go off on their own for a while.

20:18 Jesus tells them about the death and Resurrection that was coming soon.

20:19 Jesus tells them that He will be mocked and beaten and killed but that He will rise. His Resurrection will be for a purpose and He wishes to prepare them. Jesus does not set this story up with drama or fear, instead, He tells them simply and succinctly what will happen and assures them that He will not be gone.

20:20 A great and important message comes from the following verses (20-28).

20:21 A mother is requesting that her sons work with Jesus -- that they can do His work. It seems glorious to her, to be working with such a brilliant teacher who has so many followers. And it is glorious -- but not in the way many imagine... let's continue:

20:22 A lot of us have a really noble thought -- we want to be courageous and strong and purposeful. However, we forget that with courage and strength comes great, difficult purpose to accomplish. Jesus preached the word and He helped many people -- but He was also hated and killed for it by others. We are going to have adversaries in life and the stronger we become -- the harder our adversaries are going to work against us. We must be aware that with great blessings we are expected to do great, extraordinarily selfless things. We cannot work for God hoping for fame or reward or even friendship -- we have to work for nothing to accomplish everything.

20:23 Jesus tells them (and us) that God has chosen who will be His workers because He knows who can handle it. He knows who is humble and courageous and capable. We certainly can ask Him for the ability to serve Him but we also must remind ourselves that He will give us the tasks He knows we can handle.

20:24 The other disciples are a little uncomfortable because they do not want anyone to follow God simply for the reward or the fame.

20:25 Jesus explains further -- those with great power on Earth often use it to exercise control over others for their own gain...

20:26 But to be powerful with God is to give up your control and to give up your gain so that others can take control of their own lives and can gain patience, forgiveness, love...

As one of God's workers -- you must not love or require power. You have to be humble because God only gives great tasks to those who will not be corrupted by them.

20:27 If you want to succeed in God eye's you must put everyone else's needs before yours. All of your love and attention must be given to those around you. In other words -- you must give up a lot if it means others will succeed -- you must give them your attention, your time, your charity, your patience, your forgiveness... you must not have any power over them in order to be considered powerful in the eyes of God.

20:28 Jesus gave up His entire life here for others. Jesus had the power and the opportunity to come here and to be selfish but instead He gave up everything for everyone else. You must not see fame and glory in Jesus' story but instead you must realize in it the selflessness, the humility...that Jesus could have come and behaved as a king but instead He came and worked as our servant.

20:29 Jesus returns to teaching the multitudes.

20:30 Two blind men call out to Jesus for His help. Let's interpret blindness as confusion, as not understanding truth, wisdom and love. They want God's help to guide them to a more meaningful, purposeful life... they call out for Jesus.

20:31 These men are overlooked by others because they appear unimportant to them -- they disregard them because they seem to have nothing to offer... they are not wealthy, powerful or beautiful and so people do not acknowledge their cries for help -- But God always acknowledges those who call out for Him. He is impartial, He loves all and sees potential and good in all.

20:32 Jesus asks them, His family, what would you like? How can I help? God is always listening to what you need from Him. God listens to your specific prayers.

20:33 The men want the love and wisdom of God, they accept it... they believe in it's beauty.

20:34 Immediately -- Immediately Jesus welcomes them to the family of God -- they asked, they believe, they desire to work for God's amazing mission... they are welcomed without hesitation.

Do not read over that word --Immediately-- God works without hesitation. You can always be sure that your prayers are heard and serviced even before the moment you speak or think them. God delivers when it is best for us but He hears immediately and He responds immediately -- listen for Him to speak to your His comfort. When you are ready to accept that you are a child of His, He is there...right there, in that moment, cheering you home and welcoming you.

Most important: the two men followed Him right then... they began to learn how to do their job. They did not hesitate to begin their work with and for God and His children.

NT: The Book of Matthew, Chapter 19

Matthew 19:1-30

19:1 Directly after delivering wisdom to His disciples, Jesus moves along in teaching His ministry to the world. He's always working for your benefit without delay.

19:2 The messages that Jesus is teaching continue to garner the attention of many people; but along with their attention, Jesus gains their trust and their belief and for that reason, He is allowed to help and heal them. God wants and loves to help people who ask for Him to come into their lives -- that is the key, you have to give Him permission to enter.

