Matthew Refresher (Ch. 10)
When we concluded chapter 9 and entered into chapter 10 we realized that the disciples were the answer to their own prayer. They asked God to raise up laborers in his harvest and he did by calling them into the harvest. Jesus has been preparing them for their work through modeling a ministry of word and works. He promises help in their time of need. They are to proclaim the message of the kingdom and to heal. It will be a journey through many hardships. The first portion of chapter 1o is filled with their immediate struggles. The latter portion of chapter 10 seems much more...
Read MoreMatthew Refresher (Ch. 8-9)
Chapters 1-4, are an introduction to the main character of the gospel of Matthew, the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew carefully reveals how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. At the very end of chapter 4, Jesus ministry is summarized by his teaching and his miracles (words and works). The Sermon on the Mount (ch 5-7), probably the most quoted sermon in history, ends with the crowds being astonished by his authority. In chapter 8-9, we see the Lord Jesus authority over disorder(wind and sea), disease, demons, and death. These miracles reveal that their is...
Read MoreMatthew Refresher (Ch. 7)
Chapter 7 of Matthew ends Christ’s Sermon on the Mount and His first main body of teaching. Remember that the chapter divisions are (somewhat) arbitrary, and thus the beginning of this chapter is merely a continuation of the last. Christ is noting the contrast between intentions of the heart and our outward behaviors. The chapter begins with what has become the mantra of wayward American Christianity: “You can’t judge me!” Jesus’ commands against judgment are often misunderstood as an overarching condemnation of one’s right to “judge.” Perhaps a better way to...
Read MoreMatthew Refresher (Ch. 6)
Matthew 6 continues Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Here Christ moves from His explanation of the Law to a series of ethical commands. Chapter 6 is a series of contrasts, the first three drawing a strong distinction between righteous deeds which are done for men and righteous deeds which are done for God. As in Matthew 5, the emphasis is not primarily on a person’s behavior, but instead on his intentions. Jesus cares about the heart. Anyone, He claims, can demonstrate outward signs of righteousness. The true mark of a “Christ-follower” (forgive my use of a term usually relegated...
Read MoreMatthew Refresher (Ch. 5)
Matthew 5 marks the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, the first of five “discourses” in the book of Matthew. The Sermon is also the beginning of a section of Matthew where we are offered a comprehensive view of Jesus’ ministry. He is teacher in the Sermon and then turns his focus to demonstrating how His teaching radically informs our behavior and should motivate us to follow Him. If you will remember from our earlier treatment of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus ascends a mountain in order to teach, demonstrating His authority and provoking images of Moses, whom the Israelites...
Read MoreMatthew Refresher (Ch. 4)
Chapter 4 Jesus comes out of Egypt, passes through the water, and enters the wilderness. God has stated, “this is my beloved Son”, but as we study the temptation story we will see if he proves faithful. He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. While God is using this test to prove the validity of his claim, Satan will tempt and destroy him. Satan devises a series of 3 temptations following Jesus 40 day fast. Satan strikes at him where he is most vulnerable and seeks to cause him to use his power to satisfy his desire for food. He wants...
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