Sunday, January 25, 2004
Matthew 12
In verse 7, Jesus says to the Pharisees, "If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent." This is the same phrase that He told the Pharisees to go and learn in Matthew 9:13. I didn't see the footnote the first time I read it, but there is a cross reference to Hosea 6:6 which says, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." What does this mean? This means that God doesn't want us to just go through the motions and sacrifice material things to Him, He wants our heart. He wants us to turn away from sin and live a repentant life. The Pharisees just couldn't accept this. hmmm... See? You learn something new everyday. =)
Matthew 13
I really like when Jesus teaches in parables.
Parable of the Sower
Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl
Matthew 14
What's the significance of John the Baptist being beheaded?
Matthew 17
In verse 20, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." wow.
I don't know why I found this passage so amusing, but I don't really remember ever reading about this story found in Matthew 17:24-28. The temple tax didn't even apply to them, but Jesus just told the disciples to catch a fish and the money to pay the tax would be found in the fishes mouth. Maybe I should take up fishing. =P
In verse 7, Jesus says to the Pharisees, "If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent." This is the same phrase that He told the Pharisees to go and learn in Matthew 9:13. I didn't see the footnote the first time I read it, but there is a cross reference to Hosea 6:6 which says, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." What does this mean? This means that God doesn't want us to just go through the motions and sacrifice material things to Him, He wants our heart. He wants us to turn away from sin and live a repentant life. The Pharisees just couldn't accept this. hmmm... See? You learn something new everyday. =)
Matthew 13
I really like when Jesus teaches in parables.
Parable of the Sower
Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl
Matthew 14
What's the significance of John the Baptist being beheaded?
Matthew 17
In verse 20, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." wow.
I don't know why I found this passage so amusing, but I don't really remember ever reading about this story found in Matthew 17:24-28. The temple tax didn't even apply to them, but Jesus just told the disciples to catch a fish and the money to pay the tax would be found in the fishes mouth. Maybe I should take up fishing. =P
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Matthew 11
OK, how can anyone NOT be encouraged by these verses??
...and I'm not sure exactly how John the Baptist "prepared the way" for Jesus... a little help here?
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
OK, how can anyone NOT be encouraged by these verses??
...and I'm not sure exactly how John the Baptist "prepared the way" for Jesus... a little help here?
I've always taken that to be some sort of foreshadowing. Because John says
"I baptize you with[2] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
So I took it as John was saying he can only do so much for us, but when Jesus comes, He'll give us much more than just clearing us of our sins. I'm not sure what the fire and and wheat is a metaphor of though...
Monday, January 19, 2004
ok, here I go...
Matthew 3
Why do you think Jesus had to be baptized? When we get baptized, it means that we are cleansed from sin. It is our death and we are born again into a life with Jesus Christ. But if Jesus was free from sin, why did he have John the baptist baptize him? In v15 Jesus says "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." What do you think this means?
Matthew 9
In verse 13, Jesus tells the Pharisees: "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." what do you think this means!?
OBEDIENCE
Just a note on some of the things I noticed in the beginning of this book. First... did you notice the obedience that Joseph, as well as the disciples showed? In Chapter 1 and 2, Joseph was visited by and angel of the Lord many times with instructions to do this or that. (Take Mary as your wife, leave Egypt, Go to Israel, etc) Each time, he did just what the angel told him... no complaints, no questions. Same with the calling of the disciples. Peter and Andrew left their nets at once and followed Jesus. John and James immediately left the boat AND THEIR FATHER and followed him. Matthew simply got up from the table and followed him. Why can't I do this? Why is it so hard to let some things go so that we can obey God???
Matthew 3
Why do you think Jesus had to be baptized? When we get baptized, it means that we are cleansed from sin. It is our death and we are born again into a life with Jesus Christ. But if Jesus was free from sin, why did he have John the baptist baptize him? In v15 Jesus says "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." What do you think this means?
So I've thought a lot about this, and I'm really befuddled by your questions =) But...I haven't been baptized yet, and I've been wondering if I should. So I've talked to a couple of my friends before about them meaning of getting baptized...like whether or not it's necessary. And some of them told me that in the bible (but they didn't tell me where), it says that a the act of getting baptized is to announce to your community that you're a follower of Christ and that you're ready to give your life to him and follow his word. And I guess even though, getting baptized does mean that we're cleansed from our sins simply because by his Grace we're forgiven, I guess maybe Jesus getting baptized doesn't necessarily mean that he needed cleansing, but rather he was just showing the community and others of his faith in God? I dunnoo?
Matthew 9
In verse 13, Jesus tells the Pharisees: "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." what do you think this means!?
OBEDIENCE
Just a note on some of the things I noticed in the beginning of this book. First... did you notice the obedience that Joseph, as well as the disciples showed? In Chapter 1 and 2, Joseph was visited by and angel of the Lord many times with instructions to do this or that. (Take Mary as your wife, leave Egypt, Go to Israel, etc) Each time, he did just what the angel told him... no complaints, no questions. Same with the calling of the disciples. Peter and Andrew left their nets at once and followed Jesus. John and James immediately left the boat AND THEIR FATHER and followed him. Matthew simply got up from the table and followed him. Why can't I do this? Why is it so hard to let some things go so that we can obey God???
wow... you don't play around... =P
I went back and answered the ones that I knew (or at least was pretty sure about) and put them directly in your post. I can teach you how to do that later, or we can just answer each other's questions in the comments- which might be easier.
Also, what kind of bible are you reading and what translation?
And I changed the template a little. It's pink. Too girly??
Do you think it's feasible for us to play a little bit of catch-up and be reading at least Chapter 15 by this Friday??
I went back and answered the ones that I knew (or at least was pretty sure about) and put them directly in your post. I can teach you how to do that later, or we can just answer each other's questions in the comments- which might be easier.
Also, what kind of bible are you reading and what translation?
And I changed the template a little. It's pink. Too girly??
Do you think it's feasible for us to play a little bit of catch-up and be reading at least Chapter 15 by this Friday??
Friday, January 16, 2004
Here's the first post... I just set it up.. I'll work on making it pretty next week.
I'm on Matthew chapter 5 today... what are you on?!? =D
I'm on Matthew chapter 5 today... what are you on?!? =D
