MATTHEW STUDY (THROUGH CHAPTER 20)

 A Matthew Study

 

Preface

 

In writing this study I have prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to lead my thoughts and writings. I have tried very hard to follow God’s Word and not man’s opinions (including mine). I have worked to have the Bible be my only rule book and guide and, if I see my thoughts and writings do not match up to the rest of the Bible, I have removed them.

As we study the Bible, we must always look at how we apply what we study applies to our lives, culture, and world. Philosophically, little has changed from the days of the early church until today. If we are honest, we must say little has changed from the earliest times until now. Mankind has much more technology but our thinking, lusts, desires, temptations, greed, etc. are the same. What can we learn from God’s Word and how can we effectively apply it in today’s world?

This study is not intended for sale. A complete Bibliography may not have been provided and not all quotes have been noted or referenced. I did try to reference but at times was wrapped up in the study and forgot to do so. Hopefully, these are few. My apologies to any people who I missed.

Each of us are responsible for our interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have been given by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit must lead in how you interpret what you read and what you do with what you learn. We must not relinquish this responsibility to any commentator.

“Thoughts, comments, disagreements, and clarifications to this study are more than welcome.”

P.S. This study is not intended for sale. No academic format (i.e. APA or Chicago) has been followed although I have tried to list all end notes and references.

 

Tony Smith

 

 

STUDY OF MATTHEW

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Gospel of Matthew is thought to have been written in the A.D. 60’s. It has been posited Matthew used Mark as his source since a good part of Matthew and Mark are similar. I think perhaps the opposite is the case. I say this based on Matthew’s close and continued relationship with Jesus, Matthew wrote about what he saw and experienced, it is thought Mark sourced Peter for his Gospel.

Matthew was one of the original Apostles chosen by Jesus. Before being called by Jesus he was a tax collector. The Jews hated tax collectors because they stood for the foreign overlords of Israel, the Romans, and they took money from the people to support Rome. Tax collectors were unpaid. They earned their livelihood by cheating the populous. They would collect more than was due and pocket the difference, another reason they were hated. Matthew was one of Jesus’ most powerful examples of the forgiveness God offers everyone. This tax collector was reviled for who his job, but Jesus loved him for who he was and could be. Jesus saw Matthew’s heart, not his job.

Matthew left tax collecting, to follow Jesus, and was one of those that accompanied Jesus beginning with the baptism of John until the day that he was taken up in the cloud, Acts 1:21,22. Therefore, Matthew is a competent and trustworthy witness of what he recorded.

Matthew was written to a primarily Jewish audience. Much of Matthew's interest is in the fulfillment of O.T. prophecies by Jesus of the Messiah. There are about 60 references to Jewish prophesies and 40 quotations from the O.T. Matthew starts by proving Jesus was descended from the line of David and back to Abraham. Descending from both Abraham and David were extremely important to the Jews. The reason for this interest in pedigrees was that the Jews set the greatest possible store on the purity of lineage.¹ Since God promised the Messiah would come from the line of David, the Jews needed proof Jesus did descend from them. To the Jew, it would be a most impressive matter that the ancestry of Jesus can be traced back to Abraham. Matthew provided that proof.

Matthew has three miracle stories in it, the healing of the ruler's daughter (Matthew 9:18-19; Matthew 9:23-26); the healing of the woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9:20-22); and the healing of the two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31) (Barclay) It also has four charges made against Jesus: blasphemy, immorality, slackness in piety, being in league with the devil. (Barclay)

To better understand Matthew’s Gospel, we should have at least a basic knowledge of Second Temple Judaism, beliefs and customs. I am not recommending exhaustive knowledge but some knowledge. Knowledge helps us to understand why events and emotions happened. The Old Testament (Hebraic Scriptures) provides a lot of background (prophesies, etc.) re. Events in the New Testament (Apostolic Scriptures), especially in the life of Jesus are foretold in the Hebraic Scriptures through prophesy, feast days, God’s specific works, etc.

 

 Matthew Chapter 01

 

When looking at the lineage of Christ we see three groups of fourteen generations. The first starts with Abraham to David, David to the deportation to Babylon, and from deportation to Babylon to Christ. Each of these is fourteen generations long. (The numbers are interesting. The three is the Trinity. Fourteen is composed of two sevens. Seven is the number standing for perfection and two is the two peoples God recognizes, Hebrew and Gentile. This subject is for another study.)

In Matthew, we see the lineage starts with Jesus and goes back to Abraham, not Adam. Matthew proves that Jesus is the Son of David and of Abraham; Luke, true to the scope of his Gospel, traces the pedigree from the common father of Jew and Gentile. “Matthew traces the royal succession, St. Luke the family lineage.”² This accounts for many variations in names between the two ancestry lists. In this study, we will look only at Matthew’s lineage of Jesus.

The lineage Starts with a shortened lineage, Jesus to David to Abraham. This shortened lineage was an overview that would allow the reader to know Jesus was Jewish and his lineage could be traced back to when God chose Abraham and his family to be His messengers to the world and the people from which the Messiah would be born. Matthew also provides a detailed lineage back to Abraham. Lineage was important to the Jews. They were told by God not to intermarry with non-believing people and the way to avoid intermarriage was to know your lineage. If in any man there was the slightest admixture of foreign blood, he lost his right to be called a Jew, and a member of the people of God. Jesus was purely Hebrew and His ancestry proved it.

In this lineage are the names of four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. Some immorality is connected to all the women mentioned here, except Ruth. It is very unusual for a Hebrew genealogy to include women, at least until the Roman conquests. These women were included for a reason. All four women were involved in continuing the Hebrews as a people. Tamar by pretending to be a prostitute and bearing sons to Judah. Rahab was the prostitute in Jerico who hid the Hebrew spies and saved them from the king. For her action, she and her family were saved from the destruction of Jerico. Rahab married a Hebrew and had a son Boaz, the great-grandfather of King David. Ruth was a Moabite who married Boaz, the grandfather of King David. Finally, Bathsheba had an affair with King David, married him, and bore Solomon who built the temple in Jerusalem. The inclusion of these women in the lineage of the Messiah shows the all-embracing width of the love of God. He came for all people, God’s chosen people, heathens, men, women, all who would come to Him.

We now come to the birth of Jesus. This section can seem a bit confusing but accurately depicts the three parts of a Hebrew wedding: the engagement, betrothal and marriage. The engagement was often made by the parents. The betrothal was a kind of ratification of the engagement. At the point of the betrothal, it could be broken if the girl was unwilling to go on with it^.3   Once the betrothal was entered, it was binding and lasted one year. During that year, the couple were known as man and wife, although they had not the rights of man and wife.⁴ The only way the betrothal could be broken was by divorce. Finally, there is the marriage proper.

Joseph and Mary were in the betrothal stage when Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Due to Mary’s pregnancy Joseph was contemplating divorcing her until the angel told him the child was by the Holy Spirit and Mary was not unfaithful. This story tells that in the birth of Jesus the Spirit of God was operative as never before in this world. It is the Spirit who brings God's truth to men^.5

God was quite specific in the message He sent to Mary and Joseph. Mary was to bear a son, and He was to be named Yeshua (Joshua or Savior in Hebrew) because He will save people from their sins. Joseph and Mary followed God’s instructions. Joseph married Mary but did not consummate the marriage until Jesus was born.

One thing we must remember, God told Mary and Joseph what was going on, He did not tell the neighbors. In their eyes Mary well have been seen as a loose woman. It is at least somewhat doubtful everyone would believe the child was through the Holy Spirit, if she or Joseph even told anyone.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 02

 

Chapter 2 contains all that Matthew talks about the infancy of Jesus. Luke gives us very little information with Mark and John not providing any information at all. We can find a bit more in Luke, but not a lot more. God gives us the knowledge we need but does not give us exhaustive knowledge. Although we may want to know, we do not need to know, the early life of Jesus. What is important for us and what we need to know starts with Jesus’ ministry. The little we learn in Matthew chapter 2 tells us more about Herod, his thinking and actions than it does about Jesus.

Herod was very interested in the child, who He is, when He was born, and where He was born. Although, to the wise men, Herod feigned a desire to worship Jesus his true interest was eliminating any possible competition to his authority and power. Herod was an appointed ruler and would not have the authority and power of a born ruler. Herod’s plan to use the information from the wise men to kill Jesus did not work out. God sent a messenger to Joseph telling him to take Jesus and Mary and escape to Egypt.

Before God told Joseph to escape to Egypt the wise men (perhaps astrologers) visited Jesus, worshipped Him and left very valuable gifts.¹ These gifts financed the escape to Egypt and living there. God planned everything including the required financing. A lesson here is God does the same for us. While we worry, God has already taken care of our needs, just as He did for Joseph, Mary and Jesus (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:24-30).

The wise men, being warned by God about Herod, traveled home by a different direction and escaped Herod’s clutches and plans. God had already told Joseph to flee to Egypt which he did, keeping Jesus safe. Herod, not willing to give up, used the information he had from the wise men and Jewish scholars, determined when and where Jesus was born and then killed all the male children born around Bethlehem at the date determined.²

Herod’s motive would seem to be simple, kill anyone with even the remotest possibility of replacing him as ruler. When we look more closely, we can see warfare in the spiritual realm taking place. We can see this in Matthew 4 with the testing of Jesus as well as Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:11; Luke 8:28; and many other Scriptures. Satan knows the Scriptures and was expecting the birth of the Messiah, the Son of God. Satan did his best to kill Jesus before the appointed time. Only God could and would decide when Jesus would be sacrificed (John 10:18). The actions of Herod were led by Satan working to that end. Obviously, Satan could not and did not succeed. He could not stop God’s plan for the salvation of man. In obedience to God’s messenger Joseph took Mary and Jesus, left Egypt and traveled back to Israel. Once again God warned Joseph not to settle in Judah. Joseph went to Galilee and settled in Nazareth. Prophesy said the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. (This appears to be a play on words which the Jews were fond of doing. In Numbers 6 we read about men or women who took a vow as a Nazarite. Those who took this vow would neither drink strong drink (Numbers 6:2b-4) nor cut their hair (Numbers 6:2b-4) “The Hebrew term for Nazarite is ‘nazir,’ meaning “to consecrate” and is derived from the root ‘nazar’ which means “to separate.”³ Jesus, being called a Nazarene could bring to mind the Nazarite vow (although there is no proof He took the vow) and the thought of being separate and totally consecrated to God, which He was.

An interesting aside is Bethlehem, Beth-lechem in Hebrew, signifies the house of bread. Jesus, the bread of life, was born in Beth-lechem, the house of bread. Lehem signifies flesh, as in the flesh on the alter.⁴ (Blue Letter Bible, Adam Clarke) Jesus is the perfect Passover lamb sacrifice for our sins. God had and has everything planned out far ahead of when it happens.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 03

 

When we look at Chapter 3, we see some things done differently now than in the time of Jesus. The first thing is baptism. The word baptism comes from the Hebrew word tevilah and the Greek word baptismo which mean to be immersed in water. This was done at a mikveh, a gathering of water containing 120 gallons and with the water moving. At present a person is baptized by pouring, sprinkling and immersion. Often a minister is the person pouring or sprinkling and, if immersion, is the person who puts the person under the water and brings them back out of the water. In Second Temple Judaism, the time of Jesus, the person officiating at the baptism did not touch the person being baptized nor did they pour, sprinkle, or dunk the baptized. The person officiating supervised the baptism. They made sure the person being baptized went completely into the water, so they were totally immersed, hair and all. The baptized would go into the water, totally immerse themselves, and come out of the water. There was no pouring, or sprinkling, nor did anyone put them into the water and take them back out.

The second thing we need to look at is John the Baptist (or as he was known at that time John the Immerser). John came dressed in a hairy garment with a leather belt. This was for a very specific reason. As Jesus noted John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. And Elijah was a hairy man (2 Kings 1:7-8), John was not. The Hebraic prophets often used visuals to get across their message. John dressed as he did to emulate Elijah and get his message across. John also quoted Isaiah 40:3 to make his mission clear. John was sent by YHWH to prepare the way for the Messiah, plow the road so to speak.

This chapter starts off with John the Immerser preaching in the desert areas of Judea for the people to repent and that the Kingdom of Heaven has come, not far off in time, but here now. His message was taken from the prophecy in Isaiah 40:3. (Matthew often pulls from and refers to the Hebraic Scriptures [Old Testament].) Matthew makes a point of telling his audience John is wearing a camel’s hair coat and leather belt. To the Jews at that time, it would make an immediate connection with Elijah the prophet. (See comments above re: Elijah.)

Verse 5 and 6 let us know people from all over Judah were coming to John for baptism. Verse 6 in the NASB states “⁶and they were being baptized by him.” A more accurate translation is “They ritually immersed themselves in water under his supervision.”¹ (See comments above re: baptism.) John saw the Jewish leaders coming to be baptized and, subtle person that he was, called them poisonous snakes (vipers), wanted to know who warned them about what was coming and, perhaps most importantly, told them to bring fruits, works, that were fitting for returning to God. What were they doing to show they earnestly desired to return to YHWH. WE see this same theme in James of works showing faith. Faith without works shows nothing to anybody.²

John now addresses one of the well-used defenses of the Jews, especially the leaders: “we are children of Abraham.” John dismissed that defense by stating God could raise up children from the stones.³ Later Jesus said the Centorian and Phoenician woman had more faith that the Jewish leaders. John warns them that the separation of the righteous from the unrighteous had already begun.

John now makes his job clear, he was sent to baptize in water for people to return to God but there is one coming from YHWH who is much greater than John⁴ who will immerse them (totally cover them like the water covered them) with the Holy Spirit⁵ and with fire. This person is here and is prepared to separate the wheat from the chaff and the chaff will be burned with a fire that never goes out.

