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.