S - Genesis 10-11
O - I last stopped at Genesis 9. Chapter 10 is a genealogy from Noah's 3 sons Shem, Ham and Japheth all the way down to Abram.
Seems like people in those days would have the land they owned named after them. Or perhaps it was their family/clan name.
I mapped out all the names; in Chapter 11 there is an account of Shem starting from 2 years after the flood, and the man named Abram came about like this:
(Noah -->) Shem --> Arphaxad --> Shelah --> Eber --> Peleg --> Reu --> Serug --> Nahor --> Terah
Terah had 3 sons: Nahor, Haran and Abram.
Haran died in Ur, had children Lot and Iscah.
Nahor married wife Milcah who was from/ a child of Haran.
Abram's wife is Sarai.
Chapter 10 also mentions which clans live in which parts of the land.
The concluding sentence is
32 These are the clans of Noah's sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.
The start of chapter 11 is about the tower of Babel.
1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel--because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
I must say I still don't really get this part. According to my understanding, the people all wanted to build this huge tower that reached the heavens so they they would be well-known for the success and to show the material wealth they had. It would be built with their own strength and power - without God.
To stop them, God confused their language so that they couldn't understand each other and they were all scattered to different parts of the earth, so the city wasn't built.
Babel sounds like confused in Hebrew *
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Matthew 10
S - Matthew 10
O -
So I discussed this chapter with dad after I read it because I found it quite difficult to understand.
Jesus's twelve disciples
2 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; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
and the purpose was to
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
The first question I had was about this verse
15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
I have heard about the cities Sodom and Gomorrah before but can't exactly remember the story behind them. So I was reading into Genesis 18-19 for background.
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Jesus uses some animal imagery here haha. Sheep among wolves - as though it is natural for the people of Israel to "prey on" the disciples and their preaching the gospel. Also, to be shrewd (having sharp judgement) but be innocent (i suppose, not to be influenced by sinful ways).
This verse was quite encouraging
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
It is synonymous with parts of Romans 8. It is a relief that the Spirit can act for us in times of strife, as long as we choose to live by the Spirit.
21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
This verse was also discussed - it would refer to how Jesus would have to be put first before brother, father or children.
23 ...I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
This is pretty astounding...that the disciples probably won't get through the whole of Israel before Jesus's death and resurrection. So the Gentiles and Samaritans won't have heard the gospel until Jesus died (Great Commission)
25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub,how much more the members of his household!
I also wasn't too sure about Beelzebub - He's the prince of demons. If the head of the house is the devil, the members will be like him.
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Another verse - The One - referring to God. He is the judge and the wages of sin is death.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I was a little confused with this at first, but it is actually part of a recurring motif that Jesus speaks of. If God looks out for the sparrows that don't seem to be worth much (a penny for two), yet he knows the number of hairs on your head, God will certainly not let you fall. These rhetorical questions make you realize that your worries or doubts in God are pointless because he will never fail us. Jesus remembers to frequently reassure us with this through his teachings so far in Matthew.
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Jesus states the terms in black and white here. If we choose to recognize and have a public relationship with him, he will acknowledge us before God. This would be one reason to be baptised - as a public declaration of our belief in God.
34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.35 For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Then there's this part about how Jesus has to be the priority before our family. God is jealous and he wants us to seek him first before anybody or anything.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
It is only in God that we find our lives; he is the purpose of our lives. Those without God wouldn't truly have a purpose to their lives.
Another part I was confused about
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
I remember the notes in the study bible saying that those times were times of persecution for Christians and that it was dangerous for people to be receiving the disciples and showing them hospitality. For them to receive the disciples would be to receive God. If they receive a prophet or righteous man, they would receive their due reward, but if they receive Jesus' disciple, the reward would be eternal, just as they received God.
A/P - be clear about our priorities in life. Spread the gospel and make disciples. Evangelism doesn't have to be on mission work out of the country. Here the disciples were spreading the gospel to the Israelites - people around them.
O -
So I discussed this chapter with dad after I read it because I found it quite difficult to understand.
Jesus's twelve disciples
2 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; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
and the purpose was to
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
The first question I had was about this verse
15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
I have heard about the cities Sodom and Gomorrah before but can't exactly remember the story behind them. So I was reading into Genesis 18-19 for background.
