It can be easy to get into the weeds when discussing and debating theology. There are many years behind us of writing and interpretation of the scriptures, and we can easily lose focus on the big picture when we’re bogged down in the minutiae. One could simply read scripture and take away that Jesus died for the sins of the world and that whoever believes in him will be saved. On the flip side, books have been written digging into how Jesus’ death and resurrection functionally deal with sin. Atonement theories such as Penal Substitution, Christus Victor, and Scapegoat Theory (among others) are ways to try to understand exactly the process through which God forgives through Jesus. The main thing we should remember is that the blood of Jesus brings forgiveness, regardless of the thoughts that we might have about how exactly God reconciles everything through Jesus.
The Pharisees were very much concerned with the letter of the law. Now I believe we should strive to understand scripture, but sometimes I can allow my views on specific doctrines or practices to overshadow others. We need to be striving to see the big picture and get to the spirit behind the words of scripture.
In today’s text, we see Jesus’ warning against the leaven of the Pharisees. This calls out things like false doctrine and hypocrisy that were present in the lives of the Pharisees that clashed with Jesus. This bad leaven will corrupt the “bread” that comes from it.
Jesus recognizes that there are key things that the disciples need to know and understand, specifically relating to his death and resurrection. But also, the big picture needs to be in view. Jesus asks Peter, who do people think that Jesus is, and he spits off a few theories, but then Jesus asks Peter who he thinks Jesus is, and he answers: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Big Picture. None of the things that Jesus shows and teaches Peter and the disciples will be impactful without this pig picture. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Messiah. This confession is the foundation of the Church. We’re not always going to agree on everything, but we must agree on this primary fact: Jesus is the Savior, and in Him we must put our faith and hope.
Reflection Questions:
1. What distracts you from the big picture?
2. Does your need to know how sometimes distract you from simply accepting what you read in scripture?
3. Have ingrained habits or false things that you have been taught stood in your way of implementing your faith in every aspect of your life? Take a step back and look at the big picture in scripture and weigh your thoughts against what you see in the Bible.
I’ve been following baseball for around 30 years. My dad was (and still is) a Baltimore Orioles fan, but when the time came for me to pick my team, I pledged my allegiance to the Atlanta Braves. In the late 90s, one of my most despised teams was the Montreal Expos. In 2005, the aforementioned villains moved to Washington, DC and became the Nationals. My dad was also a Senators fan when he was a kid, growing up just outside of DC, so he also began rooting for them after the move brought the nostalgia of baseball back to the nation’s capital. My dad has always given a couple of my brothers guff for being Yankees fans, but I felt similar betrayal.
Baseball is known for its “unwritten rules”. Though these rules are waning as younger players enter the league and the stalwarts retire, they still exist to some degree. Your best player gets hit by a pitch? The next guy up in the opposing lineup is taking one in the ear or back. You don’t celebrate home runs, or you get hit the next time up. You don’t walk over the pitcher’s mound or bring up the fact that a perfect game is going on. The list goes on and on, but you won’t find them written down anywhere official. They have not been codified in the official MLB rule book. But the players expect each other to abide by these traditions that have become known as the Unwritten Rules.
We see some Pharisees confronting Jesus about his disciples not conforming to the “Traditions of the Elders”. Specifically, the disciples are not washing their hands before they eat. Now, there are some regulations in the Torah about washing hands, but they are very specific. They have nothing to do with washing hands before eating. Over time, new “rules” or traditions morphed from the written law into behaviors that were expected, perhaps even viewed as equally important to the codified text of the Torah.
Think of your time attending church. Growing up, there were probably some things you were told not to do (running in the sanctuary) that don’t appear anywhere in scripture, but people were passionate about it (you’d better dress up for church). Some churches have certain ways of doing things: Do you take the Lord’s Supper weekly, monthly, or quarterly? Do you use grape juice or wine? Who can pass out or pray over the emblems? Is it sacrilegious to have a guitar on stage? Maybe you’ve moved from your childhood church, or maybe you’re like me and have moved many times. Things are different at your current church, right? So, who is right and who is wrong? Or are different ways of doing church equally proper?
