Jesús cumplió el papel del ‘Siervo Sufriente’ descrito en el Libro de Isaías. A diferencia de Adán, él no trató de captar la “semejanza de Dios.” En cambio, se humilló a sí mismo y se sometió a una muerte vergonzosa en la cruz romana. Por esta razón, Dios lo exaltó altamente y lo hizo “Señor” sobre todas las cosas. Su exaltación no precedió a su muerte, su entronización la siguió.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Carrying His Cross
Retaliation and violence are never appropriate reactions to persecution by the disciples of Jesus. Rather than respond in kind, they must meet threats and assaults with humility, mercy, and forgiveness. Doing so is what it means to “deny yourself,” “take up his cross,” and follow him. We fulfill the “Law and Prophets” and become “perfect as our Heavenly Father” by doing good to our “enemies.”
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Perfected Disciples
Jesus summons us to become “perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect,” yet how can we emulate the perfect righteousness of God? His explanation is clear – By performing acts of mercy for others, especially our enemies. Self-sacrificial love is the heart of the Gospel and the essential nature of the merciful God. Was Jesus not the Messiah who submitted to an unjust death on our behalf when we were yet the “enemies of God”?
Дэлхийн гэрэл
Амьдрал нь “үг” эсвэл ‘logos’ - д байдаг, Энэ нь “хүмүүний гэрэл” юм. энэ нь “харанхуйд гэрэлтэж” байгаа бөгөөд харанхуй нь гэрлийг дарж чадахгүй. Энэ “үг” нь “махан бие” болж, Бурханы амьд Үг Назарын Есүст илэрхийлэгджээ.
"Rejoice and Exult!"
Persecution is always a possibility for the followers of Jesus and his Church. We may face hostility from employers, neighbors, government, and family members because of our beliefs and practices. So, how should we react when the possibility becomes a brutal reality? Jesus and the Apostles provided clear instructions and examples of how the Church must respond when faced with persecution.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Mercy and Enemies
The reality of persecution raises important questions. How should disciples of Jesus react, especially when persecuted by the State? Is resorting to anger or acts of civil disobedience appropriate, or should they instead emulate examples from the life of Christ? In his teachings, he warned all men who decided to follow him to expect “tribulation,” and he summoned them to follow his path (“If they persecuted me, so they will persecute you”).
Rescate por Muchos
Después de predecir su muerte, dos discípulos comenzaron a competir por puestos de alto estatus en su Reino venidero. Pensando de acuerdo con los caminos de este mundo, no entendieron qué tipo de Mesías era Jesús (y sigue siendo) y, por lo tanto, qué significaba seguirlo “a donde quiera que vaya.” Sin embargo, en Jerusalén, demostraría cómo se logra la “Grandeza” en el Reino de Dios.