The Message

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

(Matthew 3:2 / 4:17)

These words are the message first preached by John the Baptist, and by Jesus Messiah.

"Kingdom of heaven” is a phrase Matthew uses thirty-two times in his Gospel. He also uses “kingdom of God” five times. Research reveals Matthew is the only Gospel writer to use the phrase “kingdom of heaven” in his narrative.

Pastor Jon Courson explains in his New Testament Application Commentary, Matthew intentionally used the phrase for Jewish believers, who were his primary audience, illustrating Jesus was talking about a spiritual kingdom, and not a reign on earth.

The Jewish people were under the cruel and unjust rule of the Roman Empire. They wanted a Messiah to take control, bring justice and fix all their problems. In fairness, I have felt the same way at times. I want the right president, the perfect boss. I want justice for the oppressed and fairness for the cheated. I want everyone to be healthy and safe. The truth is, I really want something I can never have here on earth, I want the kingdom of heaven.

Last year, our friend and pastor, Brent Yim, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Ever since, he and his family have been in a struggle to overcome the disease. Brent is only thirty-two years old. He has a beautiful wife, and two young sons. Brent is an amazing Bible teacher and ministers not only to his church, but serves as principal in their Christian school. He also instructs at the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murietta, CA. To quote my husband after attending a church service, “Brent, has not given up. He continues to drag himself to the pulpit every Sunday and we are all blessed because of it.” Brent has his eye on the prize. He knows what he is living for, and it is not for health, wealth and prosperity. Through this trial and suffering, Brent's eye is on the kingdom of heaven.

As much as many of us want to ask God, WHY Brent, Why now, Why this way? We must pause and recognize, Immanuel is with us. God is sovereign and there are no guarantees for anyone in life. Every human shares the common experience; we are conceived, we are born, we live, we die, and then we meet our Maker. There is no escaping for anyone. But, believers in Jesus need never fear.

I have been reading Billy Graham’s book, Nearing Home—Life, Faith and Finishing Well. I highly recommend it for everyone. At age ninety-two Billy Graham gives insight and wisdom into the difficulties of aging, retirement and facing the uncertainties concerning dying with dignity and grace. Here is a man whose life and message throughout the years have been consistent; Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. At the close of his book, Billy Graham asks a question, “My friend do you know the way?” He is still preaching the Gospel from his bed and points the reader to John 14:6 where Jesus says, “I am the way…”

John 14:1-6 is a section of scripture I love, and everyone who is worried about dying should read and take to heart.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many rooms…I go to prepare a place for you…I will come and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also, and you know the way…I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The passage is a formula for comfort and peace about the hereafter. Do not be troubled, worried, fretting or filled with anxiety. Just believe in God and trust in Jesus. There is room for everyone in the Father’s house and Jesus is preparing the place. Not only that, but Jesus will come lead the way to Himself—I never need find my way alone. Jesus wants me with Him. Jesus is the guaranteed route to the Father—there is no other.

Now, if I could only live in that mindset, all would be well. My problems might not all disappear. My health may continue to decline with the years. I may not become a millionaire, but my focus would be adjusted properly to understand that heaven is my home and life on earth, no matter how long, is only a temporary stop along the way.

Billy Graham would like to be at the pulpit preaching the Gospel. But he writes, "those days are gone." The walker, cane and wheelchair in his room are reminders he can no longer get out of bed without assistance. He misses his wife Ruth, and I can see after reading his book, as my friend Audrey used to say, “He is lonesome for heaven.”

Brent Yim would like to be free of cancer, and for this we are praying. He would rather be studying for a sermon than reviewing his test results. He should be running around playing with his children rather than lying in a hospital bed receiving intravenous chemotherapy. As much as he may, at times, struggle with his lot, he has the assurance of God's presence with him now and the certainty of a home prepared for him in eternity. He uses his time in the waiting room to pray for and comfort other patients. He realizes the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

No one knows the day or the hour when Billy or Brent or anyone else will answer that final call. But we do know, the moment believers in God, who trust in Jesus for salvation, depart this earthly realm, they immediately arrive in the kingdom of heaven.

This was the message Matthew heard Jesus give over and over. It was a vital message for the Jews back then, and it continues to be the most important message for everyone today. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Nearing-Home-Life-Faith-Finishing Well, by Billy Graham

Brent Yim, Pastor's Blog (Suggest: The Ministry of Comfort Through Our Suffering)

The Yim Family Fund (Make a donation to help with medical expenses--thank you!)