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Jesus uses some animal imagery here haha. Sheep among wolves - as though it is natural for the people of Israel to "prey on" the disciples and their preaching the gospel. Also, to be shrewd (having sharp judgement) but be innocent (i suppose, not to be influenced by sinful ways).
This verse was quite encouraging
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
It is synonymous with parts of Romans 8. It is a relief that the Spirit can act for us in times of strife, as long as we choose to live by the Spirit.
21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
This verse was also discussed - it would refer to how Jesus would have to be put first before brother, father or children.
23 ...I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
This is pretty astounding...that the disciples probably won't get through the whole of Israel before Jesus's death and resurrection. So the Gentiles and Samaritans won't have heard the gospel until Jesus died (Great Commission)
25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub,how much more the members of his household!
I also wasn't too sure about Beelzebub - He's the prince of demons. If the head of the house is the devil, the members will be like him.
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Another verse - The One - referring to God. He is the judge and the wages of sin is death.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I was a little confused with this at first, but it is actually part of a recurring motif that Jesus speaks of. If God looks out for the sparrows that don't seem to be worth much (a penny for two), yet he knows the number of hairs on your head, God will certainly not let you fall. These rhetorical questions make you realize that your worries or doubts in God are pointless because he will never fail us. Jesus remembers to frequently reassure us with this through his teachings so far in Matthew.
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Jesus states the terms in black and white here. If we choose to recognize and have a public relationship with him, he will acknowledge us before God. This would be one reason to be baptised - as a public declaration of our belief in God.
34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.35 For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Then there's this part about how Jesus has to be the priority before our family. God is jealous and he wants us to seek him first before anybody or anything.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
It is only in God that we find our lives; he is the purpose of our lives. Those without God wouldn't truly have a purpose to their lives.
Another part I was confused about
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
I remember the notes in the study bible saying that those times were times of persecution for Christians and that it was dangerous for people to be receiving the disciples and showing them hospitality. For them to receive the disciples would be to receive God. If they receive a prophet or righteous man, they would receive their due reward, but if they receive Jesus' disciple, the reward would be eternal, just as they received God.
A/P - be clear about our priorities in life. Spread the gospel and make disciples. Evangelism doesn't have to be on mission work out of the country. Here the disciples were spreading the gospel to the Israelites - people around them.
Matthew 9
S - Matthew 9
O -
When Jesus sees the paralytic and the men's faith, he forgives his sins. Some teachers of the law pounce on this and say he is blaspheming.
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
A question we should ask ourselves whenever we are tempted
I love these verses
5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . ." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7 And the man got up and went home.
Jesus with authority!
8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
But it seems the crowds don't know that Jesus is the son of God. They probably think he is a prophet or miracle-worker...someone special that God gave authority to.
Only at this point in the book is Matthew described
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth."Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.
It's interesting how it is written "sinners", as though to question the segregation of tax collectors and other such despised /unpopular people in that society from the rest of the population.
11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I'm not sure what 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. means
So I googled it and read this http://cqod.blogspot.com/2005/10/mercy-not-sacrifice.html
More about Pharisees and the law
14 Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
I think Jesus is saying that he is the bridegroom (to be wed - to die) and while he is on earth people are to rejoice. But when he dies and is resurrected, fasting can be a way to remember him.
16 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
To have the new covenant - Jesus' coming, in a new law. If the old law is still followed, then there is a contradiction.
21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." 22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
24 he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.
In both verses their beliefs would have others laughing. But it is the belief in God, and what others' reactions may be don't matter that much.
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 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. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";
Jesus asks them to see their faith even though he already knows they believe in him. I remember hearing a discussion about this but I can't remember now
34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
The Pharisees just had to chip in. Perhaps they were following the law so strictly they didn't just allow God to work in them. After all, the Spirit is so versatile, and God works in so many wondrous ways in which we can't predict. This isn't a religion, it is a relationship, and through Jesus Christ.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Like Jesus we should have compassion on the needy. Most of the time we are so desensitized we don't realize we act like heartless beings.
This would also be a call for people into ministry and missions because the harvest is plentiful and there are many lost sheep without a shepherd.
O -
When Jesus sees the paralytic and the men's faith, he forgives his sins. Some teachers of the law pounce on this and say he is blaspheming.
