A new year has embarked, and I just can't believe how fast time flies as you get older. I remember when I was young hearing older people say this phrase. Well now I'm actually experiencing it. This past Monday, I celebrated my 2nd anniversary with my amazing husband! I can remember our wedding like it was yesterday.
I had a great holiday celebrating with friends and family. During the holiday, I celebrated my 27th birthday with dinner at Copeland's and Celebration in the Oaks with my family (on my birthday eve) and eating at The Broken Egg, Hobby Lobby shopping (I love that store!), and a Sucre cupcake all with my hubby on my actual birthday. I'd also like to thank Santa for my awesome cool pix camera. I hope YOU had a wonderful holiday season as well.
There are two big events that will be occurring in my life in 2011:
1. As most of you already know, my mission trip to Africa with the Vineyard church.
2. Travis and I have begun the process of searching for a house to purchase.
AFRICA: I have found out that I have taken one of the shots that I need already when I was in high school, but I still have 3 more shots to go. I have also written and mailed out support letters. I am trusting God that He will provide financially to make the trip possible for me. I also need prayer support, so if you are reading this and would like to support me, please pray as my team and I prep for the trip. Our first team meeting is in February. I'm so excited to get started. I also got a few things for Christmas to help me prepare for the long plane ride - a book light, a few books (thanks Travis for the Zambia one!), a journal with elephants on the cover, and the cutest stuffed elephant ever (Ellie Horton McClain) to comfort me at night. Bad news, I can't begin the process for my passport until the first week in February because I need my birth certificate for the end of January for a cruise that Travis and I booked 6 months ago (our big celebration of our anniversary). I'm praying that all my paper work will go smoothly and quickly so that I get my passport in time.
HOUSE: Travis and I have been saving every month in order to have a down payment on a house. Well, we have finally reached our goal and have decided that this is the time to begin the process of purchasing our first home! I'm very excited and so overwhelmed with that statement. We are hoping to be in a house by this August. We have contacted a relater and tonight we are meeting with a lender for pre-approval. So as you can see, we are definitely in the beginning stages. Lots of stuff to do, but it has been fun hunting for houses on the internet!
I'm excited about the new year! I've got changes to my job that will be happening this semester (but I'll save this topic for another blog..), and big changes in my life that will occur - due to my two big events! Thank you God for a great 2010! I'm looking forward in seeing what He is going to do in my life for 2011.
What are you looking forward to in the year to come?!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Heaven is a Place on Earth
The past 11 months, I've committed my life to move. I didn't do this alone, for I was part of a class at my church called the School of Kingdom Living that addressed each movement and challenged us to move. I enjoyed this class very much, because I was able to discuss and experience struggles with others during the movement process. This blog is a reflection of the major changes I've made in my life regarding each movement. (warning, this blog is lengthy)
Movements: Upward - Loving God, Inward - Loving Myself, Inward - Loving Others, Outward - Loving the World
UPWARD: I realized that Heaven is not a final destination, but can be experienced on earth. Hence the title of this blog, Heaven IS a place on earth. Heaven is not a particular place on earth, even though relaxing with my toes in the sand while listening to the waves crashing wouldn't be a bad picture for heaven (unless of course you hate sand), but it can be experienced anywhere on earth. How is this possible? Well, let's look at the BIG picture of God's story. (thank you Brian for the repetition of circles :) Short version: The story begins with God creating the earth and man. Humans were able to experience the fullness of the Kingdom - LIFE (Genesis 1 and 2). Then humans chose the enemy which created a new kingdom - Kingdom of the World - Death - which separated us from the Kingdom of God. But God's Kingdom wasn't defeated, God had a plan to restore humankind back to life. He sent his son Jesus to earth, which now connected us back to the Kingdom of God. Jesus spent his life loving and healing people - a glimpse of heaven. We are currently in this stage where there is still hurt and death, but because of Jesus we can experience joy and life. One day, God will fully restore His people and the kingdom of the world will be no more. This is when we can once again experience the Kingdom of God full again. So why live life waiting for heaven when you can begin to experience it here and now! - This is a picture of living life to the fullest.
How do I experience heaven on earth? Let's "move" on.
INWARD: I used to think that I had to put God "#1" in my life, and I always fail at this. In other words, I thought choosing to do housework over reading my Bible was not putting God first. I had somewhat separated God with my life. Instead, I now incorporate God into my life. In other words, He is #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. Keeping an orderly home can glorify God just as much as reading my Bible.
