Good morning again! I hope you all had a good day yesterday. Nice day with a few wicked storms! It was good to get away for a few days, but then when you get back there is so much work to get caught up on!
Today's chapter has some familiar stories and statements from Jesus. We begin with the Pharisees getting upset at the disciples and Jesus when they pick grains of wheat from the plants (v 2). The gleaning of the wheat wasn't the "illegal" point- it was they day that they were doing it. The laws allowed people that were travelling to glean from the fields when they were hungry; farmers were required to leave a small amount of grain standing so that travelers could have that option. Jesus and the disciples didn't break God's command of observing the Sabbath, but they did break man's command of no work on the Sabbath! Jesus comes back with the example from David (from 1 Samuel 21)- peoples' well-being is more important than rituals. Jesus then discusses the temple priests (v 5)- they break the Sabbath rules all the time (lighting a fire on the Sabbath, preparing the animal sacrifices, the actual sacrifice- the list could continue). Jesus then says some shocking(?) words, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (v 8). This was a direct claim of divine life! I could imagine the Pharisees just squirming at these words! They had to do something about this man Jesus! The rising of opposition to Jesus is beginning.
Jesus set an example of attending public worship (v 9). Did he have to attend worship? I mean, he is God. The man with the withered hand is there. The rulers probably knew Jesus would do something; was the man a plant to see just what Jesus would do? Through his compassion, Jesus healed the man while shutting down the Pharisees- we obviously need to have more compassion for people than for sheep- right? Do we- have more compassion for people rather than our possessions? The chilling result comes in v 14- the Pharisees being their plot to kill Jesus. Prior to this, they were just finding fault in what Jesus was doing, but this act of compassion seems to be a tipping point of the Pharisees. Luke 6:11 says the "critics were filled with rage..."
Jesus leaves the town and goes out healing and teaching. Jesus had compassion for all and showed his compassion through acts of healing and grace. Jesus, like several times before, asks people not to say anything, quoting from Isaiah about the "Servant chosen by God" (vv 18-21). In these words we hear compassion, love, humbleness, humility, and gentleness. The closing words- "the non-Jewish people will find hope" show us the ultimate goal of Jesus' ministry. This statement was definitely revealing and surprising to Matthew's readers- probably they even found it offensive!
Jesus goes on to heal a demon possessed person (v 22)- something we have seen before. Demonstrating his power and authority even over demons, the people begin to look at Jesus as Messiah (v 23), but the religious leaders say it is because of Jesus' relationship with Satan (v 24). Jesus counters with the fact that Satan would not want to cast out a demon- it would benefit Satan nothing (vv 25- 26). Jesus continues with the point that religious leaders cast out demons, yet they claim power from God to do it (v 27). How can something be true for one person and not for another? Envy begins to show more and more in these stories. Jesus explains (using an analogy of a strong man) that He is stronger than Satan (v 29). Jesus is "stealing" people one by one from Satan's dominion. What follows are string words from Jesus (v 30). "If you are not with me then you are against me." Blasphemy will not be tolerated by God and God's judgement will be harsh. Aimed directly at the Pharisees and other religious leaders, Jesus uses these words to caution them about going against Jesus.
The true hearts and souls of the religious leaders (and us) are found in the words and "fruits" we display (vv 33-37). Words are powerful indicators of what we feel; words do tell what our hearts are like. The reference to snakes (vipers, v 34) is a direct reference to Satan. How can you be of Satan yet also try to be of God.
The Pharisees turn to Jesus looking for a sign or miracle. They wanted a sign so they could comment against him again? Hadn't they seen enough signs already? Jesus then references the story of Jonah (vv 39- 41). Notice the similarities in Jonah's story and the death of Jesus: Jonah gave his life for the sins of others, he was dead three days, he came "back to life". The people of Nineveh repented and Jesus is greater than Jonah. Jesus is essentially saying- Don't you get it?!
Jesus capitalizes on the demon possessed man who has been healed. Jesus is saying that Satan can only inhabit lifeless and empty people, so we must do our best to fill people with the Holy Spirit. The more full we are, the less likely we can be inhabited by demons. If we are filled with Jesus, then we cannot be filled with evil. How full of Jesus are you?
We hear that Jesus' family is close by and wanting to talk to Jesus. Were they going to convince him to back off some at the face of opposition? Were they worried about his life? We expect Jesus' family to have some special privileges, but it doesn't seem that way. Jesus looks to the crowd and says that whoever believes and works with Jesus are part of the family. Are we brothers and sisters of Jesus?
Some hard words from Jesus during these verses. We begin to sense the opposition rising. We know the end of the story- but how much did the people know and understand? Tomorrow's chapter brings us the beginning of the parables of Jesus and we will read several tat are familiar to us.
