Thursday, January 26, 2023

The Gospel of Matthew 5-7--One more time!

I may only managed  get through a few chapters of Matthew in our first session on the book.  If so, I'll spend next time continuing the discussion of the Matthew 1-14.  I'll talk more about Matthew's use of Jewish scripture, and then discuss the Sermon on the Mount.

Please reread Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount.  Cite here three verses from this sermon, one that you think would be particularly attractive to many of the Jews listening to the message, one that challenges (and might even offend) some people who are already religious, and one that is particularly attractive *or* a turn-off for you yourself.  Explain your choices.

12 comments:

  1. 1. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." I think this verse would be attractive to the Jews because it would give them hope that they may get what they want if they're willing to ask God for it in prayer.

    2. "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven." I think some of the Jews would take offense to this because they wouldn't fully understand what Jesus is saying.

    3. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." I find this verse attractive because it reminds me of why I believe what I do and why I wouldn't change that simply because of what someone else said.
    - Eathen Erck

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  2. 1. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land" (5:5). I think this would be attractive to the Jewish people because I think people would have been able to relate to it.
    2. "But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery" (5:32). This teaching would likely have offended many because if Moses told the Jews they could get a divorce, Jesus is now telling them another thing.
    3. "But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well" (5:39). This is a teaching that I find practically difficult. Its very difficult not to seek revenge when someone is cruel to you.

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  3. 1) "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret." (6:6) This verse would be attractive to the Jewish people because it would help them to justify the fact they prayed secretly in their homes.

    2) "But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." (5:32) This would be offensive to people who were religious back then because they were able to divorce their wives/husbands because of abuse/sexual immorality/other things, and now Jesus was telling them otherwise. It would offend people nowadays because the woman/man would have to stay with their spouse even if they were abusive.

    3) "But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (5:39) This verse is attractive to me because it shows that no matter what happens, you should never seek vengeance and handle the situation with patience and understanding.

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  4. 1.“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matt 6:30 When Jesus is talking about those of little faith it almost seems like a parllel to jewish history of them ignoring God. Then having a lack of faith in God as they did during there history. Even though it was them turning them back on God not him. Then the part about the grass is reminding of Gods creation and his power. That is very evident thoughout the history of the Jews.

    2. “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things". 6:32 here it kinda seems like Jesus is taking a shot at the Gentiles. But i would say Jesus is reminding the Jewish Audience. That they have God to trust throughout there history. But why do they worry about Stuff the gentiles would worry about.

    3. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. matt 6:33 again jesus is saying to trust god with our needs. Then it could be intrupted by a Jewish audience that this is what our forefathers did and we should do it as well.- Austin Dreyer

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  5. 1) 5:17-19
    To the Jews, the law was everything. In verse 17, it would be comforting to hear that Jesus was not attempting to overthrow that law. The Jewish tradition relies upon the coming Messiah, the savior who is going to right the wrongs of the world and set them free from their oppressors, the Romans. So when Jesus states that he “has come to fulfill the purpose of the law,” it would be within the Jew's teachings of finding their Messiah. Verse 19 continues this comfort by telling the listeners to continue their obedience to the law. To their minds, they were already following the law the best that they could, so the Jews feel as though they are doing the best they can when Jesus says that “anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

    2) 7:21-23
    Many of the Pharisees and scribes had taken the Law and religion to the Nth degree, past the point of reason. Jesus was teaching with such authority that it challenged the power that the Pharisees were enjoying reveling in. It was offensive for Him to state that words (and earthly power) alone did not make them automatically qualified to enter Heaven, but instead that actions and true belief did. These two things made the Pharisees of equal importance in God’s eyes to the common man/woman.

    3) 6:25
    I picked this verse not because it is a turn off, but rather because some days this verse can be a hard pill to swallow. The idea of giving everything to Jesus can be easy as pie somedays and terrifying the next. Jesus saying “do not be anxious about your life” is calming to the soul, but it also activates the part of the brain that has been shaped by today’s society to fear the perceived loss of control and power giving of ourselves completely as Jesus calls us to.

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  6. 1. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (6:21). I think this verse encourages the Jews to focus not on earthly things, but on the greater gifts in heaven.

    2. "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (6:3-4). This might be a tough pill to swallow for some of the "highly religious" people of this time. How will people know how close their relationship is with God if they cannot show off all their good deeds?