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John did not want to baptize Jesus but knew He should be baptized by Jesus. After Jesus said it needed to be done John acquiesced and supervised Jesus immersing himself in the water and then coming out from the water.⁶ When Jesus came out of the water the heavens opened, and a dove flew down and landed on Jesus. At the same time YHWH spoke from heaven verifying Jesus was His Son and YHWH was very pleased with Him.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 04

 

After Jesus was baptized and God told Him and others that He was well pleased with His Son, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. The testing The Hebrew word for tempted translated into Greek (peirasmos) can also be translated as tested. Peirasmos is defined as “the trial of man' s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy.”¹ While believers are taught Jesus was tempted, tested may be a more appropriate word for His experience. The testing lasted forty days. Forty signifies change, for the individual and often for the world. Rain fell for forty days and nights (Genesis 7:4). Moses was in the mountain forty days (Exodus 24:18). Israel ate manna and wandered in the wilderness for forty years (Exodus 16:35). Jesus remained on earth forty days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3) In each case, and others not listed here, a major change happened to the persons involved and the world.

Each test has a lesson to us for resisting Satan. While we are told of three tests there may have been more that fit into these three general categories. The first test involved physical hunger, the need and desire for food. Satan tried to have Jesus focus on His physical needs instead of God’s Word and Work. Satan tried to get Jesus to use His power and authority as God’s Son to fulfill His immediate needs. Jesus responded by quoting God’s Word. He did not argue or dispute with Satan, He fell back on God’s Word (Deut. 8:3).

The second test involves personal safety, proof of His power and testing the Father. Satan challenged Christ to jump off the Temple in Jerusalem, after all, as it is written, God would protect Him (Psalm 91:11-12). This was again a test to get Jesus to “prove” God’s Word and ‘force’ the Father to protect Him. In order to do so, Jesus would need to put Himself in harm’s way. Jesus did not argue with Satan’s quote of God’s Word, He simply quoted Deut 6:16 which showed Satan was misusing Scripture. An example is Jesus telling the Sadducees “But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.”² Jesus did not argue, dispute or use the power he had for His self-aggrandizement, He simply used God’s Word to correct and rebuke Satan.

The third test involved power. Satan showed Jesus all the world its empires and power and told Jesus he would give Jesus all of these if Jesus would worship him. Jesus replied by quoting Deut. 6:13. We are to worship only God. Satan is not God and is not to be worshipped regardless of potential or apparent rewards.

There are some commonalities in this testing. In all cases Satan tries to have Christ put Himself first and God’s Will and Work second. He also tried to have Jesus use His power as the Son of God for Himself, for His ease, comfort and pride. Pride is what caused Satan to fall. Finally, He is tempted with tremendous power. Satan told Jesus He could have all of the kingdoms of the world if He would worship Satan. Satan says they were his to give. Christ did not correct Satan that they were not His to give, He simply told Satan we were to worship YHWH only, no one else.

When looking at this testing (and possible other times of testing) we must remember Jesus is both God and man. He suffered the testing as a man, just as we would. He did not have any special ability to resist. As a man He suffered as we do, had the same passions, testing, temptations, etc. that are common to man. In dealing with the testing Jesus suffered through it just as we would. Jesus used the same defense that is available to us, God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures. James 5:17 makes this same point “¹⁷Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. ¹⁸Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” Jesus was and is fully the Son of God as well as fully man. As a man He suffered as we do, had the same passions, testing, temptations, etc. that are common to man, but He always put God first and dedicated His life to doing God’s will. We tend to look at Jesus’ human side and many of the prophets as being different than us, somehow born better. They were not.

After Jesus was tested, He began His ministry. Having gone through the testing Jesus proved to Satan and the world YHWH was first in His life, Satan had no hold on Him and He is the Son of God, Savior of the world. Jesus was told John the Immerser was imprisoned. He went into Galilee and made his home in Capernaum (Kefar Nachum) in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled Isa. 9:1&2. As the Jews, being shepherds, were not welcome in the major urban centers of Egypt they settled in Goshen, an out-of-the-way part of Egypt so Jesus, not being welcome in Judah, settled in Galilee, also out-of-the-way to the center of Israel, Jerusalem in Judea.

Once Jesus made Capernaum His home, He started His ministry with the proclamation “Return to God, for the kingdom of heaven has come.”³Jesus now began to call those He would train to continue His work once He was crucified and resurrected, His disciples. The first disciples called were fishermen, brothers Andrew and Simon, as they were going about their jobs. They immediately left their jobs and started following Him. Jesus then saw two other fishermen brothers, James and John, and they also left their fishing to follow Jesus. Notice the call of Jesus, He called them to be fishers of men. They were to use the talent and skills they already had for God’s work.

The start of Jesus’ ministry was not necessarily one to encourage those in power. He was a poor carpenter who started out by calling poor, uneducated, fishermen who labored very hard at their labor-intensive jobs. This is who the Son of God chose to train for His work. He did not choose the wealthy, learned, or influential but rather those who would listen and could be taught.

Jesus started His ministry by traveling throughout Galilee teaching in the Jewish learning centers. Jesus did not avoid the Jewish places of worship and learning but went to them to teach the scriptures and lead people to return to God. As a part of His ministry, He showed God’s love through healing many kinds of disease and sickness among those who came to Him. His healing in God’s name became so well-known people from a large area came to see him.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 05

 

Chapter five starts with the Sermon on the Mount. This chapter is an extension of chapter four. After Jesus was tested and overcame Satan, He shows us how we can do the same through Him. Matthew chapter five is a very clear map for living our lives.

Jesus had begun His ministry in Galilee with large crowds coming to Him to hear His message and to be healed. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went to a place everyone could hear. His sermon laid out God’s philosophy, expectations, requirements, rewards, and rules for living a successful life. After Jesus finished the beatitudes, He explains what that means to us. He does not do this blessing by blessing but rather looks at them and explains them as a unit.

Each of the beatitudes is formally a declarative sentence, but each requires a response “O the blessedness of the poor in spirit” is an example. Beatitudes deal with what is, and what will be. They are in the present and the future. The blessings which belong to Christ are not postponed blessings. They are blessings that exist in the here and now. The blessings are something into which the Christian has already entered, and which they will enter into the fulness sometime in the future. The beatitudes are statements of the unspeakable joy and radiant gladness of living the Christian life.

The Beatitudes all work together. We often look at them separately when we should look at them as one unit with each building with the other to make a complete blueprint for being a happy person and Christian. Christ gives us eight steps to being a happy person and especially a happy Christian. It is important to realize wealth and/or power are not part of any of the blessings. Jesus is saying something we see throughout the Gospels: God’s kingdom is already here, and it also hasn’t yet arrived. (See Matt. 12:28; Luke 11:2.) This is why Christ can proclaim the blessing here and now while also speaking about the blessings of a future kingdom. As Christians, we live in two realities at the same time. We belong to God’s Kingdom and live in that reality. We also live in the physical world and its reality. Our first allegiance and responsibility are to God’s Kingdom, His Word. (For a more detailed study on the Sermon on the Mount see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look in the list for Beatitudes.)

Salt makes food desirable, makes others want to taste it for themselves. Believers should be the salt of God’s Word. People should be able to look at a Christian’s life, see the peace and joy believers have in Christ and want that for themselves. If a Christian hides or let’s go of that hope and joy Christ brings how can others be drawn to Christ? Jesus also tells us we are the light of the world. We bring the good news of God’s salvation for man, Jesus the Messiah, to everyone with whom we come in contact. We are to shine the light of God’s love, protection, provision, caring, and joy. By doing so God uses the light we are to show sin, where repentance is needed and provision for salvation. A person does not hide a lamp under a bushel. To do so makes the lamp useless or almost useless for giving light. If we as Christians hide what God has given us, we have become a very dim or perhaps useless light for showing the good news.

Jesus now moves on to what appears to be a defense of His teachings, present and future. The teachings of Jesus never change. (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), Therefore when He says in “5:17 "Do not even begin to think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come with the purpose to cancel them but rather to interpret them properly.” (1) Jesus was making the foundation of His teaching crystal clear, His foundation is the Torah, God’s instructions to His creation, humankind. For Jesus these instructions were not out of date and never would be out of date, passe’, outmoded. (2) By saying this Jesus makes clear the Torah takes precedence over any man-made traditions, “oral torah,” or man’s teachings. He also makes it clear that God’s instructions (Torah) are never outmoded or no longer in fashion. People may think it is outmoded but YHWH has never made it such.

We are also told anyone who annuls any of the Torah will be called least in the kingdom of heaven and anyone who keeps the Torah will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Notice Jesus did not say they would not be in heaven, but they would be considered the lowest in heaven. Finally Jesus tells us unless our righteous way of living exceeds that of the scribes and spiritual leaders (3) we will not get into heaven. (4) It is a matter of the heart. Does a person truly worship God by what they do or are they just going through the motions. (5)

After validating that the Torah comes from YHWH and is not outmoded or going away, Jesus now moves to an integral part of the Torah, interpersonal relations. How does God want us to deal with others? How do we show love?

The first thing Jesus deals with is murder. Jesus very quickly makes the point murder begins in the heart. This is not a matter of just killing a person but having hate in your heart, hate to belittle them, harm them or kill them because of that hate. Every person is a creation of God, therefore murdering a person is attacking God. Becoming angry with our brother without repentance opens one up to being guilty of murder. Being angry without repentance allows the possibility of that anger growing into full blown hatred and that hatred into actual murder. Well before murder happens physically it has happened in the heart and a person will be condemned for it.

This is so important. Jesus tells us that before we come to worship God, we must leave our gift at the altar and make things right with our brother. If we do not there may well be repercussions. A person may be taken to court, lose what they have and be imprisoned until what is owed is paid.

Now Christ moves to adultery. Again, He makes the point that physical actions begin in the heart. When one person lusts after another person who is not their spouse, they have already committed adultery. This is not speaking about just thinking another person looks good but rather focusing on that person and fantasizing about having emotional and/or sexual relations.

Much like murder, thinking about actions can lead to those actions happening physically. Most crimes begin in the mind and, as a person dwells on them, find their way to actions. People tend to blame a crime on the instrument used to commit the crime. Most instruments used to commit crimes are inanimate objects, neither good nor bad, until put into use by a person. A gun cannot commit a murder but the person using the gun can. The same is the case for knives, rolling pins, pens, etc. People must change and through Christ, they can and will.

Christ tries to help us see it is the mind, our thinking, which is the fundamental issue. He says if one part of our body causes us to stumble, we should cut it off and throw it away. It is better to enter heaven without a part of our body than hell with all of our body. How do we cut off our mind, our thinking, our paradigms? We cannot! Only through Christ can our minds be changed, renewed from naïve worldly thinking to Godly thinking and that on a daily basis. “Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (6)

Jesus talks about divorce, swearing an oath, an eye for an eye, being forced to do something and true love. In all of these examples Jesus shows us a different way of looking at and approaching them. One example that is very relevant to today is verse 5:40 “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” We hear of people being murdered because they “disrespected” someone or made them do something they did not want to do. Jesus tells us if this happens do retaliate or get angry but to give more than the person required. This approach makes good, solid, sense. If a person gives more than is required, it takes the force away and the task becomes a gift instead.

 

Romans 12:19 makes it very clear revenge belongs to the Lord, He will take vengeance when appropriate, it is not our job or responsibility. Paul restates this teaching in Romans 12. It is not our job to repay evil in kind. It is not our job to put ourselves first, to have pride in ourselves. Our job is to put God first and love His creation, all of it.

At the end of chapter 5 Jesus lists a number of Torah instructions we have not truly understood. He mentions that we have heard we should hate our enemies. This was a teaching of the Essenes, to love our neighbors, friends and hate our enemies. (The Essenes considered those who agreed with them as friends and those who did not as enemies.) Jesus turns this on its head and tells us we must love our enemies as well. We must love those who persecute us, take advantage of us. If we love only those who love us, we are just doing what everyone does, no more. To be children of God and be a light to draw others to Him our love must go far beyond the world’s love. We must love and act with love to all people regardless of wealth, position, relation to us, etc.

Jesus tells us not to compete with an evil person. If they slap you on one cheek do not hit back but turn the other cheek for them to slap. Doing this and not competing or retaliating shows love but also takes control of the situation away from the person doing the wrong and allows God to work. It is also a witness to bystanders of God’s love and control of the situation.

Finally, we are told we must be complete as the Father is complete and whole. Some translations say ‘perfect’, but the better translation of the Hebrew word is complete. What does Jesus mean by “complete?” When looking at the context, living and acting in and with love is the primary focus. This is God’s love. It is not a transitory, here now but gone the next moment love, but instead, it is a love that is permanent, acknowledging who we are in the deepest parts of our being. It is love that does not depend on the actions of others, good or bad. It is love that is consistent and unwavering, across time and space, having the love for others that God has for us. That is what “being complete” is all about.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 06

 

What are the motives behind our actions? A Prayer outline and how to pray. Why do we have anxiety? These are covered in Matthew chapter 6. The primary teaching is our motives. Why are we doing what we do? Are we doing acts of righteousness so the world will see and honor/praise us or are we doing them unto the Lord and not so people will see. Jesus gives a number of examples, giving, praying, fasting, worrying about the needs in life.

We are told that when we give, we should not let one hand know what the other is doing. Do not give in an ostentatious way but rather give discreetly where others do not see your giving and reward you with praise. Give in a way only God sees, and God will reward you. In Israel when a rich person gave, they may well sound a trumpet before they gave. Ostensibly this was to call the needy together to get what was given but very often it was a way to call attention to the giver and have people laud them. Jesus tells us when this was the motive, they already had their reward. When people gave secretly God will give them their reward.

Fasting was important to the Hebrews and is also important to Christians. Fasting is denying ourselves so we can focus on God’s will and people needs. The fast is usually food and sometimes food and water. It can be anything as long as we use the fast to focus on God and learn His will. In Israel many times people (often scribes, Pharisee, priests and other leaders) would fast but would let their appearance go unkept, perhaps wear shabby clothes, perhaps not was, so the populus would know they were fasting and honor them for it. This is NOT the reason for a fast. Again, Jesus tells us when this was the motive, they already had their reward. When we fast, we should keep up our appearance and not look like we are fasting. When we fast in secret God rewards us in secret. The ongoing theme is what are our motives, are they God focused or self-focused?

