October 18, 2009
In the reading for today Matthew takes us back to John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12) and describes how he was murdered for the sake of keeping King Herod's honor before his banquet guests. He had promised the daughter of Herodias (Herod's unlawful wife) that he would give her anything, up to half of his kingdom, because she had danced so provocatively for him and his guests. When she asked her mother what she should ask from the king, her mother, who bore a grudge against John for preaching about the sin of her marrying her husband's brother, she instructs her daughter to ask for the head of the Baptizer. She does as her mother instructs her and John the Baptizer is murdered.
After hearing about this Jesus withdraws to a desolate place but the crowds relentlessly follow Him. And when evening fell and the people had no food Jesus multiplies five loaves of bread and two fish with the result that all the people are well fed and satisfied.
This lesson emphasizes the monumental shift that takes place after the death of the Baptizer. The Old order has passed away and the new order has arisen. Jesus now takes on the role of the Messiah in full order as He supplies food for His people much like Moses in the wilderness wanderings.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday of Pentecost 19
October 17, 2009
The lesson for today includes more parables from the mouth of our Lord. The first is the parable of the hidden treasure which a man finds and covers back up until he can buy that field where the treasure is hidden.
The second parable is about a pearl of great value which is found by a merchant who sells all that he has to obtain it.
The third parable is about a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered every kind of fish. When it was full men drew it in and sorted the good fish from the bad. Jesus makes this application: So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous.
The tie that binds the first two parables together is the great value of the kingdom which when it is discovered people will give up everything in order to possess it. The third parable doesn't describe what men give up but what is the dividing line which causes the angels to pick this one over that one and that is righteousness. The righteous will be saved but the wicked/evil will be destroyed.
Jesus then asks His disciples, "Have you understood all these things?" And they reply, "Yes." So He moves on to describing a scribe who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.
After these things Jesus returned to His hometown where they took offense at Him because He had grown up among them.
The lesson for today includes more parables from the mouth of our Lord. The first is the parable of the hidden treasure which a man finds and covers back up until he can buy that field where the treasure is hidden.
The second parable is about a pearl of great value which is found by a merchant who sells all that he has to obtain it.
The third parable is about a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered every kind of fish. When it was full men drew it in and sorted the good fish from the bad. Jesus makes this application: So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous.
The tie that binds the first two parables together is the great value of the kingdom which when it is discovered people will give up everything in order to possess it. The third parable doesn't describe what men give up but what is the dividing line which causes the angels to pick this one over that one and that is righteousness. The righteous will be saved but the wicked/evil will be destroyed.
Jesus then asks His disciples, "Have you understood all these things?" And they reply, "Yes." So He moves on to describing a scribe who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.
After these things Jesus returned to His hometown where they took offense at Him because He had grown up among them.
Friday of Pentecost 19
October 16, 2009
Today's Gospel brings us three parables from our Lord. The first is the parable of the weeds. Jesus tells the story about a man who sowed good seed in his field but while he and his men were sleeping the enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. So when the plants sprouted up and bore grain then the weeds appeared at the same time. Then it became clear that an enemy had done this. The man's servants ask him if he wants them to go and pull out the weeds but he says, "No, let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."
The second parable is about a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds but when it has grown it is the largest of all garden plants.
The third parable is about leaven that a woman put into three measures of flour so that it was all leavened.
What ties all these parables together? Is it not the fact that in all of them the kingdom of heaven is hidden? In the parable of the weeds the wheat (the kingdom) is hidden amongst the weeds. In the parable of the mustard seed it is hidden in its size until it is full grown. In the parable of the leaven it is hidden in the flour but with the result that the whole batch is leavened.
Jesus' point seems to be that you cannot tell where the kingdom starts and stops in this present age. You cannot say that just because a person goes to church on Sunday means that he or she is a member of the kingdom of heaven. Nor I think can you necessarily conclude that because a person does not go the church on a given Sunday that he or she is not a member of God's kingdom.