Sometimes the way we do things is perfectly fine, but it’s not necessarily “the right way”. We sometimes run into obstacles when someone tries to serve in their church, and the status quo gets in the way. There are times and seasons for various ministries. Often, the reason that something is done a certain way is because the first person who served in a role or started a ministry did things that way. It was a fine way to do it, but was it the right way? Was it the only way? Maybe there’s a better way? Or maybe it just comes down to being a different way, because a different person is leading a ministry or function of the church. It’s ok to have preferences, and it’s ok to do things WAY differently from other churches. The main thing is to make sure that what we are doing is furthering the Kingdom of God and benefiting the body of Christ. Sometimes it will be necessary to restrict things or do things in a particular way because scripture instructs it. The Bible and our faith should never be weaponized to keep us comfortable, but rather our sword and shield should be wielded to fight spiritual battles. We are to fight against darkness, not dwell in or create a new kind of darkness, but I’m afraid that can sometimes happen when we cling to traditions the same way that we cling to the hope of the Risen Savior.
Back to the Pharisees. They were calling out the disciples for violating the unwritten rules, which had no true basis in the Law, and treating them like lawbreakers. Jesus points out the irony of them making these accusations. By following the tradition of the elders that allows one to declare something as “corban”, to be set apart for use in the temple, they are violating the Law of Moses. By setting aside money that might be used to support their elderly parents to instead go to the temple (where they may then benefit from it due to their roles) they are not honoring their parents, which by the Law is punishable by death.
Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
Traditions can be valuable. They can be invaluable. They cannot equal or trample the law or instruction that comes from God.
Reflection Questions
What traditions do you hold dear? How would you approach someone who wanted to do something differently?
How might you deal with a person in a loving way who is clinging to tradition to the detriment of another, to the body at large, or even to themselves?
Is there an evaluation process in place to think about how and why your church does certain things and considers how things may need to change over time?
John the Baptist was a prominent figure in Judea in the time leading up to the ministry of Jesus. We see John as a forerunner to Jesus, preparing his hearers for the one who was to come, who was greater than him. John had a strong following and his own disciples that followed and supported him, not unlike Jesus. John’s following meant that on the day of Jesus’ baptism, there was likely a fair-sized crowd. While we don’t get much backstory on any interactions between John and Jesus prior to the baptism, we know that they were cousins. John had his enemies as he was unafraid to speak truth to power, and this led to his demise at the hands of Herod. Perhaps Herod was paranoid after what was an unpopular execution of John, but we see a bit of a “conspiracy theory” as Herod attributes or considers the possibility that the power at work in Jesus’ ministry was potentially a resurrected John the Baptist.
We see throughout Jesus’ ministry a habit of going off to spend time in solitude. When Jesus hears the disappointing news of John’s death, this is where Jesus retreats. To solitude and time spent in communion with his father.
As we see Jesus dealing with this news in our reading today, we are shown a window into some of the grief and disappointment that Jesus experiences. Some time later, we’ll see Jesus’ grief and struggle as he begs God for another way to achieve God’s purposes, that doesn’t include his death and abuse. Here, we can see some more relatable moments.
John’s death probably puts a stark focus on the path before Jesus. As a prophet and teacher who will be walking a similar path, he becomes acutely aware of the reality that he is facing. He knows the path ahead, but knowing in theory and seeing in real-time are very different.
We know through scripture that there will be those who hate us because of Jesus’ name, actually experiencing it or seeing others you know suffer for his name’s sake, stand in contrast to being aware of the possibility. Jesus sees the carnage of wicked men play out early on in his ministry.
The death of John is not the only discouraging and disappointing thing that Jesus experiences.
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth. Now, when there are rumblings of a hometown kid making powerful impressions, there can often be a rallying of excitement. Local kid makes it to the big leagues or finds success in the music scene. There can be a sense of excitement, but that is not what is experienced by Jesus. While those who come to hear him in the synagogue recognize that there is wisdom in his words and that there have been powerful works done by his hands, they resent him rather than embrace him. It’s that son of Joseph and Mary… How is a tradesman going to come in here and teach us about the Law and Prophets? That line about a prophet having no honor among his people communicates a reality that I’m sure was stinging and disappointing. No support from your family or the community that helped raise you.
