I just finished reading the day two stuff and my mind is still spinning. It’s a lot to cover in one sitting but I’m enjoying the format. It makes me look at the stories differently.
One thing that continued to jump out at me is just how wonderful Jesus is! He had enormous pressure on Him. Every time He turned around there were large crowds waiting on Him and yet He still is filled with compassion. He heals them and teaches them and feeds them.
Even when He goes off on the pharisees for keeping people from entering the Kingdom of God, He still comes back and talks about longing to bring them all together like a mother hen.
I was also struck by how clueless the disciples were throughout their journeys with Jesus. It gives me hope because I can feel very clueless at times too. :)
So, what stuck out to you?
What jumped out at me was His ability to teach through parables. Each parable not only has an important message, but the way He relates to people and their everyday lives shows a sense of importance and urgency to reach them and show them the Truth. Not only does this seem to show how distant people were or hard hearted, but it shows His Love in doing everything He can to reach them through parables, feeding, healing, miracles, etc. Even when the religious leaders rebuked Him and attempted to trick Him, His words grew stronger and more meaningful.
Matthew has seemed to show the constant struggle between good and evil. King Herod attempted to kill Jesus at birth, Satan tried to tempt Him from the beginning of His ministry, and people don’t recognize Him or understand Him when he comes despite his teachings and miracles. Jesus always prevails!
I also love the parable of the lost sheep because it shows how He even cares about and loves each individual, and I think it helps us Christians see the importance of evangelism.
I, too, found it very interesting how Jesus leveraged parables to teach, but had a sharp tongue when criticizing the religious leaders of the day. It shows Jesus was explicit, intentional, and effective in delivering his various messages.
I used to think faith was a convenient requirement to believe in something one could not see. Yet, the Apostles, having witnessed so much of Jesus’ miracles and teachings firsthand, still struggled with unconditional faith in Him. Reevaluating my understanding of faith, even witnessing firsthand isn’t enough. I overcame my own challenges with faith based on what I know and feel, and not from what I could or could not see.
I also was struck by how clueless the disciples were, which kind of makes me feel better since I am at least as clueless as they were.
I also was thinking about how Jesus communicated so much to us during the few short years here on earth that he spent teaching. It must have been exhausting.
I think the world needs to be schooled on the parable of the Vineyard workers. So often, people think they are “owed” more based on who they are or on their good deeds, etc.
I also loved what David Carroll said about having faith – what a very poignant thought. I often feel guilty when I struggle with blind faith issues. To know that the Apostles that actually “saw” miracles and still doubted surely made me feel better. Guess I’ll always be a work in progress.
The Vineyard Workers parable isn’t simple to understand – I think I get it, but then I can’t explain it to my kids so I wonder if I really understand it myself. A good one to keep returning to!
Thoughts came to me about finishing strong. That we can start out a thing in the right direction, but we have to keep it on course to the end!! Don’t allow doubt, distractions. Don’t become dilluted.