Mathew

[thefightinglamb]

On-your-own Bible study starts tomorrow. Yay! We will be reading a chapter a day starting with Mathew 1 and posting any insights or what God shows us on this thread. You, reader, are invited!

You do not have to post everyday but we will be reading a chapter a day until we are done with Mathew, and then we will continue to Mark, hopefully. This is just meant to insure that I as well as you are staying in and meditating on the Holy Scriptures. Won't you join us?

God bless,

tony

ps.I was thinking about sending my phone number out via email if anyone in the us is interested in texting reminders like "Remember Mathew 1" today, or possibly, a verse from the reading that stuck out. Let me know.

pss.There seems to be more people in this forum than the Bible Discussion forum interested, plus their might be different types of people posting in each, and I am interested in getting as many people as possible to journey with me in the Bible...so for now I am going to start threads in both forums, and respond to posts in both, until it either seems like one is not being used, or both are successful, in which I case I will continue both. So I would encourage everyone to check both forums in the beginning at least. I will be posting the same posts in both until I respond to other people's posts. Hopefully we'll learn a lot together.

 

[thefightinglamb]

I read Mathew 1.
The first thing that struck me in the chapter, as I have been reading it in KJV, since I hardly ever read it in the KJV, is that for some reason in the genealogy, Judah is spelled Judas. I read that quite a few times, then compared it to other translations, and have to wonder why KJV says Judas instead of Judah.

Also, I am struck by how obedient Joseph is to a dream. "An angel spoke to him in a dream." I just find that very interesting. Most of my dreams have been either lost beyond recognition when I awake, or nonsensical. I have had poignant dreams that seem to be inspired before, and if I was told something I believe I would follow, but I don't know. I have a good friend who once traveled with some people who based their movements on inspired dreams.

So would you follow the voice of God if he told you to do something in a dream that contradicts what you were going to do when you were awake? Or would you shrug it off as a nonsensical dream?

God bless
tony

 

[Lucy68]

Well, I think it's good to remember that people of long ago didn't have the revelation that we have now. Maybe God used dreams with them, and not with us for that reason? My dreams are just silly so I don't think I could take them seriously unless I had one that was really powerful.

Studying the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other Christians....I think these are the main ways that God communicates to us today

(going to go read Matthew 1 right now

)

 

[Lucy68]

Very short chapter

My Quest Study Bible points how some interesting things about Matthew:

Matthew wrote it primarily for the Jewish people at that time to convince them that the prophecy of the Messiah had been fulfilled in Jesus birth. That's why in the genelogy of Christ through Joseph's side we see David and Solomon....it shows the fulfillment of OT prophecy.

Luke's genelogy is slightly different... through Mary's side.

Matthew quotes the OT in many places to prove that the Messiah had come. Matthew also uses the title "Son of David" instead of "Son of God" (which John used in his gospel).

 

[Jullianna]

So many names jumped out at me in the genealogy: Abraham; David and Bathsheba, and their child, Solomon; Rahab; Ruth; Boaz...
Some led noble lives from the beginning, some didn't. But God loved them all, forgave them all, showed them all mercy and used them mightily.

The scriptures describe Joseph as a just, faithful man. He was obviously a very compassionate man, as he didn't want to bring Mary to shame, even though he must have initially felt shamed himself.

One other thing I noticed was that Joseph went ahead and married Mary, just as the Lord told him to do, "But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son." (verse 25) He did not demand what many men probably would have of their wives during her pregnancy. He knew the child she was carrying was holy.

About the dream thing...perhaps Joseph recognized God's voice in his dream because he'd already been walking with Him. We know there were those in the OT who were described as having walked with God. A man like that would have been praying for direction under the circumstances and would likely have recognized God's answer. That's the place we need to get to.

 

[thefightinglamb]

I like yall's comments.

I have also heard the different genealogies are due to the difference in Jewish belief that a brother has to raise up children for his dead brother, and these children would not be considered his, but his dead brother's children. Thus, it was said by Eusubius that one genealogy traces the actual physical descent and another the descent as by those 'reckoned' children through 'raising up children' for a dead relative.

I do see along list of history of God dealing with his people through love in the genealogy.

Plus its a bit baffling why scripture adds the verse "But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son" (25), if Mary was a perpetual virgin the way catholics believe.

God bless
I have already read Mathew 2, and will write my contemplations now in another post.
tony

 

[thefightinglamb]

I have always loved verse (10) "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." I think I like it because it reminds me to marvel at God's plans in my life. Sometimes we are soooo busy, we forget to marvel at things like stars, creation, and especially God's providence in our lives.

It seems everyone is warned in a dream in this chapter, the magi, and Joseph thrice (fleee to Egypt, return to Jerusalem, and warning about Judea). Hmmm...

I have never thought about this, personally, but it is an interesting change of perspective. The Jews must have been a generation of mourning by the time Jesus was older. Imagine Jesus being the only child for a couple year span that survived a holocaust in Bethlehem and the coasts. I have never thought about how deep of sadness must have prevailed throughout the Jews. When a child dies, their is a solemnity that prevades the parents. I cannot imagine a whole people looking on with solemn eyes and hearts.

I do wonder, as my atheist brother is quick to point out about different tragedies today, why God let all the children be slaughtered. I am sure the Jews wondered as well. Sometimes, we see in scripture the Israelites being punished for their sins, but at other times, it seems just spontaneous and incomprehendable, like so much in life. the rain falls on the righteous and wicked alike I suppose...and perhaps, it helps us to witness to those who are suffering.

God bless
tony

 

[Lucy68]

I do wonder, as my atheist brother is quick to point out about different tragedies today, why God let all the children be slaughtered. I am sure the Jews wondered as well. Sometimes, we see in scripture the Israelites being punished for their sins, but at other times, it seems just spontaneous and incomprehendable, like so much in life. the rain falls on the righteous and wicked alike I suppose...and perhaps, it helps us to witness to those who are suffering.

God bless
tony

Yes, that is the saddest part of Chapter 2...the boys under 2 being killed in Bethleham.

It is interesting that the Magi gave the baby expensive gifts....what is a humble family going to do with the items that were given? But when the angel told Joseph to flee to Egypt and stay there for awhile, selling these items provided the funds for doing that very thing. A lesson in God's provision

Strange that an evil Jew like Herod believed the prophecy, when the Jewish leaders and teachers, did not.

 

[Jullianna]

I have always been fascinated by that fact that the Magi understood that Messiah had come, but it doesn't appear that His own people were very observant (although later we learn of some who understood that the time was right and lived to see Him ).

I had never noticed this before:

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

I get that Herod was concerned about losing his throne, but I'm wondering why everyone else in Jerusalem would be disturbed that Messiah had come.


The gifts:

We know what gold is obviously.

Myrrh: Also known as the Balm of Gilead (it had healing properties, see Jeremiah 8). I read that the chinese used it for "stagnant blood moving purposes". It is also a pain reliever. It smells amazing too. I have a small glass tube of a cologne that contains Myrrh. There are those who refer to Christ as the Balm of Gilead because of His healing, cleansing power. These are the lyrics to an old spiritual:

Chorus (in bold):
There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul. Some times I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.
(Chorus)
If you can’t preach like Peter, If you can’t pray like Paul, Just tell the love of Jesus, And say He died for all.

Frankincense:

The reference to bleeding and tears coming from the tree are very symbolic to me:

"Frankincense is tapped from the very scraggy but hardy Boswellia tree by slashing the bark, which is called striping, and allowing the exuded resins to bleed out and harden. These hardened resins are called tears. There are numerous species and varieties of frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin. Differences in soil and climate create even more diversity of the resin, even within the same species.

Frankincense trees are also considered unusual for their ability to grow in environments so unforgiving that they sometimes grow directly out of solid rock. The means of initial attachment to the stone is not known but is accomplished by a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk. This disk-like growth at the base of the tree prevents it from being torn away from the rock during the violent storms that frequent the region they grow in. This feature is slight or absent in trees grown in rocky soil or gravel. The tears from these hardy survivors are considered superior for their more fragrant aroma."


My heart aches for the families of those little ones who were slaughtered everytime I read this.

I will leave the Nazarite/Nazarene topic alone That's a thread all it's own, huh?

 

[Lucy68]

I have always been fascinated by that fact that the Magi understood that Messiah had come, but it doesn't appear that His own people were very observant (although later we learn of some who understood that the time was right and lived to see Him ).

