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.

 

[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

 

[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

 

[jonathanbchristian]

It is very important to note that Joseph was called a "just" man according to Matthew chapter one. This could have played a part in God chosing Mary. If Joseph was not just it is possible that God would have chosen someone else. It is also important to consider that God did not chose a single woman but chose to send His son into a family with a husband and a wife. This leads me to believe that God desires a family at times instead of using only singles. We know Paul the apostle preached the benifit of being single but other times preached that some should marry. Verse twenty three tells us that Joseph was told that Jesus is Immanuel "God with us". It is not certain if Joseph understood that Jesus was God, but it is possible that He understood. The facts seem to say that if Joseph did remember what the angel said he did not tell it to Jesus' brothers who did not believe in Jesus or they just did not believe Joseph's story.

 

[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

 

[sllhouette]

We see in verse 4 that John wears a garment of camel's hair. This recalls the OT prophet Elijah who wore the same.

The trinity is revealed here. The Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the holy spirit descends.

The dove lands on Jesus that all might know that God speaks to him and not to John.

 

[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

 

[jonathanbchristian]

In chapter two it is interesting that Jesus lived in prophetic places. Even as a baby Jesus was fulfilling Scripture. God the Father knew He would send His son to Egypt and that He would return to Nazareth. Bethlehem was also prophetic. Paul said prophecy was for the believer. God wants us to live in prophetic places sometimes. We need to desire this spiritual gift so that we can find a place of prophetic refuge. God may even give specific details to us in prophecy. This is not adding to the Bible because God wants to speak to us individually.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 3 It is good to note that John the Baptist could be considered a mega church prophet. Verse five says "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan." That is alot of people. We should be careful when we judge by the number of people at a church. It may be of God even in large churches that most people are critical of.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 4 Verse one tells us something about the relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus let the Spirit lead Him. He let the Spirit be in control. Some people rank the Spirit as third in the Trinity of God but that is error. God is one. It is because of this oneness that Jesus can be lead by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit thought it not robbery to lead Jesus as God.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 5 The Beatitudes are prophetic promises to believers. No greater teaching can be found on Earth or in Heaven. The teachings of Jesus are far greater than the teachings of Harvard or any other known school of learning. The teachings of Jesus in the Bible begin with promises of eternal reward that far out weigh any scholarly reward.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 6 Jesus teaches that we should pray, give, and fast secretly. Some people who are well known for these things have their reward according to Jesus. No doubt people can become popular for displaying their religousness in front of others. People who give sometimes get their names on plakes for everyone to see. Some people boast of their works to others in order to win some contest. People get gratification from being thanked or praised but Jesus says they lose their heavenly reward. You cannot get a reward from men and God for these things. We should seek Heavenly reward and not Earthly reward.

 

[thefightinglamb]

Mathew 8

2c-Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
3a-And Jesus put forth his handm, and touched him, saying "I will be thou clean."

WHat strikes me about these two verses is that word clean. When I look at the mess of my past, what I truly desire is to be clean. To have my soul polished of my filth and to shine as we were meant to.

4a-And Jesus saith onto him, See thou tell no man, but go thy way...
Hmmm...Jesus abiding by what he preached in chapter 6 about doing things in secret?

10a-When Jesus heard [of the centurian's faith], he marveled...
I have heard so many preach about how the man did not want Jesus under his roof, such that he was wrong...Actually preached about how some people try to keep Jesus at a distance...but I see none of that correction here. I just see Jesus marveling--what must it be like to marvel the Son of God?

11-12 And I say unto you that many should come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I find it interesting that here 'the children of the kingdom ' are tossed out and does not say the Jews are cast out....I wonder what this means. In context, it seems to be saying that only those that have deep, sincere faith will be saved.

20, 22b-And Jesus saith unto him, the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head...Follow me and let the dead bury their dead.

Hmmm...It seems that the man might have supposed that Jesus was going to a specific place? and the man was willing to go and stay there with the Lord? But Jesus answers that there is no place for the Son of man to lay his head in this world, for the Spirit desires heavenly dwellings?...The second saying about letting the dead bury the dead is intriguing to me as well. I have been to like 4 funerals I believe, and it always seems to be kind of a strange affair the whole busy-ness of burying the dead...andthe Lord shows us that we are to keep looking forward after He calls us and not look back even to bury a loved one.

27-But the men marvelled, saying, WHat manner of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him!

How wonderful must it have been to be there and here Jesus like a composer hush the sea and the wind!

