Scripture Nugget 2.4.2017
Scripture Read Matthew 11-13
Nugget Matthew 12:25, 30
“He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. …. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’”
Devotional thought: Another opportunity to assess my/our relationship with God. We are created by God in God’s image to participate in and be relational beings. “Being in right relationship with God, the world, others, and oneself is not only the will of God but also the essence of holiness.” (Wesleyan Core Term, Humanity, pg 1177, Wesley Study Bible) Am I “all in” as some say in games of chance. Or am I withholding a part of myself? This line, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” jumped off the page this morning. So many fall away, distracted by other interests. In Acts 1 we read the story of Matthias, the one prayerfully chosen to replace Judas. “‘Let another take his position of overseer.’ So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection. … And they casts lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:20d-22, 26) And we never hear anything else about Matthias. How often do we allow this to happen in our local congregations? Within our circle of friends? Yesterday a man who was a few years behind me in High School, took his own life. Successful business man, husband, father, gifted athlete who played college and pro football. He and older brother were my friends, back in the day. Hadn’t seen either one in years, though ate at Benny’s restaurant in August 2015. What separated him so totally that he made this decision? Take a moment, reach out to someone who hasn’t gathered in a while, keep another from becoming permanently scattered.