Jesus, I’d assume disappointed and discouraged, presses on and continues his ministry elsewhere, where people would receive him, and mighty works could be done.
Jesus does not allow discouragement and disappointment to stand in the way of his calling and ministry of the Gospel, and neither should we. When we are called, it is not to a life or ministry of ease. There will he highs and lows. There will be good times and bad times. There is a season for everything, as the Byrds sing (er, as Solomon writes). We need to recognize that the same power that Jesus relied on to support and sustain him (and that ultimately raised him from the grave) lives in us, and that that Spirit of God is capable of far more than we can imagine. Discouragement should not equal defeat, but rather create an opportunity to overcome difficulty and live lives of obedience in the face of discouragement or fear. Victory can be found through reliance on God when our own mettle runs low.
Reflection Questions
What was a difficulty or discouragement that you have faced, and how did you respond? What lessons did you learn from the way that you handled the situation?
How does a glimpse into Jesus’ responses help you? What can we glean from these small, yet powerful details?
Are there things that we can do now to prepare ourselves to respond or cope with disappointment in the future?
Yet another day filled with nonstop demands. Coming off of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was besieged by disciple gathering, teaching, preaching, casting out demons, raising the dead, calming the sea and continually surrounded by crowds with physical and spiritual needs. As people were clamoring for his attention, he was able to pivot toward the need, to be present in the moment and respond to the need whether it was physical, emotional or spiritual.. He was taking a quick break to eat when Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue came to Jesus with a big request. His daughter had just died and he was asking Jesus to come to his house to raise her back to life. Understanding the urgency, Jesus got up from his meal and started walking toward Jairus’ home.
The crowds were pressing in on him, jostling as he tried to move forward. But he suddenly stopped and said, “Who just touched me”? The version of this story in Luke indicates that his disciples thought this was a ridiculous question as many in the crowd had been touching him. Yet, this touch was different because Jesus immediately felt power surge from him. He turned and identified the one who touched him as a woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years and was hanging on by a thread. She had searched for help, but because she was bleeding was considered unclean with no one allowed to touch or help her. She had heard about Jesus and knew that he was her only chance. Being desperate and determined, she fought her way through the crowd with the belief that if she could only touch the hem of his robe, she would be healed. In Jewish culture, the hem or fringe of a garment, known as the “tzitzit,” held religious significance as a reminder of the commandments of God. The act of the woman reaching out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment can be seen as an expression of her faith in His divine authority and power to heal. Her belief that merely touching His garment would result in healing underscores the depth of her faith and the recognition of Jesus’ messianic identity. She was very deliberate in her action, one that was fueled by her faith. He looked at her with compassion. He saw so much more than she saw, so much more than others saw. He saw a woman who had enough faith to reach out despite her unclean condition. He saw great faith from one who was marginalized, a woman who was bleeding.
In that moment, she was not only healed of her physical problem, but she was also healed spiritually and emotionally as Jesus addressed her as daughter. No longer was she unclean or an outcast, she was included in his family and found a place where she could now belong. Jesus saw in her a great faith and knew that she had come to him out of desperation, with determination and with her intentional act of faith, received her healing. It was a small, seemingly insignificant act, that resulted in her transformation, both physically and spiritually. This woman, who acted with the courage, deliberate action and with the intention to connect with the Son of God was transformed from an outcast to a daughter and one who has traveled through history to reveal to us an example of great faith.
Questions for reflection
Imagine yourself in the crowd that day. People were pushing and jostling Jesus, perhaps wanting to see what he was going to do with the daughter of Jairus. How do you think the crowd reacted when he stopped to look at this woman who was unclean?
What characteristic of this woman in the story do you find most intriguing?
Why do you think she was focused on touching his garment rather than addressing him directly?
Have you ever had a time where you felt on the “outside” or marginalized like this woman? How do you think she reacted when he called her “daughter”?
What insights about faith demonstrated by this woman can we gain about our own faith?
How determined and intentional are you about your own faith?
