Matthew 15:1-20 Truth: He Rejected Jewish Tradition

My commentary said to note three requests and three replies in this section.  The scribes and Pharisees had actually united for this attack and traveled a good distance from Jerusalem together to do so.  They made accusations about "washing hands" that dealt not with cleanliness, but with "ceremonial washings of the rigidly orthodox Jews."  Jesus and his disciples were mingling with outcasts and not even attempting to become purified.  They "were forcing Jesus to deal with the very foundation  of their religious faith ... These traditions were originally the oral law that (said the rabbis) Moses gave to the elders, and they passed down to the nation ... it had become more important and more authoritative than the original law of Moses."

Jesus charged them with "breaking God's law by practicing their traditions! ... Jesus made it clear that obedience to tradition made a person disobedient to the Word of God, and this proved the tradition to be false ... People obey tradition to please men and gain status, but we obey the Word to please God.  Tradition deals with ritual, while God's truth deals with reality.  Tradition brings empty words to the lips, but truth penetrates the heart and changes the life ... God wants us to give Him our hearts, and not just our lip service."

The second request came from the disciples, fearful of the wrath of the Pharisees and needing clarification from Jesus.  "They were astounded by what He taught about foods, and they were afraid of the Pharisees," but Jesus pointed out that they were the blind leading the blind.

Peter asked for further clarification, and that's where Jesus told them that food never touches the heart.  "But what comes out of the mouth BEGINS IN the heart, and these things defile a person."

Father, help me to guard my words so that I may not sin against You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 14:22-36 Jesus Displays Concern And Caring During A Storm

This section tells the story of Jesus walking on water, and Peter also doing it for a little bit, during a storm.  In my commentary, it said, "When we find ourselves in the storm because we have obeyed the Lord, we must remember that He brought us here and He can care for us."

Additionally, it listed specifically what we should know about His care and concern for us:

1)  He brought me here.

2)  He is praying for me.

3)  He will come to me.

4)  He will help me grow.

5)  He will see me through.

An important point it made was this:  "Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence."  Wow!

Father, help me to obey what I clearly hear You saying to do.  Like the song says, if creation obeys You, so will I.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 14:1-13 Jesus Begins Withdrawing

My commentary says that chapters 14-20 deal with times when Jesus "withdrew from the crowds and spent time alone with His disciples."  In these verses, Jesus learned of John the Baptist's death at the hands of Herod Antipas.  It listed His reason for withdrawing not as grief, but as caution.

"He quietly withdrew from that area and went to a lonely place.  He lived according to a divine timetable, and He did not want to deliberately provoke trouble with Herod.  because Herod's agents were all around, the Lord had to exercise wisdom and caution."

Jesus did all He did with purpose.  Just because He was the Son of God, He didn't choose to flaunt it.  That would be playing right into Satan's hands and falling for the temptations Satan had presented to Him in the wilderness.  Jesus was much smarter than that.

Father, please always stop me when You see me being tempted to do something that isn't in Your divine timetable for my life.  Don't let me foolishly decide to do anything to You say is wrong.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 13:44-58 Some Easy-To-Misinterpret Parables

My commentary turns simplistic explanations of Jesus' next parables on their heads.  Many believe that the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl are meant to tell us the incredible value of discovering Christ, but that's not the case, it says.

"To begin with, Jesus Christ is not a hidden treasure.  He is perhaps the best-known person in history.  In the second place, the sinner cannot find Christ for he is blind and stubborn.  It is the Savior who finds the lost sinner.  And no sinner could ever purchase salvation."  Instead, it explains:  "The treasure is the nation of Israel ... It became a nation hidden, a treasure not being invested to produce dividends for God ... The nation suffered judgment and seeming destruction, but in God's sight it is hidden and will be revealed again in glory."

In much the same way, the parable of the pearl of great price has been misinterpreted.  "The pearl represents the church ... Unlike most gems, the pearl is a unity -- it cannot be carved like a diamond or an emerald.  The church is a unity, even though the professing church on earth is divided.  Like a pearl, the church is a product of suffering.  Christ died for the church, and His suffering on the cross made possible her birth.  A pearl grows gradually, and the church grows gradually as the Spirit convicts and converts sinners ... Christ is forming His church.  He sold all that He had to purchase His church, and nothing Satan can do will cause Him to fail."

Finally, the dragnet parable shows that "the preaching of the gospel in the world does not convert the world.  It represents the saved Gentile nations.  At the end of the age, God will separate the true believers from the fake and the good from the bad."  

Thanks for reminding me of what You'd already shown me, Father.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 13:24-43 Three More Parables

In our era of modern farming, weeds are still a problem in wheat fields.  Unlike cotton, which is planted in rows, wheat is broadcast, leaving no bare ground one can use to transport spray rigs without damaging the crop.  It would really be a sorry enemy who would sow weeds in another's field!

