MATTHEW 10
OPENS WITH...THE SENDING OF THE TWELVE WHO ARE CHOSEN AND COMMISSIONED.
Verses 1-4 tells us The TWELVE disciples are listed.
"And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him."
When He had called His twelve disciples to Him...
The main feature of this list is its diversity. Jesus chose His disciples from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. About all they had in common was it seems that none of them were privileged or from backgrounds of high status.
This is in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 1:26-29...
"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence."
He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease...
Jesus did not only call the twelve. He also gave them power to do what He had called them to do. The same principle holds true today: whom God calls, God equips. The equipping may not be completely evident before the ministry begins, but it will be evident along the way.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these...
These twelve (excepting Judas, of course), have an important place in God's plan of redemption, including some particular role in the future judgment (Matthew 19:28), and in the founding of the church (Ephesians 2:20). The Bible promises that their position and work will be remembered through eternity (Revelation 21:14).
DID YOU KNOW...
This is the FIRST and ONLY time in Matthew that the twelve are called APOSTLES. The word apostle literally means one who is sent out; it is the word for an envoy or an ambassador. Called here for the first and last time apostoloi, with reference at once to the immediate minor mission and to the later great one.
1. The word apostle can mean a mere messenger, as in John 13:16, referring to he who is sent.
2. Jesus is called an apostle in Hebrews 3:1: consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
3. Paul sometimes used the word in the sense of messengers or representatives, as in 2 Corinthians 8:23: they are messengers [apostles] of the churches; possibly also in Romans 16:7.
4. Yet Paul also used the term in a more narrow sense, referring to the Twelve and himself by special dispensation (1 Corinthians 9:1-5 and 15:7-10; Galatians 1:17 and 1:19 following).
AND WE KNOW...There are four DIFFERENT lists of the twelve in the New Testament. Here in Matthew 10:2-4, and also in Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13. In these lists, Peter is always listed first and Judas is always listed last. The two pairs of brothers (Peter and Andrew; James and John) are always listed first. In the lists they are arranged in a way that suggests that they were arranged in three groups of four, each with a leader.
1. In each list Peter is first mentioned, followed by Andrew, James, and John.
2. In each list Philip is fifth mentioned, followed by Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew.
3. In each list James the son of Alphaeus is ninth mentioned, followed by Thaddaeus/Judas brother of James, Simon the Zealot, and Judas.
DID YOU KNOW...Iscariot is usually thought to mean 'man of Kerioth' (a city in southern Judaea), but has also been explained as meaning 'traitor', 'assassin', 'carrier of the leather bag', or 'redhead'!
Verses 5-6 tells us Where they are to go: unto Israel (the Jewish people) only.
"These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
These twelve Jesus sent out...
Jesus was touring around the region of Galilee teaching, preaching, and helping needy people with miraculous power (Matthew 4:23). The sending of these twelve was a conscious expanding of that work. Now the work of Jesus was being done by many more than simply Jesus Himself.
And commanded them...
The word which is used in the Greek for Jesus commanding his men, or giving them orders is interesting and illuminating. It is the word "paragellein". This word in Greek has four special usages.
1. It is the regular word of military command. . . .
2. It is the word used of calling one's friends to one's help. . . .
3. It is the word which is used of a teaching giving rules and precepts to his students. . . .
4. It is the word which is regularly used for an imperial command."
Do not go into the way of the Gentiles...
This is the pattern of the gospel - it is for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16). Later, the gospel would go to BOTH the Samaritans and the Gentiles, but it had to BEGIN with the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
That Jesus felt it necessary to mention the Samaritans at all presupposes John 4. The disciples, happy in the exercise of their ability to perform miracles, might have been tempted to evangelize the Samaritans because they remembered Jesus' success there.
The effect of this order was in actual fact to limit the first journeys of the twelve to Galilee.
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel...
God's intention was to reach the whole world, but beginning with Israel. There was certainly enough work to do among the lost sheep of the house of Israel to keep the twelve busy until God directly commanded them to expand their ministry.
THIS IS IMPORTANT...WE NEED TO REMEMBER THIS, WHEN THOSE WHO BELIEVE THE FALSE NARRATIVE OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY, WHICH SAYS/TEACHES/BELIEVES GOD DISINHERITED ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH, JESUS LOVING CHRISTIANS, REPLACED/ BECAME THE CHOSEN OF GOD.
Significantly, Jesus still called the Jewish people "the house of Israel" even though they had lost their Jewish state many decades before this time. God STILL CALLED THEM AND SAW them as "Israel," even when there was not a political entity known as "Israel."
Who were the lost sheep of Israel? In a sense, all of them were. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6).
Yet in another sense, there were also lost sheep that were abused and neglected by their spiritual shepherds, the scribes, priests, and Pharisees. This is the sense of Jeremiah 50:6: "My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray." It is also the sense of Jesus when He ate with sinners at the home of Matthew (Matthew 9:10-13).
Because so many were so spiritually neglected, Jesus sent these apostles out. "The beginnings of the mission to the neglected 'lost' sheep of Israel may be found in the Capernaum feast (Matthew 9:10).
Verses 7-8a tells us What they are to do: go out preaching and healing.
"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons."
As you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Earlier (Matthew 4:17) we were told that Jesus' message was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." The disciples brought the same message Jesus preached, simply bringing it over a much broader area than Jesus did by Himself.
We may also surmise that they were to repeat many of the themes found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), because that message tells what life in the kingdom of heaven should be like.
There is no mention of them preaching in the synagogues, only being scourged in them (Matthew 10:17). This was a house-to-house, open field, street preaching ministry.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons...
The disciples both had a message to preach and a power to display. In this, they were truly followers of their Master.
The authority for these disciples to raise the dead is remarkable; yet the later fulfillment of it was recorded in both Acts 9 and 20, and there were no doubt other unrecorded instances.
AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER...We have no evidence that either such a thing was common, IT WAS AND AS ALWAYS...AS THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS AND AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WILLS IT.
SO WE ARE TO BELIEVE IN JESUS LIVING WITHIN US THAT, HIS AUTHORITY, HIS POWER, AS HE WILLS IT TO DO MIRACLES TODAY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHURCH, AS WELL, THE FALSE RELIGIOSITIES THEN AND NOW, THEY TEACH/PROCLAIM/BELIEVE THEY ARE THE POWER, THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE AN ANOINTED MANTLE OR THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT AND BEEN TO CLASSES TO LEARN AND HAVE THE ABILITY, THAT THEY COMMAND HEAVEN/THEY COMMAND HEALING/MIRACLES/THEY SUMMON WEALTH, THEY SUMMON ANGELS.
NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE DO ANY OF GOD'S PROPHETS, THE DISCIPLES/APOSTLES CLAIM STATE OR PROPHESY IN THEIR OWN POWER. IT WAS, IS AND EVER SHALL BE AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WILLS IT.
SATAN AND HIS DEMONS HAVE LIMITED ABILITIES, THEY CAN SPEAK IN TONGUES, THEY CAN DO SHORT TERM MIRACLES, THEY CAN SPEAK TO MANKIND, THEY CAN ILLUSION THEMSELVES INTO BEING ANGELS OF LIGHT, WHEN THEY ARE NOT FROM JESUS CHRIST AT ALL.
PRAYER IS OUR MOST POWERFUL WEAPON FOR THE LOST, HURT, NEEDY. WHEN WE GATHER TOGETHER IN JESUS NAME AND PRAY FOR AND LIFT THE HURTS, NEEDS OF PEOPLE AND PRAY FOR JESUS DIRECTION, PROTECTION, AND HELP INTO OUR JESUS HANDS...WE RECOGNIZE THE POWER IS IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE. IT IS HIS DECISION.
Verses 8b-15 tells us How they were to provide for themselves.
"Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"
Freely you have received, freely give...
Jesus charged His disciples nothing. He did not charge them for the food, water, shelter, protection and He expected them to give ministry unto others without charge. This is the foundational principle for the commands that follow.
SPURGEON says it well, "What a scandal is it for a man to traffic with gifts which he pretends, at least, to have received from the Holy Ghost, of which he is not the master, but the dispenser. He who preaches to get a living, or to make a fortune, is guilty of the most infamous sacrilege."
Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts...
JESUS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY DEPENDED ON HIS FATHER TO PROVIDE FOR ALL HIS NEEDS. HIS MINISTRY IS PROOF OF THIS. JESUS WALKED IT, TALKED IT, AND LIVED IT.
JESUS WANTED THEM TO ALWAYS PRAY, ASK, AND BELIEVE AND EXPECT God to meet their needs, without taking undue concern for their own needs. Furthermore, they should expect that God would normally meet their needs through the inspired hospitality of others.
BARCLAY tells us, "He was once again speaking words which were very familiar to a Jew. The Talmud tells us that: 'No one is to go to the Temple Mount with staff, shoes, girdle of money, or dusty feet.' The idea was that when a man entered the temple, he must make it quite clear that he had left everything which had to do with trade and business and worldly affairs behind."
SPURGEON says, "Take [Provide] is literally 'obtain' … The saying in its Matthaean form thus does not so much specify the appropriate equipment for traveling, but rather assures the disciples that no previous fund-raising is necessary, nor need special equipment be acquired. They can go just as they are, and the mission is urgent."
AND FOR THOSE WHO POINT TO See Luke 22:36: 'He that hath a purse, let him take it …' Different modes of procedure are to be adopted at different times.
For a worker is worthy of his food...
When they came among others, they were to be workers among them. They would work among them in both spiritual work and practical work. We can imagine them preaching the Word of God, praying for and with people, and helping with the farm work.
Even though the twelve could expect their needs to be met through the people they served, they should never require their needs to be met as payment. The foundational principle was freely you have received, freely give.
If the household is worthy … if it is not worthy...
Those who did receive these disciples can expect to be blessed (let your peace come upon it); but those places that refused them could expect to be treated as Gentiles cities (shake off the dust from your feet), and as such, were in serious danger of judgment.
Two sure signs of reprobate goats:
1. Not to receive Christ's ministers to house and harbour, accounting themselves happy in such entertainment.
2. Not to hear their words.
Verses 16-18 tells us Jesus PREPARES them for persecution.
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles."
I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves...
Jesus freely and honestly warned His disciples that they would face persecution. Because they went out without police or military protection, He sent them as sheep in the midst of wolves.
SPURGEON says, "After all, the mission of sheep to wolves is a hopeful one, since we see in the natural world that the sheep, though so feeble, by far outnumber the wolves who are so fierce. The day will come when persecutors will be as scarce as wolves, and saints as numerous as sheep."
AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER ALWAYS...GOD FIRST SENT US HIS GENTLE LAMB AMONG THE LOST, EVIL, OF THIS WORLD TO SEEK AND SAVE THAT WHICH IS LOST...BUT WE NEED TO ALWAYS REMEMBER...THE LION OF JUDAH IS COMING...AND HE IS NOT MEEK OR GENTLE BUT A POWERFUL WARRIOR LION THAT NONE CAN STAND AGAINST...AND EVERY KNEE, ALL THE WOLVES, ALL THE DEMONS, SATAN HIMSELF, SHALL HIT THEIR KNEES BEFORE HIM.
SO WHILE WE APPEAR AS GENTLE, FEEBLE, SHEEP/LAMBS TO THE WOLVES AND REJECTING IN THIS WORLD RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE THE HEART OF THE LION OF JUDAH LIVING WITHIN US...AND ONE SWEET DAY, WE SHALL RETURN WITH OUR LION OF JUDAH AS BRIGHT, WHITE SAINTS AND POWERFUL WARRIORS OF OUR COMMANDER JESUS CHRIST, THE LION OF JUDAH.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves...
Despite their vulnerable position in the eyes of the world, Jesus' followers were not to defend themselves with worldly forms of power, but in Jesus' power. They were to remain harmless as doves, though wise as serpents.
Wisdom would keep them from attracting trouble unnecessarily or show them how to avoid it without compromise. But to stand in the power and protection of Jesus first and last. Serpents are attacked by everyone, and must use creativity and wisdom to survive.
Remaining harmless would keep them from giving in to the temptation of retaliation.
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up...
Jesus also warned them that men would persecute them in civic arena (councils) and religious arena (synagogues). They could expect opposition from both city hall and the halls of religion.
AND WE WHO HAVE STUDIED JESUS LIFE AND HIS MINISTRY ON THIS EARTH, KNOW THAT JESUS WAS THE FIRST TO FACE ALL THESE THINGS THAT HE TAUGHT AND PREPARED HIS DISCIPLES FOR IN THEIR FUTURE ONCE HE WAS GONE BACK TO HEAVEN.
WHEREEVER JESUS WENT, WHETHER ON THE ROAD, IN THE MARKETS, OR IN THE SYNAGOGUES..HE WAS CHALLENGED. HE WAS ATTACKED. HE WAS LIED ON. HE WAS RIDICULED AND AS WITH HIS OWN HOME TOWN, HE WAS ASKED TO LEAVE AND NOT RETURN.
You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake...
This was a remarkable statement, recognizing the great influence the gospel and its preachers would have. Governors and kings would notice them - and arrest them, bringing them to trial BECAUSE THEY LOVED AND FOLLOWED JESUS..
WARFIELD says it well, "This affords a striking proof of the prescience of Christ. Who could have thought, at that time, that these despised and illiterate men could excite so much attention, and be called upon to apologize for the profession of their faith before the tribunals of the most illustrious personages of the earth?"
For My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles...
Because they were persecuted for Jesus sake, they could be a testimony to both religious and civic persecutors.
Verses 19-20 tells us When Jesus' disciples are brought before rulers, God will defend and speak for them.
"But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
Do not worry about how or what you should speak...
Jesus' disciples could have perfect trust in God in that moment, knowing that He would speak through them even if they were unprepared.
BARCLAY MAKES A GOOD POINT FOR US TO THINK ABOUT AND REMEMBER, "It was not the humiliation which early Christians dreaded, not even the cruel pain and the agony. But many of them feared that their own unskilfulness in words and defence might injure rather than commend the truth. It is the promise of God that when a man is on trial for his faith, the words will come to him."
For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak...
This gave them confidence that the Spirit of the Father would speak to and through them at the necessary moment, even if they were not prepared with a statement.
This isn't a justification of poor preparation in teaching and preaching God's Word, but it is a promise of strength and guidance for the persecuted that have an opportunity to testify of Jesus.
Verses 21-23 tells us The extent of persecution: even among families, and from city to city.
"Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
Now brother will deliver up brother to death...
Jesus knew that in some cases the gospel would divide family members, and that some of the most bitter persecution would take place among families.
AND REMEMBER JESUS' OWN HALF BROTHERS AND SISTERS REJECTED HIM, BUT FOR MARY HIS MOTHER TOLD TO US IN JOHN 7:1-5 & MARK 3:20-21.
AND WE REMEMBER JESUS WENT BACK TO HIS OWN HOMETOWN OF NAZARETH WHERE HE HAD GROWN UP AND THEY TRIED TO THROW HIM OFF THE CLIFF TOLD TO US IS LUKE 4:16-30
And cause them to be put to death...
Jesus plainly said that persecution would sometime result in death. Though most Christians have endured persecution in economic or social arenas, though the centuries, literally millions have given their lives in faithfulness to Jesus.
You will be hated by all for My name's sake...
At times this has been true; when entire cultures have hated the followers of Jesus. It seems strange that people who live by the kingdom expectations of Matthew 5-7 should be so greatly hated, but it is the same paradox that inspired the world to condemn and crucify JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, the only sinless man ever to live.
It must be painfully admitted that there are times when Christians, because of great unfaithfulness or false profession of faith, have been hated for good reason. Yet no one who is filled with the presence of Jesus and lives like He did can be hated for good reason.
But he who endures to the end will be saved...
A commitment to endure to the end is required for those who will weather the storms of persecution. We who have face little real persecution have little understanding of just how difficult it is to endure under it.
When they persecute you in this city, flee to another...
In this, Jesus taught His disciples that it was WRONG for them to court martyrdom. They were NOT to run towards persecution, or even remain if they had the chance for an honorable escape. If they could flee to another place they were to do it.
You will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes...
This is one of the hardest to understand statements of Jesus in Matthew. Could Jesus really mean that He would return to this earth before the disciples would make it through all the cities of Israel? If so, this would make Jesus' plainly wrong in this prediction. Instead, it is better to see His "coming" in this passage as His coming in judgment upon Judea in A.D. 70 which did happen before the gospel came to every city in Israel.
This is the fulfillment of the day of judgment warned of in Matthew 10:15. In many ways, the judgment poured out by God upon Judea through the Roman armies in A.D. 70.
Verses 24-25 tells us Why Jesus' disciples must expect persecution.
"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!"
A disciple is not above his teacher...
Simply put, the disciples should not expect to be treated any better than Jesus was treated. If they called Jesus Himself Satan (Beelzebub), how much worse should the disciples of Jesus expect!
This already is the second reference in Matthew we have to Jesus being associated with Satan by His enemies. Matthew 9:34 suggests that it was a frequent slur.
It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master...
This is the goal of both the disciple and servant of Jesus. We simply want to be like our teacher and master, as we are conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29).
Verses 26-31tells us Even in the midst of persecution, Jesus' disciples should NOT fear, but be BOLD in their proclamation of the gospel.
"Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Therefore do not fear them...
Jesus' disciples could have confidence that the truth would prevail, so they should go out and preach it with boldness, despite the danger of persecution.
AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER THIS...If persecution or the threat of persecution makes us draw back from speaking and preaching God's word, then in some measure Satan has won a victory. His threat of persecution may not have succeeded in harming us, but in holding back the work of the Word of God.
For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known...
Jesus promised His persecuted followers that the truth of their honorable sacrifice would be known, even if the persecutors did their best to hide it among the pages of history. God would reveal all and justify His servants and reveal the crime of those who thought they had hidden it.
The judgment of eternity gives us great confidence in God's ultimate justice. Those who seem to cheat justice on earth will NEVER cheat it in eternity.
THEN AND NOW, WE SEE MORE AND MORE EXAMPLES OF EVIL ESCAPING, IF NOT BEING CHAMPIONED AND EXCUSED AWAY THEIR EVIL AND REMOVING EARTHLY JUSTICE AND PUNISHMENT...BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER, JESUS IS NOT BLIND. JESUS IS NOT DECEIVED. JESUS DOES NOT FORGET. EVIL MAY AND WILL, THEN AND NOW, ESCAPE EARTHLY JUSTICE AND PUNISHMENT, BUT THEY WILL NEVER ESCAPE JESUS JUSTICE AND PUNISHMENT.
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops...
The message of Jesus was gloriously public. It was not for a secret few and was not to be hidden in any way. There isn't one message for the inner circle and another for those on the outside. Those on the outside may not understand the message, but they can hear it and it is not to be hidden from them.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell...
God is the one to fear, not the men who persecute the followers of Jesus. The worst they can do is to destroy the body, but being a coward before God can have eternal consequences.
SPURGEON says it well, "There is no cure for the fear of man like the fear of God."
Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows...
Jesus' disciples didn't need to be afraid, because God really did care for them, even down to the most minute detail. If God cares for the sparrows, and numbers the very hairs of our head, then He will also pay careful attention to our needs. The persecuted easily feel that God forgets them, but He has not.
God knows us better than our friends know us; better than our husband or wife knows us; He knows us better than we know ourselves. We don't know how many hairs are numbered on our head. The God who knows us so well will take care of us.
The clear emphasis in this short section is clearly "do not fear." "This is the third time, in six verses, that they and we are bid to banish this cowardly base passion, this causeless, fruitless, harmful, sinful fear of men. He that fears God need fear none else."
Verses 32-39 tells us The attitude Jesus' disciples MUST be equipped with.
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven...
The disciple must confess Jesus publicly - before men. If we will not be public about our allegiance to Him, we cannot expect Him to be public about His allegiance to us.
Everyone Jesus called He called publicly. There is really no such thing as a "secret" Christian, at least not in a permanent sense. This is a contradiction in terms - an oxymoron.
Each individual Christian life should supply enough evidence - evidence that can be seen by the world - that they are indeed Christians. It is to be feared than many modern Christians, if arrested for the crime of following Jesus and tried in a court, would have the charges dismissed for a lack of evidence.
SPURGEON says it well, "What Christ is to you on earth, that you will be to Christ in heaven. I shall repeat that truth. Whatever Jesus Christ is to you on earth, you will be to him in the day of judgment. If he be dear and precious to you, you will be precious and dear to him. If you thought everything of him, he will think everything of you."
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword...
The message of Jesus - as reflected in the Sermon on the Mount - is indeed a message of peace. Yet we need to remember too, it calls the individual to a radical commitment to Jesus Himself, it is a message of peace that divides between those who choose it and those who reject it. The division between these two choices explains how Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword.
For I have come to "set a man against his father" … and "a man's enemies will be those of his own household"...
The dividing line between those who accept Jesus and those who reject Him would even run through families. The sword Jesus spoke of would sometimes cut through families.
THIS IS THE MESSAGE AND TRUTH WE AS JESUS FAMILY/FOLLOWERS/CHURCH...HAVE FAILED TO TELL THE BABIES IN CHRIST. WE HAVE FAILED TO GIVE THEM MATTHEW 10. WE HAVE FAILED TO TELL THEM, YES, CHOOSING JESUS IS AN ETERNAL DECISION. AN ETERNAL JOY, GRACE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS, AND SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE...BUT BABY CHRISTIANS, YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS...JESUS WAS REJECTED BY HIS HALF-BROTHERS/SISTERS. HE WAS REJECTED BY HIS OWN FAMILY. JESUS WAS REJECTED AND CAST OUT OF HIS CHURCH, HIS TOWN, HIS CHILDHOOD FRIENDSHIPS. JESUS WAS REJECTED, RIDICULED, SNEERED AT, PERSECUTED AND SO WILL YOU. SO GIRD YOURSELF UP. PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF JESUS CHRIST SALVATION, SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THEM ALL.