Jesus now talks about praying. Again, our motives for praying are looked at. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men…”¹ Are we praying so God hears us or so men see us, praise, and exalt us for praying? If we are praying so people see us, we already have our reward. When we pray, we should pray so God hears, no one else needs to hear. We are praying to God, communicating with God, not other people.

Praying in a secret or private place also minimizes distractions so we can communicate more clearly with God. Notice I said communicate. Communication is a two-way process, we talk and LISTEN. We do not need to say a lot of words, God knows our hearts, but we do want to communicate what is important.

Jesus now gives us an outline for praying. This outline tells us the important parts of prayer. (For a more detailed study on the Lord’s Prayer see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look in the list for the Lord’s Prayer). The outline starts out recognizing God’s sovereignty over everything. Forgiveness is critical. How can we expect to forgive us when we will not forgive others? If we cannot forgive then we are not ready to receive forgiveness.

Now we come to anxiety, worry. What good is it? What does worrying gain for us? Nothing! In fact, worrying can detract from our life. It can harm our physical, emotional, and mental health as well as shorten our life span. It also indicates a lack of faith. We worry about food, clothes, jobs, family, etc. God knows we need food, clothes, etc. and will provide them as needed. Worry and anxiety show we do not fully trust God will provide.

This chapter is having us examine the state of our hearts, our motives, the fundamental basis for our actions. Are they God centered or “me” centered? Do we want man’s reward here and now or God’s reward in the future. The ‘why’ of our actions tell us who we truly serve. If the ‘why’ is to further God’s Kingdom, we are serving God. If the ‘why’ is present reward, praise from people, etc. then a person is serving Satan, not God. A person cannot truly serve both. It is impossible.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 07

 

Chapter 7 continues Matthew’s theme of faith in God and God providing for our needs. Verses 1-2 are often quoted, but many people who quote this verse don’t understand what Jesus said. They seem to think (or hope) that Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching.¹ Matthew gives us great advice, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you….”²  Jesus gives an example that may seem a bit ludicrous but makes the point very well. We should not highlight a small shortcoming in another person when we have a huge shortcoming of our own. A person must recognize and take care of their own shortcomings before criticizing others and their shortcomings. There is a difference between criticizing and critiquing, judging and reproving. We may think we are reproving when we are actually judging. A person may think we are judging when we are reproving. The difference is the guiding of the Holy Spirit and the state of our hearts. “It is not everyone who is fit to reprove. Those who are themselves guilty of the same faults of which they accuse others, or worse, bring shame upon themselves, and are not likely to do good to those whom they reprove”³

Matthew provides two excellent examples. Matthew 26:6-13 tells us about the woman who poured very expensive fragrant oil on Jesus while He was at dinner. Some of the disciples condemned for this act thinking this money could have been better spent on helping the poor. Jesus corrected them saying that she had done a good thing for Him. They could always help the poor, they would be there into the future, but He would not.

John 8:3 tells us of a woman taken in the act of adultery. The Scribes and Pharisees condemned her reminding Jesus she should be stoned and wanting Him to agree. (Notice they did not also bring the man involved.) Jesus wrote on the ground. We have no idea what He wrote but, told those who condemned her that whoever was without sin they should throw the first stone to kill. After a time, none of those who condemned her stayed and Jesus was left alone with her. He then gently reproved her for her sin and told her to go and sin no more.

Humans tend to judge, not just other humans but just about everything. Often the judgement is based on rumor, innuendo or incomplete information and may not be correct. Many times, people quote Matthew 7:1, but forget about Matthew 7:2. We will be judged by the Word of God and God’s love, mercy and justice. If we judge by our prejudices and paradigms instead of God’s Word, then we will be judged by those same prejudices and paradigms as well as God’s Word. Romans 14:10 and James 4:11 provide a bit more clarification. We are not to speak evil of anyone or act/speak as if they are nothing. 1 John 4:1 tells us to test the spirits and Galatians 5:22-23 tell us the fruits of the Spirit and how we can tell the spirit of God from other, ungodly, spirits.

“You must never give what is consecrated as holy to dogs.” These are those people we find obstinate after the gospel was preached to them, such as blasphemed it, and persecuted the preachers of it. We should not spend much time among such for it would be lost labor, but we must continue to pray for them that they would come to believe in Christ.²

"Ask and [God] will give to you. Seek and [God] will cause you to find.”³ Matthew here reinforces his theme that God knows our needs and supplies them. Jesus said the same in John 14:13 and 16:26. If we ask the Father in Jesus’ name the Father hears and answers us. Matthew gives an example using what a loving human father does for his child. If a child asks for bread the father will not give the child a rock. If a child asks for candy the father will not give the child a grenade. If people who are not righteous know to give good gifts how much will our holy, righteous Father in Heaven give good gifts?

“In every situation then, treat others the way that you want them to treat you, for this is the summary of the Torah and the Prophets.”⁴ Many times Christians look at the Torah only as law. The Torah is much more than that. Matthew shows us what is known as the Golden Rule is a fundamental part of the Torah. We also see this in Matthew 22:40; 1 John 3:23-24; 1 John 4. We are given instructions, follow the road through the narrow gate. We are not told it is easy, actually the opposite. The wide gate and easy road leads to destruction.

“Guard against the false prophets, who come to you disguised in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”⁵ We will recognize those who are false believers, pretenders, by their fruits. Look at their works. Do their works show Christ’s love? Do their doctrine, actions and works (fruits) show compliance with God’s Word? If they do not-----run away. Do not throw your pearls before swine. We have need to be very cautious, because their pretenses are very fair and plausible, and such as will deceive us, if we are not on our guard.²

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the individual who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”⁶ A person just saying they are a Christian without the fruits showing their faith is not enough. (James 2:14-18) As going to a college campus everyday does not make me a student at the college, so going to church even every day does not make me a believer. To be a believer one must accept Christ as their savior and then live in faith for Christ. Doing so will produce fruit showing our faith and commitment.

Those who attend but do not believe are like those who build their dwelling on poor soil. When external forces work on the house it will fall. We see this in the landslides, earthquakes, tornados, etc. that are happening. Houses well-built and on good ground are not easily destroyed. The same is true of people. Those who have accepted Christ and live according to God’s Word are not easily destroyed, caused to fall. Their solid grounding on God’s Word and faith in God keep them safe.

Jesus taught them as someone possessing authority and not like the scribes. Jesus being the Word of God did not need to refer to other “experts” on the Torah but knew the reason and purpose of what the Father said. His authority came through and comes through His teaching.

There are a view things we need to remember from this chapter: Jesus did not prohibit the judgment of others, but warned us to not judge by a standard we do not want to be used for judging us. Do not apply that standard hypocritically, one application for us and one for other people: The only valid standard is God’s Word: any judging MUST be led by the Holy Spirit. One of the gifts of the Spirit is discernment of spirits. There is a difference between judging and discernment, although they are related.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 08

 

In Matthew 5:1-48; Matthew 6:1-34; Matthew 7:1-29 Matthew has given us the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew has given us his account of the words of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 8 Matthew gives us an account of the deeds of Jesus and shows us Divine Love in action. (Barclay) As we look at chapter 8, we can break it down into sections. Jesus showed His mastery and authority over 1) disease, 2) indecisive or perhaps false commitment, 3) nature and 4) demons.

In verses 1 through 17 we are told of three specific miracles, two involved Jews and one for a Gentile (a Roman officer). In the first healing a leper came to Jesus and said “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”¹ A leper approaching a Jew was highly unusual at that time. Lepers were to maintain a six-foot minimum distance from other people. This was to prevent the possibility of infecting another person as well as, depending on the type of leprosy and stage of the disease, the person could be horribly disfigured. Jesus did not let these to determine His course of action. He touched the man, and the man was immediately completely healed. Jesus then instructed the man to go and do what Moses said and go to the priests and make the offerings required. Jesus told the man to do these as a witness to what had done, healing him.

Next, a centurion came to Jesus asking Jesus to heal his servant (slave). This was unusual for at least two reasons; the centurion showed love and care for his slave, very unusual in the cultures at that time. The centurion was Gentile, a Roman, Jews were not to enter a Gentile’s house, or the Jew would be unclean. Again, Jesus did not that to determine His actions, He told the centurion He would come and heal the slave. Jesus was willing to go to a Gentiles house, the house of an occupying military to heal a slave. This is amazing especially considering the time and culture. Nothing would keep Jesus from taking care of His creation.

The response of the centurion was amazing and showed and understanding of Jesus very few had. The centurion recognized Jesus’ authority and power. He knew it was not necessary for Jesus to come to his house, Jesus had to but make the command and would be done. The centurion may also have wasted to spare Jesus the necessity of entering his Gentile residence and possible problem with the Jewish leadership. Jesus told the centurion to go, his slave was healed.

After this Jesus and His disciples went to Peters house. When they arrived, they found Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever and in bed. Given the area and the high incidence of malaria and other diseases it is hard to say what may have been the problem. It is not important we know the cause of the fever; it is important we know Jesus healed her. No sickness or disability is beyond the power of our Lord to heal. An important part of this healing is that Peter’s mother-in-law got up and served them. She did not just sit around rejoicing she was healed but rather SHE TOOK ACTION, she served Jesus and the disciples.

While Jesus was at Peter’s house, in the evening many who were sick, disabled or demon possessed were brought to Jesus for healing. The reason for bringing people in the evening was it was cooler then and those needing healing or deliverance would not need to face the heat of the day. Jesus healed those who came to Him. Just as prophesied in Isaiah 53:4.

Now Matthew changes the pace a bit, he talks about those coming to Jesus stating they wanted to follow Him, and those Jesus invited to follow Him.

In the first instance “a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”² The fact that a scribe (usually a Pharisee) would come to Jesus and want to follow Him is surprising. A scribe was often a Pharisee, and they were not always fans of Jesus. Jesus told him what he could expect, poverty, no permanent home and possibly living on the fringes of society. Another potential follow asked that Jesus would first let him bury his father. That did not mean his father was dead or even close to death but rather he wanted to wait until his worldly/cultural requirements were completed (perhaps years) to follow Christ. Jesus’ response was following Him was more important that the responsibilities to the world or culture.

Perhaps we should ask which is more important, satisfying worldly/cultural norms or keeping one person from living without God, going to hell, for eternity? Perhaps that is a root question here.

Matthew now moves to Jesus’ authority over nature. ^“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.”³ The disciples were very afraid, woke Jesus up asking Him to save them. Jesus first asked them why they were afraid; told them they had little faith and with His word calmed the storm. The Disciples were amazed and wondered what kind of man was Jesus that even nature obeyed Him.

A few things can be seen here. When Jesus said to them “you men of little faith” He was letting them know there was nothing to fear Despite how circumstances looked God was there and their faith in God would keep them safe. Through faith they had the power to calm the storm, just as Jesus did. We also see they still did not realize who Jesus truly is, the Word of God, God with us. We have the same issue today. Even believers do not realize who Jesus really is. His power, authority, magnificence, love, caring, and protection are not truly realized or abided in. We also do not recognize or realize the true power of faith in Him. We are often told God’s miracles and gifts were for the early church, not us. Science and technology have “proved” these no longer exist, if they ever did. When did we outgrow the need for God in our world and lives? Knowledge does not imply wisdom. The need for faith is still in the world but now er put our faith in science, technology and gadgets instead of God. We can predict when a disaster (earthquake, storm, blizzard, hurricane, mudslide, etc.) may happen but we, with all of our technology, cannot stop it. Only God can stop it.

After the storm they immediately came to the country of the Gadarenes.⁴ Two very violent demon possessed men met Jesus and the disciples. The demons in these men immediately questioned Jesus as to His intentions. Was He going to torment them before the appointed time? The demons knew exactly who Jesus is and knew He had authority over them. They knew they would be cast out of the man and asked Jesus to let them inhabit the herd of pigs. Jesus did and as soon as the demons inhabited the pigs the pigs killed themselves. “This is the mark of evil. It is always destructive; whereas the Spirit of God is constructive and builds up from the ruins of Satan’s work” (F.B. Meyer Commentary)

After the demons were cast into the pigs the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw Him, they asked Him to go move away from their region. Why would they ask Jesus to leave the region, after all He had just delivered two men from demons, He was known as helping and healing people. Perhaps it was financial. The owner(s) of the pigs just lost a large amount of money. Since they had not seen anything like this before perhaps it was fear. Perhaps Satan blinded them to Jesus and His saving power. Why do people do the same today?

 

 

Matthew Chapter 09

 

After casting the demons into the pigs Jesus got into a boat and went to Capernaum. Once there, a man was brought to Him. The man was a paralytic, on his bed, and was brought to Jesus. At that time and place a man frequently spread a mat upon the ground and sleep in the open air; in the morning he rolls up his mat and carries it away. This mat is probably what the friends of the paralytic used to bring him to Jesus. Jesus’ first words are a bit surprising “Take courage, child. Your sins are forgiven."

This caused consternation among the some of the scribes, they felt He was committing blasphemy. Only God can forgive sin, not man. Jesus knew what they were thinking and addressed their thoughts by saying “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? He then told the man to pick up his bed and go home. The Jewish rightly believed only God can forgive sins. By Jesus telling the man his sins were forgiven the Jewish leaders thought Jesus committed blasphemy, He was a man, not YHWH. Jesus showed He was God and could forgive sins and heal, which He did.

