Later,
Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along
with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees
saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such
scum?" When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a
doctor—sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning
of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have
come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they
are sinners." One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and
asked him, "Why don't your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees
do?" Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with
the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them,
and then they will fast. "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new
cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving
an even bigger tear than before. "And no one puts new wine into old
wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine
and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved."
Matthew
9:10-17
What does
this mean to you? 'I want you to show
mercy, not offer sacrifices. Mercy to whom? What do we actually sacrifice
today?
Mercy to
those who offend us. It is easy to be offended today. Consider drivers who cut
you off or tailgate you. Do they offend you? How about someone in the grocery
store who gets the best tomatoes—no bruises while you are standing there
choosing your tomatoes? What if someone says something in jest that is just
rude? Does that offend you? Have mercy on them…and others. Mercy—unmerited favor.
Don’t offend them back. In fact, Jesus told us to turn the other cheek…so even
if you are offended this would be an occasion to “Treat others the way you want
to be treated” and keep smiling. Sacrifice your pride to be considerate of
others.
For you will be treated as you treat others. The
standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. ... Do
to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all
that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:2, 12
Build your
relationship with Jesus by living out His teachings. That is a good Lenten
response.
Prayer – Lord, help me to treat others
the way I want to be treated, the way I would treat You.
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
Sometimes I
just wish I could eat anything I want…even during Lent. I don’t want to be fat…I’m
not obese…just too much belly fat and that is not easy to get rid of. What
would you want to eat if you could have anything in the world? A nice slice of
German Chocolate Cake, a slice of Apple Pie with good Cheddar Cheese melted on
it, lobster, crab or how about a juicy steak? I don’t even consider pasta any
more—that is a “fat” food for me that I no longer crave. I guess the craving is
the thing that Jesus doesn’t want us to do. During Lent I need to consider that
act of craving…and focus on Jesus—and God the Father and the Holy Spirit—instead.
Do not love this
world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not
have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for
physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our
achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this
world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.
But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:15-17
I picture
myself living forever…thin. Think thin…be
thin. In the meantime I’ll enjoy a quick apple crisp that is a little healthy.
 |
| Eat the apple...or make crisp? |
Apple Crisp (with honey)
4 c. sliced apples
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ c light honey
½ c brown sugar
½ c rolled oats
½ c flour
½ c butter, soft or melted
½ c finely chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Butter baking dish (9x9) and add apples. Sprinkle with
honey, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mix together brown sugar, oats, flour, nuts and butter until
a crumbly texture. Top apples with mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40
minutes, until lightly browned. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or slice
of cheddar cheese.
©
2020 Text
and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment