Matthew Chapter 2

Matthew Chapter 2

Magi come from the East following the signs in nature that something new has come. They come to find a king and yet the Jews do not know of him, nor the secular rulers. The distant Magi are more in tune with the divine workings through nature than the close by leaders with Scripture. Some times distance and a change of perspective will reveal what cannot be seen up close.

Scripture supports what nature had revealed and the Magi discerned: the time, place and person of the Christ. But the Magi by turning to the rulers of the land while searching for the Christ alert those rulers to the birth of the Christ. Immediately plots and actions are put into place to stop the Christ from coming. But God cannot be easily thwarted. Like the dream that warned Joseph of the proper action towards Mary, so the Magi receive a dream of the proper action towards Herod.

The Magi had to come but in so doing they alerted Herod to Jesus existence causing problems whereas Joseph and family had to flee until the problem was dealt with. In life we are often the source of problems, even unknowingly. We are also the receiver of problems. God did not need Joseph in Egypt; he just needed them away from Jerusalem. Sometimes we see solutions as an ending but it is just a moment in time until the next step of the journey is readied for us. Herod could have responded in many ways but his choice sent Joseph and family on a certain course of action. Joseph could have become bitter towards Herod, or even God for those events. And perhaps he did, but he stayed faithful. Later they were able to return to the Promised Land. The events of today may change tomorrow and the outcome may be different then we expect. But staying with God, in God, will bring about the best possible outcome even if the moment seems lost. Despair is looking at the past leading to the present, not the present leading to the future. Hope is looking towards the future standing in the present. Magi came in hope of finding the King. Joseph hopeful of the future obeyed God and fled to Egypt even thought it was an uncertain move.

Dreams and nature play important roles in this chapter. Nature brings the Magi to Jesus. Dreams help to determine the safest course of actions. How often do we turn to nature to find the way or listen to dreams to discern the correct course of actions? But also throughout this chapter Scripture appears. Scripture confirms what is known through nature or dreams. The three work together to discern, affirm and confirm the way to God.

Matthew Chapter One

Matthew Chapter One

This Gospel includes a genealogy. Obviously the lineage of Jesus as an identifier of Jesus’ authority had become important. Speculation on the need to define Jesus’ identity could run rampant and many questions could be asked but not fully answered. I think it is safe to leave it at there was a need in the community to define Jesus’ identity and this genealogy fulfills that need. It is a marker to Jesus as the Christ through both kingship (Son of David) and spiritual heritage (Son of Abraham). Jesus fulfills the role of earthly king and spiritual priest according to his genealogy. It is a distinctly Jewish lineage naming all the important Jewish figures, which make the inclusion of four Gentile women all the more prominent.

The birth of Jesus, through Mary, is told through Joseph. A Jewish tale. Joseph would do the right thing, which was to divorce her quietly. The compassionate thing would be to take her in and raise the child. And after a visit by an angel that also becomes the right thing to do. Interesting how the compassionate thing and the right thing merge after a divine intervention.

Through God, and Joseph’s obedience, Jesus is brought into the world. He has a divine purpose of which Scripture has spoken. Every section in the first few chapters of Matthew is supported with quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament. Joseph (and Mary) take it in stride. Certainly that says much about their characters.

Gospel According to Matthew, first words

Matthew, first words

Mathew is quite a bit different from the Gospel of Mark. Where Mark is a concise version, a bare-bones outline of the life of Jesus, Matthew is much more detailed. This Gospel spends much more time with the teachings of Jesus. If Matthew was written later, possibly that first generation of believers was beginning to pass on and the first hand accounts of Jesus teachings was being lost. The community would desire a written account to preserve the life and teachings of Jesus for future generations. Certainly large parts of Mark were used as a guideline in the general structure but much new material is provided.

It is possible to see how the community of Christians had developed in their thoughts and faith by looking at the material in Matthew as compared to Mark. In Matthew we have more about the teachings of Jesus, with the Sermon on the Mount being a large part of that. In Mark we have statements such as “And Jesus taught them in the hill country...” which leaves us wondering, what did Jesus teach them? And now we can look to Matthew for those answers.