19:3 The Pharisees are back with their agenda of distracting Jesus. It's important to denote the difference between the questions the disciples ask and the questions the Pharisees ask. When the disciples ask a question, their genuine curiosity is the intention behind their questioning. They want to understand the world and their place in it; they seek wisdom. When Jesus' adversaries ask questions, their intentions are to test Him, to try to get Him to say or do something wrong.

Their question is: Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?

Whenever you are asked a question or faced with a question, always use your common sense to judge and discern an answer.

19:4 Jesus frequently reminds the Pharisees that many of the questions they ask have already been answered in the book (the Bible) they claim to know, exemplify and study. Therefore, in asking questions they already know the answers to, they hope Jesus will say something wrong. But Jesus is of God and God never fails.

19:5-6 God wants us to be compassionate. When we unite with another, His hope is that we do it with our purest, most unbreakable compassion. He wishes that when we pledge ourselves to another, just as when we pledge ourselves to Him, we do it wholeheartedly. To Him, we should not separate that which we have bound. He wants this because the breaking of a bond is difficult and painful for those involved. When we bind ourselves to something, someone, or some idea we should do it with the full intention of defending it, sustaining and preserving it against doubts and troubles.

19:7 This verse refers to Deuteronomy 24 in the Old Testament.

19:8 Jesus explains that although God wishes for us to wholeheartedly maintain unions when we make them, humans are not always so kind as to do so. God recognizes that some, many , humans do not wish to prolong unions of which they no longer want to be apart. Therefore God forgives us for breaking His heart when we break the unions of His children; but He truly wishes we worked and stayed together.

19:9 The message here is that when we chose to divorce another (due to no fault of their own), we have made the statement that we are not willing unite ourselves with another. By disregarding our previous spouse (again, a faultless one) and marrying a new one, we show disregard for the new union. Another thing to keep in mind is that when this was written, women were socially dependent on men -- divorcing a woman was a quick way to ruin her life and to make it especially difficult.

I remind you to use common sense regarding all issues because each individual and each union of individuals is particular to them. The message to extract from these verses is that God wants us to do our very best to support and sustain each other. Marriage can be a wonderful experience but it's also a responsibility to another. God wants us to take our responsibilities seriously and if we can help it, to not give up on or abandon our responsibilities.

19:10 The disciples point out that if a man (or woman) knows before entering a marriage that they will not completely commit themselves to the other... it's better for them not to enter that union.

19:11-12 Jesus responds to the former comment which suggests that a man/woman could remain celibate. True, a person could dedicate all of their energy to God and it would be appreciated but it is not necessary. God loves His children and if a union between two people can also bring along more of His loved ones, He's quite happy.

19:13-15 Never disregard anyone. God and Jesus exist to accept all people and you should too on their behalf. There are many diversities which the people of the Earth love to dwell on but God shows no partiality. Anyone who runs to Him is welcomed.

19:16 This idea of eternal life is appealing to people who previously were afraid of death, they want to know how to secure it.

19:17 Jesus shows His humility. Compared to God, nothing shines as bright. Jesus even humbles himself before God because he is faultless in loving His children. We cannot say the same for ourselves, as a species, we unfairly judge and neglect each other quite often.

Jesus keeps it simply for the inquirer, follow God's commandments. Why? Follow the commandments because God set them up for you to have a better life, not because He loves creating rules or exerting power over you.

19:18-19 A few of the commandments are listed as examples for the man. These are made to ensure that our lives are safe, happy and fair.

19:20 This man wants to do more for God. He follows the commandments. When you get a taste of the love God has for you, you also will be overwhelmed with the want to do so much more for Him than you feel capable of. However, as we will find out, this man values something above God...

19:21 Jesus explains to the man that the more of yourself you give away to others, the more beloved you are to God. Put nothing above protecting and nurturing others and your love of Him. Jesus says, if you desire, dedicate your entire life to teaching and helping others in the word of God.

19:22 This man would not give up his possessions for anyone or thing, including God. Be careful that this isn't you -- this man placed his trust and value in material possessions and that is a lonely choice to make. You harm yourself when you give your life to things which do not care about you. Greed corrupts our souls if we let it. God should be your possession because He loves you, never leaves you and protects you.