AND WE SEE IT TODAY, THOSE JEWS WHO COME TO THE SAVING REDEEMING GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST AS MESSIAH WERE AND ARE TODAY CAST OUT OF THEIR FAMILIES. THEY ARE OSTRACIZED FROM THEIR SYNAGOGUES. THEY ARE EXCOMMUNICATED AND BECOME DEAD TO THEIR JEWISH FAMILY.
AND WORSE, FAR WORSE, WE SEE THOSE MUSLIMS WHO COME TO THE SAVING REDEEMING KNOWLEDGE AND CHOOSING JESUS CHRIST AS THE ONE TRUE GOD. THEIR SAVIOR ARE KILLED BY BEHEADING, BURNING, STONING, ACID BURNS, BY THEIR OWN FATHERS, FAMILIES, RELATIVES, AND MOSQUES.
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me...
In strong terms, Jesus explained that the disciple must love and follow Jesus supremely. Our devotion to Jesus must come above even our own household.
We should expect that normally, following Jesus makes us better husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, sons, daughters and so forth. Yet there are times when the presence of Jesus divides rather than unifies.
The greatest danger of idolatry comes not from what is bad, but from what is good - like love in family relationships. The greatest danger to the best comes from second best.
Take his cross and follow after Me...
The disciple must follow Jesus even to the place of taking his cross. When a person took a cross in Jesus' day, it was for one reason: to die. The ancient Roman cross did NOT negotiate, did NOT compromise, and did NOT make deals. There was no looking back when you took up your cross, and your only hope was in resurrection life.
His cross...
Your cross is NOT really your particular trial or trouble. The cross means one thing: death - death to self, but resurrection life unto God.
IN THIS MODERN DAY OF POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND RELIGIOUS SELF. SELF. SELF. DO IT MY WAY. MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. IF IT FEELS GOOD JUST DO IT. SUBJECTIVE MORALITY. IF I ENJOY IT, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS AGAINST YOU, YOUR LAWS, YOUR MORALS, OR YOUR BELIEFS. I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO AND BE AND HAVE WHATEVER I WANT...REGARDLESS WHAT IT COSTS OTHERS...EVEN THEIR DEATH.
This is the FIRST mention of the cross in Matthew's Gospel, and it is not directly associated with Jesus' own crucifixion. Such an extreme statement - likening discipleship with the horror of crucifixion, something too terrible to be mentioned in polite company - must have jarred the disciples.
Yet they knew what the cross was all about. "Crucifixion itself was not an uncommon sight in Roman Palestine; 'cross-bearing' language would have a clear enough meaning, even before they realized how literally he himself was to exemplify it.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER, IN JESUS DAY, EVERYWHERE JESUS WENT, THE ENTRANCES AND EXITS TO ALL THE TOWNS/CITIES/COUNTRIES UNDER ROMAN RULE WERE LITTERED WITH CRUCIFIXION CROSSES. MOST BODIES WERE NOT BURIED, BUT LEFT UP ON THE CROSSES UNTIL THE BUGS AND BUZZARDS HAD EATEN THEIR FILL. WE TODAY, CAN LOOK IN THE SKY, AND IF WE SEE BUZZARDS CIRCLING OVERHEAD, WE KNOW SOMETHING IS DEAD OR DYING. SO BESIDES THE HORRIFIC SMELLS OF DECAYING AND ROTTING BODIES, BUT ALSO THE GRUESOMENESS OF THE FEASTING BUZZARDS, FLIES, AND BUGS COATING AND COVERING THE DEAD WAS A SIGHT NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN BY THOSE UNDER ROMAN RULE.
IT WAS ROME'S PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR STRATEGY. CRUCIFY UNTIL THEY COMPLY. CRUCIFY MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO CHALLENGES ROME. AND MAKE SURE ALL THOSE COMING AND GOING FROM EVERY TOWN SEES, SMELLS, AND REMEMBERS AND YES, FEARS WHAT HAPPENS TO ANYONE WHO CHALLENGES ROME.
AND SECULAR HISTORY TELLS US, When the Roman general, Varus, had broken the revolt of Judas in Galilee [4 B.C.], he crucified two thousand Jews, and placed the crosses by the wayside along the roads to Galilee.
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it...
The disciple lives in a paradox. He can only find life by losing it, and he can only live after we take up our cross to follow Jesus.
Verses 40-42 tells us The reward due to those who, in contrast to the persecutors, receive the disciples of Jesus.
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MATTHEW 11
OPENS WITH...JOHN THE BAPTIST DISCIPLES
Verses 1-3 tells us John the Baptist's disciples ask a question on behalf of John to Jesus: are You really the Messiah (the Coming One)?
"Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"
When Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples...
According to Bruce, to preach in their cities does not refer to the cities of the disciples, but the cities of Galilee. "While He sent out the Twelve to preach, He continued preaching Himself, only avoiding the places they visited." In this way Jesus gave His commissioned disciples room to do their work.
He sent two of his disciples...
AND CONTRARY TO MANY, John did not ask this question for his own sake, but for the sake of his disciples - he wanted them to go to Jesus and ask the question for themselves, causing them to focus their attention ON Jesus and NOT on him..
AND WE KNOW John The Baptist's' arrest was mentioned in Matthew 4:12; the full story of his imprisonment will wait until Matthew 14:3-12.
BARCLAY also reminds us of history, "Herod Antipas of Galilee had paid a visit to his brother in Rome. During that visit he seduced his brother's wife. He came home again, dismissed his own wife, and married the sister-in-law whom he had lured away from her husband. Publicly and sternly John rebuked Herod. It was never safe to rebuke an eastern despot and Herod took his revenge; John was thrown into the dungeons of the fortress of Machaerus in the mountains near the Dead Sea."
Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?
AND REMEMBER FROM OUR STUDY John 1:29-36 and other passages indicated that before this, John clearly recognized Jesus AS the Messiah.
There is some indication that some Jews of that time distinguished between a prophet to come promised by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) and the Messiah.
Verses 4-6 tells us Jesus' answer to John the Baptist's disciples: tell John that prophecy regarding the Messiah is being fulfilled.
"Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
Go and tell John the things which you hear and see...
Jesus wanted to assure both John and his disciples that He was the Messiah. But He also reminded them that His power would be displayed mostly in humble acts of service, meeting individual needs and not in spectacular displays of political deliverance as many Jewish religious, politcal, and social falsely believed and proclaimed.
Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me...
Jesus knew that the focus of His ministry was offensive to the expectation of the Jewish people, who longed for and expected AMAZING political deliverance from Roman domination IN AN AMAZING WAY THAT RIVALED THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA. But there was a blessing for those who were not offended because of the Messiah who came against the expectation of the people.
Verses 7-15 tells us Jesus speaks about John.
"As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.' Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
A prophet … and more than a prophet...
Jesus reminded them that John was God's chosen herald of the Messiah, not a man-pleaser or a self-pleaser. He was in fact more than a prophet, because he alone had the ministry of serving as the Messiah's herald. For that, he was the greatest of prophets and the greatest of men (among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist).
This is he of whom it is written: Matthew noted that this ministry of the Messiah's herald was prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1.
CARSON says it well, "John had often borne witness to Jesus; now Jesus bears witness of John."
1. John was steady, not shaken easily like a reed.
2. John was sober, in that he lived a disciplined life, not in love with the luxuries and comforts of this world.
3. John was a servant, a prophet of God.
4. John was sent, as the special messenger of the Lord.
5. John was special, in that he could be considered the greatest under the Old Covenant.
6. John was second to even the least in the kingdom under the New Covenant.
He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he...
The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force...
Jesus' reference to violence refers to both the intensity of spiritual warfare surrounding the ministry of Jesus and His herald, and also to the intensity required to persevere in following God and His the kingdom.
CARSON probably gives the best sense of both expressions. "The kingdom has come with holy power and magnificent energy that has been pushing back the frontiers of darkness. This is especially manifest in Jesus' miracles and ties in with Jesus' response to the Baptist. . . . The kingdom is making great strides; now is the time for courageous souls, forceful people, to take hold of it."
SPURGEON adds, "Frequently complaints are made and surprise expressed by individuals who have never found a blessing rest upon anything they have attempted to do in the service of God. 'I have been a Sunday-school teacher for years,' says one, 'and I have never seen any of my girls or boys converted.' No, and the reason most likely is you have never been violent about it; you have never been compelled by the Divine Spirit to make up your mind that converted they should be, and no stone should be left unturned until they were. You have never been brought by the Spirit to such a passion, that you have said, 'I cannot live unless God bless me. I cannot exist unless I see some of these children saved.' Then, falling on your knees in agony of prayer, and putting forth afterwards your trust with the same intensity towards heaven, you would never have been disappointed, 'for the violent take it by force.'"
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John...
Jesus saw an era ending with John; all the prophets and the law anticipated John and his ministry as a herald. There is a sense in which John spoke for every prophet who heralded Jesus' coming.
Under the Old Covenant, every other prophet announced, "The Messiah is coming." John alone had the privilege of saying, "The Messiah is here."
And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come...
John may also be seen as Elijah, in a partial fulfillment of Malachi 4:5. John was not actually Elijah, but he served in the same in spirit and power of Elijah, thus fulfilling his "office" (Luke 1:17). Because John was Elijah in this symbolic sense, Jesus added "if you are willing to receive it."
Elijah did come in fact during Jesus' ministry, during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3). But in further fulfillment of the Malachi 4:5 promise, Elijah will come again before the Second Coming of Jesus, likely as one of the two prophets of Revelation 11:3-12.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear! "A proverbial form of speech often used by Jesus after important utterances, here for the FIRST time in Matthew.
Verses 16-19 tells us Jesus rebukes those who refuse to be pleased by either John the Baptist's or Jesus' ministry.
"But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."
But to what shall I liken this generation?...
Jesus here considered the nature of His current generation, and how they were choosy and uncertain in receiving God's message and His messengers.
We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament...
The idea is that those who have a heart to criticize will find something to criticize. Many people wouldn't be pleased with either John or Jesus.
They REFUSED to hear God's voice in either form, the somber or the joyful, in judgment or in mercy, if it did not accord with their conventions. There was NO pleasing them.
A friend of tax collectors and sinners...
Jesus quoted the criticisms of others against Him. Though these words were meant to condemn, they have become wonderful. Jesus really is a friend of … sinners.
A malicious nick-name at first, it is now a name of honour: the sinner's lover.
But wisdom is justified by her children...
However, the wise man is proved to be wise by his wise actions (her children). Jesus had especially in mind the wisdom to accept both Jesus and John for what they were and what were called to be.
People might criticize John, but look at what he did - he led thousands of people into repentance, preparing the way for the Messiah. People might criticize Jesus, but look at what He did - taught and worked and loved and died like no one ever has.
Verses 20-24 tells us Jesus rebukes the cities that did NOT repent in light of both John the Baptist's ministry and Jesus' own ministry.
"Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent...
Because most of His mighty works were done in these cities they experienced a greater light, which also required a greater accountability.
This principles - greater light means greater responsibility - means that the western world has a tremendous accountability before God. The west has had an access to the gospel that no other society has, yet remains in desperate need of repentance.
"Unresponsiveness to the voice of God is the characteristic of this generation, and will be its downfall."
It will be more tolerable...
When Jesus said that it will be more tolerable for certain cities in the day of judgment, He implied that there are in fact different degrees of judgment. Some will be punished more severely in the final judgment than others.
There are degrees of felicity in paradise and degrees of torment in hell (Matthew 12:41; 23:13; cf. Luke 12:47-48), a point Paul well understood (Romans 1:20-2:16). The implications for Western, English speaking Christendom today are sobering.
Chorazin … Bethsaida … Capernaum...
God's judgment was fulfilled against these cities. Each one of them was destroyed long ago and has been desolate for generations upon generations.
We don't read in the gospels of the great works that Jesus did in Chorazin or Bethsaida, but we are told something in John 21:25: And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. What Jesus did in Chorazin and Bethsaida are among those unwritten works. This is a good reminder that the gospels are a true account of Jesus' life, but He did much that was not included in the gospel records.
BARCLAY says it well, "These cities did not attack Jesus Christ; they did not drive him from their gates; they did not seek to crucify him; they simply disregarded him. Neglect can kill as much as persecution can."
Verses 25-27 tells us Jesus praises those who do receive His message.
"At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth...
We sense a strong note of joy in Jesus' communication with His Father. The persons of the Trinity speak and commune with each other with joy.
You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes...
Jesus was happy that God chosen the unlikely - seen by the world as babes - to respond to His message of the kingdom. This should be seen in the larger context of the rising rejection of Jesus and His messengers starting in Matthew 9.
It also reminds us that if we do respond to Jesus, it is because the Father has revealed these things to babes like us.
Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him...
Since Jesus referred to Himself as the Son, we have another staggering self-focused statement from Jesus. Here He proclaimed that only He had a true relationship with God the Father, and that the Father could only be known through the Son (to whom the Son wills to reveal Him). These are astonishing self-claims.
Matthew 11:27 reveals much to us about the relationship between God the Father and God the Son.
1. There are no secrets between the Father and the Son.
2. There is no one who knows the Son as well as the Father does.
3. There is no one who knows the Father as well as the Son does.
4. The Son chooses the reveal the Father to some.
There is an important difference in the way that the Son knows the Father, and the way we may know Him. We know God the Father because He stoops low to us to make Himself known. God the Son knows God the Father because they are equal in nature, completely compatible with one another.
Verses 28-30 tells us Jesus' invitation.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Come unto Me...
Jesus showed His authority when He says come unto Me. This invitation is unthinkable in the mouth of anyone else but God, and woe to the men who call people to themselves instead of to Jesus!
SPURGEON says, " 'Come'; he drives none away; he calls them to himself. His favorite word is 'Come.' Not, go to Moses - 'Come unto me.' To Jesus himself we must come, by a personal trust. Not to doctrine, ordinance, nor ministry are we to come first; but to the personal Saviour."
All you who labor and are heavy laden...
Jesus directed His call to those who were burdened. He called those who sensed they must come to Him to relieve their need instead of living in self-sufficiency.
According to Carson, labor implies the burdens we take upon ourselves and heavy laden implies the burdens others put upon us.
Heavy laden suggests the same thought as Matthew 23:4, where Jesus spoke against the religious leaders of His day as those who bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...
Jesus made a wonderful offer, inviting us to take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. We must come as disciples to learn, willing to be guided by His yoke - not merely to receive something.
The ancient Jews commonly used the idea of yoke to express someone's obligation to God. There was the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of the law, the yoke of the command, the yoke of repentance, the yoke of faith, and the general yoke of God. In this context it is easy to see Jesus simplifying and saying, "Forget about all those other yokes. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me."
When someone looks at the yoke of Jesus from a distance, it is easy to get all kinds of wrong ideas about it. But if we would just listen to what Jesus said - "take My yoke upon you" - we would take it, and see what kind of yoke it is.
1. The yoke of Jesus is easy and light as compared with the yoke of others.
2. The yoke of Jesus is easy and light as long as we do not rebel against it.
3. The yoke of Jesus has nothing to do with worries that are forbidden to us.
4. The yoke of Jesus does not include the burdens we choose to add to it.
For I am gentle and lowly in heart...
Jesus revealed His nature when He described Himself as gentle and lowly of heart. It is His servant's heart, displayed throughout His ministry, making Him qualified to be the one who bears our burdens.
And you will find rest for your souls...
Jesus described His gift to His followers as rest for your soul. This unmatchable gift - both powerful and profound - should be considered the birthright of those who come to Jesus and are His followers. They should believe that something is wrong if they don't experience rest for your souls.
You will find rest for your souls is an echo of the Hebrew text of Jeremiah 6:16, where it is the offer of God to those who follow his way; Jesus now issues the invitation in his own name!
My yoke is easy and My burden is light...
Jesus summarized this wonderful call with this assurance. The yoke is easy and the burden is light because He bears it with us. Borne alone, it might be unbearable; but with Jesus it can be easy and light.
When training a new animal (such as an ox) to plow, ancient farmers often yoked it to an older, stronger, more experienced animal who bore the burden and guided the young animal through the learning process.
"The word "easy" is in Greek "chrestos", which can mean well-fitting. In Palestine ox-yokes were made of wood … The yoke was carefully adjusted, so that it would fit well, and not gall the neck of the patient beast. The yoke was tailor-made to fit the ox."
This isn't a call to a lazy or indulgent life. There is still a yoke to bear and burden to carry. Yet with and in Jesus, they are easy and light. "Jesus' yoke is easy, not because it makes lighter demands, but because it represents entering into a disciple-relationship.
If your yoke is hard and your burden is heavy, then we can say that it isn't His yoke or burden, and you aren't letting Him bear it with you. Jesus said it plainly: My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
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MATTHEW 12
OPENS WITH...THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS CONTINUE TO REJECT JESUS and BRING ABOUT SABBATH CONTROVERSIES.
Verses 1-2 tells us The Pharisees CONDEMN JESUS/DISCIPLES for supposedly harvesting grain on the Sabbath.
"At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!"
His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the heads of grain and to eat...
There was NOTHING wrong with what they did, because their gleaning was NOT considered stealing according to Deuteronomy 23:25. The issue was only the day on which they did it. The Rabbis NOT ALMIGHTY GOD NOR HIS WORD, THE RABBIS made an elaborate list of "do" and "don't" items relevant to the Sabbath, and this violated several items on THEIR MAN-CREATED list.
The law of Israel allowed people traveling through an area to glean enough grain for a small meal from fields in the area (Deuteronomy 23:25). Farmers were commanded BY GOD to not completely harvest their crops to leave a little behind for the sake of travelers and the poor.
Matthew just quoted Jesus offering us an easy yoke and a light burden. Now Jesus shows us the kind of heavy burdens and hard yokes the religious leaders laws NOT God's laws put upon the people. When the disciples began to pluck the heads of grain, in the eyes of the religious leaders they were guilty of:
- Reaping
- Threshing
- Winnowing
- Preparing food
This represented FOUR RABBI CREATED violations of the Sabbath in one mouthful!
WANT TO HEAR THE ABSURDITY OF THESE RABBIS...At this time, many rabbis filled Judaism with elaborate rituals related to the Sabbath and observance of other laws. Ancient rabbis taught that on the Sabbath a man could not carry something in his right hand or in his left hand, across his chest or on his shoulder. But he could carry something with the back of his hand, with his foot, elbow, or in the ear, on the hair, in the hem of his shirt, or in his shoe or sandal. On the Sabbath one was forbidden to tie a knot - except a woman could tie a knot in her girdle. So if a bucket of water had to be raised from a well, one could not tie a rope to the bucket, but a woman could tie her girdle to the bucket and then to the rope.
AND IT CARRIED OVER INTO CONFLICTS TOO...
The Jews were SO superstitious, concerning the observance of the Sabbath, that in their wars with Antiochus Epiphanes, and the Romans, they thought it a UNFORGIVEABLE CRIME even to attempt to defend themselves on the Sabbath: when their enemies observed this, they deterred their operations to that day. It was through this, that Pompey was enabled to take Jerusalem BECAUSE RABBIS TOLD THEM IT WAS A SIN TO LIFT A SWORD OR DEFEND THEMSELVES ON THE SABBATH.
Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!
Jesus NEVER violated God's command to observe the Sabbath or approved of His disciples violating God's Sabbath command. But Jeus OFTEN broke MAN'S RELIGIOUS/LEGALISTIC additions to GOD'S law and JESUS sometimes seems to have deliberately broken those human additions THAT HAD NO PART WHATSOEVER IN THE LORD'S COMMANDS.
Even some Jewish people in Jesus' day recognized that the rules about the Sabbath were mostly human additions to the law. An ancient Jewish writing that said, "The rules about the Sabbath … are as mountains hanging by a hair, for Scripture is scanty and the rules are many."
Verses 3-8 tells us Jesus DEFENDS His disciples.
"But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
Have you not read what David did when he was hungry...
The FIRST PRINCIPLE Jesus presented is simple and illustrated by David's experience with the priests and the showbread (1 Samuel 21), which we have already studied together. Jesus reminded them AND US that human need is MORE important that observing ceremonial rituals AND RULES.
The incident with David was a valid defense, because:
1. It was a case of eating
2. It probably happened on the Sabbath (1 Samuel 21:6)
3. It concerned not only David, but also his followers
SPURGEON adds, "The context of David's taking the bread in 1 Samuel 21 shows that it was justified for him to do it. "To have eaten the holy bread out of profanity, or bravado, or levity, might have involved the offender in the judgment of death; but to do so in urgent need was not blameworthy in the case of David."
The priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless...
The SECOND PRINCIPLE Jesus presented is also simple. The priests themselves BREAK the Sabbath all the time. Perhaps the Pharisees did NOT understand as much about Sabbath observance as they thought they did.
THINK ABOUT THIS TRUTH OF JESUS.
The Temple rituals ON THE SABBATH ALWAYS involved MUCH work - the kindling of fires, the slaughter and the preparation of animals, the lifting of them on to the altar, and a host of other things BY THE RABBIS. This work was actually DOUBLED on the Sabbath, for on the Sabbath the offerings were doubled (confirmed to us in Numbers 28:9).
Jesus reference to the passage of HOSEA 6:6 "I desire mercy and not sacrifice", and the Pharisees' lack of understanding of this principle was also a way that Jesus questioned the confidence the Pharisees had in their man-made traditions. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND MAN-MADE TRADITIONS ARE NOT GOD'S. THE RABBIS, PRIESTS, AND OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS THEN AND NOW, CLAIM THEY ARE SPEAKING FOR GOD HIMSELF, OR WORSE, THAT THEY ARE GOD IN HUMAN FORM AND EQUAL WITH JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF OR MORE ELEVATED. THEN AND NOW, These false preachers/teachers/prophets used their man-created traditions to justify lifting principles like sacrifice above principles like mercy, when God would have them do just the opposite.
