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[matthewthedisciple]

My thoughts and feelings (9th entry)

Here comes to an end of me and the other disciples with Jesus and me as one of his twelve disciples on a journey of Galilee, Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem, Decapolis and more. Jesus did not dislike because I was a tax collector for the Romans before, but he treated me very well like the other disciples. I am very thankful Jesus chose me from the start to be one of his twelve disciple as I have learnt a lot of new things from him. He is such an inspiring person. From the day starting when I started following Jesus, I felt like I changed a lot towards how to give grace and thank or to worship God. I had also learnt and understand more about the Scriptures in the bible. I learnt that we should have faith in Jesus and we should never betray him. We should believe in him and even miracles will happen. We must always trust and have faith in him as he will continue to protect us. Jesus is such a kind-hearted person; he would do anything to help the ones in need in his own abilities. I would never regret following Jesus throughout his life time on earth, he will for ever be my teacher and the person I honored the most. Jesus will always forgive his people even if we did something wrong, he always gives a second chance and we must not waste the chances he gave us. Jesus will heal and help his people. I will always be grateful to Jesus of all the things he had teaches. I still remember he said, ‘those live good lives and follow his teachings will be rewarded with eternal life in God's kingdom.’ I will forever remember his teaching a live a good life until I reunite with the Lord in heaven.

(307 words)

[matthewthedisciple]

The Last Supper (8th entry)

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, me and the other disciples came up to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” So, Jesus sent two of us into Jerusalem with these instructions, “As you go into the city, you will see a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’ He will take you upstairs. There is where you should prepare our meal” So, we followed as what Jesus had told us to do to prepare the Passover meal there.

When it was evening, we arrived and Jesus sat down at the table with us. While we were eating, Jesus suddenly said: “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” With greatly distressed, we turned around and looked at each other and asked: “Am I the one, Lord.” Jesus replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” Judas asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?” And Jesus told him: “You have said it.”

As we were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” And later Jesus took a cup of wine and gave thanks to the Lord for it. He gave it to us and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” Then we sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Well, I hope that I would not be the one that is going to betray Jesus, and I think I will not because Jesus is such an amazing person and he had helped and teach me a lot of new things. So, why would I betray him.

(408 words)

(The Last Supper – Matthew 26:17-30)

(The Last Supper – Mark 14:12-26)

[matthewthedisciple]

Discussion about Divorce and Marriage (7th entry)

We left Galilee and continued our journey to the region of Judea located at the east of the Jordan River. There were large crowds following us, but mostly because of Jesus because they want to look at how Jesus healed the sick people which is also known as doing a miracle. Along our way there were also some Pharisees following along too. However, along the way they tried to trap Jesus with question.

So, they asked, “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” After hearing the question, Jesus asked them, “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” And Jesus only continued by answering the question, “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

However, the Pharisees did not stop but continued to give out more questions to Jesus, “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied patiently, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.”

After hearing these answers from Jesus, the Pharisees looks like that they are still not satisfied with the answers, so me and the other disciples just replied to them, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!” However, Jesus said, “Not everyone can accept this statement.” Later Jesus continues, “Only those whom God helps. Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”

After hearing these words, I felt like I had learnt another lesson from Jesus about the relationships between male and female more clearly. Everyone including women should have their own rights on choosing their future and relationship with others. However, a man and a woman getting together means a responsibility, if they fail to secure this relationship it is okay, but we must be responsible for what is going to happen after that.

(410 words)

(Discussion about Divorce and Marriage - Matthew 19:1-12)

[matthewthedisciple]

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand (6th entry)

After we heard the death of John the Baptist, Jesus and his apostles left in a boat to a remote area to be alone for a while. However, the crowds found out and recognized Jesus and saw him leaving, so people from many towns ran along the shore and got ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped back from the boat, and had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, Jesus welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he also healed those who were sick.

Until late evening, we saw it was getting dark and we were also concern some people will be hungry especially children, so we went to Jesus and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” To our surprise, Jesus answered us, “That isn’t necessary – you feed them.” “But we have work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people” we replied. But Jesus said, “How much bread do we have left. Go and find out.” After checking on the amount of food, we went back to Jesus and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” We could not get what Jesus was thinking to do, instead of agreeing with us, Jesus said, “Bring them here.”