I had never noticed this before:

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

I get that Herod was concerned about losing his throne, but I'm wondering why everyone else in Jerusalem would be disturbed that Messiah had come.


The gifts:

We know what gold is obviously.

Myrrh: Also known as the Balm of Gilead (it had healing properties, see Jeremiah 8). I read that the chinese used it for "stagnant blood moving purposes". It is also a pain reliever. It smells amazing too. I have a small glass tube of a cologne that contains Myrrh. There are those who refer to Christ as the Balm of Gilead because of His healing, cleansing power. These are the lyrics to an old spiritual:

Chorus (in bold):
There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul. Some times I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.
(Chorus)
If you can’t preach like Peter, If you can’t pray like Paul, Just tell the love of Jesus, And say He died for all.

Frankincense:

The reference to bleeding and tears coming from the tree are very symbolic to me:

"Frankincense is tapped from the very scraggy but hardy Boswellia tree by slashing the bark, which is called striping, and allowing the exuded resins to bleed out and harden. These hardened resins are called tears. There are numerous species and varieties of frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin. Differences in soil and climate create even more diversity of the resin, even within the same species.

Frankincense trees are also considered unusual for their ability to grow in environments so unforgiving that they sometimes grow directly out of solid rock. The means of initial attachment to the stone is not known but is accomplished by a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk. This disk-like growth at the base of the tree prevents it from being torn away from the rock during the violent storms that frequent the region they grow in. This feature is slight or absent in trees grown in rocky soil or gravel. The tears from these hardy survivors are considered superior for their more fragrant aroma."


My heart aches for the families of those little ones who were slaughtered everytime I read this.

I will leave the Nazarite/Nazarene topic alone That's a thread all it's own, huh?

Love your comments! Thanks! Yes, the frankincense trees are amazing. Please talk about the Nazarite/Nazarene topic

 

[Jullianna]

Thanks, Lucy.

Some folks think the terms Nazarene and Nazirite are interchangable, some don't. It IS a cool topical study.

Just so I don't derail the thread, I'm going to post this link if anyone is interesting in reading it. It contains arguments both for and against Jesus having been a Nazirite. It's a pretty good piece:

Nazirite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[thefightinglamb]

I read Mathew 3!

I love how frank John the Baptist is, with no respect of persons, just tellling people how it is. "You need to repent!" and also how direct he is with the Pharisees "You brood of vipers!" When is the last time you heard a pastor call people that were coming to him a brood of vipers? I fear we may have become too "nice" for the truth at times.

I believe a lot of church people would probably see John the Baptist as a homeless, unkempt eratic individual...I wonder who would listen to him now-a-days. I love people that are deeply spiritual, forsaking all, like him.

I do wonder why "it was fiitting to fulfill all righteousness" for Jesus to be baptized.

I also marvel at what it must have been like to see "the heavens opened unto Him, the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him...and a voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

It kind of baffles me a bit by that "like a dove", does it mean the peace, was something physically seen, was his heart revealed to all? It is just that I am a bit quixotic about trying to understand how the Holy Spirit could have had a physical form...this analogy is deep and terse. The heavens being opened or "torn open" as I remember one of the gospels stating also must have been extraodinary.

God bless
tony

 

[Jullianna]

5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.

When the anointing of God is upon someone, when they are speaking truth, when they are living a life that honors God, people take notice and want what they have. John didn't have to come up with some new program to get his attendance numbers up. He went into the wilderness and told the truth, and the people came to listen.

I love that he spoke boldly to the mockers and scoffers, just as Jesus did, thefightinglamb And yet, in the next few paragraphs, when he stands before the Lamb of God, he is clothed in humility. Stark contrast, huh?

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Can you even begin to imagine how amazing it would have been to SEE THIS????

 

[thefightinglamb]

Mathew 4.

Jesus tempted...hmmm...

I remember hearing a sermon about how "the Spirit led Jesus into the desert/wilderness to be tempted of the devil". The main emphasis being that the Spirit sometimes leads us into places that are both difficult and where we may be tempted or even face the Adversary.

I bet he was hungry. Lol. (verse 2)

(4b) "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Every word that proceedeth from the very mouth of God is to be our true food. How intimate!