For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath...
The THIRD PRINCIPLE was the most dramatic, based on who Jesus is. He is greater than the temple, even as much as they honored and valued the temple. Even more so, He is Lord even of the Sabbath.
This was a direct claim to Deity. Jesus said that He ALONE HAD THE TRUE authority to know if His disciples broke the Sabbath law, because He is the Lord even of the Sabbath.
Jesus was/is indeed greater than the temple. Considering how highly the temple was regarded in the days of Jesus this was a shocking statement. Yet the temple as it stood in Jesus' day did NOT have the ark of the covenant, that important demonstration of the throne and presence of God. Yet Jesus was a MUCH greater PRESENCE AND DEMONSTRATION of the presence of God - He was God made flesh! The temple also lacked the Shekinah, the Urim and Thummim, and the sacred fire from heaven. Yet Jesus WAS/IS/EVER SHALL BE ALL these things to us; He is surely greater than the temple.
Since Jesus is greater than the temple, we should regard Him as so.
1. The temple was admired with love and wonder; we should admire Jesus even more.
2. The temple was joyfully visited; we should come to Jesus with even more joy.
3. The temple was honored as a holy place; we should honor Jesus even more so.
4. The temple was a place of sacrifice and service; we should do even more for Jesus.
5. The temple was a place for worship; we should worship Jesus even more.
Verses 9-14 tells us A controversy regarding healing on the Sabbath.
"Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"; that they might accuse Him. Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him."
He went into their synagogue...
A general theme through this section of Matthew is the rising opposition against Jesus. Sometimes this opposition is expressed against Him directly and sometimes attacks on His disciples. Yet we see that Jesus, as a faithful Jewish man, continued to go to synagogue normally. We might say that Jesus was a faithful church-going man, even when He had reason not to be.
A man who had a withered hand...
At best, the religious leaders saw the man with the withered hand as an interesting test case. It is more likely that they saw the man as bait for a Sabbath controversy trap for Jesus. In contrast, Jesus looked at the man through eyes of compassion.
AND WE NOTICE SOMETHING IMPORTANT HERE. THESE PHARISEES AND SCRIBES KNEW JESUS HEART. THEY KNEW HE WOULD NOT IGNORE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE. SO, These accusers also knew Jesus would do something when He saw this man in need. In this sense, these critics had more faith than HIS disciples and many of us. We sometimes seem to doubt that Jesus wants to really or miraculously meet the needs of others.
It is lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
Jesus exposed their hypocrisy by showing their greater concern for their OWN possessions than for a man in need, arguing persuasively that it CAN NOT be wrong to do good on the Sabbath. Then Jesus compassionately healed the man.
Stretch out your hand...
When Jesus commanded the man "stretch out your hand," He commanded the man to do something impossible in his current condition. But Jesus gave both the command and the ability to fulfill it, and the man put forth the effort and was healed.
Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him...
In response to this display of compassion, power, and wisdom the Pharisees, in the hardness of their hearts did NOT respond in reverent worship and submission but in hardened, murderous rejection.
RIGHT HERE IS ANOTHER OF MANY SELF-SAME ANSWERS TO THOSE WHO SAY, IF JESUS APPEARED, IF JESUS TOUCHED ME, IF HE REVEALED HIMSELF TO ME...IF JESUS PERFORMED A MIRACLE...THEN I WOULD BELIEVE.
THEN AND NOW...JESUS KNEW AND SO SHOULD WE THAT THAT IS A LIE.
This is a significant development in the opposition against Jesus from the religious leaders. "Hitherto, they had been content with finding fault; now it is come to plotting against His life - a tribute to His power… Such is the evil fruit of Sabbath controversies.
Luke 6:11 says that the critics of Jesus were filled with rage when Jesus healed this man. Which was more a violation of the Sabbath: When Jesus healed a man, or when these hate-filled men plotted the murder of a Jesus who never sinned against anybody?
Verses 15-21 tells us In spite of the rejection of the religious leaders, the common people still follow Jesus, and He remains God's chosen servant.
"But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Yet He warned them not to make Him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; and in His name Gentiles will trust."
But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there...
For a time Jesus withdrew somewhat from public ministry as the opposition rose against Him. This was not out of cowardice as many wrongly point to and say, but we know The Bible and Jesus himself tells us it was in respect to God the Father's timing for the course and culmination of His ministry. It could not be allowed to peak too soon.
And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all...
Jesus did what He could to escape the press of the crowds, but the crowds simply followed Him. Nevertheless, He responded with compassion and He healed them all.
CAN WE REALLY BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND "AND JESUS HEALED THEM ALL"...
THE GREAT MULTITUDES THAT FOLLOWED HIM. ONE BY ONE BY ONE JESUS HEALED THEM ALL. THOSE OF US WHO HAVE WORKED IN OUTREACHES, FOOD BANKS, HOMELESS KITCHENS ARE PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED AFTER ONE DAY OF WORK. BUT OUR JESUS NOT ONLY TAUGHT THEM, FED THEM, PROTECTED THEM, PRAYED FOR THEM, BUT TOUCHED AND HEALED THEM ALL.
IT MAKES ME SAD AND ANGRY WHEN I READ THESE PASSAGES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT JESUS MAY HAVE TOUCHED/HEALED/MET OVER A MILLION PEOPLE IN 3+ YEARS..
AND SADLY MOST FOLLOWED HIM TO BE FED, PROTECTED, AND HEALED...BUT SCRIPTURE GIVES US VERY VERY FEW OUT OF A MILLION DO WE SEE THEM SAYING THANK YOU JESUS FOR FEEDING US, FOR TEACHING US, FOR PROTECTING US, FORGIVING US, AND HEALING US AND FEWER STILL CHOSE AND ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS LORD SAVIOR MASTER AND FRIEND.
AND SADDER STILL, REMEMBER THIS...JESUS READ AND KNEW THEIR HEARTS AND KNEW THOSE WHO WOULD CHOOSE HIM AND BELIEVE IN HIM AS LORD AND THOSE WHO ONLY WANTED WHAT HE COULD GIVE HIM, BUT THEY DID NOT WANT HIM.
YET EVEN KNOWING THIS...OUR JESUS HEALED THEM ALL.
CAN ANYONE...I MEAN ANYONE DOUBT THE LOVE, THE CARE, THE FORGIVENESS, THE COMPASSION, THE PATIENCE OF OUR JESUS WITH US, WHO ARE HIS FAMILY AFTER READING THIS?
This is one of the few references in the gospels of Jesus healing all on a specific occasion, yet it is important and appropriate here. Matthew wants us to know that the press of the crowd did not make Jesus impatient or angry.
Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen...
The quotation from Isaiah 42:1-5 speaks of the gentle character of the Messiah, who is the Servant of Yahweh. This was a common and important designation of Jesus.
Jesus described Himself as a servant in Matthew 20:25-28, Matthew 23:11, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:43-45.
Peter, in his Acts 3 sermon, gives our Savior the title His Servant Jesus (Acts 3:13 and 3:26).
In Acts 4, the praying people of God speak of Your holy Servant Jesus (Acts 4:27, 4:30).
But Jesus isn't just a servant. He is The Servant, and every one should behold, as the LORD says, My Servant.
Jesus the Servant is an example to us as servants, but He is so much more than that. He is our Servant. He serves us; not only in what He did in the past, but also He serves us every day through His constant love, care, guidance, prayer, and intercession. Jesus did not stop serving when he went to heaven; He serves all His people more effectively than ever from heaven.
He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets...
This does NOT mean that Jesus never spoke loudly. It refers to His gentle, lowly heart and actions. Jesus did NOT make His way by an overpowering personality and loud, overwhelming talk. Instead, Jesus made an impression upon others by the Spirit of God upon Him.
A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench...
This is another reference to the gentle character of Jesus. A reed is a fairly fragile plant, yet if a reed is bruised the Servant will handle it so gently that He will not break it. And if flax, used as a wick for an oil lamp does not flame but only smokes He will not quench it into extinguishing. Instead, the Servant will gently nourish the smoking flax, fanning it into flame again.
Often we feel that God deals roughly with our weaknesses and failures. Just the opposite is true. He deals with them gently, tenderly, helping them along until the bruised reed is strong and the smoking flax is in proper flame.
Jesus sees the value in a bruised reed, even when no one else can. He can make beautiful music come from a bruised reed, as He puts His strength in it! Though a smoking flax - used for a wick on an oil lamp - is good for nothing, Jesus knows it is valuable for what it can be when it is refreshed with oil.
Many of us are like the bruised reed, and we need to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16).
Others are like the smoking flax, and can only burn brightly for the LORD again when we are drenched in oil, with a constant supply coming, as we are filled with the Holy Spirit WORD.
In His name Gentiles will trust...
Finally, the quotation from Isaiah 42 also speaks of the ultimate ministry of Jesus to the Gentiles. This was something surprising - and perhaps even offensive - to Matthew's Jewish readers, but it is obviously Scriptural, according to Isaiah 42.
WHY?
BECAUSE THE JEWISH LEADERS, PRIESTS WRONGLY TAUGHT AND BELIEVED THAT THE JEWISH PEOPLE WERE THE ONLY ONES AUTOMATICALLY DESTINED TO SPEND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN. THEY TAUGHT THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES WORTHY OF HEAVEN. THAT ALL OTHER PEOPLES, PAGANS/GENTILES, EVEN HALF-JEWS LIKE THE SAMARITANS WERE DESTINED TO HELL FROM BIRTH.
Verses 22-24 tells us Jesus delivers a man possessed by a demon.
"Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."
He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw...
Again, Jesus displayed His complete power and authority over demons, casting out demonic powers that the traditions of the day considered impossible.
Could this be the Son of David?
The crowds reacted with Messianic expectation, but the religious leaders responded by attributing Jesus' power to the prince of demons (This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub).
AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE JEWS LEARNED THE SCRIPTURES/GOD'S HISTORY WITH THEM BY THEIR RABBIS/PRIESTS SYNAGAGOUES. THEY WERE EXPECTING THE MESSIAH TO ARRIVE IN SPLENDOR, WONDER, ALL OF HEAVEN'S WARRIORS ANGELS IN ATTENDANCE, TO RIVAL HEARING GOD'S VOICE ON MOUNT SINAI AND THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA AND THE PLAGUES ON EGYPT.
THE JEWS DID NOT WANT A SAVIOR...THEY WANTED A LIBERATOR. THE ONE WHO WOULD DESTROY ALL THEIR ENEMIES AND SET THEM UP AS WORLD LEADERS.
SO THEY CHOSE TO BELIEVE THAT JESUS WAS SATAN.
So, The Pharisees' accusation amounts to a charge of sorcery, one which continued to be leveled against Jesus all the days of His ministry on this earth.
Verses 25-29 tells us Jesus answers the accusation that He works by Satan's power.
"But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house."
But Jesus knew their thoughts...
This was remarkable, but we know The Holy Spirit can give the gift of supernatural knowledge to an individual (the word of knowledge mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8).
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation...
Jesus logically observed that it makes no sense for Satan to cast out Satan. The Pharisees needed to explain how Satan benefited by the work Jesus had just done.
By whom do your sons cast them out?
Jesus asked a question based on their (wrong) premise that He operated by Satan's power. If that were true, then how did their own Jewish exorcists cast them out?
BRUCE tells us, "The Jewish exorcists operated in conventional fashion by use of herbs and magical formulae, and the results were probably insignificant. The practice was sanctioned by custom, and harmless. But in casting out devils, as in all other things, Jesus was original, and His method was too effectual. His power, manifest to all, was His offence."
SPURGEON says it well, "Envy causes persons often to condemn in one, what they approve in another. I cast out demons by the Spirit of God: "Though our Lord had power all his own, he honored the Spirit of God, and worked by his energy, and mentioned the fact that he did so."
And then he will plunder his house...
Using an analogy, Jesus explained His authority to bind Satan's power. He is stronger than the strong man is. In so doing, Jesus presented a valuable principle in spiritual warfare as we remember that Jesus gives us the permission to USE His name and authority, giving us the strength we need in binding the strong man.
Jesus also made it clear that He was the stronger man who was not captive under the strong man. His message was, "I'm not under Satan's power. Instead, I'm proving that I am stronger than he is by casting him out of those he has possessed." "The very fact that I have been able so successfully to invade Satan's territory is proof that he is bound and powerless to resist."
Jesus looks at every life delivered from Satan's domination and says, "I'm plundering the kingdom of Satan one life at a time." There is nothing in our life that must stay under Satan's domination. The One who binds the strong man and will plunder his goods is our risen Lord.
Verses 30-32 tells us Jesus reveals the desperate place of those who could be hardened enough to attribute His workings to Satanic power.
"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."
He who is not with Me is against Me...
Jesus first removed illusions about any neutral response to Him or His work. If one is not for Him, then that one is against Him. If one does not work with Jesus, by either active opposition or passive disregard that one works against Jesus (he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad).
Only two forces are at work in the world, the gathering and the scattering. Whoever does the one contradicts the other.
The atheist says there is no God so there is nothing to fear.
The agnostic says if there is a God, he will not condemn me.
Religions say my god is fill in the blank...., I have nothing to fear.
New Age says god is whatever I make him or her to be, so I am fine.
Jesus says you have two choices. Heaven or Hell. Eternal Life or Eternal Death. You must choose. You are either with me and me alone or you are against me.
Blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven...
Jesus solemnly warned the religious leaders against rejecting Him. Their rejection of Jesus - especially considered what they had seen of Jesus and His work - showed that they were to completely rejecting the Holy Spirit's ministry. That ministry is to testify to Jesus, hence the warning of committing the unforgivable sin.
The Holy Spirit's main ministry is to testify of Jesus (He will testify of Me, John 15:26). When that testimony of Jesus is fully and finally rejected, one has truly blasphemed the Holy Spirit and essentially called Him a liar in respect to His testimony about Jesus. The religious leaders were close to this.
To reject Jesus from a distance or with little information is bad; to reject the testimony of the Holy Spirit about Jesus is fatal.
The presence of Creator God is imbued in our very DNA. We are created with a knowledge of God.
It will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come...
The eternal consequences of this sin force us to regard it seriously.
Therefore, how can one know if they have in fact blasphemed the Holy Spirit?
The fact that one desires Jesus at all shows that they are NOT guilty of this sin. Yet continued rejection of Jesus makes us more hardened against Him and puts us on the path of a full and final rejection of Him.
Some people - as a joke or a dare - "I reject you Jesus. There is no Creator God" intentionally say words they suppose commit the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. They think it a light thing to joke with eternity. 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 regarding Jesus. Even if someone has intentionally said such things, they can still repent and prevent a settled rejection of Jesus.
Verses 33-37 tells us The words of the religious leaders betray the depravity of their hearts.
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
A tree is known by its fruit...
The bad fruit of their words (when they condemned Jesus) betrayed the bad root growing in their hearts. If they got their hearts right with God, their words about Jesus would also be right.
Brood of vipers! With these words, Jesus essentially called the religious leaders "sons of Satan." They were a generation associated with the serpent, not with God. It was this evil nature that made them speak evil of Jesus (How can you, being evil, speak good things?).
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks...
Our words reveal our heart. If there were good treasure in the heart of these religious leaders, it would show itself in good things.
Adam Clarke said that the sense of the ancient Greek word used for an idle word is "a word that does nothing, that neither ministers grace nor instruction to them who hear it." If this is true, many preachers might find themselves guilty of this sin.
By your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned...
By this Jesus answered an anticipated objection - that He made too much of mere words. Instead, because words reflect the heart, one can be rightly judged by their words.
ROMANS 10:9, Paul also wrote about the importance of our words: "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Verses 38-40 tells us Jesus responds to the request from the scribes and Pharisees for a sign.
"Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Teacher, we want to see a sign from You...
My first thought upon reading this scripture the first time was Duhhhhhh?! You have followed Jesus everywhere. You have seen first hand countless miracles with your own eyes. The blind see. The lepers are healed. The lame walk. The dead rise. The ill are healed. And yet you NEED a sign?!
Their desire to see a sign really expressed feigned sincerity and inward ridicule and sneering mockery, as another way in which they hoped to reject Him. If Jesus did provide a sign, they would find some way to speak against it, thus proving to themselves that Jesus was who they already thought He was - an emissary of Satan.
An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign...
Jesus condemned their seeking after a sign, especially when countless signs had already happened before their eyes. It is easy to overestimate the power of miraculous signs to change the heart of doubters and skeptics.
The sign of the prophet Jonah...
Jesus assured them of a sign, but the great sign He would show was the sign of a resurrected Jesus. Jonah was a prophet in the sense beyond his preaching to Nineveh; also, his life was a prophecy of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish...
Jonah was indeed a picture of the work of Jesus. Jonah gave his life to appease the wrath of God coming upon others. But death did not hold him; after three days and nights of imprisonment, he was alive and free. This is a glorious picture of Jesus in an unexpected place.
Because Jesus here refers to three days and three nights, some think that Jesus had to spend at least 72 hours in the grave. This upsets most chronologies of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and is unnecessary - because it doesn't take into account the use of ancient figures of speech. Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah (around the year A.D. 100; cited in Clarke and other sources) explained this way of speaking when he wrote: "A day and a night make a whole day, and a portion of a whole day is reckoned as a whole day." This demonstrates how in Jesus' day, the phrase three days and three nights did not necessarily mean a full 72-hour period, but a period including at least the portions of three days and three nights. There may be other good reasons for challenging the traditional chronology of Jesus' death and resurrection, but it is not necessary in order to fulfill the words of Jesus here.
If Jesus rose from the dead on the first day or on the fifth day, we could say "Jesus was a liar and a false prophet. He said He would rise again on the third day, but He got it wrong." But Jesus didn't get it wrong. He never does.
Yet we should not miss the central point here. "You are asking for a sign - I am God's sign. You have failed to recognize me. The Ninevites recognized God's warning in Jonah; the Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon."
Verses 41-42 tells us Jesus announces the condemnation of the religious leaders at the hands of the Ninevites and the queen of the South.
"The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here."
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it...
Simply put, greater light requires greater judgment. Both Nineveh and the queen of the South repented even though they had a lesser light shining in their midst. The rejection of the greater light by the religious leaders was indefensible.
Several ways that the witness of Jesus was greater than Jonah.
1. Christ, who preached to the Jews, was infinitely greater than Jonah, in his nature, person, and mission.
2. Jonah preached repentance in Nineveh only forty days, and Christ preached among the Jews for several years.
3. Jonah wrought no miracles to authorize his preaching; but Christ wrought miracles every day, in every place where he went, and of every kind.
4. Notwithstanding all this, the people of Judea did not repent, though the people of Nineveh did."
A greater than Solomon is here...
Solomon was the son of David, and one of the great messianic titles of Jesus is "Son of David." Jesus was a much greater Son of David than Solomon was.
We again are impressed by the greatness of Jesus' self-claim. To stand in front of these religious leaders and claim to be greater than Israel richest and wisest king was audacious. Yet the seeming audacity of Jesus was well justified.
Verses 43-45 tells us The dangerous consequences of their rejection of Jesus.
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."
When an unclean spirit goes out of a man...
In context, the main point of Jesus was not upon principles of demon possession. He explained the seriousness of rejecting Him as completely as the religious leaders had.
This rejection and opposition of Jesus would leave them much worse off than ever before. This wicked generation - exemplified by the religious leaders who were rejecting Jesus - would find their last state … worse than the first. In large measure they rejected Jesus because He wasn't messianic enough for their taste, in the sense of being a political and military messiah. Yet their thirst for this kind of messiah would lead them to ruin by A.D. 70.
Yet the use of the illustration shows us some interesting principles of demon possession, and shows us that Jesus regarded it as a real phenomenon and not just a contemporary superstition. "If there had been no reality in demoniacal possession
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MATTHEW 13
OPENS WITH...THE KINGDOM PARABLES
Verses 1-3 tells us Jesus teaches with Parable of the soils.
"On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables,"
He got into a boat and sat...
Jesus sometimes used a boat as His "pulpit" (Mark 2:9). It gave Him a place to speak away from the press of the crowds, provided good acoustics, and probably a nice backdrop.
When Jesus taught from a boat, surely that was a new thing. We can imagine some critic saying, "You can't do that! Teaching belongs in the synagogue or in some other appropriate place." It would be easy to come up with objections: "The damp air might make people sick" or "There are a lot of mosquitoes down at the shore" or "Someone might drown." But Jesus knew that teaching from a boat suited His purposes well enough.
BARCLAY says it well, "When the doors of the synagogue were closed against him, he took to the temple of the open air, and taught in the village streets, and on the roads, and by the lake-side, and in their own homes."
Then He spoke many things to them in parables...
The idea behind the word parable is "to throw along side of." It is a story thrown along side the truth intended to teach. Parables have been called "earthly stories with a heavenly meaning."
Jesus' parables had a double advantage upon their hearers:
FIRST...upon their memory, we being very apt to remember stories. SECOND...upon their minds, to put them upon studying the meaning of what they heard.
PARABLES generally teach one main point or principle. We can get into trouble by expecting that they be intricate systems of theology, with the smallest detail revealing hidden truths.
AND REMEMBER THIS...
A parable is NOT an allegory; an allegory is a story in which every possible detail has an inner meaning; but an allegory has to be read and studied. A parable is heard. We must be very careful not to make allegories of the parables.
Jesus taught in simple, easy to understand parables, so even the many children who came with their parents and surrounded Him COULD understand the story,
Verses 3b-9 tells us A simple story about a farmer and sowing seeds.
"Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
A sower went out to sow...Jesus spoke according to the agricultural customs of His day. In those days, seed was scattered first and then it was plowed into the ground.