So, we followed what Jesus told us to do and brought the people to the place Jesus said. As soon as they reached there, then Jesus told the people to sit down on the grass. There were approximately around five thousand men. Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish, look up towards heaven, and prayed to God and blessed them. After that, He broke the loaves of bread into pieces and gave the bread to the disciples, who was in charged to distributed it to the people. Everyone in the crowd was fed with as much as they wanted with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Afterwards, we even picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. About 5,000 men were fed, in addition to all women and children!

It was indeed a very unexpected and another amazing miracle Jesus had done. Feeding a crowd of approximately around five thousand men with only five loaves of bread and two fish.  

(406 words)

(Jesus Feeds Five thousand – Matthew 14:13-21)

(Jesus Feeds Five Thousand – Mark 6:30-44)

(Jesus Feeds Five Thousand – Luke 9:10-17)

[matthewthedisciple]

A discussion about the Sabbath (5th entry)

Usually on the Sabbath day due to the law and traditions of the Jews, people in Israel are not allow to work, they thought it was a day to rest only. People took this law or tradition seriously. On this particular Sabbath day, I was walking along with Jesus through some grainfields. Me and the other disciples were starving so badly that we could not take it anymore. So, we started breaking off some heads of the grain and eat them to fill up our empty stomach. But some Pharisees passed by and saw us doing it. So, they protested loudly against to Jesus and said, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.” At that moment, I thought that we were going to get in trouble because we did break the law on the Sabbath day by working.

However, to my surprise, Jesus questioned the Pharisees about if they do know what is the real meaning of the Sabbath. Jesus said, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the scared loaves of bread that only the priests were allowed to eat.” He also gave another example from Moses, “And haven’t you read I the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?” I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

After hearing those words, I now truly understand the real meaning of the Sabbath. On the Sabbath does not mean people are not allow to work, but they are encouraged not to work as they are to rest on that day, just as what God had done on the seventh day when he created the earth. However, if there is an emergency or something bad is happening for example, if I see a little boy drowning in the lake, I should go up to him and help him instead of standing there or pretend I did not notice it and let the boy drown to death just because it is the Sabbath day and I was not supposed to work.

(412 words)

(A discussion about the Sabbath - Matthew 12:1-8)

[matthewthedisciple]

Jesus Heals the Blind (4th entry)

Today, I witness another amazing miracle made by Jesus, although this is not the first time, I had witness as Jesus did a miracle, but it still looks so amazing. Everything started off when two blind men were following along us behind when we were returning to our home, they shouted loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Later, they went into the house where Jesus was staying with us. So, Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” And they answered, “Yes, Lord,” they told Jesus: “We do.”

Then, Jesus touched their eyes with his hands and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then Jesus let go of her hand and their eyes were opened, and they could see again! However, just before they leave Jesus sternly warned them, “Do not tell anyone about this.” After leaving, instead of keeping it as a secret like what Jesus had told them to do, the two men went out and spread his fame all over the region. Soon, everyone knew about the miracle Jesus did to the two men who was previously blind and now healed by Jesus.

Not long after Jesus cured the two blind men, a demon-possessed man who could not speak was brought to Jesus in the crowds. So, Jesus cast out the demon from the man, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were so amazed by it even me, although I have already witnessed quite a few miracles made by Jesus after following him. The crowds exclaimed, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” But the Pharisees who were also there watching the whole miracle happened said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.” After hearing the Pharisees’ words, no one bother them and I felt like a just heard a joke instead.

Well now I know is that we should have faith in each other, especially the one that you seek for help, in order to achieve or accomplish what you want them to help or what you want from them. The two blind men had faith on Jesus, so they get cured. However, they did not what Jesus told them to do instead, which is not a good thing. We must always follow what others wish you to do after they have fulfil or help you accomplish in your wish.

(402 words)

(Jesus Heals the Blind – Matthew 9:27-34)

[matthewthedisciple]

Jesus Heals in Response of Faith (3rd entry)

A huge crowd welcome us and especially Jesus on the other side of the lake. The leader of the synagogue came and knelt before Jesus. He said, “My daughter has just died,” and he requested, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” So, me and the others disciples got up with Jesus and followed the leader of the synagogue.

On our way, a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding squeezed herself into the crowds. She was very weak, but she still continued her way up to Jesus and managed to caught up behind Jesus. She carefully touched the fringe of Jesus’ robe, for she thought, “if I can just touch his fringe of his robe, I will be healed.”

