THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapters 22 & 23

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapters 22 & 23

Once more Yeshua spoke to the people in parables. He said, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a certain king who made a wedding feast for his son. He sent his servants to notify those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come.

A second time he sent other messengers, saying to them, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “See! My dinner is prepared; my oxen and fatlings have been killed, and everything is ready. So, come to the wedding feast!”’ But they still disregarded the summons, and went about their work, one to his farm, another to his place of business. And the rest laid hold of his servants, insulted them and killed them.

When the king heard of what had happened, he went into a rage, and, having sent his troops, he destroyed those murderers and burned their city. This done, he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast has, indeed, been ready, but the invited guests were unworthy. You must now go out upon the highways and invite to the feast everyone whom you find there.’ The servants accordingly went out upon the highways and brought together all they met, both good and bad, so the banquet hall was full of guests. Then the king came to take a look at the guests. He saw a man there who was not dressed up for a wedding. ‘My friend’, he said to him, ‘how is it that you came in here without a wedding suit?’ But the man was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, take him out, throw him into the darkness outside where he may weep and gnash his teeth.’

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The Pharisees then went and held a meeting, plotting on how to ensnare Him in His speech. They sent to Him some of their disciples, together with some of Herod’s men, asking, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are sincere, and that you teach the way of Elohei truthfully, also that you do not fear anyone, for you are no respecter of persons. Tell us, therefore, what you think.  Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ Yeshua saw through their wicked scheme and answered, “Why are you tempting Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for taxes.” So they handed Him a silver denarius (twenty-cent piece). He then said to them, “This image on the coin … whose is it? And the inscription?” ‘Caesar’s’, they told Him. Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar, then, what belongs to Caesar, and to Elohei what belongs to Elohei.” They got up and left Him, amazed at what they had heard.

On the same day, the Sadducees, too, came to Him. Since they did not believe in the resurrection, they set forth this question: ‘Rabbi, Moshe has then his brother must marry his dead brother’s wife and raise up children in his dead brother’s name. Now here is an actual case of seven brothers. The oldest married, but died before he had any children. The second brother then married the widow. Also, the second brother died, and in like manner, the third, and so on until the seventh. They all died. And last of all, the woman died. In the life to come, then, whose wife will she be, since they all had her as wife?’

“You are greatly mistaken,” said Yeshua, in answer, “for you do not know the Scriptures, or the power of Elohei. For after the resurrection neither do they marry nor are they given in marriage, but they are like Elohei’s angels in heaven. And as to the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what Elohei once said – also to you – in these words, “I am the God Of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?” That means Elohei is not the god of the dead, but of the living.” This the people heard, and they were dumbfounded at His teaching.

The Pharisees held another meeting when they got news that He had put the Sadducees to silence. Then one of them, a Law teacher, in order to test Him, asked, ‘Rabbi, which is the great commandment of Law?’ Yeshua said to him, “You shall love Adonai, your God, with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with your whole mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it in importance. It reads, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these 2 commandments, all the Law and the Prophets are based.”

Yeshua now put a question to the Pharisees, for they were still gathered there. He asked, “What is your opinion as to the Messiah? Whose Son is He?” ‘David’s’, they answered. “How is it then,” He continued, “that David, by the help of the Ruach, called Him Adonai when he said, ‘Adonai said to Adonai, “Sit at My right hand while I make Your enemies a footstool around Your feet?” (Psalm 110:1) If David called Him Adonai, how can He also be David’s Son?”

No one could answer Him a word. Nor, from that day on, did anyone dare to try to trap Him with further questions.

~ Chapters 23: After this, Yeshua addressed the crowds and His disciples. “The scribes and the Pharisees, He said, “now take the place of Moshe. Therefore, do what they tell you to do, and continue to do it. But don’t do as they do, for they preach but do not practice. They make up unbearably heavy burdens and place them on men’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to help them. They do all their deeds to be seen of men. They wear big Scripture texts on their coats, and make large tassels for their garments. And how they like to have the first places at the banquets, and the chief seats at the synagogues! They like the greetings in the market-places, and especially to have men call them Rabbi (Doctor, Teacher).