AND REMEMBER THIS...Before one can be a sower, he must be an eater and a receiver. This one came out of the granary - the place where seed is stored - and from his Bible the sower brought forth seed.
As he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside … on stony places … among thorns … on good ground...
In this parable the seed fell on FOUR different types of soil.
1. The WAYSIDE was the path where people walked and nothing could grow because the ground was too hard.
2. The STONY places were where the soil was thin, lying upon a rocky shelf. On this ground the seed springs up quickly because of the warmth of the soil, but the seed is unable to take root because of the rocky shelf.
3. Among THORNS describes soil that is fertile - perhaps too fertile, but uncared for, because thorns grow there as well as grain.
4. GOOD GROUND describes soil that is both fertile and weed-free. A good, productive crop grows in the good ground.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear...
This was a not a call for all to listen. Rather, it was a call for those who were spiritually sensitive to take special note. This was especially true in light of the next few verses, in which Jesus explained the purpose of parables.
Verses 10-17 tells us Why did Jesus use parables? In this context, to hide the truth from those who would not listen to the Holy Spirit.
"And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.' But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."
Why do You speak to them in parables? The way Jesus used parables prompted the disciples to ask this. Apparently Jesus' use of parables wasn't as easy as simple illustrations of spiritual truth.
AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER, ALL THROUGH JESUS MINISTRY ON EARTH, PRIESTS, PHARISEES, SCRIBES, AND SADDUCCEES FOLLOWED HIM, EITHER AS SPIES FOR THE SANHEDRIN OR LIKE HECKLING PROTESTERS WHO SPOKE OUT, CHALLENGED, MUTTERED LOUD ENOUGH THAT OTHERS AROUND THEM HEARD THEIR THOUGHTS. AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THEY THE ELITE, THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THEIR DAY WORE THE BEST CLOTHING AND WERE EASILY RECOGNIZED BY THE POOREST OF PEOPLE.
SO MANY OF JESUS' WORDS WERE SPEAKING TO THOSE WHO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE BIBLE, BECAUSE THEY SUPPOSEDLY STUDIED IT, TAUGHT IT, AND UNDERSTOOD IT, AND YET FOR ALL THE MULTITUDES WHO FOLLOWED JESUS, THIS WAS NEW MATERIAL. THEY HAD NOT BEEN TAUGHT THE WHOLE WORD OF THE LORD GOD AS THEY SHOULD HAVE.
Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given...
Jesus explained that He used parables so that the hearts of those rejecting would NOT be hardened further.
1. The same sun that softens the wax hardens the clay; and so the very same gospel message that humbles the honest heart and leads to repentance may also harden the heart of the dishonest listener and confirm that one in their path of disobedience.
BARCLAY says it well, "The parable conceals truth from those who are either too lazy to think or too blinded by prejudice to see. It puts the responsibility fairly and squarely on the individual. It reveals truth to him who desires truth; it conceals truth from him who does not wish to see the truth."
AND REMEMBER TOO…
TOO MANY PREACHERS AND EVANGELISTS TALK ABOUT GOD REVEALING ALL THE NEW MYSTERIES AND NEW REVELATIONS TO THEM. THERE ARE NO NEW MYSTERIES AND NO NEW REVELATIONS OUTSIDE THE BIBLE. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE...JUST AS JESUS INTENDED. JUST AS PROPHETS PROPHESIED JUDGMENT AND FUTURE THINGS/EVENTS TO THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM, MOST DID NOT LIVE TO SEE THEIR FULFILLMENT.
JESUS COMING AND WALKING AMONG MANKIND WAS THE ANSWER TO THE UNSEEN, UNKNOWN MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM AND OF THE PROPHETS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
For whoever has, to him more will be given …but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him...
The idea is that those who are open and sensitive to spiritual truth more will be given through the parables. Yet to those who are not open - who do not have, these ones will end up in an even worse condition.
AS I AM SURE YOU WHO LOVE AND STUDY THE BIBLE HAVE HEARD THIS BEFORE. "I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. I HAVE TRIED TO READ IT AND GIVEN UP."
SO I RESPOND WITH A SIMPLE ANALOGY AND ANSWER SUCH AS THIS: WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND BEGAN LEARNING THE ALPHABET, SPELLING, COUNTING, OR READING, DID YOU INSTANTLY UNDERSTAND, GRASP, REMEMBER, AND BECOME INSTANTLY ABLE TO READ? SPELL? COUNT? MULTIPLY?
AND THEIR ANSWER IS: OF COURSE NOT. THAT IS A RIDICULOUS QUESTION. EVERYONE HAS TO STUDY, REPEAT, LEARN IT OVER TIME.
I RESPONDED, EXACTLY. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO YOUR PRESENT AND FUTURE WELL-BEING, YOUR LIFE, YOUR JOB, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR PROTECTION AND YOUR INCOME TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND.
THE BIBLE IS NO DIFFERENT. IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND IT. ASK JESUS TO HELP YOU. THEN BEGIN WITH THE BEGINNING AND READ EACH VERSE AND EACH CHAPTER IN ITS ENTIRETY.
YOU KNOW THERE ARE MANY "READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR" SCHEDULES OUT THERE. AND WHILE I THINK THE CREATORS OF THEM, INTENTS WERE GOOD, I SEE SATAN BEHIND IT.
WHY?
LET ME PUT IT IN SIMPLE TERMS. KIDS LOVE STORIES AND SO DO ADULTS. IMAGINE BUYING A NOVEL. THEN READING THE FIRST PAGE, THEN SKIP FORWARD AND READ THE 20TH PAGE, AND THEN SKIP FORWARD AND READ THE 150TH PAGE, AND THEN THE LAST PAGE. ALL THIS HOPPING AROUND, BACK AND FORTH. COULD YOU POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND THE NOVEL? KNOW THE CHARACTERS? THE PEOPLE INVOLVED? WHY THINGS HAPPENED? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
THE BIBLE IS NO DIFFERENT. CHERRY PICKING SINGLE VERSES OUT OF A CHAPTER DO NOT A COMPLETE CHAPTER STUDY AND UNDERSTANDING MAKE.
I FORGET WHO SAID IT, BUT IT MAY HAVE BEEN SPURGEON WHO SAID, "THE DEVIL DOES NOT CARE IF YOU HAVE A BIBLE IN YOUR HOME, OR EVEN READ CHOICE SCRIPTURES FOR IT, BUT THE DEVIL DOES FEAR YOU TAKING THE TIME TO READ IT, VERSE BY VERSE, CHAPTER BY CHAPTER, BECAUSE YOU WILL LEARN, YOU WILL SEE, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND. AND WITH UNDERSTANDING COMES WISDOM OF EXACTLY WHO JESUS CHRIST IS. WHY WE NEED JESUS, AND WHAT OUR FUTURE IN HIM HOLDS FOR US."
Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand...
In this sense, the parables of Jesus were not illustrations making difficult things clear to all who heard. They were a way of presenting God's message so the spiritually sensitive could understand, but the hardened would merely hear a story without heaping up additional condemnation for rejecting God's Word.
Parables are an example of God's mercy towards the hardened. The parables were given in the context of the Jewish leaders' building rejection of. In this sense they were examples of mercy given to the undeserving.
And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled...
By speaking in parables Jesus also fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, speaking in a way that the hardened would hear but not hear and see but not see.
SPURGEON says, "They did not really see what they saw, nor hear what they heard. The plainer the teaching, the more they were puzzled by it. They had become so morally and spiritually diseased, that the only thing they would notice was the attractive dress of a truth; for the truth itself they had no liking and no perception."
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear...
In light of this, those who do understand the parables of Jesus are genuinely blessed. Not only do they gain the benefit of the spiritual truth illustrated, but they also display some measure of responsiveness to the Holy Spirit.
Verses 18-23 tells us The PARABLE OF THE SOWER explained: EACH SOIL REPRESENTS 1 OF 4 RESPONSES TO THE WORD of the kingdom.
"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
THESE VERSES RIGHT HERE HAVE BEEN TWISTED AND DISTORTED BY FAR TOO MANY FALSE PREACHERS, TEACHERS, & EVANGELISTS TO SPEAK TO PERSONAL MONETARY HEALTHY, WEALTHY, AND WISE. MIKE MURDOCK, THE CROUCHES, BENNY HINN, JOYCE MEYER, THE COPELANDS, THE OSTEENS, TD JAKES, CREFLO DOLLAR, MARCUS & JONI LAMB, JOSEPH PRINCE, PETER POPOFF... JUST TO NAME A FEW OF THE FAMOUS/WEALTHY FALSE PREACHERS, TEACHERS, & EVANGELISTS...WHO SAY...I AM THE GOOD SOIL. SO A SEED INTO MY MINISTRY AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED. ARE YOU SICK, NEED MONEY, A JOB, ETC. ETC....SOW YOUR BEST MONEY SEED INTO MY MINISTRY AND YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT YOU HAVE ASKED FOR.
THIS SCRIPTURE OF SOWING AND THE SOILS SPEAKS ABOUT THOSE WHO WILL RECEIVE JESUS WORD AND HIS SALVATION AND WHO WILL NOT. THIS SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO THOSE WHO PLOW THE GROUND OF THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS WITH JESUS WORD INTO THEIR HEARTS WHERE IT WILL THRIVE, GROW, BRING WISDOM, AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WORD AND WHO WILL NOT.
This is he who received seed by the wayside...
As the birds devoured the seed on the wayside (Matthew 13:4), so some receive the word with hardened hearts and the wicked one quickly snatches away the sown word. The word has no effect because it never penetrates and is quickly taken away.
The wayside soil represents those who never really hear the word with understanding. The word of God must be understood before it can truly bear fruit. One of Satan's chief works is to keep men in darkness regarding their understanding of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
On stony places...
As seed falling on the thin soil on top of the stony places quickly springs up and then quickly withers and dies (Matthew 13:5-6), so some respond to the word with immediate enthusiasm yet soon wither away.
This soil represents those who receive the word enthusiastically, but their life is short-lived, because they are not willing to endure tribulation or persecution … because of the word.
AND WE SEE SICK PEOPLE, LOST PEOPLE, NEEDY PEOPLE PLANTING SEEDS, MANY THEIR LAST FEW DOLLARS OR GOING IN DEBT ON THEIR CREDIT CARD IN HOPES OF A HEALING, BLESSING, RICHES, AND MANY THINGS PROMISED BY THESE PREACHERS TO ONLY HAVE NOTHING HAPPEN. NO HEALING, NO JOBS, NO FINANCIAL WINDFALL..AND THEY BLAME THE LORD JESUS AND WANT NO PART OF HIS WORD...WHEN THEY SHOULD BE BLAMING THESE FALSE PREACHERS AND WALKING AWAY FROM THEM.
FRANCE says it well, "Tribulation is a general term for suffering which comes from outside; persecution is deliberately inflicted, and usually implies a religious motive. Falls away is literally 'is tripped up'; it is not a gradual loss of interest, but a collapse under pressure."
Among the thorns...
As seed falling among thorns would grow the stalks of grain among the thorns yet soon be choked out (Matthew 13:7), so some respond to the word and grow for a while, but are choked and stopped in their spiritual growth by competition from unspiritual things.
This soil represents fertile ground for the word; but their soil is too fertile, because it also grows all sorts of other things that choke out the word of God. Namely, it is the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches that choke the word.
Good ground...
As seed falling on good ground brings a good crop of grain (Matthew 13:8), so some respond rightly to the word and bear much fruit.
This soil represents those who receive the word, and it bears fruit in their soil - in differing proportions (some hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty), though each has a generous harvest.
Therefore, hear the parable of the sower...
We benefit from seeing bits of ourselves in all four soils.
HOW?
1. Like the wayside, sometimes we allow the word no room at all in our lives.
2. Like the stony places, we sometimes have flashes of enthusiasm in receiving the word that quickly burn out.
3. Like the soil among thorns, the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are constantly threatening to choke out God's word and our fruitfulness.
4. Like the good ground, the word bears fruit in our lives.
We notice that the difference in each category was with the soil itself. The same seed was cast by the same sower. You could not blame the differences in results on the sower or on the seed, but only on the soil.
The parable was also an encouragement to the disciples. Even though it might seem that few respond, God is in control and the harvest will certainly come. This was especially meaningful in light of the rising opposition to Jesus. Not all will respond, but there will be some who do, and the harvest will be rich.
Even more than describing the mixed progress of the gospel message, the parable of the sower compels the listener to ask, "What kind of soil am I?.
Verses 24-30 tells us Parables of corruption among the kingdom community. The parable of the wheat and the tares.
"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
His enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat...
This parable describes the work of an enemy who tried to destroy the work of the man who sowed good seed in his field. The enemy's purpose in sowing tares among the wheat was to destroy the wheat. But the wise farmer would not allow the enemy to succeed. Instead, the farmer decided to sort it out at harvest time.
We note that this parable clearly describes corruption among the people of God. Just as in the previous parable, the wheat represents the people of God. Some corrupting influence is brought, and an influence that may look genuine even as tares may resemble real wheat.
AND DID YOU KNOW...The weeds are probably darnel, a poisonous plant related to wheat and virtually indistinguishable from it until the ears form.
AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE FARMS AND/OR GARDENS, WE KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE. WHEN THE SEEDS WE PLANTED FIRST PUSH THEIR WAY ABOVE GROUND AND INTO THE SUNLIGHT, MOST OF THE TIME, WE CAN NOT REALLY KNOW WHICH ARE GOOD PLANTS AND WHICH ARE WEEDS UNTIL THEY GROW TALLER AND BLOOM FULLER. THEN WE CAN KNOW THE WEEDS FROM THE VEGETABLES.
Lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them...
In the interest in preserving and protecting the wheat, the wise farmer did not separate the tares from the wheat until the time of harvest.
The wise farmer recognized that the ultimate answer to tares among the wheat would only come at the final harvest.
Knowing the explanation of this parable as explained in Matthew 13:36-43, we understand why Jesus said it right after explaining the parable of the sower, especially with the seed that grew up among the thorns. But one might ask whether the Messiah's people should immediately separate the crop from the weeds; and this next parable answers the question negatively: there will be a delay in separation until the harvest.
Verses 31-32 tells us The PARABLE of the MUSTARD seed.
"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed … when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree...
Some - or even most - regard this as a description of the growth and eventual dominance of the church, the kingdom community. Yet in light of both the parable itself and the context of the parables both before and after, this should be regarded as another description of CORRUPTION in the kingdom community, just as the previous parable of the wheat and the tares described (Matthew 13:24-30).
CLARKE is a good example of the majority opinion on the meaning of this parable and the one following: "Both these parables are prophetic, and were intended to show, principally, how, from very small beginnings, the Gospel of Christ should pervade all the nations of the world, and fill them with righteousness and true holiness."
When it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches...
Again, many or even most regard this as a beautiful picture of the church growing so large that it provides refuge for all of the world. But this mustard seed plant has grown unnaturally large, and it harbors birds - which, the in previous parables, were emissaries of Satan (Matthew 13:4, 13:19).
Becomes a tree...
DID YOU KNOW...The mustard plant customarily never grows beyond what one would call a bush, and at its normal size be an unlikely place for bird's nests. The tree-like growth from this mustard seed describes something unnatural.
FRANCE suggests, "The language suggests that Jesus was thinking of the Old Testament use of the tree as an image for a great empire (see especially Ezekiel 17:23; 31:3-9; Daniel 4:10-12)."
This was a tree, "Not in nature but in size; an excusable exaggeration in a popular discourse. . . . it serves admirably to express the thought of a growth beyond expectation. Who would expect so tiny a seed to produce such a large herb, a monster in the garden?"
DID YOU KNOW...
This parable accurately describes what the kingdom community became in the decades and centuries after the Christianization of the Roman Empire. In those centuries the church grew abnormally large in influence and dominion, and was a nest for much corruption. "Birds lodging in the branches most probably refers to elements of corruption, FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE GOSPELS & FALSE RELIGIONS which take refuge in the very shadow of Christianity."
Close study of birds as symbols in the Old Testament and especially in the literature of later Judaism shows that birds regularly symbolize evil and even demons or Satan, confirmed in Revelation 18:2).
Verse 33 tells us Another illustration of corruption in the kingdom community: the PARABLE of the LEAVEN in the meal.
"Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
The kingdom of heaven is like leaven...
Jesus used a surprising picture here. Many, if not most, regard this as a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God working its way through the whole world. Yet leaven is consistently used as a picture of sin and corruption (especially in the Passover narrative of Exodus 12:8, 12:15-20). Again, both the content and the context point towards this being a description of corruption in the kingdom community.
Leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened...
This was an unusually large amount of meal. It was much more than any normal woman would prepare, and again suggest the idea of massive or unnatural size.
DID YOU KNOW...Three measures of meal would be about 40 litres, which would make enough bread for a meal for 100 people, a remarkable baking for an ordinary woman.
Hid in it...
The idea of hiding leaven in three measures of meal would have OFFENDED any observant Jew. This certainly is NOT a picture of the church gradually influencing the whole world for good. Rather, in the context of increasing opposition to His work, Jesus announced that His kingdom community would also be threatened by corruption and impurity and pagan idolatry, and false religions influences brought into the church.
Verses 34-35 tells us Jesus' TEACHING IN PARABLES as a fulfillment of prophecy.
"All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."
Without a parable He did not speak to them...
This does NOT mean that Jesus never, in His entire teaching and preaching ministry, spoke in anything other than a parable. It describes this particular season of Jesus' ministry, again in the context of increasing opposition from the Jewish leaders.
I will open My mouth in parables...
Another reason Jesus taught about the kingdom community in parables is because THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST itself was part of the things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world, and would not be revealed in fullness until later.
Kept secret from the foundation of the world...
Later, Paul expresses this same idea about the church in Ephesians 3:4-11.
AND REMEMBER THE JEWS BELIEVED AND TAUGHT THAT THEY WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WENT TO HEAVEN BECAUSE OF THEIR JEWISH BLOOD. AND THEY BELIEVED THE HINTS OF GOING TO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD AND OTHER SUCH VAGUE SHADOWED PROPHECIES REFERRED TO JUDAISM COVERING THE GLOBE, NOT THAT THROUGH THEM, GOD HAD PLANNED ALL ALONG THAT THE GENTILES, PAGANS WOULD BE OFFERED TO BE GRAFTED INTO THE VINE, OFFERED SALVATION AND AN ETERNITY IN HEAVEN WITH THEM THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
Verses 36-43 tells us Jesus explains the parable of the wheat and the tares.
"Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field...
In His explanation, Jesus made it clear what the different figures in the parable represent.
1. The field represents the world.
2. The good seeds represent God's true people, the sons of the kingdom.
3. The tares represent false believers in the world, the sons of the wicked one, who (like tares among wheat) may superficially look like God's true people.
In this we see that the parable of the tares changes the figures slightly from the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:3-9; 13:18-23). In the parable of the soils, the seed represented the word of God; here it represents true believers. The point of the parables is completely different; the parable of the soils shows how men receive and respond to the word of God, and the parable of the tares of the field shows how God will divide His true people from false believers at the end of this age.
SPURGEON says it well, "This parable powerfully teaches that it is God's job to divide in judgment. "Magistrates and churches may remove the openly wicked from their society; the outwardly good who are inwardly worthless they must leave; for the judging of hearts is beyond their sphere."
Jesus announced God's kingdom, and this would lead many of his hearers to expect a cataclysmic disruption of society, an immediate and absolute division between the 'sons of light' and the 'sons of darkness' … It was to this impatience that the parable was primarily directed.
The field is the world...
AND REMEMBER THIS...
Significantly, this parable illustrates not necessarily that there will be false believers among true believers in the church (though that is also true to some extent); otherwise Jesus would have explained that the field is the church. Yet He carefully said that the field is the world.
AND SADLY, MANY RELIGIOSITIES BELIEVE THAT THE FIELD HERE IS THE CHURCH, INSTEAD OF THE LOST WORLD.
Yet the point is clear, both in the world and in the kingdom community. Ultimately it is not the job of the church to proclaim who appear to be Christians but actually are not; that is God's job at the end of this age.
As long as God's people are still in this world (the field), there will be unbelievers among them; but it should not be because God's people receive unbelievers as if they were believers, ignoring either the belief or conduct of professed believers.
DID YOU NOTICE AS I DID...SOMETHING I DID NOT THINK ABOUT OR GRASP UNTIL REVISITING MATTHEW ONCE AGAIN. There is additional significance in saying, "The field is the world" instead of "The field is Israel." This brief statement presupposes a mission beyond Israel.
The enemy who sowed them is the devil...
Clearly, the enemy plants counterfeits in the world and in the kingdom community, and this is why merely being a member of the Christian community isn't enough.
The reapers are angels … The Son of Man will send out His angels...
We often don't consider that the angels of God have a special role in the judgment of the world. Yet they do, and are worthy of respect because of that role.
Will cast them into the furnace of fire… the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father...
Jesus used this parable to clearly illustrate the truth that there are ONLY TWO different paths and ONLY TWO eternal destinies. A furnace of fire represents one destiny and radiant glory (shine forth as the sun) the other destiny.
The wheat comes into God's barn from all over the world, from all ranks of society, from all ages of God's church. The one thing they have in common is that they were sown of the Lord, and from the good seed of His word.
Verse 44 tells us The PARABLE of the HIDDEN TREASURE.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field...
The field is the world, but the man does not represent the believer, because we have nothing to buy this treasure with. Instead, Jesus is the man who gave all that He had to buy the field.
DID YOU KNOW..."Under rabbinic law if a workman came on a treasure in a field and lifted it out, it would belong to his master, the field's owner; but here the man is careful not to lift the treasure out till he has bought the field."
This parable and the one following are DIFFERENT in character than the previous three.
The previous three parables (the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed, and the leaven) each spoke of corruption in the kingdom community.