(7b) Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God. I find this verse terse, because life is difficult. Sometimes we have to fully rely on God, and sometimes people accuse this as being tempting. Was it tempting God to leave everything and follow God as the 12 apostles did? I hear people questioning me every time I step out on faith with "Is that is it not tempting?"

I guess the main resaon for this is the dual views that 1-God put you in the place/position you are now and if He wanted He could take and place you anywhere and 2-We have to step out on faith even as Abraham did in leaving his family and the near sacrifice of Isaac. I remember Jacob saying that if God would go before him and bring him back to a certain place, that he would be His God...and I do not see that so much as a test as in simply saying, that "Well God if you get me through this journey I will be there to praise you."

I wonder if sky diving and bungee jumping and other "risk taking adventures" just for the sake/thrill of the risk is not testing God. I know when I sped when I first got my license, it did feel somewhat like I was testing God. I have also accidently left my car without the emergency break pulled like thrice, including this morning, and each time found my car safe, but not in its spot. Lol. But I would not pray that God look after my car as I park it on a hill without pulling the emergency break.

I wonder how rediculuos Jesus must have thought these "infomercials" of satan were. He must have been like "really?" The way you would look at a cheesy salesman, and perhaps thats the solidarity we should have when satan tempts and just answer back with the word of God.

(16) The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

This just reminds me of our fallen nature, and the wonder of Jesus appearing and casting it all aside.

(17b) Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The beginning of his ministry after John the baptist was thrown in jail, Jesus begins.

God bless
tony

 

[Jullianna]

He went with a purpose: to withstand a test - Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil.

He ate nothing for 40 days.

He knew His source: Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

He knew the foolishness of everything that same out of the devil's mouth: Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

He didn't fall for the same lines Adam/Eve did: Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

When we come through the battle, the Prince of Peace will comfort us as He was comforted: Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
----------------------------
Once John was imprisoned, Jesus knew the ball was rolling and His time here on earth would be short. He knew He had many prophesies yet to fulfill and many things He needed to teach us: From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

----------------------------

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

^You don't have to be a biblical genius, you just need a humble heart and the willingness to heed the call^

---------------------------------
Jesus Heals the Sick

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[g] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

As the old song says: "The God of yesterday is still the healing Jesus, now and evermore" He's still in the healing business.

LISTEN TO THIS AWESOME SONG ABOUT THIS PASSAGE :

Jimmy Swaggart - What A Healing Jesus (Music Video) - YouTube

 

[thefightinglamb]

Mathew 5: the beginning of the Most Excellent teachings of Jesus Christ

(5) Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I always wonder about what this verse means. What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"?

(6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
I love how it states that we must hunger and thirst, [as if in pangs] for righteousness, and that our Father will reward us for our yearnings. So much of life is based on what you are pining over.

(8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Ever wonder why some people cannot perceive God? There it is; sin fogs the spiritual lens.

(11-12) Blessed are ye, when men shall revil you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
I write these verses because of the perplexity in my heart over how Paul and Peter rejoiced in Acts. I don't exactly feel like singing when this is going on, though the early apostles seem to have...

(13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and be trodden under foot of men.
To me, this verse points to the worthlessness of Christians who are continuing in unrepented sin. They are worthless, they were meant to have spunk and spice, but instead they are good for nothing. Presenting themselves as seeking holiness, they have squandered their worth in vanities.

(19) WHoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
My friend uses this verse to state that all Christians should follow the Old Testament law. I believe that he might have mean the law of love coming from his lips? I am a bit quixotic over this verse, because it somewhat does seem to speak of the Old Testamen law; but in various places, it seems to state we are not under that law henceforth due to Jesus' sacrifice/promise.

We shall not loose our temper and use our tongue for evil/death.

(28) But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
I believe, even as Jesus withstood temptation, I should use these words whenever I feel my eye go askance after some girl...

(44-45a) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be children of your Father who is in heaven...
THe most sublime teaching, that we must be more than the things of this world that repay evil for evil and good for good, but that instead we must be as God himself, giving and praying good for all things.

God bless
tony

ps. I don't know if I will be able to post tomorrow or not. I will read tomorrow though, and post monday if not tomorrow. I work.

