Readings for:
Thursday, October 3: Matthew 5 – 6
Friday, October 4: Matthew 7 – 8

I wanted to wait and post so that we got all of Jesus’ longest teaching in Matthew, better know as the Sermon on the Mount. It is full of some great teachings:

• The Beatitudes
• Being the Salt of the Earth
• Being the Light of the World
• Forgiveness before approaching the altar
• Words on adultery, divorce, swearing, and loving our enemies
• How to pray
• The Lord’s Prayer
• Words on fasting, treasure, serving multiple masters, and how not to worry.

The list is long, and could go on. As we take in Jesus teaching moment, think of the crowds that gathered. Matthew tell us, “the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (7:28b) This is profound! The crowds are gathering by the 1,000’s to hear Jesus preach and teach. Many are hoping for a sign or a miracle to be preformed, for that they or their loved one will be healed. All of this is unheard of for the time. Daily life was hard and demanding. There was little time to follow needlessly, yet something was different with Jesus. He had a great sense of love and devotion for the people, and a power unlike the world had seen.

How could this be? Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit! From his Baptism, he was empowered by God to go and do likewise. So to are we, for the same Spirit is given to us in our Baptism and we are empowered to take Jesus’ teaching and put them into action. It is a bold challenge that has been place in our hands! Yet with the Spirit’s guidance we can and are able to go and do likewise!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Saturday, October 5: Matthew 9 – 10
Sunday, October 6: Matthew 11 – 12
Monday, October 7: Matthew 13 – 14
Tuesday, October 8: Matthew 15 – 17