These two parables speak of how highly the King values the people of His kingdom.
And for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field...
The treasure so wonderful that Jesus would give all to purchase is the individual believer. This powerfully shows how Jesus gave everything to redeem the whole world to preserve a treasure in it, and the treasure is His people.
SPURGEON says it well, "So did Jesus himself, at the utmost cost, buy the world to gain his church, which was the treasure which he desired." The believer who gives all to follow Jesus is also not a loser, but a gainer. "Some years ago a person rather eccentrically advertised for persons who had been losers by obedience to the divine command-that if any one who had lost anything through love to Christ would apply to him he would make it up. The odd advertisement appeared for some months in one of our religious periodicals. But the oddest thing is that nobody ever answered it. I should have thought that somebody would have tried and made out a case; but nobody did. They cannot make out such a case: they are no losers by Christ."
Verses 45-46 tells us The PARABLE of the COSTLY PEARL.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls...
Again, Jesus is the buyer and the individual believer is the pearl that He sees as so valuable that He would happily give all to have it forever.
BARCLAY adds, "To the ancient peoples, as we have just seen, a pearl was the loveliest of all possessions; that means that the Kingdom of Heaven is the loveliest thing in the world."
One pearl of great price...
It seems crazy for a merchant to sell all that he had for one pearl, but for this merchant it was well worth it. That shows how much he valued this pearl of great price, and how much Jesus values His people.
Verses 47-50 tells us The PARABLE of the DRAGNET.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet...
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MATTHEW 14
OPENS WITH...JESUS DISPLAYS HIS AUTHORITY OVER NATURE AND HEROD AND JOHN THE BAPTIST
Verses 1-2 tells us Herod fears that Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead.
"At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus...
The fame and report of Jesus spread around the region. This Herod was known as Herod Antipas and was one of the sons of Herod the Great who reigned when Jesus was born.
TETRARCH literally means the ruler of a fourth part; but it came to be used quite generally, as here, of any subordinate ruler of a section of a country. A tetrarch was lower than a king. Herod Antipas wanted to be recognized as a king, and later asked the Emperor Caligula for this title, but Caligula refused. This humiliation was part of what later sent Herod to exile in Gaul.
This Herod the tetrarch – also known as Herod Antipas – ruled over Galilee and therefore heard much about Jesus. His brother Archelaus ruled to the south, and his brother Philip ruled to the north.
This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead...
Though this may seem unreasonable in retrospect, Herod’s guilt and superstition led him to this fear.
TRAPP says it well, “He imagined still that he saw and heard that holy head shouting and crying out against him, staring him also in the face at every turn…God hath laid upon evil-doers the cross of their own consciences, that thereon they may suffer afore they suffer; and their greatest enemies need not wish them a greater mischief.”
BARCLAY cites the ancient Christian writer Origen, who said that Jesus and John the Baptist closely resembled each other in appearance. If this were true, it would give more reason for Herod Antipas to believe that Jesus was John come back from the dead.
Verses 3-12 tells us Herod’s cruel treatment of John the Baptist.
"For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus."
Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her”...
Having told us of the death of John the Baptist, Matthew will now explain to us how he died. It began when Herod imprisoned John for the bold rebuke of the king’s sin. Yet he did not immediately kill him because he feared the multitude.
John spoke out against Herod’s marriage because he had illegally divorced his previous wife and then seduced and married his brother Philip’s wife named Herodias. The father of Herod’s first wife was the King of Petra, and he later made successful war against Herod Antipas because of how he had disgraced the King of Petra’s daughter.
CLARKE tells us of Herodias: “This infamous woman was the daughter of Aristobulus and Bernice, and grand-daughter of Herod the Great. Her first marriage was with Herod Philip, her uncle, by whom she had Salome: some time after, she left her husband, and lived publicly with Herod Antipas.”
In speaking out against Herod and Herodias, there is the suggestion that John did this repeatedly. It was, moreover, perhaps more than a passing remark: said is in the imperfect tense, which may indicate a continuing ‘campaign’.
In that he feared the multitude, Herod is like many people today. They fear the opinion of people before fearing God. The only thing that kept Herod from even greater wickedness was the fear of man.
Yet one must say that Herod seemed to fear his wife Herodias more than he feared the multitude, because he imprisoned John for the sake of Herodias. “She ruled him at her pleasure, as Jezebel did Ahab.
The daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod: Herodias’ daughter shamelessly danced before Herod and friends, winning favor and a special request.
This daughter Herodias is described as a girl (Matthew 14:11). This means that she was not a cute little girl; “Girl is a term which can be used of those of marriageable age; she was at least a teenager.
The dances which these girls danced were suggestive and immoral. For a royal princess to dance in public at all was an amazing thing.
SPURGEON says it well, “In these days mothers too often encourage their daughters in dress which is scarcely decent and introduce them to dances which are not commendable for purity. No good can come of this; it may please the Herods, but it displeases God.”
Having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter”: The request of Herodias shows that the mother had this planned for some time. She knew her husband and she knew the situation, and knew she could get what she wanted this way.
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. If not done at once under the influence of wine and the momentary gratification given by the voluptuous dance, it might never be done at all.”
It would have been bad enough if she herself had sought ways of taking vengeance on the man of God who confronted her with her shame. It was infinitely worse that she used her daughter for her nefarious purposes and made her as great a sinner as herself.
And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her...
Because Herod was afraid to go against his wife or to lose face before his friends, he did something that he knew was wrong.
DO YOU NOTICE, EVEN DRUNK, SEXUALLY AROUSED, AND PARTYING WITH FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS HEROD STILL KNEW IT WAS WRONG.
I THINK THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, LAWYERS, AND COURTS WOULD DO WELL TO READ THIS AND UNDERSTAND GOD'S VIEW. DRUNKENESS IS NO JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSE. SEXUALLY ENTICED AND AROUSED IS NO JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSE. BEING EGGED ON BY OTHERS AND THE PARTY ATMOSPHERE IS NO JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD FOR DOING WRONG.
SPURGEON says it well, “Rash promises, and even oaths, are no excuse for doing wrong. The promise was in itself null and void, because no man has a right to promise to do wrong. Like most weak men, Herod feared to be thought weak.”
Herod had a terrible end. In order to take his brother’s wife Herodias, he put away his first wife, a princess from a neighboring kingdom to the east. Her father was offended and came against Herod with an army, defeating him in battle. Then his brother Agrippa accused him of treason against Rome, and he was banished into the distant Roman province of Gaul. In Gaul, Herod and Herodias committed suicide.
Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it...
The disciples of John the Baptist honored his life and memory the best they could. He had lived and died as a great and righteous man.
Verse 13 tells us Jesus departs, not wishing to run afoul of Herod.
"When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities."
When Jesus heard it, He departed from there...
Again, this was not from cowardice but from an understanding of the Father’s timing, and also of prophetic timing.
When the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot...
Jesus could escape the potential violence of Herod, but He could not escape the attention of the multitudes. Though both the religious and now the political leaders opposed Jesus, He was still popular with the multitudes.
Verses 14-16 tells us Jesus’ compassion for the multitude.
"And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
He was moved with compassion for them...
The great compassion of Jesus for the multitude moved Him to heal the sick and to teach them (Mark 6:34). Jesus did this all the way until evening. His gracious compassion for the demanding crowds was remarkable.
BARCLAY says it well, “Jesus had come to find peace and quiet and loneliness; instead he found a vast crowd eagerly demanding what he could give. He might so easily have resented them. What right had they to invade his privacy with their continual demands?”
Jesus and the disciples could have made many legitimate excuses.
“This isn’t the right place.” “This isn’t the right time.” “The people can take care of themselves.” Indeed, there was no physical necessity to feed this multitude. These were people who were used to skipping meals. Yet Jesus had compassion on them nonetheless.
You give them something to eat...
With this, Jesus challenged both the compassion and the faith of the disciples. Yet He did not ask them to do anything to meet the need without also guiding them through the work.
If they remembered the miracle of the wine in Cana (John 2:1-11), they should have asked Jesus to meet the need, not send the people away.
Both Jesus and the disciples were aware of the great multitude and aware of their needs. Yet it was the compassion of Jesus and His awareness of the power of God that led Him to go about feeding the multitude.
1. The people are hungry, and the empty religionist offers them some ceremony or empty words that can never satisfy.
2. The people are hungry, and the atheists and skeptics try to convince them that they are not hungry at all.
3. The people are hungry, and the religious showman gives them video and special lighting and cutting-edge music.
4. The people are hungry, and the entertainer gives them loud, fast action, so loud and fast that they do NOT have a moment to think.
5. The people are hungry – who will give them the bread of life?
SPURGEON used the words, they do not need to go away (they need not depart in the KJV) as the basis of a sermon. The theme of the sermon was that if there was no need for these mostly casual hearers of Jesus to depart, there is even less reason for the follower of Jesus to go away from continual communion and fellowship with Jesus.
1. Circumstances don’t need to make you go away. You won’t have things so hard or so easy that you don’t need Jesus.
2. There is nothing in Jesus that would make you want to go away.
3. There is nothing in the future that will make you need to go away.
Verses 17-19 tells us Jesus distributes bread to the multitude.
"And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes."
We have here only five loaves and two fish...
These were obtained from a little boy among the crowd (John 6:9). It is much to the credit of the disciples that they themselves traveled light, without carrying a lot of food for themselves. They trusted Jesus to make sure they were provided for.
He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass...
This command suggests that this was more than just putting food in their stomachs; that could be done standing up. The idea was that there was a bit of a banquet-like atmosphere of enjoyment.
Looking up to heaven, He blessed...
Jesus blessed the Father for the food that He did have.
He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes...
This miracle displays Jesus’ TOTAL authority over creation. Yet He insisted on doing this miracle through the hands of the disciples. He could have done it directly, but He wanted to use the disciples.
No one knew where this bread actually came from. Jesus showed us that God can provide out of resources that we can NOT see or perceive in any way. It is easier to have faith when we think we know how God might provide, but God often provides in unexpected and undiscoverable ways.
AND JESUS SHOWS US ALL RIGHT HERE...DO NOT WAIT FOR MORE THAN ENOUGH, DO NOT WAIT FOR RICHES. JESUS CAN USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IN YOUR HAND, IN YOUR POSSESSION, TO DO IMPOSSIBLE THINGS IF YOU ASK, TRUST, AND BELIEVE HIM AND HIS WORD FOR YOU TOO.
Verses 20-21 tels us The multitudes are fed.
"So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children."
They all ate and were filled...
Not only was God’s provision abundant, but God also did not want the leftovers to go to waste. Therefore they took measures to preserve what was left over (and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained).
God’s generous giving and our wise using must go hand in hand.
Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children...
The number of 5,000 men suggests a total perhaps of 15,000 to 20,000 people when women and children are included in the count.
AND YOU NOTICE. THE JEWISH MEN, THE DISCIPLES COUNTED AND CONSIDERED THE NUMBER BY THE HEAD COUNT OF THE MEN ONLY, BUT ONCE AGAIN, OUR JESUS INCLUDED, KNEW, AND COUNTED THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN EQUALLY. THEY WERE JUST AS IMPORTANT AND WORTHY AS THE MEN.
The prominence of this story – recorded in all four gospels – shows that both the Holy Spirit and the early church thought this story was important, and important as more than an example of the miraculous power of Jesus.
WHY?
1. It shows that Jesus could feed the people of God, even as Israel was fed in the wilderness. There was a common expectation that the Messiah would restore the provision of manna, and this adds to the messianic credentials of Jesus.
2. It shows that Jesus had compassion and care for the people of God, even when we might have expected His patience would be exhausted.
3. It shows that Jesus chose to work through the hands of the disciples, even when it was not essential to the immediate result.
4. It shows a preview example of the great messianic banquet that the Messiah will enjoy with His people.
The feeding of the 5,000 also gives us three principles regarding God’s provision.
1. Thank God for and wisely use what you have.
2. Trust God’s unlimited resources.
3. Don’t waste what He gives you.
Verses 22-24 tells us Another storm on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus walks on the water in the midst of the storm.
"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary."
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat...
Jesus felt it was important for He and His followers to leave the area quickly. Jesus knew the storm was coming and wanted the multitudes to find shelter before it began. Then, Jesus compelled (made) the disciples get into the boat.
Actually, there were several reasons why Jesus did this. He did this because He wanted to be alone to pray; because He wanted to escape the crowd and get some rest; and because He wanted the crowd to disperse so as to avoid the storm and the messianic uproar (John 6:15).
John 6:14-15 tells us that the crowd responded to the miraculous feeding with a rush of messianic expectation. If the disciples shared this enthusiasm – perhaps sensing that now was the time to openly promote Jesus as Messiah the King – then it was more important than ever for Jesus to get the disciples away from the excited crowd.
He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray...
Jesus was jealous for time spent alone with His Father. In the midst of His great ministry to others, He did not – He could not – neglect prayer and the time He needed to spend with His Father.
The boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary...
The Sea of Galilee is well known for its sudden storms, and during this storm Jesus was NOT in the boat with the disciples.
Verses 25-27 tells us Jesus comes to both help and comfort His disciples.
"Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
In the fourth watch of the night...
This was somewhere between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. According to Mark (Mark 6:47-52), Jesus came to the disciples when the boat was in the middle of the sea and after they had exhausted themselves rowing against the waves and windy storm for hours.
Jesus went to them, walking on the sea...
This walk on the water must have been quite a shock to the disciples; they were indeed troubled and they cried out for fear.
Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid...
Jesus didn’t come to the disciples to trouble them or make them afraid. Therefore, He immediately spoke to them these comforting words.
There are TWO good reasons to put away fear.
1. It may be that the problem is not nearly as bad as one had thought; perhaps you are afraid because you exaggerate the danger.
2. The other reason is that even though the problem may be real, there is an even greater solution and help at hand with Jesus.
Verses 28-33 tells us Peter’s bold move and subsequent lack of faith.
"And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water...
We have no idea what prompted Peter to ask such a question, but his faith in Jesus was remarkable. He really responded to Jesus’ invitation and got out of the boat.
He walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink...
This is a wonderful picture of walking in faith, showing that Peter was able to do the miraculous as long as he looked to Jesus. When he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was troubled by fear and began to sink. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he did not notice the high swelling waves, the evil ocean creatures beneath his feet, but when he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the stormy world around him he began to sink.
Beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me”...
Even when Peter failed, Jesus was there to save him. Peter knew who to call out to at the moment of crisis. Jesus then brought Peter back to the boat.
SPURGEON says it well, “What a sight! Jesus and Peter, hand in hand, walking upon the sea!”
O you of little faith...
Once Jesus rescued Peter, He spoke to Peter about his little faith. This little faith led to the doubt and distraction that made Peter sink under the wind and the waves.
Peter here shows us the weakness of little faith.
· Little faith is often found in places where we might expect great faith.
· Little faith is far too eager for signs.
· Little faith is apt to have too high an opinion of its own power.
· Little faith is too much affected by it surroundings.
· Little faith is too quick to exaggerate the peril.
Yet Peter also shows us some of the strengths of little faith.
· Little faith is true faith.
· Little faith will obey the word of Jesus.
· Little faith struggles to come to Jesus.
· Little faith will accomplish great things for a time.
· Little faith will pray when it is in trouble.
· Little faith is safe, because Jesus is near.
SPURGEON says, “You do believe, and if you believe, why doubt? If faith, why little faith? If you doubt, why believe? And if you believe, why doubt?”
Why did you doubt...
Jesus only asked this question once Peter was safe and in the boat again. Yet at that point it was an entirely reasonable question to ask. Why did Peter doubt? Doubt is literally ‘be divided in two’; true faith is single-mindedly focused on Jesus.
We can say that in theory, there might be reasons for doubting Jesus and His promises.
· If on former occasions, you have found God unfaithful to His promise.
· If some old follower of Jesus has solemnly told you that God can not be trusted.
· If your problem is a new one and so extremely difficult that it is certain that God cannot help you.
· If God has abolished His promises, and made them no longer valid.
· If God has changed.
SPURGEON, “Our doubts are unreasonable: ‘Wherefore didst though doubt?‘ If there be reason for little faith, there is evidently reason for great confidence. If it be right to trust Jesus at all, why not trust him altogether?”
It is useful for us to confront our doubts.
· Was there good reason for your doubt?
· Was there any good excuse for it?
· Did any good come from your doubt?
Those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him...
They moved quickly from fearing the storm to worshipping Jesus. This was a logical reaction considering the power Jesus showed in walking on the water, and the love He showed in taking care of a sinking Peter.
Verses 34-36 tells us Multitudes are healed as they touch Jesus.
"When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well."
When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret...
The Gospel of John tells us that this crossing over was miraculous. As Jesus got into the boat with them, miraculously the boat was instantly carried over to the other side (John 6:21).
Gennesaret was a region (not just a town) on the western shore south of Capernaum. [This was a] surprising return to Antipas’ territory.
Begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment...
Even the hem of Jesus’ garment provides an important point of contact for their faith. Like Paul’s sweatbands (Acts 19:11-12) and Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15), Jesus’ hem provided a physical object that helped them to believe God for healing at that moment.
CARSON gives us an interesting fact of the times of the religious, social, and political elite. “The stricter groups, such as the Pharisees and the Essenes, counted it an abomination to rub shoulders in a crowd – one never knew what ceremonial uncleanness one might contract.”
The sick, the ill, the diseased, the deformed, the crippled were cast out of and denied towns, churches, market squares. The very people, God's people, God's shepherds, and God's churches were commanded to care for the sick, injured, the widows, and the orphans, but they did not. They cared only for themselves. But Jesus cared. He went into places, towns, areas where all others would not. He touched, healed, fed, and had compassion on them all.
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MATTHEW 15
OPENS WITH..JESUS CORRECTS THE PHARISEES AND denounces their religious externalism and MINISTERS TO GENTILES
Verses 1-2 tells us Leaders from Jerusalem question Jesus.
"Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus...
Up to this point, most of Jesus’ ministry had been in the region of Galilee. Galilee was north of Judea, where Jerusalem is. These scribes and Pharisees were an official delegation from Jerusalem, coming to investigate and assess the words and work of this man Jesus.
BARCLAY says it well, “They are genuinely bewildered; and in a very short time they are going to be genuinely outraged and shocked.”
Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?
These ceremonial washing rituals were commanded by MAN CREATED tradition, NOT by ALMIGHTY GOD NOR BY Scripture. The religious leaders say as much when they refer to the tradition of the elders and not the commandment of God.
They do not wash their hands when they eat bread...
The matter in question had NOTHING to do with good hygiene. The religious officials were offended that the disciples did NOT observe the rigid, extensive rituals for washing before meals.
Many ancient Jews took this MAN-CREATED RITUAL tradition of the elders very seriously. “The Jewish Rabbi Jose saith, He sinneth as much who eateth with unwashen hands, as he that lieth with a harlot.”
“In what estimation these are held by the Jews, the following examples will prove: ‘The words of the scribes are lovely beyond the words of the law: for the words of the law are weighty and light, but the words of the scribes are all weighty.’ Hierus. Berac. fol. 3.”
SO THE ELDERS MAN-CREATED RITUALS AND RULES WERE OF FAR MORE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE THAN THE WORDS AND COMMANDS OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
Verse 3 tells us Jesus answers with a question setting man’s tradition against God’s will.
"He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?”
Why do you also transgress the commandment of God...
When the disciples were accused of sin, Jesus answered with an accusation. Jesus was strong in His reply because these leaders were far too concerned with these ceremonial rules and rituals and trivialities.
NOW YOU KNOW WHY JESUS ANSWERED THEM SO STRONGLY? BECAUSE ANY PERSON WHO WANTED TO COME INTO THE COURTS, MUCH LESS THE SYNAGOGUE PROPER, HAD TO FOLLOW THESE MAN-CREATED RITUALS AND RULES, OR THEY WERE DECLARED UNCLEAN AND THEY WERE DENIED ACCESS TO PRAY, WORSHIP, AND HEAR GOD'S WORD.
This was a strong reply from Jesus. Ultimately, these conflicts with the religious leaders became the outward reason why Jesus was delivered to the Romans for death.
Because of your tradition...
Jesus repeated what the scribes and Pharisees had already mentioned – that this accusation was based on THEIR MAN-CREATED tradition. The religious leaders demanded these ceremonial washings based on tradition, not the Scriptures.
IN OTHER WORDS, THESE RIDICULOUS RULES, RITUALS AND POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE ARE NOT WHAT ALMIGHTY GOD REQUIRES.
Verses 4-6 tells us An example of how their traditions dishonored God: the practice of not helping your parents with resources said to be devoted to God.
“For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God“; then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.”
Honor your father and mother...
The clear command of God said that everyone should give honor to their father and mother – even stating a penalty for extreme disobedience to this command. When we are adults and no longer in our parents’ household or under their authority, we no longer have to obey our father and mother. Yet we are still commanded to honor them; that command endures.
NOW WE NEED TO REMEMBER HONOR YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER, THEIR PLACE, AND THE TITLE THEY BEAR, EVEN IF FROM HORRIFIC ABUSES, DEPRIVATIONS, OR WHATEVER, YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO DOTE, LOVE, AND TOLERATE IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, BUT YOU ARE TO GIVE HONOR TO THE TITLE FATHER AND MOTHER.
Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God...
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Some Jewish people of Jesus’ day had a way to get around the command to honor your father and mother. If they declared that all their possessions or savings were a gift to God that were especially dedicated to Him, they could then say that their resources were unavailable to help their parents.
FRANCE further explains, “This convenient declaration apparently left the property actually still at the disposal of the one who made the vow, but deprived his parents of any right to it.”
POOLE adds, “Our Savior here also let us know, that the fifth commandment obliges children to relieve their parents in their dire necessity, and this is the sense also of the term honor in other texts of Scripture.”
Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition...