You must not seek to be called by titles, such as Rabbi, for there is but one Teacher, and you are all brothers alike. And do not call any man here on earth Father, for there is but one Father, and He is in heaven. Nor must you be called Leaders, for you have but one Leader, namely, the Messiah. Let the greatest among you be the one who serves most. He who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees – you hypocrites! For you lock up the kingdom of heaven against men. You do not dare go in yourselves, and you do not let those go in who are trying to do so. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees – you hypocrites! For you eat up the houses of widows, while making a show of holiness by long prayers. And for this you will get a heavier sentence. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees – you hypocrites! For you scour the land and sea to make one convert, and when he is won, you make him twice as fit for hell as you, yourselves, are! Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If one swears by the Temple it means nothing, but if he swears by the gold in the temple, then his oath stands’. You blind fools! Which is the greater, the gold … or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar it means nothing, but if he swears by the gift laid on the altar, then he must pay his vows. You blind fools! Which is the greater; the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. And whoever swears by the Temple swears by it and by Him Who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of Elohei and by Him Who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees – you hypocrites! For you pay tithes of mint and dill and spices, but the more important things of the Law … justice, mercy, faith … these you leave undone. You blind guides! You strain out the gnat, but you swallow a camel! Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – you hypocrites! For you scour the outside of the cup and the plate, but you leave the inside full of plunder and intemperance. You blind Pharisee! Scour the inside of the cup and plate first, and let the outside become equally clean! Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – you hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs. Outside they look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead, and everything that is unclean. So you too, seem outwardly to be upright, yet inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – you hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets and you decorate the graves of the righteous. But you say, ‘Oh, if only we had lived in the days of our forefathers! We surely would not have joined them in murdering the prophet.’ So, you do admit that you are the sons of those who slaughtered the prophets? Yes, indeed, you may well match the measure of their guilt! Serpents that you are, offspring of vipers, how can you escape the sentence to hell?”

“For this reason I am going to keep on sending you prophets and wise men and scholars, some of whom you will kill – even crucify – and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. In this way you will heap upon your own heads the righteous blood shed on this earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, Berachiah’s son, whom you put to death between the Temple and the altar. I solemnly say to you, all these things will happen to this generation. Jerusalem, O Jerusalem! who still kills the prophets and stones those sent to her. How often would I have gathered your children around Me, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not! Now, see! I am leaving you to yourselves, your house empty. Indeed, you will never see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of Adonai!”

**Matthew 21: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-gospel-according-to-matthew-chapter_3.html

MOD SHORTIE OVEN-DOOR DISHTOWEL - Wide

I had intended to keep MOD hand knit dishtowels long and wide for Hub’s benefit, but I ran short of the light multi-colored yarn last night, so settled for a shortie; Hubs really does not like them because they are not enough towel for him when he uses it … but he’ll just have to make do in this instance ;-) I like the 2-tone dishrag too – wasn’t sure until it was finished, but since I am working my designs around something that will appeal to a masculine male, these colors fit … and they won me over too.

I have never before used the rib stitch I used for the towel hem edge, but it looked interesting and it IS – I will definitely be utilizing it again :-D It is very simple and appears heavy enough to keep the towel’s bottom edge from curling. The sides of all the towels do curl, but that’s just how it goes.

That said, let’s get started and I hope you will enjoy making this towel as much as I enjoyed designing and crafting it. I used a 2 oz. skein of Dark and Light Sugar ‘n Cream yarns; small ball of leftover Chocolate cotton yarn for highlight. 1 plastic button to match. #10 American Needles for both towel and rag. #J crochet hook for towel topper.

STITCHES USED:

Oblique Rib: Row 1 - *K 2, p 2* across row. Row 2 – *K 1, p 2, K 1*. Row 3 - *P 2, k 2*. Row 4 - *P 1, k 2, p 1*.