19:23 It's hard for a rich man to entire heaven... why? Because to be rich means that you have a surplus, and to live with a surplus in a world where so many do not even have the basic provisions of food and shelter is to disregard suffering. To have unused stores of money in banks while children and families die of starvation and danger is heartbreaking to God. The places in His house belong to those who did not have homes on earth and to those who shared their homes on earth.

19:24 Jesus reiterates, for emphasis, that it is so difficult for a person with enormous unused wealth to enter God's house. You cannot take any of your possessions with you... only your love of others.

19:25 The disciples, much like you might be (and I am) are wondering how anyone can be saved -- this is because on earth, most of us desire to be wealthy and we hold on to our possessions while placing great value in them.

19:26 Jesus reminds us that God has a way of helping us to be better. If it were up to us, it is likely we would fail. But God creates a world where our choices every day define the true nature of our hearts. He allows us to have friends and family and to create relationships which teach us where to place our value instead of in wealth and greed.

19:27 Peter wonders what his dedication and service to God will mean for him when his life on earth is over:

19:28 The disciples have given their lives to teaching the world of God and Jesus reminds them that their service is counted and rewarded by God -- because they do it from their hearts and not for the reward. Jesus invites and welcomes them to sit with Him in the "regeneration"... the restart of
life, eternal and perfect in nature. Here the 12 tribes are mentioned -- these tribes comprise a great many people, the people of the world.

19:29 Here Jesus is making a bold, brilliant statement. Choose God in every decision you make in life. If, in the service of God, you have to travel or become busy or have to contend with others to defend your faith, God sees you, is with you, and loves you for it. You reach into Heaven when you reach out to others.

19:30 Jesus reminds us that God loves the humble; He loves the people who put compassion for humanity above wealth, fame and power.

NT: The Book of Matthew, Chapter 18

Matthew 18:1-35

18:1 The disciples have many of the same questions as people do today. Here, they are questioning Jesus as to who in heaven is most beloved.

18:2 Jesus wishes to answer this question with sincerity and He calls a small child into the group.

18:3 Jesus answers that we must be converted as little children are converted. So, what does this mean? Jesus teaches us that we must love God with the same sincerity a child has we they love someone. Children love with compassion, selflessness and innocence. Children love their comforters, and God is our comforter, and we are His children.

18:4 Therefore, the greatest is heaven are the people who are compassionate and selfless. Jesus uses the word "humble" and we cannot overlook this specific choice in words. We must always have and express humility. The greatest in heaven are those who do not behave as though they are entitled kings on the Earth. Dedicate yourself to helping others, defend yourself against greed and climb the ranks of love in heaven.

18:5 For me, this verse is a double meaning. First, remember that we are all children of God, regardless of our ages. Therefore, when He asks us to receive a child, He is asking us to accept and nurture our siblings, His other children. We must take those who are weak into our homes and feed them. When someone is struggling, we must be their strength. Secondly, it's important that we care for young children around the globe. Children are helpless and innocent, we must be their shelter and their promise of a better, safer life.

18:6 We will return to the first metaphor in the previous verse to examine this one. This first is very concise in telling us how to quickly lose God's love. You cannot lead another person to sin. What does that mean? This means we should not be responsible for misguiding another person. Some people, due to circumstances in their life, are weak and dependent and their chance to become strong and independent is in our hands. When we are doing well, it is our responsibility to help others do well too. Whether we are a friend, teacher, preacher, doctor or a myriad of other things, each of us has the opportunity to be a good example or a helpful, healing hand to another. We cannot control them or take power of their weakness and lead them down the wrong path. Setting an example by your actions is even enough to make or break another person.

18:7 Here Jesus is lamenting for the world because many people do choose to harm others, mentally and physically. God will allow each of us to see our actions through His eyes and His judgement is true and fair. It will be painful for some people to see how they chose to treat others - woe, indeed.

18:8 This verse is deeply metaphorical, although some religious through the past have taken it quite literally. Here is what Jesus is teaching: If there is a person or element of your life which is tempting you to make bad decisions, cut it out of your life, even if it is difficult. As humans we becoming attracted and addicted to things and relationships that harm us, that cause us to be greedy or vengeful and we must recognize that and remove those things from our lives. God wants to create a safe and beautiful place for us to live when we leave the Earth, and to do that, He has to eliminate all of the bad. He wants you to eliminate here on Earth, the things which you would not want in Heaven.

I actually do not believe in "hellfire" or "hell" (which is not a popular concept). When God proclaims that certain people will not be in Heaven, we can understand from that they will no longer exist. 