It had been a flurry of activity and much of it miraculous. Following the Sermon on the Mount we see the healing of the Centurion’s servant, healing Peter’s mother-in-law, and then crowds overwhelming him for healing of the sick and casting out spirits. He was exhausted and knew he needed rest, so moved onto gathering his disciples in a boat and set out on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples to escape the pressure of the crowds. He quickly fell asleep, oblivious to a building storm. The boat was buffeted about in the wind and waves; the storm so strong that it was described as cataclysmic or a mega storm. The disciples, several of whom were fishermen and used to life on the sea, became frightened, fearing they were going to die. In their fear, they woke Jesus, crying that they were about to perish. His first response was to respond, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” He then gave the command for the wind to abate and the waves to calm, a remarkable illustration of power over the elements. Jesus often used that phrase “little faith” to challenge his followers. He is saying just look at me and see what I can do. . . that is what a mature faith looks like. A big faith, one that is developed, is one where eyes and heart are fixed on the master of the wind even in the midst of the storm.
Fear is something that we are well acquainted with. Our brains are wired to look for threats to help ensure our survival. If we are walking through the woods and a bear jumps out, it triggers a fight or flight response to help us react in a way to help us survive—either fight the bear or hope we can run faster than our companions. The disciples, in the midst of this storm, feared for their life—they were in a fight or flight response. Jesus, however, took this opportunity to teach a lesson about faith. These disciples had just been witnesses to incredible miracles; yet in their immature faith, were afraid for themselves. We’ve all been there, finding ourselves in the midst of life’s storms and being battered by circumstances beyond our control or even by our brain’s proclivity at conjuring up imagined threats to our wellbeing. Consequently, it is easy to get caught up in a cycle of fear and anxiety about our lives. A loved one becomes ill, someone loses a job, financial problems hang over our heads, and in addition, we are caught up in a myriad of “what ifs”. What if I fail? What if my relationship falls apart? What if I disappoint others? And the list goes on and on in our weary brains. Jesus speaks to us as he did to his disciples. . . what about faith? Where does your faith impact your fears in your life? How would it feel to have some freedom from the fears that seem to plague us? Faith does not pretend that a storm does not exist. It does not exempt us from efforts to take care of ourselves and others. Faith ensures that we are not overcome with anxiety, stress and worry. Faith allows us to focus on Jesus who provides the calm in the midst of our storms.
Questions for reflection
What are some of the storms you are experiencing right now?
Imagine yourself in the boat with the disciples. How overwhelming does that fear feel? How would you respond to Jesus commanding the storm to abate?
Jesus uses the phrase, “little faith”. Where are you in your faith journey? Do you feel like your faith is growing and developing into a more mature faith?
How is your faith impacting some of the fears you are experiencing in your life? How do you think you can find the peace within the midst of your storms?
Storytime when putting the grandchildren to bed is the best. One of my favorite books is called “Tale of Two Beasts”. In the story, a little girl is walking through the forest and finds a small beast hanging upside down from a branch. She decides to take this little one home and turn him into a pet. The book first tells the story from the perspective of the little girl. The second part of the book tells the story from the perspective of the little beast. Gradually, the two tales come together in a happy ending as they learn to appreciate one another despite their differing perspectives. I love the book because it teaches something I think is important and that is to step back and consider the perspectives of others throughout life. Many, if not most, children’s books attempt to teach a lesson through storytelling. In Matthew 13, we see that Jesus knew the power of stories in teaching abstract principles through parables. He knew that using parables was an effective way to communicate profound truths about faith and life. He merely looked around him and identified familiar elements and characters like farmers, fishermen, bread making, and harvesting crops that could be used to help his listeners understand deeper spiritual truth. Using learning principles that we’ve identified today, he uses metaphors and similes to draw comparisons of the everyday to deeper spiritual truths. These stories stay with us and help us to understand and remember what Jesus wanted us to know. The stories told over 2000 years ago still have relevance to us today.
The beautiful thing about parables is it teaches a truth that at first glance seems simple yet allowing for increasing layers of understanding. Like the layers of an onion, a parable provides layers of depth and nuance that with reflection and application can reveal increasing insights while challenging individuals to grapple with the truths and grow from them. Jesus is using these stories to turn the listener into a participant rather than just the audience—the best way to learn. Parables Jesus shared are sprinkled throughout the gospels; Matthew 13 contains several significant ones teaching about faith and the Kingdom of God.