29-And behold, they cried out, saying, What are we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

I find in interesting here, and something I have thought little about that the demons know there is a set time for them to be thrown into torment...but for now, it seems that many of them are/were just running wild like a dog infected with rabies...

God bless
tony

 

[pickles]

Yikes, sorry I missed this.
Ill try to catch up and post tomorrow,
So this would be chapters 1 through 9, I hope .
See you all tomorrow.

God bless
pickles

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 7 Do not judge; Ask, seek, knock; The narrow way; You will know them by their fruits; Depart from me I never knew you; Build on the rock not the sand These are the teachings of chapter 7. The answer to not judging is you will know them by their fruits. The answer to ask, seek, knock is that the way is narrow. The answer to I never knew you is build your house on the rock.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 8 Most of chapter 8 is about healing. Jesus heals a leper. Jesus heals a centurions servant. Jesus heals Peter's mother in law. Jesus heals many in the evening. Jesus heals two demon possessed men. This chapter shows us that Jesus wants people to be healed. Jesus is still healing people today.

 

[thefightinglamb]

Working 12 hour shift last two days without access to this site, until last night, when exhausted, I passed out.

Mathew 9- Wednesday's reading

(2d,4-6,8)
Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee...and Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefor think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say, Arise and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house...But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

I find a lot interesting here. I like how the Lord encourages and surpries this man. OF couse Jesus saw the physical deformity as did everyone, but instead he focuses on the more pressing need of forgiveness before addressing the seen need of deformity. He tells him to be of "good cheer" or to "take heart" or to "take courage" and then that his sins be forgiven thee...I like that word to be of good cheer especially, "Brighten up, O soul, the Lord is with thee." ...Hmmm, so the scribes where pertubed that you could forgive sins. I always wonder over comparing this to the Lord's prayer where we must forgive to be forgiven. It seems that if that is true then God is not the only one that can forgive sins, but we also can forgive people their sins against us; such that those who say God forgiving sins is the onle one who matters are a bit off. The multitudes "marveled and glorified God...I find it interesting how this last verse does not highlight what Jesus said but states that God had given such power to "men."

(9c, 12b-13)
...Mathew...follow me...They that are whole need not a physician but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentence.

I marveled contemplating the Lord's first calling to his disciples, to just leave everything and follow him...I do question if we are suppose to be liekwise...maybe, sometimes God sends us to situations with him so that he can be a physician in other people's lives...mercy not sacrifice, and sinners to repent, this is the depth of the message Jesus taught. He wanted to help people. , which is good for those of us who meed help.

(16-17)
No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perrish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Hmmm...Jesus disciples didn't fast...perhaps because it was poignantly clear which way they should go because they had Jesus? I just find that interesting that Jesus' disciples did not fast while he was alive...but it states when Jesus was taken then would they fast...I don't know how to explain how I perceive these verse, but I feel the reality of them when I am fasting. Fasting, for me, seems to allow me to get closer to God; but at times, when I am focusing on fasting 'because I want to fast' I am focused on what I want to do...instead of what God wants to give me...even as these Pharisees where more focused on what they were doing than receiving the Lord that walked under their noses...

(20)
An behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, "Daughter be of good comfort; thy faith has made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

It is interesting that Jesus humbly states "it was her faith" that made her well...we see in other gospels that their was many pressing on Jesus because their was a great criwd, many blithe people not realizing that healing could come forth to themselves, but only the person who has faith was healed by the power that so meagrely walked amoung men. I love how he calls the true children out, by calling them by name, son, or daughter here.

(24-25)
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Jesus being mocked but I do wonder here if he was being a bit hidden; Jesus knew she was not alive but he calleth those who are dead sleeping continually in scripture. And Jesus just calls her to wake up...

(27-29)
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying " According to your faith, be it unto you."

Our faith is what determines what we will receive from God--it is always according to what we believe that we receive from God.

(33)
And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Never so seen in Israel. The joy to be a friend of someone Jesus has healed. I am actually thinking over this kind of ironically right now. We see so many people coming to jesus to be physically made well, and in this life, how many even atheists, if they are sick, will not cry out to be made physically well...and if they are physcially well, how many quickly forget God and turn again to their vain imaginations? We have so few in scripture coming to Jesus with the faith that they are not spiritually well, and they need to follow as his disciples did, but instead people marveling at physical healings. Why did not they marvel when the disciples left everything?

(36-38)
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

When we are saved, we must needs work. For their is a great crop, and their are not many workers. He had compassion on the people as only their maker could see them...needing help. We must pray to be sent...

God bless
tony