Meditate on it

Section 86  PRAYER TAUGHT AND ENCOURAGED (Probably Judea) LUKE 11:1-13 Overview: After Jesus was praying in "a certain place," one of his disciples requests that he teach them how to pray. First some background on Jewish prayer customs: "It was customary for the rabbis to give their disciples forms of prayer, and [John] the Baptist seems to have followed this practice, though the prayer taught by him appears soon to have been forgotten." -Fourfold Gospel "Dr. Lightfoot's notion of this is, That whereas the Jews' prayers were generally adorations, and praises of God, and doxologies, John taught his disciples such prayers as were more filled up with petitions and requests; for it is said of them that they did deēseis poiountai - make prayers, Luk_5:33. The word signifies such prayers as are properly petitionary." -Matthew Henry "Idle repetition of prayers is forbidden; but persistence and importunity are encouraged.Gen. 18:23-33 [A

Section 85 JESUS THE GUEST OF MARTHA AND MARY Bethany, near Jerusalem LUKE 10:38-42 To this day, when I read the story of Martha and Mary, my gut sides with Martha.  Maybe it's because my husband is a "people person" and enjoys talking with them on so many levels while I am scurrying around pulling together food and drinks. But as several of the commentaries below point out, the message is not serve/no serve.  It's in the kind of service and in recognizing the value of the moment, something the Greeks called kairos.  Here, Mary "gets it" and sits down to listen.  Martha's busyness and preconceptions miss the bigger moment: "In Martha there was an error of judgment: not of that kind which proves the entire want of real piety, but which implies great oversight, and a disregard to existing circumstances." Essex Congregational Remembrancer "The narrative teaches us in what way we are to expect the notice and approbation of our Divine

Section 84 PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN (Probably Judea) LUKE 10:25-37 I remember this parable emphasized in my Catholic childhood---by my "CCD" teachers, not by my parents, who to my knowledge, never commented about the Bible. This morning, I noticed the larger context more than the parable itself. The older I grow, the more I notice and appreciate context in all areas of reading and life.   Context is the frame by which we begin to understand a text or a person on a deeper level. Here the context is malicious---it's not just a random person with an earnest question, but a lawyer with an agenda, setting a trap.  Jesus is a master at turning manipulators back on themselves. The lawyer tries to narrow the issue to something he can control or justify which also reveals his heart nature: But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Luke 10:29 "[The lawyer] sought to justify himself. Why should he? No one had accused him.

Section 82 DISCOURSE ON THE GOOD SHEPHERD Jerusalem, December, A. D. 29. JOHN X. 1-21. p.150 of 243 in Fourfold Gospel Document  (61.7%) *************************** Jon Courson Commentary: While the sheep stayed in the communal sheepfold, all of the shepherds would return home each night except the one who would act as a porter, or watchman. In the morning, the shepherds would return for their flocks. How did they know whose sheep was whose if they were all mixed together in the sheepfold? Each shepherd had a distinctive call, or song, to which only his own sheep responded. In Rev_2:17, we are told that our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, will give us new names that will fit us perfectly and that we'll possess for eternity. You can always tell when a stranger creeps into the flock. He will cause division. Knowing something's not quite right, the sheep will scatter. *************************** All BKC Commentary: Jesus developed this analogy in several ways.

Section 83 MISSION AND RETURN OF THE SEVENTY (Probably in Judea, October, A. D. 29.) LUKE 10:1-24. "On His way to Jerusalem Jesus was sending out messengers to all the towns in order to give people opportunities to accept His message. Only Luke records this incident." -BKC "The report of the seventy is more joyous than that of the twelve, for the sayings of the latter on their return were overshadowed by the news of John the Baptist's death."-BKC "The 72 were supported by those who accepted their message (Luk_10:7). Through hospitality people would show whether or not they believed the message of the kingdom. To the believing cities the message was to be, The kingdom of God is near you. The Messiah was coming, and He could bring in the kingdom. Even the cities that rejected the message were to be told that the kingdom was near." -BKC After spending time with His disciples, Jesus will now commission them for service. And as He does, we find i

Section 81 CONTENTION OVER THE MAN BORN BLIND Jerusalem. JOHN 9:1-41 Did Jesus come to judge or save? Occasionally I'll be reading the New Testament and different passages clash in my mind.  Here's an example: "Jesus said, “ For judgment I came into this world , that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains. John 9:39-41 x “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but  whoever does not believe is condemned already, b ecause he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