Another question is raised. As the first generation passed and those eyewitness accounts were lost, other generations naturally would ask, “why should we believe the teachings of Jesus? Who is Jesus?” Without being able to experience the miracles of Jesus or hear him speak first hand it is natural to ask those questions. Matthew begins to answer those questions as well. Jesus identity and heritage is addressed in real terms. This Gospel is a fuller story explaining more about Jesus. Matthew says here is Jesus; this is what he taught and why you should believe him. The need to preserve the credentials of Jesus as Christ became just as important as the need to preserve the teachings of Jesus. The written testimony comes to replace the spoken testimony of the first generation eyewitnesses to Christ.

The organizational structure of Matthew has some interesting points. One should perhaps not read too much into it, but it is thought provoking. If one does a comparison of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and first seven chapters of Matthew certain points become clear.

 

Torah

1. Genesis
2. Chosen family (Abraham)
3. Joseph to Egypt (dreams)
4. Death of all 1st born
5. Parting the Red Sea & Jordan River
6. Forty Years in the wilderness
7. Receiving the Law

Matthew

1. Genealogy
2. Magi to the Holy Family
3. Joseph to Egypt (dreams)
4. Herod kills all children
5. Jesus through the water (baptism)
6. Forty Days in the wilderness
7. Sermon on the Mount

Age of Erosion

Age of Erosion

Mountain breezes

Whisper ancient names

Into my ear

Of eras long gone by.

Kingdoms past away

Like shifting sand

Once proud mountains

Warn by wind

And rainy ice.

Kingdoms crumbled

In breezes

Under mountain heights

Forgotten names of

Forgotten realms,

High mountain pass

Leading into the Wind

Bringing ice to

Devour the mountain.

End in shambles

 And brambles

Ocean sand, slipped away.

From One Year in the Mountains

Copyright 2010 

Mark: Tentative conclusions

Mark: Summary and Tentative Conclusions

I call this a tentative conclusions because with the Gospel and the Spirit there are always new insights, perspectives and leadings. One can never say the definitive word about the life of Jesus or the message he preached.

This Gospel has a noticeable lack of higher Christology and profound theological implications about the identity of Jesus that takes a major hold of the other Gospels. It seems a simple story, on of conflict but also of peace.

Jesus came preaching a message: repent, the kingdom of God is near. I take this to mean turn away from the direction you are walking which was trespassing on others and walk with Jesus towards the Kingdom of God. Although the Kingdom of God is not defined, the manner of walking is. The “walk” means to serve other in word and action. Jesus main teaching and life example was one of service: healing, exorcism, parables and teachings. It all spoke of how God desires us to serve others. This teaching was in conflict with the religion of the day and the power structure within that religion. The Jewish Law dictated all aspects of life leaving little room for compassion or even service to others. And the religious leaders controlled how the Law was interpreted and instituted in daily life. They controlled the people through their religion. The people were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Religion squeezed them on one side and the Romans on the other side. They cried out for a Messiah who would set the religion right and run the Romans out of town. This Messiah would establish peace where the people would be free from oppression. But the Messiah who came did not come to overthrow but rather to preach peace. True peace can only come from the heart, a heart set free through transformation.

The people turned to Jesus in faith. His message and his actions demonstrated God’s compassion on the people and a possible reform of the religion. But held as a king, he might also mean the end of Roman control. Many flocked to Jesus in expectation. But this Gospel account does not address those expectations in any terms of fulfillment. Jesus’ message is on of humble servant-hood. Even his disciples, the closest of his followers, do not fully understand that message. A truly free heart is one that is bent on service towards others through compassion.

Power structures cannot stand those who do not play by the rules. Jesus should have turned his crowds and followers into a rebel army, that would have made sense to the leaders, both religious and secular. But he did not. And that confounded them. Jesus’ teaching took the wind out of their sails and was incomprehensible to the power structure. But it rang with truth to the crowds. Religion will not save you; it will only oppress you. The state will not save you; it will only oppress you. Salvation, that is freedom to live, can only come through service to others. If everyone lived by this code, this way of life, there would be no need for religion or for secular government. And that would strip them of all their power. In light of this, the religious leaders knew that Jesus had to die. So they framed him and forced the secular government to murder Jesus, an innocent man, to maintain their power. But Jesus knew the outcome of his teachings. Death was not to be feared.