Jesus now called Matthew to follow Him, which Matthew did. This further shocked the scribes, religious leaders, and probably the local populus. Matthew was a tax collector, a publican, an outcast in the employ of the Romans. He was in the employ of the enemies and made his wages by overcharging the people for their taxes. He was a pariah. Matthew left tax collecting to follow Jesus, and was one of those that accompanied Jesus beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up in the cloud. “Here is a shining example of how Jesus can use whatever gift a man may bring to him. It is not likely that the others of the Twelve were handy with a pen. Galilean fishermen would not have much skill in writing or in putting words together. But Matthew did; and this man, whose trade had taught him to use a pen, used that skill to compose the first handbook of the teaching of Jesus, which must rank as one of the most important books written or that the world has ever read.”¹

Matthew is a competent and trustworthy witness to what he saw, experienced, and recorded. To celebrate being called by Jesus Matthew throws a dinner party. Many of Matthew’s friends, other publicans and what the scribes referred to as sinners, attended the dinner and this horrified the Jewish leaders and scribes. Jesus reminded those criticizing His actions of Hosea 6:6 and Hosea’s comments that YHWH wants compassion, not sacrifice. The Jewish leaders, Pharisees and scribes were very good at sacrifice, not so much with compassion. Matthew had the opportunity of bringing his old associates to be acquainted with Christ. He knew by experience what the grace of Christ could do.² Jesus is very clear that these are the people who need Him. The righteous (or those who think they are righteous), do not think they need Him. Everyone needs Christ, especially those who think they do not. Many religious leaders considered everyone, except themselves, as born completely in sin and not knowing the Law of Moses. They did not understand they needed the salvation Christ brought just as much as did the publicans, thieves and prostitutes.

Now the disciples of John came and asked why Jesus’ disciples did not fast like they and other teachers’ disciples did. Jesus uses the very familiar wedding feast in His reply. The friends of the bridegroom do not fast while the bridegroom is with them but will fast when the bridegroom is gone. On the day of marriage the bridegroom went, adorned and anointed, to the house of the bride, attended by his companions (Jdg. 14:11), and led the bride, attended by her maidens, in festive procession, with music and dancing, at even, by torchlight, into the house of his father. The marriage feast lasted seven days. Christ is the bridegroom and the bride is the church. The friends of the bridegroom, His disciples, would not nor could not fast while He was with them.

Jesus also uses the example of new wine in old wineskins, and new fabric used to fix a tear on old fabric. Neither works well. There is the thought that Jesus was making the point that He had already made it plain that the old was not to be destroyed, nor even superseded, but fulfilled, to its last jot and tittle. The new life, while losing nothing which was in the old, was to be larger and freer, and therefore must have new garments to match. To try to piece out and patch the old would be no improvement, but much the reverse, for a worse tear would be the only result. The second illustration, like the first, has the same point. The new wine of the kingdom of heaven, though it retains all the excellence of the old vintage, yet having fresh properties of its own, must have fresh skins to hold it, so its natural expansion would not be hindered. To attempt to confine it in the old vessels would be to expose them to destruction and to lose the wine.

A synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.” It was unusual for a synagogue to come and ask Jesus for help. His desperation for his daughter drove him to come to the only person who could help, Jesus. Jesus went with the man to help the man’s daughter.

While on the way a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, (His prayer shawl. She touched the tzitzit, this referred to the tassels, fringe, or stringed knots of the prayer shawl which were worn as clothing.). Jesus felt healing power had gone out of Him and wanted to know who touched Him. The disciples were a bit incredulous and asked Him how, given the crowd was so great, He knew someone touched Him. Jesus knew someone had touched him. Finally, the woman who was healed came up told Jesus what happened, and Jesus said because of her faith she was healed. The woman did not feel she needed to bother Jesus, or take up His time, but KNEW Jesus would heal her if she just touched the fringe of His prayer shawl. She put action to her faith.

This happened while he was on the way to the young girl who had just died. Jesus always has time for each of us, to take care of us and the problems we have, and what we're going through.

When Jesus came into the synagogue leader’s house, professional mourners were already there mourning the death of the girl. Jesus told them “Leave; for the girl has not died but is asleep.” And they laughed at Him because they knew she was dead. Jesus had everyone leave the house except the parents. Jesus went into the child, and she rose up. This is another example of Jesus having power over life and death.

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” These men had obviously heard of Jesus and His power to heal. They wanted healed, they wanted their sight back. Jesus restored their sight and told them not to let people know what happened, but they spread the news throughout the area. Why would Jesus not want the healing known? Perhaps He was finding it difficult to carry out His ministry due to all the people pressing Him for miracles.

As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him. Jesus restores life to a dead girl, restores eyesight to two blind men and now restores speech to a demon possessed man. After these miraculous acts the people praise Him, but the Pharisees claim He does these through Satan, not through the Father. The difference of how the people and the Pharisees reacted to Jesus and His works is amazing and tells us a lot about thinking of the different groups and individuals. It is the same today.

Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. He went through all the cities and villages of Israel, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, healing every kind of disease, and every kind of sickness.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 10

 

Jesus now chooses twelve of His disciples and designates them as apostles. An apostle is one who is sent. Many theologians define the criteria as “(1) a disciple of Jesus during His earthly ministry, (2) an eyewitness of the Resurrection, and (3) called and commissioned directly by Christ. The Scripture says these criteria applied only to the original twelve Apostles. (Acts 1:21-22) Paul was not a former disciple, and his vision of the resurrected Christ occurred after Jesus’ ascension. Paul was not an eyewitness of the Resurrection in the same way as the other Apostles.¹ Paul is considered an exception with ‘explanations’ provided. The problem here is these criteria are not found in Scripture. In fact, Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us apostle is one of the gifts of ministry Jesus gave to the church. Romans 11:29 tells God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.² Many may say the gifts of ministry and gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) were only for the early church but, thankfully, the Scriptures do not agree.

The demographic makeup of the original twelve apostles is interesting. They are a very diverse group ranging from fishermen to tax collectors, zealots to non-zealots. None of the twelve were educated men, but, because of their training at home, they all knew the Hebrew Scriptures and Torah quite well. Simon the Zealot normally would have been a sworn enemy of Matthew the tax collector and possibly tried to kill him, but with Jesus they worked together in peace. Judas Iscariot is thought to have been a Sicarii, an assassin. The makeup of the twelve is an object lesson that Jesus came for everyone, all walks of life. In addition, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, both member of the ruling class, believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Again, Jesus came for everyone, not just some. This takes back to Genesis 12:3 where God tells Abraham through him all the families of the earth will be blessed. Christ is a descendant of Abraham and a blessing to all the earth; therefore, He is the fulfillment of Genesis 12:3.

Christ now sends out the twelve to carry His message, but before they leave, He gives them instructions and a warning. First Jesus tells them where to go and where not to go. He establishes their focus and priority. They are told to go to Israel, not to the Samaritans or Gentiles. The Samaritans were a mixed group of people, partly Jewish and partly Gentile. The Gentiles were considered pagan. In Genesis 12:3 it is clear the children of Abraham, are the believers in one God, YHWH. In John 4:22 Jesus is very clear salvation is from the Jews. Christ is Jewish and He is salvation. This is why Jesus instructed the twelve to go only to the lost sheep of Israel. Israel must hear the message first and then take it to the Samaritans and Gentiles. Although many Israelites did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and Savior enough did that the non-Jewish world heard the message and thus God’s plan was fulfilled.

Jesus also instructed the twelve what they were to do as they traveled: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.”³ They were not to ask for any renumeration for preaching. They received the good news free of charge and they were to pass it on free of charge. Jesus also tells them what to take for their travels, in effect very little. They were not to acquire money, a bag for their personal effects, no sandals or a staff, just what they wore when they started their travels. There were no prearranged places to stay in the villages, so they were instructed when they visited a place to stay at any house that they find is worthy. If the apostles are welcome let their shalom⁴ be in that house. If they are not welcome or there is dissension in the house take back their shalom and leave that house. The apostle didn’t so much take back their Shalom, as it returned back to them if the people did not accept the Good News. When the apostles go to a village or town, and the people do not receive⁵ or listen to them, they are to shake even the dust from that place from their shoes.

Jesus now gives a warning; the warning applies to all past, present, and future believers. This was not easy, nor will it be easy. Jesus is sending His messengers to wolves, people who will not believe and will do all they can to stop us from spreading God’s word, the good news of Christ. History has shown the terribly brutal actions taken by the world and its leaders to stop the spread of the Gospel. We may be taken before kings and governors to answer for our beliefs. Normally that does not happen. What does happen every day is we get the opportunity to speak with people around us. Some will listen but many will not. We must remember the Holy Spirit is with us and will give us what we should do and say.⁶

Jesus continues to tell us what is coming. Family members will betray family members with death, a definite possibility. They and we will be hated by many people because of our belief in, talking about, and following Jesus. As we look at history, we see this hate played out in many ways. Often people who call themselves Christians carry out these acts of hate claiming they are trying to keep Christianity ‘pure’ and free from heretics. Unfortunately, many true believers have been persecuted, tortured, and killed because they do not agree with a particular interpretation of scripture or doctrine which have little to no foundation in Scripture.

Jesus now tells the apostles not to take persecutions, insults, demeaning, etc. personal. These things were done to Him, the world would certainly do the same to His followers. Believers are to be prudent, like snakes are prudent, aware of their surroundings and dangers. Believers are also to be innocent as doves. We are to do no harm, engage in, or approve, ungodly behavior. Believers will suffer persecution but are not to inflict it. Believers are to operate under the law of love, Christ’s love, not hate. (See 1 Corinthians 13.)

Going back to being aware of one’s environment and hidden dangers, Christ assures us everything, even things well-hidden, will be revealed. We are not to be reluctant to repeat, perhaps even broadcast, what Christ has revealed to us. It is important to remember that the Scripture does not disagree with itself. If what we say or think disagrees with Scripture we must pray, a lot, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

People are very self-oriented. Contemplating pain and dying are not fun but are something that happens to everyone at some point. For born again Christians, death is not the end, but the beginning of eternity with God. Jesus puts this in very clear perspective. Fear the One who can destroy the body and soul in hell. Life is temporary, heaven and hell are eternal. Christ also makes clear each person is extremely valuable to God. We are more valuable than any other creation of God’s. We are so important and valuable to God He even knows every hair on the head of each person. Being this  loved by and valuable to God means He does not want anyone to be condemned to hell. That is why Jesus came, to provide a way of escape from Satan’s realm, Hell.

To have Christ in one’s life is to confess Him as the Son of God and Savior before other people. That is, to confess Him verbally, practically, actively, and passively. Talk about Jesus, actively living as a believer in Christ and thinking as a follower of Christ. There is a book, In His Steps, that contains the phrase “What Would Jesus Do.”⁷ This was a question we were to ask ourselves in every circumstance and decision. This was a fad among Christians for a number of years with people wearing jewelry with the phrase WWJD, (What Would Jesus Do?). As all fads do, the fad passed. That is unfortunate. If we honestly ask ourselves What Would Jesus Do it can lead us to think and act as Christians as well as to witness to our belief actively and verbally.⁸

 

 

Matthew Chapter 11

 

Jesus finishes His instructions to the apostles, and He went to preach in their cities, the populous places. He preached the gospel where there were the most people to hear and follow Him. As Jesus was teaching people, sent from John, came to Him asking if He was the One, the Messiah, or should they wait for another person. Some scholars have said John was unsure if Jesus was the Messiah. Others have said John asked the question for the sake of his disciples. Perhaps it was a bit of both as well as a verification of Jesus as Messiah for everyone. Jesus’ response is very important, He reminds John, and us, how He is fulfilling Scripture. His works and preaching prove He is the Messiah. Jesus always goes back to the Torah. The last verse in this paragraph has caused consternation for quite a few people. “And blessed is he¹, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” ²Not being offended in Him means we are willing to tell others we believe in Jesus, God’s Son, and the world’s savior. Jesus gave His answer to John’s disciples and ended it with the “blessed is he…”comment. ³The comment may have been for John, his disciples, us, the Jews or all of these.⁴

John now talks about John and his place in God’s plan. Jesus starts by reminding the people what they went out in the desert to see. They did not travel to the wilderness to see a person who frequently changed his opinion nor a person who wore expensive suits nor drove a fast tricked-out chariot. The people went to the desert wilderness to see and listen to a dedicated man of God. John’s job as a prophet was very important, he prepared the way for the Messiah. Jesus tells everyone John is the greatest person ever born of women. History admits of many great people, but John is seldom mentioned. Jesus tells us John is greater than any ‘great’ man or woman born. Christ then says the very least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. The kingdom of heaven is always greater than the temporal human kingdom.

We are now taken in a bit of a different direction. Jesus tells us “From the days of John the Immerser until now, the kingdom of heaven is powerfully breaking its way forward, and people breaking out with its power are seizing hold of it.”⁵ Due to translation errors this has been a much-misunderstood verse. A more detailed treatment is given in the End Notes.⁶ Jesus now gives more information about John. “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”⁷

John came with the same spirit and work God gave Elijah. To show John and Elijah carried the same message from God, John wore a hairy (fur covered) garment and a belt. He did this as a visual lesson of his spirit and work. Elijah was a hairy man, John was not, so he wore a hairy garment as a visual sign. This sort of visual example was often done by the prophets.

This passage has confused many, especially about John being Elijah. Elijah died many, many years before John was born so how can John be Elijah? John and Elijah were two different people, weren’t they? They were two different people with the same spirit from God to do the same work. Jesus makes a powerful statement now “ ¹⁵Everyone who has ears to hear must listen!”⁸ Note the word MUST. Jesus was not making a suggestion; He was giving a command! Ears to hear are those who have spiritual ears. Those who hear the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

“John was in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” This meant that the same spirit that was on Elijah to restore the altar of God and bring the fire was also on John to lay a foundation for the ministry of Jesus. John identified his ministry with that of Elijah. That is why he clothed himself in a fur garment and ate locust tree fruit and wild honey.

Many thought that Jesus was “Jeremiah” or “one of the prophets.” This was the same principle. The Spirit that was on Jesus was recognized as connected with Jeremiah or another of the prophets. There were similarities in messages and appearances. This principle of one prophet’s ministering in the spirit and power of a previous one was also manifest in Zechariah who was thought to minister in the spirit of Jeremiah.”⁹

Our expectations of and for YHWH are based on the human experience which are far too narrow. The Israelite’s expectations of the Messiah at the time of Jesus were also far too narrow. For both groups, that continues through history into the present. God can do as God pleases. Man’s definition of impossible does not enter into the equation.