Section 79  THE STORY OF THE ADULTERESS (Jerusalem) JOHN 7:53-8:11 The authenticity of this story is hotly contested among scholars as it is not in many early manuscripts. I'm not sure what I think about the issue and would have to dig more.  In terms of it being consistent with Christ's other teachings, in some ways it is keeping with Christ's emphasis on forgiveness but the part about he who is without sin, cast the first stone does not necessarily seem consistent.  It's hard to put my finger on, but I feel like Christ would say it's not our business to cast stones either way.  It's not the "sin" that makes the judgement okay or not okay.  One could argue that Christ's goal was to provoke the accusers to think about the condition of their own hearts through this statement.  But Christ doesn't seem intent upon trying to teach his opponents.  Typically he acknowledges their blindness and comments upon it, but reserves his more teachable com

Section 78 continued... IN THE TEMPLE AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES (October, A. D. 29.) JOHN 7:32-52 " On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. ’” John 7:37-38 Jon Courson's comments here shine: "To commemorate the miraculous provision of water, a procession of priests would draw water from the pool of Siloam and pour it out on the floor of the temple courtyard during each day of the feast. On the eighth day, the last day, the great day of the feast, however, the priests would return from the pool of Siloam with empty vessels, signifying that when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, water from the rock was no longer needed. The Feast of Tabernacles not only commemorated the past—it anticipated the future. As the priests symbolically poured out their empty vessels on the last

Section 77 AS TO SACRIFICE FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE Samaria. Probably September, A. D. 29. LUKE 9:57-62 Overview--In this section, three men come to Jesus wishing to follow him.  Christ gives directives to each. From the Pulpit Commentary: "SUCCESSFUL WORK REQUIRES FAITHFUL DEALING WITH INDIVIDUAL CASES. (Verses 57-62.) As Jesus was moving upwards to the capital, the people perceived that a crisis was at hand. Hence the desire of some on insufficient grounds to cast in their lot with him who is to be the conquering King. Here is a case in point. A man comes and professes his willingness to be a follower of Jesus wheresoever he goeth. But Jesus undeceives him by indicating that he is not going to be sure of any lodging in this world. Perhaps the man was hoping to reach a palace by following him; but Jesus shows that the birds and beasts have more certain lodgings than he. He thus laid bare the man’s danger, and prevented a rash decision. The second case is an invitatio

Section 74 SIN AND FORGIVENESS BETWEEN BRETHREN (Autumn, A. D. 29.) MATT 18:15-35 Subject---the need to forgive others repeatedly, in proportion to the grace God had showed us. "For this purpose it would be convenient, where it may be, that reproofs be given privately. “If thy brother offend thee, tell him his fault between him and thee.”" BI, Swinneck "For what end we are to reprove him. Not to please ourselves, or to gratify our private resentments-not to triumph over his infirmities or to display our superiority to him; not to insult him, or to make ourselves merry with his faults; but that we may win him over from the camp of the aliens, and restore him to his rightful owner." -Daniel Rowland "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. ” -Matthew 18:20 Lit., “into my name.” When two or three are drawn together into Christ as the common centre of their desire and faith.-Vincent's Word Studies Section 75  JE

Mark 9:38-50 Luke 9:49-50 "John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me."   -Mark 9:38-39 An important distinction: "The man wasn't teaching false doctrine or living in sin. He simply did not join up with the disciples." -Believer's Bible “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." Mark 9:42 "Character depends upon small things. If a small act of goodness receives its reward, an act of evil, made apparently small by the trifling insignificance of the person against whom it is committed, receives just as inevitably its punishment. In short, there is no smallness in good and evil that men may

Section 73 MATT. 18:10-14 MARK 9:33-37 LUKE 9:46-50 Summary: Continuation of commentary on children and the angels that watch over them.  The lost sheep vs. the 99. The idea of "guardian angels" whether specific to individuals or as a collective force watching over believers is clearly taught here, as well as in Hebrews 1:14: “ See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven ." Mat 18:10 " Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? " Heb 1:14 Despise (kataphronēsēte). Literally, “think down on,” with the assumption of superiority.-Robertson's Word Pictures "If they are important enough to engage angels, the Lord Jesus, and God the Father, then clearly we should never despise them, no matter how unlovely or lowly they might appear." - Believer's Bible I appreciate

Matthew 18:7-9 Mark 9:42-50 Luke 17:1-2 Point 3:  Avoid offense; do not provoke others to sin.  Don't be the conduit through others are prompted or weakened. God considers not only our actions, but the impact that those actions have on others. "It is a lamentation that those who were made to be to God for a name and for a praise should be to him a shame and dishonour."  Matthew Henry on Romans God takes great offense when there is hypocrisy. " You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.  For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. ” Romans 2:23-24 Example: Bathsheba and David's baby dies as a consequence of his sin: David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die.” 2 Samuel 12:13-14 Exa

