“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
“For the people of Israel belong to me. They are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 25:55 NLT
this reminder that israel belongs to the Lord and He is the Lord our God.
It was pointed out to me that the first people who get to hear and see the Easter news are two women, the two Marys—how beautiful!
Also I find it interesting that in the Old Testament reading, all land belongs to God. It doesn’t belong to us to control or keep from others:
23 ‘The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I did some research on this once a long time ago. An “age” in Jesus’ time had a specific meaning because he mentions it another time to the disciples. He was speaking to something that was going on culturally.
In the ancient world everyone followed the stars and what was happening celestially (wise men, Herod) and I believe he was referring to that. Because an “age” consists of the sun rising on the morning of the spring equinox into one of the signs of the zodiac. And it can take anywhere between hundreds to thousands of years for the sun to make its way across the face of that symbol before moving on to the next symbol.
People in the ancient world put so much meaning into things happening on earth (births/death, fortunes, etc) that going from one zodiac constellation to another was a HUGE deal! And guess what!?! According to an ancient star map or zodiac which was found in Egypt in the 1800’s (when archeological expeditions were a highly fashionable occupation) they discover the ancient zodiac was different to our modern one! (It’s now somewhere in a museum in France.)
But all that to say… when the ancient cultures witnessed the sun passing into a new zodiac constellation they called it a “new age” and Jesus mentions this somewhere ( I can’t remember where).
So the meaning of the constellations and the starts that comprise them had different meanings in ancient times than the pagan ones of today. And in the book. The Witness of The Stars, a scholar breaks down the root meanings of the ancients names for the starts and the constellations themselves. It’s FACINATING !! What I discovered, is that according to the ancient zodiac discovers in Egypt, that around the time Jesus was born they were leaving the constellation or “age” of Virgo (the virgin). And they entered a “new age” or constellation of The Sacrificed Lamb!! Anyone have goosebumps yet!?!!
So when Jesus said “I will be with you even to the end of the age” he would have been referring to the fact that the new age had begun with his birth and he was going to be around for a long long long time.
And guess what… supposedly we entered another “new age” somewhere around……. are you ready for it….. 2012. No joke.
I love this because a lot of people forget that all land and everything is God’s. They get so caught up with owning things that they forget that truly they don’t own anything and they never will because everything belongs to God.
The expectation: Jesus was in the tomb.
The finding: He was not there, He was resurrected, just as He said. He remained true to His word even in death.
Where am I looking for Jesus when He’s already “moved on” and done a bigger miracle than I knew possible? Challenged by this today.
Whoops! Accidentally posted my question as a reply, so here it is again :
So I’m confused between the difference of a slave and a hired worker? Someone please show me what I’m missing because it’s hard to believe God condoned slavery.
How I see it is a slave is forced to work and is beaten or abused when that work is not completed. Also slaves don’t earn enough money to sustain themselves because of how little their master gives them for their work.
A hired worker works at his own will not from someone else forcing him. Also a hired person is able to provide for themselves and possibly a family.
Could this be why my Jewish friends, to this day, denounce the resurrection? Oh that we would be a witness of His resurrection by living it out, allowing Him to work through our every circumstance!
“The ground began to shake,
The stone was rolled away,
His perfect love could be overcome,
Now, death, where is your sting?
Our resurrected King,
Has rendered you defeated!
Forever He is glorified,
Forever He is aligned high,
Forever He is risen,
He is alive!”
We’re meant to live with an eternal perspective. This is not our home. We are not working for things that will pass away but toward eternity.
As we grow closer to the Lord and He renews our minds, we become and think less like the world around us. It definitely alienates us. It can feel lonely but it’s actually an incredible blessing. It’s a reminder that we don’t belong here. This is not our home. We are sojourners but we’re on our way home. How incredible to know that the reason we feel this way is because Christ is making us more like him and calling us home!
When you have time, read Hebrews 11:13-16. I pray you find it as comforting and exciting as I do.
So I’m confused between the difference of a slave and a hired worker? Someone please show me what I’m missing because it’s hard to believe God condoned slavery.
