TALK ABOUT "DARK AGES"!
After the last prophet of the First Testament - Malachi - had given his last words, heaven went silent. There was no communication from God for four hundred years.
Then one day the silence was over. An angel of the Lord came to a priest by the name of Zacharias who standing at the altar in Jerusalem. That angel announced of the birth of a baby who would be known as John "the Baptiser" who would be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus.
This Jesus will be the answer that the world had hoped for.
He is the Messiah.
He is the King.
He is God.
After the last prophet of the First Testament - Malachi - had given his last words, heaven went silent. There was no communication from God for four hundred years.
Then one day the silence was over. An angel of the Lord came to a priest by the name of Zacharias who standing at the altar in Jerusalem. That angel announced of the birth of a baby who would be known as John "the Baptiser" who would be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus.
This Jesus will be the answer that the world had hoped for.
He is the Messiah.
He is the King.
He is God.
THIS FIRST WEEK'S GREEK ASSIGNMENT: KNOW THE GREEK ALPHABET. CHECK THE ZOCKOLL UNIVERSITY SITE FOR THE ALPHABET LIST.
Key Greek word this week:
βασιλεία basileía, bas-il-i'-ah; a realm, kingdom
βασιλεία basileía, bas-il-i'-ah; a realm, kingdom
This first week is our week on researching Matthew
WHAT CAN I GET OUT OF READING THIS BOOK?
One of the most dynamic things you can take from the book of Matthew is that you will get to learn a great deal about the the Kingdom of Heaven. This highly regarded phrase appears thirty-two times in the Gospel of Matthew. He does use the term "kingdom of God" (12:28; 19:24; 21:31, 43), but Matthew really repeats "kingdom of heaven," because to the Jew, using the name of God is a very careful thing. They prefer to use the phrase that shows more respect to God. The point is that if you want to know more about Heaven - especially coming from the mouth of Jesus Himself - then this is a great book to use as a starting point. |
MANY PARABLES POINT TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN:
Dr. Arland J. Hultgren, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Luther Seminary says:
Eight of (Matthew's) parables begin with the phrase "the kingdom of heaven is like" or a similar expression. That does not mean that the kingdom is like a man who sowed seed or whatever the next phrase might portray. That to which a comparison is being made is the story that is narrated as a whole. To paraphrase, one could say: "the kingdom of heaven is like this," followed by the story. In any case, within these parables the meaning of God's kingdom is explored in various dimensions that have to do with the character of God, the ways that God works, and what God expects.
Dr. Arland J. Hultgren, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Luther Seminary says:
Eight of (Matthew's) parables begin with the phrase "the kingdom of heaven is like" or a similar expression. That does not mean that the kingdom is like a man who sowed seed or whatever the next phrase might portray. That to which a comparison is being made is the story that is narrated as a whole. To paraphrase, one could say: "the kingdom of heaven is like this," followed by the story. In any case, within these parables the meaning of God's kingdom is explored in various dimensions that have to do with the character of God, the ways that God works, and what God expects.
MATTHEW WAS A JEW AND HIS INTENT IN WRITING THIS BOOK WAS TO SHOW THE JEWS THAT THEIR KING HAD FINALLY COME
This Kingdom of Heaven has to have a King, right? Matthew makes it clear: "You are not looking at a political leader nor a cult leader. You are looking at the King." Here is the outline, chapter by chapter:
I. The King is coming, Chapters 1, 2
II. The King begins His ministry, Chapters 3:1 — 4:16
III. The King's messages and miracles, Chapters 4:17 — 9:35
IV. The King's confrontations, commissions, and clear teaching about Heaven, Chapters 9:36 — 16:20
V. The King's transformation, teaching, and torture, Chapters 16:21 — 27:66
VI. The King is taken up into Heaven , Chapter 28
This Kingdom of Heaven has to have a King, right? Matthew makes it clear: "You are not looking at a political leader nor a cult leader. You are looking at the King." Here is the outline, chapter by chapter:
I. The King is coming, Chapters 1, 2
II. The King begins His ministry, Chapters 3:1 — 4:16
III. The King's messages and miracles, Chapters 4:17 — 9:35
IV. The King's confrontations, commissions, and clear teaching about Heaven, Chapters 9:36 — 16:20
V. The King's transformation, teaching, and torture, Chapters 16:21 — 27:66
VI. The King is taken up into Heaven , Chapter 28
CHAPTER BY CHAPTER
Bible scholar J. Vernon McGee puts the book of Matthew into a clear chapter by chapter form. He also states,
"There is a movement in Matthew. Learn to think your way through the entire Gospel from the first chapter through the twenty-eighth. You must know Matthew to understand the Bible. You can no more understand the Bible without understanding the Gospel of Matthew than you can write without an alphabet."
Moving Through Matthew
CHAPTER
1 The family line of Jesus; this goes through the family of Joseph.
2 The wise men ("magi") arrive; Joseph and the family make their flight to Egypt to escape Herod, then they return to Nazareth
3 John the Baptist, forerunner of King, calls for repentance as he announces the Heavenly Kingdom and baptizes Jesus, the King
4 Testing of the King in wilderness; begins public ministry at Capernaum; calls disciples
5, 6, 7 Sermon on the Mount
(1) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to self, Mat 5:1-16
(2) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to Law, Mat 5:17-48
(3) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to God, Mat 6
(4) Relationship of children of King to each other, Mat 7
8 Six miracles of King demonstrate His dynamic to enforce ethics of Sermon on the Mount
9 Performs six more miracles; calls Matthew; contends with Pharisees
10 Jesus commissions twelve to preach gospel of the kingdom to nation Israel
11 Quizzed by disciples of John; rejects unrepentant cities; issues new invitation to individuals
12 Conflict and final break of Jesus with religious rulers
13 Mystery parables of kingdom of heaven
14 John the Baptist beheaded; Jesus feeds 5,000; sends disciples into storm at sea; walks on water to them
15 Jesus denounces scribes and Pharisees; heals daughter of Syrophoenician woman and multitudes; feeds 4,000
16 Conflict with Pharisees and Sadducees; confession from disciples, Peter spokesman; Jesus first confronts them with church, His death and resurrection
17 Transfiguration; demon-possessed boy; tax money provided by miracle
18 Little child; lost sheep; conduct in coming church; forgiveness parable
19 God’s standard for marriage and divorce; little children blessed; rich young ruler; apostles’ position in coming kingdom
20 Parable of laborers in vineyard; Jesus makes 4th and 5th announcements of His approaching death; mother requests places of honor for James and John; Jesus restores sight to two men
21 King offers Himself publicly and finally to nation; cleanses temple; curses fig tree; condemns religious rulers with parables of two sons and householder
22 Parable of marriage feast for king’s son; Jesus answers and silences Herodians, Sadducees, Pharisees
23 Jesus warns against and pronounces woes upon scribes and Pharisees; weeps over Jerusalem
24, 25 Olivet Discourse: Jesus answers questions about sign of end of age and sign of His coming; parable of ten virgins; parable of eight talents; judgment of sheep and goat nations
26 Jesus plotted against; anointed by Mary of Bethany; sold by Judas; observes last Passover and first Lord’s Supper; agonizes in Gethsemane; arrested and tried by religious rulers; disowned by Peter
27 Trial, death and burial of the King
28 Resurrection of the King; His great commission
Bible scholar J. Vernon McGee puts the book of Matthew into a clear chapter by chapter form. He also states,
"There is a movement in Matthew. Learn to think your way through the entire Gospel from the first chapter through the twenty-eighth. You must know Matthew to understand the Bible. You can no more understand the Bible without understanding the Gospel of Matthew than you can write without an alphabet."