18:9 Again, God means that if your perceptions are crooked or corrupted, you need to change them (for your benefit as well as for the world's). Your eye is the window to your soul, Matthew 6:22. We need to be kind and tolerant in our observations because different people face different obstacles and instead of judging them, we must listen to them and help them when they ask.

18:10 Those who are compassionate, humble and love God are loved by God. His love is their protection. Do not trample on the meek for behind them is a mighty God. 

What are ways we trample on others? Greed, jealousy, vengeance...

18:11 Jesus came to set up a system of morality which would reach and save through towns and nations, years and generations, the people of the Earth who have lost their way. Jesus loves to bring back those who have wondered or who have been led away. It is so precious to God to reclaim a child who left Him, for His heart aches when they leave.

God doesn't only love people who make very few mistakes, He really, deeply loves people who make mistakes and then, having gone down a dark path, remember the light one and return back to their home. 

Every person and their soul is valuable to Him -- regardless of what you have done to yourself or others, He wants you back so that He can help you, guide you, protect you. He loves everyone regardless of their mistakes. In fact, the further away we go from Him, when we choose to return, He acknowledges how long of a journey we were willing to take to come back to Him.

18:12 Here is a metaphor of Sheep, which is used often in the Bible. Jesus is explaining here that God loves all people uniquely and individually. He has numbered all of us. When one of us is missing, He knows immediately. We do not fall out of His radar. But God does not fence us in, He allows us our freedom of choice --to be with Him, or to leave-- in using this metaphor, He is telling us that even if He has all but ONE of His children with Him, He misses that one person and He searches for them diligently.

18:13 Jesus reiterates here how precious to God it is to have the child back who left. God wants us to be with Him because we WANT to be, because we CHOOSE to be. So, when a person leaves God but remembers Him and wants and chooses to come back, He is so grateful, so filled with love and compassion for that child who Chose Him.

18:14 God does not want even one person to leave Him. He wants each of us to come home to Him, eternally. His will is that we all live with Him and He will do almost anything He can to ensure that -- but one thing He won't do is force anyone. It has to be a choice.

18:15 Jesus instructs us on how to deal with personal conflict. He does not want us to confuse an issue by gossiping with other people about it. We should discuss our issue strictly with the person who has offended us - that way, we keep the situation clear of confusion and we settle it face to face with each other. If it works, we have made or kept a friend.

18:16 Jesus instructs us on what to do if that does not work. If a person will not listen to you when you are being fair and honest, it is good for you to have a witness to hear you profess that honesty. Someone to back up your word that you were fair -- but do not involve too many people, arguments get confused and muddied when we over-inflame them with drama.

18:17 If someone has wronged you and it cannot be resolved personally, it's okay to take it to a higher social authority, a church or perhaps a justice system. 

18:18 Who we are on Earth and what we do is carried on into Heaven. We create ourselves while we are here and it follows us to Heaven. So be fair and be honest, carry those qualities with you forever.

18:19 When two or more people work and deal fairly with each other, God notices and He supports and encourages it. 

18:20 God is always with us. If we are discussing Him or His ways, He's going to be present to help us. 

18:21 Peter wants to know how many times we should give forgiveness. Well, let's try to solve this question for ourselves... how often does God grant us forgiveness? We always have God's forgiveness when we sincerely ask for it and when we sincerely try to be better. We should return that favor to people dealing sincerely with us.

18:22 You could take this literally 70x7, which is a lot, or you can take it symbolically. You should forgive people as God forgives you -- many, many times as long as they are sincerely apologetic and are trying to be better. You do not owe forgiveness to a person who is not sorry for hurting you. But if a person is asking for your compassion because they truly feel bad for hurting you, they deserve it. Just as you deserve it when you ask in such a way to God.

18:23-34 A story through metaphor to learn from. It's a truly beautiful and simple story (read and learn). Jesus is telling us that we should not be hypocrites and we should spread the kindness that is given to us. We want God to forgive us and we earn that forgiveness by giving forgiveness to others who are asking it from us. We cannot expect kindness if we are not giving kindness. This servant was granted forgiveness but he did not return the favor to those who owed him. He was a hypocrite and a mean one. He was also ungrateful. He did not deserve forgiveness.