I am also more observant of myself. I think it's quite easy to observe and judge others, but would never look at myself. I now question my own actions wondering if I could have handled situations better - instead of immediately putting blame on others. I also try to not live on auto-pilot, and live for the moments in the present.
How do I share the experience of heaven on earth with others?
INWARD: This could be summed up in two words: Love People. How do you love people - even strangers - well here are a few suggestions: pray for people, let people into traffic (still a work in progress), play Bingo with cancer patients, cook and share a meal with friends, resolve conflicts, communicate by actually listening, thinking, then replying, stop gossip, bring a friend on a picnic who had a rough semester, give food to a food bank, showing support to friends who are adopting a child, being patient with students, not judging others, not being bitter about having to share an office with the new employee - but being open and sharing my resources to make the "newbie" feel welcomed, donating money to a charity or a friend in need, sharing life, etc. This list could go on. What could I add to this list? How can you put these into practice? One thing I do know, I know the incredible feeling I get when someone does an act of kindness to me, so why not share that feeling with others?
OUTWARD: I must admit, that when I began learning about loving the world, I had no idea what God had in store for me in my future. To keep this one short, I'll quote some of my SKL notes: "We all have a unique role to play in loving the world around us, If God is putting something on your heart, and the timing is right, then do it!" So with that being said, in May 2011, I will be going on a mission trip with the Vineyard to Zambia, Africa for 17 days!
Thanks for reading my story and my current journey. I would love to hear what God is doing in your life and how you are "moving" so please feel free to share your experiences of heaven. :) And if you are not currently moving, then I challenge you to take a step and move!
Movements: Upward - Loving God, Inward - Loving Myself, Inward - Loving Others, Outward - Loving the World
UPWARD: I realized that Heaven is not a final destination, but can be experienced on earth. Hence the title of this blog, Heaven IS a place on earth. Heaven is not a particular place on earth, even though relaxing with my toes in the sand while listening to the waves crashing wouldn't be a bad picture for heaven (unless of course you hate sand), but it can be experienced anywhere on earth. How is this possible? Well, let's look at the BIG picture of God's story. (thank you Brian for the repetition of circles :) Short version: The story begins with God creating the earth and man. Humans were able to experience the fullness of the Kingdom - LIFE (Genesis 1 and 2). Then humans chose the enemy which created a new kingdom - Kingdom of the World - Death - which separated us from the Kingdom of God. But God's Kingdom wasn't defeated, God had a plan to restore humankind back to life. He sent his son Jesus to earth, which now connected us back to the Kingdom of God. Jesus spent his life loving and healing people - a glimpse of heaven. We are currently in this stage where there is still hurt and death, but because of Jesus we can experience joy and life. One day, God will fully restore His people and the kingdom of the world will be no more. This is when we can once again experience the Kingdom of God full again. So why live life waiting for heaven when you can begin to experience it here and now! - This is a picture of living life to the fullest.
How do I experience heaven on earth? Let's "move" on.
INWARD: I used to think that I had to put God "#1" in my life, and I always fail at this. In other words, I thought choosing to do housework over reading my Bible was not putting God first. I had somewhat separated God with my life. Instead, I now incorporate God into my life. In other words, He is #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. Keeping an orderly home can glorify God just as much as reading my Bible.
I am also more observant of myself. I think it's quite easy to observe and judge others, but would never look at myself. I now question my own actions wondering if I could have handled situations better - instead of immediately putting blame on others. I also try to not live on auto-pilot, and live for the moments in the present.
How do I share the experience of heaven on earth with others?
INWARD: This could be summed up in two words: Love People. How do you love people - even strangers - well here are a few suggestions: pray for people, let people into traffic (still a work in progress), play Bingo with cancer patients, cook and share a meal with friends, resolve conflicts, communicate by actually listening, thinking, then replying, stop gossip, bring a friend on a picnic who had a rough semester, give food to a food bank, showing support to friends who are adopting a child, being patient with students, not judging others, not being bitter about having to share an office with the new employee - but being open and sharing my resources to make the "newbie" feel welcomed, donating money to a charity or a friend in need, sharing life, etc. This list could go on. What could I add to this list? How can you put these into practice? One thing I do know, I know the incredible feeling I get when someone does an act of kindness to me, so why not share that feeling with others?
