Posts Tagged ‘Matthew’
Friday, February 19th, 2010
In Matthew 27:3-5, Judas changed his mind about Jesus and tried to take back the 30 pieces of silver. Judas now claims Jesus is innocent. In Matthew 27:11-26, Pilate and the crowd have to deal with Jesus. Pilate is uncomfortable with this responsibility and tries to find a way to release Jesus. The crowd is given a choice to release Jesus the innocent or Barabbas the guilty. The crowd whom once praised Jesus now asks for him to be crucified. Pilate washes his hands of the incident.
There is so much going on here but our time is short and we know that Jesus went to the cross innocent so that we might all be saved. Yet, I wonder if this situation does not continue to happen everyday. There are those of us who trade Jesus for money. There are those of us who are envious like the Jewish leaders that create false stories about Jesus. There are those of us in positions to set the story right but we yield to the crowd and the popular crowd mentality and in the end, we try to wash our hands of it all. Then there is the crowd…fickle as all get out, swaying back and forth with no real conviction. One time praising Jesus and then another time we ask for his crucifixion.
There is one left that I should mention. It is Jesus – the Son of God! He goes to the cross. Why? Because He loves us.
Where are you today? Following money? Following religious envy? Following the crowd? These all end up nowhere.
I wonder what would happen if we got to know the one who loves? I wonder really what it means to follow Jesus to the cross? Take some time to think about the one who goes to the cross. It may seem like the cross got Jesus nowhere but where is Jesus now? Jesus is exalted, resurrected, and sitting at the right hand of God. May we go to the cross and find the true meaning of love.
Tags: Cross, Judas, Love, Matthew, Pilate
Posted in Cross, Discipleship, Jesus, Matthew | Comments Off
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
In Matthew 26:47-56, Jesus is betrayed and arrested. We know the story of Judas’ betrayal, the “kiss,” the disciple pulling out his sword to cut off the ear, Jesus’ reattachment of the ear, the discourse on violence, and the disciples fleeing. While I was reading, something caught my eye. Twice in this section, Matthew tells us that Scripture was fulfilled (Matthew 26:54 and Matthew 26:56). People always focus on Judas, the High Priest, the ear gets a lot of attention, violence, and the disciples fleeing. However, we ought to focus on Jesus and Jesus is focusing on Scripture. The Old Testament in Zechariah 13:7-9 tells us that the Shepherd will be struck and judgment will come upon the people because of their idolatry and sin. A time of refinement will be put in place where the people are tested and honed. Yet, the good news is that it will lead to a time when God will claim His people and the people will claim their God.
A few things:
1. Jesus was struck as the Good Shepherd as Scripture foretold.
2. The disciples fled as Scripture foretold.
3. We are being honed and tested as Scripture foretold.
4. We can call on the name of the Lord and He answers as Scripture foretold.
5. God claims His people and His people claim Him as our God as Scripture foretold.
6. The disciples return and in fact in the second chapter of Acts, Peter preaches about Jesus Christ and quotes scripture. His message cut to the heart (Acts 2:37) and they asked what they needed to do. If you would like to see the answer go read what Scripture says in Acts 2:38-40.
Tags: Acts 2:38, Baptism, Jesus, Matthew, Peter, Scripture, Shepherd, Zechariah
Posted in Baptism, Jesus, Matthew, Repentance | Comments Off
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Chapter 25 of Matthew continues with the theme of the last few posts. Jesus has been answering his disciples’ question about the “close of the age” (Matthew 24:3). Jesus has told us that there will be cataclysmic events, i.e., earthquakes, wars, desolation of the temple, false Christs, etc. (Matthew 24:3-28). The Son of Man will come (Matthew 24:29-31). Then Jesus teaches us to interpret the end times like a fig tree. When it puts out leaves you know summer is near (when we see the signs Jesus talks about, we know judgment is near, not an exact date). In Matthew 24:36-51, Jesus tells us that no one knows the times and dates of His return except His Father.