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
A question we should ask ourselves whenever we are tempted
I love these verses
5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . ." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7 And the man got up and went home.
Jesus with authority!
8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
But it seems the crowds don't know that Jesus is the son of God. They probably think he is a prophet or miracle-worker...someone special that God gave authority to.
Only at this point in the book is Matthew described
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth."Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.
It's interesting how it is written "sinners", as though to question the segregation of tax collectors and other such despised /unpopular people in that society from the rest of the population.
11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I'm not sure what 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. means
So I googled it and read this http://cqod.blogspot.com/2005/10/mercy-not-sacrifice.html
More about Pharisees and the law
14 Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
I think Jesus is saying that he is the bridegroom (to be wed - to die) and while he is on earth people are to rejoice. But when he dies and is resurrected, fasting can be a way to remember him.
16 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
To have the new covenant - Jesus' coming, in a new law. If the old law is still followed, then there is a contradiction.
21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." 22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
24 he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.
In both verses their beliefs would have others laughing. But it is the belief in God, and what others' reactions may be don't matter that much.
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 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. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";
Jesus asks them to see their faith even though he already knows they believe in him. I remember hearing a discussion about this but I can't remember now
34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
The Pharisees just had to chip in. Perhaps they were following the law so strictly they didn't just allow God to work in them. After all, the Spirit is so versatile, and God works in so many wondrous ways in which we can't predict. This isn't a religion, it is a relationship, and through Jesus Christ.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Like Jesus we should have compassion on the needy. Most of the time we are so desensitized we don't realize we act like heartless beings.
This would also be a call for people into ministry and missions because the harvest is plentiful and there are many lost sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 8
Every week I find some excuse for not posting in the notes after reading - and then by the weekend I'm even more reluctant to make a whole heaps of notes at once. Readings haven't been on schedule either. Sigh. This is not meant to be a chore.
S - Matthew 8
O -
This chapter is about the healing and miracles that Jesus performs.
I'll be making notes of the versus that stood out to me.
4 Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
For me, the miracles don't come as a surprise. I've read them many times before. Jesus is the Son of God. What strikes me more is that each time he tells the healed to not tell anyone.
Matthew 12:15-21 offers explanation for this
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope."
Matthew 8: 17 also speaks of Jesus fulfilling the prophecy by Isaiah
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
With all the people that Jesus was healing, some came to him in faith, while other probably just wanted to be healed of sickness and disease. Jesus can perform all these miracles, but his disciples, the pharisees and teachers of the law who witnessed didn't necessarily believe that he was the Son of God and that he was the Christ. Shows that even seeing doesn't equate to believing. It is in the sinner to doubt, and we are all like that.
Faith of the Centurion v5-13
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." 7 Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." 8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
The faith of this man is so incredible it surprised Jesus. What would it take for us to have such confidence in him? Should it even take anything to have such faith? Why do we doubt?
Furthermore, this man is a roman centurion, and probably would be in danger if they showed faith in Jesus.
By the way, I'm finding Jesus' way of speaking ie "I tell you the truth" quite cute lol. I suppose because many people in the crowds would assume he was blaspheming, but didn't they think that regardless of what he says?
19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."20 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." 21 Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
We can all easily point out what these people should be doing to truly follow Jesus, but we don't do it either. There's always some other priority that come before following Jesus. But as he says, "the Son of Man has no place to lay his head". It isn't going to be easy.
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
I find that the "Jesus was sleeping" bit reminds me of how God sent his son in human form. He was really just like any man, except that he was pure and sinless. Again, the theme of faith (or the lack of). When I keep praying for things in the long-term I often forget to have faith and trust in him. I'm just like the men in the boat, even though I have the whole bible in front of me and am more than 2000 years from this.
29 "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"
Even the demons are afraid of Jesus for they recognised his identity as the Son of God.
This contrasts the reaction of the town.
33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
They were afraid, but not in a fearing God kind of sense. More so that Jesus had inconvenienced them and brought them material loss, even though he had heals those two demon-possessed men. Their eyes were focused not on the authority of Jesus over the demons, but on the spilt milk. (This reminds me of parents going "ack you spoilt my microwave!" instead of "are you ok? did you hurt yourself?" But they are much better now :D)
A/P - what does it take to have 100% faith in God? Considering that we have the entire bible in front of us, it shouldn't take anything more. I know truly that I don't need a miracle or anything extraordinary to have faith. The basis of my faith is there, but I need 100%. Pray that I will not doubt him.