Immediately after she touched Jesus’ robe, Jesus felt like his powers had gone off from him. So, he turned back to the crowd and asked, “Who touched me!” Everyone denied. Me and the other disciples were so confused on Jesus’ question because we were surrounded by an enormous crowd and everyone was trying to get close to Jesus. One of the disciple’s name Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing against you.” But Jesus replied, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” Soon later, the woman who touched Jesus knelt down to the ground and admitted that she was the one who touched Jesus. However, Jesus did not get angry of her but he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

Just as Jesus was talking to the woman a messenger arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead, there is no use troubling the Teacher now.” But Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.” When we arrived at the officer’s house, we saw mourning and funeral music all over the house. Jesus said, “Get out!” and everyone else except for the got out except for me and the other disciples and the girl’s parents. He told them, “She is not dead; she is just asleep.” But on one trusted in Jesus and they laughed. After the crowd went out, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and said, “Talitha Koum!” The girl immediately stood up and walked around! After this miracle, the report swept through the entire countryside.

(414 words)

(Jesus Heals in Response of Faith – Matthew 9:18-16)

(Jesus Heals in Response of Faith – Mark 5:21-43)

(Jesus Heals in Response of Faith – Luke8:40-56)

[matthewthedisciple]

A discussion about Fasting (2nd entry)

It started like a usual day, it was a nice weather and I was as usual following Jesus to different places to learn new things and watch how Jesus do miracle and help others who are in need of help. I enjoy following Jesus to acknowledge more now things day by day, and to understand the Scriptures better by learning from Jesus. Walking through our way, we saw the disciples of John the Baptist approaching towards our way and stopped in front of us. Later, they started asking Jesus a question, they said, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” At first when I heard this, I was also questioned by it and I also realize that starting from the day I was following Jesus, he indeed never told us to fast before and I was also very curious about the reason.

So, Jesus replied to the disciple of John the Baptist patiently, he said, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. Jesus then continued with other examples and said, “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” After getting the answer from Jesus, the disciples of John the Baptist went away.

After hearing the answer from Jesus, I learnt a new lesson. It is not necessary to always fast in our life, but we should fast when it is necessary. We should fast at the right time, for example when something bad or sad had happened we can fast in order to show respect and to show grief to it. Sometimes, fasting can also be done to worship and to show love to God. Now, I do understand the real meaning of fasting. But Jesus still expects us to fast as fasting is a spiritual discipline. We may even get rewarded by God from fasting. Besides, fasting can also strengthens our prayer. Moreover, when we did something, wrong fasting can also be done to show repentance and a sign of return to God.

(407 words)

(A discussion about Fasting – Matthew 9:14-17)

[matthewthedisciple]

Jesus calls Matthew (1st entry)

I was at Capernaum sitting at the tax collector booth. One day, I saw Jesus approaching towards my way.  I didn’t not expect Jesus to call me because I was a tax collector for the Romans and the Jews don’t like us tax collectors because we work for the Romans to collect the Jews’ money and the Jews thought we were hatters or sinners. However, Jesus said to me, “Follow me and be my disciple”. I was so shocked and surprised and even said, “Me?”. Immediately I got up and left everything at my seat, but the army guard who was guarding the tax collector booth stopped me and questioned me, “Are you sure you want to leave everything you have now and follow him?” Without any hesitation, I said yes and followed along with Jesus.

At night, I was so excited because I invited Jesus and other disciples who were also following Jesus back home for a party and also as dinner guests. I also invited my tax collectors and disreputable sinners’ friends, I hope Jesus and the other disciples would not mind. The purpose of me holding this party was to honored Jesus and also thank Jesus for letting me follow him as one of his twelve disciples. However, when the Pharisees saw us, they complained to the other disciples about us, ‘Why does your teacher eat with such scum?’ I could see them looking at each other and they even stopped eating. At that moment I felt so ashamed because I was a kind of a sinner as was a tax collector before. At that moment, I thought that I do not have the right to sit together and eat with Jesus.  

However, when Jesus heard it, he answered to the Pharisees, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do.’ He also continued by saying, “Now go and learn the meeting of this scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not other sacrifices.’ For I have come to call now those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” After hearing those words, I felt so happy and pleased because Jesus defended me and my friends from the Pharisees. Also, I had my confidence back by following along with Jesus and made up my mind to follow Jesus throughout his time on earth and serve God for the rest of my life. Just after Jesus said these words, the Pharisees were so upset to Jesus’ response, especially by the fact that he would hang out with us.

(425 words)

(Jesus calls Matthew - Matthew 9:9-13)