Today's Gospel brings us three parables from our Lord. The first is the parable of the weeds. Jesus tells the story about a man who sowed good seed in his field but while he and his men were sleeping the enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. So when the plants sprouted up and bore grain then the weeds appeared at the same time. Then it became clear that an enemy had done this. The man's servants ask him if he wants them to go and pull out the weeds but he says, "No, let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."
The second parable is about a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds but when it has grown it is the largest of all garden plants.
The third parable is about leaven that a woman put into three measures of flour so that it was all leavened.
What ties all these parables together? Is it not the fact that in all of them the kingdom of heaven is hidden? In the parable of the weeds the wheat (the kingdom) is hidden amongst the weeds. In the parable of the mustard seed it is hidden in its size until it is full grown. In the parable of the leaven it is hidden in the flour but with the result that the whole batch is leavened.
Jesus' point seems to be that you cannot tell where the kingdom starts and stops in this present age. You cannot say that just because a person goes to church on Sunday means that he or she is a member of the kingdom of heaven. Nor I think can you necessarily conclude that because a person does not go the church on a given Sunday that he or she is not a member of God's kingdom.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday of Pentecost 19
October 15, 2009
The reading appointed for today in Treasury of Daily Prayer is Matthew 13:1-23, the parable of the sower. It is so well known that one can scarcely begin to think anew of its meaning and application. In the context of the Gospel of Matthew Jesus uses the parable of the sower to explain what He has been doing as He has been going from town to town preaching, teaching, and healing.
Jesus of course is the sower. He is casting the seed all around and it has not taken root in a great many cases for many different reasons. I think this is a needed corrective in our own church today. The emphasis by so many has been on growing the Church by any possible means but we must remember that Jesus Himself was not all that successful at growing the Church. He has twelve somewhat dimwhitted disciples and others who followed Him wherever He went but the vast majoirty of people dismissed Jesus or just plain denied His claims to be the Messiah altogether.
Moreover Jesus Himself explains that this will be the case. After He finished speaking the parable His disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables to the people. Jesus response is "because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." It is almost as if Jesus doesn't want everyone to hear His Word and come to the knowledge of the truth, but we know that this cannot be the case. Jesus came to give His life for the salvation of all people.
Why then was Jesus so unsuccessful? He explains in the following section that various things get in the way of the seed taking root, whether that be the devil, tribulation, persecution, the cares of the world, etc. There are any number of obstacles that people face on their way to faith in Jesus Christ. Any one of them can keep someone from trusting in Christ. Is it any wonder that the Church has problems getting and retaining members?
The reading appointed for today in Treasury of Daily Prayer is Matthew 13:1-23, the parable of the sower. It is so well known that one can scarcely begin to think anew of its meaning and application. In the context of the Gospel of Matthew Jesus uses the parable of the sower to explain what He has been doing as He has been going from town to town preaching, teaching, and healing.
Jesus of course is the sower. He is casting the seed all around and it has not taken root in a great many cases for many different reasons. I think this is a needed corrective in our own church today. The emphasis by so many has been on growing the Church by any possible means but we must remember that Jesus Himself was not all that successful at growing the Church. He has twelve somewhat dimwhitted disciples and others who followed Him wherever He went but the vast majoirty of people dismissed Jesus or just plain denied His claims to be the Messiah altogether.
Moreover Jesus Himself explains that this will be the case. After He finished speaking the parable His disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables to the people. Jesus response is "because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." It is almost as if Jesus doesn't want everyone to hear His Word and come to the knowledge of the truth, but we know that this cannot be the case. Jesus came to give His life for the salvation of all people.
Why then was Jesus so unsuccessful? He explains in the following section that various things get in the way of the seed taking root, whether that be the devil, tribulation, persecution, the cares of the world, etc. There are any number of obstacles that people face on their way to faith in Jesus Christ. Any one of them can keep someone from trusting in Christ. Is it any wonder that the Church has problems getting and retaining members?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday of Pentecost 19
October 14, 2009
Jesus willingly gave His divine help to those who needed it by performing healing or driving out demons but He refused those who came to Him wanting a demonstration of His power. That's how today's reading starts, with Jesus saying no to the scribes who wanted to see a sign from Jesus (Matthew 12:38-39). He does not leave them without an indication of who He is however. He does say "no sign will be given...except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Jonah was swallowed up and three days later vomitted upon the beach at Nineveh. Jesus would soon be laid to rest in a grave and three days later He would emerge alive once more.