My commentary said that Satan is primarily an imitator:  He plants false Christians, he encourages a false growth, and he introduces false doctrine ... he can't uproot true Christians, so he plants counterfeit Christians in their midst."  Here, good seed represents true Christians, and the field is the world.  Christ is planting us where He intends us to grow and bear fruit.  "We must stay awake to make sure that Satan's ministers do not get into the true fellowship and do damage."

In the parable of the mustard seed, my commentary said Jesus didn't explain this parable, so we must use what He did explain in the other parables to find its meaning.  In Matthew 13:19, birds represented Satan.  In Daniel and, a tree is a symbol of world power.  "These facts suggest that the parable teaches an abnormal growth of the kingdom of heaven, one that makes it possible for Satan to work in it."

The "leaven" parable "illustrates the inward development of false doctrine and false living ... sin is like leaven (yeast):  It quietly grows, it corrupts, and it puffs up."

Thanks for these warnings, Father.  Give me discernment to discover what is so very easy for You to see.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 13:1-23 The First Of Seven Interrelated Parables

Jesus started a series of seven interrelated parables, then added an eighth, my commentary began, with which he explained the course of the gospel in the world.  He said that many would not understand, but "Jesus did not teach in parables to confuse or condemn the people.  Rather, He sought to excite their interest and arouse their curiosity."

The same message delivered to many people will produce differing results, based on the condition of their hearts.

Sometimes we forget to do the math, and here's something I hadn't taken into account:  "It is shocking to realize that three-fourths of the seed did not bear fruit.  Jesus did not describe an age of great harvest, but one in which the Word would be rejected ... He knew that most of the people would not receive His Word within and bear fruit."

We think of the sun as essential for crops, but "in the parable, the sun represents persecution that comes because of the Word.  Persecution helps believers grow.  But the sunshine will kill a plant with no roots.  This explains why some believers do not last.  Their faith was weak, their understanding was meager, and their decision was not sincere.  It is possible to believe and yet not be saved (John 2:23-25).  Unless there is fruit in the life, there is not saving faith in the heart."

Father, show me through these upcoming parables more about my own faith and the fruit that I should produce.  And thank You for showing me that persecution helps us grow in You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 12:22-37 Rebellion Against His Power

The Pharisees accused Jesus of using the power of Satan to heal a blind and mute man possessed by a demon.  Jesus pointed out how illogical their statements were.  Satan would effectively be fighting against himself!  My commentary said, "Jesus was able to cast out demons because He had first defeated Satan ... Jesus entered Satan's kingdom, overcame his power, and claimed his spoils ... God is Victor over Satan.  Men must decide on whose side they will stand.  There can be no compromise.  We are either with God or against God."

"Jesus warned them that their words gave evidence of the evil in their hearts ... The phrase idle word in verse 36 means words that accomplish nothing.  If God is going to judge our small talk, how much more will He judge our deliberate words?  It is by our conversations at unguarded moments that we reveal our true character."

Regarding the unpardonable sin, my commentary said when the leaders rejected John the Baptist, they were rejecting the Father.  When they rejected Jesus, they were rejecting the Son.  "But when they rejected the ministry of the apostles, they rejected the Holy Spirit -- and that is the end.  There is no more witness.  Such rejection cannot be forgiven." 

Father, guard my words at all times.  Purify my heart so that there will be no chance that my small talk will point people away from You and what You are doing.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 12:1-21 Jesus Straightens Out the Pharisees' Thinking

There's quite an interesting picture here that isn't immediately obvious -- Jesus and his disciples are walking through a ripe field of wheat.  (They weren't necessarily out in the country on a farm -- I remember well the wheat fields in front of my parents' house where houses now fill the blocks.)  What is funny is imagining the group of Pharisees and scribes in their robes walking just a short distance behind Jesus and his followers, waiting for the opportunity to take notes and accuse them of "doing work" on the Sabbath.  As I think about it, I wonder why Jesus didn't rightfully accuse them of doing work -- following his group and conducting surveillance on the Sabbath!

My commentary referred to Deut. 23:24-25 to show that it was lawful to satisfy your hunger from your neighbor's field (so they weren't stealing).  It was "a tradition of the scribes and Pharisees that doing so on the Sabbath breached the Law."

Jesus defended the act by first reminding them how David and his men had eaten consecrated bread that was to be eaten only by the priests.  David wasn't condemned for breaking that law.  He also reminded them that priests worked on the sabbath, presenting sacrifices.  He then quoted from the prophet Hosea where God said, "I want kindness more than animal sacrifices."  The priests were giving animal sacrifices, but God wanted kindness and mercy on the Sabbath.  "Not doing good on the Sabbath day (or any other day) is the same as doing evil," my commentary said.

Also, Jesus said, "So the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day."  My commentary says that by declaring this, "Jesus was actually affirming equality with God, for God had established the Sabbath."  He then proceeded to heal a man with a paralyzed hand, proving His claim.

Amazingly, the Pharisees and scribes then sinned on the Sabbath by plotting to murder Him.  Jesus had already said that thinking about murder is the same as doing it.