Moving Through Matthew
CHAPTER
1 The family line of Jesus; this goes through the family of Joseph.
2 The wise men ("magi") arrive; Joseph and the family make their flight to Egypt to escape Herod, then they return to Nazareth
3 John the Baptist, forerunner of King, calls for repentance as he announces the Heavenly Kingdom and baptizes Jesus, the King
4 Testing of the King in wilderness; begins public ministry at Capernaum; calls disciples
5, 6, 7 Sermon on the Mount
(1) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to self, Mat 5:1-16
(2) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to Law, Mat 5:17-48
(3) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to God, Mat 6
(4) Relationship of children of King to each other, Mat 7
8 Six miracles of King demonstrate His dynamic to enforce ethics of Sermon on the Mount
9 Performs six more miracles; calls Matthew; contends with Pharisees
10 Jesus commissions twelve to preach gospel of the kingdom to nation Israel
11 Quizzed by disciples of John; rejects unrepentant cities; issues new invitation to individuals
12 Conflict and final break of Jesus with religious rulers
13 Mystery parables of kingdom of heaven
14 John the Baptist beheaded; Jesus feeds 5,000; sends disciples into storm at sea; walks on water to them
15 Jesus denounces scribes and Pharisees; heals daughter of Syrophoenician woman and multitudes; feeds 4,000
16 Conflict with Pharisees and Sadducees; confession from disciples, Peter spokesman; Jesus first confronts them with church, His death and resurrection
17 Transfiguration; demon-possessed boy; tax money provided by miracle
18 Little child; lost sheep; conduct in coming church; forgiveness parable
19 God’s standard for marriage and divorce; little children blessed; rich young ruler; apostles’ position in coming kingdom
20 Parable of laborers in vineyard; Jesus makes 4th and 5th announcements of His approaching death; mother requests places of honor for James and John; Jesus restores sight to two men
21 King offers Himself publicly and finally to nation; cleanses temple; curses fig tree; condemns religious rulers with parables of two sons and householder
22 Parable of marriage feast for king’s son; Jesus answers and silences Herodians, Sadducees, Pharisees
23 Jesus warns against and pronounces woes upon scribes and Pharisees; weeps over Jerusalem
24, 25 Olivet Discourse: Jesus answers questions about sign of end of age and sign of His coming; parable of ten virgins; parable of eight talents; judgment of sheep and goat nations
26 Jesus plotted against; anointed by Mary of Bethany; sold by Judas; observes last Passover and first Lord’s Supper; agonizes in Gethsemane; arrested and tried by religious rulers; disowned by Peter
27 Trial, death and burial of the King
28 Resurrection of the King; His great commission
INTRODUCTION
WHAT ABOUT THE WRITER AND HIS STYLE?
The very good www.gotquestions.org gives great insight about Matthew and his writing:
The style of the book is exactly what would be expected of a man who was once a tax collector. Matthew has a keen interest in accounting (18:23-24; 25:14-15). The Gospel of Matthew is very orderly and concise. Rather than write in chronological order, Matthew arranges this Gospel through six discussions.
As a tax collector, Matthew possessed a skill that makes his writing all the more exciting for Christians. Tax collectors were expected to be able to write in a form of shorthand, which essentially meant that Matthew could record a person’s words as they spoke, word for word. This ability means that the words of Matthew are not only inspired by the Holy Spirit, but should represent an actual transcript of some of Christ’s sermons. For example, the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in chapters 5-7, is almost certainly a perfect recording of that great message.
The very good www.gotquestions.org gives great insight about Matthew and his writing:
The style of the book is exactly what would be expected of a man who was once a tax collector. Matthew has a keen interest in accounting (18:23-24; 25:14-15). The Gospel of Matthew is very orderly and concise. Rather than write in chronological order, Matthew arranges this Gospel through six discussions.
As a tax collector, Matthew possessed a skill that makes his writing all the more exciting for Christians. Tax collectors were expected to be able to write in a form of shorthand, which essentially meant that Matthew could record a person’s words as they spoke, word for word. This ability means that the words of Matthew are not only inspired by the Holy Spirit, but should represent an actual transcript of some of Christ’s sermons. For example, the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in chapters 5-7, is almost certainly a perfect recording of that great message.
HERE'S A KEY VERSE THAT HELPS US UNDERSTAND JESUS CHRIST AND HIS TIES WITH THE FIRST TESTAMENT:
Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
A lot of people dismiss the First Testament (Old Testament) as being something put aside when Jesus came. The above verse lets you know that the First Testament was a necessary introduction to explain and qualify the coming Messiah. Jesus agrees with this; His mention of the Law and the Prophets is mentioning the Hebrew Bible. He is saying "Yes, the First Testament is important. I am not doing away with it; I am answering its call for a Messiah."
Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
A lot of people dismiss the First Testament (Old Testament) as being something put aside when Jesus came. The above verse lets you know that the First Testament was a necessary introduction to explain and qualify the coming Messiah. Jesus agrees with this; His mention of the Law and the Prophets is mentioning the Hebrew Bible. He is saying "Yes, the First Testament is important. I am not doing away with it; I am answering its call for a Messiah."
In this book, Jesus gives the most stunning sermon ever. It is known as the Sermon on the Mount.
Let me give you an example.
In chapters 5 through 7 Jesus teaches His followers about getting deep spiritual satisfaction in life. He uses the word "Blessed" which is the Greek word makarias. The best definition I can give you for makarias is "spiritual satisfaction". You are content and have a deep peace in life no matter what is going on around you.
Look at what Christ then challenges the Believers to understand:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
In other words, you have been made for ministry. You have been created for a purpose. You can add to life much as salt is added to food to make it more palatable, more enjoyable, more accepting.
Get this now. Jesus says, "People see you as that stabilizing and flavorful part of the world. Christians are supposed to bring something to the table and make life better. If you don't, then, people will find you hypocritical and even disgusting and throw you aside. Now consider that - isn't that true? How many times have you heard people talk about someone who lied or cheated or had filthy talk, and they ended up saying "... and they call themselves Christians..." Think of the disgust in their voices.
In chapters 5 through 7 Jesus teaches His followers about getting deep spiritual satisfaction in life. He uses the word "Blessed" which is the Greek word makarias. The best definition I can give you for makarias is "spiritual satisfaction". You are content and have a deep peace in life no matter what is going on around you.
Look at what Christ then challenges the Believers to understand:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
In other words, you have been made for ministry. You have been created for a purpose. You can add to life much as salt is added to food to make it more palatable, more enjoyable, more accepting.
Get this now. Jesus says, "People see you as that stabilizing and flavorful part of the world. Christians are supposed to bring something to the table and make life better. If you don't, then, people will find you hypocritical and even disgusting and throw you aside. Now consider that - isn't that true? How many times have you heard people talk about someone who lied or cheated or had filthy talk, and they ended up saying "... and they call themselves Christians..." Think of the disgust in their voices.
