Текст книги "JESUS CHRIST. 100 and 1 quotes"

JESUS CHRIST
100 AND 1 QUOTES

“100 and 1 quotes”

series

Compiled by

S. Ilichev

[битая ссылка] [email protected]

JESUS CHRIST

(approx. 0 A.D. – 33 A.D.)

Traditionally, telling about a person, we say when he was born, how he lived, what he was, and when he died. And suddenly there is someone, about whose coming into the world in the Jewish town of Nazareth a pious virgin named Mary was told by none other, but the angels of heaven, and subsequently Her immaculate conception comes from God the Father, a fact, that itself causes a lot of questions and disputes to this day. Further life of the man, called Jesus was full of incredible wonders and amazing events, resulting in confusion of devout Jewish people, who for centuries had lived in expectation of the Messiah.

More… not accepting Him, not believing His Divine essence, the same people doom him to a martyr’s death on the cross. And when at the time of his death the heaven opens, rocks are crumbling and the dead are rising from their graves, the Jewish people are wondering in awe:

– Lord, Whom have we condemned to be crucified?

And then happens something absolutely incredible… on the third day of his death, Jesus Christ was resurrected and appeared to His disciples. His resurrection becomes a stated fact that excites the inquisitive minds of all mankind to this day, and which is no longer possible to gloss over.

So who is He?

What has He brought to our world, steeped in adultery and sins?

What has He taught to this day in all languages of the world?

Moreover, his followers – Christians, claim of His soon Second Coming. And despite the fact that Orthodox Judaism to this day acknowledge Him neither as the Messiah nor as the prophet. For them He is just another great person. Islam is ready to acknowledge Him as one of the prophets, but… previous to Mohammed, however, which brought the Holy Scriptures to the world.

We will not argue with anyone and try to prove anything. To understand who He really is, everyone of us has accept Him in his heart first of all. And this modest book can help it, offering you some of His quotes, commandments and parables..

THE MAIN EVENTS OF JESUS CHRIST’S LIFE

747–749 from the founding of Rome, about 7 or 5 years before the beginning of the currently accepted chronology

Archangel Gabriel announces Mary that she will be the Mother of the Lord (Lk. 2:1–3) – Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth (Ib. 1:39–55) – The return to Nazareth (Ib. 1:56) – The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem (Mt. 1:18–25) – the Shepherds of Bethlehem come to the manger with the Child (Lk. 2:8–20) – The Magi who came to give a bow to Jesus (Mt. 2:1–12) – The Flight of St. family into Egypt and the Massacre of the innocents (Ib. 2:13–15).

In the year 752 from the foundation of Rome, 3 years before currently accepted chronology

The return from Egypt to Nazareth (Mt. 2:19–23) – The Circumcision of Jesus and presentation in the temple (Lk. 2:21–24) – Simon the Elder and the Prophetess Anna (Ib. 2:25–38) – The adolescence of Jesus (Lk. 2:40–52).

7 A.D. in conventional chronology

The event in the twelfth year of life: Jesus and his family undertake a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at Easter (760 or 762 A.D.) – the famous Jewish teachers and elders hang on words of the young Jesus on the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem (Lk. 2:42–49).

26–27 A.D.

The appearance of John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan (Mk. 1:2–8) – St. John bearing witness of Jesus (Jn. 1:15–28) – The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan (Mk. 1:9–11) – The Temptation of Jesus in the desert (Lk. 4:1–13) – The first Calling of the Apostles Andrew and John, Simon and Philip (Jn. 1:35–51) – The Return to Galilee; Marriage at Cana (Ib. 2:1–11) – A short stay in Capernaum (Ib. 2:12)

28 A.D.

The first Easter during the public ministry of Jesus (Jn. 2:13) – Expulsion of merchants from the temple (Ib. 2:14–18) – The prophecies and miracles (Ib. 2:19–25) – a conversation with Nicodemus (Ib. 3:1–21) – the preaching of Gospel in the Judean countryside (Ib. 3:22–24) – Argument between John’s disciples and the Jews about purification (Ib. 3:25) – The last testimony of John the Baptist on Jesus (Ib. 3:25) – Return to Galilee through Samaria (Ib. 4:1–6) – Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (Ib. 4:7–42) – The Caen: a courtier of Herod Antipas comes from Capernaum asking Jesus to heal his son (Ib. 4:43–54) – the second Journey to Jerusalem at the Feast of Purim (Ib. 5:1) – Healing of the paralytic at Bethesda font (Ib. 5:2–17) – Jesus confirms His equality with God the Father (Ib. 5:17–32).