What Jesus says after this interchange is interesting. "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also it will be with this evil generation" (Matthew 12:43-45). Jesus applies this teaching to the generation of people with whom He has been dealing. In other words, many of them are rejecting Jesus and His Gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Him. So when He has finished His work and the devil has been defeated but not yet thrown into the lake of fire and Jesus ascends back to the right hand of God, Satan is going to get busy doing his wicked best to undo all that Jesus has done. Can there be any doubt about the wicked things that we see happening in the world all around us? Do we not live in this time when things are worse than they have ever been and are only getting progressively worse as time goes by?
In the final section of today's reading a man tells Jesus that His mother and brothers have come to talk to Jesus but He replies, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Then He Himself gives the answer, "Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50). At this point Jesus is on His way to the cross. The plan is in motion. He will suffer and die and be raised on the third day to reconcile all people to the Father by His blood. This act creates a new holy people for God and creates a new family for the believer.
Jesus willingly gave His divine help to those who needed it by performing healing or driving out demons but He refused those who came to Him wanting a demonstration of His power. That's how today's reading starts, with Jesus saying no to the scribes who wanted to see a sign from Jesus (Matthew 12:38-39). He does not leave them without an indication of who He is however. He does say "no sign will be given...except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Jonah was swallowed up and three days later vomitted upon the beach at Nineveh. Jesus would soon be laid to rest in a grave and three days later He would emerge alive once more.
What Jesus says after this interchange is interesting. "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also it will be with this evil generation" (Matthew 12:43-45). Jesus applies this teaching to the generation of people with whom He has been dealing. In other words, many of them are rejecting Jesus and His Gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Him. So when He has finished His work and the devil has been defeated but not yet thrown into the lake of fire and Jesus ascends back to the right hand of God, Satan is going to get busy doing his wicked best to undo all that Jesus has done. Can there be any doubt about the wicked things that we see happening in the world all around us? Do we not live in this time when things are worse than they have ever been and are only getting progressively worse as time goes by?
In the final section of today's reading a man tells Jesus that His mother and brothers have come to talk to Jesus but He replies, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Then He Himself gives the answer, "Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50). At this point Jesus is on His way to the cross. The plan is in motion. He will suffer and die and be raised on the third day to reconcile all people to the Father by His blood. This act creates a new holy people for God and creates a new family for the believer.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tuesday of Pentecost 19
October 13, 2009
The Pharisees today claim that Jesus casts out demons by Beelzebul. He has just healed a man oppressed by a demon and the people are beginning to understand. They begin asking, "Can this be the Son of David?" The Pharisees say, "No. He casts out demons by the prince of demons." Jesus reveals the foolishness of this statement. "If Satan casts out out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?"
Then Jesus gets to the point, "If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). This is what is happening. Jesus is the Son of God who brings the kingdom with Him and that kingdom is characterized by the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the demon possessed set free, and the dead living. But the Pharisees refuse to see it. And Jesus has a stern warning for them, "every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." What is this blasphemy against the Spirit? In the context of this exchange it can be no other thing that refusing to acknowledge that Jesus is in fact the Son of David, the promised Messiah, the incarnation of the kingdom of God.
The Pharisees today claim that Jesus casts out demons by Beelzebul. He has just healed a man oppressed by a demon and the people are beginning to understand. They begin asking, "Can this be the Son of David?" The Pharisees say, "No. He casts out demons by the prince of demons." Jesus reveals the foolishness of this statement. "If Satan casts out out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?"
