The 5k

   Christ performed many miracles during his earthly ministry, and each one has a lesson in and of itself. I want to focus on one miracle in particular, the feeding of the five thousand. To begin with, Jesus had just been informed of John the baptist's death, who was Jesus's cousin. After hearing the news he sought to have some alone time to grieve. But as he sees the crowd of about five thousand men, not including women and children, he decides to serve and teach them. As the day nears its end the apostles tell Jesus that he should have them go home so that they can eat, but Jesus instead looks for a way to feed them all. The disciples realize the enormity of the task and respond to Jesus saying: "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?" (Luke 6: 9) In response Jesus asks for the lads food. The lad, or young man, was the only one who had brought food, and he likely didn't have money to buy more. So, when he his asked to give up his food he could have easily given just a few loaves or a few fishes, but instead he gives all that he had. Not only that but he had no idea what was about to happen, he gave all he had with no expectations of getting anything in return. Then, Christ takes all that the boy had to offer and turns the five loafs and two fishes into enough food to feed more than five thousand people. Then afterwards "they gathered [the food] together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten." (Luke 6: 13) Although the lad did not expect anything in return he likely got to take home even more than what he had given.
   Often times God will ask the same of us, he will ask that we give up something, which could be a habit, a relationship, anything. But, He wants us to give it all up, not just a little, which is not an easy task, it takes great faith and sacrifice. I think the most important thing is that we need to be ready to give up anything at any moment. By doing this we don't become more attached to earthly cares and possession than to God. Just as with the lad we shouldn't expect anything in return. We need to have faith that things will work out but our main motivation shouldn't be the blessings or the reward we'll receive for being obedient. Being obedient is a reward itself and God will make sure everything works out. Even though it might not be evident at first, with time and patience comes understanding and clarity.

Cut it Out

  Christ taught many things that were hard for people to understand. For example he taught that the people needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to be saved. I am going to focus on a similar teaching that also is not meant to be taken too literally like the previous example. 

   During Christ's sermon on the mount he taught: "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out...And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." (Mathew 5:29-30 ) The first time reading this I seriously thought of people cutting off their hands and plucking out their eyes. Luckily for us, and our eyes and our hands, that isn't exactly what Christ is teaching. Just as his teachings were hard to understand they were often hard to apply. In this case Jesus is teaching us to forsake anything that is "taken in" by the eye that prevents us from being closer to God. An example of this would be pornography or something even nearer to each of us, a favorite Netflix show in which we might waste countless hours idly watching it instead of reading from the scriptures. Whereas with our hands maybe there is a certain habit that is taking away from time that could be spending giving a helping hand. An example of this could include video games and spending several hours on our cell phones on social media rather than going out and giving service. In each of the examples given Christ is telling us to "pluck out" our favorite show and to "cut off" the time wasted on our cell phone. Of course I am generalizing, but I know we each have our "guilty pleasures" that take up our valuable time. Even though it may be hard to cut out certain activities, setting a goal to do so can make you happier. I know that as I embark on more profitable activities I feel more accomplished and satisfied with my own life. 

The Call

   As Christ begins his ministry he calls on certain fisherman to be his disciples. Their calling is an important moment in the scriptures. Even more can be understood as we analyze the events that preceded their calling. 
   Jesus had just concluded talking to a multitude of people and then approached Peter and asked him to cast out his ship to catch some fish. Peter replies by saying "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."(Luke 5:5)  When we read the text we can easily forget each persons own emotions and background. In order to understand Peter its important to realize that fishing is a laborious career and Peter was likely a very good fisher at this point in his life. So, when his new acquaintance, Christ, tells him to go back out after a tiring and unsuccessful night of fishing its evident that Peter is reluctant to go back out for more. Yet, he obeys Christ and takes his boat out again. Of course, with the Lords guidance he his able to catch so much fish that they fill two boats and break his net. Now, the interesting part is that Jesus waited until such a moment of success to call Peter to forsake fishing and to become one of his disciples. God likewise often does the same to us, in a moment of success or profound joy we are called to move on or even forsake what we have become acquainted to. Just as it was hard for Peter its hard for all of us to forsake that which we have become so familiar with. But, I know that God knows what is best for us in the long run. Peter had no idea what awaited him as he left his boat, and his old life, but he went forward in faith and with trust in God. He ultimately became one of Christ's closest apostle, he blessed many people's lives and successfully led the church after Christs crucifixion and resurrection. Similarly, as long as we trust God and look for and follow his guidance he will not lead us astray rather will lead us to be far greater than what we would have done on our own. .  

The Search

    Christmas is about three months away, nevertheless, this week I am going to write about Jesus's birth. However, I am only going to focus on how king Herod and the wise men sought out Christ. Upon hearing of the prophesied birth of the king of the Jews the ruler at the time, Herod is eager to know of this king's whereabouts. Along with Herod an unknown number of wise men is also seeking out Jesus. Yet, they both have different motives and means to find Christ. 
   Herod sees Christ as a threat to his own authority and has much more sinister motives to finding Christ than the wise men. The wise men had studied about the coming of Christ and knew the signs of his coming. So, when they recognized the signs they journeyed from their native lands to find Christ so they could worship Him. Herod on the other "sent [the wise men] to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." (Mathew 2:8) Rather than seeking out the child himself Herod sends out the wise men to find the baby for him. In the end the wise men finally find the young Jesus and when they found him they "rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (Mathew 2:10) Herod, on the other hand never finds Christ and unlike the wise men he becomes angry because he is never told of where to find the child. Likewise, when we seek out a testimony of Christ we cannot merely send out others to find it for us. In order to truly become a witness of Christ we must each individually seek Him out. In order to find Christ we must follow the example of the wise men by diligently studying and by eagerly seeking out Christ.  I know that as anyone seeks out Christ through through active study and prayer they will have exceeding great joy as they come to know Him.