In this book, Jesus does more than give amazing teaching. He shows His power, proving that He was God.
BUT WHY HEALING? WHY NOT SOME OTHER SORT OF MIRACLE?
THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE, AS THE WRITER MATTHEW WANTS TO STRESS
He knows that the Jewish people are very familiar with the prophet Isaiah. If you look in the book of Isaiah chapter 33, verses 22 to 24 predicted
“The Lord is our King; He will save us,...and the inhabitant shall not say, 'I am sick.'"
Matthew is pointing out that in the coming Kingdom of the Messiah, there will be no sickness. Can you imagine a world with no colds, nor cancer, nor broken legs, nor depression, nor blindness? Your brain goes numb trying to realize what this new world will be like. Isaiah then repeats that prediction when he says in chapter 57 and verse 19:
“’peace to him that is far off and to him that is near,' saith the Lord, 'and I will heal him.'"
Think of it. In the Garden of Eden when things were right with God there was no disease; when Jesus comes back and things are made right with God there will be no disease. Matthew is pointing a finger towards Jesus Christ, saying, "Look, if He is supposed to be the Leader who will make this happen like the prophecies said, then He should be able to show that power right now. And Jesus does.
THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE, AS THE WRITER MATTHEW WANTS TO STRESS
He knows that the Jewish people are very familiar with the prophet Isaiah. If you look in the book of Isaiah chapter 33, verses 22 to 24 predicted
“The Lord is our King; He will save us,...and the inhabitant shall not say, 'I am sick.'"
Matthew is pointing out that in the coming Kingdom of the Messiah, there will be no sickness. Can you imagine a world with no colds, nor cancer, nor broken legs, nor depression, nor blindness? Your brain goes numb trying to realize what this new world will be like. Isaiah then repeats that prediction when he says in chapter 57 and verse 19:
“’peace to him that is far off and to him that is near,' saith the Lord, 'and I will heal him.'"
Think of it. In the Garden of Eden when things were right with God there was no disease; when Jesus comes back and things are made right with God there will be no disease. Matthew is pointing a finger towards Jesus Christ, saying, "Look, if He is supposed to be the Leader who will make this happen like the prophecies said, then He should be able to show that power right now. And Jesus does.
You find a spectacular passage in
Matthew chapter 8: When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." Some huge points to consider in this passage: 1. “Leprosy was, indeed, nothing short of a living death, a poisoning of the springs, a corrupting of all the humours, of life; a dissolution, little by little, of the whole body, so that one limb after another actually decayed and fell away.” (Trench on the Miracles, p. 213.) 2. Pharisees taught that it was sin that brought on leprosy; it was God's physical punishment for the sins committed by a person or the person's parents. 3. If you compare Numbers 19:6; Numbers 19:13; Numbers 19:18, with Leviticus 14:4-7 you will see that the priests performing the religious rituals over a leper were the same they performed over a dead person in mourning, showing you that the nation believed that when you got leprosy, you were considered dead. The spiritual application was that we are like lepers and are "dead in our sins" even though we are still walking around. Just as Jesus healed the leper physically, Jesus showed He can heal the "dead in sin" sinner spiritually. 4. Notice that the leper approached Jesus. He wanted to be healed and he knew the One who could heal him. It is the same with the person who wants salvation today; Jesus can heal them, but they must be willing. 5. Why did Jesus tell the healed man to go back to the priests? Scholar David Guzik says: "Going to the priest would also bring the former leper back into society. Jesus wanted the healing of the man’s disease to have as much benefit as possible." 6. Like repentance, this healing must be "all-body". No partial healing, or the sickness will remain! |
NOW READ
MATTHEW CHAPTER 9
AND SEE WHAT POWER HE SHOWS IN THE HEALING OF THE BLIND
MATTHEW CHAPTER 9
AND SEE WHAT POWER HE SHOWS IN THE HEALING OF THE BLIND
Jesus is in the beautiful city of Capernaum. He is heading across the town to where He is staying. Two men stumble along with the massive, massive crowd who followed Jesus. They were screaming to get his attention:
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. |
These men heard of Jesus and since they still have the faculty of hearing, they had heard His preaching. They were desperate for Jesus, which is the way to come to Christ for healing. These two men were crying out (κράζοντες from krazo) and this word is the same word used in the Bible for a woman screaming in childbirth or from the man possessed with a demon or even of Jesus screaming on the cross. This is a cry of desperation.
They use a strange title: "Son of David." Why did they call Him that?
Bible scholar MacArthur says:
They were saying, "Son of David. Son of David." Now, why did they say that? Why did they call Jesus of Nazareth Son of David? Did they know His lineage from Joseph, who was of the line of David? Did they know His lineage from Mary, who also, according to Luke 3, I believe, was of the lineage of David? Well, I'm not sure they knew that. What did they know? The term Son of David was the common Jewish designation for the Messiah. That was the common Jewish title for the Messiah: Son of David. Matthew knew that that was the point of Jewish recognition. That's why, in the first chapter and the first verse of Matthew's gospel he begins that way. He writes, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David." What is that? That is a Messianic affirmation. He is the Promised One; and in that title, Son of David, is all of the concept of dominion and royalty and kingship that the prophets spoke of.
After all, 2 Samuel chapter 7 predicts that the Messiah would come through the bloodline of David.
They cry out and He turns and addresses them: Do you believe that I am able to do this?
The two blind men showed their faith by saying, “Yes, Lord.”
The conditions were met. He was able if they were willing. Bible scholar Charles Spurgeon said “He touched them with his hand; but they must also touch him with their faith.” You can notice that the woman with the blood disease earlier in this chapter was also saved by her faith, so was the man with leprosy in the previous chapter in this book. Faith is our responsibility.
They use a strange title: "Son of David." Why did they call Him that?
Bible scholar MacArthur says:
They were saying, "Son of David. Son of David." Now, why did they say that? Why did they call Jesus of Nazareth Son of David? Did they know His lineage from Joseph, who was of the line of David? Did they know His lineage from Mary, who also, according to Luke 3, I believe, was of the lineage of David? Well, I'm not sure they knew that. What did they know? The term Son of David was the common Jewish designation for the Messiah. That was the common Jewish title for the Messiah: Son of David. Matthew knew that that was the point of Jewish recognition. That's why, in the first chapter and the first verse of Matthew's gospel he begins that way. He writes, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David." What is that? That is a Messianic affirmation. He is the Promised One; and in that title, Son of David, is all of the concept of dominion and royalty and kingship that the prophets spoke of.
After all, 2 Samuel chapter 7 predicts that the Messiah would come through the bloodline of David.
They cry out and He turns and addresses them: Do you believe that I am able to do this?
The two blind men showed their faith by saying, “Yes, Lord.”
The conditions were met. He was able if they were willing. Bible scholar Charles Spurgeon said “He touched them with his hand; but they must also touch him with their faith.” You can notice that the woman with the blood disease earlier in this chapter was also saved by her faith, so was the man with leprosy in the previous chapter in this book. Faith is our responsibility.