Parable of the Sower: A sower scatters seeds on different types of soil; the path, rocky ground, thorn and good soil with each type of soil representing different responses to the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. It asks, “How do you receive the message of the kingdom?”
Tares and the Wheat: The combination of tares and wheat together teach lessons about the coexistence of good and evil in the world, emphasizing the importance of discernment and patient waiting. It asks, “How do you understand and identify between good and evil?”
The Mustard Seed: Just as a tiny mustard seed can grow into a large plant, even the smallest amount of faith can be transformative. It asks, “How does your faith, even if it is found in small belief and actions, lead to significant outcomes?”
The Leaven: A woman mixes leaven into the dough causing it to rise and transform into a delicious loaf of bread just as the message of the Kingdom of Heaven can gradually and irreversibly alter the world. It asks, “How can you be influential by sharing the message of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Hidden Treasures: A man discovers a treasure and recognizes its value, selling everything to buy the field where the treasure is hidden. The discovery of the message of the Kingdom of Heaven is a remarkable treasure that is worth sacrificing everything to obtain it. It asks, “What are you willing to sacrifice to pursue the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Costly Pearl: A merchant is actively searching for fine pearls and when he finds one of great value, sells everything he has to purchase it just as a person searches for truth and spiritual connection. It asks, “How are you diligent in your search for truth and are you willing to give up everything to make it yours?”
The Dragnet: The fisherman casts out a net that gathers in all kinds of fish, just as the message of the kingdom will gather in all types who will eventually be subjected to God’s judgment. It asks, “How do you respond to the “all types” gathered together by the gospel message”?
As you engage in these stories, immerse yourself in the “world” that Jesus is creating for us. If it is the Parable of the Sower, imagine yourself walking through the field and seeing where the seeds you scatter are landing. If it is “The Leaven”, imagine that you are the one making the bread and leaven to make it rise. Becoming a part of the story will allow you to deeply engage with the lesson Jesus is teaching. Approach them with an open heart and mind, asking, “What can I learn and take away from this story”. Reflect on the story and connect the teachings with your own life asking, “How is what I am learning impacting my faith, my relationships and my behavior”? The ultimate test is to begin to apply what you have learned and allow those insights to change how you live.
Questions for reflection
Which of these parables resonate most closely with you?
Focus on one parable. Imagine yourself in the context of the story and immerse yourself for a moment in the action. How does that impact your understanding of the parable?
If Jesus was walking through your world today, what might he choose to build a parable around?
How do you think a parable might increase your faith?
Take a look around you. You might see people who are exhausted and depleted by life and all the challenges it brings. You may hear phrases like “I never have enough time”, “There is always too much to do”, “I’m always stressed about money”, “I am feeling so isolated and lonely”, “My anxiety is paralyzing me”. Those common phrases bear witness to people who are struggling to manage life burdens and feeling continually overwhelmed with no relief in sight. All of us feel the weight of life at times whether it be physical exhaustion, emotional depletion, or spiritual unrest. Jesus had been teaching his disciples and followers that the law only brought burdens, but a relationship with him provides the freedom and lightness that comes with shared burdens. The passage we will explore out of Matthew 11 offers hope in the midst of life challenges.
It begins with an invitation from Jesus to “come”. It’s a simple imperative statement. It’s not a question or a plea—it is a gentle command to connect with him and to create a relationship with him. It is an invitation to bring whatever is weighing you down and share the burden with him without shame, guilt or fear. He is inviting us into a safe space where he will share the burden and offer some respite to you from bearing it all yourself.
With this invitation comes the metaphor of putting on a yoke with him, which at first glance, may feel like even more of a burden and more constrictive. He uses a yoke as a metaphor to help us picture the beauty of that “shackling”. A yoke joins two animals, such as oxen, together so that the animals can share the workload and become more productive. The farmer may choose to shackle an older ox with a younger one or an unruly one with one that is steadier in order to help them both in the work. The biblical scholar William Barclay describes the creation of a yoke by a carpenter who measures the ox and followed by several fittings, creates a customized yoke that gives the ox comfort while he works. He also says that there is a legend about Jesus which may or may not be true, that as a carpenter, Jesus had a reputation of making some of the best yokes in the region and had a sign about his door that said, “My yokel fits well”! Fact or fiction, this is the type of yoke that he is inviting us to take on with him—one that is comfortable, that allows him to lead and gives us relief from bearing burdens by ourselves.
