Good morning, no GREAT morning brothers and sisters. As I titled this blog, after reading the passage below, I started to write “Bad News vs Good News” - nice and “even sounding” the way we usually see it compared. Then I thought, God isn’t just good, He is Great, He is Abundant, His news overflows with His Love, Joy, Mercy, and Grace!!! We must constantly remind ourselves of that since there are definite “bad news guys” in our physical and spiritual worlds. Matthew 16:1-6 The Message (MSG)
Some Bad Yeast
16 1-4 Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can’t you read the signs of the times? An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you’ll get is the Jonah sign.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
5-6 On their way to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring along bread. In the meantime, Jesus said to them, “Keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.”
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were some of those “bad news guys”. They have nothing for us - just dried up, cracked land as Dawn illustrated for us so appropriately on the cover of the bulletin Sunday. Yet Christ is “abundantly available, compassionate, and powerful” as Pastor put it in the Message Notes. That is Great News!
I also thought of times in my life where I tried to interpret what was going to happen, like verses 1-4. I used to read and believe in horoscopes. I planned my life with great detail filling up an 8x11 page daily with what each family member would be doing, usually a week in advance. (makes me lol at myself now). Well that is when I believed I could control my life and remain a good Christian by doing good things ..... and then I crashed and burned at 40. Hallelujah!
So today, yes, I’m reminded in this passage that Jesus Christ has rescued me from that former life of wanting, needing signs and trying to do things my way. He has given me the most amazing sign of His availability, compassion and power in the Resurrection which we get to celebrate corporately in 5 weeks on Easter Sunday. And when I get overwhelmed or “forget to bring the life giving bread of Christ” with me, all I need to do is to seek His Face!
Join me today as I call upon the Holy Spirit to help me surrender all of my life to Jesus receiveing His love and life and in this Lenten Season to ACT LIKE IT!
May God Bless You GREATLY,
cindy
PS. Would love to hear what God brought to your mind as you read today’s verses.