It seems the Jews were looking for a messiah who would crush the Romans so when Jesus came riding on the foal of a donkey, he did not fit the image of the hoped for conquerer and many did not understand his message. On the other hand, when he comes again, there will be no misunderstanding; Matthew 13:29 "... first, gather the Tares and bind them in bundles to burn them." - evil will be crushed and those who believe will be saved.
Shabbat Saturday was the Jewish weekly day of rest but over time many rules and regulations were attached to it; rules for cooking and driving and shopping to name only a few of the 39 categories. Many of those rules were adopted by Christians; when I was young, only very essential stores would stay open on Sunday and if you cut your grass, the noise it made was considered rude by the neighbors, but Jesus reminded us that it was to be a day of rest, not a day confining restrictions.
As we continued to study Matthew 11, we read (11:19) "...but wisdom is proved right by her deeds" So unusual to refer to wisdom as HER at a time in history when women were at best second class citizens. This fascinating reference can also be seen in Proverbs 8.
We also talked about the mind set that made people view everything negatively, much like today, they had become jaded. As Jesus said (Matthew 18:3) you have to accept him as a child not as someone who thinks they are clever.
John the Baptist was languishing in prison and wanted to be sure the Messiah had come and Jesus sent word to reassure him, pointing out that John (essentially as Elijah) had fulfilled the scriptures forecasting the Messiah's coming.
Jesus said that the greatest on earth wasn't as great as the least in heaven. Heaven is populated by God/Christ, the beings God created (i.e. angels and the archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel), those who were chosen (like Moses) and those who will be born again; this could suggest at least five levels in heaven. I wouldn't want to guess which Jesus meant when he spoke of "the least in heaven," but a ranking is suggested.
MATTHEW 10:34 CONFLICT: While in Jesus' day the spiritual conflict was between Christians and every other religion or lack of belief, now conflict exists within the faith as many Christian churches are driven by rules made by men instead of the fundamentals Christ instructed us to follow. Pick your church carefully.
MATTHEW 10:34 CONFUSION: There was also discussion today about Christ saying that he didn't come to bring peace vs. a previous verse (Matthew 5:9) wherein he said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." If you consider that a Peacemaker is someone who reconciles sinners to God, there is no confusion; Jesus came to make us choose and the peacemakers help people choose God.
MATTHEW 10:40 REWARDS: The rewards mentioned for various acts of faith made us wonder how there could be different rewards in heaven, yet we were reminded of Matthew 11:11 wherein Jesus says that though John the Baptist was the greatest man born of woman, "The least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him." This does seem to support the idea of different levels in heaven. More to follow on this subject.
The French mathematician, Blaise Pascal, described a person's belief in God as a life-defining gamble with the odds in favor of believers. When you share the word and it is not accepted, we are advised by Jesus not to argue but to just "...leave shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them (Mark 6:11)." While we aren't advised to try to convince someone to listen, I find that telling them, "If I'am wrong, no problem; if you're wrong you'll have a very big problem" at least gives them something to think about.
Our members observed that times seem to be changing in that believers are becoming more public about their convictions and those that don't believe seem to feel the need to openly attack those that do.
Matthew 10:29 Makes reference to God's will controlling the fate of even a sparrow and yet it is clear that we, the Chosen, have free will; we can accept Christ or not. There would be no point in God creating robots to worship him. The question remains; however, does God know in advance who will be wise enough to accept Christ? In Romans 8:29-30 Paul says "those God foreknew he also predestined to be confirmed to the image of his Son," which says God knows who will accept Christ and if you do you are predestined to be like Jesus. Our discussion today wasn't about Predestination, wherein God decides who will accept Christ, we were talking about God knowing in advance who will accept Christ of their own free will. There are many references in the bible to The Chosen, but that can be interpreted as those chosen to receive the word. Part of our group believes God knows everything and therefore knows who is going to accept Christ, others in the group felt that assuming God knows what choice we will make, undermines human responsibility and challenges the concept of free will but either way, one thing is certain, Christ said if you believe, you are saved, and Christ does not lie and if you believe, you are going to try to do what God wants you to do even if you thought he already knew what you would do. If you think that declaring your belief in Christ will protect you from premeditated sinning, you don't really believe in him.
While you must never deny Christ, he advised us to be "wise as serpents" and if you are persecuted in a city, "flee to another." We are not required to dare others to retaliate against us or even push the gospel when it is not well received; "shake off the dust of your feet" and take the word someplace else.
Of special interest in Matthew 10 is Jesus' instructions to his disciples to move on if those with whom they share the word aren't interested. It is tempting to argue with unbelievers to try to make your case - to try to save them in spite of themselves; on the other hand, there are so many easy targets - those in need, in pain, in poor heath, in danger... the list goes on. When you approach someone it doesn't take much effort to determine that they are stuggling and will welcome your prayers.
