Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Matthew 6:1-34
Jesus teaches us how to live the life of true righteousness. He first describes false righteousness or hypocritical religion. He instructs us to pray and give and fast in secret and our Father in heaven will reward us. If we do these things in public our only reward will be the praise of men.
Jesus teaches us how to pray, how to fast and what to pursue (righteousness and the Kingdom, not money) and he teaches us to be anxious for nothing but to be entirely dependent on God.
Following Jesus in this way is exactly what I need to do. Why does it seem so hard?
Jesus teaches us how to pray, how to fast and what to pursue (righteousness and the Kingdom, not money) and he teaches us to be anxious for nothing but to be entirely dependent on God.
Following Jesus in this way is exactly what I need to do. Why does it seem so hard?
Labels: fast, Jesus, kingdom, pray, righteousness
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Matthew 5:1-48
The sermon on the mount: Jesus teaches His disciples and raises the bar of righteousness. I don't know if His call to righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees and the scribes was to point out that theirs was a faux righteousness or that the standard is higher than mortal man can attain. Jesus ratchets up the ten commandments such that calling one's brother a fool is akin to murder and lusting after a woman is akin to adultery. I know under these standards I am guilty of all of the ten commandments.
Jesus closes this chapter with "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect". There is the standard. Anything less results in condemnation. Thank you Father, that you do not see my sin but you see the perfection of your Son and the covering of His atoning blood.
Jesus closes this chapter with "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect". There is the standard. Anything less results in condemnation. Thank you Father, that you do not see my sin but you see the perfection of your Son and the covering of His atoning blood.
Labels: disciples, Jesus, Pharisee, scribe, Sermon on the mount, sin
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Matthew 4:1-25
Jesus goes into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasts and then the devil comes to Him at His weakest to try to ensnare Him. It's noteworthy that the devil tries to use scripture against Jesus sometimes, but Jesus always responds with scripture. Just like the devil said to Eve in the garden, "did God really say ...", he takes the word of God and twists it as he attacks Jesus. After Jesus fights off three (complete?) of the devils attacks, the devil departs and angels minister to Jesus.
Jesus also begins his formal ministry in this chapter. He starts with the same call as John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He also begins calling His disciples. He starts with two pairs of brothers: first Simon and Andrew and then James and John. Jesus begins his ministry in the Galilee, possibly to avoid conflict early with the Jewish leaders. The text says that He saw that John the Baptist was taken into custody so He went to the Galilee. I remember from our trip to Israel, that our guide, Pilar, also pointed out that this was a perfect place for Jesus to minister and have maximum effect. The Galilee was a major trade-route crossroads and he would interact with the most diverse people, both Jews and Gentiles, who would take His message all over the world.
Jesus also begins his formal ministry in this chapter. He starts with the same call as John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He also begins calling His disciples. He starts with two pairs of brothers: first Simon and Andrew and then James and John. Jesus begins his ministry in the Galilee, possibly to avoid conflict early with the Jewish leaders. The text says that He saw that John the Baptist was taken into custody so He went to the Galilee. I remember from our trip to Israel, that our guide, Pilar, also pointed out that this was a perfect place for Jesus to minister and have maximum effect. The Galilee was a major trade-route crossroads and he would interact with the most diverse people, both Jews and Gentiles, who would take His message all over the world.
Labels: Andrew, devil, Galilee, James, Jesus, John, John the Baptist, Simon, temptation
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Matthew 3:1-17
John the Baptist is introduced in chapter 3 as an itinerant preacher preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. He preaches repentance and water baptism to Jerusalem and all those around the Jordan and throughout Judea. He also rails against the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Even though he feels unworthy, John baptizes Jesus after Jesus tells him it is fitting and proper to keep in accordance with the scriptures. Throughout these first three chapters Matthew keeps referring to the scriptures and to fulfilled prophecy. The Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove and the Father says, "this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
Even though he feels unworthy, John baptizes Jesus after Jesus tells him it is fitting and proper to keep in accordance with the scriptures. Throughout these first three chapters Matthew keeps referring to the scriptures and to fulfilled prophecy. The Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove and the Father says, "this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
Labels: baptism, Jesus, John the Baptist, Pharisee, Sadducee, Spirit
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Matthew 1:1-25
Matthew summarizes Jesus' genealogy from Abraham to Joesph. He breaks the history into three sections each with 14 generations: Abraham to David, David to the exile, and the exile to the Messiah. It's worth noting that the genealogy is not "pristine": Rahab the foreign prostitute is there as is Solomon, a son from the affair David had with Basheeba. God does not look on the outside or on what we once were. Rather, He chooses us independent of those things and looks at our heart.
Matthew also tells of the virgin birth of Jesus. Thus scripture is fulfilled that Jesus is born as the seed of Abraham, in the tribe of Judah, of the Davidic kingly line and yet not by the will of a man but by the Spirit.
Matthew also tells of the virgin birth of Jesus. Thus scripture is fulfilled that Jesus is born as the seed of Abraham, in the tribe of Judah, of the Davidic kingly line and yet not by the will of a man but by the Spirit.
Labels: Abraham, Bathsheeba, David, exile, Jesus, Joseph, Judah, Matthew, Rahab, Solomon, virgin