Although the Gospel ends with Jesus’ death and a surprise ending, an empty tomb, the story continues in Galilee where Jesus had instructed the Disciples to meet him. What happens next? This Gospel does not say. We are left wondering with questions. The implication is if we all follow the teachings of Jesus then we might all go to the cross for fear of the power structure losing its power. But that would be the Kingdom of God. A message still very relevant today because it is still much needed today.

Mark 16

Mark 16

Mark seems to have two endings. The most ancient texts end with the women fleeing the empty tomb with a message at verse eight. But more has been added with later texts, which makes sense because the story continues beyond the empty tomb.

- Short Version

Mary saw where Jesus was laid and went with other women to properly anoint the body. But the body was no longer present. In his place stood an angel directing the women to the fulfillment of Jesus teachings. Jesus had instructed them he would rise and wet them in Galilee. And now the women are to be the messenger to the Disciples that the Lord has risen and the next stage is set. Jesus is waiting in Galilee. Jesus, the son, has the inheritance readied. He is waiting upon those who will inherit the fertile fields prepared for harvest with truth. But this Gospel ends and we are left wondering what happens next.

- Long Version.

The Disciples do not meet Jesus in Galilee but continue in their unbelief. Even after a number of witness attest to Jesus resurrection. Finally Jesus appears to the Eleven and chastises them for their lack of faith. Jesus empowers them to continue his ministry of healing and to the spreading of the good news to all of creation.

This addition explains the state of affairs in the community of the gospel’s author. The power they share and their commission to do the work they are undertaking. It helps to bridge the gap from the failure to appear in Galilee and vibrant community that is still maintaining the teachings of Jesus.

Mark 15

Mark 15

Jesus stands silent as day breaks and a new dawn is about to start for humanity. Pilate and the Jewish leadership attempt to use Jesus as a pawn in their political maneuverings, but Jesus, innocent, remains free of the politics for this is the path God has set for truth to be revealed. Jesus is convicted not of a crime but of a mob mentality. Jesus, son of man and beloved of God, is held captive but Barabbas (Son of God), a convicted murderer is released.

Jesus kingship is tested. The Jews deny it and the Romans mock it, but Jesus accepts it in the form it comes: death. Outsiders are gathered around this king while his subjects mock him and misunderstand his true nature as servant to others. And his Disciples abandon him. Simon of Cyrene, a centurion, some women and Joseph of Arimathea are the witnesses to the brief earthly reign of Jesus on the Cross, all outsiders and foreigners.

And the Temple curtain is cut in two. God is released; the old religion is done. Christ the king has come to collect his due from the unfaithful tenants and found them wanting. Now something new is happening and the Jewish leaders, even the Disciples, are absent. This new thing is for the outsider. It is for the ones with eyes to see and ears to hear. This new thing is grace and mercy, not wrath. Instead of the landowner driving out the evil tenants, he allows the son to die. But the inheritance does not go to the tenants. That has been prepared for someone else. Change never comes without sacrifice and pain.

Mark 14:53-72

Mark 14:53-72

This is a religious problem, a problem the religious leaders try to deal with in a backhanded way but cannot find a trusted testimony against Jesus. So they cut to the chase: “Are you the Christ?” That is a huge question, the heart of the problem. Jesus’ answer condemns himself and undermines all the authority of the religious leaders. The response is dramatic rage. There is no time to reflect upon the answer or the meaning of the question. Do they not want and expect the Messiah? Are they responding out of fear of what it may mean or fear at the possible loss of their power base? Why do they react with violence to Jesus peacefulness as the Christ?

                    

And then we get the first contrite heart, Peter. He saw Jesus in ministry. He knew Jesus personally. He heard the parables, the teachings and the explanations. Peter was an insider who proclaimed Jesus as Christ. And he promised to die with Jesus, to stand next to him through it all. But he could not. And he broke down and wept. It is not until one is broken that one can be remade as God would have you. No amount of training, praying or promising amounts to one moment of brokenness and weeping, ready to be remade.

Change never comes without sacrifice or pain.

