Jesus travels on with his disciples and confronts the legalism of the Pharisees. The Pharisees have rule upon rule about how one must behave to keep the letter of the law. They had rules about how far a person could walk, how to tie one handed knots, and how to wash ones hands so as not to do work on the sabbath. They confront Jesus on his lax approach to these rules and Jesus response is in essence "You don't know what you are talking about, nor do you know who you are talking to." Jesus law of love supersedes the laws of religion, and so the disciples eat, and he heals the sick and feeds the hungry!
The Pharisees in their frustration present a specious argument that Jesus cast out demons by the power of satan. Jesus shows the bad logic of this and stifles their dissent.
When the scribes and Pharisees request a sign to demonstrate his authority, Jesus refuses them - this is not a circus act! If these people wanted a sign, they had plenty of opportunity to witness all that he has already done! Jesus turns an angry word of discipline on their request saying, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!" Matthew 12:39-41 NRSV. Jesus here prophesies about his death burial and resurrection for the first time in Matthew's Gospel.
Jesus continues to speak to the crowds and his Mother and Brothers arrive. A person from the crowd tells him that they are waiting to see him and Jesus makes a fairly amazing statement to them. Jesus says, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:48b -50 NRSV. A friend of mine recently noted that this shows that in the Kingdom of God water relatives(baptism) are thicker than blood relatives!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Matthew 11
This week we will continue our journey together through the Gospel of Matthew. This week please read the following chapters; Monday - Matthew 11, Tuesday - Matthew 12, Wednesday - Matthew 13, Thursday - Matthew 14, and Friday - Matthew 15.
In Matthew 11 Jesus continues his ministry after sending his disciples into the harvest field. I can only imagine that what happens on the way must have been one of the harder moments of Jesus' ministry.
Disciples of John the Baptist seek Jesus out with a question from John, "When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Matthew 11:2-3 NRSV. John had been faithful to his mission. He had made the way straight for the coming kingdom, and now he is in prison. I imagine John must have wondered if he had somehow missed the point. If Jesus is the Messiah, and if John had done his task well, what is the deal?
Jesus' answer to the disciples of John is somewhat unsatisfactory. He said, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." Matthew 11:4-6 NRSV. The good news, it seems to me is "Yes, I am the Messiah and I am doing the Messiahs business!" The bad news as I read between the lines is "Don't get offended John, but I am not coming to break you out of jail." A lesson for us here may be that real life is not a Hollywood script, and God does not see our situations the same way we do.
Jesus goes on to commend John with the highest accolades - but John dies soon after in prison.
Chapter 11 closes with Jesus' call to the masses to follow him as disciples, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV. While Jesus' yoke and burden are lighter and easier than that of the worlds, my good friend Aaron reminds me that it is still a yoke, and it is still a burden! If you don't believe Aaron or me, ask John the Baptist!
In Matthew 11 Jesus continues his ministry after sending his disciples into the harvest field. I can only imagine that what happens on the way must have been one of the harder moments of Jesus' ministry.
Disciples of John the Baptist seek Jesus out with a question from John, "When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Matthew 11:2-3 NRSV. John had been faithful to his mission. He had made the way straight for the coming kingdom, and now he is in prison. I imagine John must have wondered if he had somehow missed the point. If Jesus is the Messiah, and if John had done his task well, what is the deal?
Jesus' answer to the disciples of John is somewhat unsatisfactory. He said, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." Matthew 11:4-6 NRSV. The good news, it seems to me is "Yes, I am the Messiah and I am doing the Messiahs business!" The bad news as I read between the lines is "Don't get offended John, but I am not coming to break you out of jail." A lesson for us here may be that real life is not a Hollywood script, and God does not see our situations the same way we do.
Jesus goes on to commend John with the highest accolades - but John dies soon after in prison.
Chapter 11 closes with Jesus' call to the masses to follow him as disciples, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV. While Jesus' yoke and burden are lighter and easier than that of the worlds, my good friend Aaron reminds me that it is still a yoke, and it is still a burden! If you don't believe Aaron or me, ask John the Baptist!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Matthew 10
At the end of the last chapter Jesus told the disciples to pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers. As chapter 10 begins, Jesus calls out the disciples and sends them into the work of ministry. I believe that we are certainly to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers, and I am certain that we are given gifts for ministry today!
As Jesus sends out the 12 he gives them specific instructions for their journey, "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town." Matthew 10:5-14 NRSV.
Jesus also cautions the disciples about the dangerous nature of their mission. Persecution and hard days were certain to follow them as they went proclaiming the gospel message. We should be ready for similar treatment if we carry with boldness this Kingdom message. Perhaps we face so little persecution because we have conformed to the world around us, and we are very little threat.