OUTWARD: I must admit, that when I began learning about loving the world, I had no idea what God had in store for me in my future. To keep this one short, I'll quote some of my SKL notes: "We all have a unique role to play in loving the world around us, If God is putting something on your heart, and the timing is right, then do it!" So with that being said, in May 2011, I will be going on a mission trip with the Vineyard to Zambia, Africa for 17 days!
Thanks for reading my story and my current journey. I would love to hear what God is doing in your life and how you are "moving" so please feel free to share your experiences of heaven. :) And if you are not currently moving, then I challenge you to take a step and move!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Renew Our City
This past weekend, my husband and I were part of our church's "Renew Our City" project, and I thought I'd share my experience. Saturday morning many teams went out into the city to serve the community. Some teams did major projects like going to a school to paint or do yard work. Some teams did simple things like hand out water in the park or donuts to local businesses who had to work early Saturday morning. My husband and I were on a team where we did a $1 car wash. Now I know that if I saw a sign that read $1 Car Wash, I'd probably think there was a catch since $1 is extremely cheap for a car wash. Well, if you thought there was a catch, then you were right. The catch was that we gave our customers $1. That's right, we gave THEM $1 after washing their cars. The faces of our customers were priceless. I was impressed on how many people wanted to donate money (more than $1), but one by one we refused to take any money and handed them a dollar. We encouraged all of our customers to "pay it forward." We showed love by washing their car in hope that they would return love to someone else - whether it be donate the money they would have spent on our car wash by treating someone to coffee or lunch or just show love in any other way. In a few hours, our small team probably washed close to 50 cars, including a limo!
We had a little waiting area with refreshments and chairs for people, and one thing I found fascinating was that while people were waiting for their car to be washed, they had the opportunity to connect with other people in the city who were also waiting to get their car washed. At one point, I walked over to tell a lady that her car was ready, and she insisted on finishing her conversation before leaving the parking lot. Now I didn't get to partake in much of the conversations, but it was neat to observe as I washed and dried vehicles.
One man came in a brand new company car just to drop by a donation (he didn't think it would be wise to let us wash it). Of course we didn't accept his donation, but he stayed a while just talking to one of our team members.
The limo driver was awesome! - His license plate read "My Treat." What he does is treat his friends and family to a limo ride when they go out drinking - to ensure everyone has a safe ride home. So we were able to bless a man who is already blessing and loving on others.
Another thing that impacted me was the amount of elderly people that came to get their car washed. I thought, wow, something simple that I can do in minutes with no problem probably would be very difficult for them. One man had difficulty getting out his vehicle and walking. So I began thinking...how are ways that I can help out the elderly in the city? I don't personally know any, but I'm sure I can help them when the opportunity arises at maybe the grocery store?
Giving up sleeping in on a Saturday morning and being physically sore the following day was worth the internal feeling I felt by just helping people out by simply washing their car. I know I've been challenged to keep this "pay it forward" movement by not necessarily doing big things like washing cars, but small simple things when the opportunity arises. So I ask you, what will YOU do to pay it forward?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
25 Things about Me
Twenty-Five Random Things
1. At the age of 5, I was saved by grace through faith at my church's Awana program, but wasn't baptized until the age of 19.
2. I am happily married to a chef :) who is teaching me a lot about cooking.
3. At the age of 21, I graduated from NSU with a Bachelor's of Science.
4. A semester later, at the age of 22, I started teaching college math at NSU.
5. The only career choice I've ever considered (even as a kid) was a teacher. I didn't know what kind of teacher until high-school. I didn't know what age, until I student taught. Thank you God for this journey!
6. I worked at Glorieta, New Mexico for 2 summers and can honestly say that it was some of the best times of my life. I experienced things I never thought I would and grew spiritually.
7. In college, I was involved in a prank war that revolved around a picture of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. hahahahaha Sha' Craig!
8. I have a really bad habit of biting my nails. :/
9. I can't completely straighten my left pinky finger.
10. My favorite flower is Daisies.
11. My niece doesn't know that my real name is Michelle. She only knows me as Auntie Miche.
12. I'm sad that I rarely hear my nickname anymore now that I moved to N.O. :(
13. If I could pick my last meal it would be: crab cakes, red beans and rice, fried speckled trout, fried pickles, vanilla creme brulee, and mango sorbet.
14. Anberlin is my favorite band! They have been around for like 10 years. I discovered them my first semester in college. I finally saw them at the House of Blues last month. The drums were awesome!