In the book, The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning addressed a specific audience, and as it happens, the same audience Jesus’s invitation is for. He said that the “ragamuffin gospel” is for:
The bedraggled, beat-up, and burnt-out. It is for the sorely burdened who are still shifting the heavy suitcase from one hand to the other. It is for the wobbly and weak-kneed who know they don’t have it altogether. It is for inconsistent, unsteady disciples whose cheese is falling off their cracker. It is for poor, weak, sinful men and women with hereditary faults and limited talents. It is for earthen vessels who shuffle along on feet of clay. It is for the bent and the bruised who feel that their lives are a grave disappointment to God. It is for smart people who know they are stupid and honest disciples who admit they are scalawags.
What would it look like if we actually did this? We wake up in the morning knowing that we can’t bear the burden of the day and just simply asked him to share the burden? How would your life be different?
This is an invitation to join with Jesus who describes himself as gentle and humble in heart so that we might find rest for our souls. In this, he will equip us, teach us, support us, relieve us and guide us as we live our lives. It is a clear path. . . Come to him, Take his yoke, learn from him, and find rest for your weary soul.
Questions for reflection
What is your initial response to the command to “come”? What then is your initial response to be “yoked”?
Why do you think we tend to handle our burdens by ourselves? Why might we hesitate to share the burdens with Jesus?
When you think about being “yoked” together with Jesus, does that feel constrictive or freeing? How do you think you could more intentionally share your burdens as a result of this invitation?
It might take a lot to surprise Jesus, but surprised and amazed he was. We could initially assume that this reaction was directed toward his disciples. Perhaps it was from a crowd’s reaction to one of his teachings. Maybe, just maybe, it was due to an interaction with a rabbi in a synagogue. Instead, we are told that he “marveled” at the response of a Roman soldier, an unlikely scenario. People in the area were abuzz with the news of the teachings and miracles of Jesus. This talk had reached the ears of a Centurion, a Roman soldier that oversaw 100 soldiers occupying the region. This centurion, likely well versed in the pantheon of Roman gods, heard news of the one claiming to be the son of the living God. This powerful man, when his servant became ill, decided to seek out this Jesus by asking a group of Jewish elders to intercede on his behalf. They were willing to do so as this Centurion had helped them build a synagogue. This intercessory group met Jesus as he entered the town and presented the request, at which time Jesus set off to the Centurion’s house. He had just been teaching the concept of “loving your enemies” and here he was heading to the home of a Roman. As they drew close, they were met with another group of emissaries with the message that the Centurion did not feel worthy to have Jesus in his home, but believed that he could just say the word and the servant would be healed. Jesus was astonished. Here was a Roman, a man of authority, a pagan, and an enemy of the Jewish people who had enough faith to believe that Jesus could heal with a word. The Greek word “thaumazo” used to describe the reaction of Jesus to this man’s faith is translated as “amazed” or “marveled”. The only other time that this word is used in the New Testament is when Jesus “marveled” at the lack of faith of those in Nazareth. This centurion was an unlikely person to “amaze” Jesus, yet Jesus described him as having “great” faith. In other places, Jesus describes “little” faith in describing his disciple’s response to him. Little faith from the disciples; great faith from the Centurion. He demonstrated great faith by believing without seeing, stepping out of his culture and authority to humble himself, and trusting what he had heard about Jesus. As a man of authority, he understood the power of the authority that Jesus had and had confidence to make the request of him. Such confidence is the essence of faith. It is that confidence that prompted Jesus to respond with “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith”.
Questions for Reflection
In what ways were the actions of the Centurion a surprise in this story? How did he act differently than what we might expect of a man in his culture and situation?
What prompted the Centurion to make this request? Why do you think he was reluctant to approach Jesus directly? What did this tell Jesus about this man?
Why do you think Jesus marveled at this request? Why did he identify this man as one with great faith?
When looking at your own faith, where would you place it on a scale of “little faith” to “great faith”?