Window Pane Check: Row 1 (WS) and all other WS row – P. Row 2 – P 1, *K 1, p 1; repeat from * across row. Rows 4, 8, & 12 – K. Rows 6 and 10 – P 1, *K 7, p 1; repeat from *. Repeat rows 1 to 12 for pattern.

MOD SHORTIE OVEN-DOOR DISHTOWEL - Wide

With Dark yarn, CO 75 sts and work 8 row of Oblique Rib patten. Cut yarn.

Attach Chocolate yarn and work 2 rows garter st. Cut yarn.

Attach Light yarn and k 2 rows garter st. Then work rows 4 through 12 of Window Pane Check pattern. Then work rows 1 through 12 throughout for a total of 62 rows counting from the Chocolate g st rows at hemline.

Work decrease rows as follows: Row 1 - *K 4 sts, D 3* across row 10x. Row 2 – Purl across row decreasing as necessary until there are only 24 sts remaining.

Begin crochet towel topper as follows: With crochet hook, sc across sts while removing them from the knitting needle; 24 sts. And then decrease 1 st EA side until there are 6 sts remaining. Crochet 14 rows on these 6 sts. BUTTONHOLE: sl 3, ch 5, sl 3; turn. Make 12 dc in loop and sl st to end st. BO. Add a simple decorative edging if desired. Weave in ends and sew button to the beginning of the 6 sc rows ON RIGHT SIDE of crochet towel topper.

I made a matching garter st dishrag using an old newspaper clipping, but this one online is the same exact pattern – just alternate the colors and that’s it! Dishcloth Pattern can be found at this link: https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Dish/Traditional-Garter-Stitch-Dishcloth

MOD MOCK HOUNDSTOOTH DISHTOWEL – Wide

This hand knit dishtowel set followed shortly after the first worked up. This one is a bit more intricate, but fairly simple to work up. Again, it is about 1 inch wider than the normal store bought kitchen towel … but it is approximately the same size in length when completed.

For this towel set I used a little over 2/3’s of a Dark and a Light 4-oz. skein of Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarns and a bit of leftover White Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn for highlight. And I used the rest of the yarns to make a matching dishrag. I used #10 American Needles for both towel and rag.

I made this set for two reasons – one being because my other sadly frayed store-bought dishtowels and hand knitted dishrags need replaced; the second being as a favor to my husband who has large hands that just do not do well with the scaled back dishcloths I reworked to fit my little petite hands – since he is generously helping me with kitchen detail, I feel it only fair that I should make things easier for him to make things easier for me ;-)

STITCHES USED:

Bamboo Stitch: Row 1 - *Wrap yarn over needle to make 1, k 2, pass wrap st over 2 sts* across row. Row 2 & alternate rows - P.

Mock Houndstooth Stitch: Row 1 – Dark, *sl 1 purlwise, k 2*. Row 2 – Dark, p. Row 3 – Light, *k 2, sl 1 purlwise*. Row 4 – P.

MOD MOCK HOUNDSTOOTH DISHTOWEL – Wide

With Dark, CO 76 sts and work 9 rows in Bamboo St. DO NOT CUT YARN; carry it up the sides as you work knit side of work.

Attach White, and work 2 rows garter st. Cut White.

Work Houndstooth pattern for 106 rows. Cut Light yarn.

Attach White, and work 2 rows garter st. Cut White.

Work 2 rows st st and then 7 rows Bamboo st pattern. BO last row loosely in garter st.

I worked the dishcloth using an old newspaper clipping pattern, but it is exactly the same pattern as shown on this internet site (pattern following); I alternated the colors for a striped effect to match the towel. Dishcloth Pattern can be found at this link: https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Dish/Traditional-Garter-Stitch-Dishcloth

MOD BRIGHT STRIPED DISHTOWEL – Wide

With my husband home all the time now since retirement I have come to realize that the kitchen needs to be outfitted with dishtowels and dishrags that will fit his big hands since he is helping with the breakfast (I have never been a breakfast person, so he and the kids are pretty much on their own in this regard) and the occasional lunch cleanup when I am otherwise occupied.