15. I've always been a Saints fan thanks to my father. In fact, my favorite family picture is of my family all in saints t-shirts right before a game - I was in 2nd grade sporting a slap bracelet. Oh yeah!
16. I have a fear of deep water and drowning. But I don't let this fear totally prevent me from doing some stuff.
17. I skydived at the age of 18. At that time, I was able to say that I had flown in an airplane, but never landed in one. Haha! (I've been in a airplane a few times since then).
18. I've only had two hairstyles my whole life - long with bangs, long in layers w/o bangs. Can you tell I love change?!
19. I've never seen my husband totally clean shaven.
20. I hate when people settle for less, when they KNOW they can do better. Drives a teacher crazy!
21. I hate grading tests because I feel like I am grading myself as a teacher sometimes...
22. I absolutely love to scrapbook. I love looking at my husband and I's journey through the pictures.
23. It's so hard for me to pick up a book. However, when I pick a book up, I can't put it down. Book of choice - non-fiction Christianity
24. One day I will own a brown short haired daushound.
25. I can't wait to one day start a family, but scared out of my mind at the same time.
1. At the age of 5, I was saved by grace through faith at my church's Awana program, but wasn't baptized until the age of 19.
2. I am happily married to a chef :) who is teaching me a lot about cooking.
3. At the age of 21, I graduated from NSU with a Bachelor's of Science.
4. A semester later, at the age of 22, I started teaching college math at NSU.
5. The only career choice I've ever considered (even as a kid) was a teacher. I didn't know what kind of teacher until high-school. I didn't know what age, until I student taught. Thank you God for this journey!
6. I worked at Glorieta, New Mexico for 2 summers and can honestly say that it was some of the best times of my life. I experienced things I never thought I would and grew spiritually.
7. In college, I was involved in a prank war that revolved around a picture of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. hahahahaha Sha' Craig!
8. I have a really bad habit of biting my nails. :/
9. I can't completely straighten my left pinky finger.
10. My favorite flower is Daisies.
11. My niece doesn't know that my real name is Michelle. She only knows me as Auntie Miche.
12. I'm sad that I rarely hear my nickname anymore now that I moved to N.O. :(
13. If I could pick my last meal it would be: crab cakes, red beans and rice, fried speckled trout, fried pickles, vanilla creme brulee, and mango sorbet.
14. Anberlin is my favorite band! They have been around for like 10 years. I discovered them my first semester in college. I finally saw them at the House of Blues last month. The drums were awesome!
15. I've always been a Saints fan thanks to my father. In fact, my favorite family picture is of my family all in saints t-shirts right before a game - I was in 2nd grade sporting a slap bracelet. Oh yeah!
16. I have a fear of deep water and drowning. But I don't let this fear totally prevent me from doing some stuff.
17. I skydived at the age of 18. At that time, I was able to say that I had flown in an airplane, but never landed in one. Haha! (I've been in a airplane a few times since then).
18. I've only had two hairstyles my whole life - long with bangs, long in layers w/o bangs. Can you tell I love change?!
19. I've never seen my husband totally clean shaven.
20. I hate when people settle for less, when they KNOW they can do better. Drives a teacher crazy!
21. I hate grading tests because I feel like I am grading myself as a teacher sometimes...
22. I absolutely love to scrapbook. I love looking at my husband and I's journey through the pictures.
23. It's so hard for me to pick up a book. However, when I pick a book up, I can't put it down. Book of choice - non-fiction Christianity
24. One day I will own a brown short haired daushound.
25. I can't wait to one day start a family, but scared out of my mind at the same time.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Pasta!!!
This weekend, my husband and I decided to make homemade pasta. It was so much fun. Lately, I've been amazed about how just a few wet/dry ingredients can make such delicious food. Cooking can definitely be fun sometimes. Especially when you have someone you love to enjoy it with. :) Enjoy the pics!
To make pasta it takes: a little bit of water, eggs, flour, and salt. (and a kitchenaid drastically comes in handy!)
Our sauce consisted of stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and some spices (thank you Mawmaw McClain!)
Here's the pasta being rolled out.
Our finished product! Sooo yummy!
To make pasta it takes: a little bit of water, eggs, flour, and salt. (and a kitchenaid drastically comes in handy!)
Our sauce consisted of stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and some spices (thank you Mawmaw McClain!)
Here's the pasta being rolled out.
Our finished product! Sooo yummy!
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Talking Donkey?!?
Ok...so I really wanted to use that title to snatch your attention. I'm still in the book of Numbers, but I'm surprised with this book of the Bible - it's really not just about taking a census.
