Cleansing the Church and Temple

Week One - Day 7

Today's Reading -- Matthew 18:10 to Matthew 21:17

When we began this Journey last Sunday (July 14th), I wrote that "The Gospel according to Matthew stands first in the ordering of Christian writings for the place that it found in the heart of the early Church."  I then pointed out that Matthew's gospel is the only one that uses the Greek word "ekklesia", which in English is translated as "church."  It was first used in the story of Peter's confession (16:13-20) with Jesus declaring, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" - with not universal agreement among scholars if the "rock" referred to the person of Peter or to his expression of faith.  In today's reading the word church is used twice (18:15 and 18:17) in what is called the Community Discourse dealing with relationships among the Jesus' followers.

There is the underlying current in Matthew (which of course was written after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus) that the community of believers, the church, was the new Israel.  Jesus often goes up "the mountain" and provides new teachings about God, supplanting Moses as the law-giver.  Quotations from the Hebrew prophets are used throughout to declare that they have been 'fulfilled' in the events and words of Jesus.  What is not dealt with in Matthew is any concern for how the church is organized, only how its members were to treat and live with one another.

Jesus and his followers are now heading straight for Jerusalem, although he continues to take the time to teach and heal along the way.  Of course, Jesus does have to deal with a bit of internal jockeying within his band of disciples as James and John have their mommy approach Jesus to ask if he would give them prime seats of honor and power (20:20-23).  After the reminder that they are to be servants and not ones who are served, Jesus heads out of Jericho for the long ascent up to the city Jerusalem.  What he finds in the Temple upon his arrival enrages him.  His aggressive actions towards the merchants and money changers, and the people's cries of "Hosanna to the Son of David" do not go down well with the chief priests and the scribes.  Jesus' confrontation with the religious leaders, the traditions of his people, and the powers of Rome is surely coming to a head.

Changing Mission and Destination

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.

Challenging Our Notions of God

Week One - Day 5

Today's Reading -- Matthew 12:33 to Matthew 14:36

With the disciples sent off for awhile on mission work, Jesus begins to face opposition from several directions.  He is confronted on the religious level by scribes and Pharisees who demand a sign (12:38) of his authority to teach, to forgive sins, and to heal.  He is challenged on a personal level as the people who purportedly know him the best, his friends and neighbors of the town where he grew up, take offense at his teachings in their synagogue (13:54-58).  Then finally, Jesus is confronted by the power of the state as the imprisoned John the Baptist is disposed of by King Herod in a gruesome tale about keeping one's word (14:1-12).

The message of the kingdom of God does not so easily work its way into the heart and mind when we so firmly hold onto our notions of how the world operates.  The rules, the traditions, the teachings that we have received and assimilated become a part of who we are, and our inclination is to resist any hint of change.  Were our earlier understandings incorrect or flawed?  Had we been misled or mistaken? Perhaps what is needed are constant reminders that God does not remain static; that totally unexpected understandings emerge as God revels new ways we are to live and proclaim the message of redemption and reconciliation; that how we relate to God and to one another needs to be handled with the greatest of openness and humility. 

The heart of today's reading is a variety of parables, a favorite teaching method that Jesus employed to push the boundaries of our understanding and acceptance of the current state of the world. As Matthew so often does in his gospel account, he is ready with a 'fulfillment' quotation from the Hebrew scriptures: "I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world" (13:35 -- reflecting the thoughts of Psalm 78:2-4, and Isaiah 48:6).  Let them challenge you, and see what new understandings for your life and faith might just be lying beneath the surface.

Discipleship Defined

Week One - Day 4

Today's Reading -- Matthew 10:1 to Matthew 12:32

"Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness" (10:1).  I have to admit that Mathew's placement of this single verse has never struck me the way it has on this occasion of reading the gospel for this New Testament Journey.  It reminds me of a version of Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit and the empowerment for going out into the world.  In my mind, firming established by the reading of the rest of the New Testament and reinforced by the liturgical calendar of the Church, the Holy Spirit and accompanying powers to go forth for Christ are not given to the company of believers until after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  As we will see when we reach the end of Matthew's gospel account and the giving of the Great Commission, there is no granting of the Spirit; just the commissioning to go to all nations to make disciples, to baptize, and to teach.

For Matthew there seems to be no waiting for future events to play themselves out.  Jesus is now fully present to the disciples, and if they are to have a share in Jesus' ministry, to be sent out as a sign that 'The Kingdom of heaven has come near' (10:7), their witness needs to be backed up with acts that witness to the mercy and love of God.  After lining them up in groups of two (Peter and Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, James and Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas) and giving them extensive instructions (10:5-42), they seem to go one way while Jesus another (the entirety of chapter 11).