“For you are strangers and sojourners with me.” Lev. 25:23b
Quite often as I’m reading, I see myself in the Israelites. I can be skeptical, and ridiculously stubborn. I get caught up in this life and its pursuits. While we are meant to be intentional in our daily lives,
9Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning! ”
Can you imagine that? You watched Him die, you’ve just heard He’s alive, and then He pops around the corner saying, “Good morning!” I can picture Him smiling, a little mischievously even, and full of joy. It’s like those videos you see of kids getting surprised by their deployed parents who are actually home to come visit them at school or somewhere else weird and the joy and crazy excitement of the surprise. And what a good morning it was! Good morning, sisters!
This is so interesting to me! Hearing about the year of Jubilee after having sung the song Days of Elijah since I was little. I remeber wondering what it meant, but understanding everything else about the song, but now it becomes more powerful!
“Behold he comes, riding on the clouds, shining like the sun at the trumpets call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of Jubilee, out of Zion’s hill salvation comes!”
Matthew 28:6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying”. He has risen. JUST AS HE SAID. Just as He said. He said He would rise again. And He did.
Hey ladies, if you don’t mind saying a little prayer for me. Dealing with a bout of anxiety and I’m kind of unsure how to deal with it except through God. Thank you!
I lift Elizabeth up to you. Give her peace to trust in you. Calm her heart and let her know she is in your hands. Give her strength to face the day. And know that you will never leave her. Give her wisdom to know how to over come this anxiety that is not from you. The enemy is strong and deceitful… But you are stronger!!!! Speak truth into Elizabeth and let her know she is loved.
Elizabeth, praying for God’s peace right now for you! May God give you comfort, and guide you through this situation. You are not alone. This life journey is not easy.
Whenever I experience anxiety, I turn to 1 Peter 5:6-7 which says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” and Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We are here for you, sister! But most of all- God is here for you. May these passages ring true in your life right now.
Just prayed for you Elizabeth! I too suffer from anxiety and know the fear and suffering you are experiencing, you are not alone. God loves you and will carry you through, even when it seems there is no hope. I pray the peace of Jesus fills your heart and mind and gives you rest.
Dear Lord,
I pray that You would comfort Elizabeth during this time. I pray that You would place your powerful word in her heart and her mind, that it would flow through every fiber of her being as a source of strength, peace, and comfort. Psalm 94:19 “when anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” We praise you, Lord, for you are a wonderful counselor. Amen.
What really drew me in was the very end of the reading from Matthew: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus is always walking with us, hand in hand, every day. This quote just brought me so much joy and light!
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples…… Afraid yet full of joy, isn’t this us so many times! Afraid to trust yet joyful, afraid to speak out yet the message brings us joy! Love it!
Leviticus 25: 18-23 really spoke to me today. God will always provide even in times of rest. They didn’t have to worry about the food they would eat because God would provide enough, so much more that it would support them for 3 years. Reminds me of the verse 2 Corinthians 9: 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Matthew 28: 20 is such a wonderful reminder “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” I feel like Jesus told them this because he knew the things they would face (persecution) and he wanted them to hold on to the truth of him being there always. God is soo good!
It impacted me to see how God planned for a year of “rest for the land” every seven years. He obviously values rest in season and wants us to as well. Yet our culture (even the Christian one) seems to value constant productivity and service over true sabbath rest. Rest isn’t just about a break, it reminds us that God is our provider – not the land or our good work.
I love reading about the jubilee. It is such a picture of Christ, the year of jubilee like a year of grace. There are no worries, no shortages, it is all provided for – you simply enjoy! What a contrast from a life enslaved by the world and sin. Jubilee is really joy with excitement: we had so much to rejoice about when we got saved. Work, responsibility, all the difficult parts of human life – they were basically free from. They could return to their possessions and family, and that is like salvation today – going home to our real family, all the believers in Christ, who has set us free. Hallelujah, may we just be living this jubilee reality each day.
This verse stuck out to me this morning in Leveticus (v 23) “you are only foreigners and temporary residents of My land” wow, such a shadow of who we are in Christ. We are in the world but not of the world, and it’s just amazing that even though this was spoken to a different group of people, I can relate to it 100%.
In Matthew, can I just say I get goosebumps when reading this chapter? Oh to have been there! I keep trying to imagine what our Lord would have looked like, or what the angel would have looked like…but honestly my mind just goes blank! I just get so overwhelmed on how TRUE this is!! This REALLY HAPPENED! Our Lord really did rise from DEATH and took the penalty for our wretchedness, and washed us as white as snow. Goosebumps, tears. Because of Christ, who was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, we have (unlimited) access to the Most High, and not only that (as if that wasn’t enough!!) when the Most High looks at us, He doesn’t see our wretchedness, or our sin, He sees His Son.
