I Didn't Title This

Texts:
- Psalms 21-24
- Matthew 12-13
- Daniel 1-3
- Exodus 1-40

When I read some of the passages of the gospels of Christ, I often sense frustration in Jesus' words. He is upset at the Pharisees for not having understood what "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" means, has to then explain why it is ridiculous for them to say he is driving out demons by the power of demons, and then also why he won't give them signs. Constantly explaining things to unlistening ears.

I get that all the time at school. Students ask me questions that they should already know the answer to or be able to reason their way through. My reaction is to get frustrated. And while I know that Jesus is human, with all the human emotions, is it possible that instead of being outwardly frustrated and grasping at excuses and worrying about what the others thought, that instead he simply spoke out truth with authority? Maybe he used every moment of potential frustration, every moment where that began to boil within him to teach the willing.

This is an important question Lord, because I feel like we will always have people who don't get it. So how do we avoid speaking excuses in frustration and instead speak truth in love. Maybe another important question to mull over in my head for the day, or look for strands of that as I continue to read...

Jesus in the next chapter tells the parable of the sower. In this parable, You talk about the seed sown along the path means that some people hear the word but don't understand it, so the devil comes and snatches it away. You make no mention of trying to then help these people understand. In fact, Jesus, You always spoke to the people in parables, precisely so that most could not understand. What does this say about teaching the truth? Do we always press onward like this?

The New Testament, especially the gospels, are very hard for me. I have a sense that they've been often wrongly interpretted, that they need to be looked at with fresh eyes. Metanarrative eyes perhaps. Yet, when I come back to them I have a difficult time doing that. Continue to help my eyes to see and my ears to hear.

Well, in my morning time I didn't even get to Psalms or Daniel. I'll have to make time for that later in the day. Let alone Exodus. So, I'll probably be back again today Lord.

But now, may I live this day in the path of your word, walking and living the gospel You've given to me. May my love for You shine in my love for others, and may You shine as the Lord of my day. Blessed are You, Lord God of all Your created, who made us and shaped us, gave us eyes and ears to see and hear, feet and hands to go and do. Amen.