Bulls eye!!!!

What is it? Where is it? When is it?  These three things came to mind as I viewed this for the first time.  I really don't know; but, I CAN guess.  First, this looks like a piece of ice that someone has fired a bullet through.  Second, perhaps it is on a high plateau somewhere or maybe on the flatted out top of some mountain.  By the looks of it, I would say its in the far North, someplace where its very, very cold!!! When is it? Tough question; Winter, probably, or it just might be very early Spring.  However, if this is trick photography, then it could be a picture taken just fractions of a second after a bullet has passed though a piece of ice to form this hole.  To me, this represents a target; something to attain to.  When I thought of this for a few moments, I remembered the passage from the book of Joshua that I read a few days ago...

Joshua Chapter 1

 6 “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  7 Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. 

The God of heaven spoke to Moses servant Joshua (who was his successor) to give him encouragement.  And he needed it badly!!!  Can you imagine taking over leadership of about a million people that had been led by MOSES????  Talk about your daunting tasks.  However, remember, this is GOD talking!!!!  And he tells him HOW TO DO IT!!!  Basically, remember that I am with you, so be strong and courageous.  Remember also, to think of the law that I gave to Moses.  Do these things and you will be right on target.  Bulls eye!!!!!

May 12 Joshua 5, 6

May 12

Joshua 5, 6

Jos 5:1 It happened, when all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we had passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

Jos 5:2 At that time, Yahweh said to Joshua, "Make flint knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time."

Jos 5:3 Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Jos 5:4 This is the reason Joshua circumcised: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

Jos 5:5 For all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness by the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.

Jos 5:6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn't listen to the voice of Yahweh. Yahweh swore to them that he wouldn't let them see the land which Yahweh swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Jos 5:7 Their children, whom he raised up in their place, were circumcised by Joshua; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them on the way.

Jos 5:8 It happened, when they were done circumcising all the nation, that they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.

Jos 5:9 Yahweh said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you." Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal, to this day.

Jos 5:10 The children of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho.

Jos 5:11 They ate unleavened cakes and parched grain of the produce of the land on the next day after the Passover, in the same day.

Jos 5:12 The manna ceased on the next day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. The children of Israel didn't have manna any more; but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

Jos 5:13 It happened, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him, and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?"

Jos 5:14 He said, "No; but I have come now as commander of Yahweh's army." Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshipped, and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant?"

Jos 5:15 The prince of Yahweh's army said to Joshua, "Take your shoes off of your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy." Joshua did so.

Jos 6:1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the children of Israel. No one went out, and no one came in.

Jos 6:2 Yahweh said to Joshua, "Behold, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the mighty men of valor.

Jos 6:3 All your men of war shall march around the city, going around the city once. You shall do this six days.

Jos 6:4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day, you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Jos 6:5 It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him."

Jos 6:6 Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of Yahweh."

Jos 6:7 They said to the people, "Advance! March around the city, and let the armed men pass on before Yahweh's ark."

Jos 6:8 It was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before Yahweh advanced, and blew the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of Yahweh followed them.

Jos 6:9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the ark went after them. The trumpets sounded as they went.

Jos 6:10 Joshua commanded the people, saying, "You shall not shout, nor let your voice be heard, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout."

Jos 6:11 So he caused the ark of Yahweh to go around the city, going about it once. Then they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

Jos 6:12 Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of Yahweh.

Jos 6:13 The seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of Yahweh went on continually, and blew the trumpets: and the armed men went before them. The rear guard came after the ark of Yahweh. The trumpets sounded as they went.

Jos 6:14 The second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. They did this six days.

Jos 6:15 It happened on the seventh day, that they rose early at the dawning of the day, and marched around the city in the same way seven times. Only on this day they marched around the city seven times.

Jos 6:16 It happened at the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout, for Yahweh has given you the city!

Jos 6:17 The city shall be devoted, even it and all that is in it, to Yahweh. Only Rahab the prostitute shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Jos 6:18 But as for you, only keep yourselves from the devoted thing, lest when you have devoted it, you take of the devoted thing; so would you make the camp of Israel accursed, and trouble it.

Jos 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are holy to Yahweh. They shall come into Yahweh's treasury."

Jos 6:20 So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets. It happened, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Jos 6:21 They utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep, and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

Jos 6:22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house, and bring out from there the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her."

Jos 6:23 The young men who were spies went in, and brought out Rahab with her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. They also brought out all her relatives, and they set them outside of the camp of Israel.

Jos 6:24 They burnt the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only they put the silver, the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron into the treasury of Yahweh's house.

Jos 6:25 But Rahab the prostitute, her father's household, and all that she had, Joshua saved alive. She lived in the midst of Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers, whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

Jos 6:26 Joshua commanded them with an oath at that time, saying, "Cursed be the man before Yahweh, who rises up and builds this city Jericho. With the loss of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son shall he set up its gates."