18:35 God will deal with us fairly. He gives back to us what we give to others. We get to decide what we get from God based on what we give to others. It's a perfect, balanced cycle.

NT: The Book of Matthew, Chapter 17

Matthew 17:1-27

17:1 Jesus takes Peter, James and John to a secluded place. He takes them to this place for an important lesson He wants to teach without having any distraction causing confusion or disruption.

17:2 Jesus transfigures in this verse (and with reason). Jesus transfigured is His true form, His spiritual form. The body we have on earth is miraculous and beautiful but it also has weaknesses; spiritual bodies have no weakness. Jesus' transfigured body is His soul bared. He's brilliant... "like the sun" but even brighter and more resilient. 

17:3 At once Jesus is joined by Moses and Elijah and are talking to Jesus. This verse holds power because we learn that when we live our lives in the favor and servitude of God, we join that brilliant light. We become our own brilliant souls, made up of His light (His goodness, His truth and grace). Moses and Elijah were great and famous servants of God and their reappearance is assurance of at least two things 1) God does indeed reward and love His Children and 2) our true bodies are spiritual bodies and we need not fear death.

17:4 The guys -- Peter, James and John, as you can imagine are baffled with awe. Their impulse is to create three places of worship for each of the spiritual bodies standing before them. This verse speaks loudly of what we can expect when we do eventually encounter a spiritual body --complete, unabashed awe. As humans, we cannot accurately or completely imagine the magnitude of what God is and what He creates, as it is, we are perplexed enough by the wonders of our own world here on Earth that we see, interact with and touch each day. At the very least, you can expect that God's eternally-lasting version of us is inspiring and glorious.

17:5 Before Peter, James and John can get their wits about them again, they hear the voice of God declaring Jesus His son, declaring his pride in Jesus' pure heart, His pleasure at Jesus' accomplished work and determination and finally, declaring that we must listen to understand this life and world-changing message.

17:6 These men were already staggering with astonishment at witnessing Jesus' true form, to hear the voice of God was enough to knock them completely over. God is all-consuming in the best of ways, the presence of His voice is even enough to vibrate through our entire bodies. And having never experienced something such as this, Peter, James and John do not know what to do to fall to the ground. Such a powerful force of love is one as yet unknown to our bodies, it's understandable that in such a circumstance one would not know how to react.

17:7 Jesus comforts, as He always does and will. Stand and have courage. This force is God, is healing and beauty. 

17:8 When the men finally get the courage to look back up, God, having delivered His message has returned to His place (there, always, but not overtly seen and heard). But Jesus remained with them physically. 

17:9 Jesus does not care about celebrity. He does not want fame. He instructs the men not to go babbling along what they have seen because 1) without the situation which is to come, likely nobody would believe them and 2) it would distract the people from learning and hearing Jesus - instead of listening, their eyes and ears would be inclined to see a transfiguration, rather than the meaning behind it. After Jesus rises from His resurrection, people are going to have a lot of questions regarding life and death and Jesus wants Peter, James and John to be able to answer those questions having learned through experience.

The spiritual body form is precious. It is Life. It is God restoring us to a perfect mold... it's not a circus trick meant to distract and disarm. Believing eyes and ears will see the spiritual in time.

17:10 They ask Jesus about Elijah's coming -- I think we can learn from this: these men are wondering about prophecy fulfillment so intently to the word that they neglect to see it unfold. When you're reading the Bible, you always want to apply it to actual life because it is a living, breathing account of our lives. 

17:11 Jesus reaffirms that Elijah will come (Malachi 4) and do great things.

17:12 But Jesus reminds them that someone very like Elijah has already come and was torn to shreds by people. In that, Jesus reminds us that these courageous and loving servants of God come with great purpose but are not accepted by the people. Of course these servants win, can never lose with God as their protector, but their death and ridicule on Earth is for the purpose of our learning. He let's the guys and us know that He Himself will also be torn down by the people. 

17:13 Jesus speaks in the previous verse of John the Baptist, who in Luke:17 is declared to have come in the spirit of Elijah (come with the same honest and kind intentions directly from God).

17:14-16 This man needs his son to be healed. You can interpret this as a physical illness, a mental illness or even a tendency to be confused, maybe corrupt. Either way, Jesus can handle it... any of it, with ease. There is not a problem God cannot help us through.