Mark 14:1-52

Mark 14:1-52

The Passover lamb is readied for sacrifice. The woman anoints Jesus head. The disciples do not understand this meaning and Judas agrees to betray Jesus. The Lamb is ready for sacrifice and his body and blood are given freely for the covenant which it symbolized. Even now the Disciples still continue to miss the point. Death is coming and all will fall away for death is not coming for them, only Jesus. The Disciples must live on. The Disciples who insisted they would walk to death with Jesus could not even walk in prayer with him. But Judas and the religious leaders could walk with death and gather against Jesus, for night has come. All scatter before the crowd at the arrest of Jesus. Possibly they were expecting a rebellion and Jesus to rise up against Rome, but that was never Jesus teaching, nor his purpose.

In the night with a kiss, Jesus is betrayed. This darkness Jesus saw coming and was prepared for it. But dawn cannot come except after night and darkness as passed away. The dark night still looms ahead for Jesus. He is alone. His friends have deserted him. The bitter cup of tears has been presented. 

Mark 13

Mark 13

Cryptic remarks about “End Times” always leaves one asking more questions. But it comes down to the two questions which the disciples started it all with: When? And how will we know? And neither question is answered in a manner that we would find satisfactory. What we are left with is three things.

1. It will happen when God chooses it to happen. And the lead up to it will be obvious for those who are watching.

2. God will provide for his own people as it happens so be prepared for instant action but not worried about the outcome.

3. Watch for it as one guarding the door to the house. Diligence, perseverance, and expectation are the watch words.

But ultimately what does it all mean?

It means that the Kingdom of God is a real thing, that God’s concern is for this place and these people and at some point true peace will descend upon the earth. But when it does there will be great calamity and existing powers will fight the change and imbalance as heaven and earth meet. Watchfulness is a state of being which keeps one focused on the kingdom that will come and attention off the things of the earth.

Mark 12

Mark12

Parables can be profound and also a little slippery. The religious leaders knew Jesus was talking about them in light of the evil tenant. But does that mean God is absent, the absentee landlord? And only sends others to collect his dues? One has to be careful to not read too far into a parable. But one should still explore the story for meaning. I think we will find that we are left to our own with things that we know. God does not need to micromanage our lives. But we have to respect Him and pay dues when he comes to collect or what was ours (religion, theology, culture) will be taken away. The religious leaders ultimately lost out and Jesus teachings come to replace them. It did not have to go down that way if they were to respond to God with openness, not with evil desires.

And yet they still tried to catch Jesus in another trap. Taxes are a “this world” thing that have no bearing on God or things of God. Keep them separate and pay to the world what you must but keep your eyes on the things of God which this world cannot understand. God is the God of the living and death has no place there. So theological maneuvering which does not understand the true nature of God and the Kingdom of Heaven cannot stand as truth only as tricks of the mind to be misunderstood.

Again Jesus calls out the religious leaders for their failure to understand. For a true understanding of God can only come from love, a love that extends to our neighbors. You cannot say you love God and then treat others as the religious leaders do. Love of God is love towards your neighbor. Love gives to God and to others; it does not take like the religious leaders have been known to do. Love is to give, even the last cent if it comes from the heart. Giving from love knows no bounds in action. Falling back on the law or tradition as a scapegoat in false behavior undermines God’s true religion which is based in love and an open heart towards others. And this truth is the heart of Jesus’ teachings and life. A truth for which he must die, a truth the disciples are still trying to grasp. Even today.

Mark 11

Mark 11

Jesus enters Jerusalem as a king might enter with applause and fanfare. But he does not go to the Roman seat of power as if to protest their rule, nor does he threaten them in any way. He goes to the Temple and makes an inspection. If he is king then his kingdom is not temporal but spiritual, where the Temple and religion are central. It is late so he leaves to return the next day. On the next day he stakes his claim to the Temple. He purifies it of what he sees as filth and misuse of the Temple grounds. He stretches his hand out against it, as he did the fig tree and no one will eat of it again. This Temple is passing away, withering as the fig tree.

Prayer is not about cursing or blessing, but about asking with a clean heart. How hard is it to stand before God and ask when we have held back from others? Authority is a matter of perception and confession. Religious authority cannot accept nor deny Jesus because he does not fit their perceptions, as John did. They stand before Jesus, and God, in the Temple courts unable to confess the power of God which is present. They cannot pray with clean hearts. And this is just the beginning of their attempts to stand before Jesus and entrap him. But Jesus is in his element, his kingdom, and no one can stand against him.

