Psalm 52 ~ For Ever and Ever

What will we create in life to make a meaningful life? What lasts?

St. Botolph's Church, UK. Early English legends say the original church was founded by Botolph, in 654, with the source being the Anglo Saxon Chronicle. Archaeological records show a Norman church also existed on the location; a Norman stone pillar and a number of coffins from the period. The size of such a small church was inadequate for a booming town, in the 14th century, the church was built as a much larger building.

Psalm 52

1 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
Why do you boast all day long,
you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 You who practice deceit,
your tongue plots destruction;
it is like a sharpened razor.

3 You love evil rather than good,
falsehood rather than speaking the truth.

4 You love every harmful word,
you deceitful tongue!

5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living.

6 The righteous will see and fear;
they will laugh at you, saying,

7 "Here now is the one
who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
and grew strong by destroying others!"

8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever.

9 For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.

Ruins verse Remain -


People search and look for a way to make their lives prosperous, comfortable and to have meaning.

We’ve been taught, culturally, greed is good and gives us stability. We learned this in the 1980’s, the movie ‘Wallstreet’ proclaimed with gusto, “Greed is good!” If you look at this theologically, the temporal joys of here and now are the only joys. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.

In the early 100s, Christianity was spreading rapidly, even under the threat of death. Temporal – no. In the 400s, Christianity was mainstream, but written history is scarce. About the 1000s, history is recorded and regarded less as myth and hearsay. Starvation was the largest reason of death, 1 in 3 until the late 1500s.

Using England as an example: in 1086, William the Conqueror gave England the first stability from invasion against foreign cultures. He created the Domesday Book, meaning accounting or reckoning, to find out what was prosperous for taxation. It’s the largest historical document supporting serfdom or feudalism. People were, literally, dying to become part of the circles supported by a castle. To be part of the workings of a lord prevented starvation. When timber castles were ruined, people built stone castles and tremendous effort was put into holding on to this community of the castle.

Castles last right - nooo

We watched a terrific documentary on the outcome of these castles and outcome of the generations of work. The timber castles were huge, with plenty of people living in them, they lasted about 150 years. Fire became a weapon of choice and stone castles were built in the same site or moved to higher ground, same community.

The castles, and the castle families, are the worldly temporal part of the history. What remains today after 1,000 years, and after 1,200 years, are ... the Churches. If you travel to the UK today, you can see a handful of the castles remaining, but 1,000 year old Churches are plentiful.

The Churches were, at first, round tower churches which were beautiful and fairly simple; built with local materials. Later, as the community prospered, the Church became amazing buildings men spent their lives putting their time and talent into. But the Church wasn’t just a building, the communities created by this fellowship became secure enough to move out of patrolled walls.

The Churches made the communities grow and remain today.

We hear all the time about the failures of the body of Christ called Church. We are taught the failures in grade school, high school and college. We see them in comedy, in movies and in people truly hurt by the Church, but how often do we have the opportunity to take time realizing the hope and joy given to us by the community created by Jesus called Church?

A large part of the compassion and hope allowing mankind to take the time and care to have the effort to educate others, came from a desire to give the love of Christ. The printing press was created to bring the Scripture forward into knowledge and love. Farms fed the poor and starving. Henry VIII is not recorded as having increased the starvation of his worldly reign into Critical, yet this is true, because the monasteries fed the people.

The Church began Hospitals and Schools.

Feudalism is gone. Castles are mostly gone. Churches remain, some are being pulled down and sold bit by bit. Let's stop this and sell this as a Church to other Churches.

The family farms are diminished. The corporations don't remain. The love of the Lord is a pendulum, even Notre Dame saw heresy. Yet the faith (I believe!), the hope (He means me!) and the Love (all there ever was and will be - towards me!) leads nations and multitudes Upward. The Scriptures tell us will praise Him in Eternity. As Handel's Messiah tells us... Forever and Ever..... Hallelujah!

