Matthew 22:15-22
"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk" (Matthew 22:15, KJV).
"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him with his words" (Matthew 22:15, NIV).
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
The Pharisees wanted to trip Jesus in his words. Strange that they would try this. He was the very Word of life--how could they trip him in his words? They wanted to tangle his tongue; they wanted to lay a trap. He could see the way out of every trap they set, but when the time was right, he would willing walk into their trap. His final hour would come. He would lay down his life for his followers (John 10:17). The Word of Life would choose silence.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Peculiar Tenants
Matthew 21:33-45
The tenants that Jesus describes in his Parable of the Tenants, could have won the "landlord's worst nightmare" award. You see they didn't pay rent. If that wasn't bad enough, they had this nasty habit of killing the people who came to collect rent. After several instances of the landlord's servants getting killed, he sent his son thinking that at least they would respect him, but they didn't. They killed him too.
What would make tenants behave this way? They could have just been mean, greedy, and selfish. Or maybe they got comfortable and mistook leasing the vineyard for owning it. Ultimately, they forgot who they were and they forgot who the landlord was.
The meaning of the parable could be easily deduced by its listeners. Scripture they were already familiar with (Isaiah 5) described Israel as the Lord's vineyard, and the history of the prophets fit well into the storyline (prophet after prophet had been killed). Also, Jesus wrapped up the parable by saying, "I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" (Matthew 21:42). The message could not be more clear--they were the bad tenants. Tragically, the listeners did not take the story to heart. In fact, with no sense of irony they went from listening to the story to discussing how they could arrest Jesus.
Jesus would later say of them, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (Matthew 23:37).
The tenants that Jesus describes in his Parable of the Tenants, could have won the "landlord's worst nightmare" award. You see they didn't pay rent. If that wasn't bad enough, they had this nasty habit of killing the people who came to collect rent. After several instances of the landlord's servants getting killed, he sent his son thinking that at least they would respect him, but they didn't. They killed him too.
What would make tenants behave this way? They could have just been mean, greedy, and selfish. Or maybe they got comfortable and mistook leasing the vineyard for owning it. Ultimately, they forgot who they were and they forgot who the landlord was.
The meaning of the parable could be easily deduced by its listeners. Scripture they were already familiar with (Isaiah 5) described Israel as the Lord's vineyard, and the history of the prophets fit well into the storyline (prophet after prophet had been killed). Also, Jesus wrapped up the parable by saying, "I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" (Matthew 21:42). The message could not be more clear--they were the bad tenants. Tragically, the listeners did not take the story to heart. In fact, with no sense of irony they went from listening to the story to discussing how they could arrest Jesus.
Jesus would later say of them, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (Matthew 23:37).
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-31
The Pharisees had just finished questioning Jesus about where he got his authority from when he told them a parable about two sons. One son told his father that he would work in the vineyard and didn't, while the other son said that he wouldn't work in the vineyard and did. Jesus said to them at the end of the parable, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him" (Matthew 21:31).
The tax collector doesn't initally show up as "most likely to be in the Kingdom". His greedy behavior belies that reality. The prostitute doesn't get many brownie points either. She isn't exactly on the list of "most respectable citizens". But both the tax collector and the prostitute were ahead of the Pharisees in entering the Kingdom.
They were like the son who had told his father that he would not work in the vineyard but did. Their initial lives did not show promise, but they listened to Jesus, and they were open to who he was and willing to folllow him. The Pharisees had been looking pretty good until Jesus showed up. They had been doing all the right things. They were well respected (if not loved) by their community. But they were unwilling to change, unwilling to see that they needed Jesus as well.
I'm closer to a Pharisee than a tax collector. I'm the type of person (I think) that landlords want for renters and people wouldn't mind having as a neighbor. But my respectabliity (read generally responsible behavior) does not preclude me from being a sinner. I still wrestle with a selfish heart. I still need a Savior.
