Reading through the Gospels in 30 days. If you still want in on it, we are only 2 days in. Thats only 6 chapters to read today to catch up. 3 chapters a day, 4 Gospels, 30 days
* I got this idea from a friend of mine, Justin Wallace, who has done this challenge before and is currently doing it again with us.
I am including my quick reflections here on my blog. Please feel free to include your reflections here as comments for others to read.
CHAPTER 1 1:1-17 - It is always striking how many women are included in Jesus' lineage, but whats more, it is interesting to note that there are whores and other "questionable" characters in that line
1:23 - This is why the Christmas story is so vital and crazy and wonderful. "...and they shall call him Emmanuel, which means God with us." Just take a second and reflect on how HUGE that is! GOD....WITH US!! Here...in flesh...WITH US.
2:3 - The NRSV says that "Herod was frightened and all Jerusalem with him". I knew that Herod gets uber-pissed later, but I never caught that, at first, he was frightened...and so was all Jerusalem
3:2; 4:17 - The Kingdom HAS COME near. We misunderstand this verse gravely when we state that the Kingdom is near or that it is coming near...this is very clearly a past tense statement of a present reality...the Kingdom HAS COME...it is here...going on right now
3:8 - "bear fruit worthy of repentance" (NRSV) - what does that mean do you think?
5:6 - "If you HUNGER and THIRST for righteousness...you will be FILLED" - Could I really define my heart with a HUNGER and a THIRST?
5:11 - "Blessed are you who are persecuted...ON MY ACCOUNT" - NOT because you're an ass
- How would 5:19 compare and come alongside "the least of these"?
5:42 - "Give to EVERYONE...do not refuse ANYONE." - Another instance when Jesus is clearly stark where we like to be muddy and faint...I'm sorry; I mean where...I...like to be muddy and faint.
5:47 - "What more are you doing than others?" - A haunting question I am slow to answer today.
6:2-6, 16,18 - "They will receive their reward...you will receive your reward." They will receive the reward they wanted which was attention, but if we do as Jesus has called us, we will receive our reward as well. The question here is, "What reward do you seek?"
6:11 - "give us this day our DAILY BREAD" - this is to say, give us what we need and not beyond that. We do not seek to hoard and consume more than we actually need.
6:21 - "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be" - At Christmas time, I wonder how much we have connected LOVE to what sort of gift I get/give.
6:33 - If you choose NOT to worry, Jesus gives you an action plan.
WHAT ARE YOUR REFLECTIONS ON Matthew 1-6
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LISTENING TO: "Light" by Matisyahu