Then Jesus gets to the point, "If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). This is what is happening. Jesus is the Son of God who brings the kingdom with Him and that kingdom is characterized by the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the demon possessed set free, and the dead living. But the Pharisees refuse to see it. And Jesus has a stern warning for them, "every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." What is this blasphemy against the Spirit? In the context of this exchange it can be no other thing that refusing to acknowledge that Jesus is in fact the Son of David, the promised Messiah, the incarnation of the kingdom of God.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday of Pentecost 19
October 12, 2009
The lesson for today (Matthew 12:1-21) shows the Pharisees ramping up their efforts against Jesus. They have decided that He cannot possibly be the Christ so they need to be rid of Him.
The first episode is when the Pharisees see some of Jesus' disciples plucking heads of grain as they walk through the grainfields on the Sabbath. The Pharisees see this as a transgression of the third commandment. Jesus responds by bringing to memory what David did when his men were hungry, they ate the bread of the Presence which was lawful only for the priests to eat. What is going here? Jesus' point is that the Sabbath law was made for the good of man but when that law does not serve man (in preparing food for eating for example) then it is no longer serving its divine purpose.
The second episode is similar. Jesus goes to the synagogue and finds there a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees ask Him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. The concept is the same here. The Pharisees believe that the Sabbath law is all encompassing but Jesus works with the concept that the Sabbath was made for the benefit of man, man was not made in order to keep the Sabbath. So His answer is: "It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" and He heals the man with the withered hand.
From this point on the Pharisees are on the lookout for a way to destroy Jesus. So Jesus is forced to withdraw from there and continue His ministry of teaching and healing elsewhere until the time is right.
Of course the principles at play in this pericope are the same as we experience today. Just this weekend I went to a presentation of the Judgment Day by a local congregation. The message was one of Law. They portrayed one boy who was saved because not only had he accepted Jesus as his savior but he also spent his days witnessing to his faith in Jesus to his friends. This was conveyed as a contributing factor to his being saved as if faith was enough to get him started but then obedience to the Law was required to get him the rest of the way to heaven. But the Bible does not speak this way. The Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith and this is not of ourselves it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast. We are not saved by our obedience in any measure. We are saved by Christ on the cross purchasing with His own precious blood the forgiveness of our sins. The Law is meant to show us our need for Jesus on the cross and to show us that we cannot do it ourselves. Oh how I wish the members of the local congregation who put on this show could have gotten that right!
The lesson for today (Matthew 12:1-21) shows the Pharisees ramping up their efforts against Jesus. They have decided that He cannot possibly be the Christ so they need to be rid of Him.
The first episode is when the Pharisees see some of Jesus' disciples plucking heads of grain as they walk through the grainfields on the Sabbath. The Pharisees see this as a transgression of the third commandment. Jesus responds by bringing to memory what David did when his men were hungry, they ate the bread of the Presence which was lawful only for the priests to eat. What is going here? Jesus' point is that the Sabbath law was made for the good of man but when that law does not serve man (in preparing food for eating for example) then it is no longer serving its divine purpose.
The second episode is similar. Jesus goes to the synagogue and finds there a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees ask Him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. The concept is the same here. The Pharisees believe that the Sabbath law is all encompassing but Jesus works with the concept that the Sabbath was made for the benefit of man, man was not made in order to keep the Sabbath. So His answer is: "It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" and He heals the man with the withered hand.
From this point on the Pharisees are on the lookout for a way to destroy Jesus. So Jesus is forced to withdraw from there and continue His ministry of teaching and healing elsewhere until the time is right.
Of course the principles at play in this pericope are the same as we experience today. Just this weekend I went to a presentation of the Judgment Day by a local congregation. The message was one of Law. They portrayed one boy who was saved because not only had he accepted Jesus as his savior but he also spent his days witnessing to his faith in Jesus to his friends. This was conveyed as a contributing factor to his being saved as if faith was enough to get him started but then obedience to the Law was required to get him the rest of the way to heaven. But the Bible does not speak this way. The Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith and this is not of ourselves it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast. We are not saved by our obedience in any measure. We are saved by Christ on the cross purchasing with His own precious blood the forgiveness of our sins. The Law is meant to show us our need for Jesus on the cross and to show us that we cannot do it ourselves. Oh how I wish the members of the local congregation who put on this show could have gotten that right!
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