The Pharisees had just finished questioning Jesus about where he got his authority from when he told them a parable about two sons. One son told his father that he would work in the vineyard and didn't, while the other son said that he wouldn't work in the vineyard and did. Jesus said to them at the end of the parable, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him" (Matthew 21:31).
The tax collector doesn't initally show up as "most likely to be in the Kingdom". His greedy behavior belies that reality. The prostitute doesn't get many brownie points either. She isn't exactly on the list of "most respectable citizens". But both the tax collector and the prostitute were ahead of the Pharisees in entering the Kingdom.
They were like the son who had told his father that he would not work in the vineyard but did. Their initial lives did not show promise, but they listened to Jesus, and they were open to who he was and willing to folllow him. The Pharisees had been looking pretty good until Jesus showed up. They had been doing all the right things. They were well respected (if not loved) by their community. But they were unwilling to change, unwilling to see that they needed Jesus as well.
I'm closer to a Pharisee than a tax collector. I'm the type of person (I think) that landlords want for renters and people wouldn't mind having as a neighbor. But my respectabliity (read generally responsible behavior) does not preclude me from being a sinner. I still wrestle with a selfish heart. I still need a Savior.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Prayer
Matthew 21:18-22
The figs leaves withered as soon as Jesus cursed the tree. The disciples wondered how this happened so quickly, and Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22).
"How vast are the possibilities of prayer! How wide is its reach! What great things are accomplished by this divinely appointed means of grace! It lays its hands on Almighty God and moves Him to do what He would not otherwise do if prayer was not offered. It brings things to pass which would never otherwise occur. The story of prayer is the story of great achievements. Prayer is a wonderful power placed by Almighty God int he hands of His saints, which may be used to accomplish great purposes and to achieve unusual results. Prayer reaches to everything, takes in all things great and small which are promised by God to the children of men. The only limits to prayer the promises of God and his ability to fulfill those promises. "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it" (Ps.81:10).
E.M.Bounds from A 12-Month Guide to Better Prayer
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Citizens
Matthew 19:13-14
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'" (Matthew 19:14).
The citizens only line at any international airport passport control moves quickly. Immigration officials only ask a few questions of their own citizens. Why should they? The citizens are coming home.
When Jesus rebuked the disciples for sending the children away from him, he did so because "The kingdom of heaven belonged to [children] (Matthew 19:13). Children are the rightful citizens of God's kingdom. They get to stand in the fast line. They get the privileges of belonging to God's kingdom.
I once had an older gentleman in an ESL writing class who was just "a student". He was pleasant, at times funny and other times a little frustrating. One day I learned that he was an important official in his home country's government. I was a little surprised and regretted not treating him with a little more dignity. As a teacher, I never know who is really sitting in my classroom. Children are the same way. Yes, this child is just a child--but do I really know what position she holds in God's kingdom?
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'" (Matthew 19:14).
The citizens only line at any international airport passport control moves quickly. Immigration officials only ask a few questions of their own citizens. Why should they? The citizens are coming home.
When Jesus rebuked the disciples for sending the children away from him, he did so because "The kingdom of heaven belonged to [children] (Matthew 19:13). Children are the rightful citizens of God's kingdom. They get to stand in the fast line. They get the privileges of belonging to God's kingdom.
I once had an older gentleman in an ESL writing class who was just "a student". He was pleasant, at times funny and other times a little frustrating. One day I learned that he was an important official in his home country's government. I was a little surprised and regretted not treating him with a little more dignity. As a teacher, I never know who is really sitting in my classroom. Children are the same way. Yes, this child is just a child--but do I really know what position she holds in God's kingdom?
Friday, May 4, 2012
Something Missing
Matthew 19:16-29
He knew he lacked something, but he didn't know what it was so he came to Jesus, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus told him that if he wanted to enter life, he must obey the commandments. The man was curious which commandments so Jesus listed them, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 19:19). The rich man must have been checking the commandments off as Jesus spoke. "Yes, I've done that and that and..." But he was curious; he still felt like he lacked something. "All these things I have kept? What do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:21). Jesus responded, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21).
