Categoria: News

This chapter opens with the Palm Sunday scene of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey in fulfilment of Zechariah 9:9. The crowd spread their cloaks and branches on the road and shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” When Jesus got to the temple he “drove out all who were buying and selling there”… and said to them “My house will be called a house of prayer but you are making it a den of robbers!” Jesus then curses a fig tree because it had no fruit. The disciples were amazed at how quickly the tree withered and Jesus said it was a matter of faith saying: “If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer”. Then the priests and elders questioned Jesus’s authority so Jesus asked them a question about John the Baptist’s authority but they dodged the question, so Jesus dodged theirs too! Then Jesus told the Parable of 2 sons in which he sent his son to work in the vineyard and he refused, but later changed his mind and went. Then the father sent the other son who readily said he would go but never did! So Jesus linked this to the tax collectors and prostitutes entering the kingdom. They got it wrong at first but put it right. Finally came the Parable of the Tenants in which a landowner rented out his vineyard but when he sent his servants to receive fruits the tenants seized his servants – beat one, killed another and stoned a third. When he sent another group of servants the same thing happened. So he sent his own son to sort it out and they killed him! So I tell you, said Jesus, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to those who produce fruit. 

 Matthew 20 starts with the Parable of the workers in the vineyard who were employed at different times in the day but all received the same wage independent of hours worked. Those who worked longer hours moaned and grumbled but the owner said he could do what he liked with his money. So God’s grace is given to each one independent of human merit. God gives freely according to his goodness. Then Jesus again predicts his coming betrayal, condemnation, crucification and resurrection. Then Zebedee’s wife asked for a privileged place for her sons in Jesus kingdom. Jesus questioned whether they could drink the cup he was going to drink, and anyway the pathway to progress in the kingdom was service. For “the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.

 The Pharisees asked Jesus if divorce was alright for any reason? Jesus said that divorce was not God’s perfect will, but that he had permitted it because of man’s hardness of heart. But “anyone that divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery”. Then little children were brought to Jesus for a blessing, but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. However Jesus said “let the little children come to me because of such is the kingdom of heaven”. Finally a rich young man came to Jesus and enquired as to how he could get eternal life? Obey the commandments was Jesus’ answer and the man said he did that, so what else did he lack? Jesus said go sell your possessions and give to the poor. The young man withdrew sad because he was very wealthy. Jesus then commented how hard it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God… “but with God all things are possible”. And at the end times God will especially reward a hundred-fold those who left family and belongings for his sake and give them eternal life. “But the first will be last and the last will be first”.

 Matthew 18 starts with a question by the disciples as to “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”? Jesus said it was someone who was as humble as a child because greatness in the kingdom stemmed from humility and not from wealth or status. Jesus then told the parable of the lost sheep expressing the joy the owner has upon finding a sheep that got lost. “In the same way your father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost”. Then Jesus gives a formula for dealing with a fellow believers who sin: go and talk to him, but if he will not listen go with somebody else, but if he still will not change then take it before the church, and if he still remains immovable then excommunicate him. Jesus promises to be with them throughout the process: “where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them”. Finally Peter asks how many times should he forgive a brother in sin as if 7 times would be right? Jesus answers that seventy-seven times would be better. And from here Jesus went into the parable of the unmerciful servant. A servant’s master forgave him a massive debt, but he himself went on to meet up with a fellow-servant who owed him a pittance, but he refused to forgive him! When the master realized what had happened he threw the unforgiving servant into jail and Jesus said: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart”.                                                                                                          

The first part of Matthew 17 relates the extraordinary experience of the transfiguration when Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a high mountain where “his face shone like the sun… and his clothes became as white as the light… and Moses and Elijah joined them and talked with Jesus… then a bright cloud enveloped them and a voice from the cloud said ‘This is my son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased. Listen to him’!” Then they came down from the mountain and a man with an epileptic son brought him to Jesus and he healed him. The disciples questioned why they had earlier not been successful in healing the boy and he says it was lack of faith. Jesus then told them that he would be betrayed, be killed but rise again on the third day. Finally it was questioned whether Jesus paid the temple tax and he did, not because he had to as son of God, but so as to not cause unnecessary offence. So they caught a fish which had a 4-dracma coin in its mouth which was the right amount to pay Jesus’ tax and that of Peter.