OH The Places HE will Go!

Flashmob Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Thinking of Janice Swesey Pandulla and her family in the passing Home of her Mom Mrs. Vere Swesey - Della has gone Home age 92 !

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Psalm 147 ~ those who hope in His steadfast Love

Psalm 147


Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, [for he is beautiful] and a song of praise is fitting.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble [afflicted];
he casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!

8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!

13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.

14 He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool;
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?

18 He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

19 He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules [just decrees] to Israel.

20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules [just decrees].
Praise the Lord!

On a summer night around a fire, when it is still, it's so pleasing to hear the summer night noises. God draws us to Him in the still, quiet.

Verse 11 is more explained by this in peace - the word "fear" in this context comes from the Hebrew word "yare'" - described better as reverence.

1 John 4:18 says:
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

The Lord determines. He is good. He gathers, He heals, He binds up, He gives. He covers. He prepares. He makes. He delights. His pleasure. His Word.

In Him, we live, we move and have our dwelling. In Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Psalm 130 ~ I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope

Psalm 130 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

If you want a BLESSING - where would you start?

Prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.


Once you begin to pray what do you Thank Him For the MOST?

Forgiveness.

Now pray - "Jesus please, name of person you love with "Jesus, please!"


Next - Expectation -

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.



Repeat with joy!!!




Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!



1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

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Luke 4:38-44 ~ He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve

1960s view of Peter's House in Capernaum. Graffiti found on Peter's walls proclaiming Jesus as Lord and this as Peter's home. This became a House Church and was added on to later.

Luke 4:38-44

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

View of Capernaum

We read in Scriptures, when people were fed  loaves and fishes, they wanted Jesus to stay. A similar thing happened in Jesus' Adult Hometown Capernaum. When they saw  HE healed all, they wanted Jesus to stay.

Matthew 8:16-17
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Matthew 12:15
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Matthew 14:36
And sought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment

Mark 1:32-34
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 3:10
For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.

Mark 6:56
56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Luke 5:17
One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.

Luke 6:19
and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Luke 17:12-14
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed

Jesus is recorded as being an amazing healer of many people - nine times.

Isaiah spoke of Jesus 700 years before this happened.


Isaiah 42
Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare



For our sake - Jesus sacrificed His Life to give us the Promise of God's Forgiveness.

Zechariah 13:6
And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back, on your chest; wounds between your hands?’ He will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

Matthew 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

Jesus is Merciful.

John 19
10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”



The Mercy of God is Overwhelming.




1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Matthew 9:13
Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Father GOD, we open our hands in prayer, that You, the Light of the World - would be merciful to our prayers.  That You would bless us. Saying to us "Bless you and keep you, My people." Shine Your Face upon us and be gracious to us. Lift Your countenance upon us and give us peace. Put Your Name, Jesus, upon Your people and bless us. Please let the blessings You would give us be plentiful and let the Blessing of Forgiveness be first. Your Goodwill be done. In Jesus the Lord we pray. Amen

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Luke 4:31-37 ~ for His word was with authority

Luke 4:31-37

31 And he went down to Caper′na-um, a city of Galilee.

And he was teaching them on the sabbath; 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.

Alphaeus the son of Zebedee, the son of John, made this column, may it be a blessing to him. This is a 4th century column. Romans, people under Roman rule and Southerners tend to keep names in the family and repeat. The Sons of Thunder, Zebedee - James and John - were Disciples of Jesus, from this area.


33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 35

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” 37

And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

I have to say I took poetic license and used the Hand with Light. Jesus used His Spoken Word.

His Word is Living and Active.

Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues

So does this happen today? I've seen very odd things in Church twice and heard of two locally and recently. One was in the 1970s and was someone who decided they would be far better off not coming to Church after a Freak Out at Communion. Personally, I think if Communion Freaks You Out - you best keep going More.

