John the Baptizer
1 When Jesus finished placing this charge before his twelve disciples, he went on to teach and preach in their villages.
2-3 John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples to ask, "Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?" 4-6 Jesus told them, "Go back and tell John what's going on:
The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side.
"Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves most blessed!"
7-10 When John's disciples left to report, Jesus started talking to the crowd about John. "What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A prophet? That's right, a prophet! Probably the best prophet you'll ever hear. He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote, 'I'm sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.'
11-14 "Let me tell you what's going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. For a long time now people have tried to force themselves into God's kingdom. But if you read the books of the Prophets and God's Law closely, you will see them culminate in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom. Looked at in this way, John is the 'Elijah' you've all been expecting to arrive and introduce the Messiah.
15 "Are you listening to me? Really listening?
16-19 "How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, 'We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.' John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called me a lush, a friend of the riffraff. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."
The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
20 Next Jesus let fly on the cities where he had worked the hardest but whose people had responded the least, shrugging their shoulders and going their own way.
21-24 "Doom to you, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had seen half of the powerful miracles you have seen, they would have been on their knees in a minute. At Judgment Day they'll get off easy compared to you. And Capernaum! With all your peacock strutting, you are going to end up in the abyss. If the people of Sodom had had your chances, the city would still be around. At Judgment Day they'll get off easy compared to you."
25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
28-30 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Matthew 11 - All you who are weary
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
The following words and music by Joy Webb have been running through my head since posting Matthew 11. You can hear the music on YouTube (see the link below) ... here are the words:
SHARE MY YOKE
Music and lyrics by Joy Webb
Arranged for brass band by Ivor Bosanko
When I'm tired and nothing's going right for me;
When things I've counted on just do not come my way;
When in my mind the thick grey folds of doubt arise,
It's then I seem to hear him say:
(chorus)
Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you.
Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too!
Share my yoke and come the way that I must go!
In our "togetherness" my peace you'll know;
The world beholding us will see it so!
When I'm perplexed and no one's understanding me;
When even safest thoughts collapse in disarray;
When I've lost the things that always seemed so sure,
It's then I need to hear him say: (repeat chorus)
When I'm alone and nothing's getting through to me;
And isolation that increases day by day;
When closest friends can seem a thousand miles away,
It's then I long to hear him say: (repeat chorus)
© 1987 by Salvationist Publishing & Supplies, Ltd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzpmyORGABY
The following words and music by Joy Webb have been running through my head since posting Matthew 11. You can hear the music on YouTube (see the link below) ... here are the words:
SHARE MY YOKE
Music and lyrics by Joy Webb
Arranged for brass band by Ivor Bosanko
When I'm tired and nothing's going right for me;
When things I've counted on just do not come my way;
When in my mind the thick grey folds of doubt arise,
It's then I seem to hear him say:
(chorus)
Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you.
Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too!
Share my yoke and come the way that I must go!
In our "togetherness" my peace you'll know;
The world beholding us will see it so!
When I'm perplexed and no one's understanding me;
When even safest thoughts collapse in disarray;
When I've lost the things that always seemed so sure,
It's then I need to hear him say: (repeat chorus)
When I'm alone and nothing's getting through to me;
And isolation that increases day by day;
When closest friends can seem a thousand miles away,
It's then I long to hear him say: (repeat chorus)
© 1987 by Salvationist Publishing & Supplies, Ltd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzpmyORGABY
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Matthew 11
Jesus and John the Baptist
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
" 'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.' 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.
16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 " 'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge
and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Woe on Unrepentant Cities
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Rest for the Weary
25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
" 'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.' 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.
16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 " 'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge
and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Woe on Unrepentant Cities
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Rest for the Weary
25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Matthew 10 - Do you have what it takes?
35 "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9)
Matthew 10 seems to begin, truly begin, at the end of Matthew 9. Jesus has compassion on the people. Realizing that as a human He cannot be everywhere at once He enlists some workers to help Him. This made me realize:
God is in need of workers to help Him. He chooses to work through humans.
Chapter 10 begins with Jesus' calling the disciples. He calls 12 from those who have been following Him around, listening to His teaching, watching His miracles. These 12 He sends out into the world renaming them apostles.
There is a difference between a disciple and an apostle.
"The term disciple is derived from the New Testament Greek word "μαθητής" coming to English by way of the Latin discipulus meaning "a learner". Disciple should not be confused with apostle, meaning "messenger, he that is sent". While a disciple is one who learns from a teacher, a student, an apostle is sent to deliver those teachings to others. "
In realizing this I was interested to see what the rest of the chapter said about the mission of an apostle.
The apostles were sent specifically to the Jews. This was Jesus' direction. Matthew's inclusion of this detail really shouts to me of his desire to have his Jewish listeners understand that God had not abandoned them as His special people. He reached out to them first. It's made me wonder ...
Do I have a particular group of people I am an 'apostle' to?
The next few verses of the chapter are insights into what the first apostles were to do and what they could expect.
The apostles were commissioned to heal, raise the dead and drive out demons, cleanse and preach. They were told to find someone in the town who was sympathetic to their message and to stay with them. They were not to take extra supplies, money or clothes.
