Matthew 11-15

Your Friday's reading takes you just past half-way through the gospel of Matthew. We begin with another encounter with John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin. In chapter 3, he baptized Jesus, but in chapter 11 he has some questions, like "Are you the one who is to come or should we look for someone else?" John's ways were more confrontive than Jesus and from prison John wonders whether Jesus really is the one. Jesus assures John that Jesus is the one and that he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. Jesus tells the people that John is playing the role of Elijah, which is a reference to the Passover. Before the Messiah comes, Elijah must come. But Jesus also grieves that his cousin is in prison and talks about the propoganda and rejection of John and eventually of himself as well.

Chaper 11 finishes with woes to the cities who enjoyed the miracles but didn't change their lives. The disappointment for Jesus is more than would have been with enemy cities like Tyre and Sidon or perverse cities like Sodom. I have heard it said that some people have just enough religion to innoculate them from the real thing. Then there are others who are just "miracle junkies" who may have great stories to tell but their hearts remain unchanged. Jesus talks about that more at the end of chapter 12.

Chapter 12 describes one of the most controversial aspects of Jesus' ministry, the Sabbath. Jesus treats it much like other religious observances and asked whether empty legalism had replaced true faith. Why do you think after this altercation that the Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus?

Chapter 13 starts the parables in Matthew's gospel. In most cases, parables are not allegories. There is usually one main point with possible other supporting points. When I read the parables, I want to ask, "Where was he when he told them?" Many of them seem to be extended object lessons triggered by a scene that was right around them. The Parable of the Sower is very popular and is often called "The Parable of the Soils." What do you suppose is the main point of the parable? You may want to read the chapter on parables in our text now to help you.

The Parable of the Weeds follows. The common ground with the previous parable is that there are mixed results from sharing the gospel. Not only is the master at work, but so is the enemy! Jesus gives his listeners (readers) further help in vss. 36-43. What is the main point of this parable and what relevance might it have for our day and time?

The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven give another angle to these mixed responses as they talks about the way the gospel spreads. Again, what is the main point and what relevance do these parables have for our day and time? The parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price also have a common theme. What is it?
What does the parable of the net (vss. 47-50) have in common with the parable of the weeds?

Chapter 13 ends with the cold reception to Jesus by his home town. Jesus represented change and challenge and they would not hear it from him.

Chapter 14 tells the demise of John the Baptist. His bluntness gets him in trouble with Herodias and Herod promises her daughter whatever she wanted after a most impressive dance. She asks for John's head on a platter, and gets it. Are you offended by the graphic picture of this being brought out before dinner guests? Talk about terrorism!

Our reading finishes with a series of miracles: the feeding of the 5,000, walking on water (which only Matthew tells of Peter's stroll), and the feeding of the 4,000.
Puy on your best ears for biblical narrative here. Who are the characters? What is the problem? How is it resolved? How do these miracles serve as "signs" of the kingdom of heaven?

Have you noticed that Matthew usually substitutes "kingdom of heaven" for "kingdom of God?" Matthew seems to follow the tradition that says God's name is not to be spoken or written. In the Old Testament when you see the word LORD (in all caps), you are seeing a substitute word for the one given to Moses at the burning bush. Rather than say "Yahweh" or "Jehovah," rabbis chose to say "adonai" (LORD). Similarly, Matthew substitutes heaven for the name of God.

You might want to go back through and do a quick skim of the chapters. How has the Old Testament been used? What books have been referenced? If you have some extra time and you have a reference or study bible, you might want to look up those scriptures. How does Matthew make use of the Old Testament to reinforce his telling of the gospel?

Will