Week 3: Thursday: Matthew 16

16.4    Compare 12.39

16.7    We do tend to go into spirals of self-blame, especially if we are feeling low.  And this prevents us seeing what God wants to show us.

16.15  This is the big question which we all face.

16.19  What is meant by ‘binding’ and ‘loosing’?  Is it forgiveness and absolution; because we are commanded to forgive and not withhold.  See 9.8.

16.20  The secret again.

16.23  Peter seems to stumble from truth to error: yet at least he makes the leap.

16.28  A difficult verse, apparently promising Jesus’ return within their lifetime.  Yet, what does “the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” refer to?  Could it be Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost?  Even, what does “taste death” mean?  Is it a promise of eternal life?
The MESSAGE  17.1 “Six days later, three of them saw that glory.”  So Eugene Peterson thinks it’s the Transfiguration, then.

I find this to be the most challenging reflection of all: that “following Jesus means losing your life in order to find it.”

Week 3: Wednesday: Matthew 15.21-38

15.23  This seems just plain rude.  But Jesus is totally focused on his mission (v24); and then it seems as if her humility and faith win him over.

15.32  I love the people’s desperation to stay with Jesus – no food for 3 days.
Did the disciples not have a sense of déjà vu?  It seems not (16.9-10).

Nice point from Tom, that normally it’s Jesus who comes out with the clever punchline; but this time it’s the Canaanite woman.  And the closer: are you that desperate, that you cling on to Jesus?

Week 3: Tuesday: Matthew 15.1-20

15.3    From the combative tone of Jesus’ retort, this was a criticism rather than an innocent question.  They honoured the tradition of the elders, whereas Jesus honoured the word of God more than the traditions of men.
Do we need to focus on God’s word, more than Health & Safety rules, Discrimination laws, Tax regulations, etc.?

15.5    This tradition sounds as if it puts God above men, but Jesus sees and hates the hypocritical motive – to avoid the commandment.

15.12  Criticism is often based on alleged offence to third parties: this may need checking, as it is often unfounded.

15.15  The disciples seem to be getting used to being told the answers (13.10, 18, 36, 51), and Jesus is getting frustrated (see also 16.9).

“Germs and Jesus!” – brilliant!  And spot on the topic, too.

Week 3: Monday: Matthew 14

14.8    Even the phrasing sounds like a petulant demand from an immature girl: “Give me here on a platter…”

14.9    At least he was distressed: a crumb of conscience remained.  A weak man who had foolishly promised too much, but did not want to lose face publicly.

14.13  Jesus wanted to grieve privately, but the crowd demanded attention.

14.25  Fourth of four watches, so 3am to 6am, the time just before and around dawn.  Did Jesus do this easily, as the appropriate means of passage of the Son of God (which seems to be their reaction in 33)?  Mark 6.48 says he meant to pass by them, implying his purpose was simply to cross the lake.  Yet, while the fullness (pleroma) of Godhead dwells in him (Col 1.19, 2.9), he has also emptied himself of divine attributes (kenosis Phil 2.6-7), so cannot shift up into “God gear” and access powers unavailable to mortals.  What he does, he does as a praying human being, and we can also do (feeding thousands v16, walking on water v29)

14.36  Matt 9.21, Acts 5.15, 19.12.  Amazing times of God’s Spirit!

Tom has such a gift with words: “Jesus has just fed five thousand people with what started out as next to nothing.”  Also in his own translation: “smashed around” (v24), “panicked” and “screamed with terror” (v26), “ ‘Master,’ he yelled, ‘rescue me!’ ” (v30).

Modern Westerners do indeed sneer at walking on water; but fishermen knew better than us how impossible it is.  It’s the walk of faith, in the face of the world’s sneers: we look at the waves and start to sink, we cry for help and walk on.

And we even hear what happened to Tom’s college friend!

Week 3: Sunday: Psalm 95

Week 3 begins!  Well done, if you're still with the programme!

