How are you doing so far this year, 2025? Not so much your money and income but your peace about things in the world? How has Jesus impacted you during challenging times with other people? Have you recognized the urging and nudging of God’s Holy Spirit in those moments when you feel you’re being tested?
This weekend we’ll hop back into the Bible; Matthew, Chapters 5-7, where Jesus is speaking to a very large crowd. There were thousands on hand for this conversation. Jesus normally worked in small groups of people, maybe 15-20 at a time. But in this instance found in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus had the attention of hordes of people. And what Jesus said at that moment is still resonating today in our world.
We’re in a series titled, Irresistible… things Jesus said. In three chapters there are 4 dominant themes on Jesus' mind. He wants the masses of people to hear clearly that following Him will require a complete makeover. He covers these topics with people like us: Hope, Generosity, Mercy, and Compassion. Jesus really messes up the status quo with religious followers. He does an over-haul of traditions and ideas people clung to for generations.
This weekend I hope you can join us inside Journey. Our weather is supposed to moderate. We’ve had quite the entire menu for wacky, intense weather the last few days. Why not? The extreme weather is a bit of the tone Jesus was presenting to His listeners, in His day.
If you join us this weekend at Journey Church Cynthiana, you better buckle-up. Jesus is not messing around with His word: MERCY. People like us enjoy a little mercy when we need it most. When I “forgot” (got distracted) to pick up something for my wife on the way home, I will be looking for mercy. On the other hand, if you drive through my beautifully manicured front lawn with your heavy truck, I want justice. I work hard on my yard. I am ready to fight.
The extreme stuff Jesus brings up in Matthew 7:1-6 (check it out) - are we as Jesus followers
being consistent the way we treat other people (not like us) with mercy? The way God treats us with His mercy?
I don’t know about you, but if somebody intentionally shoves me out off the way in Walmart, I may respond unkindly. Jesus is not suggesting we roll over and let rude people jump the line at the grocery store. He is demanding if you want to be on MY team, be less reactionary with people unlike you.
I am not Jesus. My attitude can be wrong, even with my wife. My verdict and final conclusion may be flawed by emotions. My timing can be way off; later would have been better. If any of this sounds relevant to you, just circle Saturday @6pm or Sunday @10:30am. Come on inside and grab hot coffee, hot chocolate, water and breakfast pizza (courtesy of Matt & Domino’s) on the Journey coffee bar.
Let’s do this. Mercy me…. what a wild week of every kind of weather. If that’s exactly how your personal life has felt this week… nothing seemed to help! Well, better days are ahead… Jesus has a different kind of message for us. Let’s check it out.
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