Day 3: Matthew 7-9

Sup Small Groupers? Anyone else reminded of guppies with the word groupers? hehe

This is in 2 parts - the first is an unfinished poem on Matthew 7-9. I was reflecting on the Jesus' teachings upon the human heart. I also reflected on His power.

The second is a general theme I saw throughout - His power, and ideas about how that connects with authority.

first part, unfinished poem of reflection on Mt 7-9

The carpenter’s hammer shower sparks of light,

hard against the stone.

Piercing embers singe the heart

and quickly cold.

Again, fierce, fast it strikes,

echoes power, truth, light.

Unbreakable stone! Eyes filled with pride

Filled with fire! Others below, nothing above!

Finally free.

Finally free?

The roar of chains

in distance call, the smell of dust and ash.

Clang! without relief, a harder strike

as iron meets 

stone

and deep within unknown

a filament crack, 

a heavy clang of joy                      

spills forth; a seed of hope

embeds filled with heaven.

Quick again, the hammer swings,

peering hosts gaze down with hope,

a stone jars free and tumbles down

lost in chaos, the mighty sea.

Crack! Louder now! Crack! Loud again, strike, embers flight.

Again the hammer strikes, no time to waste,

no time, earth moves, no time, seas rage,

no time with chaos' depth of endless stones,

Hosts rejoice the stones that stay,

unable to move, the earth all round them;

a seed begins to grow.

The mighty clang echoes loud a song

eternal. Mortals hum the tune, 

the dumb, the blind, the deaf,

even mute stones in chaos depths,

huddle small in wisdom's mighty hall

no might of life can break.

The eyes of wise, the mind of wise,

the ears of wise hear ALL, hear nothing at all.

Speak loud for all to hear oh wise!

Your mouths, lungs, full of life's downpour,

sinking drown past wisdom's mighty hall.

The carpenter's hammer strikes again,

unceasing, power radiates,

echoes for all to hear and live.

Strike! Make it stop!

The stone shudders strong,

defiant, clang! again the hammer

rang! The moss and rust twist and clasp

and cling to anything it's tendrils own.

Who owns the moss and rust?

It's tendrils roots and twist of death.

Who owns the earth from which they birthed

from the soft voice which lived to lie?

It has a name to which it bows,

springs forth, springs out, wherever

twas told, is told to die.

And die it does as the hammer fell, it rings out

with power with life and devours all that 

know its song. And all

know its song.

As loud as can be, it is.

Yet softly it's heard and begins to sing.

The singer voice soothes and stings.

Wide eyes, open mouth, large smile, excited song, tis only time

we read of ears that shape the singers face. What faith!

2nd Part - general themes I saw; thoughts on His power and authority 

It was astounding to see how powerful Jesus is. It is a kind of power that stands before accusation, before a rejection of a town, before an abandonment of his home town religious leaders, and a power that gladly stands before faith.

It is also a power seen in His teachings for if we follow them we have a foundation when the storms of life come. It is a power over every disease and sickness, it is a power over the darkest legions of demons, over the might and chaos of the sea and storm, and He has a power that is also over people.

The only time we see Jesus amazed is with the centurion. That's cool. Here we see a glimpse of how authority affects power. The centurion had guards who did what he said, why? because he had authority over them? From where did this authority come? Rome. Rome backed him, so his servants did what he said. Mr. soldier man understood this relationship.

Mr. soldier man saw Jesus and realized this man had authority, and it is God! who backs Him. This is true. This is mysterious. For Jesus only had the authority to do what He saw the Father doing (see John 5). It probably has something to do with Philippians 2:7 - when He 'emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and being made in the likeness of men." Even more amazing then, is that God gave this God/Man authority over sickness, over disease, over demons, over storms, over people. Jesus later sent his disciples out and gave them authority over sickness, demons, etc...

We fully see this authority and power in the God/Man Jesus Christ after Jesus dies on the cross and rises victorious.

He gathers his disciples and tells them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'

Praise God we have Him, who has all authority, on our side! And that He is near you today, right now, and will be with you always and forever.

- David