Jesus finally answered the ruler's question, and he was not happy with the result. "When the young man heard this he was very sad because he had great wealth" (Matthew 19:22). He knew he was lacking something. He wanted change. No doubt, he wanted depth in his spiritual life, but to get what he wanted was too hard, so he left sad.
Most of us do not fit the exact picture of the ruler. We are not particularly wealthy or even have that much power, but other things come in the way: old grudges, fears, self-dependence, pride, lust.
What do I lack? is a question I want to wrestle with over and over. I want to know what my wealth is. I want to know what holds me back from fully serving God.
He knew he lacked something, but he didn't know what it was so he came to Jesus, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus told him that if he wanted to enter life, he must obey the commandments. The man was curious which commandments so Jesus listed them, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 19:19). The rich man must have been checking the commandments off as Jesus spoke. "Yes, I've done that and that and..." But he was curious; he still felt like he lacked something. "All these things I have kept? What do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:21). Jesus responded, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21).
Jesus finally answered the ruler's question, and he was not happy with the result. "When the young man heard this he was very sad because he had great wealth" (Matthew 19:22). He knew he was lacking something. He wanted change. No doubt, he wanted depth in his spiritual life, but to get what he wanted was too hard, so he left sad.
Most of us do not fit the exact picture of the ruler. We are not particularly wealthy or even have that much power, but other things come in the way: old grudges, fears, self-dependence, pride, lust.
What do I lack? is a question I want to wrestle with over and over. I want to know what my wealth is. I want to know what holds me back from fully serving God.
The Time Before
Matthew 19:1-11
It was not this way from the beginning. It was not I-no-longer-love-you-so-I-must-leave-you. It was not you-don't-make-me-happy-anymore. It was not I-need-something-more. It was a promise. It was security. It was the Creator who "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). It was "for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife", and it was "the two will become one flesh" (Matthew 19:5). It was love given by a Creator and shaped by two humans. It was the time before sin. It was the time before hard hearts. "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard" (Matthew 19:8). It was creation and God's first plan. It was "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them....And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:27; 1:31).
It was not this way from the beginning. It was not I-no-longer-love-you-so-I-must-leave-you. It was not you-don't-make-me-happy-anymore. It was not I-need-something-more. It was a promise. It was security. It was the Creator who "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). It was "for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife", and it was "the two will become one flesh" (Matthew 19:5). It was love given by a Creator and shaped by two humans. It was the time before sin. It was the time before hard hearts. "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard" (Matthew 19:8). It was creation and God's first plan. It was "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them....And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:27; 1:31).
Seven Times
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times'" (Matthew 18:21-22).
I bet when Peter asked if forgiving someone seven times was good enough that he felt like he was stretching it. Seven times felt like a big number. You know if you forgive someone once it would be pretty virtuous but to forgive them twice would be heading for sainthood--so seven times would definitely qualify you for super sainthood stardom. But Jesus took the wind out of Peter's sails.
"No Peter, not seven times but seven times seven times, you must forgive for eternity." Forgiveness must become present continuous in your life.
I'm not sure that I'm there yet (living a life of constant forgiveness), but each time I ask God for his grace to forgive someone I'm stepping just a little closer to the kingdom.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times'" (Matthew 18:21-22).
I bet when Peter asked if forgiving someone seven times was good enough that he felt like he was stretching it. Seven times felt like a big number. You know if you forgive someone once it would be pretty virtuous but to forgive them twice would be heading for sainthood--so seven times would definitely qualify you for super sainthood stardom. But Jesus took the wind out of Peter's sails.
"No Peter, not seven times but seven times seven times, you must forgive for eternity." Forgiveness must become present continuous in your life.
I'm not sure that I'm there yet (living a life of constant forgiveness), but each time I ask God for his grace to forgive someone I'm stepping just a little closer to the kingdom.
