Sunday February 26, 2012 Mathew 14:13-21

Amy made a powerful observation at the start of the study. As we read the scripture she commented that remembering that Jesus was "tempted in every way" (Hebrews 4:15) made the passage particularly painful and powerful.

During our discussion we asked ourselves, what if we had a close relative who was a spiritual leader? What if they were so close to us that they actually had baptized us? What would we do if someone close to us and part of our spiritual story was murdered? How would we react upon just receiving the news that they were beheaded and their head was being paraded at a party on a platter?

We used these questions to understand the pain and sacrifice of Christ as he allows a crowd of needy people to interrupt his retreat to a "lonely place."

Christ, tempted in every way, goes to a lonely place after hearing the news of John''s death. His retreat is interrupted by a crowd of the hungry, needy, and broken.

Instead of rebuking the crowd as the disciples finally were ready to do "SEND THEM AWAY!" Jesus serves. He serves compassion, healing, and a banquet.

We marveled at the compassion of Christ. In His time of brokenness and profound pain his heart goes out to others .

We wondered at what it means for God to use His Church in times of brokenness to create an incredible banquet out of our poverty.

We noticed that when we offer our poverty and brokenness to Christ He transforms it into a banquet that's not only more than enough for His church (Mathew 14:13-21) but more than enough to fill the entire creation (Mathew 15:29-39.)

Prayer Requests 02/26/2012

David – Doing a bible study. David is studying I Samuel. That’s my high. My low is that my darn shoes are too tight. Need more hours at work. My hours that were cut are showing up in my paycheck. Use Linda’s email for the blog.

Evan – Still looking for a job.

Kevin – Had my first test and got an “A.” The teacher kind of annoys me. Teacher constantly saying to take notes which is annoying. Her teaching method bothers me.

Stephen – High – feel energized and passionate. Low – sick kids but get they are getting better. Pray for recruitment for houseboats and for bookings.

Amy - Lot of studying to do. Very time consuming. Please pray. High – other than that. Things are going really great. Being reminded constantly how complex everything is. Evolved. Did it on their own. Darwin – only reason he wanted to prove natural selection. Didn’t think a creative have a purpose to create such a diverse.

Sunday February 12, 2012 - Mathew 14:1-12

On Sunday we talked about the death of Whitney Houston. We shared how in some ways she was like a queen of soul or R&B. Kind of like Jimmy Hendrix was the king of guitar. Michael Jackson the king of pop. Elvis – The King. We compared them with Mathew's account of Herod the King in Mathew 14.

We discussed how it is reported that Elvis Presley near the time of his death was heard (I think by his driver) to say “it’s hard to be the king.” “It is so hard to be the king.”

We shared how these examples (Whitney, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Hendrix, and Herod) illustrate that perhaps being rich young rulers or kings isn’t just hard, but it’s almost like hell on earth.

We discussed how Christ is a king who comes from another kingdom. Maybe demanding our rights, our control, our way, is asserting our own sovereignty of our personal kingdoms which is the territory of our heart. Perhaps Whitney Houston, Herod, and the Kings are emblematic of the death and decay that comes with demanding our rights and protecting our hearts from Christ’s person and call.

We left feeling challenged to accept that the all powerful King really does lay down His life fore His enemies and unfaithful bride. We asked ourselves if our hearts recoil or accept Christ's Kingdom which bids us to take up His cross and announce His kingdom through body broken and blood shed in us and through us.

Prayers 2/12/12

Aaron - surgery not covered. Dr. Appealed. He pushed it through.
David - fighting a cold. Building cool duck decoys.
Linda - rest.
Amy - midterms right now.
Kari - no time for work and school. Getting along with sister. Wants to go treasure aching.
Jesse - pray for friends attitude.
Kevin - Lot of time with school. Overall school is going well.
Steve - pray for bookings and recruitment.
Linda - mesmerized by Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. God has a hold of your life so good. Praying to be holy.

Today's Reading - Mathew 14:1-12

Matthew 14

John the Baptist Beheaded

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.

6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.