Matthew 14:1 - 15-20 Thoughts

I find it interesting how most of Jesus miracles were not done in the same way.  It was almost like Jesus was trying to make sure we couldn't find some secret formula or process to lead to God's work.  Yet, we often look for patterns and formulas, don't we.  If we just pray the right way, if we just have enough faith, if we... if we...  The problem with that kind of thinking is the focus is on WE, not Jesus.  God will do a work as He sees fit regardless.

However, the feeding of the five thousand, and later the four thousand is almost identical.  Both miracles follow the same pattern.  One one hand, I'm shocked that the disciples will later question Jesus ability to feed four thousand after seeing what He did with the five thousand.  But on the other hand, I often re-question God's provision in my life after He has shown Himself faithful over and over again.

This particular miracle follows a pattern:

1. A need is seen
2. A human solution is proposed
3. God proposes an alternate, impossible solution
4. We try to explain why this is impossible
5. God takes what we have; way too little, and makes something great
6. People are blessed
7. Disciples are blessed
8. We have more in the end than we started with at the beginning

I think Jesus did these two miracles the same way because it is truly a picture of ministry.   How often we stop at step 4 and don't give God a chance to do a miracle.

Oh God, I pray we can simply offer to you the things we have, the very things you've given to us and allow you to do a miracle.  In this way, You can receive all glory and honour.  Amen.

Matthew 14:1 - 15-20 Outline

Last week I didn't get as far as I thought I would.  So there is a bit of overlap as I re-outline the first part of chapter 14.

• Death of John the Baptist Recounted (14:1-12)
• Guilt of Herod (1-2)
• Truth from John the Baptist (3-5)
• Tricked by Family (6-7)
• Wickedness of Pride (8-12)
• Feeding the Five Thousand (13-21)
• Prayer/Compassion (13-14)
• Call of the ministry (15-16)
• Equiping the ministry (17-19)
• Blessing of the ministry (20-21)
• Walking on Water (22-33)
• Sent into the storm (22-24)
• Walking on the water (25-32)
• Worship of Jesus (33)
  Note: A clear point that Jesus is God.
• Ministry in Gennesaret (34-36)
• Dirty Hands, Clean Heart (15:1-20)
• Tradition of hand washing (1-2)
• Spirit of the law (3-6)
• Prophecy of the problem (7-9)
• Teaching of Jesus (10-14)
• Lack of understanding (15-16)
• Further teaching (17-20)

Matthew 13:24 - 14-12 Thoughts

When dealing with the parables, it is very important to keep certain things in mind:

1. The interpretation will always be in line with the rest of scripture.
2. There is a main point.  We should avoid taking the analogy too far or look for "hidden" revelations.
3. Keep with expositional constancy.  This means that when an object represents something in one parable, it will be the same in another parable.  The seed represents the word, birds are bad, the soil is our hearts, etc.
   This concept is based on Jesus' comment in Mark 4:13 after telling the parable of the sower.   He said, "And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?"

 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares is clearly explained in this chapter, but points out the idea of the church and the expected state it will become.  There will be genuine wheat producing fruit; followers of Christ, and tares (also known as darnel) followers of the wicked one; who produce no fruit.  This makes John 13:35 an important point, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  Remember, the fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal 5:22-24).

So, in light of this, it is interesting how Jesus includes two other parables in between the parable and the explanation.

Parable of the Mustard Seed
Popular interpretation of this parable is that the church will grow into a mighty tree and help many and help all.
Two very important points when looking at this parable:
1. A mustard seed naturally grows into a mustard PLANT, not a tree.

Growing into a tree is UNNATURAL growth.
2. Birds in the parable of the sower are BAD, not good.
I strongly believe this parable is a warning how the church will grow big in unnatural ways and birds (wicked one) will be dwelling there.  I wish it were not so, but so many evil and horrible things have been done in the name of Christ and by His church.

Parable of the Leaven
This again is often taught on how the church will permeate and grow throughout the world.  There are no previous parable objects we can look at, but throughout scripture, leaven is a picture of sin.  So I believe the consistent interpretation of this parable speaks of how sin will permeate the church just as leaven does in bread.

So, Lord help us to be different.  Help us to be those like the ones in the church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13), "brotherly love."  God, please forgive us for so often misrepresenting You and not speaking Your truth in love.  Amen.

Matthew 13:24 - 14-12 Outline

This section is dealing with the parable teachings of Jesus.

• Parable of the Sower (13:1-23) - Covered last week
• Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (13:24-43)
• Wheat and the Tares Parable told (24-30)
• Parable of the Mustard Seed (31-32)
• Parable of the Leaven (33)
• Reminder of why Jesus is teaching in Parables (34-35)
• Wheat and the Tares Parable explained (36-43)
• Parable of the Hidden Treasure (44)
• Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (45-46)
• Parable of the Dragnet (47-50)
• Householder's Treasure (51-52)
• Rejected at Home (53-58)
• Death of John the Baptist Recounted (14:1-12)
• Guilt of Herod (1-2)
• Truth from John the Baptist (3-5)
• Tricked by Family (6-7)
• Wickedness of Pride (8-12)

Matthew 12:33 - 13:23 Thoughts

This week has two main parts.  The first half is the closing sections dealing with the misconceptions of Jesus and His ministry.  The second half deals with the first parable, the parable of the sower.

Since I'll be dealing with parables again next week, I'll leave that out of this post and focus on the closing section of chapter 12.