MATTHEW 10: GRADUATION TIME
JESUS CHANGES THE MEN FROM DISCIPLES TO APOSTLES. In chapter 9, Jesus is burdened for the unsaved across the world. He asks the disciples to pray. Then in chapter 10 He see s that they have prayed, gained compassion and were ready to serve, so in verse 6 he tells them to go... Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. |
Verse 5 gives the charge, but before you see that, I want to ask: who are the ones sent to go? Moreover, how does it apply to us readers of this passage of Scriptures? How can God disciple me?
They have already been called, and now in this chapter they were given their commission.
MacArthur says:
...if you look ... at John 1:35 to 51, you find there an illustration of the initial calling to faith or calling to conversion or calling to salvation that our Lord used in the lives of these twelve. He called many, but there it pinpoints several of them in John 1, who are well known to us. And that is the initial calling- they were called to believe, they were called to Christ in a conversion sense. But then after that they went back to their jobs, back to their secular employment, back to their homes.
And there came a second phase, and that is recorded for us in Matthew chapter 4 verses 18 to 22, and this was phase two in the training of the twelve. "He saw two brethren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. He said unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Now, they had already been converted, they had already believed in Christ, they had already affirmed that He was the Messiah as they did in John 1. But now He is calling them to leave the nets,and to leave the secular employment, and to leave their homes, and to follow Him exclusively and totally. This is their calling, if you will, into ministry. They'd been called to salvation, that's phase one, now they're called to attach themselves to Him permanently, that's phase two. And He's going to make them into fishers of men.
There's a pattern here in the Second Testament that many readers miss; you will find four different yet similar way the lists of the twelveare given. The apostles are listed here in Matthew 10:2-4, but also in Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13.
Watch the similarities: Peter is listed first every time and Judas' name is always given last. Then you have the two pairs of brothers (Peter and Andrew; James and John) are then placed ahead in these lists. What's the pattern?
It seems that they Jesus arranged them in three groups of four, each with a leader.
· Peter is first mentioned, followed by Andrew, James, and John. APOSTLE GROUP ONE
· Then Philip is fifth, followed by Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew. APOSTLE GROUP TWO
· Then James the son of Alphaeus is ninth, followed by Thaddaeus/Judas brother of James, Simon the Zealot, and Judas. APOSTLE GROUP THREE
Simon the Zealot meant that Simon had been from a freedom fighter group called the Zealots, who valued freedom above life itself. His group was passionately dedicated to the freedom of the Jews. You can imagine how dedicated the man could be.
Compare that with Matthew, the tax collector for the Roman government; a traitor to his own people, the Jews. I am always amazed that these two men could be in the same room without Simon trying to kill Matthew. The love and ministry of Christ brought these two opposites together, just as the love of Christ does for us today, bringing us into fellowship with people we would have hated before..
They have already been called, and now in this chapter they were given their commission.
MacArthur says:
...if you look ... at John 1:35 to 51, you find there an illustration of the initial calling to faith or calling to conversion or calling to salvation that our Lord used in the lives of these twelve. He called many, but there it pinpoints several of them in John 1, who are well known to us. And that is the initial calling- they were called to believe, they were called to Christ in a conversion sense. But then after that they went back to their jobs, back to their secular employment, back to their homes.
And there came a second phase, and that is recorded for us in Matthew chapter 4 verses 18 to 22, and this was phase two in the training of the twelve. "He saw two brethren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. He said unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Now, they had already been converted, they had already believed in Christ, they had already affirmed that He was the Messiah as they did in John 1. But now He is calling them to leave the nets,and to leave the secular employment, and to leave their homes, and to follow Him exclusively and totally. This is their calling, if you will, into ministry. They'd been called to salvation, that's phase one, now they're called to attach themselves to Him permanently, that's phase two. And He's going to make them into fishers of men.
There's a pattern here in the Second Testament that many readers miss; you will find four different yet similar way the lists of the twelveare given. The apostles are listed here in Matthew 10:2-4, but also in Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13.
Watch the similarities: Peter is listed first every time and Judas' name is always given last. Then you have the two pairs of brothers (Peter and Andrew; James and John) are then placed ahead in these lists. What's the pattern?
It seems that they Jesus arranged them in three groups of four, each with a leader.
· Peter is first mentioned, followed by Andrew, James, and John. APOSTLE GROUP ONE
· Then Philip is fifth, followed by Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew. APOSTLE GROUP TWO
· Then James the son of Alphaeus is ninth, followed by Thaddaeus/Judas brother of James, Simon the Zealot, and Judas. APOSTLE GROUP THREE
Simon the Zealot meant that Simon had been from a freedom fighter group called the Zealots, who valued freedom above life itself. His group was passionately dedicated to the freedom of the Jews. You can imagine how dedicated the man could be.
Compare that with Matthew, the tax collector for the Roman government; a traitor to his own people, the Jews. I am always amazed that these two men could be in the same room without Simon trying to kill Matthew. The love and ministry of Christ brought these two opposites together, just as the love of Christ does for us today, bringing us into fellowship with people we would have hated before..
MATTHEW 11 TELLS ABOUT THIS MAN JOHN THE BAPTIST. WHO IS HE?
Let's read the first part of the chapter:
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’"
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
This man Jesus speaks about was announced as the greatest person ever. This is Jesus Himself saying this! Jesus goes on to say that when John spoke, violence broke out. The phrase "the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it" can be translated in the Greek to "the Kingdom of God is pressing forward and violent people are trying to take it." That could mean people are trying to fight the kingdom but one translation said it could mean violent people are repenting and wanting to enter the Kingdom. So, either way, John the Baptist had a dynamic ministry.
Jesus addresses the crowd about the now-imprisoned John: "...did you expect to see a reed blown about by the wind?" In other words, did you expect to see someone who would cater to the politics of the day? Someone who would be moved and shaken by the Pharisees to that it seemed like he couldn't stand on his own two feet? Well, this man is not to be shaken.
Jesus is giving the signs of a true Christian hero. The examples in John can be copied by us. Look at what else Christ says: "Is he like the scribes, who actually changed their clothing from the uniform of a scribe and took on the costume of obedience that everyone in Herod's palace wore?" The people get the picture. John has rejected any of that. He stays away from the hustle of the city and stays in the wilderness - if you wanted to hear the truth of the Messiah, you spent your own energy and time and came to him. None of this "easy believism".
John avoided the temptation of being bribed with fine clothes and great meals. He chose to eat the food of the common, low-income folk: roasted locusts (without the wings). He wore a simple clothing of camel skin. He was simple and he was tough. Why? He was focused on the Kingdom to come.
John was the greatest of prophets because he was predicted to usher in the Messiah as it says in Malachi 3:1. He didn't just preach about the Messiah; he got to baptize Him! He didn't just say "Messiah is coming," he said "Messiah is HERE."
John faced death as a warrior. He was obsessed with telling about heaven to come and the Head of Heaven who was here. John was so focused that he had no fear of any persecution. He was an example for the crowd; he is an example for us today.
