Many Christian churches have condemned divorce in the name of Jesus based on Matthew 5:31-32. Some traditions do not even allow remarriage in their churches. What did Jesus mean by those two verses? Have we let our religious passion override the compassion for the people, whom Jesus cares about and loves, in His name?

In “The Parable of the Good Samaritan,” a priest and a Temple assistant chose religious laws and rules over compassion. A good Samaritan lived out compassion. What did Jesus say? What can override compassion?

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” Does it sound familiar? Yes, Jesus said it to His disciples at His Table. Then, what does He want us to remember at His Table? We are going to listen to what the Bible has to say about it through the story of “Feeding the Four Thousand” in Mark 8:1-8.

Are we Christians worshiping the God of compassion or our own interests? What are you doing with the Greatest Commandment of Jesus Christ?

God tells us to love one another regardless of our differences like gender, different skin colors, ethnicity, age, sexual orientations, socio-economic or family background, and mental or physical ability… you name it. However, are you refusing God’s will in the name of God because of yourself-righteousness or religious zeal? What does the Bible say about it?

What makes you a Christian? What makes St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church a Christian church? Who is at the center of your personal life and church life?