I like to contemplate the heart of Jesus as he deals with the people around Him.  It would have been so easy for Him to ignore the Pharisees or simply ridicule their hard hearts.  But I see Jesus trying many ways to show them the errors of their ways with a perfect balance of truth and love.

After Jesus explained how peoples hearts are reveled by their words (v33-37), the Pharisees ask for a sign (v38).  If I were Jesus, I would have said, "Close your trap!"  I'm so glad Jesus is Jesus and not me!  Instead, Jesus gives them truth "evil and adulterous generation" but then goes back to the main issue, the Pharisees thought the were good because they were Jewish.  Jesus gave two examples of Gentiles who are better off then they are.

We too can fall into the trap thinking we are okay because we are Australian, or Calvary Chapel or Baptist or Anglican.  I go to church every week and read my bible.  But what is in our hearts?  How easy is it to see the evil in our hearts as we speak cruel words to our spouse, kids or neighbours.  I am as guilty as any of my readers.

I pray, "Jesus, help us recognise when our hearts are out of line with Yours.  Help us to repent and please fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we are more like You.  Amen."

Matthew 12:33 - 13:23 Outline

Note: This is in the middle of the section starting at verse 22.

•  The people recognise Jesus as the Messiah, but the Pharisees reject. (12:22-32)
•  Jesus deals with the illogical rejection of the Pharisees (25-30)
• Rejection of this truth, Jesus is the Messiah (God in human flesh), is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (31-32)
  Note: The Holy Spirit is the one who testifies of who Jesus is in our hearts.  When we reject His message, we blaspheme (Speak irreverently about God or sacred things).
• The Pharisees speak evil.  Jesus tells us this is a sign of what is in their heart (33-37)
• Pharisees seek a sign (12:38-45)
  Note: Jesus JUST told them to be careful with their words.  They then speak and once again question who Jesus is.
• Jesus explains the sign of Jonah (40)
• Jesus lifts up the repentance of Nineveh over the Pharisees (41)
• Jesus lifts up the the seeking of wisdom by Queen of Sheba over the Pharisees (42)
  Note: Both examples, Ninevites and Queen of Sheba were GENTILES!
• Jesus warns this wicked generation (43-45)
  Note: This is still in context with the previous section... interesting...
• Jesus puts family in perspective (46-50)
  Note: Again, this is very interesting.  As Jesus warns of a future generation in a worse spiritual than the Pharisees, He warns against lifting up Jesus family above others, including his mother Mary.

• Parable of the Sower (13:1-23)
• Jesus tells the parable (3-9)
• Jesus explains why He is using parables (10-17)
• Jesus explains the parable of the Sower (18-23)

Note: I am a firm believer in the concept of expositional constancy in the parables.  More on that next wee.

Matthew 11:20 - 12:30 Thoughts

The flow of the book of Matthew is quite amazing.  It is not, as you might think, chronological.  Matthew is working on ideas and themes, using the teachings and works of Jesus to try and convince his Jewish brothers and sisters that Jesus is the Messiah.

I don't know how a Jew truly seeking the truth and reading the book of Matthew could not be turned to Jesus.  However, in this section we are covering this week Jesus makes some amazing statements.

At the end of chapter 11, after dealing with people's misconceptions on who the Messiah was to be, he speaks out against several cities.  He warns them how much information they've been given, yet they would not turn to Jesus.  He then prays to the Father explaining that the gospel message is given to those who are not wise in their own minds.

But, the most amazing thing to me is how Matthew begins to talk about the bondage and burden of the Law and how Jesus came to give rest.  Imagine being a Jew, used to the law and strict enforcement of the law.  How freeing it would be.  Matthew then deals with an issue in chapter 12, the Sabbath.  Remember, in the Jewish mind, the Sabbath was REST!  Again, a misconception of what rest was.  Rest is not simply not doing work.  Rest can be found in Jesus. (Matthew 11:28). Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  The author of the book of Hebrews picks up on this when speaking of Jesus as our rest. (Hebrews 4:9-10)

It is interesting how we too try to go back to the law.  We try to prove ourselves or try to please God through good works and religion.  Why can't we just believe that God loves us simply because we are His kids?

I pray, "Jesus, please help us find rest in You.  Help us stop doing things in our own strength trying to please you.  We give you permission to help us, by the power of your Holy Spirit, find rest in You.  Amen."

Matthew 11:20 - 12:30 Outline

In this section, Jesus continues to deal with people who have the wrong expectation of who He is and what His ministry is.

• To much is given, much is expected (11:20-24)
• Gospel truth given to the simple (11:25-26)
• Jesus ministry to the simple (11:27-30)
• Reveal the Father (27)
• Give rest (28-30)
• Jesus deals with Sabbath misconceptions (12:1-14)
• What does it mean to 'work'? (1-8)
  Note: This is not situational ethics, it is understanding the heart of a law or principle in God's word and using the Holy Spirit's wisdom to implement it.
• Doing good deeds never takes a holiday (9-14)
  Note: The law should never be an excuse to do evil or to not do good.
• Matthew deals with more misconceptions (12:15-21)
• Jesus came to bring peace, not war.
• Jesus came to bring the message to the world, both Jew and Gentile (non-Jew).
• The people recognise Jesus as the Messiah, but the Pharisees reject. (12:22-32)
• Jesus deals with the illogical rejection of the Pharisees (25-30)
• Rejection of this truth, Jesus is the Messiah (God in human flesh), is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (31-32)
  Note: The Holy Spirit is the one who testifies of who Jesus is in our hearts.  When we reject His message, we blaspheme (Speak irreverently about God or sacred things).