Let's read the first part of the chapter:
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’"
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
This man Jesus speaks about was announced as the greatest person ever. This is Jesus Himself saying this! Jesus goes on to say that when John spoke, violence broke out. The phrase "the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it" can be translated in the Greek to "the Kingdom of God is pressing forward and violent people are trying to take it." That could mean people are trying to fight the kingdom but one translation said it could mean violent people are repenting and wanting to enter the Kingdom. So, either way, John the Baptist had a dynamic ministry.
Jesus addresses the crowd about the now-imprisoned John: "...did you expect to see a reed blown about by the wind?" In other words, did you expect to see someone who would cater to the politics of the day? Someone who would be moved and shaken by the Pharisees to that it seemed like he couldn't stand on his own two feet? Well, this man is not to be shaken.
Jesus is giving the signs of a true Christian hero. The examples in John can be copied by us. Look at what else Christ says: "Is he like the scribes, who actually changed their clothing from the uniform of a scribe and took on the costume of obedience that everyone in Herod's palace wore?" The people get the picture. John has rejected any of that. He stays away from the hustle of the city and stays in the wilderness - if you wanted to hear the truth of the Messiah, you spent your own energy and time and came to him. None of this "easy believism".
John avoided the temptation of being bribed with fine clothes and great meals. He chose to eat the food of the common, low-income folk: roasted locusts (without the wings). He wore a simple clothing of camel skin. He was simple and he was tough. Why? He was focused on the Kingdom to come.
John was the greatest of prophets because he was predicted to usher in the Messiah as it says in Malachi 3:1. He didn't just preach about the Messiah; he got to baptize Him! He didn't just say "Messiah is coming," he said "Messiah is HERE."
John faced death as a warrior. He was obsessed with telling about heaven to come and the Head of Heaven who was here. John was so focused that he had no fear of any persecution. He was an example for the crowd; he is an example for us today.
MATTHEW 13
HERE IS A PARABLE WHERE JESUS IS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO GET INFORMATION, AND YET KEEP INFORMATION BACK FROM THEM. Some people hear the parable but just don't get it spiritually. Jesus wants to see if people will be willing to pursue the entire teaching. The passage is in verses 1 through 23.
This is known as the Parable of the Soils.
Here's the parable:
That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.
And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”
The disciples were confused, so Jesus carefully explained this:
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”
People in those days were mostly farmers or at least worked in the soil a lot. They easily understood the style of the parable. The Sower is someone who spreads God's truth. He plants seeds; he is precise in what he does. Not too deep, not too shallow. In sharing God's truth, we must also be clear and precise.
The Seed is God's truth. Luke 8:11 tells this.
The Soil is our hearts. Are we receptive or not? Receptive or resistant? The results from hearing the Gospel depends on the condition of your heart. When we don't get answers from God, could it be that our hearts are not ready or receptive?
Think of the Wayside, says Jesus. The pathway that people walked frequently and it is hardened by heavy use. Think of the parallel. Hard path, hard heart. Hard paths don't let anything in: no seed, no fertilizer... nothing. When the Seed fell on the rock-hard soil, the birds came over and simply picked it up. Other people's feet would stamp on it. The hard heart of a person in impenetrable, even when hearing of a miracle of God. The heart is not broken up; no conviction of sin, no repentance, so Satan takes the spiritual truth away. Some people take a long time to receive the Truth. Some never get that length of time. The opportunity is gone. Like the Pharaoh's hardened heart, God is closed off. maybe people like their own traditions (Mark 7:9) or pride (Jeremiah 13:15) or unbelief and sin (Hebrews 3:7-13).
Think of the Stony Ground, says Jesus. It's more than just rocks littering the topsoil; it might mean rocks embedded inches and maybe yards deep. The roots of the plant do indeed take hold, but the lack of depth kills it off. This is a shallow heart. There is no "room to grow" deep int eh soul. It allows the Word to penetrate it, but there is no depth. Bible passages are taken with as much seriousness as a comic book or sports column. Just like serious friendships that share deep conversations, God's relationship needs to be deep. Prayer needs to be deep and so does reading His word to hear from the Lord. The heart of troubled times burns away any growth. This is an important point when it comes to "newborn" Christians; they need to be slowly and carefully "worked into depth" with good solid kinship and reliable Bible learning. 1 Peter 4:12-16 tells you that troubles will come, and be ready. Don't think it strange. It's not comfortable by any means, but this testing will build depth in the Christian faith and in our relationship with Jesus.
Think of the Thorny Ground, says Jesus. It's worldly, loud and selfish. The world system is idolatry; the person loves the secular over the sacred. The heart of this person is divided; they are receptive but not for long. They are preoccupied and distracted with the noise of the system of the cares of the earthly life. The rich young ruler is a good example - he has been keeping the Ten Commandments, but his material possessions are keeping him from God. Here's a point: there is constant care needed. Soil doesn't stay weedless; it must be tended. In the same way, we must be under constant care. Are we receptive to allow God to take out the worldly weeds from our life? If not, the thorns can choke out the growth of the plant. "Choke" is a dramatic term, but it applies well here. We must constantly cultivate our heart, and we allow our hearts to be softened, just as Hosea 10:12 says to"break up the fallow ground of your heart."
Now, get locked in on the Good Soil, says Jesus. If we not only understand it, we receive it and keep it, says the Lord. John 15:5 says we are the branches and the Vine Himself will let us produce fruit if we allow the spirit of God to course through us. Look at the return rate! The usual return at hat time was about seven and a half; here it says thirty-fold, some sixty-fold and some a hundred-fold. The emphasis here is not on the specific numbers so much, but that the potential is amazing for a powerful return if we allow God to penetrate our heart and prepare our souls as Good Soil. God is glorified by fruit-bearing; are we ready to glorify God with how we live? Constantly check the health of your soil!
HERE IS A PARABLE WHERE JESUS IS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO GET INFORMATION, AND YET KEEP INFORMATION BACK FROM THEM. Some people hear the parable but just don't get it spiritually. Jesus wants to see if people will be willing to pursue the entire teaching. The passage is in verses 1 through 23.
This is known as the Parable of the Soils.
Here's the parable:
That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.
And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”
The disciples were confused, so Jesus carefully explained this:
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”
People in those days were mostly farmers or at least worked in the soil a lot. They easily understood the style of the parable. The Sower is someone who spreads God's truth. He plants seeds; he is precise in what he does. Not too deep, not too shallow. In sharing God's truth, we must also be clear and precise.
The Seed is God's truth. Luke 8:11 tells this.
The Soil is our hearts. Are we receptive or not? Receptive or resistant? The results from hearing the Gospel depends on the condition of your heart. When we don't get answers from God, could it be that our hearts are not ready or receptive?
Think of the Wayside, says Jesus. The pathway that people walked frequently and it is hardened by heavy use. Think of the parallel. Hard path, hard heart. Hard paths don't let anything in: no seed, no fertilizer... nothing. When the Seed fell on the rock-hard soil, the birds came over and simply picked it up. Other people's feet would stamp on it. The hard heart of a person in impenetrable, even when hearing of a miracle of God. The heart is not broken up; no conviction of sin, no repentance, so Satan takes the spiritual truth away. Some people take a long time to receive the Truth. Some never get that length of time. The opportunity is gone. Like the Pharaoh's hardened heart, God is closed off. maybe people like their own traditions (Mark 7:9) or pride (Jeremiah 13:15) or unbelief and sin (Hebrews 3:7-13).
