December 18, 2017 Monday Week 3 Day 2

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 19:16–19

            We like to think of ourselves as being good but Jesus rips that from us here.  The 10 Commandments are a reminder of our inability to be good and the first 4 are between us and God directly and the last 6 are how we should treat others. 

            It is interesting to me Jesus only states the commandments that are about how we should be in relationship with each other and treat each other.  Why not list the commandments about our relationship with God?

            Could it be that Jesus is teaching us as the scripture says we cannot say we love God who we cannot see if we do not love those who we can see?  You might think there is no way you can do this and that is right.  God uses the commandments to show us we cannot be good and need His help.

            The foundation of Christmas is that we as human beings are unable to reach out to God, indeed left to ourselves wouldn’t want to!  So God had to reach down to us and offer all of creation the hope of forgiveness by God as well as through God.

            It really is amazing the full weight that rested on the shoulders of the little Babe born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling cloths.  This little Baby would bring such fear into hearts that they would seek to kill Him and those who follow Him.  This Child would change the hardest thing to change – the human heart!

            The week continues badly.  Spent Sunday in bed but I am not any better.  It continues to be hard to keep my mind in order.  God is the only One who helps in times like these.  Bonnie and Rebecca continue to be a great help but I sense they are struggling because there is not much they can do.  But our Lord continues to bless.