In Matthew 19:3-9, the pharisees came to Jesus and asked a question to try to trap Him. They asked is it right to divorce? Jesus referred them to the law. A man shall leave father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two shall become one. And what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Jesus said from the beginning, it has been one man and woman. Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. It also applies to the wife. The pharisees said that Moses let us write a bill of divorcement. Jesus said it was because of the hardness of your heart. Jesus had just finished talking about forgiveness and how it affects us. Our lives are changed by the power of God through His love and forgiveness. And if we don’t do the same, we are not His children. The divorce rate amongst Christians is staggering. It is over 50%. Jesus showed the pharisees what God said in the beginning. Which is right, God’s way or man’s?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In the bible, there are 33,000 verses, from beginning to end. In the beginning God gave Adam one commandment, obey. There are 39 books in the old testament. And there are 27 books in the new testament. The old testament was written on a scroll. They wrote continously. They didn’t stop between books. Their bible was big, bulky and costly. When Jesus came, He reduced the whole old testament into 2 scriptures. The scriptures said to love God with all that you are and the 2nd was to love your neighbor as yourself. It doesn’t take 33,000 scriptures to be obedient. In Matthew 19;1-2, Jesus explains why He came. It says that He traveled from Capernaum to the Jordan river east of Jerusalem. It says that a multitude followed Him. There by the Jordan river, Jesus healed everyone there. Jesus went about doing good, because we were in need. And He said that we will do greater things because He went to the Father. My question is why are you not doing those things that Jesus showed and told us that we would do? The next question is do you know how to get to that place that Jesus can use you on this earth? It’s all about a relationship between you and our Father.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus spoke a parable about a Lord who had all his servants to pay back what they owed him. One servant owed him 9 million dollars. The servant couldn’t pay. The Lord ordered that he and his family and all he owned to be sold to pay the debt. The servant fell on his face and prayed for mercy. The Lord had compassion and forgave the debt. The same servant went out and found another servant who owned him 15 dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and said pay me what you owe. The servant begged for forgiveness. The first servant throw him into prison until he paid. The other servants of the Lord went and told him what had happened. The Lord became angry and took the the first servant and threw him into prison. He said to him, I forgave you your debt and should have done the same. You will not come out until the debt is paid. Jesus said, your heavenly Father will do the same to anyone who doesn’t forgive his brother. Forgiveness is the basis of our salvation. Anyone who doesn’t forgive their brother, has no part in God. Because God is love and forgiveness.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus how many times do I forgive my brother. He said seven times a day. Jesus said, forgive your brother seventy times seven a day. Which means that we are to forgive freely and mercifully all day long. Why do we need to forgive? Why can’t the other person do right by me? Jesus said, if you don’t forgive, our Father in heaven will not forgive us. Forgiveness is a two-edged sword. Not only does it help the other person, forgiveness cleanses our heart and keeps us righteous before God. Every time Jesus talked about prayer, He always said to forgive, even if they kill us. For God so loved the world that He forgave us through Jesus Christ.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com