Jos 6:27 So Yahweh was with Joshua; and his fame was in all the land.

May 12, 13 Luke 23

May 12, 13

Luke 23

Luk 23:1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.

Luk 23:2 They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king."

Luk 23:3 Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "So you say."

Luk 23:4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

Luk 23:5 But they insisted, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place."

Luk 23:6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Luk 23:7 When he found out that he was in Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

Luk 23:8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him.

Luk 23:9 He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.

Luk 23:10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.

Luk 23:11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.

Luk 23:12 Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.

Luk 23:13 Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Luk 23:14 and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.

Luk 23:15 Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.

Luk 23:16 I will therefore chastise him and release him."

Luk 23:17 Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.

Luk 23:18 But they all cried out together, saying, "Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!"-

Luk 23:19 one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.

Luk 23:20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,

Luk 23:21 but they shouted, saying, "Crucify! Crucify him!"

Luk 23:22 He said to them the third time, "Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him."

Luk 23:23 But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.

Luk 23:24 Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done.

Luk 23:25 He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.

Luk 23:26 When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.

Luk 23:27 A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him.

Luk 23:28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

Luk 23:29 For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.'

Luk 23:30 Then they will begin to tell the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and tell the hills, 'Cover us.'

Luk 23:31 For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?"

Luk 23:32 There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death.

Luk 23:33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

Luk 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.

Luk 23:35 The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!"

Luk 23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,

Luk 23:37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

Luk 23:38 An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

Luk 23:39 One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!"

Luk 23:40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Don't you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong."

Luk 23:42 He said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

Luk 23:43 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Luk 23:44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Luk 23:45 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

Luk 23:46 Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Having said this, he breathed his last.

Luk 23:47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous man."

Luk 23:48 All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts.

Luk 23:49 All his acquaintances, and the women who followed with him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Luk 23:50 Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man

Luk 23:51 (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for the Kingdom of God:

Luk 23:52 this man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus' body.

Luk 23:53 He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.

Luk 23:54 It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.

Luk 23:55 The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid.

Luk 23:56 They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" Chapter Twenty-Four by Mark Copeland

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                          Chapter Twenty-Four

This chapter records the beginning of the Olivet discourse, prompted by
questions following Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of the temple
(1-3).  It involves the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 70
A.D., though many also see intertwining references to the Second Coming
of Christ (4-51).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  The fulfillment of events foretold by Jesus in this chapter

   *  The importance of being prepared and productive

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The destruction of the temple foretold - Mt 24:1-3
   - The sign when things would soon occur - Mt 24:4-28
   - The tribulation and events immediately after - Mt 24:29-35
   - The need to be prepared and productive - Mt 24:36-51

2) What questions were prompted by Jesus’ prediction? (3)
   - "When will these things be?  What will be the sign...?"

3) What did Jesus say would not be the sign? (4-13)
   - False christs, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes,
     persecution, lawlessness

4) What would happen before the "end" would come? (14)
   - The gospel preached in all the world (cf. Mk 16:15; Ro 10:16-18; Co
     1:23)

5) What would be the sign for those in Judea to flee?  (15-16; cf. Lk
   21:20-21)
   - The abomination of desolation (Jerusalem surrounded by armies)

6) What would happen immediately after the tribulation of those days?
   (29-31)
   - Cataclysmic events involving celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars)
   - The sign of the Son of Man, His coming on clouds of heaven,
     gathering the elect

7) Where else is language like this used to describe judgment upon a
   nation?
   - Isa 13:6-13; 19:1-2; 34:4-6; Nah 1:1-5

8) What would not pass away before these things would be fulfilled? (34)
   - That generation

9) Why did Jesus stress the importance of preparation and productivity?
   (36-51)
   - No one knows the day or hour
   - The Son of Man will come unexpectedly
   - His servants will be judged by their faithful service

Getting to know the new neighbors

Imagine living in a glass house!!  Obviously, some portions of the house (like the bathroom or bedroom) should have opaque glass for the sake of modesty, but the rest of the house is see-through; incredible!!!  I wonder what it would be like to live next to these people; to be able to see almost their every move.  It wouldn't take very long to get to know them, for almost everything they do would be apparent. After being neighbors for awhile, you would understand them and the effect of this would be....

Matthew Chapter 7

 1  "“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.  2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.  3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?  4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?  5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

  6 “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

  7 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.  8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.  9 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?  11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!  12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

People do the things they do for a reason.  Understanding goes a long way to smoothing out any relationship and if your attitude is adjusted properly.  God knows us better than anyone and will treat us better than we do ourselves.  When it comes to God, all of us live in glass houses, because he knows every single thing about us and loves us anyway.  Want to know how to treat others?  Get a mirror, use it and then think of how you will act toward others.  Problem solved!!!!