The Bondservant of the LORD

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."

(Micah 5:2 ESV)

(The Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel)

Have you ever felt threatened and responded by doing something extreme or irrational? Well, it seems several people were feeling threatened in those first few chapters of Matthew’s Gospel and at least one responded irrationally.

Herod felt so threatened by the birth of Jesus that he killed all the children under two years old in Bethlehem. Matthew points to an Old Testament prophecy about Bethlehem, "from which shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." (Micah 5:2) Herod's scholars researched and delivered the information to the uneasy king. Matthew also points to the prophecy in (Jeremiah 31:15). The entire chapter 31 talks about God turning mourning into joy and establishing a new covenant with the house of Israel. Here, amidst this terrible tragedy and mourning, God brought joy in the birth of Jesus Messiah. The new covenant came to earth. Bethlehem means House of Bread. From the house of bread came the bread of life, and we are all the blessed because of it.

The Wise Men felt threatened by Herod and departed to their own country another way. But not before they followed the star to the house where the child was, and then "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matt2:7-12 ESV)

Joseph felt threatened for Mary's safety and then for the safety of Jesus. Like the Wise Men, Joseph was warned by God about what to do, and he did it. I have to give major props to Joseph. He must have been a kind man to begin with, for worrying about Mary's life rather than the possibility that she had cheated on him. Then, for responding to God's warning in his dreams. They must have been potent and he was not proud, so the child Messiah was kept alive because of this one man's obedience.

Matthew writes, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 1:18 ESV) Matthew does not say how Mary felt about her situation. The aim of his writing was to record the facts of Jesus Messiah’s life and words for the Jewish believers before he was to leave them. Matthew neglected to convey Mary’s feelings in his writing. But, I believe, he must have known something of how she felt.

(Jesus of Nazareth: Mary and baby Jesus)

During the church age, after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Mary was still alive. Perhaps, in some context, Mary had opportunity to share her testimony and perhaps Matthew heard or even interviewed her. That is what writer’s do…they interview their sources.

Luke was also a Gospel writer. I don’t know if he interviewed Mary, but as a writer, he provides a greater depth to Mary’s story. (Luke 1:26-38)

After reading Luke's account, I can only imagine Mary must have been flabbergasted to receive the visit from the angel Gabriel, and then discover she was indeed with child—still being a virgin. Matthew wrote that Mary was with child from the Holy Spirit and Luke confirms this in his writing (Luke 1:35). Perhaps when telling her story, Mary expressed she understood her predicament and its source. Though socially and emotionally uncomfortable, her situation was a work by the Holy Spirit and she accepted it as good. Proof of this is found in her response to Elizabeth, (Luke 1:46-55 ESV / The Magnificat). Mary understood the essential nature of her situation, and of God, to be good. Pondering that thought alone is enough for me today.

I have to ask myself; how do I view my situations? Am I miserable in my life circumstances? Am I blaming God for putting me in my predicament, or blaming God for the situation of others? Is God a terrible ogre or uncaring fiend who simply enjoys trifling with the lives of humans as if they were chess pieces on a cosmic board? That is how the world thinks--only seeing life from a human perspective. Mary, the soon-to-be new and unwed mother, chose to view her circumstances from a heavenly perspective. God made a promise through Gabriel and Mary placed herself in the all-capable hands of the Almighty God when she said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 ESV)

The Greek word used for servant is actually the word bondservant, which is someone who willingly chooses enslavement to a Master. The bondservants would bind themselves to their Masters by having an awl (ring) placed in their ear. Where the person could have been freed, instead they chose to serve. This was Mary’s statement. She was choosing to be a bondservant, to serve, even though it might cost her humiliation, discomfort and everything she held dear.