17:17 Jesus needs the disciples to start learning and using their gifts from God. After He leaves, it's up to them to jump start a new spirituality across the world. Their inability to do God's work will hinder the world immeasurably. Though they have seen, they do not yet believe either that they are capable or that God is capable.

But it is essential that we believe and have courage in ourselves and in God. He needs us to love ourselves and our neighbors to have the determination to carry out His great mission. We get to work with Him! But we have to believe in our ability to do it and His ability to sustain and nourish it.

17:18 Of course, here we see that Jesus can handle our troubles. The pain or confusion in this boy is quickly and easily taken away -- His father believed. His father had no doubt that Jesus could heal his child and the strength of such belief brings miracle.

17:19 The disciples want to know, why couldn't we heal that boy? In other words, they ask what we just went over. Why were they incapable of performing for God?

17:20 Jesus explains that you can't accomplish anything without belief. The power of action is fueled by the belief that it can be done. Jesus lets us know that he understands it takes time and a lot of courage to have belief but no one is unseen by God. If you're trying, if you even just want to have faith, God sees you and He fills you with His love.

This metaphor of the mountain lets us know that we can accomplish anything if God wills it. And how do we get God to will something? We can rest assured that God wills whatever path or circumstance will most benefit us. When we ask Him to take control of our lives, we do what we previously believed to be impossible. We move metaphorically mountains. We move people and nations, even, if it is His plan.

17:21 Prayer and fasting. A refocusing. Do not starve in lack of God's work. Pray, communicate with God to reach understanding. Fasting can be misinterpreted often - and Jesus gives us the wisdom regarding it in a previous chapter (Chapter 6). For now, let's understand that you want to give your life to God -- which means devoting it to Him and His children completely. You want to give up the things that distract you from His mission in a private manner between you and Him.

7:22 In this striking, tense moment, Jesus reveals His future (the future of all of us, really). This is part of the beauty of Jesus. He came to Earth knowing the complete plan and unfolding of events. He knows His time here will be busy, difficult and painful but the reward of His time here made it worthwhile to Him. Here he reveals the rest of the plan with His disciples.

Jesus is the lead of the story, but many other people are infamously and famously involved as well. He knows who, when, and where. Someone will betray Jesus (for a cause, which we will get into in future chapters) and Jesus will end up in the hands of men --not good ones (for a reason, as well!).

7:23 Jesus says two things, 1) He will be killed (His earth body) 2) He will rise and be alive (in His spiritual body). 

This information depresses the disciples because 1) that means they won't be enjoying this direct time with Jesus, and 2) they do not yet understand that there is no death for one who believes and trusts in God.

7:24 People want to know if Jesus is paying taxes. Personally I find this ridiculous. Jesus sacrificed His time and effort completely to the world and His giving of a few coins is really immeasurable compared.

7:25 Jesus reminds us that God created everything... therefore any money that we pay or trade or spend already belongs to Him. More than that, every centimeter of the Earth and universe is His... boundlessly. His mission is greater than the social customs of people and towns.

The metaphor is that kings of the Earth do not collect taxes from their family. Therefore THE king of Earth and Universe does not take tax from HIS family, His son specifically, in this verse.

7:26 Peter answers Jesus' question that king's family do not pay taxes. Reiterating the point. 

7:27 Jesus uses another metaphor: Peter, teach and subsequently gather the children of God and let that be your tax, your payment and servitude to the true King, God. Feed the people with your hands from my supply. Beautiful. Glorious. A brilliant and loving God.

NT: The Book of Matthew, Chapter 16

Matthew 16:1-28

16:1 Try to relate this to yourself. Do you appreciate or enjoy when someone continues to test and taunt you? When you are being a true and fair friend, is it fair to be constantly challenged despite it? God wants to have an honest relationship with you, He does not require that you constantly pass tests and challenges; in fact, God loves us despite the fact that we constantly fail. He loves us more because of our strength in the face of vulnerability. We should return our love to Him the same way. Do not demand proof from God, He doesn't participate in relationships that are bought. He wants your authentic love, just as you want authentic love for yourself. Love Him for who He is and what He stands for because that is what He loves you for.

16:2-3 God says, you're all so focused on the troubles and content of what is right in front of you but you neglect to be concerned about the bigger picture. We lose ourselves in the worries and technicalities of our anxiety's and desperation for immediate proof and reward. Jesus reminds them that the Future is stand right before them -- Jesus, Jesus is the future and is bringing the word which will save and make new their futures and yet they look right through Him. Don't look right through the truth. 