The Message is so good in the Psalms – the easy style brings out their intimate qualities:

    Come, let's shout praises to God,
      raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! 
   Let's march into his presence singing praises, 
      lifting the rafters with our hymns! 
 ^3-5 And why? Because God is the best, 
      High King over all the gods. 
   In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns, 
      in the other hand grasps the high mountains. 
   He made Ocean—he owns it! 
      His hands sculpted Earth! 
 ^6-7 So come, let us worship: bow before him, 
      on your knees before God, who made us! 
   Oh yes, he's our God, 
      and we're the people he pastures, the flock he feeds. 

 ^7-11 Drop everything and listen, listen as he speaks: 
      "Don't turn a deaf ear as in the Bitter Uprising, 
   As on the day of the Wilderness Test, 
      when your ancestors turned and put me to the test. 
   For forty years they watched me at work among them, 
      as over and over they tried my patience. 
   And I was provoked—oh, was I provoked! 
      'Can't they keep their minds on God for five minutes? 
      Do they simply refuse to walk down my road?' 
   Exasperated, I exploded, 
      'They'll never get where they're headed, 
      never be able to sit down and rest.'"

I love Tom’s quip that scientific discoveries should spur us to praise the Creator, rather than to claim that our explanation has just rendered God unnecessary.  Also that all the promises to Israel are fulfilled in Jesus: the promised land is the kingdom of God, not a patch of ground enclosed by a wall and defended by rockets.

Week 2: Saturday: Matthew 13

13.3    We need to recover the art of telling simple stories: they capture the imagination.  See v34.

13.11  This seems like favouritism.

13.12  Compare 25.29

13.15  In the second half of this verse it seems as if turning to God is wrong: from a human perspective, this is puzzling.  Perhaps these are (from God’s perspective) those who are not his chosen people, and therefore full clarity is hidden from them by parables.  Acts 13.48 shows a clear statement of predestination.  Stories can be taken on many different levels: perhaps parables are merciful, in that they invite but do not compel belief.

13.17  We too are greatly blessed, to see and hear about the Christ.  Do we appreciate this enough?

13.19  This is a parable about the understanding of parables!  How self-referential is that?  Like a media soap about the media.  And yet, the responses in the parable seem very human reactions.

13.29  This gives a reason why judgement is delayed: because the saints may get caught up in it.  2 Peter 3.9.

13.31  Both parables describe the kingdom as something growing organically from tiny beginnings into something all-pervading.  Probably black mustard, although The Message finds “pine nut” easier to understand.

13.41  Weeding out people sounds tragic, but if it is the only way to banish sin and evil…

13.42  It is unclear whether this is punishment or annihilation.

13.44  Another matching pair, describing the kingdom as something worth more than anything else, almost priceless.

13.49  Compare v41-42.  v51 seems a bit glib!

13.52  What does he mean?  Law and Grace?  OT and NT?

13.55  Apparently Joseph is no longer alive.  A big family!  The brothers are not believers until after Jesus’ Ascension (Acts 1.14); James later leads the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15), and he and Jude write the letters bearing their names.

Tom meditates helpfully on the ‘hiddenness’ of parables: why some people ‘get it’ and others simply don’t, remains a great mystery.  On the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’ of the kingdom: why can’t we do what Jesus said, and why is the world still in a mess?  I love Tom’s closing challenge: give up your small vocations, and choose the greatest purpose in life – to follow Christ and bring in the Kingdom.

Week 2: Friday: Matthew 12. 22-50

12.23  Healings and miracles are signs of God’s anointing; or they are provocations.  Compare 23-24 with 9.33-34.

12.30  Again, Jesus not only defeats the learned Pharisees in argument (27) but draws out principles of strategy in spiritual warfare (29), forgiveness (31-32) and moral conduct (33-37).

12.38  This was gratuitous, like asking a conjuror to perform.  In Jesus Christ Superstar, Herod sings “Prove to me that you’re no fool: walk across my swimming-pool!”

12.48  This was not so much a pointed insult to his family (as critics allege) but a recognition of new relationships in the kingdom of God.

I love the way Tom points out where the true enemy lies: “choose your battles carefully”!  Also how refusing temptation early on, clears the way for fruitful work in the days and years to come: we might think these are private matters, but they have public spiritual consequences.  Finally, a great explanation of the unforgiveable sin – thank you, Tom!

