Matthew 7-8

7

Judging others.

In life we can be very quick to say look at what he or she did. or be quick to tell them it was wrong. but Jesus is saying. "Look in the mirror pal" we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. so, we need to have ourselves in good standing and right with the Lord before we can turn to our brother/sister to ""fix them""

I do believe there is a difference in judgement, and accountability. If one of my brothers or sisters in Christ is doing something unrighteous, dangerous, I believe it is our duty to show tough love and help them to get back on track. where it is wrong is where we condemn them because of something they did, especially if we have not addressed the sin in our life before addressing theirs. We should be providing accountability based on scripture and holding them to Gods standards when we are helping them back onto the right path.

7:13-14

"Enter through the narrow gate. for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. but small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

we are called to find the narrow gate/road, and walk it, called to be different. Be a LIGHT to the world that others may follow. this ties into the log in your eye correcting the speck in your brothers.

when we walk the straight and narrow road and life as an example. our brothers and sisters who get the calling will follow. instead of nagging or condemning them for their actions, we need to lead them down the path of righteousness by focusing on our own actions to be examples of Godly Men and Women.

True and False Disciples

7:21 - 23

"Not everyone who says Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you, away from me, you evildoers!'

Many people claim to be Christians; many people attend church on Sunday. many people have read the bible cover to cover but treat it like it's any novel but don't live according to the ways or decide they don't want to believe what it says. or they are hard of heart and won't give up lifestyles to model the life Jesus calls them to.

again "but only the ones who do the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."

we are called for more than Good Deeds, saying a prayer once in a while. going to church because we should. When we live our life modeling the beatitudes, the teachings of the Father, and being obedient as the first 4 chapters talked about, while having a relationship with Jesus that is how we get into heaven.

If a random person came up to my house and asked to sleep over, hang out, or just come look around. I would likely say no as I would weigh out all the possible outcomes and how I may be putting my family and children in harm's way. However, if one of my very close friends called and said they had a friend or person they know who needed a place to stay I would offer up my couch, give them food, offer a shower and a place to stay.

Jesus is that Buffer of a trusted friend or relative in heaven. We have all fallen short and fall short of the Glory of God daily. Sin separates us from the Lord. So, when we get to heaven Jesus Goes to the throne for us and says, "Father this is my friend, "I KNOW HIM" and we are then invited in.

It starts here with reading our bibles and spending time with him. But to understand the will of God which is how we need to live. We need to understand his word as his word tells us his will. Then we need to apply that to our lives.

8

A leaper man comes to Jesus and said If you are willing can you make me clean. Leprosy was a serious disease in the roman times with certain requirements of an individual

forced isolation - an afflicted person had to live alone "outside the camp" and away from other people to prevent the spread of the disease

public announcement - When approaching others, the person was required to cry out "unclean, unclean!" to warn people to keep their distance

Mourning Rituals - to signify their isolation and impurity, they had to wear torn clothes, keep their hair disheveled (messy, unkept) and cover the lower part of their face.

restoration rights - verification of healing from the priest gift of Moses, sacrificial offerings including,

2 birds, washing of clothes, and shaving of hair, sprinkle of blood and oil on the persons right earlobe, thumb, and big toe, symbolizing their restored ability to hear God's word, serve him, and walk in his ways.

8:3-4

"... I am willing.... ....be clean!" "Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy."

"...See that you don't tell anyone..."

in previous chapters we are told to do things behind closed doors so that God may see it and not for the gratification of others. I believe this is an example of just that. Jesus healed the man to Make him better, not so everyone can see and make a big deal about it.

The Faith of the Centurian.

A Roman Soldier (Centurian), Centurions were commanders in charge of a battalion/unit of about 80 men.

this Centurian came to Jesus and asked healing for is servant.

8:6 "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly"

Jesus asks if he shall go with him to his home, the Centurian tells Jesus he does not deserve him under his roof, "but just say the word and my servant will be healed."

8:10

when Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those following him "truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great Faith."

8:13 "Go, let it be done just as you Believed it would." and his servant was healed at that moment.

Our Power in in Jesus name through Faith is so strong. The Lords will, always wins, but we have the power through Jesus to be bold in our requests of healing. and through faith drive results for others in the Glory of God

Jesus calms the storm.

Again this fable is on faith as Jesus was tired and went for a nap, out of no-where a huge storm hit. waves over the boat.

the disciples, (fisherman) from chapter 4

woke him shouting 8:25 "Lord save us! we're going to drown!' Jesus replied 8:26 "you of little faith, why are you so afraid? then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm"

They had no faith, it is very interesting in the same chapter, a Centurian Roman Soldier who had never met Jesus had the faith to walk up and say to Jesus My servant is Paralyzed if you speak it he will be healed, yet he's never met Jesus and has nothing but stories to go off of. The disciples are with Jesus 24/7 they see him healing people and performing miracles daily. yet when they see a storm front instead of having faith in Jesus, they wake him terrified they were going to drown.

God is capable of things outside of our expectations/and understanding/comprehension. When we speak through faith in the Name of Jesus, we have the power to declare peace in the storm. When we trust in God when the waves are crashing over the Boat even if it seems he is sleeping during the storm, he is still with us, and when we have faith, he will Be with us whether he calls off the storm or not.