Week One - Day 6
Today's Reading -- Matthew 15:1 to Matthew 18:9
While there is no doubt that Matthew writes his gospel to an audience that knows the Jewish traditions and scriptures, there are also clear hints that the message Jesus is proclaiming is not going to fall in line with the prevailing customs and world view. One minute it's the purity laws on the washing of hands, and the next it's the acknowledgement by Jesus that faith is not a matter of religious, national or ethnic identity. Whether it's dirty hands or a gentile woman, the kingdom of God is larger than the limits of our regulations and prejudices.
But there's more. The disciples had signed on with Jesus as he made his way around the region of Galilee far north from Jerusalem. It was territory familiar to them, and curing the lame and witnessing the miraculous feedings of thousands of people out in the countryside must have been heady stuff. Now, however, Jesus begins talking about taking his case to Jerusalem. His words do not sound like a triumphal visit; rather there is Jesus talking about his death at the hands of the elders and chief priests and the scribes. Jesus speaks not only of his own fate, but tells the disciples that they must be willing to take up their own cross if they are to be his followers.
With their minds quite possibly still spinning, Peter and James and John witness a life-changing and mission-changing event on a high mountain. Jesus stands with the great law-giver Moses and the great prophet Elijah, and outshines everybody and everything. When Jesus and his disciples come down off the mountain there can be no question as to where they are headed. Jerusalem is now their destiny and destination, only there is more to do as they make their way to the Holy City.
But there's more. The disciples had signed on with Jesus as he made his way around the region of Galilee far north from Jerusalem. It was territory familiar to them, and curing the lame and witnessing the miraculous feedings of thousands of people out in the countryside must have been heady stuff. Now, however, Jesus begins talking about taking his case to Jerusalem. His words do not sound like a triumphal visit; rather there is Jesus talking about his death at the hands of the elders and chief priests and the scribes. Jesus speaks not only of his own fate, but tells the disciples that they must be willing to take up their own cross if they are to be his followers.
With their minds quite possibly still spinning, Peter and James and John witness a life-changing and mission-changing event on a high mountain. Jesus stands with the great law-giver Moses and the great prophet Elijah, and outshines everybody and everything. When Jesus and his disciples come down off the mountain there can be no question as to where they are headed. Jerusalem is now their destiny and destination, only there is more to do as they make their way to the Holy City.
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