Good Measure, Pressed Down, Shaken Together and Running Over - PART 647

Jesus lifted up His eyes and said to His disciples, "Blessed be ye poor for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men hate you and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the Son of man's sake -- rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." (Luke 6:20-26)

Jesus then offered a counter to the above. He said, "Woe unto you that are rich, for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

It would appear that the former contradicts the latter and the latter the former. But then Jesus said, "I say unto you which hear, "Love your enemies; do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smitteth thee on the one cheek, offer the other and him that takes away thy cloke, forbid not to take thy coat also. Indeed, give to every man that asks of thee and of him that takes away thy goods and ask them not again."

Indeed, Jesus said, "As ye would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise. For if you love them which love you, what thanks have you? For sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thanks have you? For sinners also do even the same. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks have you? For sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks have you? For sinners also lend to sinners to receive as much again."

But instead, Jesus encouraged, "Love your enemies and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest [sons and daughters of our Most High King Jesus] for He is kind unto the un-thankful and to the evil."

Remember, even before we knew we were sinners, Jesus loved us. He willingly shed His precious blood so that we could be free in His mercy. His grace. His love. Living the life that our Lord God and Saviour intended for us from the beginning.

Therefore be merciful in your comings and goings -- as your Father also is merciful. Judge not so that ye shall not be judged. Condemn not and forgive so that ye shall be forgiven. Indeed, as Jesus said, "Give and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom." His promise to those who love Him.  For with the same measure that you met withal, it shall be measured to you.

Jesus went on to share a parable of significance with His disciples so that they could understand the underlying message. Jesus asked, "Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above His Master. And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye but perceive not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, "Brother, let me pull out the emote that is in your eye when thou thyself behold not the beam that is in thine own eye,""

Jesus continued, saying, "Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. For a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit, neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes."

In other words, a good man out of the treasure of his or her heart brings forth that which is good.

"Why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever comes to me and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you to whom he is like. He is like a man which built an house and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house and could not shake it." Why? Because that house was founded upon a rock.

But he that hears and does not is like a man that without a foundation, built an house upon the earth, against which the stream did beat vehemently and immediately it fell down and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:20-49)

Therefore, trust in the Rock of Salvation. It is He -- Jesus -- who shed His precious holy spirit blood on the cross so that you and I could rest in His resting place. Then give of yourself so that it shall be given unto you -- "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over" -- and  then "shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal, it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38) Stand in the offering plate.