This reminds me of a funny story. Once upon a time, back in the day, our church held a concert with Randy Stonehill as the musical guest. Because I was helping to coordinate the event, I assigned myself the task of making sure Mr. Stonehill had everything he needed. I was there to be his personal slave. During a rehearsal, he asked for a cup of water. I fetched it and as I passed my pastor, I punned, “Behold I am the handmaiden of Randy Stonehill.” Later, I knelt on the floor changing the broken shoelaces on his very cool performance shoes. I thought of Abigail from (1 Sam 25:41) another bondservant who was willing to wash the feet of David’s servants. I wasn’t sure I was ready to go that far, and wash Randy Stonehill’s feet, but there I was kneeling on the floor dealing with his shoes and somehow I felt a kinship with Abigail. Anyway, we had a great concert and afterwards my pastor drove the musical giant to his hotel for the night. Shyly, Randy Stonehill asked for his honorarium. My pastor immediately responded, “Your handmaiden forgot to give it to you.” Yeah, we laugh about it now, but at the time it was embarrassing and I felt bad for Randy Stonehill having to ask to be paid. He probably thought we were trying to bamboozle him. I felt like such a failure. Anyway, I did show up the next morning and pay the man, and he was very gracious about it all.

Mary understood the challenge. She faced humiliation and possibly death, regardless she responded with a willingness to serve, no matter what would come. What challenges do I face today? Whatever they are, I must be willing and able to view my life from God’s perspective. I must remain convinced, in this cynical world, of God and His goodness. I must place myself, daily, in His capable hands if I am to echo the words of Mary and experience the joy she had in fulfilling God’s plan for her life.

I think Mary and her Son were as beautiful as this tribute relays. Paste address in your browser if the link does not work. I hope you enjoy the tribute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bog6aaSwIY4

Substance in the Genealogy

"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him..." (Isaiah 11:1-2 ESV)

The Jesse Tree stained glass window at Notre Dame de Paris

I like the way Matthew starts his book. Most editors and publishers will say a first line can either sell or sink your story. Matthew states, first thing, Jesus Christ is the son of David and the son of Abraham. The mention of these men, two of the most prominent figures in the history of the Jewish nation, was no accident. The royal line came through King David, and the chosen line began with Father Abraham. From the line, or the genes if you will, of these two men God promised to bring the Messiah. Matthew was clearly saying, with his first sentence, Jesus was the chosen King of the Jews, the Christ, Messiah.

At my son Jesse’s church, Solid Rock, in Portland, Oregon, I have heard the pastoral staff refer to Christ as “Jesus Messiah.” Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Like Messiah, it is His title. I like that term—Jesus Messiah. Perhaps it is because of my Catholic roots that the word Christ generates a picture of Jesus as the perpetually suffering person on the cross, while the word Messiah paints the picture of the triumphant Jesus riding into Jerusalem, clearing the moneychangers out of the temple and resurrecting from the dead. Jesus was certainly our suffering Savior, and thank God for that, but He was also the triumphant Redeemer and King. What picture do you have of Jesus? Does the phrase Jesus Messiah change the way you view our LORD?

The Gospel According to Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph. Perhaps you think genealogies are not so interesting, and you are going to cruise through this list of names to reach the good stuff around verse 18. I urge you to not be hasty. Take a close look at some of these names, you will find interesting substance in the genealogy.

Besides the biggies, King David, Father Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, note the name of one of the twelve sons of Jacob—Judah. This same Judah was instrumental in selling his younger brother Joseph to the Midianite traders (Genesis 37:26-28). Later, when the family was reunited in Egypt and their father Jacob died, Joseph said to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today,” (Genesis 50:20). God did not allow the conniving ways of Judah, along with the mistakes of Joseph's brothers, to stop HIS eternal purposes in realizing the preservation of Israel, providing eternal salvation, and paying for the sin of mankind. Jesus Messiah, offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, once and for all, and He did not act alone. He acted upon the Father’s will, as part of the Father’s plan and because of the Father’s love for humanity (John 3:16-17).

Five women are also mentioned in the genealogy of Matthew chapter one. They are Tamar (vs 3), Rahab and Ruth (vs 5), the wife of Uriah, which we know is Bathsheba (vs 6), and Mary, the mother of Jesus (vs 16). Why were these women mentionable? Culturally speaking, in the time of Jesus, women were considered part of the lower class. Women had no rights apart from what their husbands or fathers allowed. Women did not hold office or vote. Even a Jewish man’s morning prayers indicated the undesirable status of women, as in daily prayers men repeated the morning blessings, “I thank You, Oh Lord my God, Creator of the Universe, that you have not made me a gentile…a woman…or a slave.” In place of the word slave, some versions use the word ignoramus, uneducated person, or other versions use dog. Women were less than inconsequential, yet Matthew mentioned them in the lineage of the Messiah. Why?