This chapter is a watershed in Jesus’ ministry pointing to his death and resurrection and the strong demands linked to following the Lord. Initially Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and Sadducees for asking for a sign when they are incapable of interpreting the signs of the times which will culminate in “the sign of Jonah”. Next Jesus says: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees”. Initially the disciples think Jesus is referring to that “we didn’t bring any bread” but later they realized that he was warning against the false teaching of these groups. Then Jesus asks his disciples who people are saying he is and they tell him: “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets”. So Jesus asks them and what about you? “Who do you say that I am”? To this Simon Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God”. And Jesus confirmed that this had been revealed by God. And he continued: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not overcome it… I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven”. So “from that time on Jesus explained to his disciples that he would suffer, be killed, and on the third day rise again.” Peter reacts against this saying, Never Lord!… so Jesus retorted out of my sight Satan… for anyone who follows me must deny himself and take up his cross… for what can a man give in exchange for his soul… and some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom”. (a possible reference to the transfiguration in the next chapter or to the resurrection) 

Initially in Matthew 15 Jesus takes the opportunity to refute the Pharisees’ legalism and external religiosity showing that uncleanliness comes from the heart and not just from what is physically consumed. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 “The people honour me with their lips, but their heart are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men”. Next comes a fascinating incident with a non-Jewish Canaanite woman asking for liberation from demon possession for her daughter. Jesus initially refuses to act as his priority was “the lost sheep of Israel”. The woman insists but Jesus resists saying “it’s not right to give the children’s bread to the dogs (gentiles)”. However the woman reacts saying that even the dogs eat the crumbs from the bread! This great demonstration of persistent faith breaks down Jesus’ resistance and he heals the woman’s daughter! Jesus then went along the Sea of Galilee healing the blind, lame and dumb. Eventually after 3-days ministry Jesus became concerned about the people’s hunger (4,000 men plus women and children) and multiplied 7 loaves and a few small fish so as to feed the thousands and leave 7 basketfuls of food at the end!

John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod owing to his stance for righteousness which angered the leader. Herod proceeded to execute John to grant a wish by Herodias’s daughter and his disciples buried him and told Jesus what had happened. Jesus then had compassion on a large crowd and healed their sick. He then proceeded to feed the 5,000 men, plus women and children, by multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and at the end 12 baskets “of broken pieces were left over and collected”. Then Jesus dispatched the disciples on a boat because he wanted a time of prayer alone. Jesus later joined them by “walking on the lake”! The disciples were scared thinking it was a ghost but Jesus calmed them down assuring them it was himself, so Peter tried walking on the water too. Initially he was successful, but then he got scared by the strong wind and cried out for help. So the disciples worshipped Jesus saying “truly you are the Son of God”.

Matthew 13 presents a series of 7 parables, and as I was taught as a child at Sunday School, parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings – everyday topics with spiritual meaning. The first parable here is the parable of the Sower where a farmer sows seed and some fell in the path and the birds ate it (the evil one snatches away what was sown), some seed fell on rocky terrain and in the shallow earth the plants withered with no roots (a person receives the word but he doesn’t last because of lack of roots), other seed fell among thorns (a person who received the word but lets “the deceitfulness of wealth choke it), and other seed fell on good ground which produces fruit. There then follows a further agricultural parable with good seed being sown, but with an enemy planting weeds to mess things up. The farmer decided to let everything grow together and then burn the weeds at harvest time before gathering the wheat. Jesus says the good seed are the sons of the kingdom, and the bad seed are the sons of the evil one. At the end of the age the evil ones will be thrown in the fiery furnace, and the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom. Next came the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast. The moral of the Mustard Seed parable is that though the seeds are tiny yet they produce large plants that become trees. Then comes the parable of the Yeast which leavens a large amount of flour. These 2 parables show the kingdom with modest beginning having strong effects on people’s lives. Next come the parables of hidden treasure  which is bought at all cost, and then the parable of the Pearl which too is purchased at all cost. The moral of these parables is that Jesus and the kingdom are worth more than anything else! Finally comes the parable of the net which catches good and bad fish. Jesus says that at the end of the age angels will put the bad fish in a fiery furnace, but collect the good ones in baskets. Finally Jesus returned to his home town of Nazareth and there people were amazed at his teaching, especially considering that they knew his mother, brothers and sisters. Jesus remarked that a prophet is without honour in his home town.