Passages under reflection: Luke 9:46-50 Matthew 18:1-5 Mark 9:33-37 Point 2:   As an illustration of kingdom greatness, Jesus directed them to become child-like. "And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,  “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” -Mark 9:35-37 “ Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven ." Matthew 18:3 "To illustrate servanthood Jesus set a little child from the home (cf. Mar_9:33, perhaps Peter’s child) among the disciples. To be a “servant of all” included giving attention to a child, the least (cf. “the very last,” Mar_9:35) significant person in Jewish as well as Greco-Roman society which idealized the mature adult

Passages under reflection: Mark 9:33-37 Luke 9:46-50 Matthew 18:1-5 Point 1:  Jesus addresses the question among the disciples---who is the greatest in the kingdom?  He corrects their understanding of "greatness." "Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum for the last time after an absence of several months. When they were in the house Jesus candidly asked them what they were… arguing about on the road (en tē hodō, “on the way”; cf. comments on Mar_1:2). Once again His pointed question opened the way for additional teaching (cf. Mar_8:27, Mar_8:29) ." -Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC) "The peerage of the kingdom I. The question. It showed ignorance, pride, selfishness. II. The answer. Learn: The way of entrance. The principle of recompense, not merit; not personal worth and greatness. The acknowledgment of unworthiness even to get in at all." -H. Bonar "The question of the disciples brings them very distinctly before us, and mak

Summary of Events: Return to Galilee, Jesus shares the upcoming events of the Passion with his disciples. Jesus pays temple taxes with a coin from a fish's mouth. "But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying." Luke 9:45 "Not so much from any awe with which they regarded him, as from the delicacy of the subject itself, and their own sorrow, which shrank from knowing it more fully."-Fourfold Gospel The disciples did not relish the thought of Christ's passion anymore than I look forward to reading about it---two thousand years removed, it still bothers.  They must have felt unmoored after being under his care and provision--the thought of losing him must have been sharp. ************************ With the story of the temple tax, I find it interesting that Jesus took pains to clarify the underlying principle--that neither Jesus nor Pete

Summary of Events: The transfiguration The healing of the demonic boy The boy had a self-destructive epilepsy attributed to demons and had been struggling with it since he was young.  Because of lack of faith, the disciples were unable to heal the boy. Mat 17:17  And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.”  "The disbelief of the people was a constant grief to Jesus, but it must have been especially so in this case, for it fostered and perpetrated this scene of weakness, mean-spiritedness, misery, and suffering which stood out in such sharp contrast with the peace, blessedness, and glory from which he had just come." -Fourfold Gospel "And when he was come into the house,  Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, asked him privately, How is it that we could not we cast it out? And Jesus saith unto them, Because of your little faith " Mark 9:19-20

Section 70 THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY  Subdivision B  THE GREAT CONFESSION MADE BY PETER  (Near Cæsarea Philippi, Summer, A. D. 29.)  MATT. 16:13-20 MARK 8:27-30 LUKE 9:18-21  "Concerning the term Son of Man: "Over eighty times throughout Scripture, Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of Man. I believe there is a two-fold reason He uses this term more than any other. First, it speaks of His humility and His ability to relate. He desires to be numbered among us. Second, it speaks of His position prophetically. Dan_7:13 foretold that Messiah would be known as the Son of Man."-Jon Courson "He does not, in the case of these mixed cavillers, argue from Scripture, but from the natural world, and he points out that, had they eyes to see and a mind to discern, they might mark tokens in historical events, in the moral and spiritual world, which attested his Messiahship as clearly as any specially given sign from heaven."-Pulpit "Jesus me

Section 70 THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY Subdivision A PHARISAIC LEAVEN  A BLIND MAN HEALED (Magadan and Bethsaida. Probably Summer, A. D. 29.) MATT. 15:39-16:12 MARK 8:10-26 The Pharisees and Sadduces argue with Christ, asking for specific signs "to test him." Jesus responds that "an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign." Mark adds the detail that Jesus "sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign?" The Bible Knowledge commentary explains the context of their request: "In Mark, there is a distinction between a miracle (dynamis) and a sign (sēmeion). The former evidences God’s presence and power in Jesus. An appeal for a miracle can be a legitimate expression of one’s faith (e.g., Mar_5:23; Mar_7:26, Mar_7:32). But such an appeal is illegitimate if it arises out of unbelief, as was true of the Pharisees." "The Pharisees did not demand a spectacular miracle, but that Jes