S - Matthew 8
O -
This chapter is about the healing and miracles that Jesus performs.
I'll be making notes of the versus that stood out to me.
4 Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
For me, the miracles don't come as a surprise. I've read them many times before. Jesus is the Son of God. What strikes me more is that each time he tells the healed to not tell anyone.
Matthew 12:15-21 offers explanation for this
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope."
Matthew 8: 17 also speaks of Jesus fulfilling the prophecy by Isaiah
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
With all the people that Jesus was healing, some came to him in faith, while other probably just wanted to be healed of sickness and disease. Jesus can perform all these miracles, but his disciples, the pharisees and teachers of the law who witnessed didn't necessarily believe that he was the Son of God and that he was the Christ. Shows that even seeing doesn't equate to believing. It is in the sinner to doubt, and we are all like that.
Faith of the Centurion v5-13
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." 7 Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." 8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
The faith of this man is so incredible it surprised Jesus. What would it take for us to have such confidence in him? Should it even take anything to have such faith? Why do we doubt?
Furthermore, this man is a roman centurion, and probably would be in danger if they showed faith in Jesus.
By the way, I'm finding Jesus' way of speaking ie "I tell you the truth" quite cute lol. I suppose because many people in the crowds would assume he was blaspheming, but didn't they think that regardless of what he says?
19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."20 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." 21 Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
We can all easily point out what these people should be doing to truly follow Jesus, but we don't do it either. There's always some other priority that come before following Jesus. But as he says, "the Son of Man has no place to lay his head". It isn't going to be easy.
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
I find that the "Jesus was sleeping" bit reminds me of how God sent his son in human form. He was really just like any man, except that he was pure and sinless. Again, the theme of faith (or the lack of). When I keep praying for things in the long-term I often forget to have faith and trust in him. I'm just like the men in the boat, even though I have the whole bible in front of me and am more than 2000 years from this.
29 "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"
Even the demons are afraid of Jesus for they recognised his identity as the Son of God.
This contrasts the reaction of the town.
33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
They were afraid, but not in a fearing God kind of sense. More so that Jesus had inconvenienced them and brought them material loss, even though he had heals those two demon-possessed men. Their eyes were focused not on the authority of Jesus over the demons, but on the spilt milk. (This reminds me of parents going "ack you spoilt my microwave!" instead of "are you ok? did you hurt yourself?" But they are much better now :D)
A/P - what does it take to have 100% faith in God? Considering that we have the entire bible in front of us, it shouldn't take anything more. I know truly that I don't need a miracle or anything extraordinary to have faith. The basis of my faith is there, but I need 100%. Pray that I will not doubt him.
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Matthew 7
S - Matthew 7
O - Still Jesus' sermon on the Mount. This chapter also covers a range of topics.
Judging Others
V1-2 couldn't hold more truth.
1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
I don't think I need to elaborate much more on that.
3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
Same here - I'm often quick to point out others' mistakes but remain totally oblivious to my own. It's like I have so much ego I see myself through rose-tinted glasses but everyone else in...i don't know, a grey lens. We must first take the plank out of our own eye...then what is the speck of sawdust in our brother's eye compared to that? As sinners, we will probably have lots of planks and specks in our eyes so moral of the story is probably not to judge others. period.
I also love how Jesus says:
5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Yes, hypocrite I am. And a lot of times I also judge people by their outward appearance....
6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
I'm not sure what this verse refers to * but possibly, to be wise with what God gives you, and not let others take advantage of you.
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
This is why we should continue in prayer, continue seeking out God's word whether it is through reading the bible, going to church, attending talks, and genuinely wanting to become part of God's family.*
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
It seems this is quite a common theme in Matthew. Jesus often gives an example of something small, and then when compared to the what the Lord would do it becomes insignificant. (that was a pretty wishy-washy summary). It is encouraging, though to think of it like that, because our Lord is incomparable and he still prizes us on top of anything else in creation.
12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
yup. period.
