Saturday, 3/14/2015

“He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.” 
~ George Bernard Shaw

DEUTERONOMY 23-25

More laws..however God demands that while being obedient they do not err on the side of selfishness.

19When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

MARK 14:51-72

Jesus' prediction comes true...

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

71He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

72Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.^h Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twiceⁱ you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

JOURNAL

To know yourself is a truly humbling experience.  It is to understand that you are no better than the worst of those that we tend to judge and disdain.  I find that the easy role to slip into is that of looking at others and thinking of all the ways they should act better.  I especially do this when it comes to how they should act towards me.  It gives me a form of affirmation to look around and see myself as better...

Yet this is the complete opposite of how Jesus loves and how he commands me to love others.  I am not to focus on how others can love better...my focus is to be on how I can love better.  

43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborⁱ and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:43-47)