29 A.D.

The arrest of John the Baptist (Mt. 4:12) – Jesus withdraw to Galilee (Mk. 4:14) – Jesus in Nazareth synagogue (Ib. 4:14) – expelled from Nazareth, Jesus heads for Capernaum (Mt. 4:13–17) – The Call of Peter, Andrew, James and John, on the banks of a lake; wonderful fishing (Lk. 5:1–11) – The arrival in Capernaum; Healing a demon-possessed man in a synagogue (Mk. 1:23–28) – Healing Peter’s mother-in-law (Mt. 8:14–17) – The apostolic journey around the suburbs of Capernaum (Mk. 1:29–37) – Cleansing the leper (Ib. 1:40–45) – The Return to Capernaum (Ib. 2:1) – Healing a paralyzed whom Jesus forgives sins to the great indignation of the Pharisees (Ib. 2:2–12) – The Calling of Matthew the tax collector, who hosts a supper for Jesus (Ib. 2:14–15) – The hostile attitude of the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist to Jesus and his disciples at Mathew’s supper, the publican (Ib. 2:16–28) – The Raising of the daughter of Jairus, the healing of the Bleeding woman, two blinds and a dumb (Ib. 2:22–43) – Resentment of the Pharisees against the disciples of Jesus, gathering the ears on Sabbath (Mt. 7:1–8) – Jesus heals a man with a withered hand (Ib. 7:9 21) – The Calling of the Twelve (Mk. 3:7–19).

Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5–7) – Jesus returns to Capernaum and heals the servant of the centurion (Lk. 7:1–10) – On Nain he raises a son of a widow (Ib. 7:11–17) – The supper in the house of Simon and the Sinner woman at the feet of Jesus (Lk. 7:36–50) – Preaching the Gospel to the people in Galilee and the parable of the kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 8:1–53) – Jesus calms the Storm (Ib. 8:18–27) – demon-obsessed in the country of the Gadarenes (Ib. 8:28–34) – Instruction and Empowering of the twelve apostles (Ib. 10:1–42) – The death of John the Baptist (Ib. 14:1–12).

Return of the Twelve Apostles in Capernaum (Mt. 14:13) – The miraculous multiplication of the loaves in the desert (Ib. 14:14–23) – The Storm at Sea (Ib. 14:23–36) – Jesus curses Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum (Ib. 11:20–23) – Jesus gives thanks to the Heavenly Father, and calls all the grieving and suffering (Ib. 11:23–30) – Jesus and the woman of Canaan (Mt. 15:22–28) – A new miraculous multiplication of the loaves (Ib. 15:29–39) – Jesus crosses the lake, leading his disciples to Bethsaida, and warning them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Ib. 16:6–12) – Peter confesses that Jesus is the Son of God (Mk. 8:27–30) – Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor (Ib. 9:1–7) – Healing the demoniac (Ib. 9:14–28) – Jesus predicts His death on the cross (Ib. 9:30–32) – Returning to Capernaum, the payment of taxes (Mt. 17:24–25) – Jesus’ disciples bickering about the priority in the kingdom of God (Ib. 18:1–35) – Removal from Galilee to Jerusalem (Jn. 9:46–50) – The Samaritans refuse hospitality to the disciples of Jesus (Lk. 9:51–56) – Jesus talks with a lawman about eternal life (Ib. 10:25–37)

The arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (Jn. 7:13–14) – Jesus teaches about his messianic vocation in a temple (Ib. 7:15–31) – The proclamation of Jesus to the people (Ib. 7:32–39) – Jesus and a woman caught in adultery (Ib. 8:1–11) – Healing a man born blind (Ib. 9:1–14) – the return of the 70 disciples (Lk. 10:17–24) – The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Lk. 14:7–24) – The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Ib. 15:11–32) – the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Ib. 16:1–13) – Lazarus the beggar (Ib. 16:19–31) – Instructing disciples on vigilance, fortitude, humility, faith, and humility (Ib. 17:1–10) – The Raising of Lazarus (Jn. 11, 1–46) – Meeting ten lepers (Lk. 17:12–19) – The Parable of the Unjust Judge (Ib. 18:1–8) – the Pharisee and the Publocian. The lessons of humility (Ib. 18:9–14) – Jesus in the house of Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:1–10).