So since he is such a good sport, I have decided to repay the favor by designing and making up dishtowels and dishcloths that fit him; they are really too large for my little hands, but I’ve had it my way in the kitchen for 43 years … this is a small price to pay for the help he now lovingly offers.

I made this first towel/rag set out of leftover balls of cotton yarns I had on hand. I figure each ball used for the dishtowel was a third of the 4-oz. super-size Sugar ‘n Cream yarns. Any colors will work, these are the ones I had in my yarn bag. For the dishrag, I started with a new skein of yarn for the main color and 2 small balls of leftovers for the contrast edging. I used a pair of #10 American needles for both the towel and rag.

The dishtowel took a few days to complete – the dishrag 1 night. This towel will look ridiculously large when completed, but in actuality it is the same length as a regular store bought dishtowel … and about an 1-1/2 wider on both sides.

Stitches Used:

Rice Stitch – Row 1: *K1, p1* across. Row 2: As row 1.

St. st: Row 1: K across. Row 2: P across.

MOD BRIGHT STRIPED DISHTOWEL – Wide

With blue, CO 76 sts and work 7 rows of Rice st. DO NOT CHANGE COLOR. Work an additional 10 rows in st.st.

Change to green and work 5 rows st. st.

Change to pink and work in st. st.

This pattern established, follow it in such manner: 5 g – 10 b – 5 g – 10 p – 5 g – 10 b – 5 g – 10 p – 5 g – 10 b – 7 b Rice st. and BO last row.

Though the dishcloth pattern I used is at least 35 years old clipped from the local newspaper when they did such things back in the ‘good ‘ole days’ (hahaha), my head is about to explode with sinus pressure so instead of spending more time than necessary with my head bent over the keyboard and pressure making my eyes throb even more, I will just refer you to an internet site featuring the same pattern – the only difference being that I have used 2 contrast colors along the edges; just add them to the increase row that will give you 5 sts and keep tracking the CC up the sides as you work the dishcloth: very simple to do. Dishcloth Pattern can be found at this link: https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Dish/Traditional-Garter-Stitch-Dishcloth

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapter 21

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapter 21

When they were nearing Jerusalem, and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples ahead, giving them orders. “Go into the village that faces you,” He said, “and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt at her side. Untie them and bring them to me. Should anyone say anything to you, then reply, ‘Adonai needs them’. He will then send them at once.”

All this took place in fulfillment of what the prophet had said, “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘Look! Your King is coming to you, meek, mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden’.” (Zechariah 9:9)

The disciples then left and did as Yeshua directed them. They fetched the donkey and her colt and placed tier coats upon them, and Yeshua sat thereon. Many of the crowd strewed the road with their clothing, while others cut off branches from the palm trees and scattered them on the way. And the people who went ahead of Him – and also those following – shouted ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He, Who comes in the name of Adonai! Hosanna in the highest!’ As He entered Jerusalem, it was all astir. The whole city was asking, ‘Who is this?’ and the crowd kept answering, ‘This is Yeshua, the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Yeshua then went into Elohei’s Temple, and he drove out all the buyers and sellers there. He tipped over the tables of the cashiers and the chairs of those selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My House shall be called a house of prayer’, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

He healed the blind and crippled who came to Him there. But the chief priests and scribes became furious when they saw the miracles He did and when they heard the children in the Temple chanting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ They said to Him, ‘Do You hear what they are saying?’ “Surely,” said Yeshua, “and have you never heard the saying, ‘You have brought forth perfect praise from the mouths of babes and sucklings?” Then He left them and went out of the city of Bethany, and stayed overnight there.

Early the next morning He went back to the city; He was hungry. There was a fig tree by the wayside. On seeing this He went up to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. He then said to the tree, “Let no fruit ever grow on you hereafter!” The fig tree thereupon immediately withered. The disciples, seeing this, were amazed, and remarked, ‘How suddenly the fig tree withered away!’ Then Yeshua sad to them, “Yes, if you have faith – if you do not doubt – you may do not only the miracles of the fig tree, but you may even say to this mountain, ‘Move aside! Throw yourself into the sea! And it will be done. Listen! If you will only believe, you will get everything you ask for in prayer.” 