Through this trick one could completely disobey the command to honor his father or mother, and do it while being ultra-religious.
I AM SURE WE HAVE ALL FACED SIMILAR THINGS IN OUR WALK WITH JESUS. WE SET ASIDE A TITHE TO OUR CHURCHES, OR TO THOSE WHO SPEND THEIR DAYS SHARING THE GOSPEL. THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS, OUR PARENTS BECOME ILL, OR IN DIRE NEED, AND WE CAN HELP THEM, IF WE GIVE THEM OUR TITHE, INSTEAD OF TO THE CHURCH. JESUS EXPECTS US TO GIVE THE AID/TITHE TO OUR PARENTS.
IT IS INTERESTING WHAT OLD MEMORIES SURFACE, AS WE READ JESUS WORD. I REMEMBER AS A CHILD, SETTING ASIDE 10% OF MY WORK ALLOWANCE TO PUT IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL PLASTIC CHURCH BANK THAT WAS PASSED AROUND EACH SUNDAY. AND I REMEMBER, THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER STEPPING IN FRONT OF ME, AND I TOLD HER, I CAN NOT GIVE MY TITHE THIS WEEK. I HAVE TO KEEP IT. SHE WAS TAKEN ABACK BY MY REFUSAL AND ASKED WHY I WAS NOT WILLING TO GIVE JESUS HIS DUE. I TOLD HER, MY MAMA HAS A DOCTOR CHECK UP AND SHE IS AFRAID SHE WILL NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT. SO I AM GIVING HER MY TITHE. SHE SAID, FAITH YOU ARE MAKING JESUS UNHAPPY. I TOLD HER, NO MA'AM I AM DOING WHAT JESUS TELLS US TO DO. WE ARE TO HONOR OUR MOTHER AND FATHER. THE TEACHER WENT ON AROUND THE ROOM. BUT SHE PULLED MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER ASIDE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. MY MOTHER WAS STUNNED AND STARTED TO APOLOGIZE, BUT MY GRANDMOTHER PUT HER HAND ON MY MOM'S ARM AND SHE SAID, FAITH IS RIGHT. THINK ABOUT IT, IF EVERY CHILD AND EVERY FAMILY REALLY THOUGHT AND BELIEVED THIS WAY, HOW MUCH LESS NEED WOULD THERE BE IN THE BODY OF JESUS."
Verses 7-9 tells us Jesus condemns their hollow tradition as hypocrisy.
“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'”
Honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me...
This was true of the religious leaders Jesus confronted and quoted the passage from Isaiah to. Yet it may also be true of us. We can appear to draw near to God, quote scripture, proclaim Godliness, all the while having our heart far from Him. It is easy to want and be impressed by the image of being near to God without really doing it with our heart.
God is interested in the internal and the real. We are far more interested in the merely external and image. One must take care that their relationship with God is not merely external and image.
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men...
The quotation from Isaiah accurately described the real problem with these religious leaders. They elevated man’s tradition to an equal level with God’s revealed Word.
Jesus didn’t say, “All traditions are bad.” He didn’t say, “All traditions are good.” He compared THEIR MAN-CREATED traditions AGAINST WHAT THE Word of God SAID AND COMMANDED. THAT COMPARISON SHOWED THAT SUCH TRADITIONS WERE NOT EQUAL TO, NOR ANYWHERE NEAR AS IMPORTANT AS THE COMMANDS OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
Verses 10-11 tells us Jesus speaks to the multitude about religious externalism.
"When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
When He had called the multitude to Himself...
Having dealt with the religious leaders, Jesus now instructed the common people about authentic godliness.
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man...
Jesus stated a fundamental principle. Washing with “unclean hands” or any other such thing that we put into us is not defiling; rather, what comes out is what defiles and reveals if we have unclean (defiled) hearts.
This is not to say that there are not defiling things that we can take into ourselves; one example of this might be pornography. But in this specific context, Jesus spoke about ceremonial cleanliness in regard to food, and He anticipated that under the New Covenant all food would be declared kosher (confirmed in Acts 10:10-16, which says, "Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again."
The principles set out by Jesus’ words in Matthew 15:11 and 17-20 made the ultimate abandonment of the Old Testament food-laws by the church inevitable.
Verses 12-14 tells us Jesus then warns His disciples that only what is of God and of truth will last and be secure.
"Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?
This is a humorous scene. The disciples came to Jesus, saying something like this: “Jesus – did you know that you offended those guys?” Of course Jesus knew that He offended them! Jesus knew their EVERY thought. He intended to offend them and the way they valued man’s tradition too highly and Almighty God's so poorly.
Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted...
This applied directly to the religious leaders and all like them. Their commandments of men will not last, because they are not rooted either in God or truth.
THIS VERSE ALONE, SHOULD BE POSTED IN EVERY SEMINARY ENTRANCE, AS A WARNING. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU ARE SEEKING TO BECOME A MINISTER, PRIEST, PASTOR, EVANGELIST FOR THE CAREER/MONEY/PRESTIGE VALUE, AND NOT BECAUSE YOU DESIRE TO SIMPLY SHARE JESUS AND HIS WORD WITH THE WORLD, THEN YOU BEST TURN AROUND AND GO ENTER ANOTHER UNIVERSITY/PROFESSION.
SPURGEON says it well, “There was no need for the disciples to combat the Pharisees, they would be uprooted in the natural order of things by the inevitable consequences of their own course.”
Yet this principle should make us examine ourselves to see if we imitate the Pharisees in making traditions commandments. “Here, then, we find the test of all human teaching however well-intentioned. If it be not based upon and rooted in the Word of God, or if it depart in any degree from the true intention of that Word, it is without pity to be rooted up. By this test we need ever to try our traditions, customs, habits, rules, regulations.”
Let them alone...
Jesus did not organize a focused “Anti-Scribe and Anti-Pharisee” committee. He knew that their efforts would fail under the weight of its own legalism.
They are blind leaders of the blind…both will fall into a ditch...
We sense that Jesus said this with sadness, and perhaps with more sadness for those who are led by the blind than the blind leaders of the blind.
HERE IS OUR NEW SLOGAN...LET THEM ALONE.
WE WHO LOVE OUR JESUS, FIND MORE AND MORE EACH DAY, THAT WE HAVE A HEART AND DESIRE TO SHARE, SHINE, AND SHOW THE LOVE AND TRUTH AND HOPE IN OUR JESUS IN HIS WORD TO THE LOST, THE DECEIVED, AND THE REJECTING IN THIS WORLD. AND WE ARE BEWILDERED AND YES HEART-BROKEN, IF NOT SOMETIMES ANGRY OVER SOME OF THE VITRIOLE THE REJECTERS SPEW AT US AND ABOUT OUR JESUS.
WHEN WE FACE THIS...CONFRONT THIS...REMEMBER WHAT OUR JESUS SAID...LET THEM ALONE.
SADLY, Though the Pharisees and teachers of the law had scrolls and interpreted them in the synagogues, this does not mean that they really understood them…The Pharisees did not follow Jesus; so they did not understand and follow the Scriptures.
POOLE says it well, “I pity the poor people, for while the blind lead the blind they both fall into a ditch. An ignorant, false, and unfaithful ministry is the greatest plague amongst a people.”
In these words of Jesus, we see the guilt of those who are blind leaders of the blind. We also see the responsibility of followers to make sure their leaders are not blind. With the ease of availabilty of The Bible today, NONE will have an excuse. I have said it before, and it bears repeating, I strive to share JUST Jesus and His Word, but do NOT SIMPLY ACCEPT all that you hear in my Bible studies or any pastor's pulpit as truth. Open your Bibles and read and confirm the truth for yourselves. That way you will NOT ever be fooled. You will not EVER be blind and you will NOT follow the blind either.
Verses 15-20 tells us The condition of the heart is what really defiles a person.
"Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
Explain this parable to us...
Jesus didn’t really speak in a parable (except for the brief illustration of the blind leading the blind). Yet because the disciples did not understand Him, they asked for an explanation (Are you also still without understanding?).
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man...
Jesus amplified the point first made in Matthew 15:11. We are defiled from the inside out rather than from the outside in, and this is particularly true of ceremonial things like foods.
Jesus boldly said that these evil things come from our innermost nature. They aren’t accidents or mere “mistakes”; they reveal how corrupt we are in our fallen nature. “The heart is the source of man’s true character, and therefore of his purity or impurity…it is not merely the seat of emotion, but the true person as he really is, not just as he appears outwardly.
SPURGEON says it well, "Murders‘ begin not with the dagger, but with the malice of the soul. ‘Adulteries and fornications‘ are first gloated over in the heart before they are enacted by the body. The heart is the cage from whence these unclean birds fly forth.”
Said plainly, many people who worry about external habits (what they eat and drink and other such things) should care more about what words come out of their mouth. They do more against God and His people by what they say than by what they eat or drink.
And is eliminated...
“A vulgar word and a vulgar subject which Jesus would gladly have avoided, but He forces Himself to speak of it for the sake of His disciples. The idea is: from food no moral defilement comes to the soul; the defilement as there is, purely physically passing through the bowels into the place of discharge. Doubtless Jesus said this, otherwise no one would have put it into His mouth.”
But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man...
Unfortunately, the emphasis of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day – and often in our own – is often only on these external things, not the internal things that make for true righteousness.
WE SEE EXAMPLES OF THIS EVERY TIME WE TURN ON THE TV. WE SEE SELF-POSSESSED, SELF-PROCLAIMED MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROCLAIM THEY ARE OF GOD, STANDING BEFORE THOUSANDS, WEARING ENOUGH GOLD, DIAMONDS, COUTURES, AND SUITS MADE OF THE FINEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE MATERIALS TO BE MADE, ALL THE WHILE, PROCLAIMING, THUS SAYS THE LORD. THE LORD SPOKE TO ME AT BREAKFAST. THE LORD CAME AND ASKED FOR MY OPINION. THE LORD VISITED ME AND ASKED FOR MY HELP IN SAVING A PERSON. THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME NEW REVELATIONS FOR YOU. THE LORD HAS BLESSED ME BECAUSE I AM HIS MESSENGER. HIS ANOINTED. YOU CAN HAVE WHAT I HAVE, YOU CAN BE WHAT I AM, ALL THE WHILE THEY ARE DEMANDING THE POOREST OF THE POOR TO GIVE THEIR GROCERY MONEY, THEIR LAST DOLLARS, OR FOR THE WEALTHIER, GIVE UNTIL IT HURTS FROM YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, CREDIT CARDS, PLANT A SEED IN MY MINISTRY AND YOU WILL BE HEALED, SAVED, HEALTHY, AND WEALTHY.
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MORE FOUL TO JESUS THAN THOSE WHO SAY, PREACH, AND PROCLAIM THIS. RIGHT HERE, THE LORD JESUS, SPEAKS THE UNSPEAKABLE. HE SAYS MOST VULGARLY AND TRUTHFULLY THAT ALL OF THEIR WORDS ARE MORE FILTHY, FOUL, AND STENCH FILLED THAN THE OLDEST AND CRUDEST OF OUTHOUSES TO OUR JESUS.
Verses 21-22 tells us Jesus is met with a request from a Gentile woman.
"Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
To the region of Tyre and Sidon...
Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities, located some 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. Jesus went all this way to meet this one Gentile woman’s need. This shows remarkable and unexpected love from Jesus to this woman of Canaan.
“Matthew’s used of the old term ‘Canaanite’ shows that he can not forget her ancestry: now a descendant of Israel’s ancient enemies comes to the Jewish Messiah for blessing.”
It was unlikely for Jesus to go to the region of Tyre and Sidon. “At that time, or not much later, Josephus could write: ‘Of the Phoenicians, the Tyrians have the most ill-feeling towards us."
Have mercy on me…My daughter is severely demon-possessed...
This woman came to intercede for her daughter, and she provided a picture of an effective intercessor – her great need taught her how to pray. When she came to Jesus, she made her daughter’s needs her own.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!
This Gentile woman also understood who Jesus was. Many of Jesus’ own countrymen did NOT know who Jesus was, but this woman of Canaan knew.
Perhaps this woman knew that Jesus had healed Gentiles before (Matthew 4:24-25; 8:5-13). Yet what made this encounter unique is that Jesus did those miracles as Gentiles came to Him in Jewish territory. Here, Jesus came to Gentile territory and met this woman.
Verses 23-24 tells us Jesus’ cold response to the request of the Gentile woman.
"But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But He answered her not a word...
Though the Gentile mother interceded for her daughter, Jesus did not immediately give her an encouraging reply. His reticence drew a more energetic and faith-filled response from the Gentile woman.
Send her away, for she cries out after us...
It is likely that the disciples meant, “Send her away by giving her what she wants.” It is entirely possible that they just wanted her to go away, and the easiest way was for Jesus to fix her problem.
Send her away...
“The same verb in Luke 2:29 applies to a dismissal with desire satisfied.”
I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel...
Jesus defined the focus of His mission to His irritated disciples and to the Gentile woman. He made it clear that He was not sent to Gentiles like her.
It is fair to ask whether Jesus meant the lost sheep among the house of Israel, or meant to say that Israel as a whole were lost sheep. Jesus’ instructions to His disciples in Matthew 10:6 (“go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel“) would seem to imply the latter.
Verses 25-27 tells us The Gentile woman’s persistent appeal to Jesus.
"Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
She responded to the rebuff from Jesus with increased dedication to prevail with her request. In so doing, the Gentile woman continued to show what a dedicated intercessor does.
SPURGEON says it well, “I commend this prayer to you because it is such a handy prayer. You can use it when you are in a hurry, you can use it when you are in a fright, you can use it when you have not time to bow your knee. You can use it in the pulpit if you are going to preach, you can use it when you are opening your shop, you can use it when you are rising in the morning. It is such a handy prayer that I hardly know any position in which you could not pray it: ‘Lord, help me.'”
It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs...
Jesus continued to say discouraging things to the woman, yet this was not quite as severe as it might first sound. When Jesus called her one of the little dogs, He used little as a way to soften the harshness of calling her a dog. This softened the traditional Jewish slur towards Gentiles, which called them dogs in the most derogatory sense.
We are at the great disadvantage of not hearing the tone of Jesus’ voice as He spoke to this woman. We suspect that His tone was not harsh; we rather suspect that it was winsome with the effect of inviting greater faith from the woman.
Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table...
The woman responded with great faith. She admitted her low estate, and did not debate the issue when Jesus called her one of the little dogs. She did not demand to be seen as a child; but only to be blessed as a dog.
It was as if she said, “Jesus, I understand that the focus of Your ministry is to the Jews – that they have a special place in God’s redemptive plan. Yet I also understand that Your ministry extends beyond the Jewish people, and I want to be part of that extended blessing.”
Her response is especially meaningful in light of the increasing rejection of Jesus by the Jewish religious leaders. It was as if the woman said, “I’m not asking for the portion that belongs to the children, just the crumbs that they don’t want.” In the flow of Matthew’s gospel, there was more and more that the Jewish religious establishment did not want to receive.
POOLE says it well, "These were two faith-filled words: Yet even. She accepted Jesus’ description and asked for mercy despite it – or perhaps because of it. “She would not give over, though he gave her three repulses. So as she said, like Jacob, I will not let thee go, until thou bless me. And as he, like a prince, so she, like a princess, prevailed with God and obtained the thing which she desired.”
Verse 28 tells us Jesus rewards the great faith of the Gentile woman.
"Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour."
Then Jesus answered...
Finally, the woman will receive an encouraging word from Jesus.
O woman, great is your faith!
Jesus never said this to another person. He complimented the great faith of the Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Matthew 8:10), but He said it to the crowd, not to the centurion directly. This Gentile woman heard it from Jesus directly.
Significantly, the only TWO people to receive this compliment from Jesus were these Gentiles. This shows us that:
1. Great faith may be found in unexpected places – not merely Gentiles, but a centurion and a woman!
2. Great faith is sometimes measured from its disadvantages. Their faith was great because it did not have the advantage of being nourished by the institutions of Judaism.
3. Faith is often greatest when it is expressed on behalf of someone else’s need.
O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire...
1. Her faith AND her persistence was great enough to receive her request – what she desired from Jesus.
2. Her faith was great, even compared to her other virtues. She was humble, she was patient, she was persevering, she cared for her child. Yet Jesus didn’t compliment any of these good things, but only her faith.
3. Her faith was great because it was unlikely. No one might have expected a Gentile to trust Jesus so much.
4. Her faith was great because she worshipped Jesus even before she had an answer from Him.
5. Her faith was great because it had been tested so severely. It’s hard to think of a greater test than a demon-possessed child; but her faith was also tried by the seeming indifference or coldness of Jesus.
6. Her faith was great because it was clever. She turned Jesus’ word inside-out and made what might have been taken as an insult as a door open for faith.
7. Her faith was great because it concerned a need right in front of her, and a real need at that. Many people have faith for everything except those things that are right in front of them.
7. Her faith was great because it would not give up. She did not stop until she got what she needed from Jesus.
8. You could say that her faith conquered Jesus. He not only healed her daughter but He did so immediately, something that she had not even asked for.
AND POWERFULLY AND AMAZINGLY, DID YOU KNOW, We read of nothing else that Jesus did during this time in Tyre and Sidon. It would seem that His ONLY divine appointment was to meet the need of this Gentile woman of faith and her afflicted daughter.
Verses 29-31 tells us Jesus ministers healing to the multitude.
"Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel."
Then great multitudes came to Him...
Though Jesus briefly withdrew from the multitudes, He did not do so permanently. He still had work to do among the great multitudes.
Most commentators believe this marks a unique period in the ministry of Jesus, when He did His healing and providing work in the predominately Gentile region of Galilee. Especially correlating this with Mark 7:31-37, we see that this happened on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, the region known as the Decapolis. As well, the remoteness of the place (in the wilderness, Mathew 15:33) fits better with the eastern side.
“These people were most probably heathen or semi-heathen, gathered from the region of the Decapolis (confirmed in Mark 7:31).”
As Jesus healed and provided for this mixed or predominately Gentile multitude, it showed that the Gentiles in fact were getting more than just a FEW crumbs from the table.
They laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them...
In this incident we read nothing about any faith on the part of those who were healed, except for the fact that they came to Jesus for help.
They glorified the God of Israel...
Even in something as potentially self-promoting as ministry of healing, Jesus always drew attention to God the Father, the God of Israel. This multitude – most likely predominately Gentile – learned to praise the God of Israel.
Verses 32-39 tells us The feeding of the 4,000.
"Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala."
I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way...
This miracle follows the same basic pattern as the feeding of the 5,000, except that it reveals that the disciples were generally as slow to believe as we are (where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?).
Perhaps the disciples had not “expected Jesus to use his Messianic power, when the crowd was a Gentile one.
It is important to see that this is NOT just a retelling of the previous feeding of the 5,000. There are many differences distinguishing this from the prior feeding of the 5,000:
HOW?
1. Different numbers of those being fed.
2. Different locales (on the western and the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee).
3. Different seasons of the year, indicated by no mention of grass in the second account.
4. Different supply of food at the beginning.
5. Different number of baskets holding the leftovers, and even a different word for “baskets” in the second account.
6. Different period of time of waiting for the people (Matthew 15:32).
The disciples gave to the multitude...
Jesus did what only He could do (the creative miracle), but left to the disciples what they could do (the distribution of the meal).
So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left...
At the end of the meal they gather more, not less. The seven large baskets show that God provided out of His abundance.
Those who ate were four thousand men, again Matthew only counted the men, but Jesus saw, counted, considered equal, and provided for them all, which could easily have been 20,000 Gentiles.
The way that the Messiah miraculously fed both Jews and Gentiles was a preview of the great Messianic banquet. This was greatly anticipated among the Jews of Jesus’ day, but they were offended by the idea that Gentiles would also attend.
WE WHO LOVE OUR JESUS, STRIVE TO LOVE ALL OF THOSE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO LOVE OUR JESUS IN THIS LIFE AS WELL. WE WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM SITTING AT THE BANQUET TABLE ONE SWEET DAY WITH OUR JESUS. FOR WE ALL KNOW, THAT WE ALL IN THE BEGINNING, UNWORTHY, CHIEF AMONG SINNERS AS PAUL SAYS, AND AS ISAIAH SAYS, FILTHY RAGS, BEFORE OUR JESUS SAVED US AND MADE US HIS FAMILY!
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MATTHEW 16
OPENS WITH...REVEALING WHO JESUS IS AND WHAT HE CAME TO DO
Verses 1-4 tells us Jesus' Warnings AGAINST The Sadducees and the Pharisees seek a sign from Jesus.
"Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed."
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees...
Their working together showed a deep fear among the religious leaders. AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, DID YOU KNOW THAT...The Sadducees and Pharisees were long-standing enemies. They stood for both beliefs and policies which were diametrically opposed and the fact that they came together against Jesus shows they regarded Him as a serious threat.
WHY?
1. The Pharisees lived according to the smallest points of the oral and scribal law; the Sadducees received only the written words of the Hebrew Scriptures.
2. The Pharisees believed in angels and the resurrection; the Sadducees did not (Paul used this division in Acts 23:6-10).
3. The Pharisees were not a political party and were prepared to live under any government that would leave them alone to practice their religion the way they wanted to; the Sadducees were aristocrats and collaborated with the Romans to keep their wealth and power.
4. The Pharisees looked for and longed for the Messiah; the Sadducees did not.
Yet for all these differences, Jesus brought them together. Not in a good way – they came together in opposition to Jesus, but they came together nonetheless.
And testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven...
Jesus had done many signs and they remained unconvinced. They looked for a sign from heaven such as calling down fire from heaven, preferably against a Roman legion. They said they were not convinced by the signs “on earth” Jesus had already done.
Jesus had already been asked for a sign in Matthew 12:38, and in response He had already pointed them to the sign of Jonah. AND REMEMBER JEWISH Tradition held that a sign done on earth could be a counterfeit from Satan, but signs done from heaven (coming in or from the sky) were assumed to be from God.