How do you think you could grow your faith into one that was considered “great”?
It was a warm day by the Sea of Galilee as Jesus and his disciples rested, ate and talked. They had been on a rigorous schedule following the launch of Jesus’s ministry. Word about the healings and teachings had spread and people were intrigued by this new itinerant preacher who was sharing a new message about the Kingdom of God. Folks from all around the region began to seek him out and as Jesus noticed the gathering of the crowds, he moved up the hill to a place where the crowds could see and hear him. He began to speak, resulting in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. He spoke about the Kingdom of God in a way they had never heard before, turning everything they knew about religion, the law and the kingdom upside down. Donald Kraybill in his book, The Upside Down Kingdom, describes how Jesus presented an introduction to the Kingdom of God that was totally opposite of what the world’s definition might be. In these teachings, Jesus provided a vision of what a life lived with the Kingdom of God in their minds and in their hearts might look like. Instead of a focus on following the law, he called for the transformation of their hearts and lives.
The upside down kingdom, as described by Jesus, included flipping their perspectives in several ways:
In a world where power, money, status, aggression, revenge and self-centeredness were valued, he provided a new perspective in the Beatitudes where those who were poor, sad, without status, gentle, forgiving, merciful and looking for peace would be the very ones who were blessed, happy and would receive the ultimate rewards.
The keys to the kingdom were found in sharing your light with the world. That light was not just keeping the law but letting others see the change in your heart and life.
Keeping the law was not just about following the rules but about creating relationships which reflected the love of Jesus and one another. You choose not to covet for example, not because it is a rule, but because it destroys relationships. Loving God is fleshed out in loving your neighbor by respecting them, sacrificing for them and even loving those you consider your enemies.
He encouraged them to pray with a focus on building a more personal and intimate relationship with God by providing a template with The Lord’s Prayer.
Instead of focusing on the temporary and insubstantial values of the world, our attention should be on those values of the Kingdom of God which are lasting and substantive.
In a world that is filled with anxiety about the future, Jesus reminds them that this worry is just a waste of time and energy. Instead, if you focus on seeking the Kingdom, these other things will fall into place.
We are called to an upside down kingdom where transformed lives allow people to begin to experience the Kingdom of God. Jesus provided a vision of what a transformed life looks like so that followers can begin the journey toward that destination. Those steps in that journey come with every intentional decision and choice we, as followers, take. If I want to reflect God’s kingdom, then I choose to spend time in prayer, focus my time and energy on kingdom values, treat the poor and marginalized with kindness and on and on. Every choice moves us in the direction of more fully reflecting the Kingdom of God in our lives. Every thought, belief and action is an opportunity to more fully reflect that transformed life.
Questions for reflection:
How does the term “upside down kingdom” impact how you read the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount?
Which of the teachings contained in this sermon resonate with you?
How do you respond to the idea that each day we are faced with opportunities to intentionally transform into the vision that Jesus has created?
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the need for transformation and just shut down. How does it make you feel if you approach it as one decision or choice at a time?
What is one area of your life where you would like to work on transformation?
Matthew begins the New Testament with the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Messiah to confirm that he was the prophesied direct heir to King David’s throne. Because we so often sleepwalk through this genealogy, we almost miss five names. Five names that belong to women— Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. It was not customary to include women in genealogies, so we are left to wonder why Matthew included them.
TAMAR
Hers was a sad, terrible story of grief and sin. Genesis 38 recounts her story. She first married Judah’s oldest son, who was so wicked the Lord took his life. At that time, if a woman’s husband died, her deceased husband’s brother would marry her to provide for her and keep her in the family. So, Judah arranged for Tamar to marry his second son, who, unfortunately, followed in his brother’s footsteps and was put to death by the Lord. Judah promised Tamar that she could marry his third son when he grew up, but Judah had lied. Tamar was in great need, so she developed a plan and deceived Judah by disguising herself as a prostitute. Her plan worked, and Tamar became pregnant with twins. When Judah was told that his daughter-in-law was pregnant through prostitution, he ordered her to be burned. But, as the story unfolded, Judah realized that Tamar was the prostitute he had bought. Not a pretty story, but Judah confessed and took responsibility for his sins, and said, “she is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” (Gen 38:26)
The story of Tamar and Judah demonstrates that God can use the most scandalous circumstances for His purposes. Tamar became the first women mentioned in the genealogy of the Messiah, where Tamar and Judah’s son, Perez, became the father of Hezron. (Matt 1:3) The lineage of Jesus continued, despite a bump in the road.