Unlike a modern pop star or politician they would not travel in the comfort of a tour bus, with stores of food, wearing the latest fashion dry cleaned and pressed. They would not have the support of a posse of followers, nor the protection of police or body guards. They would just go.
They would face opposition. They'd be arrested. As a result of their message there would be death, rebellion, hatred. Families would be split apart as some accepted their message and others didn't. They would be afraid.
They would need to be shrewd, on their guard, yet innocent.
Jesus' sums up the perspective they would need in v.28 "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."
This seems to typify the Kingdom of God; what is different about living with God's verses the world's perspective. This is the 'Big Picture'. The emphasis is off the temporal and on the eternal. The emphasis is off the physical and on the spiritual. Verse 39 repeats this idea,"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Woven within these daunting predictions and commands are Jesus' words ...
Words of comfort:
26 "So do not be afraid of them."
30 "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
And words of insight:
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me."
The apostles were to be God's representatives. But more than that. Those who received God's messengers and the message they brought received God Himself!
Do we have what it takes to be an apostle? Do we have what it takes to preach God's message, "The Kingdom of Heaven is near!"? Do we have what it takes to preach it boldly, courageously, facing opposition, enduring conflict? Are we caught up in the preparation? Or are we able to keep an eternal perspective recognizing that God is over all, that the lost souls around us are more important than our comfort? Are we willing to be God's messengers? What does it take?
Chapter 10 ends with this verse, "If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Jesus was moved by compassion (as recorded at the end of chapter 9) and here we read how He values being compassionate to 'little ones'. The apostles' commissioning with all its challenges and commands is book-ended by compassion.
It's as simple as a cup of cold water. It's a life motivated by compassion.
Compassion motivated Jesus to call the first disciples and send them into the world.
Compassion overrides fear, it realigns our mind to have Jesus' perspective. Compassion propels us into places and into relationships we might not choose to enter.
We too can have this compassion! As recipients of God's compassion - His love that has drawn us into a forgiven, redeemed relationship with Him -He now infuses us with His compassion for others.
We do indeed 'have what it takes'.
"The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the laborers are few.
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep.
and still straying sheep to be led.
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed burning love is my need,
I know I can find it in Thee."- Albert Orsborn
Friday, February 5, 2010
Matthew 10 - "Too soft"
My son Matthew claims - often claims - that I am 'too soft' on David (our youngest son). I give in too much. I baby him too much.
Really I think I just love him to bits! And if truth were told ... I am 'too soft' on all of them in one way or another. Right now I can smell the pumpkin pie I know Matthew will clamour for the moment he gets in the door. The meals for the week-end are all 'Jonathan-friendly' ... well, for the most part ... except for the Super Bowl chili - requested by Matthew. :) Perhaps I am toooo soft.
What's all this got to do with Matthew - the book of the Bible Matthew?! Well as I was reading chapter 10 it struck me (as it did Kerry) how harsh a message Jesus was giving to his newly commissioned apostles. It made me wonder if we sometimes have a picture of Jesus as being 'too soft'.
For the last few chapters we've witnessed the awesome power of Jesus as He's performed a variety of miracles. We've seen that He doesn't exclude anyone from His healing touch - the leper, the woman, the servant, the Gentile. No one is out of His sphere of love. We read about how He calmed the storm to calm the fears of His disciples. His actions showed patience, grace, mercy. His power brought healing, forgiveness and new life.
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild ...
But here in chapter 10 we see Jesus as leader; forthright, commanding, warning, encouraging but definitely not coddling or 'soft'.
It's another side of Jesus - not to exclude the gracious side or dominate it - but definitely a side to know and accept as who He is.
More to come after I read some wise people's thoughts and think further on chapter 10 ...
Really I think I just love him to bits! And if truth were told ... I am 'too soft' on all of them in one way or another. Right now I can smell the pumpkin pie I know Matthew will clamour for the moment he gets in the door. The meals for the week-end are all 'Jonathan-friendly' ... well, for the most part ... except for the Super Bowl chili - requested by Matthew. :) Perhaps I am toooo soft.
What's all this got to do with Matthew - the book of the Bible Matthew?! Well as I was reading chapter 10 it struck me (as it did Kerry) how harsh a message Jesus was giving to his newly commissioned apostles. It made me wonder if we sometimes have a picture of Jesus as being 'too soft'.
For the last few chapters we've witnessed the awesome power of Jesus as He's performed a variety of miracles. We've seen that He doesn't exclude anyone from His healing touch - the leper, the woman, the servant, the Gentile. No one is out of His sphere of love. We read about how He calmed the storm to calm the fears of His disciples. His actions showed patience, grace, mercy. His power brought healing, forgiveness and new life.
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild ...
But here in chapter 10 we see Jesus as leader; forthright, commanding, warning, encouraging but definitely not coddling or 'soft'.
It's another side of Jesus - not to exclude the gracious side or dominate it - but definitely a side to know and accept as who He is.