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
I was just discussing this bit with Anita earlier this week. For many of us Christians we have entered through the small gate, but keeping on the narrow road is quite an issue - one that we struggle with daily. It leads to life though!!! Keep on the narrow road and we have life - a pretty good one where we'll be able to have a personal long-term relationship with God. Actually, more like a relationship for eternity.
(yikes this page in my bible is falling out)
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
sheeps clothing....in disguise as part of God's sheep. and this metaphor comes up later on in Matthew as I am reading ahead.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
It's encouraging what Jesus says in v18. For example, if we go to church led by a pastor who preaches biblically according to the doctrines, then the fruit we gain is good. At the end God is the judge of each "tree" and the ones that bear bad fruit will not live. To judge them according to the fruit could be looking at the church as a whole. Although there are other factors which influence this, but if the members don't have beliefs in the correct doctrinal teachings, I'd say you could consider that bad fruit.*
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
This goes to show that if we don't do the will of our Father in heaven, we won't enter the kingdom of heaven, and nothing else we have done will right that. " Surprising that the examples of prophesying and performing miracles, even though in the name of Jesus will not make the cut. It's not just as simple as recognizing Jesus as your Lord, but looking to God and doing his will on earth.* Jesus even calls them evildoers.
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Lastly, this can be summed up quite well by the sunday school song...
The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock
and also the song for adult congregation...
Christ the Solid Rock
I was actually looking for another song that goes "alllllllllllll other ground, is sinking sand" but I can't find it. This one is close enough
* I found it! http://youtu.be/fM-lFTJavMs
O - Still Jesus' sermon on the Mount. This chapter also covers a range of topics.
Judging Others
V1-2 couldn't hold more truth.
1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
I don't think I need to elaborate much more on that.
3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
Same here - I'm often quick to point out others' mistakes but remain totally oblivious to my own. It's like I have so much ego I see myself through rose-tinted glasses but everyone else in...i don't know, a grey lens. We must first take the plank out of our own eye...then what is the speck of sawdust in our brother's eye compared to that? As sinners, we will probably have lots of planks and specks in our eyes so moral of the story is probably not to judge others. period.
I also love how Jesus says:
5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Yes, hypocrite I am. And a lot of times I also judge people by their outward appearance....
6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
I'm not sure what this verse refers to * but possibly, to be wise with what God gives you, and not let others take advantage of you.
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
This is why we should continue in prayer, continue seeking out God's word whether it is through reading the bible, going to church, attending talks, and genuinely wanting to become part of God's family.*
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
It seems this is quite a common theme in Matthew. Jesus often gives an example of something small, and then when compared to the what the Lord would do it becomes insignificant. (that was a pretty wishy-washy summary). It is encouraging, though to think of it like that, because our Lord is incomparable and he still prizes us on top of anything else in creation.
12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
yup. period.
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
I was just discussing this bit with Anita earlier this week. For many of us Christians we have entered through the small gate, but keeping on the narrow road is quite an issue - one that we struggle with daily. It leads to life though!!! Keep on the narrow road and we have life - a pretty good one where we'll be able to have a personal long-term relationship with God. Actually, more like a relationship for eternity.
(yikes this page in my bible is falling out)
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
sheeps clothing....in disguise as part of God's sheep. and this metaphor comes up later on in Matthew as I am reading ahead.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
It's encouraging what Jesus says in v18. For example, if we go to church led by a pastor who preaches biblically according to the doctrines, then the fruit we gain is good. At the end God is the judge of each "tree" and the ones that bear bad fruit will not live. To judge them according to the fruit could be looking at the church as a whole. Although there are other factors which influence this, but if the members don't have beliefs in the correct doctrinal teachings, I'd say you could consider that bad fruit.*
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
This goes to show that if we don't do the will of our Father in heaven, we won't enter the kingdom of heaven, and nothing else we have done will right that. " Surprising that the examples of prophesying and performing miracles, even though in the name of Jesus will not make the cut. It's not just as simple as recognizing Jesus as your Lord, but looking to God and doing his will on earth.* Jesus even calls them evildoers.
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Lastly, this can be summed up quite well by the sunday school song...
The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock
and also the song for adult congregation...
Christ the Solid Rock
I was actually looking for another song that goes "alllllllllllll other ground, is sinking sand" but I can't find it. This one is close enough
* I found it! http://youtu.be/fM-lFTJavMs
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