16:4 Jesus warns them and us that generations of people will come who will neglect to see and understand that God is present and that time is passing speedily toward our time of again being with Him. Jesus is saying, signs will be all around us (just as Jesus stands before these Pharisees and Sadducees as a sign) but as a whole, we will not see them. 

Again: Jesus says what needs to be said and departs. Jesus does not linger to continue in argument or to put on a show or circus of pretty words. He states the truth simply and continues on in purpose. What a beautifully instructive lesson. Stay focused and unencumbered by gossip and argument.

16:5-11 The disciples are still rather confused when it comes to understanding Jesus' teaching through parable and metaphor. I think this is for our benefit. God is a patient and successful teacher. He is letting you know that even if it takes a multitude of times to teach you something, He is going to be there teaching as long as you are willing to learn.

Remember the bread metaphor from chapter 15? Bread is the word. Jesus is reminding us that we have to be careful to only partake in His word. No other way of life is as patient, forgiving, healing and instructive as Gods. In fact, a lot of people want to create their own twists on the word of God for their benefit. You can trust God %100. A lot of people can and will lead you astray if you let them. God never will. Anything anyone ever tries to teach you must be backed up with what is written by God. Trust Him to verify what is truth and what is not. Do not trust anybody else to tell you what is and what is not.

16:12 The words that the Pharisees are teaching to people is backward and hypocritical. They are making people's lives harder and more confusing. There is always, in every generation, some version of the Pharisees. There is always somebody who does not understand the word of God and is derailed from its path. Don't walk that path with them.

16:13 Jesus wants to know if the disciples are listening and learning from Him or if they are listening and giving their attention to the gossip around them.

16:14 The disciples reveal the content of the gossip going around among people. Everyone has a different opinion of who Jesus is... none of them are correct.

16:15  Jesus is saying, "You've been with me, you have seen what I am doing and how I live, who am I based on YOUR knowledge and observation?"

16:16 "You are the son of God", he responds. How full of wonderment that moment must have been. God has spoken through this man, because all knowledge comes from God, and it has been stated so perfectly simple that Jesus is an embodiment of God. That is a moment you can be a part of if you accept the opportunity. Be with God.

16:17 Jesus is saying, do not let this moment escape you, Simon (also called Peter) Bar-Jonah (which means son of the Dove) God has given you this truth. Humans are capable of the impossible if they allow God to ignite it within them. God gives infinite wisdom when we open our eyes and hearts and hands to Him.

16:18 Peter, meaning rock or stone. A part of the foundation. Peter is given this name because his work will be instrumental in continuing on the word of God. If you pass on truth, you are also part of this infinite house.

Jesus is saying that God will build an amazing home for all of us through those who love him. Together we make up His family and He provides the warmest, truest shelter for us. Nothing can come against the safety and wisdom that God gives us.

16:19 Jesus teaches us God's home is our home if we want it. Who we become on earth is our key to heaven. Truth and fairness welcomes you home if you were truthful and fair. When you let go of greed and wealth and fame, in Heaven you also free of the deceitful pursuit and consequences of those things. Greed contributes to so much pain and disparity in the world... let it go, Heaven does not value you by your worth in material gain. Be free of it here and enjoy eternal freedom there.

16:20 Jesus does not want to be celebrated as a celebrity. Also, Jesus does not want who He says he is to confuse or misdirect people. Jesus wants people to understand who he is by what he says and does. He wants to be authentic. He wants to win our love because we recognize the beauty and love that is within Him. Do not love something or someone or God because of what they say they are but because of how they act. Likewise, be a person someone can trust because of your actions and not because you spend your days telling them how great and truthful you are. Actions speak.

16:21 The disciples finally understand the complete mission. Jesus, the son of God has manifested himself on earth for a great purpose, to teach a great message. The disciples understand that they are meant to spread and continue the message and therefore, knowing their purpose, Jesus explains to them why it is so important - His time there is limited.

Jesus explains to them what will come in the future, that He will be persecuted and executed. Jesus teaches them that there is no death for those who love God and promises that He will be alive, will come alive, visibly for the purpose of teaching them (and the world!) this message.

16:22 Peter is aghast. Peter is saying, "But you are the son of God! How can anyone kill you? How is it possible for them and why would they want to!"