The next time was a United Church gathering and a man got heated up and started spewing. His Church kept people near him, to pray for him and to comfort him. This was done so well that only the people close by saw this in the huge Church Service. Those who witnessed this wanted to understand the precision of this. We were told - this young man came in various Churches to rant. This Church decided to help him and befriended him. I was told that the decision to pray for him each week - Succeeded. This Diligence of Prayer was rewarded. And was a gradual procedure from Screaming the Whole Service - Heckling - to beginning to listen - then telling them his rants, "Overcame him." And they became smaller and smaller as the people praying for him encouraged him to come each Sunday - Wednesday - and explain to them what the hate was.

The other I was told about. A growing Church had an unknown come blasting in to accuse - falsely - the Pastor and others of misdeeds. This scattered the young flock. From discomfort. Another friend said, that as a former college football player, he was asked to make a Screamer sit down and did. The Prayer Team prayed and the Screamer was comforted. How glad we all are - Jesus is in the House.

Jesus probably made people less uncomfortable by confronting the Screamer. I would expect this happens from time to time. And to suggest to the Family of God to pray and remain diligent. God is Sovereign and this is His Church. Each day pray for His Church and the Leadership. His Blessings never cease. His Mercy Endures and Heals. Look to the example of Capernaum - this Place of Worship has existed centuries and centuries, people come to worship today.

Father GOD, You are Sovereign. We thank You for Your Blessings. Pour Your Holy Spirit over our Worship Places.  Allow the miracles of Jesus we adore to be plentiful - the deaf hear, the lame walk, the blind see and the poor have good news preached to them. We pray for Peace in our Worship and the healing of all hurt. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

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Luke 4:14-30 ~ on His Way

Nazareth

Luke 4:14-30

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.

He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”



24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

What! People have problems with Jesus disappearing. When Mark composed his Gospel (sort of the most talked about parts of Jesus' life in the late 1st century and discussed the most by Peter) - Jesus didn't walk through their midst. Didn't Hide Himself from them. John, who stayed with Jesus. Matthew, Luke and John record this several times.


So I ask you...

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Luke 1:37 2
For no word from God will ever fail.

Romans 4:21 3
being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Job 42:2 5
I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Isaiah 50:2 6
When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Jeremiah 32:17 7
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Luke 4:1-13 ~ Man shall not live on bread alone.

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.



Deuteronomy 8
2"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3"He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.

Hosea 11:1
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son"


We wonder about Jesus fulfilling Scriptures - did this come later - it's whispered in our thoughts. Did the disciples and the orators fill in.

No. Ryland's Papyrus are fragments of John's 90 A.D. Gospel not destroyed by 367 years of Roman Empire persecution. And natural destruction of fragile papyrus. Early second-century Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus on Patmos. Historians B.W. Bacon, Martin Hengel and Henry Barclay Swete, maintain these references to Papias are credible. Papias also has recorded John's support for the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. Papias wrote five books interviewing the accuracy of the sayings of Jesus by speaking with witnesses. Eusebuis quoted Papias from time to time.

Now let's look at layers.

God sent the family to Egypt. The Magi believed Jesus would be at the Palace. Fulfilling Scripture. God used literal truths and faith to set King Herod on his course. Herod did so much good for Judah and this Herod is remembered for the slaughter of twenty or more innocent infants. God used Truth to further His Plan.

Bringing us back to, Jesus was called from Egypt. Literal truth.

Jesus had His own Exodus. If God had merely let Abraham's children be princes on pillows - would they have adhered to the Law and we get so 'OH not Deuteronomy, not the Books of Moses'. These are AMAZING. God centers His Blessings on the Law. The rest of the world was pretty much 'live and let live - be at peace' like the rich man in the Gospels. People trying to be Kosher raised grandchildren and gave birth in the desert. God was teaching them solutions for their diligence. Jesus healed all the time saying - go there, pick that up, walk, don't tell, go home.