 

[thefightinglamb]

Of Sunday's
Mathew 6 and Secrets
I am finding it harder and harder to write "what catches my eye" for all the words are so nourishing; so if you will, read the chapter instead of a commentary by me on about every verse. As I am doing this somewhat more for myself now, so that I am reflecting deeper and deeper on God.
(1) "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your father which is in heaven."

I find this passage beginning with this verse very intiguing. In my personal life, I sometimes have tangled myself in this verse. In high school, I remember seeing some attractive girl who had a table set out for a charity. I wanted to give to the charity, but felt that in order to do so I would be too public about giving, and therefore, after much contemplation did not give.

You also have to think of different situations of 'famous people'...I wonder about people like Tim Tebow...this world says that you can use 'fame' for good, and therefore broadcast your charity giving to others in an attempt to get others to do the same. It is interesting that Jesus did not believe in this model, ut instead believed that you should give "in secret" so that only God knows what you have given...

Verse 4- That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

I just reread this verse that I focused on, on Sunday, and I saw the contrast in this verse profound. We are to do charity in secret, and God will reward you "openly" in KJV--I see that NIV and other translations omit this word "openly." But anyhow, I believe the meaning being that God desires us to be as anonymous as possible in our giving, and then He will spiritually and otherwise reward us openly.

(5) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when tou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

I wonder about this as well. I question myself and wonder if I am too public with prayer from time to time. I have taken a model that suggests that I should pray when asked for prayer out loud, right then, lest I forget and do not pray for said person...and I was more shy about public prayer a long time ago, but I still believe in open prayer somewhat. Maybe the key to this verse is that "they did it to be seen of men" whereas I do not like being seen by men or do it for onlooker's attention, but truly do it only for the person I am praying and to God. I have told others before that the room we are suppose to be retreating to is the room of our hearts, and when we are there it matters not if we are in public or not--because we are praying in the secret place either way.
It is interesting how he states that we should not repeat ourselves in prayer, "as if God were hard of hearing."

(8b) your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask of him.
Extraordinary verse. God who knows all, knows what we need to succeed more than we do; all we need to do in prayer is come with faith and he will grant what we need of Him.

The Lord's Prayer
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
For if you do not, whatsoever shall we eat?

(14-15) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you: b ut if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
I find it interesting that this is conditional in the Lord's prayer, and even emphasized afterwards here. If we do not forgive, we won't be forgiven--it is that simple. We must give up everything, including other's offences against us when we come to God, or else our sins and faults will not be washed clean either.

Fasting (16-17)
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seest in secret, shall reward thee openly.
I wonder why the KJV has this word 'openly' as well as the Amplified whereas NIV and NAS continually leaves it off...but anyway, I find it sometimes difficult to hide when I am fasting. When you are over a friends house and they ask if you want something to eat, I usually go with "I am not hungry" [for I am feeding on God], leaving off the last part obviously. But they usually know...sometimes I believe when his disciples came back to the well and Jesus responds to their entreaty to eat with "I have food to eat that you know not of"--that perhaps, he was fasting? It is probably all in the heart again, are you doing it to be seen of men? Then your heavenly gift is lost; but if men find otu about a fast and you were doing it for God and didn't want them to know anyway, then you have not lost your heavenly sweets.

(19-21) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where theives break in and steal;but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where theives do not break through nor steal: for where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I was actually thinking about this verse the other day, when I had some new item that I did not want to perrish and wanted to be a good steward of. I got to thinking how all things in this world are bound to perrish and how futile it is to look after perishable things whether than the soul, which does not perrish. No matter what you cherrish, the physical things are all bound to decay. As Eccliasiastes states, what is now will soon be forgotten by the next generation. News flash, you know what your belongings will become? Trash. Most all things you own physically will be trashed when you die. Either immediatly or over time, and then what good would it have been for you to strive after them. If that is what you focused on, you like them will perrish as well...but if you focus on God, who does not change like shifting shadows, then you, like Him, will live eternally.

(22-23) The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

I find through four translations, the word clear, sound, good, or single translated in this verse. Anyhow, I think the word single is good, because when our eyes are good or sound we are focused on one thing and let not our eyes go askance after the distractions of this world. I pray that I return to the time when I was more dilligent with keeping my eyes straight ahead. Was it nor perhaps a glance that led David into his mischeif with Bethsaida? ou never know when a glance could lead to your undoing, so it is good to be dilligent in disciplining our eyes by keeping them focused on the prize.

