Ex. 1:8-2:10,after the babies and the bravery of 2 women shiphrah and puah (perhaps beautiful and splendid) and the compassion of the daughter of Pharaoh-Great Power has great fear.Here the Bible shows again that the seemingly little people have large virtues of courage and cunning.can wisdom ever be found from fear?clash of political and divine wisdom-ruthless tasks of brick and mortar-Nile is the lifegiver-to be an instrument of death-moses is in a little ark-Mose son of but in Hebrew play on draw out.sister saves him-compassion emboldens-so not toal enemy-All women here are moved by compassion. Three of them would be little people forgotten by history.
Rom. 12:1-8, shively language and ideas from verses 1-2 repeat, suggesting that Paul continues the themes. Paul says to be transformed by the renewal of their mind; now they are to use that new mind to think rightly about themselves and each other: “I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment … ”(verse 3). Paul calls for a new way of thinking that takes account of others. Also, Paul tells his audience to present their bodies in 12:1; he now reminds them that they are one body in Christ with many members (verse 4).What we do, and say, and think is always a prayer in Paul’s view, always communicating with God.What are we willing to offer ourselves for, other than young people in wartime. It is much easier to tell others to make a sacrifice.This unearths one reason for the dissatisfaction with Christian ethics.
Paul describes a representative list of gifts that builds up the body of Christ (the church) based on the presentation of the living bodies of offering.All of the virtues are ones that put down mere preference of the individual as the rule for others. The actions of unity, humility, and love described in verses 3-8 are examples of what it looks like to offer your bodies as a living holy sacrifice,” or, in terms of verse 2, results of the renewed mind and examples of the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. As believers use their gifts for the sake of others, they are to act according to the “measure of faith” that God has given to each one.
Mt. 16:13-20-keys-what is permissible and impermissible-we declare t who jesu sis by our words and our deeds. After all we represent Christ in the world ; we are ambassadors of christ. -who do you say that i am-They had seen crosses and knew how life-crushing they were. For them, the thought of carrying a cross was a life and death matter. In the end, many of them did die because they followed the Messiah. For us, to bear a cross is a metaphorical idea. No one really expects to die in the process. But, even to deny ourselves seems too much to ask. We aren't much good at that either.: If we follow Jesus, we will be called to bear certain crosses and lose hold of our lifestyle, if not our life. God's power is revealed not in walks through the porticos of power, but through the dusty alleys of weakness and misery. That is where Jesus walked. That is where he leads us to walk. That is where he strengthens us to bear the burdens of discipleship. It is his burden we take upon our shoulders. It is his strength that bears the weight.
Christ works through us. Without him, Peter was no rock.. With him, Peter represents the church.WP, Gorman)
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