Father, keep me from ever acting like a Pharisee.  Guide me to be more interested in mercy than in judgment.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 11 -- First Of Four Areas Of Rebellion

My commentary alerted the readers that chapters 11 and 12 present four areas of rebellion by the leaders of the nation of Israel to Jesus.  Chapter 11 deals with "Rebellion Against His Prophet" -- John the Baptist.

Those leaders had watched as John had drawn crowds in the desert to hear his messages.  Lives were being changed.  He'd come in the spirit of Elijah, not resembling at all what they'd been doing.  And now the outdoorsman was in prison because he called Herod Antipas out for his adulterous marriage to Herodias.  Rather than seeking to have him freed, those same Jewish leaders did nothing.  "Their attitude toward John reflected their feeling toward Jesus, for John had pointed to Jesus and honored Him."

Since that day that Mary visited Elizabeth all those years ago, John had known Jesus, his cousin, was the Messiah.  But now, in prison, he seems to express doubts because he's no longer able to do what God had prepared him to do.  Jesus gently replied through John's disciples that His ministry exactly fulfilled prophesies in Isaiah 29 and 35.  Jesus then praised John, marking him as "a man of conviction and courage, the greatest of the prophets."

"The common people held John in high regard, and many of them had repented and been baptized by John.  But the leaders refused to honor John, and this proved their unbelief and hardness of heart.  Instead of being childlike and humbling themselves, the leaders were childish and stubborn, like children pouting because they could not have their way," my commentary said.

Jesus, speaking about Jewish cities that took him lightly, used the word "woe", meaning judgment and pit and sorrow, my commentary added.  They'd had the opportunity to see and hear the Messiah but their reaction was ho-hum.  He'd issued an invitation to come (meaning to trust Him), to take (become His disciple), and learn (a process -- "as we learn more about Him, we find a deeper peace because we trust Him more").

Father, thank You for inviting me and for helping me to learn to trust!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 10:24-42 Instructions For Present Disciples

My commentary views this section as instructions for present disciples -- us.  "The emphasis here is 'Fear not!'  The particular fear Christ discussed is explained in verses 32-33:  the fear of confessing Christ openly before men.  God has no secret service.  The public confession of faith in Christ is one evidence of true salvation."  It then covered several reasons why we must not be afraid to openly confess Christ:

1)  Suffering is to be expected -- we should count it a privilege to suffer for him and with Him

2)  God will bring everything to light -- true believers are open and courageous in their lives and witness

3)  We fear God alone -- the person who fears God alone need never fear any man or group of me

4)  God cares for His own -- He's concerned about all the details of our lives.  There's no need for us to fear when God is exercising such wonderful care over us

5)  Christ honors those who confess Him -- to confess Him means much more than to make a statement with the lips.  It also means to back up that statement with the life!

6)  We cannot escape conflict -- once we have identified with Jesus Christ and confessed Him, we are part of a war

7)  We can be a blessing to others -- those who welcome us will receive a blessing

Here's something very important to remember:  "The theme here is discipleship, not sonship.  We become the children of God through faith in Christ; we are disciples as we faithfully follow Him and obey His will.  Sonship does not change, but discipleship does change as we walk with Christ."

One other thing that really reveals His love for us:  "In heaven, Jesus has two special ministries.  As our High Priest, He gives us grace to keep us from sinning.  As our Advocate, He forgives and restores us when we do sin ... It doesn't depend on our faithfulness, for He is faithful even when we are not."  Wow!

I am so undeserving of Your love, Father!  Thank You for loving me anyway!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 10:1-23 Two of Three Intended Audiences

My commentary made a distinction about this chapter that I think is important.  Verses 1-15, it says, were instructions for PAST disciples; verses 16-23 were instructions for future disciples; and verses 24-42 were instructions for present disciples.  (The timeframe for past, present, and future is directed toward us.)

The group of past disciples -- the apostles -- had certain qualifications that no one can claim today:

   1)  They must have seen the risen Christ.

   2)  They must have fellowshipped with Him

   3)  They had to be chosen by Him.

   4)  They were given special power and authority from Christ to perform miracles.

My commentary also mentioned, "Christ's commission to these twelve men is not our commission today.  He sent them only to the people of Israel ... The Lord's commission to us includes all the world ... While we may learn from the spiritual principles in these verses, we should not apply these instructions to our lives ... Our message is 'Christ died for our sins', and not 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  The King has come; He has already  suffered, died, and risen from the dead."

The next verses (16-23) have a different atmosphere, it says.  "Jesus spoke of persecution, but we have no record that the Twelve suffered during their tour.  Jesus also spoke of ministry to the Gentiles.  The Holy Spirit had not been given, yet Jesus talked about the Spirit speaking in them ... Worldwide persecution is indicated, yet the apostles were ministering only in their own land.  Matthew 10:23 speaks about the return of the Lord, which certainly moves those events into the future."  My commentary believes these verses apply to the Tribulation period.  Verses 24-42 coming up will be instructions for us, it says.

Father, I know there are those today who try to claim powers and authorities that the apostles had.  That can be very confusing to all believers.  Help us to sort this all out and to know Your truth.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford