This week's reading is Matthew Chapters 5 and 6. Here's you're thoughts to ponder as you read it:
1. What is the big lesson we learn from the Beatitudes?
2. Why do you think Jesus makes a point to preach on the things he preaches in these chapters?
3. What do we learn about our relationship with God from Jesus in these lessons (focus on prayer for this one)?
2 comments:
Jesus preaches about these things because they are rampant problems throughout society.
This week we had a lot to cover and little time. So I hope that those of you who were in class today will contribute to the blog this week and add your thoughts.
Today in class, Jessica brought up the differences in translations. So I'll be looking at that in my commentary here for this part.
We start out Ch. 5 by looking at the Beatitudes. And here's an example of where different translations come into play.
The first thing Jesus says is "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdomt of Heaven." At least that's how the King James Version (KJV) and the New International Version (NIV) read. But if I look at the NLT, it reads "God blesses those who realize their need for him." I feel that these two translations are different sides of the same coin. I believe it is the fact that we are poor without God that we need Him. And if we recognize that need, we will be blessed. And as it goes on to say, "for their's is the kingdom of heaven."
I also find it interesting that Jesus starts out with this. In Jesus's first major sermon, he starts out with our need for God in our lives and also says that if we recognize that need, we will be given the Kingdom of Heaven. That is why admitting our need for God in our lives is part of the sinner's prayer.
I also find a bit of prophesy in the Beatitudes that many might over look. It says in verse 6 "God blesses those who are hungry and thirst for justice, for they will receive it in full," (NLT). If you read the entire book of Revelation (which we'll hopefully get to), you will see that it is all about the final passing of justice. Those who hunger for justice will receive it during the Final Judgement of Revelation 20:11-15.
Then throughout the Beatitudes, we find words of comfort when we are down (Matt. 5:4), words of support when we work to be of good character (Matt. 5:7-9), and words of support when we are persecuted for our faith (Matt. 5:10).
Then, in verse 11 and 12, it reads "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too." It's interesting that when our character is being slandered, Jesus tells us to be happy about it. But I think it's a trial by fire. If we can continue to stand by God when we're being attacked because of it, then we are proving that we are devoted to God. Most of us will never face the same challenge of faith as those who are martyerd. But we will all probably at one point or another be attacked for our faith. How we react to such things will be a testament to our commitment to God.
From there on, Jesus goes on to teach about the law. And he starts out by saying "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved." (NLT). But from there on, Jesus goes on to either expand on many of the laws of Moses. Which provides an interesting thought esp. for a political scientist like me. When it comes to Constitutional law, I constantly hear the question "What was the original or framer's intent?" And if we could go back in time, we'd ask and base our law on such things. In this case, we have the son of God here to tell us more about the law. In fact, John 1:1 reads "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (KJV). So we're getting more about the Word from the Word. The fact that Jesus is able to expand on the law of Moses is more of his claim to be the son of God.
As Jesus is explaining lust, he says "So if your eye, even if it is your good eye, causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away." (NLT). I think it's important to consider what Jesus was talking about. I don't believe he was being literal here. If that was the case where we cut off whatever body part lead to sin, most of us would walk around with no eyes, no hands, no tongue, and no ears. And I think this figurive speech can be seen when he says "so if your eye, even if it's your good eye..." How can someone look at someone with lust with just one eye? If I cut out one eye because I looked at a girl with lust, I'd probably end up having to cut the other out because it was do the same. What one eye does, so does the other. You can't look left with one eye while looking right with the other (please no smart alec responses to that. You get the point the eyes are no independent of each other). What I think Jesus is getting at is we need to cut out opportunities to sin. The example I made in class is that if your car breaks down next to a brothel, don't go in for help. Just keep walking.
We then talked about the whole "turn the other cheek" thing Jesus talked about. The exact meaning of it all was in question. But as we looked at the other examples and looked at how Jesus wrapped up the discussion about revenge, I, at least, felt it was clear. I believe what Jesus was saying here is that we are to be slow to anger. It says turn the other cheek. It doesn't say slap him back. It says if your shirt is asked from you, offer your coat as well. If a soldier tells you to carry his gear for a mile, carry it two. I believe that the characteristic of being slow to anger is quite Christ like and also a way to show others that there's something different about you, and that difference is Christ.
Ch. 6 seems to have a common theme: don't be showy! It says that we shouldn't make a show of our giving, praying, or fasting. But that we should do it in private. I think this is important. If we do something for others to see, it's a show for our glory. If we do it in private, it's for God's glory. I brought up the example in class of the character Bruce Barnes from the Left Behind book series. Bruce was an assistant pastor at a church. There, he did all the church things of telling people he'd pray for them, visiting sick people in the hospital, etc. etc. But when he was in private, he didn't have a relationship with God. Because he didn't have that relationship, he was left behind. Our faith with God is all about having a relationship with him. It's about doing things for him and his glory, not our own.
But this idea seems to be a bit different than what we read in Matt. 5:16 "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father." (NLT). I think what 5:16 is saying is that we should let our lives be a witness to our faith and let people see that it is because of God that we aren't like the people of the world. What we read in Ch. 6 is saying that we shouldn't do something like pray in public for the purpose of having people think we're a person of God or that we shouldn't give and do it to receive all the glory.
Jesus then goes on to teach about money. He makes the statement "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth currupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lat up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust will corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:19-21 KJV). I read this and ask the question of what it means to store up treasures in heaven. I can't exactly take part of my paycheck and put it in a heavenly IRA. But I think the important thing, and the meaning of it all, comes from this is the last part. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Look at what you spend your money on. It gives you a guide into what you treasure. If you buy baseball cards all the time, you love (or treasure) baseball cards. If you spend your time and money buying and reading books, you love (or treasure) books. Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't freely invest in the things of the world that bring us joy (as long as they aren't sinful pursuits). But if we aren't investing our time and money towards to work of God, do you think we treasure God who is in heaven? Probably not. But if we are spending our time and money towards the advancement of the Gospel, then we have proof that we do love God and we are storing up treasures in Heaven.
Finally, Jesus teaches about worry. And to make a long post here short, I'll just end with how Jesus ended Ch. 6 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Tody's trouble is enough for today."
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