More to come after I read some wise people's thoughts and think further on chapter 10 ...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Matthew 10
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Matthew 9 - Authority expanded, purpose defined
Do you have a purpose in life? An overarching goal? Or do you find your life is a series of random events unrelated to each other? In chapter nine Matthew continues to record the miracles of Jesus. One after another he records them, almost like a grocery list. Is this just a random selection of events? Are they related or connected for a purpose?
If we compared Matthew's accounts of Jesus' miracles to that of John we would find that Matthew's description is sparse. His narrative is minimal. In contrast John goes to great lengths to paint a picture of the scene and of the people involved. Matthew writes concisely. His style brings to mind a lawyer standing before a jury pleading his point, submitting layer upon layer of evidence to build a solid case.
And Matthew is, in a sense, building a case. As we discovered earlier in the book Matthew is writing to the Jews. His purpose is to give proof that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed Jesus Christ, the long awaited Messiah. Matthew bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments by quoting the prophets. He builds his case by revealing how Jesus fulfills their predictions by the place, lineage and means of His birth. Matthew continues to solidify his claims by recording Jesus' authoritative teaching and miraculous healing.
But here in chapter nine the miracle working takes a turn. Not only does Jesus restore physical health, He forgives sin.
2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
The people were awe struck by Jesus' power! They were afraid! They were also mistaken. They thought God's new plan involved allowing 'man' to forgive sins.
8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
They were right in one sense that God had a new plan. However they were totally wrong about its form.
The teachers of the law were outraged by Jesus words. They understood the implications of Jesus' statement. Jesus was claiming to be God! Jesus' proclamation of forgiveness expanded His authority beyond the physical, the mental, and the natural to include power over the spiritual.
Jesus' claim to forgive sins not only pointed to Him being the Messiah but was His direct claim of deity. As God, Jesus' purpose was revealed. He came to provide forgiveness of sin.
The people were right - it was a new plan. Jesus explains:
16"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Jesus' forgiveness of the paralyzed man's sins commenced the opening of a new means of relating to God. By Jesus' proclamation He revealed another aspect of the Kingdom of God: the end of sacrifices. After hundreds of years of following the sacrificial law Jesus' words to the paralytic opened up the means of grace. It wasn't a patching up of the law - a new patch put on an old garment - but a totally different vessel to hold the relationship between God and man; a radically different plan.
Jesus' mandate was to be the means of grace and to share the good news of this new way. His life purpose was clear. Because of this Jesus' life wasn't a random set of events. His miracles pointed to the truth of an alternate way of life, of God's existence on earth, of the way things would one day be, of reconciliation between God and man.
His authority to forgive sins and His purpose to be the means of this grace both shocked and rocked the first century world... and amazingly still has the power to do the same today.
If we compared Matthew's accounts of Jesus' miracles to that of John we would find that Matthew's description is sparse. His narrative is minimal. In contrast John goes to great lengths to paint a picture of the scene and of the people involved. Matthew writes concisely. His style brings to mind a lawyer standing before a jury pleading his point, submitting layer upon layer of evidence to build a solid case.
And Matthew is, in a sense, building a case. As we discovered earlier in the book Matthew is writing to the Jews. His purpose is to give proof that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed Jesus Christ, the long awaited Messiah. Matthew bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments by quoting the prophets. He builds his case by revealing how Jesus fulfills their predictions by the place, lineage and means of His birth. Matthew continues to solidify his claims by recording Jesus' authoritative teaching and miraculous healing.
But here in chapter nine the miracle working takes a turn. Not only does Jesus restore physical health, He forgives sin.
2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
The people were awe struck by Jesus' power! They were afraid! They were also mistaken. They thought God's new plan involved allowing 'man' to forgive sins.
8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
They were right in one sense that God had a new plan. However they were totally wrong about its form.
The teachers of the law were outraged by Jesus words. They understood the implications of Jesus' statement. Jesus was claiming to be God! Jesus' proclamation of forgiveness expanded His authority beyond the physical, the mental, and the natural to include power over the spiritual.
Jesus' claim to forgive sins not only pointed to Him being the Messiah but was His direct claim of deity. As God, Jesus' purpose was revealed. He came to provide forgiveness of sin.
The people were right - it was a new plan. Jesus explains:
16"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Jesus' forgiveness of the paralyzed man's sins commenced the opening of a new means of relating to God. By Jesus' proclamation He revealed another aspect of the Kingdom of God: the end of sacrifices. After hundreds of years of following the sacrificial law Jesus' words to the paralytic opened up the means of grace. It wasn't a patching up of the law - a new patch put on an old garment - but a totally different vessel to hold the relationship between God and man; a radically different plan.
Jesus' mandate was to be the means of grace and to share the good news of this new way. His life purpose was clear. Because of this Jesus' life wasn't a random set of events. His miracles pointed to the truth of an alternate way of life, of God's existence on earth, of the way things would one day be, of reconciliation between God and man.
His authority to forgive sins and His purpose to be the means of this grace both shocked and rocked the first century world... and amazingly still has the power to do the same today.
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