Month: May 2023

Reflection on Matthew 12: 1-14

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Scripture

“For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”

Observation

Jesus and His disciples are walking through the fields on the Sabbath. As they are feeling hungry, some of them break off some heads of grain to eat them.

The Pharisees accuse the disciples of breaking the Law by harvesting on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that David broke the law on one occasion, and the priests break the law by ministering on the Sabbath. He goes on to say that God wants mercy not just sacrifices. The Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.

Jesus goes on to heal a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees start planning how to kill Him.

Application

To say that Jesus is Lord is to acknowledge that he is Lord over all things in our lives.

Jesus is Lord over even our religious ideas about how God should be worshipped.

There is always room to show love to someone, even at the risk of offending legalistic religious people .

We can sway between extremes of always ignoring needs that take us away from church or home group, or always looking for opportunities to skip church in favour of “doing good.”

In holding these things together, we really do acknowledge the lordship of Christ.

Prayer

Please help me Lord to always be faithful to you in every part of my life. Amen.

The Perfectly Round Electron Threatens The Big Bang Theory

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#f6f6f6;color: ;font-family: sans-serif">Real particle physics refutes big bang dogma

© Sakkmesterke | Dreamstime.combig-bang
Big bang artist impression.

by Jonathan Sarfati

Some very fine experiments have measured the roundness of the electron with exquisite sensitivity.1 For comparison, “if an electron were the size of Earth, they could detect a bump on the North Pole the height of a single sugar molecule.”2

The experiment showed “The electron is rounder than that.”1 But this result in real operational science has disappointed advocates of the historical scientific theory of the big bang. Why?

#f6f6f6;color: ;font-family: sans-serif">Big bang vs particle physics

The big bang is the leading naturalistic cosmogony (Greek: ‘birth of the universe’). It basically states that energy appeared from nothing and turned into matter, as per Einstein’s most famous formula, E = mc2.

However, The Standard Model of particle physics, among the best-attested theories in all science, throws up severe problems. In particular, any conversion of energy into matter must produce an equal amount of antimatter. Antimatter comprises antiparticles of the same mass but opposite charge (if the particle is charged) and magnetic moment as the corresponding matter particle. When an antiparticle meets its corresponding particle, both are quickly annihilated with a huge release of energy, again as per E = mc2. That is, antielectron (positron) with electron, antiproton with proton, antineutron with neutron, etc.

The problem for the big bang is that the universe comprises overwhelmingly matter, with hardly any antimatter except for fleeting moments. As the article says:

For one thing, our mere existence is proof that the Standard Model is incomplete since, according to the theory, the Big Bang should have produced equal parts matter and antimatter that would have annihilated each other.2

But notice the logical fallacy known as begging the question (Latin: petition principii)! That is, any argument where the conclusion to be proved is presupposed (‘begged’) in one of the premises.3 In particular, although real operational science overwhelmingly supports the Standard Model, there must be something wrong with it because it means that the Big Bang would not work. How do we know that the big bang is true? Because we are here, and we got here from the big bang. This question-begging arises from previous question-begging: that we arose by naturalistic means—no Creator necessary.

Because of this question-begging a priori commitment to naturalism (only ‘nature’ exists), evolutionary cosmologists have been trying to find loopholes in the Standard Model. In particular, any asymmetry that could explain why much more matter than antimatter was produced in the big bang.

 

Read the full article here

Road Lines And U-Turns

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A few months ago the Shire Council did some resealing work along our street. The newly applied asphalt covered the line markings, so a few weeks later, the contractors came along and applied the appropriate lines.


This was all very well, except the line markers made a mistake. They extended a double line by a few metres to make it join up with a traffic island.


The gap in the lines had been there ever since we moved into the house 25 years ago. It provided a handy place to do a U-turn to get to our driveway. You might be thinking, “They could just drive a bit further”, and you would be right. Except that it is actually more dangerous to do a U-turn where the lines end.


Transport NSW told us that the gap should be there, as the correct line markings are in the NSW Government Gazette and have the force of the law.


So, as I understand it, the double lines are actually there illegally. If I get caught crossing these illegal lines would I be fined?


Many religions and philosophies are based on rules. Do this and God will be happy; do that and God will be unhappy with you.

The trouble with laws (apart form the fact that they can become self-contradictory) is that they tell you what to do, make no attempt to help you, and then condemn you when you fail.


In contrast, Jesus comes to us with grace and love. Love motivates us to do the right thing because we want to, it empowers us to life right, and it forgives us when we fall.


The invitation of Jesus is this: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).


If you are frustrated by trying to be good, connect yourself to Jesus who brings love not law.

Reflection on Matthew 11: 20-30

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Scripture

“My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

Observation

Jesus denounces the towns where He worked many miracles, but people have not repented of their sins. Places such as Sodom would have repented of their sins, but the people of Caesarea, Chorazin, and Bethsaida did not. Therefore, these people will be judged, and they will not see God’s Kingdom.

Jesus prays, thanking God that He has hidden the way of salvation from those who think they are clever, but revealed it to the humble people.

Jesus invites people to come to Him who are weary or heavily burdened. We should take up His yoke and His burden, for they are easy to bear.

Application

Jesus gives us a way of living for God that is free of the burden of law. Every religion is based on rules and regulations. We must do certain things to please God and avoid other things that make God angry.

The problem with the law is that it tells you what to do and then condemns you when you fail. But the grace of God encourages you to do what is right, empowers you to do it, and forgives you when you fail.

This is the burden of Christ. This is the yoke that is easy to bear.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you for your for your easy yoke and light burden.You have placed in me a desire to please you because of your love and not from fear. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 11: 11-19

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Scripture

“From the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.”

Observation

Jesus says that John the Baptist was the greatest person that ever lived, but the least person in God’s Kingdom is greater than him. The Kingdom of Heaven is advancing forcefully, but violent people are trying to attack it.

John is the Elijah foretold by the prophets. The people rejected John’s message because he did not engage in eating and drinking. But the same people criticise Jesus, accusing Him of being a glutton and a drunkard.

Application

The Kingdom of Heaven is forcefully advancing, and forceful people are laying hold of it.

There are two ways of interpreting the Greek of this verse .

The translators of the New Living Translation have opted for the negative interpretation that violent people are attacking the Kingdom in its inexorable growth, trying to stop it.

Another interpretation is that violent or forceful people can gain entrance into the Kingdom by being bold.

The truth is that both versions are true. Wherever the gospel has been preached, people have tried to destroy God’s work. This is sometimes through violence and persecution, and at other times through undermining and ridicule. But the Kingdom of God advances to every part of the world.

Opposition to those who believe in Jesus is inevitable. They crucified Jesus, so why would His disciples expect any other response?

The Kingdom of God is growing everywhere. The followers of Jesus are, as people say, on the right side of history.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the knowledge that your Kingdom is advancing, that more and more people are following you. Amen.