30 A.D.

The great and the last week

The solemn entry into Jerusalem (Mt. 26:1–11) – Jesus mourns the fate of Jerusalem and predicts its destruction (Lk. 19:41–44) – The curse of the fig tree (Mk. 11:12–14) – Jesus expels the merchants from the temple for the second time (Mk. 11:15–19) – the Parable of the Two Sons (Mt. 21:28–32) – the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Ib. 21, 33–44) – the devious question of the Pharisees of giving tribute to Caesar (Lk. 20:20–26) – widow’s mite (Ib. 21:1–4) – Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mt. 25:1–13) – the Last Supper (Ib. 26:21–30).

Prayer and near-death suffering of Jesus (Mt. 26:36–46) – The treacherous kiss of Judas and Jesus’ arrest (Ib. 26:47–56) – The interrogation of Jesus by the High Priest Caiaphas and three times Peter’s denial (Ib. 26:57–75) – Jesus calls himself the Son of God (Ib. 27:1) – Judas returns 30 pieces of silver and hangs himself in despair (Ib. 27:3–10) – Jesus is brought to the Pilate’s judgment; questioning and condemnation of Jesus (Ib. 27:11–31) – The Way to Calvary (Ib. 27:31–33) – Jesus is crucified between two thieves (Ib. 27:38) – Jesus calls John a son of St. John. Mary and St. Mary his mother (Jn. 19:25–27) – Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the body of Jesus, gives him the last honors, and buries him in the cave (Mt. 27:55–61) – Saint women go to Calvary, bringing incense and find the coffin empty; The angels announce them that Jesus was resurrected (Jn. 20:1–18) – The chief priests to spread rumors about the abduction of the body of Jesus by His disciples (Mt. 28:11–15) – Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive sins (Jn. 20:19–23) – Jesus leads his disciples to Bethany, to the Mount of Olives. His last words, and ascension to heaven (Lk. 24:50–53).

JESUS CHRIST
100 AND 1 QUOTES

THE FIRST REVELATION

The very first public words of Jesus were spoken by the lad of twelve on the verge of the Temple in Jerusalem. And even though they are not of explicitly aphoristic nature, with them we begin to cite the main sayings, commandments and parables of Jesus Christ. It is important that for the first time in these words, Jesus Himself lifts to us the veil of his future Messianic mission.

1. “Why were you searching for me?” He asked: “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Lk. 2:49)

THE BAPTIZING OF JESUS

When Jesus humbly doused into the waters of the Jordan, he only obeyed the rite established by John the Baptist.

As we know, the “baptizm” means in translation from Greek “to put into water”, so the word itself defines the following set of actions.

2. “…for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Mt. 3:15)

The importance of this rite is proved also by the fact, that the God Himself claimed that Jesus is His beloved Son at that moment.

Another interesting fact is that in this rite is not “not the removal of dirt from the flesh, – as the Apostle Peter says, but an appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Pet. 3.21). That is, when being baptized, everyone of us voluntarily puts his own cross on his shoulders, and gives a commitment to live according to his conscience and the willingness to bear the cross along with Jesus.

We should also notice that Jesus Christ, performing the rite of baptism, showed all sinners an example of repentance and obedience to the Law, which is still imputed to this day, as a precondition for everyone to be able to enter the kingdom of God.

3. “…truly, I tell you emphatically, unless a person is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Jn. 3:5)

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS BY SATAN

Recalling the meeting of Jesus with Satan, we can understand that the very moment has come for Jesus to face the first and terrible hour of real external struggle not only “against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” still being fearsome for us, whispering about the temptations of sinful pleasures and at the same time wreaking suffering and human disasters in the world.

Jesus’ answers to Satan are concise and plain, but at the same time instructive. Judge by yourselves.

4. “One must not live on bread alone, but on every word coming out of the mouth of God.” (Mt. 4:4)

I hesitate to affirm, but I think that, except Jesus, there is hardly a man on the Earth who has not turned out to be under the power of false idols and heroes of their time throughout his life, and of all that we call evil spirits, lies and cruelty, arrogance and deceit…

The whole history of mankind, proudly wishing to become gods – is it no the history of nations, who have been already conquered by the power of Satan?