Think of the Stony Ground, says Jesus. It's more than just rocks littering the topsoil; it might mean rocks embedded inches and maybe yards deep. The roots of the plant do indeed take hold, but the lack of depth kills it off. This is a shallow heart. There is no "room to grow" deep int eh soul. It allows the Word to penetrate it, but there is no depth. Bible passages are taken with as much seriousness as a comic book or sports column. Just like serious friendships that share deep conversations, God's relationship needs to be deep. Prayer needs to be deep and so does reading His word to hear from the Lord. The heart of troubled times burns away any growth. This is an important point when it comes to "newborn" Christians; they need to be slowly and carefully "worked into depth" with good solid kinship and reliable Bible learning. 1 Peter 4:12-16 tells you that troubles will come, and be ready. Don't think it strange. It's not comfortable by any means, but this testing will build depth in the Christian faith and in our relationship with Jesus.
Think of the Thorny Ground, says Jesus. It's worldly, loud and selfish. The world system is idolatry; the person loves the secular over the sacred. The heart of this person is divided; they are receptive but not for long. They are preoccupied and distracted with the noise of the system of the cares of the earthly life. The rich young ruler is a good example - he has been keeping the Ten Commandments, but his material possessions are keeping him from God. Here's a point: there is constant care needed. Soil doesn't stay weedless; it must be tended. In the same way, we must be under constant care. Are we receptive to allow God to take out the worldly weeds from our life? If not, the thorns can choke out the growth of the plant. "Choke" is a dramatic term, but it applies well here. We must constantly cultivate our heart, and we allow our hearts to be softened, just as Hosea 10:12 says to"break up the fallow ground of your heart."
Now, get locked in on the Good Soil, says Jesus. If we not only understand it, we receive it and keep it, says the Lord. John 15:5 says we are the branches and the Vine Himself will let us produce fruit if we allow the spirit of God to course through us. Look at the return rate! The usual return at hat time was about seven and a half; here it says thirty-fold, some sixty-fold and some a hundred-fold. The emphasis here is not on the specific numbers so much, but that the potential is amazing for a powerful return if we allow God to penetrate our heart and prepare our souls as Good Soil. God is glorified by fruit-bearing; are we ready to glorify God with how we live? Constantly check the health of your soil!
THEN YOU SEE AN ASTOUNDING PASSAGE OF HEALING IN
MATTHEW 17: 14-21
When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
This is more than just a story about disciples who couldn't get the job done. This is a message that goes even beyond the power of Jesus being able to overcome the demonic world. This true story is given by the writer Matthew so that we can learn a very important story about ourselves as Christians.
Here are some points to consider about this passage. Jesus responds to each of the points.
1. There is a curious and critical crowd of followers surrounding the nine disciples (Peter, James and John were up on the mountain at the time of Transfiguration, witnessing the glory of Christ). These disciples had the ability at their disposal but their lack of faith hindered them. Jesus rebukes the disciples' faithlessness. We don't know why they were faithless but we think they may have been proud and felt egotistical.
2. There was a desperate and disappointed father who was begging for healing. He had been carrying this burden since childhood. The demon tried to throw the child into a person's private outdoor fire that was on their property, or the demons tried to throw the child into one of a property owner's wells. The father admitted his helplessness, and God was able to work with him. When a Christian is submissive, God can start working.
3. How long has your son been like this? How long must I put up with this? Jesus uses the "how long" phrase to let the crowd know that He is yearning to lead them into truth and power but they keep putting it off. Did you get Jesus? Are you seriously ready to let Him take over. How long will it take?
4. Jesus shows His love even while speaking the truth about them being "perverse." He was exposing their sin so that they could repent.
5. Jesus rebukes the demon within the son. Jesus has the power to defeat any demon. He totally takes control over the demon. This is important for us to remember because that means that He has our soul secure, and He has the power to lift the sinner over any problem, terror or demon. He may sound cruel when He speaks this way, but look at the end result: Jesus healed the boy and gave the father and son a whole new life. This was a total transformation. All the embarrassments, all of the medical expenses are over. His son is whole. The father and son got more than temporary relief; they got a new future.
6. Is Jesus saying that the obedient Christian can literally move mountains? No, but Jesus is saying that miracles can happen in the life of the Believer if the Believer is willing to surrender all, in actively praying and fasting.
7. The critics were looking for evidence. Oh, they saw it all right. They witnessed this miracle and were also given a new opportunity - the opportunity to believe and follow Christ - and find a while new future.
MATTHEW 17: 14-21
When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
This is more than just a story about disciples who couldn't get the job done. This is a message that goes even beyond the power of Jesus being able to overcome the demonic world. This true story is given by the writer Matthew so that we can learn a very important story about ourselves as Christians.
Here are some points to consider about this passage. Jesus responds to each of the points.
1. There is a curious and critical crowd of followers surrounding the nine disciples (Peter, James and John were up on the mountain at the time of Transfiguration, witnessing the glory of Christ). These disciples had the ability at their disposal but their lack of faith hindered them. Jesus rebukes the disciples' faithlessness. We don't know why they were faithless but we think they may have been proud and felt egotistical.
2. There was a desperate and disappointed father who was begging for healing. He had been carrying this burden since childhood. The demon tried to throw the child into a person's private outdoor fire that was on their property, or the demons tried to throw the child into one of a property owner's wells. The father admitted his helplessness, and God was able to work with him. When a Christian is submissive, God can start working.
3. How long has your son been like this? How long must I put up with this? Jesus uses the "how long" phrase to let the crowd know that He is yearning to lead them into truth and power but they keep putting it off. Did you get Jesus? Are you seriously ready to let Him take over. How long will it take?
4. Jesus shows His love even while speaking the truth about them being "perverse." He was exposing their sin so that they could repent.
5. Jesus rebukes the demon within the son. Jesus has the power to defeat any demon. He totally takes control over the demon. This is important for us to remember because that means that He has our soul secure, and He has the power to lift the sinner over any problem, terror or demon. He may sound cruel when He speaks this way, but look at the end result: Jesus healed the boy and gave the father and son a whole new life. This was a total transformation. All the embarrassments, all of the medical expenses are over. His son is whole. The father and son got more than temporary relief; they got a new future.
6. Is Jesus saying that the obedient Christian can literally move mountains? No, but Jesus is saying that miracles can happen in the life of the Believer if the Believer is willing to surrender all, in actively praying and fasting.
7. The critics were looking for evidence. Oh, they saw it all right. They witnessed this miracle and were also given a new opportunity - the opportunity to believe and follow Christ - and find a while new future.
In this book, Jesus makes the path to Heaven very, very clear.
