From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Apr 4, 2024 at 6:11 AM

Subject: 4-4-24 THOUGHTS

4-4-24   THOUGHTS

Our reading delivers the simple and powerful.  The first thing Jesus says that is noteworthy is an “off the wall” request to a tax collector at work...  “Follow [the word means to cleave, cling, stick to,]  Me.”  What is next is most incredible...  “And he got up and followed Him.”    Something most special has just occurred. We’ve just attached a disciple to a master!   Next,  any time Jesus says “go and learn what this means...”  I need to sit up and take note!  James says “ For judgment [will be] merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”  Jas 2:13    Jesus pursued this thinking pattern throughout His teaching. Most never got it!    Mic 6:8   He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Matt 9:9-13    As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. 10  Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. 11  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" 12  But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13  "But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

My Prayer:
O Lord God, help us to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with You.  Teach us to value souls as we should, each better than ourselves.   It is the eyes of Your love that we desire, O Father.  May we see spiritually and eternally, as You see.   Help us to produce the fruit of loving mercy and generosity in our lives.  May we announce Your presence in the streets, O God.  Make us bold as we humbly and compassionately tell the good news of Jesus.  May we follow Your  ways.  We love You Majestic Father.  

In the name of Jesus,   Amen.