Jesus now shows the dichotomy in their thinking. John lived an austere life, not really socializing, and the people wondered why he did not join in their way of life. Some disparaged John for this, even if silently. Jesus came socializing with anyone and everyone, and He was accused of being a glutton and eating/associating with sinners. These were things many did not approve of Him doing if He was the Messiah. As with many people their opinion about acceptable behavior changed with their paradigms, expectations and personal prejudices. Their opinions were not necessarily based on God’s Word, the Torah. God’s wisdom provides multiple ways to have people hear His Word and accept His salvation, Jesus. Some come because of a life and witness like John’s, street preachers, evangelists, friends, worship services, etc. In the end all come because of the life and witness of Jesus’. Good works cannot save us. Being extremely moral cannot save us. Jesus alone is the only way to salvation.

After Jesus tells people they missed the point about John’s mission and His mission, He addresses the towns He visited. Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida were three of the towns that did not accept the teaching of Jesus, the miracles He carried out, nor did they accept Him as the Son of God despite the many proofs He provided. Jesus lets them know they are in great danger in the judgement because they disregarded the Messiah.

Christ now thanks the Father acknowledging everything He has, and does, comes from the Father. Jesus thanks the Father for concealing things from the wise but revealing them to the simple. This comment can cause us to ask if God conceals them from the wise why are the wise punished for not knowing them. Perhaps we are not looking at this correctly. The things are concealed by God because many people who consider themselves wise are closed minded and have little faith. They may well think they are beyond believing and dismiss what they cannot understand.

Finally, Jesus invites anyone who has a burden or problem to come to Him. We must come in faith believing He can and will help. Anyone can come but they must come in faith and believe.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 12

 

Matthew Chapter Twelve provides a clarification of the thinking of Jesus and many of the Pharisees. We must not make the mistake of thinking when Jesus corrected or even condemned Pharisees that He was addressing o all the pharisees. There were Pharisees who honestly worked to follow the Torah and some who believed in Jesus (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea). Unfortunately, there were also those who saw their traditions as much more important and binding than the Torah (God’s Word). Jesus disagreed with the Pharisees because would knowingly violate the Torah by their traditions and require others to do the same.

God created the Sabbath as a time for people to rest from their labors, worship and learn God’s Word for us. In order to ensure the Sabbath was kept the pharisees set many, many rules and regulations defining what people could and could not do on the Sabbath. The amount and detail of the Pharisaic rules and regulations made the Sabbath an onerous burden. It not only made keeping all the Sabbath difficult, but it took the joy and intent of the Sabbath away. Jesus had a hard time with the Pharisees because they violated the intent and purpose of the Sabbath.

Matthew chapter eight, verses one through eight, provide an example of the difference in thinking, In this section The disciples are walking through a grain field on the Sabbath and the disciples, being hungry, began picking grain, shelling it in their hands and eating it. Some Pharisees saw them and accused them of breaking the law, stating they are violating the Torah. Jesus immediately responds and shows them where their thinking is not in line with God’s Torah. The law the Pharisees referred to was their traditions, the rules they mad, not the Torah. Jesus gave the example of David and his soldiers eating the bread if the Presence, which was for the priests only and was forbidden for anyone else to eat. Jesus also reminds them that the priests serve (work) on the Sabbath and are not guilty of breaking the Torah. Both examples show their traditions are wrong and noy in compliance with God’s Word.

Finally, Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 where God states God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He tells the Pharisees they do not understand what God was saying which is proven by their judging the innocent. This is similar to Jesus telling the Sadducees they were in err because they did not know the Scriptures or the power of God.¹ Both the Pharisees and Sadducees put their traditions and doctrine ahead of God’s Word. Jesus end by making the reason for the Sabbath very clear: “because the human being is master of the Shabbat day”² The New American Standard Bible translate this verse: “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”³ The King James Version says: “For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.”⁴ Although the word are different the message in the translations are the same: the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath and Jesus is lord of everything, including the Sabbath. It would seem the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to take control of the Sabbath away from God and to themselves by their traditions, rules and regulations.

Jesus leaves the Pharisees and goes to a Jewish Learning Center (Beit Midrash, House of Study).⁵ It is still the Sabbath when Jesus goes to the Beit Midrash. When He enters Jesus is met by a man with a shriveled hand. The Pharisees questioned Jesus about healing on the Sabbath; is it permitted by the Torah, lawful, or not? The question did not come from an honest heart, rather they were testing Jesus, trying to trap Him so they could accuse Him of violating the Torah. This is a different circumstance than the previous question about shelling grain on the Sabbath but the same intent, to accuse Jesus of violating the Torah.

Jesus responds by asking “What person is there among you who has one sheep, which if it falls into a ditch on the Shabbat day, will not catch hold of it and pull it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So then, it is permitted to do good on the Shabbat day.”⁶ Jesus has pointed out, again, that they do not understand the Scriptures. The Pharisees made their tradition and oral Torah just as important, maybe more important, than God’s Word, the Torah. Although the Pharisees do not exist today there is still confusion concerning prioritizing the Torah, oral Torah and traditions. Christ strongly disagreed with putting traditions above God’s Word and teachings. Because traditions were placed above the Torah the Pharisees could save their possessions, the animal, but let the person suffer or die.

The Jewish leaders were not able to prove Jesus wrong so they started discussing how to kill Him. Jesus was aware of their desire to kill Him and left the area. Many people followed Him. Jesus healed many and instructed them not to make Him conspicuous. Christ was not yet ready to reveal who He was, it was not the time yet. This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4.

Now a man troubled by demons who could neither speak nor see came to Jesus. Jesus healed the man, and he could now see and talk. The people seeing this were amazed, except for the Jewish leaders. While the people were giving glory to God and asking if Jesus could be the Son of David, the Messiah, the leaders were giving credit for the healing to Satan. This is important the leaders did not glorify God; they attributed the miracles of the Holy Spirit to Satan. This a direct insult to God’s holy and loving character and nature.

Christ shows their hypocrisy and the dichotomy in their thinking. They claimed Christ healed through Satan, but their disciples healed through the Holy Spirit. This shows their prejudice against Christ. Jesus makes their duplicity evident by saying for anyone to take from a strong man (Satan) they must first tie up the strong man. If Jesus forces out demons by Satan by whose help do their disciples force them out?

“A general theme through this section of Matthew is the rising opposition against Jesus.”⁷ What is interesting in an unfortunate way is the leaders castigating and the disciples for eating shelling and eating grain on the Sabbath, violating not the Torah but their rules and tradition and then planning to murder Jesus, an innocent man. It was a spiritual power struggle the leaders thought they would win by killing Jesus but actually lost by doing so.

We now come to a section of Scripture that can be difficult to understand. “Hence I tell you, offense and blasphemy will all be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 12:32) Everyone who speaks a word against a person will be forgiven. However, everyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the age to come.”⁸

The question of what constitutes blasphemy against the Spirit arises. That question is answered by the circumstances from which it arose. Jesus healed people and, in this specific instance, cast a demon out of a man. This was done in the sight of quite a few people, including the Jewish spiritual leaders (pharisees and Sadducees). The spiritual leaders heard the people asking if Jesus could be the Son of David. They immediately responded, “This man forces out demons only by Baal Zevul, the leader of the demons." They claimed the works of the Holy Spirit were done by Satan. Christ is very clear that showing contempt for the Holy Spirit and crediting the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan is blasphemy. Again, the leaders did not glorify God, they attributed the miracles of the Holy Spirit to Satan. This a direct insult to God’s holy, loving, character spirit, and nature. Yet true blasphemy against the Spirit is more than a formula of words; it is a settled disposition of life that rejects the testimony of the Holy Spirit, especially the testimony of Jesus.⁹

Jesus’ first response to the leaders made it very clear there is no gray area when it comes to Him, people will either be for or against Him. Those who are against Him will scatter the people making it easier for Satan to attack, deceive, entrap and lead them to Hell. This same is true today, there is no middle ground. People are either for or against Jesus. There are no gray areas and no fence to sit on. People either work for or against Jesus. Jesus gathers, Satan scatters.

Jesus continues on in this vein by telling they are snakes, sneaking up on people, biting them, and making them sick (spiritually) or dead. He tells the leaders to be one thing or the other. A person’s fruit works and words will tell what they truly are inside. The spiritual leaders tell Jesus they want to see a sign from Him.to prove He was the Messiah, the Son of David. Jesus told them there would be no sign except Jonah. As Jonah was in the stomach of the great fish prepared for him so He (Christ) would be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. He also compared Himself to many great people in the Jews past and told them He was greater.

Jesus explained how a demon expelled from a person could, would, go out, get other demons even more evil, to join the first and reinfect the person from whom they had been expelled. Jesus tells them the same will happen to their evil generation (and ours?). Finally, a circumstance came about that Jesus used to make His thinking very clear. His mother and brothers came and wanted to see Him. When He was told Jesus said his mother and brothers were those around Him, His disciples and believers. Jesus was here for everyone who believed in Him.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 13

 

After Jesus corrected the spiritual leaders and pointed out His mother and brothers were everyone who believed, Jesus went to the shore, entered a boat and started to teach using parables. Parables are stories that make a heavenly or spiritual point. “the parables of Jesus always reveal the reality and character of God in word pictures.”¹ The parable was a well-used teaching method. It was used by many Hebrew teachers to make their teachings clear. It is like a parent or teacher telling stories in order to make a difficult teaching clear. It is also like people looking at clouds. One person sees an image in the cloud, another does not, and another thinks spending time looking as useless, a waste of time, and does not care enough to look. As with the parables of Jesus, some will get the point, others will not, and others will not care and will ignore the teaching.

The Sower and the Seed is a very important parable for a few reasons. First, it provides a pattern for us to understand subsequent parables. Second, Jesus reveals God and the spiritual realm through this parable. Third, the parable brings us face-to-face with our hearts.²

The soil on the path is packed hard from people walking on it over time. Soil that is walked on multiple times daily can become like concrete where nothing will grow. The seed that fell on the path had very little chance to take root and grow. This is the same with people. Some people have so hardened their hearts over time that they refuse to hear or do anything about the Word of God.³ The rocky soil is the person who receives the Word of God but have little root and when they are persecuted for their belief, they leave the Word.⁴ The thorny soil is different from the rocky soil. The thorny soil is when the wealth, cares and philosophy of the world displace our concern for God. In fact, following the Word hardly gets a start, if at all.⁵ The good soil is the person who accepts the Word, grows in the Word, acts on what the Word says, and is fruitful in serving God.⁶

The disciples asked Jesus why He spoke, taught, in parables. Jesus said that they, the disciples, were allowed to see the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but it was not everyone was allowed to see. Now the question arises; If it is not given to everyone, why punish those to whom it was not given? The answer is in Isaiah 6:9-10.⁷ There are people who did not care enough to really hear to understand the Word of God. There are those who would see God’s works, but not see it was God working. They did not have faith to understand God’s Word, workings, and love.

Jesus tells another parable, one about wheat and tares. A tare was a weed that looked much like wheat while growing but once the wheay and tares were fully grown the difference could be clearly seen and the two could be separated. In the parable of the soils only the seed planted in good soil grew into fulness. The workers in the field wondered where the tares came from. The landowner knew an enemy had sown them. Trying to separate the tares from the wheat would be problematic and could well destroy a portion of the wheat. The landowner said to leave them alone and when they were ready to harvest then separate them.

Jesus juxtapositioning this parable immediately after the parable of the soils is interesting. In the parable of the tares the soil appeared to be good and the crop was growing nicely, but tares appeared in the growing crop. The tares are those who look like committed believers but are actually pretenders. It is God’s angels job to separate them at the harvest. The havest is when Christ returns, but can also be when a person dies. It is God’s job to separate the, not ours. We may err and cause true believers to fall.

Jesus also gives the example of the mustard seed. It is the smallest sse but grows into a very large bush. So a person with seemingly small faith can grow into a huge person of God. All of these parables reinforce the point we are to treat others with God’s love. We are not to diminish anyone but nourish their growth.

Jesus now gives three example concerning the value of God’s kingdom to mankind. It is like a treasure hidden a field and the person who finds it sell all they have to buy the field and obtain the treasure. It is also like a merchant fingind a pearl of great value. The merchant seel all he has to obtain the pearl. It is aldo like fishermen who cast their net into the sea and caught a large number of fish. They dragged the net onto the shore ans separated the good fish from the bad and threw out the bad. Again this is what will happen when Christ. Like the tares, at the end the bad will be cast into the furnace.

After this Jesus went to Nazareth. He taught in the synagogue and the people wondered how He acquired this knowledge. They saw Him only as the local boy, the son of Hoseph and Mary, no one special. Because of their attitude and lack of faith He could not do any great works there. This is a very important lesson about faith and belief. Without truly believing Jesus is the Savior and Son of God and without having faith in God and Jesus miracles will not happen. Today we can see a lack of belief in Jesus as Savior as well as a lack of faith in YHWH and Jesus results in a lack of miracles. People say the miracles and gifts were for the early church and not needed tin the present, the world has grown beyond those things. These are just excuses. We have allowed Satan to deceive us. There is no difference between the needs of people in ancient Israel and us. We still desperately need God working in our lives.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 14

We now come to the actions of Herodias Herod, and Salome. Herodias was the wife of Herod’s half-brother Philip. Salome was the daughter of Philip and Herodias. Herod illegally divorced his wife and married Herodias. John the Baptizer made it know, quite often it seems, that this was sin. Neither Herod nor Herodias liked John doing so. Herodias was especially displeased since John was pointing out they were both adulterers. Despite her efforts to have John killed to shut him up, Herod refused at least partly because he was afraid of the populus.