NOW GO TO MATTHEW 22:
9Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. 11"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' This is from Bible scholar John MacArthur: ...the last little scene in this parable is very, very important...the intruder expelled. We've seen the invitation rejected, the rejecters punished, the new guests invited and now the intruder is expelled. Now watch this, verse 11, "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment." I mean, this is pretty tacky...a seedy character. You go to a wedding at the king's place, you've got to do what's right. You say, "Well now wait a minute. When you just go out in the highways and byways and start sweeping in people off the street, you can't expect a whole lot." But the point that's interesting to make here is that there was only one guy who wasn't properly garmented. Now we don't know whether they get...had time to go home and get a garment or whether the king provided garments. |
There's a big debate. Sometimes people say, "Well, they had time and they went home and got their Sunday best and wore it." And others say, "No, the king gave them a garment." The parable doesn't say anything. So you're better off not saying anything. Jesus intended to say what He said, not what you think He didn't say. And so the best thing...the best thing is to assume that everybody had access to the proper garments, whether they went home and got it, or whether it was provided for them or whatever...they had access to it.
And one guy comes in there and he's...he's not properly attired. And there was a proper way to be attired. And you know something? He was easy to spot, right? I mean, you've got a whole mob of people all in their best and then a guy in rags. The king saw him. He can't hide. Listen, there are no gate crashers in the Kingdom. That's right. No party crashers. They're going to stick out.
"The king goes to him in verse 12 and said, Fellow, how camest thou in here and not having a wedding garment?" What do you think you're doing here without proper clothing? "And he was...what?...speechless." You'd think if he had an excuse he would have given one? Sure...he would have said, "Hey, you know, my wife took the deal to the cleaners, it isn't coming back till Tuesday...I mean, what am I going to do, right?" Or, "You know, I was coming and I had that deal under my arm and a guy went by me in a cart and the thing fell in...I mean, it's a sad thing, but I'm..." Or he could have said, "This is all I have," played the pious deal, you know. He was speechless. Why? He had no what? No excuse. Had no excuse. Which means that everybody could have had a garment, including him. He just didn't do it. I mean, he came in there saying, "I'm just going to be myself," see. "I mean, I'm not going to do anything different than I normally do, I'm just going to come to the party just like I am." Very proud, very insulting, very thoughtless.
"So, the king said to the servants, Tie him up hand and foot, take him away." You say, "Why did they do that?" Because if they didn't do that, he'd come back again. So they tie him up so he can't come back in again. "Put him in outer darkness." Apparently the lights had been turned on in the middle of the festival, it was evening by now, put him out...put him out. "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." He'll have great regret, oh, he'll have great regret to miss the celebration. Oh, he'll be so sad...weeping...gnashing his teeth, put him out.
You say, "Well, what is this saying?" It's saying that there's going to be people who try to crash the Kingdom. And they come in and they hang around and they join the church and they get involved and they're a part. I mean, they've been out there on the highways and byways and the preachers go out and they call them to come and they come in...and they come in and they don't have the proper garment, but they want to stay. And in order to keep them out, you've got to tie them up, put them out.
You say, "Who are these people?" Oh, they're sort of like the people in Matthew 7 who say, "Lord, Lord, have we not cast out demons, have we not done many wonderful works in your name? Lord, Lord, we preached. He says, Out, I never knew you, who are you?" These are Kingdom crashers, these are tares among the wheat. They're not properly garmented.
You say, "What's the garment?" That's easy. Go back to Matthew 5:20 for a moment, I'll show you the garment. In Matthew 5:20 it says, "For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of heaven." What is it that is necessary for entrance into the Kingdom of heaven? What is it? Righteousness. And a righteousness different than the Pharisees which was a self-righteousness, a God-given righteousness. It's just what Hebrews 12:14 says, "Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." You don't go into God's presence without manifest righteousness, without manifest holiness. Job 29:14 the text says, "I put on righteousness and it clothed me."
The Jews would understand this who were listening to Him because they would remember one of the most beautiful texts of the entire Old Testament. It would be very familiar to them. It is Isaiah 61:10 and it says this, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness." They knew that. Righteousness was the robe.
And the king looked at this man, he saw no righteousness. That is no right living, no right thinking, no right speaking. He saw no holiness, no godliness. He said you don't belong in here, you can't crash the Kingdom on your own terms. "That which proves you belong is manifest righteousness." Beloved, this is a repeated truth in the gospel of Matthew over and over and over and over. That which marks a true believer is manifest righteousness, not that he hangs around other believers, not that he identifies externally with the ongoing activity of the Kingdom.
And you know, it would be easy to read this text and say, "Boy, we condemn Israel for what they did...." but listen, we're pass that when we get to this part. And what we're looking at here in verses 11 to 14 is us. We're looking at the Gentiles. Yes, Israel treated Jesus Christ with indifference and hostility. Yes, they too were set aside of the judgment. Yes their city was destroyed and their nation and they've never yet been able to rebuild their temple. And yes they've lost for all the time since that their sacrificial system. Yes they've been set apart. And yes we've been brought in by the gracious preaching of the salvation message that extends to every one everywhere. But at the same time, if they have been guilty of indifference and hostility, then we have been guilty of gate crashing. And in Christianity we have a lot of people who hang around and who push their way in and who want to belong but they have no manifest holiness which is the robe of salvation. You understand? ...
It's talking about internal righteousness and external manifest righteousness. For the only way that a person is ever marked out as a member of the Kingdom is by manifestation of holy living.
And so, if the Jew has been guilty of hostility and indifference, and so have many of us, so have many of us, for the world is filled today with people who in their secular pursuits are utterly indifferent to Christ, true? And there are others in their religious persuasions who are utterly hostile to Christ. But there are a myriad of people who on the outside identify but have no manifest holiness. They've tried to come on their own terms, on their own ground, on their own self-righteousness and be okay and it isn't so.
You say, "Well, John, how do you get that righteousness?" I believe that that's what Jesus would wish they had asked. How do you get the robe? Because in 2 Corinthians 5:21 it says, Jesus Christ is the one in view, "He who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made...what?...the righteousness of God in Him." When we come to love Christ and receive Christ, we receive the righteousness of God. And that's our robe, isn't it? That's our robe. Good and bad people come but once you come in, you have a robe. And you could be a moral person, without a robe you'll be thrown out. You could be a formerly immoral person, clothed in the holiness of Christ, welcome to stay. That's the issue.
Jesus is saying to these people, "God rejects you because you've rejected the celebration in honor of His Son." And then He says, "And to all of the rest of you in the world, come, come." But don't think you can come on your own terms. You must be clothed with His righteousness by faith in His death and resurrection.
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And one guy comes in there and he's...he's not properly attired. And there was a proper way to be attired. And you know something? He was easy to spot, right? I mean, you've got a whole mob of people all in their best and then a guy in rags. The king saw him. He can't hide. Listen, there are no gate crashers in the Kingdom. That's right. No party crashers. They're going to stick out.
"The king goes to him in verse 12 and said, Fellow, how camest thou in here and not having a wedding garment?" What do you think you're doing here without proper clothing? "And he was...what?...speechless." You'd think if he had an excuse he would have given one? Sure...he would have said, "Hey, you know, my wife took the deal to the cleaners, it isn't coming back till Tuesday...I mean, what am I going to do, right?" Or, "You know, I was coming and I had that deal under my arm and a guy went by me in a cart and the thing fell in...I mean, it's a sad thing, but I'm..." Or he could have said, "This is all I have," played the pious deal, you know. He was speechless. Why? He had no what? No excuse. Had no excuse. Which means that everybody could have had a garment, including him. He just didn't do it. I mean, he came in there saying, "I'm just going to be myself," see. "I mean, I'm not going to do anything different than I normally do, I'm just going to come to the party just like I am." Very proud, very insulting, very thoughtless.