The disciples are told to stay away from the Gentiles and Samaritans, limiting their contact with those of the house of Israel who are "lost sheep."  Mathew does not portray Jesus as having his disciples stretch the boundaries of his ministry beyond the Jewish people, at least not yet.  There is much to do close at hand and with those with whom we already share a history and affection.  But let's not be fooled into thinking that there are limits on God's call to redemption and inclusion.  The Great Commission lies ahead.

Sermon - Part 2, and Hitting the Road

Week One - Day 3

Today's Reading -- Matthew 7:1 to Matthew 9:38

Our reading continues with Jesus still on "the mountain" teaching his disciples.  His words today begin with an admonition on judging others against standards that we don't maintain within our own lives.  How easy it is for us to fall into that trap of self-righteousness.  Much of what Jesus has said is a jolt to our perception of our own worthiness, our nuanced ideas of how we well we personally have walked in the ways of God.  There's more to it, Jesus is saying; not more rules, but more depth, more compassion towards others, greater reliance upon the mercy of God.  As the Sermon on the Mount concludes with end of chapter seven, Matthew tells us that "the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes" (7:28-29).  The references he has made to the Torah present Jesus as a definitive interpreter of the Law and Commandments that Moses received from God on Mount Sinai.  The ability to provide such an interpretation was seen by some within Judaism as a sign of the Messiah, the one who would come and repel Israel's oppressors and restore the glory of the kingdom.  What more will this man from Nazareth say or do?

Well, the answer comes quickly as Jesus embarks on a healing mission throughout Galilee, dealing with people both inside and outside the recognized religious community and the nation of Israel.  A Roman soldier's servant; the mother-in-law of Peter; people possessed by demons; others who are paralyzed, blind or mute; each of these is compassionately ministered to by Jesus.  But he is more than just a faith healer.  Jesus amazes his disciples by stilling the storm on the sea, and he begins to upset the religious elite by asserting this authority to forgive sins.  The disciples are in for the ride of their lives as Jesus drops the not-so-subtle hint that they will soon be a part of these new teachings and ministry.  For he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (9:37-38).  I can imagine they might have responded, "Who? Us?"  Yes.  And that also means you and me.

Sermon on the Mount - Part 1

Week One - Day 2

Today's Reading -- Matthew 5:1 to Matthew 6:34

Yesterday we ended chapter 4 with the teaser that "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. . ." (4:23a) without any hint of what this good news was all about.  Today, chapter 5 begins with Jesus going up "the mountain" and revealing new teachings, much like Moses going up the mountain to receive God's commandments. The new teachings that Jesus delivered to his disciples go beyond keeping the letter of the law and instead put forth an image of what living a holy life would look like. Jesus touches on issues of faithfulness, anger, fidelity in relationships, making oaths, responding to those who wish us harm, humility in giving, individual spiritual practices, concerns for wealth, and trusting in God.  And that's just for starters.

Among the many challenging passages in today's reading is 5:20 "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." John the Baptist had already had a run in with some of the religious leaders of the day, calling them a "brood of vipers!" (see 3:7)  Matthew is clearly portraying a problem with the state of religious life, and Jesus is telling his disciples in no uncertain terms that a radical shift in following God is on the horizon.  It will not only challenge our understandings of God's law, but our actions towards others as well.  

The Journey Starts Here

Week One - Day 1

Today's Reading -- Matthew 1:1 to Matthew 4:25

Our 8-Week Journey begins today with the first book listed in the canon of the New Testament.  The Gospel according to Matthew stands first in the ordering of Christian writings for the place that it found in the heart of the early Church.  It is, after all, the only one of the four gospels that uses the Greek word "ekklesia", a word which means the "called out ones." In English this is translated as "church."

Matthew contains abundant teachings of Jesus and has long been the Church's most used Gospel in worship and preaching.  So, who was Matthew?  He might have been 'Matthew the tax collector' that is mentioned twice later on in the text, but there is no way to confirm this.  In any event, the author wrote to both a community of believers and to those whom he wanted to persuade to accept Jesus as the fulfillment of earlier prophecies.  In today's reading alone there are pronouncements of five fulfillments (1:22-23, 2:5-6, 2:17-18, 3:3, 3:14-16) from the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Micah.  Jesus also quotes three times from the Book of Deuteronomy in response to the devil's temptations in the wilderness.  Matthew's audience was obviously well acquainted with the Hebrew scriptures.

Overall, today's reading serves to set the stage starting with a genealogy that links Jesus back through not only the kings of Israel but all the way back to the great patriarch Abraham. We hear of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem (note how Matthew tells the story and the role of Joseph), the threat to the infant Jesus, the preaching of John the Baptist, the baptism and temptation of Jesus, and the beginnings of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee including the calling of his first disciples.  Jesus has begun revealing something new, something attractive, something that excites the crowds as he moves among the people.

With all it's details, what Matthew doesn't tell us is the content of the "good news" that Jesus was proclaiming (4:23).  But then again, we have just taken the first steps of our journey.