I’m writing this all out because I think of my Muslim friends, who boast about praying five times a day to Allah, and say it’s just them and Allah, no intercessor. Truly, I’d be utterly petrified if Yahweh allowed that, because then I would have to rely on my wudu (washing of hands,feet, nose, mouth, head; to be ritually clean), and I would have to rely on my heart intentions, and my own deeds. I would have to plan my day around praying at a set time, making sure I got the number of rakat (essentially, prayer cycles) down. While there’s nothing wrong with praying at set times a day (we see in Acts that was happening) I just get overwhelmed on how my prayers would be between me and Allah, who would be judging me based on prayer, good deeds, keeping the five pillars, etc.
(Note: Muslims also make du’a, non scripted prayer they can make at any time. )
Just thinking about the actual mercy of what our God did for us, sisters. He didn’t have to do any of what He did…but, He did.
Thank you so much for sharing Anne-Marie. So powerful! Praise God our eyes are opened, and we see how rituals are not the passage to God! Sad also that those that don’t repent and chose to stay in that state will be judged according to their deeds in the end, because that is what they want. Scary!
The concept of a Sabbath, of a year of “jubilee”, to give the earth and ourselves a rest, is an inherent Biblical principal. Genius! He is a God of order and balance. He does not bring chaos and destruction. Those things are come from living in a fallen world.
Great point! I never paid attention to the year of “jubilee”, even though I read these passages before. Just like you, I thought about how God has created order. He has given us guidance how to treat others, even when going through hard times. Many of our nation guidelines (referring to America) are based on the Bible. Sad to see that “man” is changing course today from God’s perfect order, causing much chaos and destruction.
I’ve never noticed the tiny passage about paying off the guards to discredit Jesus’ resurrection – how fitting that God KNEW, even then, how people would try to argue with or explain away the Gospel. It makes our charge to “go and make disciples” even more important!
I also heard a sermon recently about the fact that Jesus sent out 11 disciples. The number 12 represented perfect unity, so by sending only 11 it was a way, yet again, for Jesus to send the unready and the unworthy to do His work. He will equip us!
In Lev 25:20-22 I saw a glimmer of the tithe system that God put in place for us. He says to us in case you were wondering what you are going to eat …. I have it all sorted, I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU.
So so encouraged by the words of Jesus I claimed years ago as we prepared for the mission field. “I am with you always.” Sometimes I forget this promise. So happy to read it again this morning. I am not alone.
This passage in Matthew is so heart-wrenching and painstakingly hard to get through without being moved. Jesus endured unbelievable persecution and mistreatment. He didn’t want to go through it but he cast aside his fear and anguish and submitted to Gods plan.
It makes me want to have courage and stand worth Jesus. It makes me want to be bold and Serve him with all my heart. He courageously stood for me when I could not stand for myself. He saw those who would put their faith in him as chosen and precious and worth dying for. His death defines who I am and changes everything about how I live everyday
Amen Amber too! I had an aha moment when I read your comment “He didn’t want to go through…submitted to God’s plan.” That is Faith. To fully submit to God’s plan. I was so humbled as I read this morning.
I love you, Jesus!! Amen
“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
“For the people of Israel belong to me. They are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 25:55 NLT
this reminder that israel belongs to the Lord and He is the Lord our God.
He is with us always!
20 …And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
God is with us
❤️
“I am with you always” !!!!!
Go therefore!
❤️
❤️
❤️
Matthew 28:20 “…behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ❤️
It was pointed out to me that the first people who get to hear and see the Easter news are two women, the two Marys—how beautiful!
Also I find it interesting that in the Old Testament reading, all land belongs to God. It doesn’t belong to us to control or keep from others:
23 ‘The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.
❤️
20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
✔️
✅
Our Lord is Risen!
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I did some research on this once a long time ago. An “age” in Jesus’ time had a specific meaning because he mentions it another time to the disciples. He was speaking to something that was going on culturally.
In the ancient world everyone followed the stars and what was happening celestially (wise men, Herod) and I believe he was referring to that. Because an “age” consists of the sun rising on the morning of the spring equinox into one of the signs of the zodiac. And it can take anywhere between hundreds to thousands of years for the sun to make its way across the face of that symbol before moving on to the next symbol.
