I want to start with the naming of the 12. Jesus prayed to God all night before He decided on the 12 amongst the many that were following Him. -Luke will mention Jesus praying at great lengths before each important happening of His ministry. - One was Matthew, a publican (tax-collector), and one was Simon, a zealot. I learned a couple weeks ago that publican and zealot were two different political views - like Republicans and Democrats. The factions came up during the 400 silent years between the old and new testaments. The Sadducees and Pharisees formed during that same time. (It would be an interesting study to discover all that went on during that 400 years preparing for the fullness of time. Like Alexander the Great and stuff.) Anyway, I bet Matthew and Simon had some interesting, heated discussions!
The Beatitudes are in this chapter...a shortened version of the Sermon on the Mount. I am going to get side lined here. I have been reading the book, "The Prodigal God" by Timothy Keller. I have been convicted, in no small way, that like the elder brother in the Prodigal Son, I try to manipulate God. In other words, I do good things (reading the Bible?) to persuade God to keep my family blessed and ensure a good day for me. You know what I mean...God wants us to know Him, love Him, talk with Him and my favorite word, Delight in Him.
So from now on, as I do my readings and bloggings, I am going to be concentrating on God's characteristics, His likes and dislikes, how He wants me to love Him. I know prayer is His number one! I miss it when my kids aren't calling me or communicating with me...."and He spent the whole night in prayer." v. 12 Want to join me in delighting in our Savior?
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them...Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." v. 32-36
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