Part Two

Matthew Continued

Chapter 7:

1-6  Judging and criticizing.  Oo, everyone is familiar with this passage, lets have a look...  If I do not judge others, God will not judge me (loop hole sounding) ...Ultimately, I will be judged as I judge others (or perhaps, I shall be criticized, as I criticize others). SO, God and other people will hold me to the same standard that I hold others. Mm, tough. okay...  I should only criticize/judge when I am not in a hypocritical position.  Once again, the standard I hold others to, should be the same standard to that I hold myself. I like the sound of this.   
**Verse 6... this is kind of cryptic. Let me see here...   I should be careful giving good advice/judgement/criticism to the unworthy because it will not be appreciated...(pigs will not appreciate pearls)  ??? So, this is a tough one. Any input here, anyone?

7-11  Asking.. If we ask God, he will give. Simple enough. (this is similar to passages from Part One)

12   Oh my. THIS passage. Treat others, as I would have them treat me. Mm...tough. This is similar to the judging issue.. I should judge, as I would be judged.

13-14- True life... Is heaven I suppose. The way to true life is hard and goes through a narrow gate. (SO, If true life is heaven, then... the way/gate must be the kingdom. So, those stipulations from Part One for being part of the kingdom...are gonna be tough, humility, persecution, giving, Etc)  Good news, going to hell sounds easy.

15-20  These are some powerful passages. A lot is covered. Lets see here...  You will know what type a person is by what they do, or perhaps more accurately, by what the results of what they do. The actions of a bad person, will result in bad things... good person- good things. ... what I do, Shows what type of person I am.  (the passages speaks of trees and fruit, etc. I have a hard time with this analogy. Because a perfectly good treat can produce poor fruit from time to time. Or maybe that is the truth of life. Good people will do bad things from time to time. Hmm.)

21-23  The only people who go to heaven are those who do what God wants (the stipulations of the Kingdom??) Apparently, there will be plenty of people who think they are doing what God wants who will go to hell.  ...So, how am I to discern between what I think God wants, and what God really wants?????

24-28 If you listen to Jesus, youre wise. If you dont, youre a fool (Of course, shouldnt every teacher have this mindset, ha.)

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5-13  Faith. A difficult subject for me.  A man had so much faith in Jesus, that by a word from Jesus's mouth, he servant could be healed. Jesus compliments this man on his faith, and goes on to say, Faith like this, will allow you to be part of the kingdom.  (also, to not be in the kingdom is to be in the dark were there is crying and grinding of teeth from pain...oh my)

22  Folow Jesus and let the dead bury the dead. Clearly a deeper meaning Here.  Okay... Put Jesus first?

26 Jesus comments on his followers lack of faith. (they were worried about dying in a storm)

28-34 Jesus scares the crap out of an entire town by communicating and commanding demons.  ...To be honest, that would scare the crap out of me too, while impressing me.

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1-8 Jesus shows up a bunch of people by healing a lame man. Jesus has spunk

9-13 Jesus came for the 'sick' not the healthy. .. He came for sinners. He came for ME.

22 A womans faith and belief in Jesus mad her well, physically. What about spiritually? Jesus has been healing sick people, but says he is there for the sinners. How is he helping them spiritually??

35-38... Once again, Jesus feels compassion/sorry for people, for lost people. He speaks of these people needing a shepherd.

Gonna stop...  and Do A summary of what I have drawn from these passages.  The main points:
* Hold others to the same standard as I expect to be held. Because that is how I will be judged.
*I should treat others with the same mindset as well.
*By doing what God wants, doing good things that have good results will get into the Kingdom. This will not be an easy task. If anything, that is emphasized.
* FAITH...F-A-I-T-H... is that enough emphasis for you, Because, I can not emphasize it enough.  You must have faith to be in the kingdom. Now, faith in what... thats a little gray right now.