How will you carry the message today of the Kingdom that has come near? Pray the Lord of the harvest that laborers will be sent into the harvest field, then go -- tell the good news!
As Jesus sends out the 12 he gives them specific instructions for their journey, "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town." Matthew 10:5-14 NRSV.
Jesus also cautions the disciples about the dangerous nature of their mission. Persecution and hard days were certain to follow them as they went proclaiming the gospel message. We should be ready for similar treatment if we carry with boldness this Kingdom message. Perhaps we face so little persecution because we have conformed to the world around us, and we are very little threat.
How will you carry the message today of the Kingdom that has come near? Pray the Lord of the harvest that laborers will be sent into the harvest field, then go -- tell the good news!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Matthew 9
It seems like the action never stops here for Jesus. He just returns from dealing with the Geresene demoniac and he is met, seemingly at the dock, by a paralyzed man and his friends.
Tension with the religious leaders begins to show itself in chapter 9. The scribes are troubled by Jesus offering the paralyzed man forgiveness, and Jesus reads their discontent and confronts it.
Almost as an aside -- an after thought Matthew's call to discipleship is inserted here. It would seem that the salvation and call of the author might merit more than a sentence, but that is about all Matthew dedicates to Jesus invitation to him to follow. Again, this fraternizing with the least, last and lost causes dissension in the religious leaders, this time with the Pharisees. We would do well to internalize Jesus response to them, "But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." Matthew 9:12&13 NRSV.
Even John the Baptists disciples criticize the seeming laxness of Jesus disciples. Jesus response about the new cloth being used to patch and old garment or new wine not being poured into old wine skins speaks of the new thing that Jesus is offering here. This is of primary importance to me friends, Jesus comes to offer relationship with the living God of all, not the dead religion that is being offered all around him and all around us!
The ministry of interruption is demonstrated by the next 2 miracles being wrapped together in time. As Jesus travels to the bedside of the little girl of a synagogue leader, a woman reaches and touches him seeking healing. The woman, who was unclean and should have made Jesus unclean with her touch, is healed and Jesus goes in to raise the young girl up from the dead!
The chapter ends wit more healing and more controversy with the Pharisees. I want to reiterate the call that Jesus makes to us today to walk in an intimate relationship with God. Do not settle for religion friend. Press in and know Jesus, crucified and yet alive and calling us still! "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37b-38 NRSV.
Tension with the religious leaders begins to show itself in chapter 9. The scribes are troubled by Jesus offering the paralyzed man forgiveness, and Jesus reads their discontent and confronts it.
Almost as an aside -- an after thought Matthew's call to discipleship is inserted here. It would seem that the salvation and call of the author might merit more than a sentence, but that is about all Matthew dedicates to Jesus invitation to him to follow. Again, this fraternizing with the least, last and lost causes dissension in the religious leaders, this time with the Pharisees. We would do well to internalize Jesus response to them, "But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." Matthew 9:12&13 NRSV.
Even John the Baptists disciples criticize the seeming laxness of Jesus disciples. Jesus response about the new cloth being used to patch and old garment or new wine not being poured into old wine skins speaks of the new thing that Jesus is offering here. This is of primary importance to me friends, Jesus comes to offer relationship with the living God of all, not the dead religion that is being offered all around him and all around us!
The ministry of interruption is demonstrated by the next 2 miracles being wrapped together in time. As Jesus travels to the bedside of the little girl of a synagogue leader, a woman reaches and touches him seeking healing. The woman, who was unclean and should have made Jesus unclean with her touch, is healed and Jesus goes in to raise the young girl up from the dead!
The chapter ends wit more healing and more controversy with the Pharisees. I want to reiterate the call that Jesus makes to us today to walk in an intimate relationship with God. Do not settle for religion friend. Press in and know Jesus, crucified and yet alive and calling us still! "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37b-38 NRSV.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Matthew 8
It will help to remember that Matthew is recounting the story of Jesus life as a biography in Gospel form. He has started with the genealogy, birth and baptism of Jesus. He then begins the ministry portion of Jesus' life with the temptation segment. Next, Jesus calls disciples and for 3 chapters teaches the basis on which he will build this Kingdom community. It makes sense in the narrative that Matthew now turns to describe the power he saw in Jesus life.
He begins chapter 8 with a rapid fire set of healings and miracles. First the leper, then the Centurion's servant (from a distance!), and Peters mother-in-law. This portion concludes that night with these words, "That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases." Matthew 8:16&17 NRSV.
Matthew will next demonstrate Jesus' power over the competing "idols" of the day by commanding the storm, casting out a legion of demons, and destroying them in a herd of swine. The reactions of the locals is interesting, "Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood." Matthew 8:34 NRSV. Jesus is scary, and bad for business when your business runs contrary to him and the Kingdom.
