My church is doing a “Communion with God Prayer Vigil” it started April 11th s at 11am (EST) going through April 12th at 11am Participants were asked to connect with God through meditation, reading, or writing for 30 minutes. I have chosen to try to bring all three aspects into my selected time of 1am-1:30am (EST) on April 12th. I am preparing by starting this blog entry. I will be reading Matthew 12 and looking at the lessons Jesus is teaching throughout the chapter, followed by mediating on the words Jesus provided to His followers and the many people who came to listen and be spiritually fed. The chapter starts out proclaiming Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath in verses 1-14; then starting with verse 15 we read the words from Isaiah the prophet proclaiming “God’s Chosen Servant”; starting in verse 22, we see the Pharisees making claims that Jesus is Beelzebub. Then, Jesus says to all that were present “that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” The starting in verse 38, the Pharisees are wanting Jesus to show them a sign, so that they would believe, Jesus replied with a lengthy answer verses 38 through 45; then 46 through the end of the chapter Jesus speaks regarding His mother and brothers; asking who is my mother and brothers? We are all Jesus’ family, we were and are His creation. Matthew 12 covers many items ranging from Jesus being foretold of and prophesied in the Old Testament by the prophet Isaiah, to sharing the meaning of “The Sabbath”; the fulfillment of the scriptures and final judgment for our individual offenses. It is a difficult task to grasp everything that is mentioned in Matthew 12, I am not a bible scholar and I am not trying to give any great insights or commentary but what I can do is share my personal thoughts and challenge you to pursue your own thoughts and feelings. There’s no better time than the Easter season to read and reflect on Jesus’ ministry to include His life, death and resurrection. It is a painful story to take in because of the terrible suffering Jesus endured, not for any other reason than His unending and unfailing love for each and every person ever or to be born. We are all uniquely created by God and even more miraculously, we all have individual and very personal purposes. So rightly so, your birth is a grand celebration of your divine creation! Psalm 139:13-15 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” If you are hungry for nourishment that can feed the soul and provide everlasting fulfillment, it is here for you, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! As you might be preparing for communion during this Lenten season, pause and visualize the bread and wine, Jesus body broken for YOU and the innocent blood He shed for the forgiveness of YOUR sins. I encourage you to pray the Lord’s Prayer with me, feel God’s arms surrounding you…Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, Forever and ever. Amen.
~Blessings and Peace~
HOPE SEEKER 