Pentecost: Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 33:21-33

We see the Lord condemn the people because they felt like because they were the children of Abraham, the land would be theirs, regardless. The Lord says, no. You have not done your part, you have not kept the covenant, you have not kept your word to me. It shall not be.

But, before the Lord judged the people, look what He did. He sent prophet after prophet, saying, turn back to me. Come home to me. Quit doing the things that you are doing, and return to you God.

We serve a God that will not give up on us. As long as their is hope for our return and redemption, He will continue to come after us. But not with eye looking to judge us. But within an eye looking to forgive us. For God desire that none should perish. The decision is still up to us, though. We must still turn and accept what God is offering. But in this day, and every day, God offers us grace.

New Testament Lesson

1 John 2:1-11

John tell us this morning that he writes so that we will not sin. We should not go looking for trouble today. As one of my professors used to say, we don't have to go looking for sin, sin will come looking for us. John writes these words in hopes that we will not sin.

But, when we do, if we turn and confess, God will forgive. God forgives His children. Let's not live in a wall of our own unforigivenss. The only thing today stopping us from being forgiven by God is us! If we will turn as ask forgiveness, He will forgive us! Today, and each day, we can be forgiven!

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 9:35 - 10:4

This is the passage that shows the heart of our Savior. When He looked at the people, He had compassion on them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He looked at them through eyes of compassion.

That is how He looks at us today, with compassion.

Through what eyes to we look at each other through? Do we look at each other through the eyes of judgment? Of unforgivness? Or of compassion. As the Lord had compassion on us, so may we have compassion on each other.