People in the ancient world put so much meaning into things happening on earth (births/death, fortunes, etc) that going from one zodiac constellation to another was a HUGE deal! And guess what!?! According to an ancient star map or zodiac which was found in Egypt in the 1800’s (when archeological expeditions were a highly fashionable occupation) they discover the ancient zodiac was different to our modern one! (It’s now somewhere in a museum in France.)
But all that to say… when the ancient cultures witnessed the sun passing into a new zodiac constellation they called it a “new age” and Jesus mentions this somewhere ( I can’t remember where).
So the meaning of the constellations and the starts that comprise them had different meanings in ancient times than the pagan ones of today. And in the book. The Witness of The Stars, a scholar breaks down the root meanings of the ancients names for the starts and the constellations themselves. It’s FACINATING !! What I discovered, is that according to the ancient zodiac discovers in Egypt, that around the time Jesus was born they were leaving the constellation or “age” of Virgo (the virgin). And they entered a “new age” or constellation of The Sacrificed Lamb!! Anyone have goosebumps yet!?!!
So when Jesus said “I will be with you even to the end of the age” he would have been referring to the fact that the new age had begun with his birth and he was going to be around for a long long long time.
And guess what… supposedly we entered another “new age” somewhere around……. are you ready for it….. 2012. No joke.
So fascinating! Thank you for sharing. I am about to look up this book right now.
❤️
Jesus was gone! The tomb was opened for every one else to see, never really caught that before
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” -ellie
May we also spread the news of Christ’s resurrection with fear and great joy!
Jesus lives and reigns!!
I fell off of mine for about a month but I’m finally back and glad that God is a forgiving God
I love this because a lot of people forget that all land and everything is God’s. They get so caught up with owning things that they forget that truly they don’t own anything and they never will because everything belongs to God.
“I know you are looking for Jesus…”
The expectation: Jesus was in the tomb.
The finding: He was not there, He was resurrected, just as He said. He remained true to His word even in death.
Where am I looking for Jesus when He’s already “moved on” and done a bigger miracle than I knew possible? Challenged by this today.
Love this
Whoops! Accidentally posted my question as a reply, so here it is again :
So I’m confused between the difference of a slave and a hired worker? Someone please show me what I’m missing because it’s hard to believe God condoned slavery.
How I see it is a slave is forced to work and is beaten or abused when that work is not completed. Also slaves don’t earn enough money to sustain themselves because of how little their master gives them for their work.
A hired worker works at his own will not from someone else forcing him. Also a hired person is able to provide for themselves and possibly a family.
Could this be why my Jewish friends, to this day, denounce the resurrection? Oh that we would be a witness of His resurrection by living it out, allowing Him to work through our every circumstance!
“The ground began to shake,
The stone was rolled away,
His perfect love could be overcome,
Now, death, where is your sting?
Our resurrected King,
Has rendered you defeated!
Forever He is glorified,
Forever He is aligned high,
Forever He is risen,
He is alive!”
*could not be overcome
Lev. 25:21 Be assured that I will send my blessing for you… Amen!
(Sorry! Pushed ‘Post’ by mistake)
We’re meant to live with an eternal perspective. This is not our home. We are not working for things that will pass away but toward eternity.
As we grow closer to the Lord and He renews our minds, we become and think less like the world around us. It definitely alienates us. It can feel lonely but it’s actually an incredible blessing. It’s a reminder that we don’t belong here. This is not our home. We are sojourners but we’re on our way home. How incredible to know that the reason we feel this way is because Christ is making us more like him and calling us home!
When you have time, read Hebrews 11:13-16. I pray you find it as comforting and exciting as I do.
Thank you for sharing.
This reminds me of the song by Building 429….
“All I know is I’m not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong.”
Thank you for sharing! A beautiful message!
So I’m confused between the difference of a slave and a hired worker? Someone please show me what I’m missing because it’s hard to believe God condoned slavery.
“For you are strangers and sojourners with me.” Lev. 25:23b
Quite often as I’m reading, I see myself in the Israelites. I can be skeptical, and ridiculously stubborn. I get caught up in this life and its pursuits. While we are meant to be intentional in our daily lives,
9Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning! ”
Can you imagine that? You watched Him die, you’ve just heard He’s alive, and then He pops around the corner saying, “Good morning!” I can picture Him smiling, a little mischievously even, and full of joy. It’s like those videos you see of kids getting surprised by their deployed parents who are actually home to come visit them at school or somewhere else weird and the joy and crazy excitement of the surprise. And what a good morning it was! Good morning, sisters!