The immediate demand of the Jewish leaders for a sign from heaven contrasts sharply with the Gentile crowd’s response to Jesus’ miracles (Matthew 15:31).
Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times...
Jesus condemned their hypocrisy. They felt confident about predicting the weather from the signs they saw around them, but were blind to the signs regarding Jesus’ Messianic credentials right before their eyes.
Jesus wasn’t the only one to notice the hypocrisy in His day. The Jews of Jesus’ day had a proverb saying that if all the hypocrites in the world were divided into ten parts, Jerusalem would contain nine of the ten parts.
You cannot discern the signs of the times...
Jesus said this of the religious leaders of His own day regarding the signs of His first coming. There were prophecies, circumstances, and evidences that should have made it clear to them as signs of the times that the Messiah and come from the Old Testament. Many people today are just as blind to the signs of the times regarding the second coming of Jesus.
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign...
This statement of Jesus reminds us that signs alone convert no one. It is easy to place far too much confidence in signs and wonders as tools to bring people to faith in Jesus.
The problem isn’t that the signs are themselves weak, but that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after them. The Bible gives repeated examples of those who saw remarkable signs, yet did not believe.
No sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah...
Jesus promised a sign that would have power to bring people to faith – His resurrection. He had previously mentioned the sign of the prophet Jonah in Matthew 12:39-41, clearly explaining it as His coming resurrection.
We remember some of the similarities between Jonah and Jesus:
1. Jonah sacrificed himself that others would be saved.
2. Jonah disappeared from all human view in doing this.
3. Jonah was sustained the days when he could not be seen.
4. Jonah came back after three days, as back from the dead.
5. Jonah preached repentance.
Verses 5-12 tells us Jesus cautions the disciples against false teaching.
"Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?; but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees...
After the preceding conflict with the religious leaders, Jesus gave this warning to His disciples, using the metaphor of leaven.
As noted previously in the parable of the leaven (Matthew 13:33), leaven is consistently used as a picture of sin and corruption (especially in the Passover narrative of Exodus 12:8, 12:15-20).
DID YOU KNOW...
It was the Jewish metaphorical expression for an evil influence. To the Jewish mind leaven was always symbolic of evil…leaven stood for an evil influence liable to spread through life and to corrupt it. False doctrine; which is fitly called leaven, because it soureth, swelleth, spreadeth, corrupteth the whole lump, and all this secretly.
It is because we have taken no bread...
This was a strange concern after Jesus had, in the recent past, miraculously fed both crowds exceeding 5,000 and 4,000 men who were counted. The disciples didn’t understand Jesus at all here and His use of leaven as a metaphor.
TRAPP says it well, “Our memories are naturally like hour-glasses, no sooner filled with good instructions and experiments than running out again. It must be our prayer to God that he would put his finger upon the hole, and so make our memories like the pot of manna, preserving holy truths in the ark of the soul.”
Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees...
Jesus impressed the importance of being on guard against false teaching, especially that in the service of religious hypocrisy.
Jesus charged His disciples with three things:
1. Ignorance, because they didn’t understand that He was using material things (leaven) to illustrate spiritual things (the dangerous teachings and practices of the Sadducees and Pharisees).
2. Unbelief, because they were overly concerned with the supply of bread, when they had seen Jesus miraculously provide bread on several previous occasions.
3. Forgetfulness, because they seemed to forget what Jesus had done before in regard to providing bread.
Verse 13 tells us Jesus asks the disciples to tell Him who others say He is.
"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi...
Jesus again withdrew from the mainly Jewish region of Galilee and came to a place more populated by Gentiles.
Caesarea Philippi lies about twenty-five miles [46 kilometers] north-east of the Sea of Galilee…The population was mainly non-Jewish, and there Jesus would have peace to teach the Twelve.
Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?
Jesus did not ask this question because He didn’t know who He was, or because He had an unfortunate dependence on the opinion of others. He asked this question as an introduction to a more important follow-up question.
Caesarea Philippi was an area associated with idols and rival deities. “The area was scattered with temples of the ancient Syrian Baal worship…Hard by Caesarea Philippi there rose a great hill, in which was a deep cavern; and that cavern was said to be the birthplace of the great god Pan, the god of nature…In Caesarea Philippi there was a great temple of white marble built to the godhead of Caesar…It is as if Jesus deliberately set himself against the background of the world’s religions in all their history and splendour, and demanded to be compared to them and to have the verdict given in his favour.
Verses 14-16 tells us A pointed question and a pointed answer.
"So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets...
People who thought that Jesus was John the Baptist, didn’t know much about Him, and they didn’t know that Jesus and John had ministered at the same time. Yet John, Elijah, and Jeremiah (along with other prophets) were national reformers who stood up to the corrupt rulers of their day.
Some thought Jesus was a herald of national repentance, like John the Baptist and some thought Jesus was a famous worker of miracles, like Elijah. Some thought Jesus was someone who spoke the words of God, like Jeremiah and the prophets.
Perhaps in seeing Jesus in these roles, people hoped for a political messiah who would overthrow the corrupt powers oppressing Israel.
DO YOU NOTICE...SADLY I MIGHT ADD, The general tendency in all these answers was to underestimate Jesus; to give Him a measure of respect and honor, but to fall far short of honoring Him for who He really is.
Who do you say that I am?...
It was fine for the disciples to know what others thought about Jesus. But Jesus had to ask them, as individuals, what they believed about Him.
This is the question placed before all who hear of Jesus; and it is we, not He, who are judged by our answer. In fact, we answer this question every day by what we believe and do. If we really believe Jesus is who He says He is, it will affect the way that we live.
You are the Christ, the Son of the living God...
Peter knew the opinion of the crowd – while it was complimentary towards Jesus in the peoples eyes – it was NOT accurate. Jesus was MUCH MORE than John the Baptist or Elijah or a prophet. He was MUCH MORE than a national reformer, MUCH MORE than a miracle worker, MUCH MORE than a prophet. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.
We can surmise that this was an understanding that Peter and the other disciples came to over time. In the beginning, they were attracted to Jesus as a remarkable and unusual rabbi. They committed themselves to Him as His disciples or students, as was practiced in that day. Yet over time Peter – and presumably other of the disciples by this point – understood that Jesus was in fact not only the Messiah (the Christ), but also the Son of the living God.
Peter understood that Jesus was not only God’s Messiah, but also God Himself. The Jews properly thought that to receive the title “the Son of the living God,” in a unique sense, was to make a claim to deity itself.
Verses 17-20 tells us Jesus compliments Peter for His bold and correct declaration.
"Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ."
Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven...
Jesus reveals to Peter that he spoke by divine inspiration, even if he did NOT even know it at the time. In this, Peter was genuinely blessed – both by the insight itself and how it came to him.
We too often expect God to speak in strange and unnatural ways. Here God spoke through Peter so naturally that he did NOT even realize it was the Father who is in heaven that revealed it to him.
I also say to you that you are Peter...
This was not only recognition of Peter’s more Roman name; it was also a promise of God’s work in Peter. The name Peter means “Rock.” Though perhaps unlikely, Peter was a rock, and would become a rock. God was and would transform his naturally extreme character into something solid and reliable.
On this rock I will build My church...
The words this rock have been the source of much controversy. It is best to see them as referring to either Jesus Himself (perhaps Jesus gesturing to Himself as He said this), or as referring to Peter’s confession of who Jesus is.
Peter, by His own testimony, did not see himself as the rock on which the church was founded. He wrote that we are living stones, but Jesus is the cornerstone. We could say that Peter was the “first believer”; that he was the “first rock” among “many rocks.”
CHRISTIANITY, THE BELIEF OF AND IN JESUS CHRIST AS OUR ONLY DOOR, OUR ONLY ROCK, OUR ONLY HOPE, THE SON OF ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR LORD, SAVIOR, MASTER, AND FRIEND, AS GOD'S WORD MADE FLESH IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION AND OUR CORNERSTONE.
SEVERAL RELIGIOSITIES STATE THAT PETER IS THE FOUNDING FATHER OF CHRISTIANITY, THE ROCK, THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. THAT IS A LIE. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ROCK, THE CORNERSTONE, THE FOUNDATION, THE ONLY WAY, THE ONLY TRUTH, AND THE ONLY LIFE.
Peter said as much in 1 Peter 2:4-5: "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
I will build My church...
DID YOU KNOW...This is the FIRST use of the word church in the New Testament (or the Bible for that matter), using the ancient Greek word ekklesia. Significantly, this was well before the beginnings of what we normally think of as the church on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
This shows that Jesus was anticipating or prophesying what would come from these disciples/apostles and those who would believe in their message that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, DID YOU KNOW...
The ancient Greek word ekklesia was NOT primarily a religious word at all; it just meant, “group” or “called-out group.” In describing the later group of His followers and disciples, Jesus deliberately chose a word WITHOUT a distinctly religious meaning.
Furthermore, this statement of Jesus was a clear claim of ownership (My church). The church belongs to Jesus. This was also a claim to deity.
Taken together, Jesus' revelation and promise is wonderful:
1. He brings His people together in common: I will build.
2. He builds on a firm foundation: On this rock I will build.
3. He builds something that belongs to Him: My church.
4. He builds it into a stronghold: the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it...
Jesus also offered a promise – that the forces of death and darkness can NOT AND WILL NOT prevail against or conquer HIS CALLED OUT GROUP...HIS CHURCH.
JESUS DID NOT SAY YOUR OR PETER OR THE DISCIPLES CHURCHES, RELIGIONS, ISMS, ISTS, JESUS SAID MY CHURCH. This is a valuable promise in dark or discouraging times for JESUS' church.
SATAN, THE LOST WORLD, RELIGIOSITIES, SOCIETIES, POLITICALS NOR ALL THE DEMONS OF HELL CAN OR WILL PREVAIL AGAINST JESUS' CALLED OUT GROUP.
(((And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven...)))
This idea of Peter holding the keys of the kingdom of heaven has captured the imagination (and theology) of many throughout the centuries. In artistic representation, Peter is almost always shown with keys.
Some people WRONGLY TEACH, BELIEVE, AND PROCLAIM that this means that Peter has the authority to admit people to heaven, or to keep people out of heaven. This is the basis for the popular image of Peter at the Pearly Gates of Heaven, allowing people to enter or turning them away.
Some people WRONGLY TEACH, BELIEVE, AND PROCLAIM that it also means that Peter was the first Pope, and that his supposed successors have the keys that were first given to Peter. Indeed, the Papal insignia of the Roman Catholic Church is made up of two prominent keys crossed together.
BUT WE WHO HAVE READ AND STUDIED THE BIBLE KNOW THAT THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN MEANS THAT PETER KNEW AND WOULD PREACH JESUS CHRIST AND HIS TEACHINGS, HIS MINISTRY, AND HIS PROPHECIES. THESE ARE THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY KEY. ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE. ONLY JESUS CAN FORGIVE. ONLY JESUS IS THE WORD MADE FLESH.
THESE ARE THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM.
There is no doubt that Peter had a special place among all the disciples, and that he had some special privileges:
1. He is always listed first in the listings of the disciples.
2. He continued to open the doors of the kingdom to the Jews by giving them Jesus Christ in Acts 2:38-39.
3. He also opened doors of the kingdom to the Gentiles in Acts 10:34-44.
Yet we NEED TO REMEMBER ANOTHER FALSE TEACHING OF THAT DAY AND OUR OWN, there is NO Biblical argument whatsoever that Peter’s privilege or authority was passed on. To put it one way; one might say that Jesus gave Peter the keys, but did not give him the authority to pass them on to further generations, and there is not a whisper in the Scriptures that Peter’s authority was to be passed on.
WHY?
The idea that apostolic authority comes from Jesus, who gave it to Peter, who set his hands on the heads of approved and ordained men, who in turn set their hands on the heads of approved and ordained men, and so on and so on through the generations until today is nonsense. It is exactly what Spurgeon said it was: the laying of empty hands on empty heads.
PETER WAS THE HEAD OF THE DISCIPLES AND PETER PREACHED JESUS CHRIST AND HIS WORD, BUT PETER WAS NOT AND DID NOT BECOME JESUS' AUTHORITY AFTER JESUS RETURNED TO HEAVEN.
JESUS HOLY SPIRIT LIVING WITHIN THOSE WHO CALL HIM LORD SAVIOR MASTER AND FRIEND GRANT AUTHORITY AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WILLS IT. JESUS GRANTS AND JESUS CALLS AND JESUS LEADS US THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT AND THROUGH HIS WORD....NOT ANY OTHER. NO MAN, PASTOR, PRIEST, NO RELIGIOSITY, NO IST, NO ISM, JUST JESUS HOLY SPIRIT LIVING WITHIN US.
And whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven...
The power for binding and loosing is something that the Jewish rabbis of that day used. They bound or loosed an individual in the application of a particular point of the law. Jesus promises that Peter – and the other apostles – would be able to set the boundaries authoritatively for the New Covenant community. This was the authority given to the apostles to build a foundation (Ephesians 2:20).
We should understand this as Jesus giving both the permission and the authority to the first-generation apostles to make the FOLLOW THROUGH WITH HIS RULES FOR THE CALLED OUT GROUP, THE CHURCH – and DOWN THROUGH THE AGES WITH THE INSPIRED WORD JESUS GAVE THEM ALL AND COMMANDED THEM ALL TO RECORD AND WRITE FOR THEM AND US TODAY. IN JESUS WE HAVE THE SAME AUTHORITY GIVEN US BY JESUS CHRIST HOLY SPIRIT, NOT MAN.
AND DID YOU KNOW...
BARCLAY tells us, “Binding” and “loosing” were administrative terms in daily Jewish life; whenever a Jew came up against the Law of Moses, that Jewish person was either “bound” or “loosed” in regard to that law. To loose was to permit; to bind was to prohibit. To loose was to free from the law, to bind was to put under the law. “Their regular sense, which any Jew would recognize was to allow and to forbid. To bind something was to declare it forbidden; to loose was to declare it allowed. These were the regular phrases for taking decisions in regard to the law."
In daily Jewish life, this could be rather complicated. Here is one example from ancient rabbinical writings, cited by teacher Mike Russ:
THIS SHOWS US THE RIDICULOUSNESS OF ALL THE JEWISH TRADITIONS AND LAWS ADDED TO GOD'S COMMANDS.
1. If your dog dies in your house, is your house clean or unclean? Unclean.
2. If your dog dies outside your house, is your house clean or unclean? Clean.
3. If your dog dies on the doorstep, is your house clean or unclean? Ancient rabbinical writings took the issue on and decided that if the dog died with his nose pointing into the house, the house was unclean; if the dog died with his nose pointing away from the house, the house was clean.
As their rabbi, Jesus did this binding and loosing for His own disciples. Without using the same words, this is what Jesus did when He allowed them to take the grains of wheat in the field (Matthew 12:1-8).
Significantly, when it came time to understand the dietary laws of the Old Covenant in light of the new work of Jesus, God spoke to Peter first in Acts 10. He and the other apostles, guided by the Spirit of God, would bind and loose Christians regarding such parts of the Old Covenant.
In a lesser, secondary sense, this power is with Jesus' Church today. “Today the Lord continues to back up the teaching and acts of his sent servants, who teach Jesus Word, follow Jesus Word, and proclaim Jesus Word are pieces of the one Rock.
He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ...
Jesus was pleased that His disciples were coming to know who He was in truth, but He still did not YET want His identity popularly known before the proper time.
Verse 21 tells us Jesus begins to reveal the full extent of His mission.
"From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."
He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things…and be killed...
This must have come as quite a shock to His disciples. After fully understanding that Jesus was the Messiah, the last thing they expected was the Messiah would suffer many things and be killed.
Yet this was the predicted work of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:3-12). He must die, and He must after His death be raised the third day.
The suffering and death of Jesus was a must because of two great facts: the man’s sin and God’s love. While His death was the ultimate example of man’s sin against God, it was also the supreme expression of God’s love to man.
And be raised the third day...
The disciples were probably so shocked that Jesus said He would be killed in Jerusalem that these words did NOT sink in. Later, an angel reminded them of these words (Luke 24:6-8).
Verses 22-23 tells us Peter’s unwitting opposition of Jesus.
"Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!...
At this moment Peter had the remarkable boldness to rebuke Jesus. Peter did it privately (took Him aside), yet was confident enough to tell Jesus that He was wrong to consider going to Jerusalem to be killed.
It’s not hard to see Peter following these steps:
1. Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah.
2. Jesus compliments Peter, telling him that God revealed this to him.
3. Jesus tells of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection.
4. Peter feels this isn’t right, and he feels that he hears from God and therefore has some authority or right to speak.
5. Peter begins to rebuke Jesus. ” ‘Began’ suggests that Peter gets only so far before Jesus cuts him off.”
We can infer that if Peter was bold enough to rebuke Jesus, he was confident that God told him that he was right and that Jesus was wrong at this point. Where it all broke down was that Peter was far too confident in his ability to hear from God.
1. What Peter said didn’t line up with the Scriptures
2. What Peter said was in contradiction to the spiritual authority over him
Get behind Me, Satan!...
This was a strong rebuke from Jesus, yet entirely appropriate. Though a moment before, Peter spoke as a messenger of God, he then spoke as a messenger of Satan. Jesus knew there was a satanic purpose in discouraging Him from His ministry on the cross, and Jesus would NOT allow that purpose to succeed.
We can be sure that Peter was NOT aware that he spoke for Satan, just as a moment before he was NOT aware that he spoke for God. It is often much easier to be a tool of God or of the devil than we want to believe.
You are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men...
Jesus exposed how Peter came into this satanic way of thinking. He did NOT make a deliberate choice to reject God and embrace Satan; he simply let his mind, his feelings, his emotions, settle on the things of men instead of the things of God, and Satan took advantage of it.
Peter is a perfect example of how a sincere heart coupled with man’s thinking can often lead to disaster.
Peter’s rebuke of Jesus is an evidence of the leaven mentioned in Matthew 16:6. With his mind on the things of men, Peter only saw the Messiah as the embodiment of power and strength, instead of as a suffering servant. Because Peter could NOT understand nor handle a suffering Messiah, he rebuked Jesus.
Verse 24 tells us Jesus declares His expectation that His followers would follow Him by dying to self.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me”...
This was a word spoken to the disciples of Jesus; to those who genuinely wanted to follow (come after) Him.
Let him deny himself, and take up his cross...
It was bad enough for the disciples to hear that Jesus would suffer, be rejected, and die on a cross. Now Jesus told them that they must be WILLING to do the same thing.
Deny himself, and take up his cross...
Everybody knew what Jesus meant when He said this. Everyone knew that the cross was an unrelenting instrument of death. The cross had no other purpose.
The cross was NOT about religious ceremonies; it was NOT about traditions and spiritual feelings. The cross was a HORRIFIC, CRUEL, AND TORTUOUS way to execute people. EVERY time we see the cross, it should break our hearts and remind us HOW GREAT was Jesus love for the lost, the blind, the rejecting, and those who hated him.
In these twenty centuries after Jesus, we have done a pretty good job in sanitizing and ritualizing the cross. Today, the cross does NOT remind us of what the cross meant in Jesus day. The cross means rejection, nakedness, humiliation, torture, shame, and public ridicule. Yet Jesus said something much like this: “Walk down death row daily and follow Me.” Taking up your cross was not a journey; it was a one-way trip. There was no return ticketing; it was never a round trip.
Deny himself, and take up his cross...
Jesus made deny himself equal with take up his cross. The two express the same idea. The cross was NOT about self-promotion or self-affirmation. The person carrying a cross knew they could NOT save themselves.
Denying self is not the same as self-denial. But we deny self when we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will.
Denying self means to live as an others-centered person. We are to STRIVE to be a selfless servant. That means NOT having ourselves as the focus, but thinking about others. Jesus was the only person to do this perfectly, but we are to follow in His steps (and follow Me). This is following Jesus at its simplest: He carried a cross, He walked down death row; so must those who follow Him.
Human nature wants to indulge self, not deny self. Death to self is always terrible, and if we expect it to be a pleasant or mild experience, we will often be disillusioned. Death to self is the radical command of the Christian life. To take up your cross meant one thing: you were going to a certain death, and your only hope was in resurrection power.
Verses 25-27 tells us The paradox of the cross: finding life by losing it.
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”
Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it...
We must follow Jesus this way, because it is the only way that we will ever find life. It sounds strange to say, “You will never live until you first walk to your death with Jesus,” but that is the idea. You can’t gain resurrection life without dying first to self and the self-centered lost world.
You do NOT lose a seed when you plant it, though it seems dead and buried. Instead, you set the seed free to be what it was always intended to be.
What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Avoiding the walk to SELF death with Jesus means that we may gain the whole world, and end up losing everything.
REMEMBER...Jesus Himself had the opportunity to gain all the world by worshipping Satan (Luke 4:5-8), but He CHOSE life and victory in obedience instead.
Amazingly, the people who live this way before Jesus are the ones who are really, genuinely happy. Giving our lives to Jesus all the way, and living as an others-centered person does not take away from our lives, it adds to it.
He will reward each according to his works...
This ultimate gain is given on this day. If we live life blind to this truth, we really will lose our own soul.
Verse 28 tells us A promise to see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
“Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Some standing here…shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom...
SOME WRONGLY POINT TO THIS AND SAY, JESUS LIED. ALL OF THE DISCIPLES DIED, AND DID NOT LIVE TO SEE THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS.
FOR THE 12 DISCIPLES, THEY ALL, BUT FOR JUDAS, SAW THE RESURRECTED JESUS. WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS A FALLING AWAY OF MANY WHO HAD FOLLOWED JESUS WHEN THEY REALIZED HE WAS NOT THERE TO FREE THEM FROM ROME AT THAT TIME, BUT TO FREE THEM FROM ETERNAL DAMNATION. AND THOSE THAT REMAINED, THEY SAW THE PROMISE REVEALED IN JESUS WALKING WITH THEM AFTER THE CROSS. THEY SAW HIM RETURN TO HEAVEN.