Today we read in Matthew about the Pharisees' refusal to accept Christ even though they witnessed miracles; we were reminded of Matthew 9:16 and the parable of old wines skins. It is difficult to convert people to Christ who have an old religion or tradition in their culture and especially if they are convinced of their own wisdom and understanding. Perhaps that's why so many gentiles have accepted Christ; 31.6% of the world's population is now Christian and only 0.2% are Jewish and 25.8% are Muslim, 15.11% are Hindu and 6.6% are Buddhists...We have a long way to go to save the world.
Today we discussed the power of faith as it was exhibited by Christ bringing back a twelve year old girl to life and curing a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. One of our members pointed out that the faith was exhibited both in the high ranking ruler, the father of the little girl, and the "unclean" women, who was at the bottom of the social ladder. In Matthew 21:21 we can read that Jesus said if we have faith and do not doubt we can move a mountain and in Mark 11:24 Christ said, "...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." So easy and so hard; all you need to have is faith.
We accept Christ and our sins are forgive and yet we go on sinning; we now feel bad about it but we still do it. The question arrises, THOUGH YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST DO YOU STILL PAY SOME PRICE FOR CONTINUING TO SIN, perhaps an ailment or misfortune. While Christ cured a man at the Pool of Bethesda and later said to him (John 5:14): "...Sin no more lest, a worse thing come upon you," he also cured a man blind from birth but when asked who's sin caused his blindness, he said (John 9:3): "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." Most of our group felt that our continuing to sin did not cause afflictions but some of the group had trouble accepting that there were no penalties for continuing to sin.
We started the new year off by discussing the Roman Centurion's faith in Jesus; Matthew 8:8. It reminded us of Jesus' parable about wine skins, Mark 2:22; "You can't put new wine in old wine skins..." Some of us felt that was a reference to teaching Jews (old wine skins) who had so many man made rules that they struggled to accept Christ vs. the Centurion (a Gentile), who had few preconceptions to overcome and accepted Christ with faith and Jesus said, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith" This would seem to set the stage for millions of Gentiles accepting Christ while Israel still struggles.
Continuing to study Matthew 8 wherein we see Jesus telling those who say they want to follow him that perhaps it would be harder than than they think as they would have to put Christ before their family responsibilities. This same message can be found in Matthew 13 wherein Christ describes the many situations and events that can block your faith and your salvation. Given that no one but God is perfect, we know that we can only be saved through God's mercy, not by any action we take or fail to take.
If God wanted to, he could make us all worship him but worship is pointless unless it is voluntary so Jesus told us what to do and, being advised to forsake this World, we did so and are saved; yet many things puzzle us - why do little children and Christians come to harm? All we can do, as one of our members pointed out, is believe Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Also some pain is explained in verses like John 9:3 "...this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." What complicates our group's evaluation of events is the Book of Job wherein we learn that Satan cannot harm us unless God allows it. Is all the pain and discomfort a test or a way of encouraging us to not love this world? We do take comfort from Matthew 9:20-22 wherein A woman touches Jesus and is healed and he says something we all need to remember: "Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you." Perhaps we should have more faith in Jesus and less in doctors.
We discussed Jesus not only curing the Centurion's servant but pointing out to those around him that the Centurion had more faith than the Jews and that the Jews were at risk of not being able to enter heaven. What makes this a prelude to Jesus accepting the Gentiles is that this Centurion of extraordinary faith was a Gentile, and his servant was healed at a distance - this was the first instance of someone being healed without coming into physicals contact with Jesus. This story of the healing in Capernaum is also told in Luke 7 with the variation that the Centurion asked Jewish elders to make the request for him.
We discussed false prophets and how to identify them. One of our members described ways to know you are dealing with a false prophet including that they teach a doctrine other than Christ, their behavior isn't Christian, and (most important), they forcaste things that don't come to pass. Some use tricks to get your attention (Matthew 24:23-25) and some try to divide the congregation (Romans 16:17-18).
We also discussed our continuing to sin even after we believe and are saved. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess ours sins, he will forgive us or, as one member so succinctly put it, "We continue to sin but we feel bad about it and repent."
We discussed God's promise to answer our prayers. The group felt that while you could pray for anything we should, like Solomon (1 Kings 3:11), ask for wisdom rather than wealth. Even Christ said, (Matthew 6:8), that we need not ask for material things, "God knows what we need."
We reviewed Matthew 7:1-5 today and were in agreement that it meant we are not better than anyone else, "no one is without sin" and we are; therefore, not in a position to judge anyone else's morality. Verse 7:6 was a little more difficult. It is clear that you shouldn't waste the word on anyone who isn't going to even consider it, but how do you know who will be receptive? Perhaps you can approach everyone and anyone and turn away if you get a disrespectful (disrespectful of God) rejection. One of our members also suggested that the Holy Spirit may guide you concerning who will not be receptive to the Lord's message.
Matthew 6 continued - God wants us to focus on him, not on earthly things and don't worry about those earthly needs and desires, if you believe in God, he will take care of you.