This is so interesting to me! Hearing about the year of Jubilee after having sung the song Days of Elijah since I was little. I remeber wondering what it meant, but understanding everything else about the song, but now it becomes more powerful!
“Behold he comes, riding on the clouds, shining like the sun at the trumpets call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of Jubilee, out of Zion’s hill salvation comes!”
I love that connection!! Thanks for sharing!
Love that song! It has always been a camp song for me. Good memories!
I feel like my faith can be summed up by the words in Matthew 28:8 – “fear and great joy”
Definitely she’d some tears finishing Matthew tonight. So moving.
Matthew 28:6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying”. He has risen. JUST AS HE SAID. Just as He said. He said He would rise again. And He did.
Hey ladies, if you don’t mind saying a little prayer for me. Dealing with a bout of anxiety and I’m kind of unsure how to deal with it except through God. Thank you!
Father,
I lift Elizabeth up to you. Give her peace to trust in you. Calm her heart and let her know she is in your hands. Give her strength to face the day. And know that you will never leave her. Give her wisdom to know how to over come this anxiety that is not from you. The enemy is strong and deceitful… But you are stronger!!!! Speak truth into Elizabeth and let her know she is loved.
Amen.
Elizabeth, praying for God’s peace right now for you! May God give you comfort, and guide you through this situation. You are not alone. This life journey is not easy.
Whenever I experience anxiety, I turn to 1 Peter 5:6-7 which says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” and Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We are here for you, sister! But most of all- God is here for you. May these passages ring true in your life right now.
Just prayed for you Elizabeth! I too suffer from anxiety and know the fear and suffering you are experiencing, you are not alone. God loves you and will carry you through, even when it seems there is no hope. I pray the peace of Jesus fills your heart and mind and gives you rest.
Dear Lord,
I pray that You would comfort Elizabeth during this time. I pray that You would place your powerful word in her heart and her mind, that it would flow through every fiber of her being as a source of strength, peace, and comfort. Psalm 94:19 “when anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” We praise you, Lord, for you are a wonderful counselor. Amen.
What really drew me in was the very end of the reading from Matthew: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus is always walking with us, hand in hand, every day. This quote just brought me so much joy and light!
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples…… Afraid yet full of joy, isn’t this us so many times! Afraid to trust yet joyful, afraid to speak out yet the message brings us joy! Love it!
I love how they hurried, how they didn’t question the angel, but felt the utmost urgency to get to the disciples! :)
Leviticus 25: 18-23 really spoke to me today. God will always provide even in times of rest. They didn’t have to worry about the food they would eat because God would provide enough, so much more that it would support them for 3 years. Reminds me of the verse 2 Corinthians 9: 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Matthew 28: 20 is such a wonderful reminder “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” I feel like Jesus told them this because he knew the things they would face (persecution) and he wanted them to hold on to the truth of him being there always. God is soo good!
Millicent, reminds me of Malachi 3:10 as well
Yes! Thanks for sharing He saved! :)
Wow, looking forward to studying Malachi!
Love this!
It impacted me to see how God planned for a year of “rest for the land” every seven years. He obviously values rest in season and wants us to as well. Yet our culture (even the Christian one) seems to value constant productivity and service over true sabbath rest. Rest isn’t just about a break, it reminds us that God is our provider – not the land or our good work.
I had never thought of it that way, but practicing Sabbath rest is one way we can show our trust in God and His provision!
Amen! Wonderful perspective
I love reading about the jubilee. It is such a picture of Christ, the year of jubilee like a year of grace. There are no worries, no shortages, it is all provided for – you simply enjoy! What a contrast from a life enslaved by the world and sin. Jubilee is really joy with excitement: we had so much to rejoice about when we got saved. Work, responsibility, all the difficult parts of human life – they were basically free from. They could return to their possessions and family, and that is like salvation today – going home to our real family, all the believers in Christ, who has set us free. Hallelujah, may we just be living this jubilee reality each day.
My favorite part… “And surely I am with you always…” LOVE.