(24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
I was actually going to skip this verse, until I noticed how this ties the whole passage together. From focusing on wealth to having our eyes either focused on God's kingdom or the things of this life, to hear stating straight out "You cannot love God and the things of this world, for either you will love God and desire what pleases Him; or you will love the things of this world, and leave the thoughts and beliefs of Jesus behind. And this lends itself into the final parable...

(31-34)
Therefore take no thoguht, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the gentiles seek) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

So, now it takes our faith to the extreme. We are not even to worry about what to eat or drink or wear, for Jehovah Jireh will take care of us. I also noted in typing this that we are to seek God "and his righteousness"...Righteousness/holiness is too often given a backseat to "love" in most churches, I feel, and it is only in righteousness that we can truly see God and understand what his love is.

God bless
tony

 

[thefightinglamb]

Mathew 7-reflections on Monday's reading.

I am still wondering over the connection between verse 6 and the verses before it.

(1-2, 5-6)
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with the judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

I suppose you could say verse 6 is a teaching in itself...but does seem to bear some realtion to the verses before it. You have two people that cannot see, one being completely blind and another being partially blind, and then you have Jesus teaching about casting that which is holy or pearls unto swine/dogs/not beleivers/those that are spiritually blind? What is that which is holy/pearls that he speaks of? It seems he begins his preaching by highlighting that in order to correct other 'brothers', we must first make sure we ourselves have been cleaned...The last verse seems to be saying not to give holiness to those who have no care for it...Maybe, it is a parable about how unbeliever's look upon Christians? Judging always from the outside, yet they do not have the light of faith? If we interprit this verse accordingly, we see the truth that unbelievers often do mock and trample scripture under foot, all the while still having a mote or a log or a beam in their own eye--of lack of faith/belief.

(7-8)Ask and it shalll be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

(12)Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
As I look more into scripture and the letters of the new testament, I do believe that things such as the law of the old testament is done away with for those who focus on the basis of them, which is to do unto your neighbors as you would have them do unto you...

(13-14)
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Hmmm...I guess if you know you seek the Lord in truth and feel lonely, that should be a good thing!!!

(15-16,20-23)
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I never saw that Jesus was talking about "the wolves/false prophets/teachers" when he used the parable of the tree producing either good or bad fruit. SO, I suppose if you want to know the truth about a pastor, look at his virtues, his congregation, his friends, and the lives he has changed and compare this with scripture. Does this reflect holiness? Or use the Holy Spirit and discern if it be of God or no, the fruit of his work? You can use this verse and apply it to your own life as well and the lives of those around you, and see if what you are doing is producing holy fruit or no...but Jesus seems to be using it when talking about false leaders here. If you take that to the end of this passage I wrote, you have people that will claim they have done 'good works' and yet as leaders the true fruit of their labors is rotten. But if you interprit the last verses another way, you can understand how some people come to call upon the Lord, but not in truth, perhaps say the Lord's prayer without the depth of sincerity needed, and go on living lives that are not godly, though they have some holiness (prophesy, cast out devils, wonderful works). the lukewarm type...

(25a, 27a) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house
Rather or not you take to heart the words of Jesus, your house will face the storm. If you listen and follow, it will be a solid house wherein you are safe. If you listen and heed not, though you think youself safe as the people in the verses saying Lord, Lord before this, your belief will be in vain and you will be swept away without protection.

(28-29) And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Astonished. Breathless. Speechless. Like someone after being well fed. He taught with power that actual worked. Perhaps that is the true test of a Teacher of righteousness, does he have that divine Holy Spirit that has power to move, change, and lead lives?

God bless
tony

 

[Lucy68]

Wow, Tony, thanks for those wonderful comments! I've gotten behind on my reading but I'm catching up today
The gospel of Matthew is a spiritual feast!

 

[ijustwanttheTruth]

oh! hello! i am reading and i was wondering where everyone went! hahaha. i am behind in the commentaries on the bottom of my study bible in the KJV but am faithfully keeping up in the NIV.