RAHAB The HARLOT.
Everyone knew her profession. She was that Canaanite prostitute living in Jericho. Throughout the Bible she was known as Rahab the harlot. Even in the faith chapter she is called Rahab the prostitute. (Heb 11:31)
But Rahab was also known for something else, something much more important. She was the one who kept the Israelite spies safe in her home in Jericho when they were sent by Joshua to spy out the land. (Josh 2) She willingly lied to the King of Jericho about the whereabouts of the spies, jeopardizing her own safety, because “the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.” (Josh 2: 11) How often do we judge people by things that don’t matter—their appearance, their house, their wealth, or their “job”, when what we need to focus on is their faith, and that God can redeem anyone. Even a prostitute. That is what the coming of the Messiah was all about—redemption.
“Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.” (Matt1:5)
RUTH
There are so many words that you could use to describe Ruth. Faithful, selfless, caring, giving, devoted, loving, reliable, unwavering, a Moabite.
Ruth’s husband had died, and there were no more sons of Naomi for her to marry. Even Naomi’s husband had died. There was no way for Naomi to provide for Ruth. So, Naomi gave Ruth permission to return to her native home where her family could provide for her. She refused. Why? Because Ruth loved Naomi with a steadfast love. “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die.” (Ruth 1:16,17). She promised to love and care for Naomi until the end. She did not have to do that. She was free to return home. She chose to stay.
In God’s perfect timing and plan, Ruth, the Moabite, was blessed with a husband by the name of Boaz. They had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David. (Matt 1:5)
BATHSHEBA
If you take a quick glance through the genealogy, you will not notice the name of Bathsheba. That is because Bathsheba is referred to as Uriah’s wife. “David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.” (Matt 1:6) Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah. You probably remember that story. As the story goes, Bathsheba was the faithful wife of Uriah. King David spotted her one day out on a roof top and desired her. Since David was the King, what the king said or wanted must be obeyed. She obeyed him, and in the end, King David arranged for Uriah’s murder to cover his sin. Eventually David married Bathsheba, but it is heartbreaking that King David’s life is marred by adultery and murder. Yet it demonstrated how desperately Israel and David needed the promised Messiah, and how desperately we need him too, “because he will save his people from their sins.” (v21)
“David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.” (Matt 1:6)
MARY
She was willing. She was humble. She believed in God. She submitted to God’s will and plan. She was young, and she was a virgin. Miraculously, she was a mother—the mother of Jesus who was called the Messiah.
Mary’s story of the virgin birth of Jesus was improbable if it weren’t for the working of the Holy Spirit. But it is true. Soon the whole world would know.
In the quiet of the night shepherds were in the fields taking care of their sheep, when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them awakening them out of their drowsiness. They were terrified. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11) Then “suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest.” (Luke 2: 13-14) The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem, and there they saw the baby Jesus, surrounded by Joseph and Mary, his mother. After seeing Him, they testified to what they had seen, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. (Luke 2:16-18) Very soon the whole world would know.
“And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.” (Matt. 1:16)
It is true.
Reflection Questions
Question One: Why do you think that Matthew included the names of these women in the genealogy of Jesus, when it was not customary to do so? Which story was your favorite? Why?
Question Two: How do you think Matthew intended these stories of these five women to impact your understanding of the coming Messiah? Which of the five stories had the most impact on you? Why?
Question Three: Do you think that the instances of adultery, prostitution, and murder were just happenstances or planned? Did those sins ruin the story line of the Messiah or make it more meaningful? How does that impact what you believe about the fulfillment of the purposes of God?
Question Four: What about your life? Do you have skeletons tucked away in your closet that keep you from working out the plans and purposes of God in your life? Can you now break free from that after hearing the stories of Tamar and Judah, Rahab the Harlot, or Bathsheba and David?
Seek Grow Love 