So... Jesus had come from Egypt. And then like the Children of Abraham - Jesus had to make His Metal.

Telling us Psalm 11 is True. God wants us to mature, to make choices, to go out of our comfort zones. To adhere. To hope. To Expect. To Grow up and Go Home. Expecting Him to deliver on His Promises.

We are told

Romans 8:28
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But we know that he helps those who love God in everything for good, those whom he preordained to be called.


The devil according to Matthew Henry is subtle, spiteful, and very daring; but he can be resisted. It is a comfort to us that Christ suffered, being tempted; for thus it appears that our temptations, if not yielded to, are not sins, they are afflictions only.

Jesus was tempted and told what to expect. He had time to think - these are my pressure points - this is the way it would look. Jesus made up His Mind - before Palm Sunday.

We have clearly learned - God allows Life to Test us. Making us Grow.

Proved this.

Patmos beach looking up at John's residence - today

Now for some delving.


So. If we want to wiggle a little more information about Jesus - Jesus who created the loaves and fish with the help of a young boy's donations - had a funeral Lunch for His Cousin (boyhood friend?) and fed the multitudes. Matthew 14, 15. We see Jesus - liked a good meal. And then your recall with me, Jesus walked and sailed (which is work) and recorded meals. Jesus is recorded as being a drinker and an eater!

Jesus' reputation was being hauled into question by the 2nd Century. Gnostics were screaming you had to be "in the know" and other sects were screaming Jesus was not man, was only divine "a God." John was battling this in vast old age - living like a Hobbit on Patmos. (It's probable John was not having second breakfasts, but the view was and is spectacular!) Early second-century Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus on Patmos. Jesus was not another 'god' but Jesus Christ the Man - made wine - His First Sign - thanks Mary!

Luke 7
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

Luke 5:30
And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

The Feast in the House of Levi, Paolo Verones

Now did the party actually look like this that Matthew threw? Possibly. This was the Roman Thug collecting way too much money. Corruption. Matthew and Zacchaeus both promise to quit over charging. The party is lavish enough to draw a lot of criticism. Jesus had a PARTY THROWN!


Jesus is recorded as having dinner with Peter and his healed mother-in-law. (And Jesus never said, "Oh if only you were not married Peter!"). Nice men eat with mother-in-laws.

Jesus has another dinner party - after He healed Lazarus from Death - Lazarus, Mary and Martha gave Jesus dinner. Imagine - Jesus is THANKED!

Jesus was know to snack as He taught. This time He was teaching about David living God's Work and the triumph of Good over Law. Eating grains of wheat from a field.


We could go on with the loaves and fish, New Covenant, but basically we hit the high points. God sent His Son as a man. Jesus had rough times and proclaimed Mercy over Sacrifice. Choosing the Right Path. Jesus told the Samaritan Woman 'Worship with Truth' or Sincerity of Heart.

For adults - who have been tempted - who battle this - Jesus never did jump up and down screaming He was Tempted. He expects us to be honest. And do as He did - move down the Path of Life. Knowing Forgiveness is the Reason Jesus arrived to be a man who lived grace and truth among us.

Thank God, He chose to include the Temptation of Jesus. We have another clear example that life isn't an easy thing. Jesus picked - just like God - to be surrounded by people. And God chose Aaron - not even perfect (ha) Moses to come into the Holy of Holies making the mess we abhor most - blood everywhere.

God believes mankind is worth the effort. He celestially scans us all - declaring His Creation to be Good. God still intends to save the planet. Because HIS Son chose to make Scarlet into White.

The World knows once a sinner always a sinner. Yes. God does too. Yet God sees further. And that looks like a better view for most of us. Those among us still kicking the goads and waiting for Jesus each week to reaffirm us in Church proclaiming His Love. Be fed. Worship the Lord - who Forgives. Know Love. 

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King of Kings

That's My King, by Dr. S.M. Lockridge

Luke's Gospel the 4th Chapter

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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