So, Jesus tells a parable. The Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins (Read Matthew 25:1-13). The story is about ten virgins headed between locales on the way to meet the bridegroom. Five were prepared and five were not. To update the illustrations five had extra batteries for their cell phones and five did not. So while they waited they were talking on their phones sending text messages, emails, and saying “Oh my gosh.” As their power ran low because they were a little preoccupied with their lives instead of the important task of getting ready for the bridegroom, the five without extra batteries had to run to a friends house to get a power charge. They missed the bridegroom and subsequently not allowed to enter the wedding feast. It may seem harsh that these poor girls were not allowed in. However, new Texas State law prohibits the use of cell phones near school zones or while they are driving (Ok, I might have overdrawn on this analogy). The point is that they were not ready. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who are ready. Read Matthew 25:13, and we are told to “Watch.” Jesus answers the question about the close of the age again, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor hour.”
Questions:
Are you ready for the end times? Are you watching? Do you know God’s word? Are your batteries/lamps charged and ready to go?
Tags: 10 Virgins, batteries, cell phones, Christ, Discipleship, End Times, Kingdom of Heaven, Matthew, Parable, Texas State Law
Posted in Discipleship, Jesus, Matthew, Parable | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
One of the purposes of this blog is to write about one of the texts we are reading for the day. Sometimes, God’s Word leads me to a word study, a theological concept or doctrine, connects me with another place in scripture, or it just inspires me. Today, I was reading Matthew 20:20-23. Jesus encountered the mother of the sons of Zebedee. It kind of tickled me as I imagined the Zebedee brothers following behind their mother while she tells Jesus what she wants and then they expect to sit in the highest place of honor in Heaven. What an awkward scene. A preacher listening to a mother’s request and it is amazing that Jesus pretty much tells her “no.” He sets up a boundary and it doesn’t matter what some mother wants for her kids. Can you believe it? The Kingdom of God is more important and critical than what a mother wants? I don’t know why this resonates with me — maybe it is my own failure at setting limits with others. I am fascinated with Jesus’ skill at setting limits.
I find comfort in knowing that as a Christian it is all right to set limits. When someone is asking us to do something that is opposite of God’s plan and is not within the realm of our ability to provide, it is alright to say “no.” Jesus does not expect us to give in to unrealistic expectations. I feel better and I know why. Once upon a time, a mother came to me and told me to fix her adult son. He had strayed away from the church and she expected me to fix him, get a suit on him, “make him right with God,” and get him back in church. I felt bad and figured I was a terrible minister because I knew I did not have the power to fix him and I told her “no.” I set a limit and she was not happy. It was awkward. I offered prayer, visitation, counseling, but I could not promise to fix him the way she wanted, nor did I want to.
If Jesus is my friend wouldn’t he let my children sit at the left hand and right hand of God? I mean isn’t Jesus able to do anything? He is the Son of God! He is our Savior! He is all powerful! Why then doesn’t he give in to all of our requests? Why does Jesus set limits? Why does Jesus say, “no.” Maybe a better question is who in the world do we think we are to think we can fix everyone and everything? If Jesus sets limits, who are we to think we don’t have to? If Jesus lives within the limits of the Kingdom then why shouldn’t we? You know there is something holy and healing about boundaries! What do you think?
Tags: Boundaries, Jesus, Matthew, Mother
Posted in Boundaries, Matthew | 4 Comments »
Friday, January 29th, 2010
In Matthew 18:15-20, we have the famous narrative on church discipline. It is interesting that in context it follows the parable of the Lost Sheep. Matthew focuses on the will of God and focuses on the “little one” or Christian that has gone astray and has given a warning earlier about causing one of these to sin or stumble (Matthew 18:6). Matthew begins with a command not to despise them (Matthew 18:10-11) and at the end of the parable God’s will is for them not to perish (Matthew 18:14). So, what do you do with a brother or sister that sin against you? Read Matthew 18:15-20. By the way, it is no accident that before Christians intervene in this process that we are called to be humbled and purge our own sin (Matthew 7:1-5); we are called to be the greatest (Matthew 18:1-5) by becoming humbled like an insignificant child (see yesterday’s post); we are to seek urgently after the one who sins (Matthew 18:10-15); and it is followed by our call to forgive endlessly (Matthew 18:21-35).