This verse stuck out to me this morning in Leveticus (v 23) “you are only foreigners and temporary residents of My land” wow, such a shadow of who we are in Christ. We are in the world but not of the world, and it’s just amazing that even though this was spoken to a different group of people, I can relate to it 100%.
In Matthew, can I just say I get goosebumps when reading this chapter? Oh to have been there! I keep trying to imagine what our Lord would have looked like, or what the angel would have looked like…but honestly my mind just goes blank! I just get so overwhelmed on how TRUE this is!! This REALLY HAPPENED! Our Lord really did rise from DEATH and took the penalty for our wretchedness, and washed us as white as snow. Goosebumps, tears. Because of Christ, who was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, we have (unlimited) access to the Most High, and not only that (as if that wasn’t enough!!) when the Most High looks at us, He doesn’t see our wretchedness, or our sin, He sees His Son.
I’m writing this all out because I think of my Muslim friends, who boast about praying five times a day to Allah, and say it’s just them and Allah, no intercessor. Truly, I’d be utterly petrified if Yahweh allowed that, because then I would have to rely on my wudu (washing of hands,feet, nose, mouth, head; to be ritually clean), and I would have to rely on my heart intentions, and my own deeds. I would have to plan my day around praying at a set time, making sure I got the number of rakat (essentially, prayer cycles) down. While there’s nothing wrong with praying at set times a day (we see in Acts that was happening) I just get overwhelmed on how my prayers would be between me and Allah, who would be judging me based on prayer, good deeds, keeping the five pillars, etc.
(Note: Muslims also make du’a, non scripted prayer they can make at any time. )
Just thinking about the actual mercy of what our God did for us, sisters. He didn’t have to do any of what He did…but, He did.
Hallelujah, what a Savior.
Thank you so much for sharing Anne-Marie. So powerful! Praise God our eyes are opened, and we see how rituals are not the passage to God! Sad also that those that don’t repent and chose to stay in that state will be judged according to their deeds in the end, because that is what they want. Scary!
I didn’t even pause on this and it’s so important. Everything is temporary, our true home is awaiting us in Heaven! How wonderful!!
It is the year of Jubilee! Jesus has redeemed us from slavery!
The concept of a Sabbath, of a year of “jubilee”, to give the earth and ourselves a rest, is an inherent Biblical principal. Genius! He is a God of order and balance. He does not bring chaos and destruction. Those things are come from living in a fallen world.
Great point! I never paid attention to the year of “jubilee”, even though I read these passages before. Just like you, I thought about how God has created order. He has given us guidance how to treat others, even when going through hard times. Many of our nation guidelines (referring to America) are based on the Bible. Sad to see that “man” is changing course today from God’s perfect order, causing much chaos and destruction.
I’ve never noticed the tiny passage about paying off the guards to discredit Jesus’ resurrection – how fitting that God KNEW, even then, how people would try to argue with or explain away the Gospel. It makes our charge to “go and make disciples” even more important!
I also heard a sermon recently about the fact that Jesus sent out 11 disciples. The number 12 represented perfect unity, so by sending only 11 it was a way, yet again, for Jesus to send the unready and the unworthy to do His work. He will equip us!
I love how many facets that has, because I think of it as Jesus sending 11 because each of us is called to be the twelfth! :)
Oh wow Britt! Never thought of it that way
Love that interpretation, Britt!
Amen, Leah!
In Lev 25:20-22 I saw a glimmer of the tithe system that God put in place for us. He says to us in case you were wondering what you are going to eat …. I have it all sorted, I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU.
So so encouraged by the words of Jesus I claimed years ago as we prepared for the mission field. “I am with you always.” Sometimes I forget this promise. So happy to read it again this morning. I am not alone.
Amen, Amber!!!
This passage in Matthew is so heart-wrenching and painstakingly hard to get through without being moved. Jesus endured unbelievable persecution and mistreatment. He didn’t want to go through it but he cast aside his fear and anguish and submitted to Gods plan.
It makes me want to have courage and stand worth Jesus. It makes me want to be bold and Serve him with all my heart. He courageously stood for me when I could not stand for myself. He saw those who would put their faith in him as chosen and precious and worth dying for. His death defines who I am and changes everything about how I live everyday
Amen Amber too! I had an aha moment when I read your comment “He didn’t want to go through…submitted to God’s plan.” That is Faith. To fully submit to God’s plan. I was so humbled as I read this morning.