I believe, after three years of living with, and observing the behavior of Jesus, Matthew (an all the disciples) acquired a more elevated perspective of women than what was the norm for his culture. Jesus was a respecter of women. He valued them. Throughout the Gospels there are accounts of His singling them out, speaking with them (the Samaritan woman at the well), comforting them (Martha and Mary at the death of Lazarus) and even defending them (the woman caught in the act of adultery). At the end of His life, while still on the cross, Jesus used His last amounts of breath to charge John with the care of Mary, His mother. Jesus was not a neglectful son. He honored His father and mother, just as was commanded by God the Father in the law. I believe Matthew mirrored this honoring of women with his inclusions in the genealogy.

Another interesting thought about the genealogy and these women is they all had very different stories. Tamar was a widow, then a rejected woman who posed as a prostitute to insure her inheritance, (Gen 38:6-30). Rahab was a harlot in Jericho (Joshua 2:1-21), Ruth was a foreigner, destitute, a gentile from Moab (Ruth 1-4). Bathsheba suffered the consequences of an affair with King David, (2 Samuel 11-12:26) and Mary was misjudged, almost divorced by her betrothed for being an unwed mother, (Matthew 1:18-25). Any normal historian, wanting to make a legitimate case for someone as Messiah, might not have mentioned these women and their checkered situations. The substance of their stories and the fact that Matthew did mention them, lends all the more credulity to the genealogy's reliability as legitimate.

The apostle Paul, who was also dramatically transformed by his encounter with Jesus, was undoubtedly familiar with the morning blessings. After time and experience as a believer, he wrote to the Galatians what could be considered a counter to the thoughts of the morning blessings. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (See Galatians 3:25-28 ESV)

The writers of the New Testament did not just sit around brainstorming and invent all these stories to publish in this book we call the Bible. They had a wealth of real-life information to convey that came straight from Jesus, including His words, His actions and how He lived. When Matthew and the other disciples observed how Jesus cared for women, they could not help but have a cultural mind shift, which manifested itself in their writings, and undoubtedly, in the way they conducted the rest of their lives on earth.

Today, the battle for women's rights continues in our culture. There are arguments about women serving in the military, contraception, abortion, position and power. Some women want recognition, equality with men, while others desire to maintain more traditional roles. Living in Japan, I observe men and women everyday, and it appears they hold to the more traditional roles in their culture. However, for me, as a Christian, the question is not about what the norm is in the national culture, but rather what is the standard in God's culture?

I do not condone exploitation, oppression or the subjugation of anyone, be it men, women or children. Women in the west are shouting about personal control over their own procreative rights, but shouldn't it be considered equally important to speak-up for the millions of voiceless children who are killed through abortion, whether they are male or female, simply because God says killing is wrong? In our world, children are exploited, women are oppressed, men are conscripted, governments determine the size and incomes of families, and entire races or sects are obliterated by the powerful. We live in a world filled with injustice and sin, where people groups are affected by evil everyday. But as a believer in Christ, my culture shapers should not come from western or eastern thinking. My culture shapers should originate in God, through His word and in the person of Jesus Messiah. He alone is righteous and just. He alone acted on behalf of all, and continues by making intercession for all. (Hebrews 7:22-25/Isaiah 53:12).

If we explore our own genealogies, we are bound to find some sketchy characters in our family line, which we may not desire to acknowledge. Be they shady or not, our ancestors are part of us. They are the substance of who we are and we cannot escape that lineage.

King David's prayer recorded in Psalm 139 provides a wonderful perspective of how God views us:

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them…Search me, O God and know my heart...see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

The substance of any human being seems too complicated to be taken lightly. Only God can truly and completely understand each one of us individually and continue to be willing to interact with us and give us the opportunity for relationship with HIM for now and for eternity.

Jesus Messiah is that opportunity. He is the gift of God, the way God has provided for each one of us to know HIM…and Matthew starts his telling of the Jesus story by showing us, it is all in the genealogy.

---end

ASSIGNMENT Optional

In the Gospel According to Matthew, find connections made with the words “as spoken by the prophets.” (see example below) Compile your own list of prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Messiah and His remarkable coming to earth, life, death and resurrection. It’s amazing! Happy Reading!

