rose_griffes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rose_griffes) wrote2011-04-17 10:19 am
rose_griffes) wrote2011-04-17 10:19 am
Entry tags:
New Testament: Matthew 18, Luke 10
Wow, nothing says excitement and adventure like doing your tax forms on a Saturday night. On the plus side, I'm getting a return. Maybe a laptop computer is in my future? Or finally upgrading my current computer monitor to something big and HD. (I do recommend TurboTax; it was a helpful program, and easy to access online.)
Getting ready for church right now means typing up a few more New Testament thoughts from scripture study this week. Matthew chapter 18 has some interesting thoughts: becoming like a little child, strategic abandonment (education-ese, sorry), talking privately when someone has hurt us, and forgiveness not being a one-time deal.
My favorite part is the story at the end of the chapter:
Why is it my favorite part? Because it's a wonderful reminder of all the debts (sins) that have been forgiven for me. It's (hopefully) humbling.
Luke 10 has something that I like even more than Matthew 18: the story of the good Samaritan. Jesus knew his target audience well. This lawyer who "came, tempting him" would understand the references to a priest and a Levite (who would presumably serve in the temple). These would have been men of good repute, who were held in high esteem. And yet it was a Samaritan--an outcast in this society--who took the time and effort to care for the man who had been robbed and injured.
It would have been easy for the lawyer to derive meaning from this: we're all neighbors. I wonder if he had ears to hear?
The end of Luke 10 has the controversial story of Mary and Martha. Martha, who was "cumbered about much serving," asked Jesus to have Mary help her; instead he tells her that Mary has "chosen that good part." It used to bother me a lot--here was Martha being helpful while her sister was idle, and yet Jesus condones Mary's choice.
It's one of those stories that time and life have helped me to understand better. I see a connection with this story and with the story about the marriage in which those who were invited had various excuses not to be there on time, so the host of the wedding party (the king) sent for guests among the people in the street. Mary understood what a treasure this time with Christ was. While Martha may well have wanted to honor Christ as well with her service, she missed out on the greater gift that was available: time with Jesus.
Imagine a dear friend who lives far away pays an unexpected visit. Do I spend all of my time in the kitchen to make the perfect dish for him, or do I appreciate the time I get to spend with him? The perfect dish is a lovely thought, but there are more valuable things I can do with my time while my friend is here.
Application to my own life: sometimes I get 'cumbered about much' doing all kinds of things; I need to take time to keep religious study and prayer high on my list of priorities.
Getting ready for church right now means typing up a few more New Testament thoughts from scripture study this week. Matthew chapter 18 has some interesting thoughts: becoming like a little child, strategic abandonment (education-ese, sorry), talking privately when someone has hurt us, and forgiveness not being a one-time deal.
My favorite part is the story at the end of the chapter:
[23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Why is it my favorite part? Because it's a wonderful reminder of all the debts (sins) that have been forgiven for me. It's (hopefully) humbling.
Luke 10 has something that I like even more than Matthew 18: the story of the good Samaritan. Jesus knew his target audience well. This lawyer who "came, tempting him" would understand the references to a priest and a Levite (who would presumably serve in the temple). These would have been men of good repute, who were held in high esteem. And yet it was a Samaritan--an outcast in this society--who took the time and effort to care for the man who had been robbed and injured.
It would have been easy for the lawyer to derive meaning from this: we're all neighbors. I wonder if he had ears to hear?
The end of Luke 10 has the controversial story of Mary and Martha. Martha, who was "cumbered about much serving," asked Jesus to have Mary help her; instead he tells her that Mary has "chosen that good part." It used to bother me a lot--here was Martha being helpful while her sister was idle, and yet Jesus condones Mary's choice.
It's one of those stories that time and life have helped me to understand better. I see a connection with this story and with the story about the marriage in which those who were invited had various excuses not to be there on time, so the host of the wedding party (the king) sent for guests among the people in the street. Mary understood what a treasure this time with Christ was. While Martha may well have wanted to honor Christ as well with her service, she missed out on the greater gift that was available: time with Jesus.
Imagine a dear friend who lives far away pays an unexpected visit. Do I spend all of my time in the kitchen to make the perfect dish for him, or do I appreciate the time I get to spend with him? The perfect dish is a lovely thought, but there are more valuable things I can do with my time while my friend is here.
Application to my own life: sometimes I get 'cumbered about much' doing all kinds of things; I need to take time to keep religious study and prayer high on my list of priorities.