For instance, there's a talking donkey in chapter 22! I'll let you read it for that story. Sometimes when I read the Bible, I try to put myself in their shoes and try to think of what my reaction would be. Well, I think I wouldn't believe my eyes/ears if a donkey started to talk to me. Just goes to show you that God can use anything to talk to you! And well, if He needs to use a donkey to talk to me...I guess I REALLY need to hear whatever God is trying to tell me. Lord help me to listen to YOU at all times and discern what is your voice.
In Numbers 20, the Israelites are complaining, and Moses asks God what to do. God instructs Moses to take his staff, congregate the people, and TELL the rock to yield water. So Moses takes his staff, congregates the people, but HITS the rock twice with his staff, and God yields water from the rock. This is the event where God tells Moses (in so many words), since you did not fully obey me, you will not bring the people to the promise land.
Questions/Thoughts: First, I love the fact that every time the people have a problem and bring it to Moses or Aaron, that Moses and Aaron run to God with the burden. I couldn't imagine leading thousands of people, but I love the fact that time after time when Moses and Aaron don't know what to do, they turn to God immediately. Definitely something I need to work on. Secondly, I'm wondering why after this specific event God chose to not let Moses to lead the people to the promise land. It's sad after leading the people all this time, that he would not be able to see the promised land. Thirdly, I find it interesting that even though Moses didn't fully obey God, that God still yielded water from the rock. So it makes me wonder, were there times in my life where I haven't completely obeyed God, and didn't receive ALL of the things that God intended good for me? Lord help me to obey you fully and completely, for I want more than the water from the rock, I want the promised land!
What are your thoughts on this chapter?
Chapter 21 - so the Israelites are complaining, once again. By the way, God really doesn't like complaining. (I need to remember this!) So God sends down fiery snakes down on the people, and the people are bitten (some even die). The people run to Moses and realize they have sinned. Moses turns to God, and God instructs Moses to build a bronze serpent and anyone who is bitten is to look at the snake and live. Hmmmm...interesting...I don't have many thoughts on this chapter...what about you?
Thank you God for giving me a desire to keep reading Your word! (even when it's hard to understand and read sometimes)
-MM
For instance, there's a talking donkey in chapter 22! I'll let you read it for that story. Sometimes when I read the Bible, I try to put myself in their shoes and try to think of what my reaction would be. Well, I think I wouldn't believe my eyes/ears if a donkey started to talk to me. Just goes to show you that God can use anything to talk to you! And well, if He needs to use a donkey to talk to me...I guess I REALLY need to hear whatever God is trying to tell me. Lord help me to listen to YOU at all times and discern what is your voice.
In Numbers 20, the Israelites are complaining, and Moses asks God what to do. God instructs Moses to take his staff, congregate the people, and TELL the rock to yield water. So Moses takes his staff, congregates the people, but HITS the rock twice with his staff, and God yields water from the rock. This is the event where God tells Moses (in so many words), since you did not fully obey me, you will not bring the people to the promise land.
Questions/Thoughts: First, I love the fact that every time the people have a problem and bring it to Moses or Aaron, that Moses and Aaron run to God with the burden. I couldn't imagine leading thousands of people, but I love the fact that time after time when Moses and Aaron don't know what to do, they turn to God immediately. Definitely something I need to work on. Secondly, I'm wondering why after this specific event God chose to not let Moses to lead the people to the promise land. It's sad after leading the people all this time, that he would not be able to see the promised land. Thirdly, I find it interesting that even though Moses didn't fully obey God, that God still yielded water from the rock. So it makes me wonder, were there times in my life where I haven't completely obeyed God, and didn't receive ALL of the things that God intended good for me? Lord help me to obey you fully and completely, for I want more than the water from the rock, I want the promised land!
What are your thoughts on this chapter?
Chapter 21 - so the Israelites are complaining, once again. By the way, God really doesn't like complaining. (I need to remember this!) So God sends down fiery snakes down on the people, and the people are bitten (some even die). The people run to Moses and realize they have sinned. Moses turns to God, and God instructs Moses to build a bronze serpent and anyone who is bitten is to look at the snake and live. Hmmmm...interesting...I don't have many thoughts on this chapter...what about you?