Mark 10:32-52

Mark 10:32- 52

Another hint at the end of the story and yet it goes by unnoticed by the disciples. When Jesus comes into his own, the disciples think it will be with power and they wish to share in that power. But Jesus makes it clear, again, that power is not authority to rule over others but humility as a servant to others. To follow Jesus and the way to the Kingdom of God means to walk willingly to one’s death as a servant to others in complete obedience to God. Jesus continues to serve others by healing them even when he knows the end is near. Walking the way means being attentive to the way and the destination. The final resting place gives meaning to the way but walking in it daily, with open eyes, takes one to the kingdom of God. The way leads to the kingdom which gives meaning to the way, but one only knows the way by walking in faith and compassion daily. And for Jesus that way leads to Jerusalem and the ultimate sacrifice. How has walking daily in compassion brought you rewards and also sacrifices?

Mark 10:1-31

Mark 10:1-31

Jesus teaches: main theme is being open before God, not hard-hearted. Children serve as the prime example of being open and the rich the prime example of being hardhearted. Being soft-hearted or open to God means to live a life of harmony with others. Following religious or cultural forms but being hardhearted gets you no closer to the Kingdom of God then being evil. Following the rules or forms of religion does not gain you grace with God, unless it changes your heart to being open to God. Obedience to the way of the open heart leads to the great rewards but at great cost and effort. It comes naturally to children, the least of the population. The way of the open heart is the way to the Kingdom of God but it is not synonymous with obedience to religious tradition. Children will find new ways of solving old problems because they are open to the newness that is life and spirit.

Mark 9:2-50

Mark 9:2-50

Another baptism event: Jesus is transfigured and God speaks. A monumental event that plays vivid with the imagination (and identity of Jesus) but which plays no role in the gospel. It is just an affirmation of what we have already seen. Neither the Disciples nor the author of Mark, make a big deal about what it means for Jesus, although he does seem to have an attitude shift. Jesus seems to be more impatient with the disciples, and others. It is as if he has been handed his marching orders and no one else seems to understand what that means. “Oh unbelieving generation,” “if you can?” Terms of frustration directed at other’s inability to make sense out of Jesus simple teachings.

And then Jesus explains his marching orders. He will be betrayed, killed and rise form the grave. The disciples, after seeing and hearing so much, still do not understand. Who they think Jesus is, the Greatest, is not who Jesus shows them he is, a servant healing others, teaching the truth of love and peace. And now he is going to his death. That kind of disconnect has to create a certain amount of friction and frustration. Students who are so preoccupied with their own perceptions and expectations cannot grasp the simple message of the teacher.

The disciples, who cannot cast out demons, act as religious leaders and forbid others from doing it. Jesus corrects them. Any in the name of Christ are all part of the same family, a house divided... But those who cause stumbling in the believer are not part of the family and need to be cast out. It is better to have an incomplete body then one that causes harm to it members. Peace is the hallmark of a united body and family.

Mark 8:1-9:1

Mark 8:1-9:1

Right after Jesus feeds 4,000 with just a few loaves and fishes he is asked to give a sign. What could they have been looking for? Jesus has already feed thousands, healed dozens and cast out demons. When you do not believe, no amount of evidence will ever be enough. Even the Disciples still do not grasp the full truth. It is not about things here on this plane; Jesus has that covered. It is having eyes to see and ears to hear the things of God which brings truth.

To see, sometimes means to leave the village. How many conversations has Jesus had with people outside of the village, away from the city. Now he takes a blind man out to the countryside to help him to see. And this is right after he chastised the Disciples for not seeing.

Peter must have learned something because now he can see Jesus for who he is, the Christ. But Peter’s sight is still not clear. He needs Jesus to touch his eyes one more time to see things as they really are.

Jesus teaches the true way to the Kingdom of God. It is through compassion and love for others. But it must end at the cross. We must all take up the cross, forsake the world of men, the religious traditions, and the expectations of others. We must live the life of the cross, which is sacrifice for love and compassion.