*1. Matthew 1:23 – cited from Isaiah 7:14, 8:8,10

The Writer and His Work - Matthew

Matthew was considered a villain in his community, until he was transformed by the calling of Jesus Christ. A despised tax collector of King Herod Antipas, and not trusted by the overburdened population of Jews, his only friends were prostitutes and other tax collectors. When Jesus approached Matthew at his table and said, “Follow Me,” Matthew immediately responded, leaving his work to follow Jesus. I often wonder at how Jesus must have viewed Matthew. What potential did Jesus see in Matthew that others would never have acknowledged? The Jews viewed Matthew as a publican and sinner. He was one who used his gifts against his own people and for personal profit. I tend to agree with them, but I am judgmental. I know, had I been there with the other disciples when Jesus called Matthew and later visited his home, I would not have understood. I would have questioned Jesus’ choice of this despicable man. May God forgive my sinful and unloving heart for how often I have those same thoughts and feelings about others today. I don’t always view people with the potential Christ sees in them. I view them as worse than me. The truth is, they are no worse and no better. All of us are wretched and terrible sinners with deceptive hearts and zero potential, apart from Christ and His saving grace poured out in our lives. Christ came to save the lost, the sinners and the publicans. May God help me remember that grace, which saved me, and help me extend it to others.

In my occupation for many years, as an Executive Assistant, my least favorite thing to do was filing. Matthew must have had to keep meticulous records of the taxpayers in his region, and maintain organized files without the benefit of electronics. He must have been good at his job, because he made a decent living. When Jesus invited himself to Matthew’s house on short notice, Matthew had a great feast prepared and invited numerous friends. Here again, Matthew was looked down upon and Jesus was criticized for the association. How beautiful it was when Christ transformed him. Matthew repaid those he had cheated and, in a sense, became a record keeper and storyteller to the Jews. The very people Matthew once exploited, he addressed with the most life-altering message in history--the Gospel According to Matthew.

Because he was a Jew and lived among the Jews, Matthew understood his audience. His Jewish name was Levi (Luke 5:27-29). As a child he must have studied Torah and learned the prophecies about Messiah. He also knew the facts about Jesus. Matthew was counted among the twelve Apostles who lived and worked with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Matthew was a witness to the miracles, trial, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—some of the qualifiers for Apostleship. He witnessed the big and the small incidents captured in the Gospel narratives. Matthew understood the correlations with the promises of the Old Testament. Therefore, Matthew’s Gospel is an indispensable work, written primarily for the benefit of the Jews. It is a topical account rather than chronological. Matthew connects the dots topically between the Old Testament prophecies and the events in Jesus’ life with inextricable, God-breathed ties, sixty-two times, more than any other Gospel writer. This helps us view the entire Bible as one book with Jesus Messiah as the central figure.

Matthew’s Gospel is an exciting account of the life and ministry of Jesus with the central purpose of proving Jesus as Messiah. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ through his Earthly father, Joseph. It contains the supernatural account of Jesus’ birth, the Baptism of Jesus, the Temptation of Jesus (chapters 1-4), the Sermon on the Mount, which includes the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer (chapters 5-7), Jesus Healing, the calling of Matthew (chapters 8-9), the Parables of the Kingdom (chapter 13), the Great Commandment (chapter 22:34-40), the Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees, (chapter 23), the Olivet Discourse, which deals with apocalyptic scenarios and includes the destruction of the temple foretold by Christ (chapter 24-25), the Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus (chapters 26-27), the Resurrection of Jesus, and the Great Commission (chapter 28).

There is disagreement as to the time of Matthew's writing or the original language in which he wrote. Most of what I read indicates Matthew's Gospel was written first and possibly as early as 8-15 years after the ascension of Christ (A.D. 41-48) at the request of the Hebrew believers, amongst whom he worked, and in their language. Other scholars believe Matthew wrote his Gospel account in A.D. 50s-60s, possibly in Aramaic, using Mark's Gospel for reference within10 years prior to the destruction of the temple (ref: Matthew 24:1-2) in A.D. 70. Matthew's death is recorded in Foxes Book of Martyrs as occurring somewhere in Ethiopia and sometime in the A.D. 60s.

John's Gospel is believed to be the last of the written Gospel narratives. At the end of his book, the Apostle John writes (John 21:25 ESV), “Now, there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

I feel so excited to be embarking on this feat of reading the Gospels 4 LENT (in 44 days) and becoming immersed in the life and teachings of Jesus. I am also excited to understand, what we have from the four Gospel writers, with their different target audiences and flavors, is only a snippet of all Jesus said and did during his short time on earth. All that we know about Jesus gives me great hope for the future, and all that we do not know, fills me with great anticipation for spending eternity with HIM. It will never be boring.

