By Rick Wilson
Matthew comes at us at a furious pace. He climbs a family tree that shades two millennia. He rushes through the drama of the birth of Jesus and its aftermath. Before we know it, Jesus’ ministry flourishes and the Sermon on the Mount is done.
There is respite, however. Matthew lures us into the wilderness with Jesus. That is what Lent is about. On Ash Wednesday we can see the luminous crooked finger of Matthew beckoning us. In the wilderness we have a chance to find ourselves as the “light of the world” (5:14) that Jesus says we truly are.
Welcome!This Lenten season, the First Baptist Church of Christ will take the time to listen to the entire New Testament (days and passages are listed on the right column). Through our partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, every member of the church will be offered a free MP3 recording of the New Testament. By listening to this recording for less than half an hour each day, one can hear the entire New Testament in forty days.
At this blog, you’ll be able to read some of our members’ thoughts about what they are hearing. Our contributors reflect the great diversity of our congregation. They are male and female, older and younger, some with a seminary background and some without. As you read their questions, reflections, and observations, I invite you to join the conversation by posting a comment.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 17: Matthew 1–7
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Rick, you make "wilderness" sound like a good thing.
ReplyDelete"Furious pace" is right!
ReplyDeleteI'm struck by how "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." is only 9 verses away from "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid."
What sort of meekness could also be portrayed by the metaphor of the city on the hill or as a light that shouldn't be hidden under a bushel?
I have a few thoughts; but, I'm really struck by how, even on the first day of the project, reading straight through has generated a new (or renewed) question regarding verses that I've known all my life.