In Matthew 9:14 and 2 Samuel 12:22 we discover that fasting can be a form of mourning. We discussed fasting and agreed that it was not required but it is beneficial; however, as Jesus pointed out, it needs to be done discreetly. The Jewish Pharisees did it to be revered by the people but if you want to be revered by God, is must be done without fanfare. You need not give up food to honor God, you can give up anything that you will miss to honor God. Similarly when you contribute to charity and the church, don't advertise it as pointed out in Luke 18. Interesting to note that in Malachi 3:10 we learn that the Lord said to test him concerning tithing and see if you don't gain from it.
We reviewed the Lords Prayer and agreed that it is not to be a mantra or a chant but rather a guide to praying. Each of our members had their own ideas about how to be guided. One member felt that it simply ment that you should:
Honor God
Thank God
Ask God for Forgiveness
Ask God for Guidance
There was considerable debate concerning Matthew 6:13 "...lead us not into temptation..." Some felt it suggested that God might lead us into temptation but other passages in the Bible suggest that God wouldn't do that. On the other hand the Greek translation could be read as "... please don't test us..." or allow us to be tested - as in the case of Job. This view seemed to meet with some agreement.
Christ gave specific instructions on how to pray (Matthew 6:5); pray in private essentially praising God, thanking him for your existence and sustenance, remembering to forgive your enemies, and asking God to protect you from your own tendency to do evil and from the evil one but never forget that God's will is paramount; even Christ, when he prayed to God to "let this cup pass from me,'' added "yet not my will but yours be done." Further, it is pointed out in Luke 18:1-8 that we must persist; keep honoring, keep praying, keep thanking God for all that he does for you and has promised to do for you. When a situation arises that makes it appropriate to pray in front of others, as when we are in church or in a restaurant thanking God for a meal in public, be sure of your motivation; we pray to honor God, not to look pious.
It is clear that bragging about your charitable giving is a bad idea yet last week we read in Matthew 5:16 that we are to "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works..." Our group felt that the key to understand this possible conflict was motive; why are you showing others what you are doing?
Charitable giving is a very interesting Christian duty and, unlike other Christian activities, it is the only one about which God said to put him to the test and that if you did it you would be rewarded now - Malachi 3:10 "...And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need" So give and you will receive.
We also discussed why bad things happen to good people and essentially determined that if you are a believer, you know better and just as it is said in Like 12:47 "...and that servant who knows his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." More stripes than the non-believer who didn't know what he was supposed to do. As Christians, more is expected of us.
We discussed Jesus' requirements exceeding the directions of the old testament. He wasn't refuting the old testament, he was adding to it; creating the next step in our behavior - See Matthew 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement' but I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment."
Matthew 5:38-42 is hard to understand, no one wants to be a coward and let someone slap them around but perhaps this verse shouldn't be taken literally and it means that you should tolerate an insult a "slap in the face." Next, if someone is suing you, perhaps you have done something wrong and it would be best to settle out of court. Verse 41 talks about being compelled or forced to help someone; you should volunteer to help them more than they ask. The last one is the easiest, if someone wants to borrow from you, give to them.
Matthew 5:38 References Exodus 21 (an eye for an eye...) which means you should not receive compensation more than your actual loss but Jesus said you shouldn't ask for any compensation.
Matthew 5:38 also tells us that Jesus said not to resist evil; "turn the other cheek." We discussed when "enough is enough" and we essentially agreed that we should act to defend others if not ourselves. We also considered Israels recent response to Gaza's attack. More than 12,000 people have been killed in Gaza; is that revenge or a deterrent and if it is a deterrent, what does the Bible say about deterrents?
Jesus said that lusting after a woman was the same as adultery; we puzzled about Jesus suggesting it would be better to gouge out an eye than to got to Hell. Our Ed Grant suggested that the metaphor means no sacrifice is too great to avoid your total destruction; to keep you from Hell.
We also discussed Jesus having said not to swear by anything; ie "I swear to God." We should just answer yes or no. Bartt Stevens pointed out the there are events such as being sworn in to testify in court which are really just ritual and that concerning all these things, admiring women or taking an oath, we are judged bases on our objective or motive - there is a difference between admiring and lusting and a difference between swearing by something vs. just complying with an accepted protocol.
We also discussed sin in general and agreed that all sins are equal. A person who, for example, has committed adultery can hardly look down on someone who is actively gay.
We discussed the difference between MURDER AND KILLING. For example, are soldiers damned for KILLING the enemy; is it MURDER? Our conclusion was that the difference is in motive. Have you KILLED to defend your family; that isn't murder. Exodus 22:2 says: "If the thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dieth, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him." The issue comes from the King James translation which reads: "...thou shalt not kill." This was later changed in the New King James version to "thou shalt not murder."
We discussed Jesus' reference to salt and, among other things, felt that it referred to being an active Christian rather than a bland Christian. We also discussed the Bible's reference to showing your Christianity to the world which seemed at odds with passages that say you should not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing and yet Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men..." - like so many things in the world, it is all about your motivation. When you pray in a restaurant before you eat are you wanting people to see how great you are or how humble you are.