"So, the king said to the servants, Tie him up hand and foot, take him away." You say, "Why did they do that?" Because if they didn't do that, he'd come back again. So they tie him up so he can't come back in again. "Put him in outer darkness." Apparently the lights had been turned on in the middle of the festival, it was evening by now, put him out...put him out. "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." He'll have great regret, oh, he'll have great regret to miss the celebration. Oh, he'll be so sad...weeping...gnashing his teeth, put him out.
You say, "Well, what is this saying?" It's saying that there's going to be people who try to crash the Kingdom. And they come in and they hang around and they join the church and they get involved and they're a part. I mean, they've been out there on the highways and byways and the preachers go out and they call them to come and they come in...and they come in and they don't have the proper garment, but they want to stay. And in order to keep them out, you've got to tie them up, put them out.
You say, "Who are these people?" Oh, they're sort of like the people in Matthew 7 who say, "Lord, Lord, have we not cast out demons, have we not done many wonderful works in your name? Lord, Lord, we preached. He says, Out, I never knew you, who are you?" These are Kingdom crashers, these are tares among the wheat. They're not properly garmented.
You say, "What's the garment?" That's easy. Go back to Matthew 5:20 for a moment, I'll show you the garment. In Matthew 5:20 it says, "For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of heaven." What is it that is necessary for entrance into the Kingdom of heaven? What is it? Righteousness. And a righteousness different than the Pharisees which was a self-righteousness, a God-given righteousness. It's just what Hebrews 12:14 says, "Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." You don't go into God's presence without manifest righteousness, without manifest holiness. Job 29:14 the text says, "I put on righteousness and it clothed me."
The Jews would understand this who were listening to Him because they would remember one of the most beautiful texts of the entire Old Testament. It would be very familiar to them. It is Isaiah 61:10 and it says this, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness." They knew that. Righteousness was the robe.
And the king looked at this man, he saw no righteousness. That is no right living, no right thinking, no right speaking. He saw no holiness, no godliness. He said you don't belong in here, you can't crash the Kingdom on your own terms. "That which proves you belong is manifest righteousness." Beloved, this is a repeated truth in the gospel of Matthew over and over and over and over. That which marks a true believer is manifest righteousness, not that he hangs around other believers, not that he identifies externally with the ongoing activity of the Kingdom.
And you know, it would be easy to read this text and say, "Boy, we condemn Israel for what they did...." but listen, we're pass that when we get to this part. And what we're looking at here in verses 11 to 14 is us. We're looking at the Gentiles. Yes, Israel treated Jesus Christ with indifference and hostility. Yes, they too were set aside of the judgment. Yes their city was destroyed and their nation and they've never yet been able to rebuild their temple. And yes they've lost for all the time since that their sacrificial system. Yes they've been set apart. And yes we've been brought in by the gracious preaching of the salvation message that extends to every one everywhere. But at the same time, if they have been guilty of indifference and hostility, then we have been guilty of gate crashing. And in Christianity we have a lot of people who hang around and who push their way in and who want to belong but they have no manifest holiness which is the robe of salvation. You understand? ...
It's talking about internal righteousness and external manifest righteousness. For the only way that a person is ever marked out as a member of the Kingdom is by manifestation of holy living.
And so, if the Jew has been guilty of hostility and indifference, and so have many of us, so have many of us, for the world is filled today with people who in their secular pursuits are utterly indifferent to Christ, true? And there are others in their religious persuasions who are utterly hostile to Christ. But there are a myriad of people who on the outside identify but have no manifest holiness. They've tried to come on their own terms, on their own ground, on their own self-righteousness and be okay and it isn't so.
You say, "Well, John, how do you get that righteousness?" I believe that that's what Jesus would wish they had asked. How do you get the robe? Because in 2 Corinthians 5:21 it says, Jesus Christ is the one in view, "He who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made...what?...the righteousness of God in Him." When we come to love Christ and receive Christ, we receive the righteousness of God. And that's our robe, isn't it? That's our robe. Good and bad people come but once you come in, you have a robe. And you could be a moral person, without a robe you'll be thrown out. You could be a formerly immoral person, clothed in the holiness of Christ, welcome to stay. That's the issue.
Jesus is saying to these people, "God rejects you because you've rejected the celebration in honor of His Son." And then He says, "And to all of the rest of you in the world, come, come." But don't think you can come on your own terms. You must be clothed with His righteousness by faith in His death and resurrection.
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MATTHEW 26
On the mount of Olives, within the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told the disciples to stay at the gate entrance while He went in to pray. This is the preparation time of His suffering. Verse 2:
“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”
The disciples are left at the gate, in order for Jesus to have seclusion and have privacy as He prays deeply and with agitation. The disciples were to guard He enters the Garden as he takes Peter, James and John. Scholars believe that since Peter and James and John would be leaders of the new movement called Christianity, He wanted them to witness the importance of dependence on God when trials come. He wasn't looking for their help; He would have to go through the trial on His own, and wasn't wanting their support or sympathy. He wanted for them to learn how they would face this trial. Remember, Peter and the others had just boasted that they would face any trial. This was to show the humanity of Jesus and in that humanity, Jesus would show that His strength is not in physical stature, but in dependence on God. Men and women do not look to each other when going through a trail; they fully fall on God for help. Think of what Hebrews 4:15 says :
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
We can go to Jesus because He has faced severe temptation by the Enemy but in trusting God He was victorious. Jesus faced temptation from His first steps into the ministry (Matthew 4) at the hands of Satan, and He once again faces the Enemy here. He responds both testings with Scripture and with prayer - these are weapons that cannot be overcome, and the disciples were learning this - and so should we.
The Word of God, and the prayer of dependence on God - those are the two best weapons of the Believer against the temptations of the Enemy.
On the mount of Olives, within the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told the disciples to stay at the gate entrance while He went in to pray. This is the preparation time of His suffering. Verse 2:
“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”
The disciples are left at the gate, in order for Jesus to have seclusion and have privacy as He prays deeply and with agitation. The disciples were to guard He enters the Garden as he takes Peter, James and John. Scholars believe that since Peter and James and John would be leaders of the new movement called Christianity, He wanted them to witness the importance of dependence on God when trials come. He wasn't looking for their help; He would have to go through the trial on His own, and wasn't wanting their support or sympathy. He wanted for them to learn how they would face this trial. Remember, Peter and the others had just boasted that they would face any trial. This was to show the humanity of Jesus and in that humanity, Jesus would show that His strength is not in physical stature, but in dependence on God. Men and women do not look to each other when going through a trail; they fully fall on God for help. Think of what Hebrews 4:15 says :
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
We can go to Jesus because He has faced severe temptation by the Enemy but in trusting God He was victorious. Jesus faced temptation from His first steps into the ministry (Matthew 4) at the hands of Satan, and He once again faces the Enemy here. He responds both testings with Scripture and with prayer - these are weapons that cannot be overcome, and the disciples were learning this - and so should we.
The Word of God, and the prayer of dependence on God - those are the two best weapons of the Believer against the temptations of the Enemy.