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I am going to work smarter, not harder, to make this post. I am providing a link to the blog post of my friend, a pastor in Northern New Jersey. The teaching in this post touches on two very important points: the relationship between Jesus and the law, and how are transgender people faithful to the way God created us. In particular, it addresses how transgender children respond to the messages they receive that would have them conform to the way the world sees them on the outside rather than who they are on the inside.
I have only one note to add. The pastor refers to how the word “Jews” is used at times in the New Testament. According to my lexicon of Greek words in the New Testament, the Greek word used can refer to either the Jews collectively as a people or the Jewish leaders. It is the same way we might say that America did such and such, meaning the U.S. government, not the collective American population. Therefore, at times “Jews” will refer to just the Jewish leaders. How it is used can be discerned by the context.
Without further ado, here is the link:
And here is the KJV text of Matthew 23:1-12:
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
God bless,
Lois