He came into the Temple again, and as He was busy teaching, the chief priests and elders of the people approached Him and demanded, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?’ Yeshua answered, “Just let Me ask you one question, too, and if you will answer it, then I will also tell you by what authority I am doing My work.” My question is, how about the baptism of John? Was it from heaven or from men?” They argued the question among themselves like this: ‘If we say it was from heaven, then He will say, “Then why didn’t you believe him?” But if we say it was from men, then we have the people to fear, for they all believe that John was a prophet.’ So they answered Yeshua this way, ‘We do not know.’ “Alright,” said Yeshua, “then I shall not tell you by what authority I do what I do.”

“Now what do you think of this? Once there was a man who had two sons. One day he went to the first-born and said to him, “My boy, will you go and work today in my vineyard?” But he answered, ‘No, I shall not.’ Afterward, he felt sorry, and went to work. In the meantime, the man had gone to the second son and put the same question to him. He had answered, ‘Yes, sir, I shall go.’ But he did not go to work. Now, which of the two sons did the will of his father?” They said to Him, ‘The first.’ Yeshua then said to them, “Yes, and tax collectors and harlots will go into the kingdom of Elohei before you. For John came to you preaching righteousness, but you would not believe him. The tax-collectors and harlots believed him, while you, seeing this, did not afterwards repent and believe him.”

“Now listen to another parable. Once there was a farmer who planted a vineyard and fenced it in. Next, he dug a wine-press and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went away. When the fruit season drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his share. But the tenants took hold of his servants, one of whom they beat up, another they killed outright, and still another they stoned. Once more he sent out other servants – and more of them than the first time – but the tenants treated them in the same manner. Finally, he sent his own son to them, thinking, ‘They will surely have respect for my son.’ But it was not so, for when they saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and get possession of the estate.’ So they laid hands on him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him, too. When the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to these tenants?”

His disciples said, ‘Those wicked men he will surely bring to a wretched end and he shall lease the vineyard to other tenants, who will pay him his share of the fruits in their season.’ Yeshua said to them, “Have you never read the Scripture passage, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone; Adonai has done it, and it is wonderful in our eyes’? Because of this, I tell you that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a people who will yield proper fruit. As for the Stone, He will break to pieces him who fall on it, and he who falls under it will be ground to powder.” (Psalm 118:22-23 & Isaiah 8:14-15).

As the chief priests and the Pharisees were listening to His disciples, they understood that it was about them that He was speaking. They were anxious to have Him arrested, but they were afraid of the people, who regarded Him as a prophet.

**Matthew 20: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-gospel-according-to-matthew-chapter_16.html

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapter 20

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapter 20

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a farmer who went out one morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. First, he made a contract with the workmen as to the pay – twenty cents for the day – and then he sent them into the vineyard to work. He went out again about nine o’clock in the morning and saw some men in the town square, loafing, with nothing to do. So he spoke to them: “’If you will go and work in my vineyard, I shall pay you whatever is right.” And they went. Then, about noon, he went out again, and also about three o’clock he did the same. Once more he went out – about 5 o’clock – and again he found some hanging around doing nothing. He asked them, ‘Why do you stand here all day?’ They answered him, ‘Because no one will give us work.’ And he said to them, ‘You, too, go into the vineyard and I shall pay you whatever is right.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his overseer, ‘Call in the workmen, starting with the last hired, and on to the first.’ When those came up who had been hired around 5 o’clock, each received 20 cents. And, finally, when those who had been hired earliest came, they thought they would get more, but each one received 20 cents and no more. But, on receiving it, they grumbled against their employer. ‘The late-comers’, they complained, ‘worked only 1 hour, yet you have made them equal to us who have borne the burdens of the heat of the day’. He spoke to one of them, ‘My friend, I have not wronged you. Didn’t you agree with me on twenty cents? Take your pay and go. I want to give the late-comer the same as you got. Isn’t it lawful for me to do with my money as I wish? Are you envious because I want to be generous?’ So, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

When Yeshua set out for Jerusalem again, He took His disciples aside on the way and had a talk with them. “See here,” said He, “when we go up to Jerusalem this time, the Son of Man will be given into the hands of the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. And they, in turn, will deliver Him to the heathen to be mocked and scourged and crucified. But on the 3^rd day, He will rise again.