The way Jesus teaches us to deal with a brother is similar to other ancient Jewish literature. The Testament of Gad 6:3-5 (Qumran Material) has a similar process that focuses on going to witnesses and to a governing body or the full assembly. Yet, Jesus is not trying to get us to litigate against a brother; His intent is for us to find a way to reconcile with a brother. Jesus teaches us to go to our brother alone and deal with it. Notice that “if he doesn’t listen” then you take the next steps with witnesses and going to the whole church. Whatever the two or more witnesses decide on earth will be kept in heaven (Matthew 18:18-20). Remember when Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus blessed him and gave him the keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:13-20)? Notice the similarity of words in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18). Now the authority has been extended from Peter to the church. When two or more of God’s people come together it is a holy decision. Jesus is not talking about how many people it takes to worship together, Jesus is showing us that the Church has authority on earth to make decisions about our relationships and we need to be careful. The goal is finding forgiveness and not proving our point. Jesus is teaching us that the church has a responsibility to Him and each other. Jesus calls us not to just talk about forgiveness and reconciliation but to put it into practice.
Tags: Church, Discipline, Jesus, Matthew, reconciliation
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Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5)? I am so glad the disciples ask Jesus the question. I think I would be too scared to ask. Jesus takes a child and uses the child as an object lesson. In the ancient world, children were low in the social hierarchy. They were weak and defenseless and had no rights. They could not stand up and demand anything, unlike today. As so often misinterpreted, Jesus is not telling us to be a child but He is showing us how children in this culture were insignificant. Jesus is calling us to become insignificant and to become dependent on Him. To become great in the kingdom of heaven is to become a minister to the insignificant. I call this the paradox of insignificance because we seek to make a name for ourselves and God calls us to be insignificant. We are called to repent and the difficulty with repentance is that it would make us insignificant. It would mean that we can’t make it on our own. In repentance, we learn to humble ourselves like a child and become dependent on God to save us. We are called to serve and to serve means we will be inconvenienced or made insignificant. The paradox of insignificance means we learn to be pick up our cross and die to ourselves for the sake of others. In the paradox of insignificance we see Jesus on the cross. Are you willing to become insignificant and dependent on God? It is difficult and there ain’t no easy way around it (Matthew 7:14).
Tags: children, Christians, Discipleship, Insignificance, Jesus, Matthew
Posted in Discipleship, Matthew | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Matthew 16:24-25 – I think most of us live in denial. If we read this text and compare it to our lives, it has to be disturbing. As I read this text, I either read through it fast so that I don’t have to deal with it. However, I slow down and return to it because I just can’t pass it up without dealing with the reality that I am not always denying myself and I don’t always pick up my cross. A young mother that I know recently wrote these words, “Now I understand the difference between happiness and fulfillment. Happiness is getting to sleep in. Fulfillment is getting to wake up to take care of someone else.” I think this is what Jesus is telling His disciples and to us. Jesus didn’t sleep in on crucifixion day but He was prepared to take care of others.
Question: Do you see others picking up their cross and following Jesus? Are you?
Tags: Cross, Disciples, Matthew, Mother
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
In Matthew 13:1-9, Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea and told a parable. The transliteration of parabolḗ, or a parable is literally something cast alongside another thing to clarify it. So Jesus will often tell a parable and compare a real life truth with the truth of the Kingdom of God. In Matt. 13:10, the disciples want to know why Jesus tells parables. Jesus answer is interesting. Look at Matt. 13:11-17. It is interesting that Jesus states it is given to the disciples to know the secrets (mystḗrion) of the Kingdom of heaven and for those who are not disciples they are not given the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:11). In Matt. 13:18-23, we have a further explanation of the Parable of the Sower. However, I want to focus on Jesus’ discussion with his disciples. Jesus seems pleased that the disciples seek clarification of the parable (Matt. 13:16-17).
