1930: 10 minute Relaxation Response meditation followed by Matthew 8-10.
Matthew 8 largely deals with Yeshua healing people according to their faith. Greatest of these was the Roman centurion, who knew that Yeshua could heal his son without even visiting the centurion's house. Interestingly, in Lamsa's translation, he describes "two lunatics" rather than "two men possessed by demons"--and the lunatics attack a herd of swine before Yeshua can heal them. This is why he is not allowed into the next city.
Matthew 8:26- Jesus said to them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
It should be noted that this was a miracle commonly ascribed to students of the Mysteries in the ancient world. Pythagoras (yes, the triangle guy), who brought the Egyptian mysteries to Greece, was also said to be able to do this.
In Matthew 9, we have:
3 Some of the scribes said among themselves, This man blasphemes.
4 But Jesus knew their thoughts; so he said to them, Why do you think evil in your hearts?
If more church-goers thought about this verse, I might have found myself in a more main-stream congregation!
Matthew 10 is fairly straight-forward admonitions by Yeshua to his followers on how to live while spreading his teachings. I noted that where before, when addressing crowds, he admonished not to resist evil. Here he tells his disciples that he brings not peace, but the sword--and to knock the dust from their sandals when leaving any place that did not accept them, so that that place would meet harsh penalties on the Day of Judgement.
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4 comments:
I love the story of the Roman centurion!!
I never heard of Pythagoras, but are you saying that he is said to have calmed storms?
And why do you say that you might have found yourself in a more mainstream congregation if more church-goers thought about Matt.9:3,4?
Yep, Pythagoras--who was born about 570 BC--was said to have performed many miracles. Stopping the wind with a word, talking to animals, and being in two places at the same time among them.
Pythagoras studied the Mystery traditions of Ancient Egypt, and brought them to Greece. These traditions were the original source of the practice of baptism. As Greek culture spread throughout the ancient world, the traditions of these baptismal practices were picked up by a first-century BC group of Jewish mystics called "Essenes." The word "Essene" was translated as "Baptist" in the KJV, hence, "John the Baptist."
Jesus was doing something that was right by God--but the scribes didn't understand it, and thus assumed that it was blasphemy. I practice mystical traditions for the purpose of participating more fully in the presence of God--but most Christians are not familiar with such, and thus assume that I am blaspheming.
I see, G.P. Thank you for explaining! :)
A comment, about your statement on Matt 9:3-4. Remember that not all church attendees, or even leaders, are perfect; even Paul in I Corinthians comments about our [including his] imperfect knowledge. In fact, it is the imperfection of all people that necessitates Christ's grace for salvation. This is the same reason we cannot achieve salvation on our own, through our actions in this world.
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