Thank you God for giving me a desire to keep reading Your word! (even when it's hard to understand and read sometimes)
-MM
Monday, March 15, 2010
Matthew 26
I haven't blogged in awhile because I caught this horrible virus that seems to be making its rounds. Being a school teacher, it's quite easy to catch every bug that seems to make its way. The funny thing is that since I had been feeling tired and nauseated from the virus, I had many people thinking that I was pregnant. I guess that's something you gotta deal with if you are a woman and married. Yes it does make sense, and I can see how people would assume that, but this is why I hate the word assume. You are rarely right when you use it. So, to answer your question, no, I'm not pregnant, but I plan to be one day though. :)
I must admit, that I am VERY behind on my readings for reading the Bible in a year. I need to do some serious catch up. Anyway, my pastor has been going through the book of Matthew for quite some time now, and this past weekends message was on part of Matthew 26. I learned a few nice little tid-bits that I'd like to share with you. I encourage you to read the chapter, for I will only talk about a couple of things.
This part of the chapter is starting to lead up to Jesus's death. It is actually the day before those events happen. At this time of the year, the Jew's are about to celebrate the passover. The Jew's celebrate the passover every year to represent God saving them specifically from the Egyptians from turning them into slaves. - check out the Old Testament for those details. God commanded that every family kill a lamb and smear the blood on the doorposts, and that God would passover these houses and spare the death of their firstborn. Also that night, the family was instructed to eat, for they would be freed late that night. The meal was to consist of the lamb that was slain and unleavened bread (for there was no time for the yeast to rise). So back to Matthew, Jesus is celebrating the passover with his disciples (actually the day before the actual passover date). verses 17-29: Jesus is having unleavened bread and wine with his disciples (notice, no lamb!). There were actually 4 cups of wine present to represent the 4 different promises that God has made, Jesus picks up the 3rd cup which represented God saving His people and says, "Drink of it, all of you. for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Wow. Jesus is already telling the disciples, look, my blood is going to save you! Also, remember that there was no lamb served at the meal? The next day (actual passover day), the ultimate lamb will be slain for all, Jesus!
Wow. I love these little connections. The book of Matthew has been awesome! One extra tid-bit, Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus v. 14. Why did he do it? Well, he might have known that Jesus was the Messiah, but it wasn't in his heart. Look at v. 25, Judas addresses Jesus as Rabbi, and not Lord. Also, Judas sold Jesus out for only a months worth of wadges, when a poor woman poured an entire bottle of the purest of oils worth a years wadges. (v. 6-16)
Looking forward in learning more! I'm developing a new "awe" in the way that Jesus lived. Amazing...
I must admit, that I am VERY behind on my readings for reading the Bible in a year. I need to do some serious catch up. Anyway, my pastor has been going through the book of Matthew for quite some time now, and this past weekends message was on part of Matthew 26. I learned a few nice little tid-bits that I'd like to share with you. I encourage you to read the chapter, for I will only talk about a couple of things.
This part of the chapter is starting to lead up to Jesus's death. It is actually the day before those events happen. At this time of the year, the Jew's are about to celebrate the passover. The Jew's celebrate the passover every year to represent God saving them specifically from the Egyptians from turning them into slaves. - check out the Old Testament for those details. God commanded that every family kill a lamb and smear the blood on the doorposts, and that God would passover these houses and spare the death of their firstborn. Also that night, the family was instructed to eat, for they would be freed late that night. The meal was to consist of the lamb that was slain and unleavened bread (for there was no time for the yeast to rise). So back to Matthew, Jesus is celebrating the passover with his disciples (actually the day before the actual passover date). verses 17-29: Jesus is having unleavened bread and wine with his disciples (notice, no lamb!). There were actually 4 cups of wine present to represent the 4 different promises that God has made, Jesus picks up the 3rd cup which represented God saving His people and says, "Drink of it, all of you. for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Wow. Jesus is already telling the disciples, look, my blood is going to save you! Also, remember that there was no lamb served at the meal? The next day (actual passover day), the ultimate lamb will be slain for all, Jesus!
Wow. I love these little connections. The book of Matthew has been awesome! One extra tid-bit, Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus v. 14. Why did he do it? Well, he might have known that Jesus was the Messiah, but it wasn't in his heart. Look at v. 25, Judas addresses Jesus as Rabbi, and not Lord. Also, Judas sold Jesus out for only a months worth of wadges, when a poor woman poured an entire bottle of the purest of oils worth a years wadges. (v. 6-16)
Looking forward in learning more! I'm developing a new "awe" in the way that Jesus lived. Amazing...
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