Matthew 5:17-19 ~ Fulfill

 

Labor Day Weekend

2024

Matthew 5:17-19

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; 

I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 

For truly, I say to you, 

until heaven and earth pass away,

 not an iota, not a dot, 

will pass from the Law 

until all is accomplished. 

Therefore whoever relaxes one 

of the least 

of these commandments 

and 

teaches others to do the same 

will be called least 

in the Kingdom of Heaven

But whoever does them and teaches them 

will be called 

great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Labor Day Weekend tends to get blurred in. Possibly more school supplies after the children have seen and experienced the new school year.   And yet, for many, historically due to new school year history we have experienced and shared, we examine our place in life. What we do and how we will achieve the purpose God has for all of us.  

Biblical Recall: Who examined their place on earth and Heaven at a critical time in life? John the Baptist. After John the Baptist had boldly done EVERYTHING ... legally, spiritually and physically, dangerously, John the Baptist wanted to know if all Jesus had done made Him the Christ of God.

Jesus was asked Publicly.  And He replied that although John the Baptist was great, he was least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Why? 

The road blocks we put up. Our mental stopping places. 

Not me, man! Ennui, mon chere. Boredom. One-upmanship. The correct social and political boundaries are beginning the out of boundary phase.  What's in it for me. Ugh. This is a big, long trail of unending guilt and putdowns.  The put down for grins. Manipulation for greed and placement and chuckles. Fear. The desire to go further. My parents didn't approve of that and gave many, many reasons.  That hurt. Count me out. What will I fix for dinner? Do you think I need to re roof the house. Porn.  Sex Adventure. Sexual manipulation for control, pleasure or interest of a cat.  My golf game needs work. Is it worth it to learn pickle ball?  Laziness. The desire to coast. The willies. Control more for being left out. Placement. Usury. Wealth and the love of money. Not my scene, not my circus and, definitely, not my monkeys. I have family obligations. Something else might be more fun, in the long run. Or short run.  Choice B, C, D all the way to Z. If you think so, Let me relieve you of your freedom and financial freedom and influence.  My tribe and well-traveled verbal ques and pathways would frown, and I would arrive at the tedium of having social blowback.  I'm too old to change. I'm too young to believe all this. Where did she get those shoes. His suit is pretty nice.  Damn, I remember that, that was so awful.  No one thinks that, really. Poverty and boredom and shame. Substances. Pride. Goofiness. Do you think they believe what they say? Does anyone. Good intensions. Secretly, I believe ALL of THIS BIBLE AND GOD. Don't tell. Hidden intensions. Our own plans. I never did have much faith in all this.  Because. The Plans we fear God will have for us. Not appearing to be stupid, slow or slovenly.  Being Pigpen's Friend. Being the friend of Homer Simpson's Neighbor. Being Homer Simpson's neighbor. Being dull. Being fast.  Being an idiot. Road blocks. 

Who displayed this Biblically? The men surrounding Jesus. The 12 Chosen and the 72 Chosen. Those who dot in and out of the Gospels. 

A friend of mine who is a Doctor of medicine said he thinks our mental stopping places are built into our strands of DNA. Some of the above reasons are going to shape us and guide us, and God knows this intimately.

How will we escape from the wrath created by our roadblocks, internal and external? 

How will we go further with the Lord? Even to give us joy in fulfilling the purpose of the Lord for our lives? 

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on Him, 

because 

He cares for you.

I can give you a very personal example. I went to Church, with my mother, late December of the 1980s. And I don't think I heard one word of the Sermon or even the Christmas music.  It was as if I sat in the middle of 2,000 people and was alone.  No one could, or had the ability, to help us. Our firstborn son was early and he wasn't making it.  The NICU Doctor had told me they thought he would do much better from his 5 pounds at birth.  He was beautiful.  As we left the Church, I was handed a card from the Prayer Guild saying 1 Peter 5:7.  And the words of God impacted my heart.  God Himself had reached out and I felt within my soul, God knew the Love, surprise, the joy, the loss and the fear Edward and I were living.  Edward was sitting beside our son. We stood for hours beside his incubator. 

There are times in life, no one will be able to help. Only God. 

Christmas morning, I was told to call at 7 AM shift change and see what would occur.  I called at 7:01 and was told, with jubilation, our son had done so well and the NICU was sure he would live to be an old, old man. 

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Tree.

Matthew 13:31-32 

He put another parable before them, saying, 

“The Kingdom of Heaven 

is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 

It is the smallest of all seeds, 

but when it has grown 

it is larger than all the garden plants 

and 

becomes a tree, 

so that the birds of the air 

come 

and make nests 

in its branches.”

Matthew 5:17-19

 

I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 

And for this purpose, I have loved the Lord for many decades. And to hear Him speak in His Word, I have read the Scriptures every day since I was 16 years old.  Personally, I have experienced every reason I listed above. 

And the Scriptures of John the Baptist being woeful, tell me only Jesus Christ fulfills the All in All of His Love, His Word, His Purpose and the Joy of each day. 

God is God. Alleluia!

Abba, Father,

Forget not all His benefits -

Who forgives all your sins

and 

heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you 

with love and compassion

With Your Help, 

believing Jesus walks on water.

With Your Help

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, in Jesus Christ. 

And the Nations of the world,

Your Good Creation,

Calling upon You.

Lord Jesus Christ,

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and Care.

The healing and safety of Your people.

The safety of those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart far from us

and our children.

Worldwide Peace

Prosperity and

Peace.

Worldwide

Peace!

HEAL OUR NATION

We have 64 days

until 

our National Election.

Please Vote 

and Vote

 responsibly.

For Children in their Schools, all safety.

For those who protect and defend the USA,

protect us from arsonists.

Keep our food supply safe.

Support the Police.

For Worldwide Peace.

And the Peace of Israel. 

Those who protect

and defend

All The Word of God.

Freedom in our Churches.

Wholeness

Holy.

Goodness.

And in Jesus - this Hope, 

Faith and Love - we will rise up believing Jesus. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You, Jesus

†