Where are there places in our lives where we ask Jesus to leave us alone in our swine business?
He begins chapter 8 with a rapid fire set of healings and miracles. First the leper, then the Centurion's servant (from a distance!), and Peters mother-in-law. This portion concludes that night with these words, "That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases." Matthew 8:16&17 NRSV.
Matthew will next demonstrate Jesus' power over the competing "idols" of the day by commanding the storm, casting out a legion of demons, and destroying them in a herd of swine. The reactions of the locals is interesting, "Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood." Matthew 8:34 NRSV. Jesus is scary, and bad for business when your business runs contrary to him and the Kingdom.
Where are there places in our lives where we ask Jesus to leave us alone in our swine business?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Matthew 7
In the 1960's and 70's the best known scripture verse among teenagers and young adults was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." NRSV. In the last 15 years i have found the favorite verse, or at least the most often quoted verse of the teens and young adults I work with to be Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged." NRSV.
I am not surprised that this transition has occurred, and I blame the Pharisees that are still alive and well among us for the change. i believe the deep desire of the heart, and the great good news of the Gospel are contained in John 3:16&17. Unfortunately, we have wrapped so much legalism around the free gift of grace that people are repelled and are forced to turn to Jesus words here in Matthew 7 for relief.
I wonder if we lived the message of grace and love if the need for judgement would disappear. Interesting also that Jesus does not say here not to judge, but he calls us to turn the eye of discernment first on ourselves. Only after that "homework" is done am I ready to help my brothers and sisters with theirs.
The sermon on the mount closes with a call to examine our fruit and our foundation of faith. We judge trees by their fruit, and our lives need to be examined for the same signs.
Jesus closes this sermon with the following words, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell--and great was its fall!" Matthew 7:24-27 NRSV. So it seems to me that if we would live Kingdom lives and have Kingdom churches we need to examine our hearts, the fruit our ministries are bearing, and the foundations upon which we have built. Take a close look, ask Jesus to help you see, and adjust your life accordingly. Lord, help me to live in this Kingdom!
I am not surprised that this transition has occurred, and I blame the Pharisees that are still alive and well among us for the change. i believe the deep desire of the heart, and the great good news of the Gospel are contained in John 3:16&17. Unfortunately, we have wrapped so much legalism around the free gift of grace that people are repelled and are forced to turn to Jesus words here in Matthew 7 for relief.
I wonder if we lived the message of grace and love if the need for judgement would disappear. Interesting also that Jesus does not say here not to judge, but he calls us to turn the eye of discernment first on ourselves. Only after that "homework" is done am I ready to help my brothers and sisters with theirs.
The sermon on the mount closes with a call to examine our fruit and our foundation of faith. We judge trees by their fruit, and our lives need to be examined for the same signs.
Jesus closes this sermon with the following words, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell--and great was its fall!" Matthew 7:24-27 NRSV. So it seems to me that if we would live Kingdom lives and have Kingdom churches we need to examine our hearts, the fruit our ministries are bearing, and the foundations upon which we have built. Take a close look, ask Jesus to help you see, and adjust your life accordingly. Lord, help me to live in this Kingdom!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Matthew 6
This week we will continue with our read through the New testament in Matthew's Gospel. please read as follows; Monday -- Matthew 6, Tuesday -- Matthew 7, Wednesday -- Matthew 8, Thursday -- Matthew 9, and Friday -- Matthew 10.
Matthew continues his recounting of the Sermon on the Mount from chapter 5. What Jesus says here about acts of piety, alms giving, prayer, and fasting should be read not only with an eye towards instruction on the practice of these disciplines, but more importantly with an eye towards the intent of ones heart in the practice. When we practice any of these spiritual disciplines God is interested in the heart!
Jesus speaks to this as he wraps up this section on the disciplines when he says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 NRSV.
This leaves me with a question I will ponder all week. "Where is my heart focused?" Is your heart centered in on Jesus and the Kingdom of God friend or is it focused on the Kingdom of You? What does my behavior indicate about my true center? Lord, help my life to reflect your love. Amen.
Matthew continues his recounting of the Sermon on the Mount from chapter 5. What Jesus says here about acts of piety, alms giving, prayer, and fasting should be read not only with an eye towards instruction on the practice of these disciplines, but more importantly with an eye towards the intent of ones heart in the practice. When we practice any of these spiritual disciplines God is interested in the heart!
Jesus speaks to this as he wraps up this section on the disciplines when he says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 NRSV.
This leaves me with a question I will ponder all week. "Where is my heart focused?" Is your heart centered in on Jesus and the Kingdom of God friend or is it focused on the Kingdom of You? What does my behavior indicate about my true center? Lord, help my life to reflect your love. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