Herodias finally saw her opportunity. During a banquet Herod held for his birthday Salome danced for him and the guests. At this time Salome would have been a teenager¹, blossoming into a woman and the dance would have been loaded with sexual innuendo. Herod and his guests, who probably had to much to drink, were so pleased with the dance Herod promised to give her anything she wanted p to half of his kingdom. Salome, not knowing what to ask went to her mother. Herodias knew immediately what to ask for, the head of John. “She was shrewd enough to demand that it be done immediately, while the guests were still at the party. ‘That was an essential part of the request. No time must be left for repentance.’”² Herod sent an executioner, immediately had John beheaded andwit the head brought to Salome and Herodias.

Herod murdered John because he did not want to be embarrassed in front of his guests. A man’s life is taken because of the pride of others. There is another reason in play here. John’s job was done. He prepared the way of the Lord as he was supposed to do. While John was on the scene there was possible competition between John’s disciples and Jesus’ disciples. (John 3:26-30) The possible competition was not between Jesus and John but between their disciples. John had to be taken so any possible competition would disappear.

Jesus now left to be alone. He needed to spend time with the Father. When He reached the shor He saw people witing for Him. Filled with compassion³ He put His alone time on hold and taught and healed the people. As evening came the disciples said the area was pasture with nothing to eat and the people should be sent away so they could get food. Jesus now says something surprising, the have no need to leave, the disciples were to give them food. Imagine the disciples’ reaction. They had already told Jesus the area was pasture with nowhere to get food.

The disciples said they only had 2 loaves and five fish, probably not enough to feed themselves. Jesus took the loaves and fishes, had the 5000 sit, bessed the food and passed it to the people.Everyone atr their fill. After they finished eating Jesus had the rmains gathered up. There were twelve baskets full of the remains. There are a few things to notice. There were two loaves. God recognizes two peoples, Jew and Gentile. There were five fish. When we look into the Scripture we see David chose five stones to fight Goliath. Only one of the stones, we are not told which one. In Ephesians we see there are five gifts of the ministry, any one of which can slay sin. Finally, there are twelve tribes of Israel and tvelve apostles. The work both of these groups do is superabundant.

Jesus had the disciples sail without Him as He dismissed the people and went to the mountain to pray. As the disciples strained against the storm, Jesus started to pass by them walking on the water. This was about 3:00-6:00 AM. The disciples saw Him and were very frightened thinking it was a ghost. Jesus assured them He was not a ghost. Peter, being Peter said to Jesus, if you really are Jesus have me come to you. Jesus called Peter and Peter almost got to Jesus when faith faltered and he began to sink. Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up. They enterened into the boat and continued across the lake to the other side.

Peter is a great object lesson for us. How often do we start with great faith, almost make it to the goal, then notice the storms, the difficulties, and lose faith? It is important we realize Jesus is there to lift us up in our weak moments. Jesus helps us finish the race. Without Him we cannot make the goal.

Jesus and the disciple land at Gennesaret. The people in the district learned He was in their area and brought their sick and possessed for His healing touch.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 15

This chapter brings into perspective and clarifies the disagreement between the Jewish leaders and Jesus. The Temple was run by the Sadducees. The Saducees did not believe that there was a resurrection of the dead, afterlife, spirit realm, or angels.¹ Since the Sadducees did not believe in these they would be diametrically opposed to Jesus’ teaching and preaching. The Pharisees believed in all of these but felt there was a lot of ambiguities in God’s Word (the Torah) they thought was their job to resolve. They attempted resolving g these by developing rules and regulations to cover every bit of a person’s life to ensure God’s Word was not violated. Their rules and regulations became tradition and more important to them than God’s Torah. This brought them into conflict with Jesus who followed God’s Word (Jesus was/is God’s Word so He KNEW what was intended).

As mentioned, jesus came into conflict with both groups, but primarily the Pharisees. We must take care not to combine all Pharisees into the same group. Jesus did not have a problem with all Pharisees, but He did have issues with those putting their tradition (rules and regulations) as more important than God’s Torah.

Although we no longer have Pharisees, the thinking is still prevalent. Often Christian denominations issue Statements of Faith, doctrine, etc., that ‘clarifies’ or ‘explains’ the Scripture and how it applies to their group. There is nothing wrong with these as long as they adhere strictly to the Word of God. Any doctrine, statement, etc., that does not comply with God’s Word is invalid and sin.

The Pharisees confronted Jesus because His disciples did not follow the tradition of washing their hands before eating bread. They questioned Jesus why His disciples ignored the tradition and, by implication, why Jesus allowed it. Note they asked why the disiples did not follow the traditions of them and the elders.² It was not a command in the Torah but a tradition that was quite detailed in its application. Jesus answered their question by asking them a question, a very pointed question.³ “Why do you yourselves pass over the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?”⁴  Jesus now gives an example of why He asked the question, an example for which there is no valid answer. He goes to Exod.. 20:12 and 21:17 where God commands (in the Torah) to honor father and mother and anyone who speaks evil against father or mother is to be put to death. The leader’s traditions say if a person declares whatever they have is dedicated to God then they have efferctively canceled God’s Word and command. They have placed their traditions as a higher priority than the Torah, God’s Word. Jesus now shows very clearly they have, unfortunately, fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy⁵

After correcting the Jewish leaders Jesus calls the people over and clarifies what He has said to the leaders. Jesus explained that what goes into a person does not defile them (make ritually unclean or impure) since it passes through the body and is eliminated. What comes out of a person, what comes from a person’s mind and heart makes a person defiled. What is the state of a person’s mind and heart? (Look at Acts where Peter is hungry, and the sheet of animals is let down to him. An example of what goes into a man does not defile him.) A great example of this verse in action.

Please note! Jesus did not say to not wash our hands before eating. He was saying to not put washing, or the details of washing, as more important than God. We MUST keep our priorities in order, God first, everything else second. As we look at the world we can even Christian groups and committed believers fall into the same trap. Many traditions and doctrines have been built up over the years the either have no place in God’s Word or actively supplant God’s Word. Each of us must look at our beliefs and life and eliminate those things.

Jesus leaves where he was and travels to Tyre and Sidon. On the way He meets a Gentile (Cannanite) woman who asks Him to cast the demons out of her daughter. Christ does not respond to her pleas. She keeps asking to the point it is irritating the disciples. They go to Jesus and ask Him to send her away. Jesus’ answer leads me to think this circumstance was intended to make a point and teach a lesson. Jesus responds to the disciples, in the hearing of the woman, He came for the children of Israel. The woman came back begging again He would heal her daughter. Jesus is even more blunt and clearly says it is not right to give the children’s food to the dogs. Instead of stopping the woman she tells Him that even the crumbs that fall can be eaten by the dogs. Jesus recognizes and honors her faith and heals her daughter.

As we look at what happened we can see a number of lessons to be learned. Jesus came primarily to the Jews, but also to all peoples. The reason He was born a Jew and came primarily to the Jews is Salvation had to come from the Jews.⁶ Another important thing to note is, faith is more important than ancestry. Although the woman was not Jewish or have Jewish ancestry, because of her faith her daughter was delivered from the demons. This was a lesson to the disciples and is to us. We are spiritual children of Abraham but not through natural birth. James tells us “But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?”⁷ The Cannanite woman put action to her faith. Despite what seemed to be a forlorn hope she continued in faith, believing her request would be answered, and it was.

Jesus now heals many who come to Him. There were about 4,000 men in attendance. Jesus called His disciples telling them He had compassion on the crowd and they were provide them food. There was not enough food available to feed everyone. Jesus inquired what food they had and was told seven loaves and a few small fish. Jesus took the loaves and fishes, blesses them and gave them out to be the crowd. The crowd ate their fill and there were seven baskets left over.

Once again there are many lessons here. Jesus blessed the food. He did not ask that it be increased or made holy, sanctified. Like all food, God provides so it was already holy. There were 4,000 men (not counting women and children) and seven loaves of bread. Bread represents the Word of God which feeds us spiritually. Everyone ate their fill and seven baskets remained, after everyone had taken in all they could there was more remaining than when they started. God’s Word, promises and love never run out.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees, normally enemies, banded together to question Jesus and ask Him to provide a sign from heaven proving He was the Son of God. Jesus did not answer them directly but uses a common sense example and, as He often does, refers them to prophesy, in this case Jonah. The common example may not be as familiar to many of us but it was crystal clear to His audience, farmers and fishermen. Jesus refers to the sky and how the coming weather can be predicted by looking at the sky. Why can they read the sky and discern what the weather will be but not recognize the times they are in? We have the same problem. Many can recognize what is going to happen the financial world by what is happening but cannot discern what will happen spiritually. The cause is the same, not knowing the scriptures therefore not recognizing where we are in God’s plan. God always lets His prophets know what He is doing, and they let us know.¹ If we take the time to study the Scriptures we can know where we are in God’s plan, at least the season. 

When Jesus said the only sign they would get would be Jonah He was referring to His death and resurrection. As Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and nights so Jesus the Christ would be in the heart of the earth three nights and days. After his time in the fish he was deposited back on land. I think we can safely assumed if we saw a person swallowed by a fish and three days and nights went by we would think they were dead. Jonah was miraculously delivered by God in a type of coming back from the dead. Jesus spent three nights and days in the heart of the earth and then resurrected and went back to the Father. All of this was foretold by the prophets.

The disciples arrived at the other side of the lake and Jesus told them to beware of the leaven of the spiritual leaders and Sadducees. The disciples were confused and thought He was referring to the fact they forgot to bring bread. The response Jesus gave was important to them, and us. Jesus addresses the disciples as having little faith and asks why they were discussing the fact they forgot to bring bread. He then reminds them of the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand and how many baskets of food were left over. The disciples then understood He was speaking of the doctrine and teachings of the spiritual leaders.

Often Jesus’ reference to the feeding of the crowds and the leftover food is glossed over. The numbers fed and amount of food left are important. They have a meaning, a meaning the disciples should have understood from the Hebraic Scriptures (Torah). Some scholars think that the 5,000 fed is analogus to the five smooth stones David gathered, one of which he used to slay Goliath,² and the five gifts of the ministry any one of which can be used to slay sin.³ The twelve baskets of leftovers are the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. In the scriptures 4,000 represents change in the Scriptures and the seven baskets of leftovers are perfection. In both cases the bread is the Word of God. The Word is more than sufficient to feed everyone to their fill. Jesus is the Word. Jesus was telling the disciples to have faith that God would reveal the meaning of the Scriptures for their enlightenment and for their enlightenment of others.

Jesus now asks them two very impotant questions. When we read this question we need to think about the context, He asked His question immediately after warning the disciples to be very careful of the teaching of the spiritual leaders, especially the Sadducees. Jesus asked them who do the people say He is. After they answered Jesus asked who they, the disciples, say He is. Peter answered stating Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior. Jesus said Peter was blessed since God revealed this to Him. Jesus asks us the same question. We can answer the Son of God, the Savior, but do we really mean it in our hearts or are we just giving the answer we were taught, the “right” answer?

Jesus now gives Peter his marching orders. He will be the first to breing the Gospel to non-Jews. God will give him the ability to make it available to all peoples. Paul was to main apostle to the Gentiles but only after Peter opened the door. Jesus also told Simon bar Jonah from now on his name was Peter. Peter means rock. Jesus now saod upon this rock He would build His church and Hades would not prevail against it.

There is confusion about what Jesus meant by His comment. Perhaps it helps if we look at what just happened. Jesus warned them to be very careful of the teachings of the piritual leadsers. He then asked who people say He is and then who the disciples say He is. The confession is made by Peter that Jesus is the Son of God. (While the focus is on Peter it is safe to auume the apostles agreed with him.) Jesus then tells Peter he will open up the Gospel, the Kingdom of Heaven to all peoples. Peter opens it up by bring the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles. It is important to see that Peter did not bring good news about himself, or anyone else, but only about Christ and salvation through Him. Christ is the rock and nothing Satan does can overpower  the church (the witnessing community).

Finally Jesus tells them the cost of believing in Him. It is expensive to the person. To follow Jesus means a person must deny themselves. That is EVERYTING must come second to Jesus and doing His will. We are told that to gain their life they must lose it. Huh! That sounds counter-intuitive. How do we gin life by losing it. Jesus is saying that to gain eternal life we must be willing to lose our temporal lives and the things that make temporal life comfortable. We must be willing to place everything second to jesus. People emphasize and focus on this material life. Jesus hows we must emphasize and focus on our sptiyual life, it is much more important.

 

Matthew Chapter 17

 

Christ goes to a mountain with Peter, James and John. Again, these three seem to have a particular work and responsibility and Jesus is taking care to mentor them. This event happened approximately a week after the events at Caesarea Phillipi. Mark says it was six days after, and Luke says about eight days after. There is really no disagreement. They are both giving about a week after the previous events.

The transfiguration shows a connection to earlier Hebrew culture and history. To the Hebrews the presence of God is connected to a cloud, 1Ki_19:11, 1Ki_19:12 We can see this in the Exodus and in the writings of the prophets. The cloud coming down would be a very clear sign to any Israelite that God was present. We see how appropriate it was that just these Moses and Elijah should be the heavenly messengers to meet with Jesus on this occasion. The one represented the law, the other the prophets. "The law and the prophets were until John"; but both are now merged in the gospel of Jesus,”¹ (e-Sword, Expositor’s Bible, accessed 12/31/2024)

The events on the mountain were a confirmation to both Jesus and the disciples. Jesus had a lot of work to complete and much of it would be emotionally, spiritually and physically painful. Jesus received direct confirmation from God that He was doing God's will. In addition, Jesus received confirmation from the greatest lawgiver (Moses) and the greatest prophet (Elijah). Much of the dispute Jesus had with the Israeli leadership concerned His approach to the law and the prophets. His discussion with Moses and Elijah confirmed Jesus was fulfilling the Law and the Prophets.

The transfiguration sent the same messages to those disciples with Jesus. They were witnesses to the transfiguration and heard the Voice of God affirming His love for Jesus, relationship to Jesus and confirmation of Jesus' work. A witness is to testify to what they have seen and heard. James, John and Peter could testify first hand. They did not need to carry a second-hand message.