Start Reading Today: Day 1 - Matthew 1-3

Bread and Butter

Dinner tonight, was my first experience in the discipline of conscience denial of bread and butter in observance of LENT. (Read first post "Reading the Gospels 4 LENT")

I don't want you to think I'm a bread hog, but as my son-in-law, Michael, says, "Carmen's a pusher." He doesn't mean the '70's definition. He means, I like to push my food with my bread.

Dewayne and I had a lovely dinner tonight. Salad with red onion and grape tomatoes. The vegetables, here in Japan, taste as if they were just harvested. I grilled wild salmon fillets and served them with wild rice and slices of papaya for garnish. It was quite lovely as you can see....

Well, I was humming along just fine, buzzing around in my motor home sized kitchen and dinning room, until suddenly I wanted a piece of bread. Oh, my heart leapt! The thing I most like, even over dessert, was missing from my table. Now, being Cuban, you know that is almost akin to sacrilege. But since, I was purposely denying this delicacy as part of LENT observance, I figured the sacrilege could be overlooked.

But seriously, I missed the bread and butter. And don't just think I mean any old bread. No. I have available to me, freshly baked French bread loaves from the French bakery a block and a half from my house. I have the opportunity to purchase butter imported from France at the local grocery store. Mine is a serious affair to remember.

The leaping of my heart was a minor tinge really. It was not an ache like that which accompanies real tragedy. It was not a complaint of any great degree. It was just the realization that I was NOT going to have what I really wanted, so I used my knife to push instead. It worked.

Immediately, I thought of the bread as the broken body of Jesus, and His precious blood as the wine He shared with His disciples at the last supper. My experience instantly became a thankful moment, which occurred without acknowledgment, recognition or fuss by anyone else, and it was beautiful to me. It was also a drop in the ocean compared to the self-denial Jesus experienced during His 33 years of life on earth. And to think, he denied Himself, so that He could win me, and all who will believe in Him, for eternity. (See Hebrews 5:7-9/12:1-4)

Once, when the people wanted Jesus to give them a sign so that they would believe in Him, they pointed to the time when God gave their fathers manna in the wilderness. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and are dead...As the Living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me." (See John 6:48-49,57).

Jesus is our bread (and butter). If we feed on Him, we will live because of Him. Begin feeding with me today.

Reading the Gospels 4 LENT:

Day 1: Matthew 1-3 /Genealogy of Jesus, His birth, Wise Men visit, Baptism by John the Baptist

Gospels 4 LENT Reading Plan

Day	ChapterReading	Date
1	Matthew 1-3	2/26
2	Matthew 4-5	2/27
3	Matthew 6-7	2/28
4	Matthew 8-10	2/29
5	Matthew 11-12	3/1
6	Matthew 13-14	3/2
7	Matthew 15-17	3/3
8	Matthew 18-20	3/4
9	Matthew 21-23	3/5
10	Matthew 24-25	3/6
11	Matthew 26	3/7
12	Matthew 27-28	3/8
13	Mark 1-3	3/9
14	Mark 4-5	3/10
15	Mark 6-7	3/11
16	Mark 8-9	3/12
17	Mark 10-12	3/13
18	Mark 13-14	3/14
19	Mark 15-16	3/15
20	Luke 1-3	3/16
21	Luke 4-5	3/17
22	Luke 6-7	3/18
23	Luke 8-9	3/19
24	Luke 10-11	3/20
25	Luke 12-13	3/21
26	Luke 14-15	3/22
27	Luke 16-17	3/23
28	Luke 18-19	3/24
29	Luke 20-21	3/25
30	Luke 22-23	3/26
31	Luke 24 Psalm 22-23	3/27
32	John 1-2	3/28
33	John 3-4	3/29
34	John 5-6	3/30
35	John 7-8	3/31
36	John 9-10	4/1
37	John 11-12	4/2
38	John 13-14	4/3
39	John 15-16	4/4
40	John 17 Isaiah 42:1-9	4/5
41	John 18-19	4/6
42	Exodus 12:1-28 Isaiah 9:1-7 Isaiah 52-53	4/7
43	John 20-21 Revelation 22:12-13,16-17, 20-21	4/8
44	Acts 1-2	4/9