Rough Road Mapped Out!

 
FOR THE Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, we hear again from the Gospel According to Matthew. The text of this gospel message is a continuation of the sending of our Lord’s disciples for their first evangelical mission. That mission was confined to the people in the geographic areas of Israel.

 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-elzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 
“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.  (Matthew 10:24–39) 

As comparative investigation reveals to us, there is a shorter parallel of this text found in the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:40). Also, the writer of the Gospel According to Saint John used some of the text for its source. Because of the agreements in the gospel records the passages are thought to be from the lost “Q” (quelle) document, but even as recognized as such, a few variants are recognized in some verses.

Our section for today begins with an emphasis spoken to the disciples, as related by Jesus. Our Lord began with an admonishment in reminding his disciples, “it is enough for the servant to be as the lord”. This statement corresponds to a Jewish proverb. By hearing this saying, the disciples likely made right associations between disciple and master. Thus they were told to go and do ministerial acts much like Jesus had already accomplished... preaching, teaching, healing... all in proclaiming the arrival of God's kingdom. However, like the upcoming persecutions of Jesus, their Lord... the disciples will also be “handed over”, scourged, led before governors, and killed... in like manner.

 This statement by Matthew to his churches recalled for the hearers the suffering of Jesus, and the words were written down in the gospel by 85 a.d., were of such importance to them. But the statement also leads we who gather today.

 The reading reveals that those persecutions were not special experiences reserved for only the first missionaries who worked fervently under the yoke of the Romans emperors. Suffering and persecution are still experiences encountered by disciples, around the world... even to this day.

We are called to remember therefore, the early churches of Matthew were told that they were to experience the same accusations as their Lord. The context helped the congregations within the first century church to understand that their present suffering would cause division in the families and more. The disciples of every time and place also need look forward to the new community formed in Jesus’ name. We who now minister as his disciples today need to be keenly aware of this prophetic message.

You see, Jesus’ suffering is the basic model for the future of all disciples. The ordeal originates in the mission he began and ends triumphantly. As Christians then, we are called to also live in tension with the world around us, and know the possibilities and probabilities of our ministry. The importance of this message, therefore, is to make spiritual sense of true Christian Church suffering.

We need to pray by the power of the Holy Spirit that we keep these things in proper perspective.  Matthew understood and communicated the suffering of Jesus to the readers and hearers of in the gospel, but the communication comes to us with a word of comfort. In summation Matthew and others stated that Jesus said in finality, “Therefore, do not be afraid.”

 Let us do the works that need to be done by holding tight to that confidence.

Now I repeat to you that same blessing, and… “May the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen”

 

 

Heartless For Witness?

FOR THE Third Sunday after Pentecost, we read of Jesus first sending of his disciples out into the nation of Israel. There they were to witness concerning the kingdom of God. They went to their own... to inform their own. Can we ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to do the same? Click here...

 

Tell Good News! 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention?

 

FOR THE Second Sunday after Pentecost, we review the calling of a key disciple of Jesus. Here we pay attention to the writing of the gospel and consider the writer's' motivations. The gospel text reads...

 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 
 And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”  (Matthew 9:9-13)

 

Within a singular verse of the text we read it was revealed that Matthew, for whom this gospel is named, was not part of the original group of persons called to follow ( in the Greek - "akoloutheo"  ) our Lord Jesus.

 By reading the previous text we note that Jesus was going about his ministry, preaching, teaching and healing as he traveled with his called disciples. The man Matthew, (who may also be called "Levi" elsewhere) was therefore described as a person who was sitting in the tax office as Jesus and his followers passed by. Matthew was likely a collector of Roman taxes. The social position of the tax collector was disdained by the Jewish population. However, given the following text we know that Matthew was quite successful financially and probably hobnobbed in those circles.

 Because of his station, it is then quite surprising and impactful to the readers in the first century that Matthew responded to Jesus call so quickly. What were his motivations? Whether the tax collector's reasons were caused by faith in Jesus given to him previously by hearsay through the power of the Holy Spirit, or the acceptance of the face-to-face invitation would raise his position in the sight of those influential in society... we cannot know. What we do know... is that Matthew indeed followed!

 Without further conversation then, a scene change occurs in the gospel reading. This abruptness causes many of us to ask why the call of Matthew, written in the gospel historically claimed to be written by Matthew... would suddenly insert this instance.

 If the gospel was truly and personally written by Matthew, was he inserting this verse to reinforce the authenticity of his call? Or, was the early Church insertion of this known fact during the writing, a way of highlighting that Jesus calls his followers, including Matthew, independent of their financial or social position? Personally, I think the latter is true, given that the gospel was evidently written reliably in a relatively prosperous community, and the fledgling Christian church and its missions depended on support from many persons of financial and social merit within their ranks.

  To reinforce the position I contend, take note that the gospel reading takes us to a feast held in what was apparently Matthew's home. We can safely assume this site because of the presence of Pharisees, who were notably persons of high society. They challenged the ministry of Jesus amongst tax collectors and sinners. The message of salvation offered to persons independent of their worldly status was thus established. Speaking then to answer the challenges of those holding Pharisiac religious outlook, somewhat akin to gnostic ideations of the Greeks, the text illustrated Jesus' ministry to persons of low degree. Was this a warning to those of high position in the early Church? Possibly.

 What are we in this modern age to do with this good news? If we take our Lord at his words given during the feast... we will find ourselves counted among those who are convicted and invited to Supper with the Lamb God. He comes to meet us at the altar. He came then not to save those who stubbornly think themselves safe by virtue of earthly possessions and position, and those who brazenly celebrate thinking of themselves as already lost... but those who now know they don't measure up before the judgment of Almighty God. It is for them... that the Savior came and died.

 

Explaining Infinity!

 FOR THE Celebration of Holy Trinity Sunday, we hear from Saint Matthew the ancient mandate given to the Christian Church and all of its members across the ages. Read here about what our priorities should be, which apply even in confusing historical times. Click here... 

In The Name Of 

 

 

Church In The Spirit?

 FOR THE Celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, we in the Church must take note of our plans for future cooperation with the Holy Spirit. With our salvation being accomplished by Jesus Christ our Lord, in spite of our sin... what is it that we are now called to do? Click here to find sparks for prayerful thought.

 

Just In Thanksgiving! 

 

 

 

Blessed Are Those!

FOR THE Second Sunday in the Easter season, we hear from the Gospel According to John. Recording Christian history, John passed on to us the raucous scene that occurred when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. The scene established a wondrous exclamation... "He is Risen!" Check out this witness... 

More Than Being Ghosted! 

 

 

 

To The Cross...

 WALK WITH us daily this week as we journey to the foot of the cross and Jesus' empty tomb. Begin with watching this Holy Monday video... a continuation of our Palm Sunday offering.