Partakers Christian Podcasts

Psalm On Demand - Psalms 31 to 35

Psalm 31 to Psalm 35

Often we hear the Psalms one by one, but today we offer you the chance to hear a group of Psalms read as a collection!

Psalm 31

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
as for me, I trust in the LORD.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.
9 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and body with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
and my bones grow weak.
11 Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.
17 Let me not be put to shame, LORD,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
19 How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.
21 Praise be to the LORD,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
22 In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.
23 Love the LORD, all his faithful people!
The LORD preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.

1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 34

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 35

Of David.

1 Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to me, “I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22 LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm On Demand - Psalms 26 to 30

Psalm 26 to Psalm 30

Often we hear the Psalms one by one, but today we offer you the chance to hear a group of Psalms read as a collection!

Psalm 26

A Prayer for Divine Scrutiny and Redemption
A Psalm of David.

1 Vindicate me, O LORD,
For I have walked in my integrity.
I have also trusted in the LORD;
I shall not slip.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.
4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,
Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence;
So I will go about Your altar, O LORD,
7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And tell of all Your wondrous works.
8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house,
And the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not gather my soul with sinners,
Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 In whose hands is a sinister scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;
Redeem me and be merciful to me.
12 My foot stands in an even place;
In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

Psalm 27

An Exuberant Declaration of Faith
A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 28

Rejoicing in Answered Prayer
A Psalm of David.

1 To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
3 Do not take me away with the wicked
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
But evil is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to them what they deserve.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD,
Nor the operation of His hands,
He shall destroy them
And not build them up.
6 Blessed be the LORD,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
8 The LORD is their strength,
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
9 Save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also,
And bear them up forever.

Psalm 29

Praise to God in His Holiness and Majesty
A Psalm of David.

1 Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The LORD is over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars,
Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the LORD sits as King forever.
11 The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 30

The Blessedness of Answered Prayer
A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the house of David.

1 I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried out to You,
And You healed me.
3 O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
6 Now in my prosperity I said,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
8 I cried out to You, O LORD;
And to the LORD I made supplication:
9 “What profit is there in my blood,
When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it declare Your truth?
10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me;
LORD, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

 

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 138

Psalm 138

(as read by Miranda)

 

138:1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart.

Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.

138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple,

and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth;

for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

138:3 In the day that I called, you answered me.

You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

138:4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh,

for they have heard the words of your mouth.

138:5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh;

for great is Yahweh’s glory.

138:6 For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly;

but the proud, he knows from afar.

138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me.

You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies.

Your right hand will save me.

138:8 Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me;

your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever.

Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this Psalm as a MP3 file

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 124

Psalm 124

 

A Song of Ascents. By David.

124:1 If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say,

124:2 if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us;

124:3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;

124:4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul;

124:5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.

124:6 Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.

124:7 Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped.

124:8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this Psalm as a MP3 file

Psalm On Demand - Psalms 126 to 130

Psalm 126 to Psalm 130

Often we hear the Psalms one by one, but today we offer you the chance to hear a group of Psalms read as a collection!

 

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 126

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
‘The LORD has done great things for them.’
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 127

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 128

1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labour;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots round your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD.
5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children – peace be on Israel.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 129

1 ‘They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,’ let Israel say;
2 ‘they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Ploughmen have ploughed my back and made their furrows long.
4 But the LORD is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.’
5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
‘The blessing of the LORD be on you;
we bless you in the name of the LORD.’

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 57

Psalm 57

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.”

A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

57:1 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you.
Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
57:3 He will send from heaven, and save me,
he rebukes the one who is pursuing me.

Selah.

God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.

57:4 My soul is among lions.
I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
57:5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be above all the earth!
57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down.
They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves.

Selah.

57:7 My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast.
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
57:8 Wake up, my glory!
Wake up, psaltery and harp!
I will wake up the dawn.
57:9 I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples.
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
57:10 For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.
57:11 Be exalted, God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.

Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3.

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 13

Psalm 13

13:1 How long, Yahweh?

Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

~

13:2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,

having sorrow in my heart every day?

How long shall my enemy triumph over me?

~

13:3 Behold, and answer me, Yahweh, my God.

Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;

~

13:4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”;

Lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.

~

13:5 But I trust in your loving kindness.

My heart rejoices in your salvation.

~

13:6 I will sing to Yahweh,

because he has been good to me.

Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file

 

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 51

Psalm 51

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51:1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
51:3 For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
51:4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.
51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.
51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
51:11 Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.
51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.
51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
51:15 Lord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise.
51:16 For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
51:18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
51:19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3.

Jesus - A Glimpse Of God Part 11

 

 11. Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners

Mark 2:13-17 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi (Matthew) son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

At the start of this chapter, Mark 2, we see Jesus’ proclaiming that he is able to forgive sins – much to the consternation of some members of the religious establishment who accused Jesus of blasphemy as only God can forgive sins! Jesus here cured a man’s soul as well as healing his physical ailment. Jesus calls himself there, the Son of Man – meaning that while he is fully God, he is also fully human!

This Jesus, the Son of Man, in this passage is walking out around the lake. He sees a tax collector sitting in his booth waiting to collect taxes from people. Jesus calls to him to leave his business and follow him! At which Levi, who we know as Matthew (the writer of the Gospel with the same name), promptly does so. Again much to the indignation of the religious zealots, because tax collectors were despised. They were despised not just for co-operating with the gentile Romans but also because they usually collected more than they were legally allowed to, and kept the excess for themselves.

That Jesus chose one of these people to be his disciple or follower was an amazing thing to do! Most people chose followers who didn’t have a hint of scandal about them, certainly not a tax collector! But not Jesus – he chose people to follow him including those who were scandalous and down-trodden. This shows the inordinate grace and wisdom of Jesus. Grace which calls such a sinful person as Matthew and a wisdom to call a man who spoke both Greek and Aramaic as Matthew did. He knew they could be transformed by the work of God!

As he started to follow Jesus, Matthew left everything behind to serve Jesus. Matthew didn’t choose Jesus – Jesus chose him! WOW! Jesus appealed to Matthew to follow him but did not force him. Jesus loved Matthew. Love can be compelling and appealing but love never forces against the will. Jesus will compel you to follow and obey, but He will never force you to do something against your own will. In response to the indignation of the religious establishment, Jesus states clearly that his mission is to call those who acknowledge their sinfulness – unlike those of the religious establishment who were hypocrites. In Matthew’s account of this story Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 “I desire mercy, not sacrifice!” The religious establishment including the Pharisees were mainly devoid of mercy, yet kept the law and its sacrifices obediently. Such people as tax collectors where shunned by the Pharisees. Yet Jesus, the Son of Man, embraced such people and called upon them to leave their sinful life behind. Jesus forgave Matthew of his sins and reached out to him with love – just as Jesus still does today.

I am a follower of Jesus. I have been now for almost 40 years and He has never failed me. Even when I have failed him! Are you following this Jesus? He is calling you to follow Him out of his love for you. His love compels you, but He won’t force you to follow, as that would not be love. Jesus leaves the choice with you. Follow or not!

Come back tomorrow for Day 12 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We will see together, Jesus teaching something new to one of the teachers of the Law! See you soon!

Right Mouse click or tap here to save this as an audio mp3 file

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 49

Psalm 49

(as read by Anne A)

Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

49:1 Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,

49:2 both low and high, rich and poor together.

49:3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.

49:4 I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.

49:5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

49:6 Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches—

49:7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.

49:8 For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough,

49:9 That he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.

49:10 For he sees that wise men die;

likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.

49:11 Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever,

and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.

49:12 But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure. He is like the animals that perish.

49:13 This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings.

Selah.

49:14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd.

The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning.

Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion.

49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.

Selah.

49:16 Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased.

49:17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him.

49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul— and men praise you when you do well for yourself—

49:19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.

49:20 A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.

Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3.