Posts

Matthew 7:1-14

Matthew 7.1-14 Judge not. Jesus is not calling for a suspension of thinking, accountability, or morals and ethics. He is calling for the suspension of faultfinding for the purpose of condemning. This is all about motivation; the difference is in loving people and helping them move toward the kingdom rather than trying to create barriers. There are those who make a life of finding fault in others and then prescribing their solutions for them. Jesus warns that this is not the case for the disciple. If we are to condemn another we must begin with ourselves for that is the only place where we can have the needed experience to offer compassion. Giving that which is holy to dogs is unthinkable. So is spiritual guidance to the self-righteous, the hypocrite, the one who rejects, and the caustic. Jesus then shifts to the subject of prayer, but how are they related? Asking, seeking and knocking is not solely about getting into Heaven, nor about naming and claiming blessings for this life. But ho

Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34 My heart is bad. Even as I am reading this passage my mind is racing about print supplies and appointments. "Will there be enough of what I need?" If that is not bad enough there is rebelliousness where my heart says, "Yes, that is good in theory but...” The problem is in me, in my sinful desire to clamor for release from the Lord’s provision and authority. I want to argue against God, to say what He gives is not enough, to find an excuse for indulging in my own selfishness. Smashing myself against rocks hoping the rocks will change makes even better sense than worry. In the illustration of the birds and flowers Jesus is not advising idleness; rather, the lesser proves the greater. Jesus said if it is true of the less valuable and values then it will be true for the more valuable and higher values. If it is true of the less important, like the birds, then it is true for me. God cares for the birds, but they must pick up the seeds. Part of God’s provisio

Matthew 6:16-24

Matthew 6:16-24 In verses 16 through 18 Jesus assumes that fasting is a part of the life of a disciple. As with prayers and alms giving the objective is God, not the praise of people. This passage is difficult. Sometimes it's difficult because of our pride and sometimes it's difficult because we love food. At every moment we can build plenty of excuses for food, low blood sugar for example, that allows us to make sure we have our daily treats. When do my appetites govern me? When I make excuses to satisfy them. The attachment to material concerns and the priority of loyalty to God is the point of this passage. Treasures on Earth are not very secure. From vermin that can ruin to a housing market bubble that can burst, there are no fully secure treasures here on Earth. There are, however, no insecure treasures in Heaven. Nothing entrusted to God will ever be lost. This passage may refer first, but not exclusively, to alms giving. Wealth itself is not a problem; it is a loyalty t

Matthew 6:1-16

Matthew 6:1-16 Acts of righteousness would be better-translated acts of purity. A disciple must never attempt to show off his righteous devotion. There is a world of difference between living a conspicuously good and godly life and attempting to gain a reputation for goodness and godliness. The difference is in the nature, the result and ultimately the reward. The word “Hypocrites” has a double application. The first application is taken from the Greek word, which means actor: hypocrites are performing for an audience. Second, the word carries the meaning that there is insincerity in their actions. The disciple wants no reward on earth. The Father is the only source for the reward the disciple desires. As with the higher righteousness in the last chapter, the issue in regard to our prayer is our motivation. The Lord does not forbid public prayers, spontaneous prayers or personal prayers. All types of prayer are equally apt to become about us making a show rather than about the Father

Matthew 5:33-48

Matthew 5.33-48 The ethic that the Lord has for us is beyond anything a legal code could impose. It is not merely insisting that a given behavior ends. It ends evil behavior by an intentional and internal change. In the fertile ground of a life dedicated to God the weeds of hate, lust, falsehood and retribution cannot grow. Which is the higher standard, to never actually commit the act of adultery or to not desire the other woman? It would be all but impossible to do the latter by our own power. But the former might be within our will power or self control. The radical shift in ethics is most pronounced in the transition from “hate your enemies“ to “love your enemies”. This righteousness is higher and better than any legalistic righteousness. Not only is it better because the conduct is in itself better, but also because the motivation has changed and the dynamic that powers it has changed. The word translated “perfect” meaning "whole" or "complete" is more than mor

Matthew 5:21-32

Matthew 5.21-32 In Matthew 5: 17- 20 Jesus calls his disciples to a better righteousness. This righteousness is built on a relationship with God. Loving God is the center and the focus of life. Now Jesus gives examples of what that will be like. Jesus is not advocating a more stringent form of legalism. Take calling someone a fool for example; never call anyone "you fool". We must not think there is a prohibition against calling someone a fool but there’s no prohibition against calling someone by another derogatory name. Jesus is calling for a higher ethic not a more stringent set of rules. This higher ethic will do more than any set of rules ever could. Additionally, Jesus is addressing what is behind the obvious or less obvious issues that are motivating evil behavior. What is behind murder or calling someone a fool? What is the motivation behind adultery or simple lust? Why is there a need for oaths in the first place and the prohibition of not breaking an oath? The outer

Matthew 5:13-20

Matthew 5.13-20 The first part of this passage is about the disciple being by his very nature a witness in the world, by being the light, the salt, and the city on the hill. This is all about being different in a bland, dark, and dangerous world. The Old Testament idea of God as light and illumination has now passed on into the One who fulfills the promises: God made flesh, and through Him to the disciples. This is possible because it is all about Jesus. Jesus identifies Himself as the fulfillment of the whole Old Testament system. This is a radical even an insane statement for a Jew unless that person were the reason for the Old Testament’s existence. Understanding “why” of the Old Testament gives the reason that not one part passes away. The purpose of the Old Testament was not to give legal righteousness or even a moral code. The purpose was to prepare for the one who was to come. The problem with discarding the Old Testament is not that it erodes morality. That maybe true. The prob