However, someone who wants to obey the handsel, should seek it in Christ, and that one, who is eager to defeat the evil, may receive required and desired assistance from Christ. We can fight, as He did, but we must also remember that we can win only by His name.

That is, by worshiping Him, and serving only Him.

5. “Go away, Satan! Because it is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” (Mt. 4:10)

As you know, the spirit of evil couldn’t find a way into the heart of Jesus and went away from him forever. But their personal struggle for our souls has not ended to this day.

FIRST LESSONS OF TRUTH

The words of Jesus were forever ingrained in the memory of his first disciples, as well as the first miracles, presented to them personally. Moreover, they see that everything their teacher touches, acquires a new meaning and a new life in Christ already.

6. “Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, you will see heaven standing open and the angels of God going up and coming down to the Son of Man.” (Jn. 1:51)

7. “Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, whoever hears what I say and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has passed from death to life.” (Jn. 5:24)

These prophetic words of young Jesus did not fit into the concepts of the Jews, who were kept, as they say, on a short leash, by the scribes and Pharisees, that were strongly precipitating the inquiring minds and enslaving religious feelings of their people. People who were being torn by a variety of parties, oppressed by the Romans and discouraged, because, generally speaking, the Jews no longer hoped to see the fulfillment of predictions of their prophets about the appearing of the Messiah.

8. “The light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light because their actions were evil;

Everyone who practices wickedness hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his actions may not be exposed; But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may become evident that his actions have God’s approval.” (Jn. 3:19–21)

And then comes a stranger named Jesus, who dares to say that he is the Lord of the world and there will rule not another king and not even Israel itself, but God himself, and that His mercy will be given to all His creatures. These words evoke worship not only among his disciples, but also among ordinary people. Jesus becomes for them not so much the ideal of holiness and a paragon of virtue, as the good genius, sent them by Providence. And now His word are being passed from mouth to mouth.

9. “As long as I’m in the world, I’m the light of the world.” (Jn. 9:5)

10. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right because that is what I am.” (Jn. 13:13).

ABOUT CHILDREN

Children are a gift of God, and little children – aren’t they a model of humility, purity, innocence and weakness? When young children were brought to Him, Jesus embraced them, laid His hands on them and blessed. Jesus puts children as an example to His disciples. And if children, for one reason or another, are taught to turn away from the teaching of the Savior, what itself is a sin, then, as a result, as they get older, the whole humanity is inevitably affected by metastases of ignorance, cruelty and superstition.

11. “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Mt. 18:4–6)

12. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt. 19:14)

ABOUT THE SOUL

The soul of each of us is valued by Jesus Christ more than the whole world.

Do you want to know the price of a soul? No, it can’t be estimated in gold and jewels from all over the world, and not in everything it has. He Himself and His precious life – that was the price of redemption and salvation for all of us.

13. “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt. 16:26)

And as food is daily required for the life of the body, so the soul daily requires spiritual food, enclosed in every word of God. This is what Jesus is saying, when He appeals to us.

14. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Mt. 6:25–34).

It is believed that the soul of the people consists of a total of individual souls of residents of some country. And if one of them suddenly indurates or gets concerned of covetousness, for example, then the metastasis of one mental illness cover over time the souls of all the people. And that is why Jesus appeals to that Jewish people must first of all beware of everything that could destroy their souls.

15. “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Mt. 10:26–28) .

And as a talisman of the soul Jesus suddenly offers them, and us, by the way, to arm with patience, humility and meekness.

16. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt. 11:29)

17. “By standing firm you will gain life.” (Lk. 21:19)

ABOUT FAITH

Faith… The Church claims that it is the belief in things and invisible phenomena, but exactly with faith comes the fruition of our aspiration, and gaining confidence in that, what was previously invisible. Moreover, with faith, as it turned out, we are able to do miracles.

Remember the Apostle Thomas, who believed in the resurrection of Jesus, only having put a hand to his wounds. But those ones who have not seen but have believed, are even more blessed…

18. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (Jn. 14:12)

19. “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt. 17:20)

Whence has the faith come? From what we have heard! And this hearing comes from the Word of God. If we loose the Word – we’ll loose the faith. Having lost our faith – we will loose not only the meaning, but the life itself. Jesus proofs that in the following words.

20. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk. 1:15)

21. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk. 16:16)

22. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (Jn. 3:36)

However, Jesus was acquainted with the human nature too well. A single glance at the crowd was enough for him to understand its impermanence, momentary anxiety and thirst for entertainment. Truly, this crowd was a toy in hands of crafty teachers. However, knowing this, Jesus still continues to teach Jewish people, chosen by God, more and more lessons of divine truth.

23. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:14–16).

ABOUT PRAYER

Accept the word that Jesus knows our needs and aspirations, and therefore asks us when we are calling upon Him (that is, praying), to do it not with wrath and doubting, without vanity and idle talk, without rancor, but secretly and with constancy, humility and obedience, accepting His will. A prayer is equally efficacious as in the affairs of life as in economic troubles, and most importantly – in the salvation, both our personal and when saving those whom we love and who are dear to us.

24. “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (Jn. 16:23)

25. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Mt. 7:7–8)

26. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on Earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt. 18:19–20)

And more… Prayer in our age of overall unbelief – is not a meditation, fashionable nowadays. This is our personal experience, our personal way of live communication with God, which we feel by ourselves in search of unity with Jesus Christ. But there is also the fact that we are already led by Jesus.

27. “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” (Mt. 6:9–13)

28. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Mt. 6:5–8).

ABOUT FASTING

Fasting, that constantly causes unrest in the minds of Christians, was entrusted to us by the word of the Lord, which was addressed to Joel the Prophet back in the old days, “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD” (Joel. 11:14).

And now another revelation from Isaiah the Prophet: “to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Is. 58:6–7).

So that is the original essence of every feast.

Sometimes fasting is imposed in anticipation of future troubles and natural disasters, more often before family sorrows or before benefactions.

29. “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” (Mt. 9:15)

30. “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Mt. 6:16–18)

All this, to be honest, we have quite forgotten already. We are more concerned about what may be eaten during the feast and what not… So, what does Jesus Christ Himself say about it?

31. “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’” 17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him ‘unclean’? 19 For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods “clean.”) 20 He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ 21 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’” (Mk. 7:14–23).

ABOUT THE SACRIFICE

Ancients said, “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God” (Exodus. 23:19), and the first sacrifice that we know was the sacrifice of Cain and Abel. But God didn’t accept it and then Cain killed his brother Abel in rage… Who does not remember this first universal tragedy?

It is possible that in this regard the following words were spoken by Jesus.

32. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Mt. 5:23–24)

Indeed, all new – it is a well-forgotten old. And today there already are new Cains, not afraid to come to church, even when their hands are blood-stained.

Wash yourself, clear yourself, cease doing harm… and then make your sacrifice, your donation, but give only that, what was acquired righteously, as exhorted in the Holy Tradition. But everyone talks about only one thing: who has donated money and how much? Although it is necessary to ask an absolutely different question, and to start with yourself. What have you personally refused in the name of your sacrifice? For example, you haven’t buy a new car or a bottle of expensive wine, or haven’t spent a night in a nightclub, but you have every time donated an amount equivalent to these costs to the charitable cause, truly propitiating the God.

And now what Jesus Christ tells us about our sacrifice.

33. “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Lk. 21:1–4)

ABOUT PASSIONS AND TEMPTATIONS

Who among us is not subject to passions and weaknesses? Perhaps I am the first in the list of sinners. But do not judge me or anyone by sinful habits, and better think about how not to give your brother or sister in Christ a reason to fall into the sin, how not to tempt them and the Church of God with your deeds.

34. “7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” (Mt. 18:7)

At the time, Mary of Egypt realized all horrors of her dissolute life and walked in the desert, for hundreds of miles away from the temptations, and the Kyiv ascetic St. Iow felt that he was getting weak in his struggle against temptations, and commanded to bury him in the soil to shoulders… The words of Jesus himself might even seem strange to his followers and disciples, and yet He utters them.

35. “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Mt. 5:29–30)

It is clear that everyone has his own way of winning over their own passions and temptations of this world. We only need to remember that it is necessary to cut off sinful thoughts, without waiting for perverse to arise, and not allowing the thorns of sin, that can destroy every good seed, grow inside of us. And then, believe me, there will be no need in throwing one’s eye away…