Week 2: Thursday: Matthew 12. 1-21

12.1    They must have seemed like young teenage rebels.  And yet Jesus has an answer, by the gift of wisdom from the Spirit: not just a proof-text, but a complete godly principle.

12.5    Yes, and Vicars work on Sundays, too.

12.8    Health&Safety is a modern example of rules which were intended to benefit people, but which make demands of their own, and need to be held back a bit.

12.14  Perhaps they hated him most because he defeated their arguments; strategically, it may be better to lose the battle and win the war.  And yet Jesus knew that these men would never become his followers – they had too much power and status at stake.  He is aware (15).

12.16  Again the secret (see 9.30, 8.4).  But this time Matthew gives a prophetic reason from Isaiah (esp. v19).

Goodness me, Tom!  You want us to read 17 Chapters today?  Have mercy!  But Tom takes a step back and points out the bigger picture (other scholars drill into the detail – Tom shows us the wide sweep and significance).  Matthew, the most Jewish of the gospels, nevertheless sees that Jesus is not what most Jews were expecting.  Isaiah had it right, in his Servant Songs.  Tom’s phrase near the end today, “But God does things the other way up,” might summarise most of Jesus’ teaching.  Good news for the poor and the weak and the meek.

Week 2: Wednesday: Matthew 11

11.10  John is seeking evidence of Kingdom come; meanwhile, he is himself evidence of the Kingdom’s arrival.

11.14  Also 17.10-13; but compare John 1.21.

11.23  Capernaum doesn’t seem so bad from Matt 8, compared to Sodom (Gen 19 and 13.13).  But, as in the Good Samaritan, Jesus makes his point by exalting the humble and abasing the proud.

11.25  Students of Theology, beware!

I love Tom’s translation of v2, “John heard about these messianic goings-on.”  And he points us to the messianic longings of Isaiah 35; and shows us the political implications of John, Jesus and Herod, the “reed shaken in the wind.”  Isn’t it good to be guided by an expert, and to have your eyes opened to the deeper meaning?

Week 2: Tuesday: Matthew 10. 16-42

10.16  Imagine a shepherd sending out his sheep among wolves!  Shrewd: also perhaps crafty (Gen 3.1), certainly not naïve.  Innocent means not harming others: it doesn’t mean ignorant.

10.18  “On my account”: see Matt 5.11, Acts 5.41

10.22  So we may not be popular, then?

10.25  See 9.34

10.27  Pray for boldness.  See also vv32-33.

10.35  Jesus doesn’t mention wife or husband, but to marry a non-Christian sets up this antagonism.  What a blessing to be united in Christ, as well as in marriage!

10.42  This is one reason why Jesus commanded “Love one another,” because by caring for his followers we care for Him.

I keep imagining naively that people will welcome the Good News and the grace of Christ; and it keeps surprising me when people reject my Lord.  I put it down to their ignorance or my poor presentation; but in fact it’s a spiritual reality of human nature.  And then Tom Wright leaves you with a little mystery, a tease for the coming weeks – what might he mean?

Week 2: Monday: Matthew 10. 1-15

10.1    Calling them to him sounds like the practice of Rabbis before teaching them.  Was there a liturgy for giving authority?

10.6    Interesting that he forbids them to go to Gentiles or Samaritans.  Jews would not normally consider that, but perhaps Jesus’ openness had already rubbed-off on them (5.44, 7.1, 8.5)?  Yet this is too early to reject the Jews.

10.12  This sounds like good practice when visiting.  But then perhaps we have to do v14 too!

Tom Wright neatly points out that even Jesus’ message was unwelcome to some, especially “to those who have decided that the only solution is violence.”  Pray for the world’s violent hotspots!  And if people criticise us, remember that they did exactly the same to our Master and to his followers.

Week 2: Sunday: Psalm 121

These Sunday Psalms are very refreshing!  I’ve always loved 121, largely because of the song “I lift my eyes to the quiet hills.”  And I’ve just had a funeral family ask for it in their service order, “because it was his favourite” – I approve of that!

In fear and trembling though, I’m going to presume to disagree with Tom.  I think his help does come from the hills, because it’s a song of ascents.  It’s meant to be sung while travelling up towards Jerusalem, the place where God has made his earthly dwelling.  “We’re going up into the hills to worship God, and that’s where we’ll find help.”

However, Tom’s last comments about suffering are so appropriate in the current news climate, with Japanese deaths and nuclear meltdown, Libyan civil warfare, Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Pakistan, Israel; and Tom even mentions roadside bombs, which reminds us that Afghanistan continues.  Help, Lord!

Week 1: Saturday: Matthew 17. 1-9

Jump, to the Transfiguration!  Well, it seems quite an isolated event, and provides some variety...

17.1    Is the timing (“after six days”) significant?  The “Inner Circle” of Peter, James and John.  Jesus loved the mountains – would he have been a skier, climber, astronomer?  He seems to have gone there mainly to be closer to his Father.

17.5    The same wording as at Jesus’ Baptism (3.17); except for the additional command to just be quiet and listen!

17.9    Is this for the same reason as the secret (eg 16.20), that blabbing would have inflamed the authorities and shortened his ministry?  Or is there another reason to keep eternal insights until after the Resurrection?

Tom Wright imagines what it must have been like, to be there on the mountain and to see it all happening.

Week 1: Friday: Matthew 9

9.6       Real authority is a quiet command, not jumping and screaming.

9.8       The miracle authenticates the message.  But is such authority divine alone (so this proves He is the Christ), or is it given also to his human followers?

9.9       Jesus chose those who were ready to respond, whatever their position in society.  The first thing Matthew did was throw a party for his friends and associates, to introduce them to Jesus.  New Christians could well do the same.

9.11    They were always watching!

9.13    The Church must never forget this.  In the very next verse, Jesus is under pressure with religious questions from the righteous.

9.15    So early in his ministry, and he is talking about his departure already!

9.17    Once the old becomes inflexible, start new housegroups, new congregations, new churches.

9.29    He says this to those who have faith, to encourage faith (cf 22)

9.30    Again, the secret (cf 8.4).

9.34    The self-righteous try to accuse the righteous of evil.

9.38    The commanded response is not to panic, rush around and recruit, but to pray for workers.

Tom Wright: “God is making everything new, and he’s inviting us to the party.”  Not a bad summary of our gospel message!

Week 1: Thursday: Matthew 8

8.2       Faced with suffering, two questions: is God willing to intervene, and is God able to intervene?  We tend to question God’s ability or power; Jews tended to question his willingness.

8.4       This secrecy is often said to be a feature of Mark’s Gospel, but it appears in the others also.  Notice, Jesus exhorts the man to obey the Law.

8.6       A centurion would address Caesar (and nobody else) as “Lord”: this word in itself was astonishing.

8.10    Is this the only time we hear that Jesus was astonished?  Usually he knows what is in the heart of man.

8.11    Many Gentiles will come in, many Jews be thrown out.  Will we be stunned if there are vast numbers in heaven from Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, and few from Britain?

8.15    A very useful healing!

8.17    Christ died on the Cross for our sicknesses, as well as for our sins.

8.21    Was this a commonplace excuse, like “the dog ate your invoice” or “the cheque’s in the post”?  This is not a story, but a real disciple, apparently sincere, and the most urgent and moving reason.  Yet Jesus tells him that following Jesus is still more urgent.

8.24    The Sea of Galilee is notorious for sudden changes; but might the suddenness and fury even be demonic, stimulated by Jesus’ presence?  This would mean he is rebuking evil spirits as well as wind and waves.  In v28 the spirits cannot get away from him.  But even this he does as a man (27), not using special privileges as the Creator; otherwise it would have been unfair to chide them (26).  See also Mark 4.35-41.

I love Tom Wright’s comment: “Who does he think he is?” turns into “Who IS he?”

Week 1: Wednesday: Matthew 7

7.2       Selwyn Hughes: It is a scriptural principle to give according to one’s income.  Those whose giving is not according to their income may find that God adjusts their income according to their giving.  “With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

7.3       The best teachers use humorous images: a dirty great plank, a log, a tree-trunk!

7.12    The famous Golden Rule.

7.21    Obedience: Genesis 6.22 and 7.5 give a fine example.  The Builders (7.24) is also about obedience.

7.22    Most Christians would be impressed by these deeds; but Jesus reserves the harshest responses for them.  “I never knew you.”