The disciples frequently ask questions that even today people are still asking. I think God did this on purpose. We are all a part of the same family; we all have the same questions and God wants to answer them for all of us.

16:23 Jesus teaches a strong message here, let's get into it.

By asking these questions, Peter reveals that he is missing so much, maybe ALL, of what Jesus has been teaching Him. It is really important that Jesus' message is heard and understood by these men, because they will be the first to carry on His mission.

God is not alive, is more powerful than any other person, group, force or idea. He created the world, humanity the universe, and therefore, He created everything that the world, humanity and the universe are capable of. He made everything that is possible, possible.

Jesus wants us to understand that everything He does is in purpose. God is allowing Jesus to die so that a strong message will be taught. God does not lose to these evil men, He allows the evil men to make their errors. Why? He does this because God is fair. He lets everyone decide who they want to be. He also wants the world at that time to see that God is above death. Jesus cannot die. They can kill or torture Him but he is alive in God eternally just as you will be alive eternally.

Many people will preach that Jesus is the savior because He died. Incorrect, they are missing the entire message! Jesus is the savior because he was WILLING to come preach and teach and love the world DESPITE the fact that He knew he would be rejected and killed by the world. He loves us so much that we went through this terrible and unimaginable pain and circumstance to save the very people who were torturing and killing Him. God's love is great and so forgiving, you must understand this.

Jesus came and taught the world and through those teaching, He has saved so many. Jesus' death did not save people, God did not seek revenge for our mistakes, instead He did the opposite. He gave us even more. He gave us a living embodiment of Himself (even though He knew we would use and abuse it). He came to teach us and his teachings are what save us, what make our lives tolerable and understandable and happy even though the world can be so cold and difficult. He came to be with us, to teach us to be kind and fair and honest.

He does not die and Peter forgets this. No one has power over God. Do you know who believes they have power over God? Evil. For Peter to think evil can win over God, he is proving that his complete trust and understanding is not on God's side. God always wins. Jesus gave His life in two ways 1) He dedicated it to teaching instead of the enjoying it for himself and 2) He allowed people to take His life so that He could show the world that there is no death when you are with God. You rise, always. With God you rise.

16:24 Jesus is saying, "If anyone wants to teach with Me, to teach in My name, come with Me and follow." If you want to teach and be with God you have to realize that not everybody will accept you. Even Jesus had many adversaries. You will too. Teach as Jesus did... without force, without anger, without confusion. You must be courageous and strong. Jesus is saying, if you follow me, you will have to give up any love or desire you have for greed or material. When dedicate yourself to God, in all things you must keep Him with you. You must because selfless. You dedicate yourself to bringing God to others, to spreading the word, and not to acquiring wealth or fame for yourself. It's not a road without bumps but God gives you the strength and endurance to travel it nonetheless.

You can't do both adequately - you can't entertain and spoil yourself AND be truly and fully of God. You have to choose one because they each will take over your whole life. Good for the good and wealth will corrupt you.

Take up the cross means that you take up the effort and accept that it might get difficult. But God will give you the strength.

16:25 This verse means that if on earth, your mission is selfish and you only look out for yourself and you try to be wealthy and famous, greed will overtake you. You deny your spot in heaven if you trade it for earth. How does that happen? They key to heaven is compassion and honesty. If, to gain wealth on earth, you lose your compassion and honesty, you lose your keys to heaven. To lose your life means to lose your selfish life. Give every beat of your heart to loving and trusting God and watch your happiness abound.

16:26 Compared to heaven, this life on earth is so little. God does not want you to trade this life for a wonderful, eternal one. You might conquer this whole world but when you die you will have nothing. Do not take 5 minutes of greedy fun for an eternity of peace and wonderment.

16:27 By the end of your life, God is going to give you what you have earned. That can be a great moment for you. He will return to you the love you gave to others.

You are welcomed by God according to your works. Some churches will try to tell you that you are saved just for believe in God. Wrong. The Bible states often and clearly that what you DO determines how God will judge you. You must work. Do not be lazy or ignore His word. Work. Be kind, be honest... let your compassion accomplish great things and change lives (including your own!).

16:28 Here Jesus is saying that some of them around Him will see God before they die. How is this? Because Jesus is an embodiment of God and they are there with Him, seeing Him. They see Him even before they die.