God's Generosity
Matthew 18:21-35
Jesus told the parable of a man who was forgiven an enormous debt only to turn around and try to get the pitance that was owed him by another man.
When I read this parable, I wonder if I live in the light of God's generosity. The unmerciful servant could have been unmerciful for two reasons. First, he could have rationalized that the debt he owed wasn't that big of a deal (surely, his master was rich and didn't really need the money owed him). He could have not taken his own debt relief seriously and returned right back to his habit of money grubbing since unlike his rich master he really needed the money that was owed him.
Second, he could not really have accepted that his debt was forgiven. Maybe he went looking for the man who owed him money so he could pay back the debt he owed.
Either way, the results were the same. He failed to extend mercy to his fellow servant.
I wonder when I see this story where I am. Do I recognize my need for mercy? And if I do, do I work and live as if I'm not really forgiven? Has God's mercy really penetrated my heart so that it is given to others?
Father, teach me to receive your mercy. Plant your mercy deep in my soul. Let it grow rich in me so that it is given naturally to others.
If You Are Sinned Against
Matthew 18:15-18
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17).
This might be the most underpracticed text in the Bible.
1. We don't confront privately (it's two uncomfortable).
2. Then we let everyone know about the problem.
3. Then we refuse to practice church discipline.
Ouch, we are in trouble here! Ultimately, we need to be more worried about the sinner then the sin we've experienced. Being concerned about the sinner means doing the hard work of talking privately with the person who has wronged us as well as taking steps toward church discipline if the wrong is not addressed by that individual.
If a person does not listen, we are to treat him or her as a pagan or tax collector. If we follow Christ's example, that's not a terrifically bad way to treat a person. So if someone sins against you, address it. And if the individual cannot see it, address it with a larger group and still a larger group. Then if all else fails, invite him or her to dinner (that's how Christ treated tax collectors!).
God's Joy
Matthew 18:10-14
It's the joy on his face that I love, the pleasure in his smile--the smile that comes when he says, "I found my lost sheep. I had my 99 but this one was lost and now I have her. It was cold out there--she cried so hard and when I found her--her bleats were so pitiful. I picked her up, cuddled her close to me, and cleaned her wounds. She is home."
I am loved by a shepherd who wouldn't let me wander, who chased after me and called me and heard me and brought me home.
What's Better
Matthew 18:7-9
"If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire" (Matthew 18:8).
The language is getting pretty graphic. We just found out it would be better to take a plunge with a millstone around our neck than to lead a child into sin. Now we're looking at cutting off our food and throwing it away or wacking off our hand and tossing it. "It [would be] better for you to enter life maimed or crippled then to have two hands or two feet and thrown into eternal fire" (Matthew 18:8). Wounded, bleeding, maimed that's how we sometimes come out of our fight with sin. But it's better to get our nicks here than to lose life eternally.
Millstone
Matthew 18:5-6
Usually when we think of someone getting thrown into the ocean with cement we think of the mafia. But this form of death shows up in the Bible first. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). That wouldn't exactly be a pleasant way to go, but that's what Jesus suggest would be the better fate of someone who causes a child to sin.
Watch out! Those are fighting words. Children are so precious to God that one of the most egregious sins would be to harm them. My first thought is the millstone deserving people must be pedophiles. Yes, please give me the millstone, and I'll toss that person in myself. But I'm not sure this text would be in reference to sexual predators alone.
Leading a child into sin could be much simpler and not has devastatingly obvious. Maybe we set a poor example (like a father who asked his daughter to lie for him), or do as Paul warns against and exasperate children (Galations 6:4). As a teacher, I'm sure I did the latter for some of my students.
This text could get discouraging, but there's a flipside to it. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me (Matthew 18:5). So many times without realizing it we've encountered Christ. We have encountered him in the child we gave a snack to or in the child who fell asleep in our arms. He accepted our love for them as service for him.
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