7.29    Intrinsic authority: no need to cite other sources.  I can speak about Nepal from what I’ve read in books; but Chitra can speak with authority because it’s where he comes from (cf. John 8.23)

Week 1: Tuesday: Matthew 6

6.1          This is not about secrecy, but about whose reward we seek.

6.4          We keep our shameful actions secret, but God sees all; what if it were our good actions we kept secret?

6.6          As with giving, so with prayer.  Do we not all long for secret powers?

6.14        Couldn’t be plainer!  Whom do I need to forgive?

6.21        Jesus’ real target is not your treasure but your heart.

6.22        So, what am I looking at with my eyes?

Tom Wright is helpful here: showing how personal prayer (our relationship with the Father) is at the heart of the Kingdom of heaven arriving on earth – hence the opening lines of the Lord’s Prayer.

Week 1: Monday: Matthew 5

John Pritchard helpfully characterises each Beatitude as a call to let go of a need within us.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven —

Letting go of our need to be somebody

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted —

Letting go of our pain

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth —

Letting go of our need to be right

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled —

Letting go of our concern for ourselves

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will receive mercy —

Letting go of our need for revenge

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God —

Letting go of our need to look good

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called the children of God —

Letting go of our need to win

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven —

Letting go of our “safety first” approach to life

However, Tom Wright wisely warns us against using the Beatitudes as a list of rules (try to be poor in spirit etc).

v17 is a motto that guides us in relating the Old Testament to the New.  But the warning to Christian OT commentators is stern (v19).

v21 begins a lengthy application of “surpasses” in v20.

In this Chapter especially, “The Message” shines (for example, v28 and 48).

Week 1: Sunday: Psalm 32

On the Sundays in Lent, Tom is giving us Psalms for devotional reading.  Psalm 32 feels very up-to-date: v3-4 describe a man who is avoiding God, not wanting to admit he’s done wrong.  But in v5, the relief he feels when he comes clean is overwhelming.  Pray v6 for the Japanese and the Pacific Basin, repairing after the tsunami.  v8-10 describe a change of lifestyle, born of gratitude; and, like all good writing, the end returns to the beginning.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 4.1-11

Back a step, to linger a moment at the archetypal story of Lent, of temptation.  Tom Wright memorably calls them “the flickering impulses, the whispering voices.”  If our faith is going to make a difference to our lives, then this is “where the rubber hits the road.”  Can we really resist evil, and turn to God?  Not purchasing our ticket to heaven (that’s Jesus); but as our thankful response, the outworking of faith in our lives.  How many Christians to change a lightbulb?  The lightbulb has to want to change.

Friday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 4

I love Tom Wright’s way of standing back from the text and showing you how astonishing it must have been at the time, and how significant it is now.  We’re familiar with the words, but he makes it fresh.

4.15     Did the apostles get tired of the sophisticates of Jerusalem sneering at Galilee?  Isaiah 9.1 points to Galilee’s significance.

4.17     Jesus’ message is the same as John’s in 3.2: did the cousins talk together about the kingdom?

4.24     Severe diseases, not minor ones: today, medical workers fear paralysis and seizures.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 3

Are you enjoying reading Matthew?  And Tom Wright?  I liked Tom Wright’s bit (half-way down p5) where he points out that John’s Baptism was re-enacting the people entering the Promised Land; perhaps he means crossing the Red Sea, or more likely crossing the River Jordan (where John was baptising).  Which bit particularly spoke to you?

GO!

Each day, I’d suggest that you first pick up your own Bible and read the Chapters suggested (today, Matthew Chapters 1 and 2), noting any thoughts that come to you.  Only then read Tom Wright’s comments in the book (which focus on a smaller section).  Click on “0 comments” and share your thoughts with others, if you want to!

Beginning tomorrow

Get set!

Why not have a look at the opening pages of “Lent for Everyone”, and read the Preface?

You could also check out http://bigbible.org.uk/ - there's a message from Tom Wright, network group resources, and even a picture of pancakes to whet your appetite!

Starting Ash Wednesday

On your marks, Marks Tey!