Week 4: Thursday: Matthew 21.23-46

21.23  Their question plays to their strength: the extrinsic authority of their position and status in Jewish hierarchy.  Jesus’ question (v25) re-frames the debate in terms of intrinsic authority from God.

21.28  This is still to the chief priests and elders (v23).  Jesus does not give up on them, but continues to explain the kingdom of God, perhaps to make them jealous (see v32; also v16 and Rom 10.19 and 11.11)

21.33  Still to the chief priests and elders (v23), right through to 22.15 and 22.22.  This was a familiar image of Israel from Isaiah 5.

21.38  This is shocking, because it is both wicked and foolish.  How remarkable that Jesus asks them for their opinion, and they see this so clearly (v41).  Jesus confirms it with striking clarity (v43).

21.43  The inauguration of the kingdom in Jesus the Messiah is a wonderful moment; but it is also the Jews’ last chance to claim first place as God’s chosen people.  What does “taken away from you” mean?

Go Tom!  So often, his closing para has a powerful challenge.  I love “once again, telling cryptic stories is the only way you can say the really important things.”

And then, in case as Gentiles we are feeling a little judgemental at this point, “are we part of the group that don’t want the Owner to take control of his own vineyard?”

Week 4: Wednesday: Matthew 21.1-22

21.1    How on earth do you pronounce this place?  Beth-fayje, or Beth-fa-jee (to rhyme with Bethany)?  My old RSV Study Bible says the former, but it sounds like a Star Trek disease.

21.2    As with the coin for the Temple tax (17.27), how did Jesus know this?  Was it already provided by God the Father, and Jesus knew it by a word of knowledge?  Or did he ask for a miracle there and then, and it was done for him?  Or did he even pre-arrange it all with the owner?  So also the Last Supper (26.18).

21.4    Critics have suggested that Jesus deliberately acted in accord with OT prophecies, and that is how he fulfilled them.  Nicky Gumbel (Alpha: Who Is Jesus) replies that this is not possible for prophecies about his birth, death, burial and resurrection, over which he had no control.  But in this verse the critics appear to have a point: Jesus seems to be acting self-consciously in accord with prophecy (Zechariah 9.9).

21.9    As well as knowing these verses by heart from their worship, the crowd here seem to be aware of prophecy being fulfilled.

21.16  Did it irritate them more, because children recognised the Messiah?  Elsewhere, even the demons know straight away who he is; but it is hidden from the wise and learned.

21.19  Cruelty to Fig-Trees?  But the teaching is vastly more important.

21.22  This verse is a hostage to prosperity teaching: “Name It and Claim It!”

Tom seems to love three levels to everything!  Muslims acknowledge Jesus (Isa) as a prophet, but Matthew presents him as so much more.

One of Tom’s great insights and teachings is that just about all the Old Testament (Law, Promised Land, Davidic King, Temple, Messiah, Son of Man) is fulfilled in Jesus himself personally.  I love the idea that Jerusalem wasn’t big enough for the Temple and Jesus (the fulfilment of the Temple) together!  And the very subtle closing stereotype: that the Jews kept the Temple clean by excluding the sick, but Jesus did it by healing their sicknesses and making them whole.  What a Saviour!

Week 4: Tuesday: Matthew 20

20.15  Similar to a stipend, or living allowance, paid according to need rather than as a graded reward for amount of work done.

20.16  See 19.30

20.17  See 16.21, 17.12, and 17.22.

20.21  The ambitious Jewish mama indeed!

20.23  Fascinating answer!  Jesus’ main point is that it’s not his decision but the Father’s.  Nevertheless, one can’t help wondering who will be sitting in these places, the ‘positions of honour’ next to the host; but, of course, heaven isn’t really one long sitting at a table… (see 17.3, or even 27.38)

20.25  As always, each event is an opportunity to teach a principle.

20.28  How can one be a humble servant, and yet still retain authority as a leader?  Follow the example of Jesus.

20.34  Lovely conclusion: once we see things clearly, we follow Jesus.

Did Tom create this story himself, just for this meditation?  I suspect he did.

I like his point that the gospel is ‘to the Jew first.’  In our politically correct culture, I suspect we take the gospel to the Jew last, or even not at all, for fear of offending.

And the last point is the best!  Can we mine the rich seam of faith from the quiet and humble Christians, and display it as the best example of shining gold?

Week 4: Monday: Matthew 19

19.3    It’s the last phrase which is the real question: which reasons are lawful?

19.6    Jesus takes them back from the detailed argument, to the greater principle.

19.9    Here is his direct answer to their question.  If we wonder how strict he means it, look at the disciples’ reaction!