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MATTHEW 17
OPENS WITH...JESUS TRANSFIGURED, TRIUMPHANT, AND TAXED
Verses 1-2 tells us The TRANSFORMATION of Jesus before His disciples.
"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."
Jesus took Peter, James, and John...
Jesus did not invite all the disciples, but only these three. Perhaps Jesus did this to prevent the account of this amazing miracle being told of before the time was right (Matthew 17:9).
Led them up on a high mountain...
There have been several suggestions for the location of the Mount of Transfiguration.
1. Mount Tabor (about 1,900 feet, 580 meters); but it is NOT high, and is NOT on the way from Caesearea Philippi to Capernaum.
2. Mount Hermon (about 9,300 feet, 2,835 meters) is high; but perhaps too high and too cold on its summit, where they seem to have spent the night. It also would not be close to the Jewish crowds that met Jesus immediately on His descent from the mountain (Matthew 17:14, Luke 9:37).
3. Mount Miron (about 3,900 feet, 1,190 meters) was the highest mountain in a Jewish area, and IS on the way between Caesearea Philippi and Capernaum.
BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THIS...IF THAT ACTUAL PLACE WAS IMPORTANT TO US THEN AND NOW, JESUS WOULD HAVE MADE SURE WE KNEW IT. THAT JESUS DID NOT, TELLS US THAT AS USUAL THE EVENT WAS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PLACE.
He was transfigured before them...
The word transfigured speaks of a transformation, not merely a change in outward appearance. The effect was extremely striking; Jesus became so bright in appearance that He was even difficult to look at (like the sun).
“The verb metamorphoo (‘transfigure,’ ‘transform,’ ‘change in form’) suggests a change of inmost nature that may be outwardly visible.”
AND THINK HOW VERY POWERFUL AND STRONG OUR JESUS HAD TO BE TO CONFINE, SHIELD, AND KEEP HIS HEAVENLY GLORY, LIGHT, PURITY FROM SHOWING TO ALL!
AND THINK ABOUT THIS, REMEMBER THE PEOPLE BEGGED MOSES TO COVER HIMSELF AFTER BEING WITH THE LORD ON THE MOUNTAIN, BECAUSE MOSES STILL RADIANTED A BRIGHT, SCARY AND ******* THE EYES GLOW.
Essentially this was not a new miracle, but the temporary cessation of an ongoing one. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying this glory. Yet John said, We beheld His glory. Peter wrote, We were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light...
Jesus has His disciples with Him when He shines in His glory.
REMEMBER JOHN 17:24, "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me."
Verses 3 tells us Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus.
"And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him."
Moses and Elijah...
Remarkably, these two Old Testament persons appeared and spoke with the transfigured Jesus. Moses had lived some 1400 years before; Elijah some 900 years before; yet they were alive and in some sort of resurrected, glorified state.
It is fair to think that these two particular persons from the Old Testament appeared because they represent the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). The sum of Old Testament revelation came to meet with Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration.
We can also say that Moses and Elijah represent those who are caught up to God (Moses at Jude 9 and Elijah at 2 Kings 2:11). More specifically, Moses represents those who die and go to glory, and Elijah represents those who are caught up to heaven without death (as in the rapture described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
AND RIGHT HERE IS THE FIRST PROOF POSITIVE THAT THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND DIE OR ARE CAUGHT UP WITHOUT DEATH IN THIS LIFE, ARE STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE, HAVE BODIES, CONVERSE WITH OUR JESUS, AND REMEMBER TOO, THE DISCIPLES KNEW WHO THEY WERE. IT IS ANOTHER PROOF, THAT ONCE WE ARE IN HEAVEN WITH OUR JESUS...WE WILL KNOW ALL THOSE THERE BY NAME AND THEY WILL KNOW US TOO!
ANOTHER PROOF AND TRUTH GIVEN US HERE IS THAT TIME IS ONLY GIVEN FOR THE EARTH AND MANKIND. THAT TIME AS WE KNOW IT DOES NOT EXIST IN HEAVEN. AND THAT ALL OF THOSE WHO LOVE JESUS AND ARE IN HEAVEN, ALREADY KNEW WHAT OUR JESUS WAS GOING TO DO, FACE, AND OVERCOME. SO THEY NOW KNOW AND UNDERSTAND MOST THINGS INSTANTLY OF THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE. WE WILL NOT KNOW ALL THE THINGS OF THE LORD, BUT WE WILL NO LONGER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ONCE WE WALK THROUGH THE GATES OF HEAVEN, ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE MADE KNOWN TO US IN THE INSTANT WE ARE CHANGED.
AND LET'S FACE IT TOO, THE CONCERNS, THE CARES, AND QUESTIONS IN AND OF THIS WORLD WILL NOT BE IMPORTANT TO US ONCE WE WALK THROUGH THE GATES OF HEAVEN AND WE SEE OUR PRECIOUS JESUS FACE TO FACE.
Talking with Him...
Luke 9:31 tells us the theme of their conversation; they spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. They spoke of the upcoming work of the cross, and presumably of the resurrection to follow.
Verses 4-5 tells us Peter equates Jesus with Moses and Elijah and is dramatically rebuked by a voice from the cloud of God’s glory.
"Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah...
RIGHT HERE WE LEARN WORDS MATTER TO GOD.
NOW Mark 9:6 and Luke 9:33 point out that Peter did NOT know or realize what he was saying when he said this. Though said without careful thought, the effect of his words put Jesus on an equal level with Moses and Elijah, building equal shrines for each of them.
MANY RELIGIONS POINT TO THE FIRST PART OF THIS SCRIPTURE, AS PROOF THAT MOSES AND ELIJAH ARE EQUAL TO AND SHOULD BE EQUALLY HONORED AS JESUS. BUT AS USUAL, THOSE THAT CHERRY PICK PARTS AND PARCELS OF SCRIPTURE INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY GIVE FALSE TEACHINGS.
A bright cloud overshadowed them...
This is the cloud of God’s glory, called the shekinah in the Old Testament. From this cloud of glory, God the Father spoke.
SPURGEON reminds us, “When God The Father draws near to man it is absolutely necessary that his glory should be veiled. No man can see his face and live. Hence the cloud, in this instance, and in other cases.”
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!
The Father, from heaven, rebuked Peter’s attempt to put Jesus on an equal footing with Moses and Elijah – and while he was still speaking. It was important to interrupt Peter, so that all would know that Jesus is unique and the beloved Son – He deserves our special attention, so Hear Him!
AND WE KNOW that everything that the Father said IS CONFIRMED IN OTHER Scriptures.
1. In Psalm 2:7, the Father says to the Son: You are my Son.
2. In Isaiah 42:1, the Father says to the Son that He is One in whom My soul delights.
3. In Matthew 12:18 quotes the passage: in whom My soul is well pleased!
4. In Deuteronomy 18:15, God the Father says through Moses the prophet about the coming Jesus, Him you shall hear.
SPURGEON says it well, “The occasion was most august, yet no better words are needed by the Lord himself concerning his own Son than those recorded in former ages in the pages of Holy Writ…So that this voice of the Lord utters three Bible words, and surely if the Lord speaks in the language of Scripture, how much more should his servants? We preach best when we preach the word of God.”
This is another development of the significant theme in Matthew of the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. With these words from heaven, God the Father clearly set Jesus above the Law and the Prophets. He is not merely another or even a better lawgiver or prophet. Jesus is the only begotten Son. The ULTIMATE law giver. The ULTIMATE prophet from God the Father.
SPURGEON again says it well, “If the Father says, ‘This is my Son,’ observe the graciousness of our adoption! With such a Son the Lord had no need of children. He did not make us his children because he needed sons, but because we needed a father.”
Hear Him!
If we should listen to anyone, we should listen to Jesus. One would think that a voice from heaven would say, “Listen to me!” But the Father said, “Hear Him!” Everything points us TO Jesus.
Verses 6-8 tells us The disciples react with a holy fear.
"And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."
They fell on their faces and were greatly afraid...
They did NOT fall on their faces when they saw Jesus transfigured; NOT when His face shone like the sun; NOT when His clothes became as white as the light; NOT when Moses and Elijah appeared with Him; NOT when Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus; and NOT even when the cloud of glory appeared and overshadowed them. But when the disciples heard the voice OF OUR MIGHTY FATHER GOD from heaven, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
Arise, and do not be afraid...
The disciples were once again uniquely in awe of Jesus. This helps explain the purpose of the Transfiguration: to reassure the disciples that Jesus was the Messiah, even if He would indeed be crucified as He had so surprisingly revealed.
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only...
It is significant that their entire focus was forced upon Jesus once again. The cloud was gone; Moses had left, and Elijah had disappeared.
SPURGEON says, “At this day, my brethren, we have no Master but Christ; we submit ourselves to no vicar of God; we bow down ourselves before no great leader of a sect, neither to Calvin, nor to Arminius, to Wesley, or Whitfield. ‘One is our Master,’ and that one is enough, for we have learned to see the wisdom of God and the power of God in Jesus only.”
Verses 9-13 tells us The problem of Elijah coming first.
"Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist."
Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead...
Wisely, Jesus told the disciples to not speak of the transfiguration until after His resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus was the final confirmation of His ministry and glory; until then, reports of the transfiguration would be more likely to test the faith of those who did not see it rather than strengthen their faith.
Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?
The disciples had heard that Elijah must come, according to the promise of Malachi 4:5: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
Their question may go like this: “Jesus, we know that Elijah comes first before the Messiah. We know You are the Messiah, yet we just saw Elijah, and it seems that he came after You.”
Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things...
Jesus reassured the disciples that Elijah would indeed come first. But the first coming of Jesus did not bring the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Instead, the Malachi 4:5 coming of Elijah is probably best identified with the appearance of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-13, and then the Second Coming of Jesus, when Jesus does once again step down on the earth on Mount Zion.
We know the difference, The Rapture of the Church happens before the Tribulation begins, and at that time, those who love Jesus Christ the dead bodies, as well the living, will be caught up to MEET Jesus in the clouds. Jesus does NOT step down on earth again until the end of the Great Tribulation.
And most believe from these scriptures here, in Malachi, and other places that Moses and Elijah will be the TWO witnesses of the Great Tribulation.
But I say to you that Elijah has come already...
Yet there was also a sense in which Jesus could rightly say “Elijah has come already.” Elijah had arrived in the work of John the Baptist, who ministered in Elijah’s spirit and power (confirmed to us also in Luke 1:17).
This is evident from a comparison of the life and work of both Elijah and John the Baptist.
1. Elijah was noted as being full of zeal for God; so was John the Baptist.
2. Elijah boldly rebuked sin in high places; so did John the Baptist.
3. Elijah called sinners and compromisers to a decision of repentance; so did John the Baptist.
4. Elijah attracted multitudes in his ministry; so did John the Baptist.
5. Elijah attracted the attention and fury of a king and his wife; so did John the Baptist.
6. Elijah was an austere man; so was John the Baptist.
7. Elijah fled to the wilderness; John the Baptist also lived there.
8. Elijah lived in a corrupt time and was used to restore failing spiritual life; so was it true of John the Baptist.
Verses 14-16) tells us Jesus casts out a demon too tough for the disciples to handle.
"And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
Have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic...
This particular boy’s epileptic symptoms were demonic in origin (Matthew 17:18), though this certainly could not be said about every case of epileptic symptoms, either then or today. The narrative in Mark 9:14-29 tells us that the boy was made deaf and dumb by this demon as well.
BARCLAY tells us something interesting here, “Matthew describes the boy by the verb "seleniazesthai", which literally means to be moonstruck.”
AND REMEMBER TOO...“When Moses came down from the mountain he was confronted by Israel’s apostasy (Exodus 32); so on Jesus’ return from the mountain he enters a scene of spiritual conflict and unbelief.”
So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him...
Sometimes Jesus’ followers fail, but Jesus NEVER does. The man was wise for going straight to Jesus when His followers failed.
BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER SOMETHING HERE...On previous occasions, the disciples did cast out demons (Luke 10:17). Yet here they could not cure him.
WHY?
This is because there ARE ranks of demonic powers (Ephesians 6:12), and evidently some demons are stronger (more stubborn, resistant) than others. Since the disciples had been given the authority to cast out demons before (Matthew 10:8), apparently this demon was more difficult than most.
Their failure was in fact good for them. Their failure taught them.
1. It taught them NOT to get into a rut of mechanical ministry.
2. It taught them the great superiority of Jesus.
3. It taught them to wish for the presence of Jesus.
4. It taught them to come to Jesus with the problem.
Verses 17-21 tells us Jesus EASILY casts the demon out.
"Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?...
There is a sense that Jesus is frustrated with His disciples. His season of ministry before the cross was coming to an end, and perhaps He felt frustration that the disciples did not have more faith.
Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him...
Jesus delivered the demon-possessed boy instantly. What was too hard for the disciples was not too hard for Jesus.
Because of your unbelief...
Jesus laid the inability of the disciples to cast out the demon at their unbelief. To be successful in a battle against demons, there must be trust in the Lord God who has complete authority over the demons.
CLARKE says it well, "There was no point in blaming the boy or his father or the demon, though the demon was strong and had been there long. The fault lay in the disciples. “When the ministers of the Gospel find their endeavours, with respect to some places or persons, ineffectual, they should come, by private prayer, to Christ, humble themselves before him, and beg to be informed whether some evil in themselves have not been the cause of the unfruitfulness of their labours.”
If you have faith as a mustard seed...
The faith that we must have has more to do with what kind of faith it is than with how much faith there is. A small amount of faith, as small as a mustard seed (a very small seed), can accomplish great things if that small amount of faith is placed in the great and mighty God.
This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting...
We show our faith in and reliance on God through prayer and fasting. It displays an occupation with and dependence on Jesus.
Great prayer and fasting also display earnestness before God that brings answer to prayer. We often pray dispassionately, almost asking God to care about things we care little or nothing about.
Prayer and fasting demonstrate:
1. Great willingness to identify with the afflicted person.
2. Great appreciation of the strength of the demonic world.
3. Great dependence upon Jesus.
4. Great desire to fight and sacrifice for the sake of deliverance.
Verses 22-23 tells us Jesus reminds His disciples about His future sufferings.
"Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful."
The Son of Man is about to be betrayed...
Though they were frequent, these reminders about Jesus’ suffering and resurrection were disbelieved and forgotten by the disciples until after His resurrection (confirmed in Luke 24:6-8).
And the third day He will be raised up...
Jesus rarely told His disciples about His coming death without also telling of His coming resurrection. We know that the disciples did NOT really comprehend the glorious triumph of the resurrection, because they were exceedingly sorrowful.
Verses 24-26 tells us Time to pay the temple tax.
"When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.”
Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?
This was a normal tax or fee applied to every Jewish man. Faithful Jewish men paid this obligation; others sought to escape the responsibility.
FRANCE tells us some interesting things of the time:
1. “It was, however, also a matter of controversy, as the Sadducees disapproved of the tax, and the men of Qumran paid it only once in a lifetime.”
2. “Payment could be made in person at the Passover festival in Jerusalem…but collections were made in other areas and abroad a month earlier. This incident therefore takes place about a month before Passover.”
3. “After ad 70, when the temple was destroyed, the Romans diverted this tax to the temple of Jupiter in Rome, after which it ceased to be a matter of patriotism and became a symbol of their subjection to a pagan power; the fact that the story is nonetheless recorded is one of the incidental indications that Matthew’s Gospel should be dated before ad 70.”
From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?
Peter gave the quick and natural answer to this question. But then Jesus explained that He is not liable to pay this tax, because the Father does NOT require it of His own Son.
FRANCE again tell us, “Rabbis were exempt from paying this tax, and so were the priests in Jerusalem; would Jesus claim a similar exemption? The question assumes that he does pay regularly, and Peter agrees.”
Verse 27 tells us Jesus pays the tax anyway, and by miraculous provision.
“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Nevertheless, lest we offend them...
Jesus was not obligated to pay this tax under the principle He had just discussed with Peter; that as a son, not a servant, He did not have to pay this temple tax. Yet Jesus also recognized the importance of avoiding needless controversy, and so was willing to pay the tax so as to not offend those who questioned.
BARCLAY tells us, Jesus use of the Greek word "skandalizein" leads Barclay to write: “Therefore Jesus is saying: ‘We must pay so as not to set a bad example to others. We must not only do our duty, we must go beyond duty, in order that we may show others what they ought to do.”
Cast in a hook...
Peter was a professional fisherman who used nets, not a hook and a line. It must have humbled Peter to fish in this manner, and we can imagine that he hoped none of his other fishermen friends saw him trying to catch one fish at a time.
Take that and give it to them for Me and you...
Jesus trusted in the miraculous provision of God. It’s not everyday – or any day – that someone catches a fish and takes a coin out of its mouth. But Jesus used God’s provision to pay His taxes.
Yet He did pay for Peter; as a foreshadow of the work of redemption for all men. Jesus, who did not actually owe the price, paid it nevertheless – and at the same time, with the same price, paid for Peter as well.
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MATTHEW 18
OPENS WITH...OPENS WITH...QUALITIES AND ATTITUDES OF KINGDOM CITIZENS
DID YOU KNOW…
Among the separatist community at Qumran – those who kept the Dead Sea Scrolls, later discovered in the 20th Century – there was a “Manual of Discipline” (known as 1QS by scholars). Some people think Matthew 18 is an early church version of a “Manual of Disciple.” Yet there is a great difference between Matthew 18 and what the Essenes of Qumran had. The Manual of Discipline was religious leader created and did not mirror Jesus' teachings here in Matthew 18. Their Manual of Disciple dealt with many legalism specific rules. So while this document is ancient, it is NOT Jesus inspired. Matthew 18 Jesus deals with principles and attitudes that should mark His people as they get along with each other.
The heart of a child and care for God’s little ones.
Verse 1 tells us The disciples ask a question.
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Who then is greatest...
The disciples were often concerned about the question of greatness. They seem to ask this question thinking that Jesus has already chosen one of them as greatest, or as if they wanted Jesus to decide among them.
We can imagine the disciples arguing amongst themselves about which one was the greatest (as they did in Luke 22:46 and other places), and then saying, “Let’s let Jesus settle this.”
SPURGEON says it well, “Jesus spoke of his abasement, they thought of their own advancement; and that ‘at the same time‘.”
Is greatest in the kingdom of heaven...
The disciples wanted to know who would hold the highest position in the administration Jesus would soon establish.
The disciples who asked the question are focused firstly on self, secondly who is the greatest, and third what high rank they would hold on Jesus' earthly reign. They still do not realize that Jesus did not come this time to rule and reign the world, but He came to teach The Bible truths, correct the false teachers, priests, religions, and politicals and Jesus came to seek and eternally offer salvation to save ALL mankind, Jew and Gentile alike.
TRAPP says it well, “They doubtless fancied a temporal kingdom of the Messiah, in which places would be bestowed. “They dreamt of a distribution of honours and offices, a worldly monarchy, like the kingdoms of the earth.”
Verses 2-4 tells us Jesus sets a child as an example of humility.
"Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus called a little child to Him...
Jesus might have answered the question, “who is the greatest?” by pointing to Himself. Instead, Jesus drew their attention to His nature by having them look at a child as an example.
The fact that the child came when Jesus called says something about Jesus. He was the sort of man that children would come to willingly.
It also tells us something about Peter. If Peter really was to be regarded as the first pope in the way Popes are regarded by Roman Catholic theology and history, Jesus should have declared that Peter was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven...
This was probably a great disappointment to the disciples. They knew that in that day, children were regarded more as property than individuals. It was understood that they were to be seen and not heard. Jesus said we have to take this kind of humble place to enter the kingdom, much less be the greatest in the kingdom.
FRANCE tells us more, “A child was a person of no importance in Jewish society, subject to the authority of his elders, not taken seriously except as a responsibility, one to be looked after, not one to be looked up to.”
Children are not threatening...
we aren’t afraid of meeting a five-year-old in a dark alley. When we have a tough, intimidating presence, we aren’t like Jesus.
Children are not good at deceiving;
they are pretty miserable failures at fooling their parents. When we are good at hiding ourselves and deceiving others, we aren’t like Jesus.
CARSON says it well, “The child is held up as an ideal, not of innocence, purity, or faith, but of humility and unconcern for social status.”
Jesus knew that we must be converted to be like little children. It isn’t in our nature to take the low place and to humble ourselves.
Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom...
Jesus then addressed the issue of greatness. When we most fulfill the humble place a child had in that culture, we are then on our way to greatness in His kingdom.
FRANCE says,“Humbles himself does not refer to arbitrary asceticism or a phoney false modesty…but the acceptance of an inferior position (as Jesus did, Philippians 2:8, where the same phrase is used).”
SPURGEON says, “Children do not try to be humble, but they are so; and the same is the case with really gracious persons. The imitation of humility is sickening; the reality is attractive.”
We know that one Man was actually the greatest in the kingdom: Jesus Christ. This means that Jesus Himself was humble like a little child. He wasn’t concerned about his own status. He didn’t have to be the center of attention. He could not deceive, and He didn’t have an intimidating presence.
Verses 5-6 tells us Woe to the one who causes one of these to stumble!
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me...
Since the nature of Jesus is like one of these little children, how we treat those who are humble like children shows what we think of the nature of Jesus.
It is easy to actually despise the humble. They are the losers; the kind who will never make it in our competitive and aggressive and get-ahead world. Yet when we despise humble people, we also despise Jesus.
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin...
Jesus takes it seriously when one of His little ones is led into sin. “Little ones” does not only mean children, but those who humble themselves as children in the manner Jesus described.
It is a