JESUS SPEAKING

            When the hour had come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.  Then he said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  Then he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  Likewise he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22: 14-20.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            A Covenant (or testament) is a contractual agreement between two parties.  Over 3,000 years ago, God made a contract with a Shepherd named Abraham.  In the contract, He promised Abraham many descendents.  He also promised that one of his descendents would bless the entire world.  Abraham cut off his foreskin as an acknowledgement of their agreement (a tradition that Jews still practice.)  With the arrival of Jesus Christ, God had fulfilled his contract with Abraham; he made a new contract in which His Son would die on the cross to forever reconcile sinful with a holy God.  The communal acceptance of the bread and wine was the sign that his apostles had accepted this new covenant.  They each tore a piece from a single loaf of bread, which symbolized the brokenness of his body on the cross.  They shared a single cup of wine, which symbolized the blood that would pour from his body.  This first ‘Communion,’ much like Abraham’s circumcision, was an outward expression of their inward faith.  Because they had spiritually accepted God’s contract of eternal forgiveness in their hearts, they celebrated their decision in communion.

            Kobe Bryant is one of the biggest named professional athletes on the market today.  With all of the cars, the fancy homes, and the nice clothes, it’s hard to think of him as an employee.  Yet, he receives a paycheck just like everyone else.  Right out of high school he signed a multimillion dollar contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.  A few years later when his contract was up, it became necessary to make a new contract with him, or risk losing him to another team.  And yet again in 2010, when his contract had come to an end, he signed a 3 year deal worth tens of millions of dollars.  Some day even this contract will expire.

            Unlike Mr. Bryant’s contract, God’s new contract has no expiration date; faith in Jesus is the signature that establishes an eternal relationship between God and the believer.  Communion is the outward expression of that inward faith.  The Jersey Mr. Bryant Dawned after signing his contract was a public expression of his covenant with the Lakers.  Christian communion is a display of our covenant with God.  We become one as we collectively partake in the body and blood.  If you believe in Christ and have not taken communion, pray that God will bring you to a gathering where you may share in the sacrifice of our Lord.

            “Lord, may we put our faith in You.  May our hearts be united as one with other believers around the world.  We acknowledge your sacrifice upon the cross, and we accept the terms of Your new covenant; we thank You Lord for Your act of charity and love, and we look forward to our future time, when we can finally share a meal with You in Your coming kingdom.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

JESUS SPEAKING

            Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle him in his talk.  And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of truth; nor do you care about anyone, for you do not regard the person of men.  Tell us, therefore what do you think?  Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 

            But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?  Show me the tax money?”  So they brought him a denarius.  And he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”

            They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

            And he said to them, “Render therefore to Ceasar the things that are Ceasar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

            When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left him and went their way (Mathew 22: 15-22.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            The Romans conquered the Nation of Israel in the first century prior to the birth of Jesus Christ.  Like all empires, they survived by forcibly imposing taxes on those they had conquered.  The Jews were a very prideful people; they despised the Romans and hated paying them taxes.   Pontius Pilate (Roman Governor of Judea), like many predecessors, was continually putting down attempted rebellions through displays of extreme violence.  In the midst of this chaos God’s Son was teaching throughout the nation; the people loved him.  The religious leaders hated him; they were constantly searching for ways to discredit him.  Jesus taught openly for all to hear, answering all the questions he was asked.  The Religious leaders sought to exploit this openness; they came to him with a ‘loaded question.’  ‘Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?’  The people of Israel loved Jesus, but despised the Roman taxes.  If Jesus had said, ‘Yes,’ the religious leaders would have defamed him before the people as being ‘pro-roman.’  If Jesus answered no, then the ‘Herodians’ could accuse him of insurrection and rebellion against Roman Rule; a crime punishable by death (the religious leaders had purposefully brought a group of ‘Herodians’ with them when they asked their question in case he said ‘no.’)  His answer was far more correct than just a ‘yes’ or a ‘no,’ and it left his accusers speechless, and inspired awe in the hearts of everyone who was listening.  “Give to Ceaser what is Ceaser’s, but give to God what is God’s.”  In his answer there were two distinct value systems; worldly possessions and heavenly possessions.  They had been paying their taxes to Caesar, but they had been withholding their hearts from God.  God created every man woman and child, just as Caesar had created every Roman coin.  They were willing to give Caesar what he had created; in like manner, Jesus called them all to acknowledge God as their creator, and to place their lives back in to His possession.

            There are many necessities for living.  Working is one of those things.  Everyone has to work; if you don’t work, you can’t eat.  A paycheck is necessary; you buy food with it, you pay your rent with it; you exchange it for whatever it is that you need.  God does not want his believers to run out and quit their jobs because they appear to be ‘worldly.’  Work is giving to “Ceasar the things that are Caesars.”  People who make a decision to follow God need to pay bills; this is the way of the world.  A believer submits and gives to God the things that belong to Him.  When a believer gives God their heart, whether they sell tile, or serve food in a restaurant, the work they do is no longer done selfishly just for financial gain; instead, work becomes a way to serve God by serving others.  Not everyone needs to change careers to serve God; they can change their hearts and keep their careers.  When I was out of work for a short time, I kept trying to get a job at a church because everything else seemed menial.  My mother said to me, “You can serve God wherever you work.”  Her statement was very true; my heart was what God demanded, at all times.  I didn’t need to be a pastor or a priest to be Godly; we all have to receive worldly wages, but in so doing we can also receive Godly wages because our hearts belong to Him.

            Today, the number of possible careers is seemingly endless; in order to live and survive, Christian and non-Christian alike must “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.”  However, only a believer can also “give to God what is God’s.”  Give your heart to God continually; wherever you are; you can serve God by serving others; in the workplace, at the coffee shop, even at church.  You will never know what is truly valuable until you give your whole life over to God.

            “Lord Heavenly Father, we know that we must be in this world, but we ask you to possess our hearts; take control of our lives, no matter where we are.  Help us to bring glory to You, and to be motivated, knowing that You are always watching us.  We give our lives to You now, for You are our God, and we are Your people.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you.

JESUS SPEAKING

             Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And he said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed in the boat by themselves” (Mark 6: 30-32.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

             Jesus had commanded his apostles to go on a short missionary trip.  He sent them out alone to heal the sick, to cast out demons, and preach the gospel throughout Israel.  They returned with good news; under his authority they were able to produce his miracles.  The crowds did not allow them to rest.  The Lord saw that they were wearied from the long hours, and needed to relax.  He called them away from the crowds, and away from the clamor of the ministry for their own bodily and spiritual health.

             Nowhere in the world is work more highly esteemed than in the United States of America.  Many put their careers ahead of their families, their friends, and sadly, even their God.  Seventy hour work weeks at the office are not uncommon.  Currently, because of technology, the problem has gotten worse; people aren’t just working at the office, but everywhere they go.  People work while driving; they work at the gym; they even work while on vacation.  All of this work has caused large numbers of people to neglect their need for rest.

             Jesus Christ recognizes that every human being needs rest.  Many of us walk through life without taking time out to recuperate.  Many of us have pushed ourselves too hard.  We need to remember that like the apostles; we need time to fellowship with God and to allow our minds, bodies, and our spirits to regenerate.  When we are still, God will speak to us.  May we all give God quiet time; time, in peace, when we can focus on, and listen to Him speak to our hearts.

             “Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to rest, and to take time out to fellowship with You; speak to our hearts when we are being overworked, and help us to step away from our work and to rest.  In our moments of rest, we ask that You speak to our hearts, and give us new strength and new energy to continue doing Your work.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.