Hello my faithful blog readers :) I haven't died or anything but I have been delayed in posting anything by the length of this latest chapter. Do I try and blog a devotional about the whole thing? If not how do I split it up? or what to leave out?
In the midst of my debating we have Easter ... with its importance, its focus, its busy-ness. Hmmm.
Easter also brings different music. This year our choir is singing a new (new to me at least) rendition of the hymn "Jesus see me at thy feet, nothing but thy blood can cleanse me" The music has been playing in my mind for the last three days. The message has been sinking into my soul. You can hear an 'okay' version of the song on YouTube at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiKnRbU8L-o
What's really interesting is that the message of this song has spoken to me about the Pharisees in chapter 12...
I'm interested too in the concept of the Sabbath. I've been reading through the Bible since January. In reading the Old Testament books I've come across God's command to observe the Sabbath - to keep it holy. I'm convicted about this. What does it mean exactly?? And how does that relate to this passage where it says, 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
In Mark it says: Mark 2:27
Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Does this mean that the old command is nullified? Or is Jesus just clarifying what the Pharisees had mixed up?
Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, really seems to 'hammer' or criticize the Pharisees for their interpretation and expansion of the law. They complicated it and looked at the most miniscule detail blowing it out of proportion. Jesus seems to be trying to bring them back to what God intended with the law: good for His people.
It seems too that the more Jesus tries to correct the Pharisees and bring to light their warping of the law, the more angry they get with Him. Conflict is increasing. In this chapter plans are made to solve the problem of Jesus.
The Pharisees didn't like to be criticized. They were the ones who were trying so hard to keep God's law. They were the ones who were the religious elite, who saw themselves as good and upright. It must've been quite a slap in the face to be told that they were off base.... to be told their whole way of thinking had to change. Who would have stood for that? Only people who were wishy washy in their thinking. I think we have to give the Pharisees that - they were not wishy washy - they stood up for what they believed was right, they took action to do away with one they thought was a heretic. They were wrong of course, but they were active.
Why was Jesus so opposed to the Pharisees anal interpretation of God's law? I think, at least in part, it has to do with the fact that they believed that they could do it. They believed that it was up to them, it was their effort that made them holy. And in this belief they went against the very core of Jesus' mission: to provide the only way for reconciliation with God - through his death and resurrection.
I was practicing the music for the song I mentioned above and as I was singing the words of Easter the Pharisees floated through my mind and an 'aha' moment occurred.
As they tried to be holy in their own strength, on their own merit, they missed the point. Thankfully this Easter I was reminded again... nothing but thy blood can cleanse me.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Matthew - 12
Lord of the Sabbath
1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3 He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11 He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God's Chosen Servant
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope."
Jesus and Beelzebub
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 "Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39 He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.
43 "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3 He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11 He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God's Chosen Servant
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope."
Jesus and Beelzebub
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 "Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39 He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.
43 "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Matthew 11 - Switch yokes
Have you ever felt totally exhausted? Wiped out physically? Emotionally spent?The picture (above) is of Liudmila Kalinchik of Belarus. Here she is on the finish line after the women's biathlon 15 km individual race at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Weary doesn't begin to capture how she's feeling does it?
We don't generally feel this extreme exhaustion do we? Though life can be busy can't it? Lately life's been busy around here. I've found myself feeling a little burdened and a lot weary! In the midst of it I've been 'hearing' those verses at the end of the chapter running through my head: "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest". "Come to me!" In the middle of the hectic pace and weariness these words are continually being whispered in my heart.
I'm tired today. Weary without a doubt. And so I've been wondering if Jesus really meant 'rest' in the physical sense of the word. Doesn't it mean 'restoration' - a restored relationship between us and God? Rest for our souls. It seems they often go together don't they? There isn't much physical rest if our souls are in turmoil. And sometimes our physical exhaustion causes our heart to feel burdened.
I looked up the Greek word 'rest' for Matthew 11:28 hoping to expand my understanding of Jesus' meaning and found the other English words used to translate 'rest' in this verse are: 'ease' and 'refresh'. There is definitely the idea of physical rest in the meaning.
God invites us to come to Him to 'ease' our situation. Not necessarily to remove it or to take us out of it but to ease it. How? I think that comes in the second invitation. "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. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (v29, 30)
It's a switching of 'yokes'.
Long before Jesus' invitation the Israelites were yoked. In the Old Testament we're reminded of this by the reference to the yoke of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 6:6) and by the yoke of oppression of other nations (Isaiah 9:4). Yokes that were removed by God. By the coming of Jesus the Pharisees had produced their own type of yoke by their expansion of and strict adherence to the law: a religion unlike anything God ever had in mind for His people - or for us. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Galatia and talks about the yoke of this un-Christlike religion.
Galatians 4:8&9 5:1
8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Being yoked with Jesus is a great metaphor. If we think of the picture of two oxen linked together by the wooden bar of a yoke, both pulling the weight of the plow, neither having to do all the work, not a lone oxen, a pair. We can draw a lot of comfort from that picture and from the reality of being joined with Christ.
Sometimes though the burden can get in the way of the reality can't it? I think perhaps this happened to John the Baptist. In prison he became uncertain of his calling. Alone, physically far from Jesus, he needed reassurance that he had done the right thing in proclaiming Jesus as the One to save His people.
The Pharisees, caught up in their legalism, failed to see that the answer to this burden was right in front of them! Jesus was there - alive - willing to remove that yoke of oppression.
Cities of people caught in their own form of yoke couldn't see what Jesus had to offer. Corazon, Bethsaida, Capernaum all privileged to have witnessed Jesus' miracles still chose to cling to their own strength in life rather than to embrace His way.
Only children - and those who were childlike in faith - were able to accept Him.
Jesus recognized the weariness of carrying unnecessary burdens. He offered them a better way. He invited them ... "Come to me ..."
He invited them.
He invites us.
What will we choose? Will we be blinded by the current thing that we are yoked to? Will we cling to it? Or will we accept His invitation, trade yokes, and live a life united with Christ?
Lift your eyes up from your current surroundings and see that He is calling to you, "Come to me!"
Say are you weary? Are you heavy laden?
Burdened with sorrow, weighted down with care?
Are you in bondage? Do you want deliverance?
Come, then, with me there is refuge from despair.
I know a fount where sins are washed away.
I know a place where night is turned to day.
Burdens are lifted, blind eyes made to see;
There's a wonder working power in the blood of Calvary. - Oliver Cooke
Friday, February 26, 2010
Matthew 11 - The Message
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."
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."
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
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