May 11 Joshua 3, 4

May 11

Joshua 3, 4

Jos 3:1 Joshua rose up early in the morning; and they moved from Shittim, and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel. They lodged there before they passed over.

Jos 3:2 It happened after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;

Jos 3:3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall move from your place, and follow it.

Jos 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Don't come near to it, that you may know the way by which you must go; for you have not passed this way before."

Jos 3:5 Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow Yahweh will do wonders among you."

Jos 3:6 Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people." They took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

Jos 3:7 Yahweh said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

Jos 3:8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.' "

Jos 3:9 Joshua said to the children of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of Yahweh your God."

Jos 3:10 Joshua said, "Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Hivite, and the Perizzite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Jebusite out from before you.

Jos 3:11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into the Jordan.

Jos 3:12 Now therefore take twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.

Jos 3:13 It shall come to pass, when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, even the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand in one heap."

Jos 3:14 It happened, when the people moved from their tents to pass over the Jordan, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant being before the people,

Jos 3:15 and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest),

Jos 3:16 that the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people passed over right against Jericho.

Jos 3:17 The priests who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation had passed completely over the Jordan.

Jos 4:1 It happened, when all the nation had completely passed over the Jordan, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying,

Jos 4:2 "Take twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

Jos 4:3 and command them, saying, 'Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place, where you will lodge tonight.' "

Jos 4:4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

Jos 4:5 Joshua said to them, "Pass over before the ark of Yahweh your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone and put it on your shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel;

Jos 4:6 that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do you mean by these stones?'

Jos 4:7 then you shall tell them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.' "

Jos 4:8 The children of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, as Yahweh spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; and they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

Jos 4:9 Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.

Jos 4:10 For the priests who bore the ark stood in the middle of the Jordan, until everything was finished that Yahweh commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and passed over.

Jos 4:11 It happened, when all the people had completely passed over, that the ark of Yahweh passed over, with the priests, in the presence of the people.

Jos 4:12 The children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke to them.

Jos 4:13 About forty thousand men, ready and armed for war passed over before Yahweh to battle, to the plains of Jericho.

Jos 4:14 On that day, Yahweh magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

Jos 4:15 Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying,

Jos 4:16 "Command the priests who bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan."

Jos 4:17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, "Come up out of the Jordan!"

Jos 4:18 It happened, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh had come up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks, as before.

Jos 4:19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.

Jos 4:20 Joshua set up those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, in Gilgal.

Jos 4:21 He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean?'

Jos 4:22 Then you shall let your children know, saying, 'Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.

Jos 4:23 For Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you, until you had passed over, as Yahweh your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had passed over;

Jos 4:24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of Yahweh, that it is mighty; that you may fear Yahweh your God forever.' "

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" Chapter Twenty-Three by Mark Copeland

 "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                          Chapter Twenty-Three

With the religious leaders silenced by their inability to entangle Jesus
with their questions, Jesus proceeded to decry the hypocrisy of the
scribes and Pharisees in a series of scorching rebukes (1-36).   Despite
His strong condemnation, His love for them was manifested by His lament
for the people of Jerusalem (37-39).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  The hypocrisy of the scribes and the Pharisees

   *  Jesus’ grief over the apostasy and fall of Jerusalem

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Jesus denounces the religious leaders - Mt 23:1-36
   - Jesus laments over Jerusalem - Mt 23:37-39

2) What does Jesus tell people to do in regards to the scribes and
   Pharisees? (3)
   - Do what they say, even though they do not practice what they preach

3) List some things for which Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees
   (3-7)
   - They say, and do not
   - They bind burdens on others they themselves would not bear
   - Their works they do to be seen of men
   - They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the borders of their
     garments
   - They love the best places at feasts, best seats in the synagogues
   - They love greetings in the marketplaces, to be called "Rabbi"

4) What did Jesus tell His disciples not to do?  Why? (8-11)
   - Not to use religious titles like "Rabbi", "Father", "Teacher"
   - Rather then be esteemed by such titles, they were to be humble
     servants

5) List the reasons for the eight woes expressed by Jesus (13,14,15,16,
   23,25,27,29)
   - Preventing others from entering the kingdom of heaven
   - Devouring widows’ houses and making long, pretentious prayers
   - Making proselytes twice the sons of hell as themselves
   - Making inconsistent distinctions between the swearing of oaths
   - Paying tithes of minute things while neglecting justice, mercy,
     faith
   - Cleaning the outside while neglecting the inside
   - Outwardly appearing righteous while inwardly full of hypocrisy and
     lawlessness
   - Building the tombs of the prophets while persecuting prophets

6) What did Jesus say was the condition of Jerusalem? (38)
   - "See! Your house is left to you desolate"