Is Jesus telling us that a true disciple sees, hears, and does something after experiencing the miracles and teachings of Jesus? If we are not seeking clarification of Jesus’ teaching and seeking His teaching and council in our lives, could it be that we don’t really understand or perceive? Many people have seen and heard the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection without it doing anything for their lives. Have you really seen or heard the story? Have you turned or has your heart grown dull? When was the last time you passionately sought the will of God? Jesus is calling us to understand with our hearts and turn from sin so that He might heal us (Matt. 13:15). May we turn our hearts today and experience healing from our Lord! “Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear” (Matt. 13:16).
Tags: Discipleship, Jesus, Matthew, Parable, Repent
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Thursday, January 14th, 2010
No doubt, we have seen on T.V. or heard about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti. As I read over my earlier post, I wonder about how to help. From my post, I noted several things Jesus did:
- He identifies the need. He was going throughout cities and villages teaching, preaching, and healing (Matthew 9:35). He saw crowds without leaders and He saw the need of the harvest.
- He had compassion on the people (Matthew 9:36).
- He advocated prayer to receive more workers (Matthew 9:38).
- He called disciples to work and empowered them (Matthew 10:1). Jesus doesn’t pray and then let it go. Jesus gets in there and does something about it. Jesus doesn’t ask for “volunteers,” He calls disciples to go out and accomplish the mission. Jesus requires what I call, “committed Christians.”
We see the need. We all have compassion. We see the need for spiritual leadership and that the harvest is plenty. I think it is time, we work. We don’t need volunteers, we need “Committed Christians.”
Questions:
What can we do? How can we help? I’d like to see some comments on what we are doing or thoughts on what we can do.
Tags: Haiti, Matthew, Mission
Posted in Discipleship, Matthew | 4 Comments »
Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Matthew 10:1-42 is called the “Mission Discourse.” It is the second major discourse of Jesus in Matthew. Here Jesus commissions (Matthew 10:1-4) and instructs the twelve (Matthew 10:5-15) by sending them out with His message and power. Yet, this passage is connected to the last chapter. In Matthew 9:37, Jesus tells us about the plentiful harvest and the need for workers. Notice how Jesus sends out workers:
- He identifies the need. He was going throughout cities and villages teaching, preaching, and healing (Matthew 9:35). He saw crowds without leaders and He saw the need of the harvest.
- He had compassion on the people (Matthew 9:36).
- He advocated prayer to receive more workers (Matthew 9:38).
- He called disciples to work and empowered them (Matthew 10:1). Jesus doesn’t pray and then let it go. Jesus gets in there and does something about it. Jesus doesn’t ask for “volunteers,” He calls disciples to go out and accomplish the mission. Jesus requires what I call, “committed Christians.”
I have this pet peeve about using the word “volunteer” in the church. We ask for volunteers to help us with the harvest. Jesus doesn’t do this. The Kingdom of God is not a democracy that seeks our input or relies on the leftovers we have to offer. The Kingdom of God is run by the sovereign God who has all power and authority. He calls and empowers us to do the work of the Kingdom. Many will claim that this was the twelve being sent out to Israel and it is not applicable to us today. Yet, I think God’s plan has always been to seek Israel and then to expand it to all nations. So, Jesus fulfills God’s plan by seeking Israel and then in Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus will give the “Great Commission” which fulfills ultimately the plan of God to go to all nations. In the context of Jesus sending out the twelve, He gives them some very difficult instructions. Read Matthew 10:34-39. Jesus requires some committed people to work in the Kingdom.
Questions:
Do you believe your faith is based on what you are willing to volunteer or what God has called you to do? It seems to me that we no longer are concerned about obeying God but finding a way that we can all get along, what do you think? If you believe in “volunteerism” in the church, how do you deal with Matthew 10:38-39?
Tags: Call, Church, Discipleship, Great Commission, Matthew, Mission, Obedience
Posted in Discipleship, Matthew | 3 Comments »