This message was critical for the disciples. We must remember that Jesus had just told them He must die. This went contrary to all that they had been taught about the Messiah. They were making a huge emotional and spiritual adjustment. The transfiguration affirmed to them that their decision to follow Jesus was the correct one. John, Peter and James would be able to be witnesses of the event to the other disciples and the world.

The reaction of Peter (always the outspoken one) was to offer to build three shelters for Jesus, Elijah and Moses. He (and the other disciples) were very frightened. Peter's immediate reaction to stress was to talk. I think many of us can relate.

By coming in a cloud God does a few things. God protects the Disciples since no one can see God’s face and live. “We find often in the Old Testament, that a cloud was the visible token of God's presence; he came down upon mount Sinai in a cloud (Exo 19:9), and so to Moses, Exo 4:5; Num 11:25.”² “Here was no thunder, or lightning, or voice of a trumpet, as there was when the law was given by Moses, but only a voice, a still small voice, and that not ushered in with a strong wind, or an earthquake, or fire, as when God spake to Elias, God does not rebuke Peter or the others. God simply comes in a cloud and affirms that Jesus is His Son, God loves Him and the disciples need to listen to Jesus. If we reflect on this, it is a tremendous thing.

By His words God is not only affirming and confirming Jesus, He is telling the Disciples He cares and loves them. “Everything that the Father said came from the Scriptures.  In Psalm 2:7, the Father says to the Son: You are my Son. In Isaiah 42:1, the Father says to the Son that He is One in whom My soul delights. Or as Matthew 12:18 quotes the passage: in whom My soul is well pleased! · In Deuteronomy 18:15, God the Father says through Moses the prophet about the coming Jesus, Him you shall hear.”³

God has taken the time to instruct the disciples. The one true God of all creation has taken the time to insert Himself into the everyday lives of these people. It is a tremendous thing that God has done. It is a tremendous message God has sent to all of us. God cares about us in detail. God is not just far off somewhere looking down on us nut not communicating. God cares about us and loves us enough to communicate with us. God does not leave us to wander helplessly wondering if we are going in the right direction. If we listen God will guide us, instruct and let us know how much He loves us.

As Jesus comes down the mountain He tells James, John, and Peter not to tell what they saw until after He had risen from the dead. Jesus did not provide a reason for giving this instruction so we can only surmise. Perhaps Jesus knew most people would neither believe nor understand what took place and some would see it as just another reason to kill the Christ.

The disciples asked why Elijah must come first. Jesus replied Elijah must come first and Elijah has already come. The disciples then He was talking about John the Baptist. “This is evident from a comparison of the life and work of both Elijah and John the Baptist. Elijah was noted as being full of zeal for God; so was John the Baptist. Elijah boldly rebuked sin in high places; so did John the Baptist. Elijah called sinners and compromisers to a decision of repentance; so did John the Baptist. Elijah attracted multitudes in his ministry; so did John the Baptist. Elijah attracted the attention and fury of a king and his wife; so did John the Baptist. Elijah was an austere man; so was John the Baptist. Elijah fled to the wilderness; John the Baptist also lived there. Elijah lived in a corrupt time and was used to restore failing spiritual life; so was it true of John the Baptist.”⁴ Hebrews were fond of using visual clues to make a point. Elijah was a hairy man, John was not. To make a visual connection John wore a camel hair garment to appear hairy.

Notice Christ said Elijah will come and has come. The disciples understood that Elijah has come referred to John the Baptizer. That leaves Elijah coming again and restoring everything. John the Baptizer restored very little, certainly not everything. Acts 3:20-21 bears on this subject. We are told “that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, ²¹whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.”⁵ The first coming of Christ was not a time of restoration, His second coming will be a time of the restoration of everything and Elijah will come agin. In order to truly understand what Elijah coming again means the life and work of Elijah must be studied..

When they came down from the mountain a man who had a demon possessed son was waiting for Jesus. He asked Jesus to deliver the boy. He had taken his son to the disciples but they were not able to deliver him. Jesus said ““You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?”⁶ Was Jesus talking to the boys father, the crowd around them or to the disciples who did not have enough faith for the boy to be delivered. We cannot be sure but we do know when the disciples asked why they could not drive the demon out Jesus said it was because of their small faith. This kind of demon can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.

Most believers pray, but do we pray effectively? Jesus prayed with fervor, until His sweat became as drops of blood. He took the time to be alone and communicate with the Father, just the two of them. He did not allow the cares, temporal responsibilities, or anything infringe on His time praying. Jesus also said fasting. Fasting is something that has fallen out of favor in modern times. That it has is from the influence of Satan and is a loss to believers. Fasting is taking the time and disciple to spend time with God. Not eating removes one infringement on or time with God and allows us toconcentrate and focus all of our energy and thinking on God.

Finally, when Jesus and the disciples came to Caperneum the tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter answered He did and then went to Jesus. Jesus asked who should pay taxes. Should the son of the ruler pay. The answer is no, meaning that Jesus should not need to pay the tax but, inoder not to offend them Jesus said to pay the tax.

“The New Testament always uses the verb to offend (skandalizein, G4624)⁸ and the noun offence (skandalon, G4625) in a special way. The verb never means to insult or to annoy or to injure the pride of. It always means to put a stumbling-block in someone's way, to cause someone to trip up and to fall”⁷

 

 

Matthew Chapter 18

 

All of the parts of chapter 18 fit together in a logical pattern. Jesus starts with the disciples asking who will be the greatest in heaven. Jesus answers that question and then continues to give a fuller explanation of what His answer means and how it is applied in real life.

The disciples now asked Jesus a very world-oriented question: Who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?¹ or, Who will be the leader in the kingdom of Heaven?² Before we think poorly of the disciples for their question we need to remember the culture they lived in their entire lives. Their culture was one of authoritarian rule with a few people at the top, many at the bottom and a few in the middle. This is all they knew. At the time of Jesus, the romans were at the top, earlier it was Persians, Babylonians, etc. including their own kings and priests. Before Saul was made king God was their ruler, not other men.

Christ’s answer was “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”³ Christ is making the point that God does not work like mankind works. Great is not a matter of power, prestige, position, control, wealth, etc., it is a matter of faith, belief, love, caring. Children have these until the culture ‘educates’ it out of them. Not by schooling as much as by what they learn from the culture, adults, peer group, etc. We must believe God totally and completely.

Jesus also said, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble by doing wrong, it would be better for that person to have a heavy millstone tied around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”⁴ He was referring to the children but it could also apply to new believers, those who have newly come to believe in Jesus as Savior. We must also take care not to put a stumbling block in front of God’s children.

Now the subject of stumbling blocks is addressed, and addressed in a way that can take us aback. We are told if any part of our body causes us to stumble, cause a person to have unrepentant sin, to cut it off and throw it away. It is better to enter heaven crippled or disabled than to have your complete body consigned to eternal fire. Often the mind and heart are the cause of sin. How do we handle these? We cannot just cut them off and throw them away. The mind and heart must be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. We must pray continually for God’s Holy Spirit to guide us.

Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep.⁴ God cares about each and every person and does not any to go astray and be lost. Jesus follows this parable by talking about forgiving one another. This is an example of not allowing a sheep to go astray. If we feel we have been wronged by another person we are not allow the incident to fester in our minds and heart and become sin, but we are to go to the other person and address the problem with them. If they will not listen (understand) then take two or three others with you, go to the person and try again. by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If they still will not listen, take it before the church, if they will not listen even to the church consider the person as one outside the fellowship of believers. There is an advantage of doing this that is not mentioned here. By taking it to the person who wronged us we may discover it was a misunderstanding, or we may have caused a problem. The result is the ‘problem’ will be resolved one way or another and the person wronged will not harbor hate in their heart or mind.

We are told where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name He is there in their midst. He also tells us where two or three agree on a matter it will be done for them by the Father. This verse is often used, appropriately, for people gather in church, study, prayer, etc. We must als remember the context, it is referring to having an issue or disagreement with another person, especially if they are in the body of Christ. Peter askes how many times he is to forgive a person, up to 7 times 7? Christ replies: No, up to 70 times 7. Peter was using 7, the number representing perfect, as a way to set an upper amount of forgiveness. Jesus’ reply is not setting a particular upper limit but telling Peter he misunderstands. Perfection knows no limit.

Finally, Jesus tells the story of the king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.⁵ He forgave one servant of a debt he could never pay back. That servant refused to forgive another person who owed him a tiny amount. Because the one servant refused to forgive the other person the King did not forgive him who owed the huge debt. Again, we go back to the start of the chapter where we are told we must be like little children. Little children forgive much more easily and much more often than adults.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 19

 

Jesus now left Galilee and went to Judea. Large crowds followed Him, and the Pharisees saw this as a great opportunity to destroy His influence with the people. They asked Him if a man could divorce their wife for almost any reason. The question was based on two schools of thought, that of Rabbis Shammai and Hillel. Shammai took a very conservative approach while Hillel took a much more liberal approach. The Pharisees hoped to trap Jesus by getting Him to support one approach, thus leaving Him open to criticism by the other. If He supported Rabbi Shammai’s approach much of the populus would disagree since most people liked the liberal approach that allowed them to do what they wanted.

By answering the question, not from Shammai or Hillel, but from Moses, Jesus defeated their trap by going to Scripture and what God said when He created mankind, (male and female).¹ Referring to Scripture removes man’s interpretation rendering both Shammai’s and Hillel’s applications irrelevant. It also made the Pharisees’ question irrelevant and but somewhat foolish in light of the Scripture.

By referring to what God said when He created mankind Jesus calls on the highest authority possible. Jesus quotes Genesis 1:27 indicating that God joins a man and woman together in marriage and since it is a union God created it is God’s rules we must follow. In Genesis 2:23 a very important point is made, when two people are married they become one flesh. This includes sexual union but goes far beyond it in thinking and actions.

“Marriage is given, not that two people should do one thing together, but that they should do all things together.” (Barclay) In the wedding vows we use (although not as often now) we say for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, I will love and cherish you until death does us part. This starts to give an understanding of the seriousness and critical importance of marriage. It starts from the time the couple commit to each other and God that they will be one flesh until they die. It is not like a pie crust, easily made, easily broken. It is like a diamond, in the eyes of God, unbreakable.

Jesus also reminded everyone that marriage is spiritually binding before God. God expects man to honor what He has joined and to keep the marriage together. The Pharisees wrongly thought that God commanded divorce where there was uncleanness. But Jesus noted the difference between “command” and “permitted.” God never commands divorce, but He does permit it.” “Jesus interpreted the meaning of the word uncleanness in the Mosaic Law, showing that it refers to sexual immorality, not just anything that might displease the husband. Therefore, divorce – and the freedom to remarry without sin – is only permitted in the case of sexual immorality.”²

The reason why a person who does not have a legitimate divorce commits adultery upon remarrying is because they are not divorced in the eyes of God. Since their old marriage was never dissolved on Biblical grounds, that marriage is still valid as is the commitment to each other and God,, and they are actually guilty of bigamy and adultery.”³

After Jesus educated the Pharisees and others about God’s rules about divorce. Parents brought their children to be blessed. The disciples rebuked the parents for bringing the children but Jesus welcomed the children to Him and blessed them.

After Jesus blessed the children, a man came to Him asking what good thing he must do to inherit eternal life. The man was really asking what he needed to DO to earn eternal life. What act (good work, or noble deed) he must perform to earn eternal life. Jesus answered the man’s question in a direct and very clear manner. To inherit eternal life a person must keep all the commandments in their fullest sense.”⁴

The man asked which commandments he must keep. Jesus answered with the commandments which primarily deal with man’s relation to man. In response, the young man claimed he had kept these from his youth. Jesus told him to sell all he had, give it away and follow Him. Jesus’ call to forsake everything and follow Him is a call to put God first in all things.⁵

The man left sad because he had great wealth. We are not told what he did after leaving Jesus. Although we would like to know it is not important to the Jesus’ point. Verse 23 tells us the point of the story. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”⁶ Why is it hard? A rich person thinks about their wealth, how to protect it, how to make it increase, how to use it. These things and many others concerning wealth take up their mind, their thinking, it influences their decisions and their relationships with others. Wealth ca drive out love, God, and caring. Wealth can cause the heart to become hard and the mind narrow,

Jesus gives what seems to be an absurd example, it is “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”⁷ The disciples are amazed and asks how then can a rich person be saved? Jesus explains showing this is a metaphor, not to be taken literally but still showing God’s love and power. With man it is not possible, with God, all things are possible.

Peter now asks what will happen to them. They have left everything to follow Him. Jesus said that in the “renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”⁸ Jesus goes on to say those who have left things to follow Him will be greatly rewarded. He also says those who are first may be last and those who are last may be first,

When looking at this chapter there appears to be three disparate sections: divorce, children, and wealth. If we look closer, we can see a common thread throughout, making God our first priority. Regardless of what we are looking at, in this case marriage, the place of children, or wealth, God must be our first priority.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 20

The chapter starts out with a landowner hiring people to work in his vineyards. The disciples questioned Jesus concerning how a rich person could get into heaven and also what would be the disciples reward. Jesus told them their reward and the told this parable as an explanation.

From a human point of view the landowner’s payment action may not seem equitable but it is. The laborers hired at the start of the day agreed to work for a denarius. Those who are saved through Christ work for God and have agreed to a certain reward. The laborers hired later in the day agreed to work for what is fair. They were not sure what to expect but received the same reward as those hired at the beginning. This shows God’s love and concern for everyone. The reward is the same regardless of when a person becomes a believer. No one earns salvation, it is not a wage, it is a gift freely given by God. Like the landowner chose to give the same wage to all the workers so God chooses to freely give to everyone who accepts the free gift of salvation through Christ

The parable portrays God’s character of grace and love. This was integral to Jewish thought during the time of Jesus. Quite often present-day believers see Judaism in the time of Jesus (and now) to be very legalistic with little to no understand of grace. Many times, people think Jesus is fighting against Judaism. This is far from accurate. Grace is seen throughout the Torah, prophesies, and writings.