Matthew 11 reports that Jesus went preaching in Galilee and John the Baptist sent a question from prison asking if Jesus was the Messiah? Jesus replied pointing them to the evidences of his healing the sick, raising the dead and preaching to the poor. Jesus then goes on to honour John the Baptist saying “there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist… he is the Elijah who was to come”. Then Jesus denounces cities where he had ministered like Korazin and Capernaum that refused to repent. Then Jesus praises God because he was revealing the truth “to little children as opposed to the wise and learned… he then goes on to reaffirm his unique relationship with God the Father saying… all things have been committed to me by my Father… and then he calls people to himself saying… Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.

Jesus sent out the 12 in mission. “Jesus called his 12 disciples and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to cure every type of disease… he told them to go to the lost sheep of Israel… preach that the kingdom of heaven is near and heal the sick, raise the dead, drive out demons… freely you have received, freely give… take no bag for the journey… if people reject you shake the dust off your feet… I am sending you like sheep among wolves… you will be given what to say by the Spirit… all men will hate you because of me… a servant is not above his master… but do not be afraid of them… for they cannot kill the soul… and you are worth more than 2 sparrows… whoever acknowledges me before men I will acknowledge before my Father… I did not come to bring peace… and anyone who loves his father and mother more than me is not worthy of me… he who receives you receives me”. 

Jesus’ messianic ministry continues in Matthew 9 as a paralytic man was brought to Jesus so he forgave the man’s sins, which put the cat among the pigeons, as far as the teachers of the law was concerned as they felt this was blasphemy. So Jesus healed the man to show his authority which left everyone “filled with awe”. This is followed by the calling of Matthew related by Matthew! He was a tax collector and the Pharisees criticized Jesus for keeping their company. Jesus reacted saying: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick!”  Following this John the Baptist’s disciples asked Jesus why his disciples didn’t fast and he told them it wouldn’t happen when the bridegroom was still with them. Things were changing and Jesus showed them the need to pour new wine into new wineskins. Then Jesus was called to resurrect a ruler’s daughter, but on the way he was side-tracked curing a woman who had been subject to bleeding for 12 years. Having cured her Jesus went on to raise the dead girl. Then Jesus encountered 2 blind men calling out to him asking for mercy, and Jesus healed them. Then Jesus went on to deliver a dumb man who was demon possessed. The people were amazed hearing him speaking and said: “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” And Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching and preaching the Gospel and he felt compassion towards the crowds. He said: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few… pray for more workers!”

Now Jesus is approached by “a man with leprosy” who asked Jesus if he was willing to heal him? Jesus said yes, “be clean”! And he was immediately cured. Then at Capernaum a centurion told Jesus that his servant was paralysed and suffering and asked him to heal him at a distance because he wasn’t worthy for Jesus to enter his house. Jesus was astonished by his faith and proceeded to heal the servant. Then Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law before healing many sick people and driving out evil spirits. The text says that this fulfilled Isaiah 53:4. Then a teacher of the law declared to Jesus that he would follow him everywhere. Jesus answered that foxes have holes and birds have nests but he had nowhere to lay his head. Then another man said he needed to go and conduct his father’s funeral, and Jesus said “let the dead bury the dead”! Then Jesus and the disciples went travelling by boat and were hit by a surprise storm and the disciples asked Jesus for help and Jesus lamented their lack of faith. Jesus rebuked the winds and everything calmed down, so the men were amazed that even the winds and the waves obeyed Jesus! Then Jesus arrived in the region of the Gadarenes where he encountered 2 violent devil possessed men and they asked Jesus to send them into a nearby herd of pigs if he was to cast them out of the men. This happened and the pigs hurtled into a lake and drowned. And the townsfolk asked Jesus to leave the area.

Further teaching from Jesus flows in Matthew 7 starting with “Do not judge, or you too will be judged… and why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye when you have a plank in your own… and don’t throw your pearls to pigs”. Jesus then goes on to teach further on prayer saying “ask and it will be given unto you, seek and you will find… if your son asks for bread you don’t give him a stone… so God will give good gifts to those who ask him”. Jesus then says “enter through the narrow gate… for narrow is the way that leads to life”. Then Jesus says “watch out for false prophets which are wolves in sheep’s clothing… and by their fruit you will know them… not everyone that says Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven!” Finally Jesus says that putting my word into practice is like building your house on a rock… but not practicing my word is foolishness building in the sand. The house on the rock stands firm in the storm but the one on the sand falls with a great crash. And people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching with authority.

