Matthew 17-19
Matthew's account of the Transfiguration includes another time when men heard God's voice from heaven. The voice terrified them here, as opposed to no real reaction being given at Jesus' baptism. I love the line in 17:8 that when they looked up, they saw no one but Jesus. Wouldn't that be so much easier if all we saw was Jesus? Instead we keep looking in the mirror, trying to satisfy that person.
The epileptic boy's demon could not be driven out by the twelve. "Except by prayer and fasting" it says in the notes. I'll note that Jesus didn't seem to pray or fast before exorcizing it. It was likely an ego check for the disciples who, according to Luke, had been so excited that they could order demons to come out of people. Jesus explains it as having such little faith. If they had the faith to drive out other demons, why did they suddenly lack faith? Was it because they lost sight of who was doing the exorcisms?
Matthew records Jesus telling the disciples reacting with grief upon hearing that Jesus would have to die and be raised to life.
The temple tax must have been a use tax to help pay the costs of the construction. Jesus paid for Himself and Peter. Apparently the other eleven had to come up with their own tax money.
The theme of becoming like a child to inherit the Kingdom begins chapter 18. The image of the child is an important one for us. Certainly we like to think of ourselves as adults, but God sees us as His children. The accompanying warning of not causing people to sin isn't talked about much. Peer pressure and the like are very real, especially in certain segments of society.
Jesus uses the expression "enter life" to signify our entrance into eternal life.
Matthew records the Parable of the Lost Sheep, but not the Lost Coin or the Lost Son from Luke 15. I wonder why.
Jesus gives us instructions to restore a sinful brother, but if these steps fail to win him back, it would seem He advocates a form of shunning. More research is needed as to how people usually treated pagans and tax collectors.
Binding and loosing must not be power of judgment or vengeance, as that would conflict with what we know God's job to be.
The "two or three gathered in My name" passage is set in the context of prayer among agreeing people. I am with those who come together in Christ. Assumedly this would mean that the prayer lines up with the One who is there with them.
Forgiveness must come from the heart. The number of times a person is forgiven is irrelevant. I for one am glad of that!
Jesus comes out in chpater 19 as being strictly against divorce. The disciples reaction in 19:10 is almost comical by our standards. It seems they saw no advantage to marriage if you can't just divorce a wife for any reason. Jesus affirms that the single life is better, but that no everyone can handle it. (I know I wouldn't be able to handle it!) Still the one who is gifted in this area should accept it. I know that I could do more for God's Kingdom as a single man -- in theory. Yet my personality and character makes me dependent upon my wife for mental and emotional health. Could God help me overcome that? I'm sure He could, but again it comes back to my own emotional strength.
Jesus' blessing of the little children is by placing His hands on them. I wonder what the exact posture was. Could it have been a simple embrace?
The rich young ruler comes calling at 19:16, although Matthew doesn't identify him as a ruler. The lesson again is one of idolatry. The young man didn't want to part with his money, and Jesus knew it, and called him on it. Again the disciples' reaction is comical. "If the rich can't be saved, then who can?!" Jesus rightfully points out the obvious problem of loyalty to self before loyalty to God when self has a lot of cash. The disciples point out that they have left all things to follow Jesus and ask what awaits them as a reward. Jesus tells them about their twelve thrones and the 100 times more than what each gave up. At 19:30 "many who are first..." specifies that not all, but many of the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Again, it is meant to be a general statement, not a blanket suggestion that all those suffering are righteous.
The epileptic boy's demon could not be driven out by the twelve. "Except by prayer and fasting" it says in the notes. I'll note that Jesus didn't seem to pray or fast before exorcizing it. It was likely an ego check for the disciples who, according to Luke, had been so excited that they could order demons to come out of people. Jesus explains it as having such little faith. If they had the faith to drive out other demons, why did they suddenly lack faith? Was it because they lost sight of who was doing the exorcisms?
Matthew records Jesus telling the disciples reacting with grief upon hearing that Jesus would have to die and be raised to life.
The temple tax must have been a use tax to help pay the costs of the construction. Jesus paid for Himself and Peter. Apparently the other eleven had to come up with their own tax money.
The theme of becoming like a child to inherit the Kingdom begins chapter 18. The image of the child is an important one for us. Certainly we like to think of ourselves as adults, but God sees us as His children. The accompanying warning of not causing people to sin isn't talked about much. Peer pressure and the like are very real, especially in certain segments of society.
Jesus uses the expression "enter life" to signify our entrance into eternal life.
Matthew records the Parable of the Lost Sheep, but not the Lost Coin or the Lost Son from Luke 15. I wonder why.
Jesus gives us instructions to restore a sinful brother, but if these steps fail to win him back, it would seem He advocates a form of shunning. More research is needed as to how people usually treated pagans and tax collectors.
Binding and loosing must not be power of judgment or vengeance, as that would conflict with what we know God's job to be.
The "two or three gathered in My name" passage is set in the context of prayer among agreeing people. I am with those who come together in Christ. Assumedly this would mean that the prayer lines up with the One who is there with them.
Forgiveness must come from the heart. The number of times a person is forgiven is irrelevant. I for one am glad of that!
Jesus comes out in chpater 19 as being strictly against divorce. The disciples reaction in 19:10 is almost comical by our standards. It seems they saw no advantage to marriage if you can't just divorce a wife for any reason. Jesus affirms that the single life is better, but that no everyone can handle it. (I know I wouldn't be able to handle it!) Still the one who is gifted in this area should accept it. I know that I could do more for God's Kingdom as a single man -- in theory. Yet my personality and character makes me dependent upon my wife for mental and emotional health. Could God help me overcome that? I'm sure He could, but again it comes back to my own emotional strength.
Jesus' blessing of the little children is by placing His hands on them. I wonder what the exact posture was. Could it have been a simple embrace?
The rich young ruler comes calling at 19:16, although Matthew doesn't identify him as a ruler. The lesson again is one of idolatry. The young man didn't want to part with his money, and Jesus knew it, and called him on it. Again the disciples' reaction is comical. "If the rich can't be saved, then who can?!" Jesus rightfully points out the obvious problem of loyalty to self before loyalty to God when self has a lot of cash. The disciples point out that they have left all things to follow Jesus and ask what awaits them as a reward. Jesus tells them about their twelve thrones and the 100 times more than what each gave up. At 19:30 "many who are first..." specifies that not all, but many of the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Again, it is meant to be a general statement, not a blanket suggestion that all those suffering are righteous.
posted by rev-ed @ 11:47 PM
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