After telling the parable Jesus and His disciples started walking to Jerusalem. As they traveled Jesus told them what would happen in Jerusalem. He tells them He will be crucified by the Gentiles and on the third day He will be raised from the dead.

After this the mother of James and John came asking that, after His resurrection, her two sons might sit beside Him, one on the left and one on the right. Jesus answered James, John and their mother by saying they did not know, understand, what they were asking for. Did they think they were able to go through what He was going to go through. They said they could. Jesus said they would, but He was not the one who would make the decision who sat where. If Jesus did not make the decision, who would? By inference God the Father, could and would.

The chapter starts with a parable making clear that by God’s grace all believers get the same reward, eternal life with God. This is much different than the world’s thinking which is hierarchical with rewards based on time in service and rewards. James, John, and their mother understood the parable but slipped right back into worldly thinking by looking for a specific reward. The reward the requested would put them in a ‘higher’ position than the other disciples.

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had requested, they were not at all happy. They were offended and probably outraged. How dare they seek a position of authority over the other disciples. They were making the same mistake James and John made, they were using the world’s system of hierarchy to judge the actions of James and John.

Jesus addressed this immediately. He called the twelve together and made sure they knew that as His followers they were to serve. They were not to be like the Gentiles and follow the world’s system of having people serve them, they were to be loving, humble and serve.

As Jesus and the disciples continued on the Jerusalem two men who were blind were sitting by the side of the road, heard Jesus was coming and started shouting, asking Him to heal them. The crowd told them to stop shouting, they were making a scene, they lacked decorum. Despite the negative reaction of the crowd, they shouted all the more. Having Jesus heal them was much important than the crowd’s words, actions and, perhaps condemnation. Jesus stopped and asked what they wanted, they said they wanted to be healed, to see. Jesus healed them, immediately they could see and followed Him.

The parts of this chapter all work together to teach a lesson. At the beginning is the parable of the landlord and vineyard workers. This parable makes it clear salvation is a gift of grace from God. We do not earn it and no person is above another. Then we come to the two brothers asking for a special place in Jesus’ kingdom and the other disciples getting irate because they asked. Finally, we have the two blind men having their sight restored and following Jesus. First, showing everyone is equal, second James and John looking for special positions, third the other disciple being upset with James and John, fourth is Christ restoring. It appears James, John, and the disciples did not see the lesson from the parable then Jesus restores the sight of the blind men. Through Jesus we can see spiritually and follow Him. Without Jesus we are blind and follow where the world leads us.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 21

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 22

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 23

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 24

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 25

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 26

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 27

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 28

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 29

 

 

 

 

End Notes

Chapter 1

¹ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

² Matthew 1:1-17 - The Preacher's Homiletical Commentary - Bíblia Plus”

³ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

⁴ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

⁵ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

⁶ Isaiah 7:14 NASB

 

Chapter 02

¹ Tradition tell us there were three wise men. This is based on the three types of gifts. The number of wise men who came to Jesus is indeterminate. Given the distance traveled, the value of the gifts they carried, and the inherent dangers of the trip, three seems to be a small number.

² Again tradition shows the wise men kneeling around the manger where the baby Jesus was laying. A lovely picture but not accurate. Based on what Herod learned he killed ALL male children two years old and younger. This means Jesus could have been about two years old when the wise men visited and then Joseph took the family to Egypt.

³ https://twentyeighteighteen.com/2014/12/07/the-vow-of-a-nazarite/

⁴ Blue Letter Bible, Adam Clarke Commentary

 

Chapter 03

¹ HEBREW HERITAGE BIBLE, The Newer Testament, Brad Boyd Ph.D. Translator

² James 2:17-19 NASB

³ Some scholars think “stones” refers to Gentiles who were there. 

⁴ People considered John a great prophet, the last of the great prophets. By John saying he was not even worthy to carry this person’s sandals was to put himself lower than the lowest slave in comparison to this person.

⁵ John said they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The people knew exactly what he was saying. The Holy Spirit was not unknown to the people. Knowledge of the Holy Spirit did not start with Jesus. Numbers 11:25; Psalm 51:11; Eze. 36:27

⁶ Baptism was very important to the Jews and was done whenever there was an important change in a person’s life. Here Jesus was about to start His ministry signaling a great change in His life and a great change in the world, the defeat of Satan and salvation available for man.

 

Chapter 04

¹ https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Lexicon.show/ID/G3986/peirasmos.htm

² Matthew 22:29 NASB

³ The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

 

Chapter 05

¹ Matthew 5:17, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

² https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/passe; https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passé

³ Matthew 5:20, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator 

⁴ “The translation “spiritual leaders" is for the word farisaioi in Greek and perushim in Hebrew, which is usually transliterated in English translations with the term "Pharisees." Sadly, this designation has come to mean "hypocrite" in English usage. Though Jesus criticized the hypocritical practices of some Pharisees, He instructed his disciples to follow their teachings (Matt 23:3). At the time, the Pharisees were regarded as "spiritual leaders.” They were respected for their Bible teachings and dedicated faith. As a result, “spiritual leaders" is a much more accurate translation than “Pharisees” for English usage today.” (The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator, p7, footnote 5:20)

⁵ Mark 7:6  NASB

⁶ 2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB

 

Chapter 06

¹ Matthew 6:5 NASB

 

Chapter 07

¹ Matthew 7:1-2, NASB

² Matthew Henry, Commentary on Matthew.

³ Matthew 7:7, NASB

⁴ Matthew 7:12, NASB

⁵ Matthew 7:15, NASB

⁶ Matthew 7:21, NASB

 

Chapter 08

¹ Matthew 8:2 NASB

² Matthew 8:19 NASB

³ Matthew 8:24 NASB

⁴ Girgashim" is Hebrew for the textual reading in Greek, Gergcsénon or “Girgash" perhaps from Girgashites (Gen 15:21; Josh 3:10; Neh 9:8). The designations Girgash or Girgashim fit the geographical location. The place is considered to be identified today as Kursi on the northeast side of the lake. Here in Matt 8:28 the NASB prefers the Greek reading Gaderénén, “Gadarenes," which would refer to the more well-known town of Gadara (Umm Qais), but it is located too far away from the lake (6 miles or 9.6 km). The Newer Testament, Young, p13

⁵ F.B. Meyer Commentary on Matthew

 

Chapter 09

¹ Barclay

² Matthew Henry

 

Chapter 10

¹ https://www.ligonier.org/ learn/articles/what-is-an-apostle

² NIV

³ Matthew 10:8 NIV 

⁴ Shalom: Shalom peaks of personal peace, not merely referring to the absence of trouble or conflict, but positively of completeness, wholeness, contentment, welfare, health, prosperity, harmony, and fulfillment. Peace is one of the blessings that flow from a right relationship to God. Shalom is a term that includes all that makes life worthwhile. (https://www.preceptaustin.org//shalom_-_definition)

^{5 ‘}Receive you’ means to provide a place to stay and sustenance. Proving for and taking in strangers was very important in the near east. This was especially true in ancient times due to the desert, difficult travel and possible robbers. A person never knew when they would need a place to stay of help so it was important to provide it for others. Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan, and Abraham’s welcoming and feeding of the two visitors are excellent examples of this.

⁶ Pain and dying and pain are not fun but are something that happens to everyone at some point. For born again Christians death is not the end but the beginning of eternity with God. Pain in this life is not infinite, it has an end and as we go through pain God is with us, bearing us up.. Even if that end is death, death is a release to be with God.

⁷ In His Steps, Rev. Charles Sheldon

⁸ 1 Peter 3:15 NASB

 

Chapter 11

¹ “In Hebrew, however, there is no neuter gender, and references to any group of people in which both genders are represented are always masculine in gender…. even the use of the generic personal pronoun he to refer to God in Scripture serves the function of connoting personhood, not gender.” Dr. John D. Garr, Theomorphic Humanity

² John 11:6, King James Version. I am quoting the KJV because I think it comes closer to the original intention of what Jesus said. There is not a great difference between the meaning of the KJV to other translations but “offended because of Me” is clearer than “stumble on account of me.” In many other translations.

^3.Ps. 72:12-13; Isa. 35:5-6; 29:18; 61.1; Jer. 5:4

^4.The word ‘he’ is not intended to be gender specific but is generic for men and women combined.

^{5 .}Matthew 11:12, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁶ “NRSV, "...the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence...," which is using the passive meaning, The kingdom is powerful and breaking its way forward. It is not suffering. The Greek word biazo (active voice) or biazomai (passive, middle, or deponent voice) often is translated “suffered violence" with the passive voice meaning. The HHB translation demonstrates the active meaning. The same active meaning was expressed in the NIV (1984), “...the kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing..." and the NIT, “...the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing..." The active meaning is required by the context and by sound linguistic analysis. ….it seems likely that Matt 11:12 makes s direct reference to messianic interpretations of Mic 2:13 in early Jewish thought, where Elijah prepares the way for the coming of the scion of David. In the saying of Jesus, the one who breaks open the way is John the Baptist. Jesus Himself is the Branch of David leading the way forward. It seems highly unlikely that “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence..." is the correct translation. For a full discussion, see B. Young, Jesus the Jewish Theologian, 49-74.” (The Newer Testament, B. Young, footnote p19) The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

The idea of breaking through comes from Micah 2:13 where Micah says the breaker is coming before them and is breaking through and leading them. There is no indication of violence but rather the Savior leading his sheep out of the sheepfold where they were enclosed.

^7.Matthew 11:14-15 NASB

^8.Matthew 11:8, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

^9.Email communication with John D. Garr Ph.D. Th.D., November 23, 2024

 

Chapter 12

¹ Matthew 22:29, NASB

² Matthew 12:8, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

³ Matthew 12:8, NASB

^4.Matthew 12:8, King James Version

⁵ Christian Fruit Jewish Root, John D. Garr Ph.D. Th.D., Golden Key Press, Atlanta GA., p238

^6.Matthew 12:11-12, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁷.https://enduringword.com/ /bible-commentary/matthew-12/ Accessed 12/4/2024

^8.Matthew 12:31-32, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁹ https://enduringword.com/ /bible-commentary/matthew-12/ Accessed 12/4/2024

 

Chapter 13

^1. https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2262021252091743114/ 6668215560751942065, Accessed 12/05/2024

² Ibid.

³ Ibid.

^4.Ibid.

⁵ Ibid.

^6.Ibid

⁷ ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” Isaiah 6:9-10 NASB

 

Chapter 14

¹ “Girl is a term which can be used of those of marriageable age; she was at least a teenager.” https://enduringword.com/ bible-commentary/matthew-14/

² https://enduringword.com/ bible-commentary/matthew-14/

³ Blue Letter Bible

 

Chapter 15

¹ https://study.com/academy/lesson/early-critics-of-christ-pharisees-and-sadducees.html

² The elders were scholars who, over the centuries, had developed the rules and regulations the Pharisees adhered to daily.

³.Answering a question by asking a question is a common Jewish practice. Although the practice is not common in the western world it is logical and makes sense. The idea is to make people think beyond their initial question and consider how its depth, how it fits into reality, its consequences, encourage discussion, relevance to real life and especially God’s word.

It is also the Socratic method.”The Socratic method involves a shared dialog between teachers and students. The teacher leads by posing thought-provoking questions. Students actively engage by asking questions of their own. The discussion goes back and forth.” Text with John D. Garr Ph.D., Th.D. Dec. 20, 2024

⁴ Matthew 15:3 The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (Ph.D. Hebrew University), Translator

⁵ “This people honors me with their lips, all the while their hearts are far away from me. 15:9) So they worship me in vain, teaching human precepts as if they were doctrines [of God]" Matthew 15:8-9 The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (Ph.D. Hebrew University), Translator

⁶ Gen. 18:18; Gen. 22:18; John 4:22;

⁷ James 1:20-21 NASB

 

Chapter 16

¹ Amos 3:7 NASB

² 1 Sam. 17:40-50

³ Ephesians 4:11-12

 

Chapter 17

¹ e-Sword, Expositor’s Bible, accessed 12/31/2024

² Ibid.

³ Ibid

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ Acts 3:20-21, NASB

⁶ Matthew 17:17, NASB

⁷ e-Sword, Expositor’s Bible, accessed 12/31/2024

⁸ The numbers in blue are from Strongs Concordance which gives the Hebrew and/or Greek word meaning.

 

Chapter 18

¹ Matthew 18:1, NASB   

² Matthew 18:1, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (Ph.D. Hebrew University), Translator   

³ Matthew 18:3-4, NASB

⁴ For more on the Parables see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look for Parables in the list.

⁵  Ibid

 

Chapter 19

¹ (https://enduringword.com//bible-commentary/matthew-19/)

² Ibid.

³  Ibid.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵  Ibid.

⁶  New International Version

⁷ Ibid

Chapter 20

¹ 

² 

³  

⁴

⁵  

 

Chapter 21

¹ 

² 

³  

⁴

⁵  

 

 

 

 

 

References

Who Was Matthew the Apostle? The Beginner's Guide - OverviewBible

The Apostle Matthew - Bible Odyssey

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (anglican.org)

Barclay Commentary on Matthew

Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew

New Bible Commentary Revised

Full Life Study Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

F.B. Meyer Commentary on Matthew

Adan Clarke Commentary on Matthew

Expositors Bible

Preacher’s Homeletical

https://thebiblesays.com/en/commentary/mat+10:1

https://www.ligonier.org/ learn/articles/what-is-an-apostle

https://www.preceptaustin.org//shalom_-_definition

JESUS THE JEWISH THEOLOGIAN, Brad H. Young Ph.D. 

https://biblehub.com

https://enduringword.com/ /bible-commentary/matthew-12/ Accessed 12/4/2024

e-Sword, Version 14.1.0, Copyright © 2000-2024, Rick Meyers, www.e-sword.net/support.html

https://study.com/academy/lesson/early-critics-of-christ-pharisees-and-sadducees.html

https://www.studylight.org/ commentaries/eng/dsb/matthew-17.html