    3. "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (6:8). This is a very comforting verse to me because it lessens the stress of always trying to find the right words to say during a prayer. God already knows what you need before you pray, so this is a good reminder that the prayer itself is more important than the fancy words you use.
    - Lauren Bland

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  7. 1. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (5:17). I think this is important because it supports the idea of safety.
    2. "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members parish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell" (5:30). I think this would definitely offend some people because who would really want to cut off their hand for such a reason?
    3. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds. an to him who knocks it will be opened" (7:8). I find this quote to be quite attractive in todays world because I think the moral of the quote it you don't know the answer unless you try. So many people just assume the answer is no for many things but don't even try to ask.
    -Dawson Pfister

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  8. My three verses are listed below in the order; first is what would be attractive to the Jews. Then what would not be pleasing to Jews, especially those already religious. Then the last one is the verse that I find the hardest to except.

    1
    Mat 6:20 NIV
    But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal

    I feel this verse would be attractive to Jews because many were poor and oppressed from two sides. One side is from Rome, and the other is from their leaders, the Pharisees, and Sadducees. So for the typical Jewish person to hear, they will receive rewards from their God in heaven for their time on earth. So it would have likely been music to the Jews' ears as it would empower the everyday person.

    2
    Mat 6:1 NIV
    "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

    Not everyone would be upset by this particular verse, but as mentioned above, I think the Pharisees and Sadducees would be. This verse basically says that you should not be put on a pedestal when you are a follower of God. So that would frustrate these two types of Jews. The reason is it would lower their authority while also "insulting them."

    3
    Mat 7:22-23 NIV
    Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

    For this one, I would choose verse 23, but I wanted to provide context with verse 22. I pick this verse because it is hard to think that even while doing great works in God's name. Any individual's heart can still be in the wrong place. So, it shows how high of a calling we are called to as Christians. It also leaves room for even the most devote of Christians to stop and think, "am I in a relationship with God, or do I merely call out his name when in need?".

    Tanner Simon

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  9. 1.
    Mathew 7:12 ESV
    So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
    This is a particularly attractive verse, because it calls for us all to watch out for one another. Religious leaders would have loved this one, because A) It simplifies their teachings, and B) has clear consequences to actions. The common guy also would have liked this. Treat your neighbor well, he'll treat you nicely in return. Parents especially would have enjoyed this one. Kids could easily remember it also. (or be forced to remember it by their parents after getting in trouble) It's just a generally agreed upon rule for decency to one another.

    2.
    Mathew 6:2-4 ESV
    Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your father who sees in secret will reward you.
    This verse particularly ruffles people with big egos. A universal thing throughout time is that people want to be acknowledged for their actions. This would have particularly been directed at the wealthy pharisees, and saducees. Not all of the time, but most of the time. People with big egos, don't like to be called out for having said ego.

    3.
    Mathew 7:3-5 ESV
    Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
    I like this one particularly because it's a reminder to look at yourself and say, am I really able to call someone out on an issue when I myself am a worse offender? It also really makes you do some self reflection, and look where your criticism is coming from.

    Walker Larson

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  10. 1.
    Matthew 6:22-24
    The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. you cannot serve God and money.

    This verse definitely challenges some of us. Mainly because in society, we as people have to work and often at times this along with desires for materials can cloud our perception of whats truly real.

    2.
    Matthew 7:1-2
    Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured unto you.

    A turn-off mainly because in Christian faith to be accepting of another belief preferably those who use pronouns, may conflict with the ideals that were set before. Not knowing how God or Jesus feels about the matters makes others question how they should approach a situation.

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    Replies
    1. 3. Matthew 7:7-9
      ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be open.
      .
      A familiar response to faith and something that takes time to find to be true. I think this verse was definitely appealing to the Jews for they know the truth.

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  11. "And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." - Matthew 7:28-29

    Everyone in what has become known as Christianity understands Jesus has authority and still most do commonly acknowledge Him as the ultimate authority. As a Christian, a Pentecostal Christian, I do believe for certain that Jesus has authority and we as His people to follow His example, using the authority to do as He commanded us to do in His Name. Jesus has an authority He did say Himself in stating later in Matthew that He gave us authority to do even greater works than He did, and he did some wondrous works. Imagine what He will have us do for Him!

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