Enjoy the day that we are being blessed with. Thanks for continuing in this tough work.
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
when i was a child and heard that Sunday was a day of rest i couldn't understand why my father a farmer worked on Sunday instead of resting. he told me the animals needed feeding and the cows needed milking even if it was Sunday and since God had put him in the role of farmer it was his duty to do this even if it was Sunday. It took me a few years to fully understand this.
ReplyDeleteJesus continues to heal on the Sabbath and the Pharisees continue to accuse Him of failing to abide by the laws and traditions. Jesus always has the answer to them but not the answer they are expecting from him. Such as the sheep falling into the well and even though it's the Sabbath you would save him because the sheep was valuable so much more so is God's child so why not help him also so he healed the man's withered hand.
I especially liked the verses about ridding mute man of demons and The accusations by the Pharisees that Jesus empowered by Satan if he could drive out demons. Jesus answer was what about your own exorcists they drive out demons so the must be possessed by Satan also! Plus if Jesus was driving out demons he was actually knocking down Satan's house
The last verses in this chapter is regarding spiritual relationships with Jesus and other Christians I believe that is why we refer to the other members of the church as our church family.
Looks like another great day the Lord has given us, Enjoy!
Good point from your dad. We are called in Genesis to care for the world- and farmers don't get a day off!
DeleteDoesn't that define Jesus all the time- giving us answers but not what we expect at times!
Jesus always turned things around to the Pharisees and others, especially when they accused him of some things!
The church is a family of people gathered with the same ideas and thoughts! We should love our family- do we??
Good thoughts Clara!
Lots of familiar information in this chapter. How Jesus explained that sometimes you have to work on the sabbath. I've heard that long ago people did absolutely nothing on the Sundays. I'm so glad that I didn't live then. I am busy every minute and like it that way. Maybe I would have learned to slow down.
ReplyDeleteJust a year of so ago, our country was so divided. I remember lots of people saying that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Luckily things seem less contentious now but I did think about this verse a lot. I hope we have learned a lesson.
Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. It seems that if you reject the Holy Spirit in your life you are in big trouble. I think we've read this in other books.
Such familiar passages. It's wonderful to read them again.
It is hard to slow down! Even when we lost power at the end of last week- we were still busy and doing! Why can't we slow down?! I sometimes feel guilty just sitting and resting!
DeleteI think we are still divided- just not as vocal and conscious of it. I have seen families torn apart because of differences of opinion- the nation is no different.
While these are familiar- we do forget them. It is like an old friend- good to visit them once in a while!
Thanks Cathy!
After reading this chapter, Rhea and I spoke about the country being "Godless." It sure looks like we, as a people, have strayed away from God. I don't remember it being this bad when I was a child, but then as I think of my twenties through 50s or so, I did not attend church, except for a few times when my wife got on my back. I believe that you can be with God and Jesus if you don't attend church.
ReplyDeleteI remember as a child: "Keep holy the sabbath." We had the blue laws to keep us home on Sundays as all the stores had to be closed. But the blue laws started to become violated as the stores realized that the fines could be written off as a cost of doing business. The guy next door was open, so there was a competitive advantage to opening up and paying the fine. Then, the blue laws were repealed and, now, Sundays are shopping days just like every other day of the week. To me, this is but one example of the Godless society were are becoming or we have become. "Keep holy the sabbath"? --Gone and forgotten. This is not the only example, but it is one that comes to mind.
There are several verses in this chapter that can be a voice of what is happening in this country today. Does this scare me to death? It sure does. I may not have too many years left, but I fear for what my children and grandchildren are going to have to deal with in the future.
The thought just occurred to me this instant that this is exactly what I heard older people saying when I was a child - almost to the letter. I remember thinking at the time that things weren't that bad, and they weren't. So maybe I'm showing my age here in thinking that this isn't the same place I grew up in, but to young will survive. That is why they are young.
My brother and I had a conversation several years ago about organized religion. He was attending a Lutheran church for his wife and so the kids could be raised in the church. He was quite disillusioned with organized religion and said that he is spiritual and doesn't need a church to help him organize his thoughts. I too, am disillusioned at the organized church at times! I really feel closer to God when I am outside in the barn or the garden. In church there is too much going on (for me) to really find God!
ReplyDeleteBlue laws?! Before my time- but I have heard people talk of them. It would be good for people to sabbath at least one day a week- I don't think it needs to be Sunday (I work on Sundays! Its the only day I work though!), but people do need rest and refreshment!
We all seem to long for the past- I have said the words you say and I am still young!!
Thanks Jack!