The MESSAGE: ‘I'm holding you to the original plan, and holding you liable for adultery if you divorce your faithful wife and then marry someone else. I make an exception in cases where the spouse has committed adultery."  Jesus' disciples objected, "If those are the terms of marriage, we're stuck. Why get married?"  But Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone.’

19.12  Jesus is agreeing with his disciples: for some, it is better not to marry.

19.13  The disciples seem like over-protective receptionists!

19.14  See 18.2-5, and 18.10.

19.17  Jesus is making the young man aware that he has seen something of God in Jesus.  Then, as a challenge, he gives the standard Jewish doctrine.

19.19  Why does Jesus single out these?  Mainly the latter ones about other people.

19.20  Wow!  Who today could say that with a straight face?

19.22  We presume that he didn’t do it; but we don’t know.

19.24  Traditionally this is interpreted as a figure of speech; but again the disciples’ reaction shows us the cultural understanding of that time, that he probably meant exactly what he said.

19.30  This is not total confusion, or deliberate reversal of justice; but simply a quite different set of values and criteria.

I love Tom’s insight that, by calling him to give away his wealth, Jesus was challenging him with the tougher early Commandments.  Lord, what are the lead weights holding me back from following you completely and utterly?

Week 4: Sunday: Psalm 23

23.1    The answer to all material and consumer anxiety.

23.3    Anyone feel their soul in need of refreshment and restoration?

23.4    A few years ago my Staff Team included a chap called Rod – I always enjoyed this verse.  Actually, Tom’s interpretation is better.

23.6    After Psalm 22, can this too apply to Christ’s death and resurrection?

Tom’s a very bright cookie indeed – very quick to respond to questions, encyclopaedic knowledge of Scripture and of scholarly research.  So how does he also manage to get behind the yellow eyes of a sheep?

“A table is spread before us, despite the people who still mock us and try to attack us for our faith and our hope.”  The best response is not to fight back, but to enjoy God’s presence.

We must not be too quick to translate the Temple into “the Church” or “Christians”: the fulfilment of the Temple is primarily Jesus himself.

Week 3: Saturday: Matthew 18

18.2    It appears that there were children around Jesus, which must have been rare for a Rabbi.

18.3    In what way “like a little child”?  Humble (v4).

18.6    That’s strong!

18.10  It would seem that children have a special relationship with the Father.  All children?  See v14.

18.15  This is a grievance procedure: you, the hurt victim, are responsible for the first move.  Your motive must be co-operation (“win your brother over”) not competition (“win, over your brother”).

18.17  Escalation of discipline, to the point of excommunication; but all with the aim of winning him over.

18.18  Binding and loosing here is in the context of church discipline and excommunication.  See also 16.19.

18.21  Seven, of course, is the number of completion: so “Infinity?  No, infinity infinities!”  Hence the debt in the parable is millions.

18.28  It couldn’t even be because he needed the money to pay off his own debt: after all, it had just been cancelled.

18.34  “to be tortured.”  Jesus is not afraid of depicting God in an unflattering light, in order to make his urgent point.  (see v8-9, “eternal fire”, “fire of hell.”)

18.35  This is so carefully-taught!  It is not that we forgive others first, as a condition of God forgiving us.  Rather, God has already forgiven us, and we need to pass on the grace to others around us.  Neither here nor in the Lord’s Prayer (6.14) does Jesus command us to forgive: he simply tells us the consequences, the way it works.

I love Tom’s examples: road rage, pews in church, singing tunelessly, the student who couldn’t feel God’s love – all spot on.  And then the bigger picture, that the Kingdom is a Great Jubilee for the whole creation, when all debts will be forgiven.

Week 3: Friday: Matthew 17

17.1    Is the timing (“after six days”) significant?  The “Inner Circle”.  Jesus loved the mountains.

17.5    The same wording as at Jesus’ Baptism (3.17), except for the additional command (to Peter?) 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?

17.11  Evidence that Jesus was Irish: “To be sure!”

17.13  See 11.14; compare John 1.21.

17.17  Jesus is again frustrated by the disciples’ slowness to learn and lack of faith (see 14.31, 15.16, 16.8, 17.20).  Or is it a complaint against the Jewish people (see 12.39, 16.4).

17.22  From 16.21 (also 17.12) the teaching begins about the Cross.  Is the disciples’ grief personal, or do they see it as corporate failure?

17.24  This looks like an accusation to stir up trouble.

17.26  Jesus, the Son of the king of the Temple; or rather, Jesus and Peter, the sons.  The miracle shows he is king of Creation; and the accounting is correct, too!

This reflection shows Tom’s gift for devotional writing, making it personal for the reader; almost an Ignatian meditation.