The mother of the sons of Zebedee now came to Him with her sons. She knelt before Him, and wanted to beg some favor of Him. “What is it you want?” He asked her. She answered, “Promise me this, that in Your kingdom one of my sons may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left.’ But Yeshua said, in reply, “No, you do not understand what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They answered him, ‘Yes, we are.’ He said, “Well, then, you shall drink My cup. But to be seated at My right hand and at My left hand is not for Me to give. Those seats will be given to those for whom they have been prepared by My Father.” When the other ten disciples heard this, they were angry at the two brothers. So Yeshua called the disciples to Him and said, “You know how the heathen rulers are high-handed with their people, and how their chiefs likewise rule as dictators. But it must not be that way among you. Rather, if one of you desires to be great among you, let him be your slave. With you it should be like the Son of man – He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for a ransom to set many free.”

A great crowd followed after Yeshua as He left Jericho. Now, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they learned that Yeshua was passing by, they cried out, ‘Adonai, Son of David, take pity on us!’ The crowd rebuked them and told them to keep quiet. But they cried out still louder, ‘Have pity on us, Adonai, Son of David!” Yeshua stopped and spoke to them. “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked. They answered, “Adonai, oh, if You would only open our eyes!’  And they could at once see, and they followed Him.

**Matthew 19: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-gospel-according-to-matthew-chapter.html

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapter 19

We have been under attack with allergies the past 3 weeks so I have not been blogging regularly. But today, the pressure behind my eyes and across my cheekbones has abated, so I will start blogging again by catching up on the Thursday Bible Studies that have fallen by the sneezing wayside. Today’s Scripture Study is on the topic of divorce. I understand that it is a touchy topic, nonetheless … Yeshua DID teach on it.

Also let me say that I am a second wife; I married my divorced husband when I was 17 – he was 24 … and I have never regretted it, nor do I apologize for it. I was Christian and I made sure my husband-to-be understood Yehua’s teaching on divorce as that was the only way I would become involved with him. Being assured (and having met his ex, who was at the time openly living with another man) that our union was in no way questionable and absolutely kosher according to the teaching of Yeshua, I agreed to marry him in August of 1974: 44 years, 2 children (his and ours) and 4 grandchildren ago (his and ours).

Wedding picture - 1974 @ the Judge's home. I did not want the big fancy wedding my mother was planning, and the Judge being a friend of our family married us on the spur of the moment late evening August 27th.

I do not apologize to anyone for that decision. Hubs is a patient, kind, generous, and gentle husband to me; a strong Godly man; a longsuffering, patient, and kind father; and a gentle, kind, and wonderful grandfather.

Too many church leaders and lay people do not read Scripture correctly or under the welcome guidance of the Rauch Ha’Kodesh, so they allow human nature to get the best of them and snarkily comment with pious self-righteousness on something they know nothing about. We have, throughout our marriage, had some well-meaning people take us to task on the issue – and some just plain mean-spirited people make remarks to us that have NO BASIS on Scripture at all!

It amazes us – and shows us their true hearts – that these same self-righteous and Biblically ignorant people can so thoroughly castigate the divorced and ban them from leadership positions … YET … openly embrace and promote openly homosexual practicing people to ministerial positions – and gather man costly possessions to themselves along with fat stock portfolios. In doing so they have become self-righteously political, not Christian, in their worldly leaning churches. Thereby wreaking thousands of lives in the greedy progressions.

And we are better off without them in our lives.

All that said, let us take get a cup of coffee, sit down together, and take a Berean-style approach to the Scripture today and come to a correct understanding of it.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapter 19

When Yeshua had finished His talk, He left Galilee and came to that part if Judea beyond the Jordan. Many people followed after Him, and He healed them there.