Matthew 5 to 7 contains the Sermon on the Mount which is a collection of Jesus’ teachings to his disciples. Initially come the famous beatitudes: “The poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of heaven… those who mourn will be comforted… the meek will inherit the earth… those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled… the merciful will be shown mercy… the pure in heart will see God… the peacemakers will be called sons of God… those persecuted because of righteousness will inherit the kingdom of heaven”. Jesus then goes on to say that Christian disciples are the salt of the earth influencing society for good… and they are the light of the world shining for God through what they do. Then Jesus says that he has not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it and stresses that true righteousness must exceed superficial external obedience as practiced by the Pharisees. 

Jesus then goes on to specific topics of Christian ethics starting with murder which he of course condemns, but not just physically but he condemns the anger and hatred in the heart which is its root cause. So too Jesus condemns adultery which stems from lust in the heart. Jesus next values marriage but admits divorce in the case of “marital unfaithfulness”. Jesus then clearly teaches that Christians should always be truthful and “let your yes be yes, and your no be no”, without needing to swear by oaths. Jesus replaces “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” with “if someone strikes you on the right cheek, give him the other one also”. Jesus also teaches “love your enemies and pray for persecutors… be perfect, as your Father is perfect”.

 Straight after Jesus’ baptism “Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil” and he fasted for a long period. So the devil suggested that Jesus turn stone in to bread to eat, but Jesus rebuked him saying man doesn’t live by bread alone. Then the devil dared Jesus to jump off a high point and trust God, but Jesus told him not to put God to the test. Finally the devil offered a vast panorama of place if Jesus would worship him and Jesus again rebuked him saying only God should be worshipped! Then Jesus went and lived in Capernaum and started preaching publicly saying “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near”. Jesus then called the first disciples to follow him: Peter and his brother Andrew, followed by James and his brother John. All 4 were fishermen, but Jesus said he would “make them fishers of men”. Then Jesus started healing the sick from a wide variety of diseases, and large crowds started following him. 

Matthew 3 introduces John the Baptist’s public ministry preparing “the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). He wore “clothes made of camel’s hair” and he ate “locusts and wild honey”. Faced by his preaching people confessed their sins and he baptized them in the River Jordan, but he called the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers!”  John however announced that he was preparing the way for someone “whose sandals I am not fit to carry”. He also said that the coming one “is more powerful than I and will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire”. Then Jesus came to be baptized by John who felt he was unworthy to do it, but Jesus insisted. Then the heaven opened, the Spirit of God descended on Jesus “like a dove” and God the Father confirmed that Jesus was his son whom he loved and was pleased with. 

 Matthew 2 starts telling about the coming of 3 Wise Men from the east who came to worship Jesus having seen “his star in the east”. When King Herod heard about this “he was disturbed” and enquired from “the priests and teachers of the law” as to where it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born and they informed him that it was “in Bethlehem in Judea”, and they quoted Micah 5:2 in support of this. So Herod told the Magi to report back to him when they had found Jesus. They then located Jesus and worshipped him and gave him gifts, but they avoided further contact with Herod. Then an angel told Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt with Jesus as Herod was hunting him, and Hosea 11:1 was quoted in support of this. When Herod realized he had been outwitted he carried out an awful slaughter of young babies and todlers in the area. However after Herod’s death Jesus returned with his parents and lived in Nazareth in Galilee.

Matthew’s (or Levi) Gospel was essentially written for a Jewish audience, quoting the Old Testament extensively, focused on Jesus Christ as Messiah and King. Matthew starts by giving Jesus’ genealogy showing him to have been a descendant of Abraham and of David. The genealogy is organized into 3 groups of 14 generations: from Abraham to David / from David to the Babylonian exile / from the exile to Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note the 5 women in this family tree: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (called here “the wife of Uriah”) and Mary. There are some unlikely characters here in the genealogy of the Messiah demonstrating God’s supreme grace. Then comes the description of Jesus birth. “Mary was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit… she will give birth to a son and you will call him Jesus… this fulfills Isaiah 7:14 that he will be called Immanuel which means God with us… and Mary gave birth to a boy and they called him Jesus”.