Some Pharisees came to Him to test Him and asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” In answering them, Yeshua asked, “Have you never read that He Who created them in the beginning created them male and female? And also that He said, ‘On that account shall a man leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the 2 shall be 1 flesh?’ They are therefore, no longer 2, but 1 flesh. What Elohei has joined together, then let no man separate.” Then they asked him, “But why did the Law of Moshe permit a man to get a divorce certificate and put his wife away?” “Moshe,” said Yeshua, “has allowed you to put your wives away because of the wickedness of your hearts. But it was not intended that way in the beginning. And I say to you that if you put away your wife for any reason except adultery, and marry another woman, you then commit adultery; and anyone who marries the divorced wife commits adultery.” His disciples then remarked, “If this is the rule as to man and wife, it seems best not to get married.” Yeshua answered, “Not all can accept such counsel, but only those who are so capable. Some men have always been unsuited for marriage, having been born that way. Some men have been made eunuchs by the act of men, and some have chosen not to marry for the love of the kingdom of heaven. Let him who can, accept this call.”

Pharisees questioning Yeshua

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might lay His hands on them and offer prayer, but the disciples spoke sharply to them. Then Yeshua spoke up, “Let the children alone. Don’t forbid them to come to Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Then He laid His hands on them, and went on.

Jesus blessing the children

A man now came to Him and asked, “Rabbi, what good thing must I do to win everlasting life?” “You call Me good?” said Yeshua. “There is none good except one – Elohei. And, as to winning everlasting life – if that is your desire – you must keep the commandments.” The man said, “Which commandments?” “These” said Yeshua – “you shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The man – he was still young – said to Him, “Why, a; these commandments I have kept from my youth. Just what do I still lack?” Yeshua answered him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your property and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. This done, come and follow Me.” When the young man heard these words, he went away sorrowing, for he had many possessions. At this, Yeshua told his disciples, “Yes, I tell you it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. I say it again, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” His disciples, in great astonishment, said, “Who, then, can be saved?” Looking at them, Yeshua answered, “With man it is impossible, but not with Elohei. All things are possible for Him.”

Then Simon (Peter), answering Him, asked, “See! We have left everything and followed You. What will there be for us?” Yeshua answered, “This I promise you – you who have followed Me – that in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of His glory, then you, too, will sit there on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. Indeed, everyone who has forsaken his home, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or land – for My sake – will be rewarded a 100 times and will obtain everlasting life. But many who are now first will then be last; and many who are last will then be first.”

**Matthew 18: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-gospel-according-to-matthew-chapter_22.html

FUN IN THE SUN

The sun came out briefly very bright and very hot … and we loved every second of it :-D

We went for 2 dike hikes along the sloughs in town – one around the fancy Golf Course, which in my opinion, was very boring … and another along the dike we usually walk this time of year hoping to see baby ducks. There were no babies in sight, but we did see lots of ducks and even spotted the ever illusive turtle:

The turtle is on the green algae mass with its nose stuck up in the air like a snake head.

Then we drove across the border for 3 dozen fresh eggs and stopped for a tasty Thai meal and Thai Iced tea once we got back on home turf before stopping at Wal*Mart on our way home. I picked up some Easter Stuff (NO candy though), and then picked up 6 bags of soil, 5 strawberry plants, and 5 begonias … the back end of our Highlander was loaded so heavily that it looked snobbish driving down the highway with its nose in the air. To our way of thinking it was a true miracle that its front tires were still making contact with the blacktop. LOL!

Once back home, we unloaded the bags of soil and filled 2 veggie planter boxes – only a dozen more to go <:-O I am chomping at the bit to get the boxes filled and planted, so I hope the weather starts cooperating. There is very limited gardening time in Washington State between the monsoons and all this prolonged dreary wet weather is eating a third of it up >:-P

The sunny 70-degree weather felt good; I hope it comes to stay soon so every day can be a ‘fun in the sun’ day ;-)