Meditate on it

Section 42  THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT  (A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum)  Subdivision B.  BEATITUDES: PROMISES TO MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS MATT 5:3-12 LUKE 6:20-26  “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before yo u.  -Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets."   Luke 6:22-23 "People possessing these qualities would naturally stand out in the crowd and would not be understood by others. Thus they would be persecuted; others would speak evil o

Section 42  THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT  (A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum)  Subdivision B.  BEATITUDES: PROMISES TO MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS MATT 5:3-12 LUKE 6:20-26  Mat 5:9  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Strong's Hebrew & Greek Dictionary translates the word peacemakers as "peaceable." Tyndale reckons it "the maintainers of peace. "  The Pulpit Commentary takes pains to clarify that it means "...more than "peaceable." This is the peaceable character consciously exerted outside itself." -Pulpit Commentary After studying several commentaries on this verse, my greatest takeaways are 1. This is an active peacemaking--not passivity or absence of conflict by default. 2. All peace originates from our reconciliation with God, both in our ability to be peacemakers and in our mission to promote peace.  As Christians, our first responsibility must be to point others to Jesus as the sou

Section 42 THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum)  Subdivision B BEATITUDES: PROMISES TO MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS MATT. 5:3-12 LUKE 6:20-26 Mat 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Psa 15:2  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart. Sin befogs and beclouds the heart so that one cannot see God. Purity has here its widest sense and includes everything. -RWP This beatitude is the most difficult for me to enter into.  Pureness of heart--what does that mean exactly?  Even the commentators seem spartan with comments.  Jon Courson makes an analogy to soap---that one can be "clean" with any soap, but that Ivory soap is different in that it is "pure." John Piper's 1986 ruminations on purity of heart helped me more than other commentaries.  His connects the definition of purity back to David's psalms: "Let me try to show you where that

Section 42  THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT  (A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum)  Subdivision B.  BEATITUDES: PROMISES TO MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS MATT 5:3-12 LUKE 6:20-26  Mat 5:7  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Mercy is something inherently relational--you need two people or two creatures for the concept to exist.   I don't think of the earlier beatitudes in this light---poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness--these seem more in relation to God. The Fourfold Gospel points out the active nature of mercy: "As meekness is rather a passive virtue, so mercy is an active one. The meek bear, and the merciful forbear, and for so doing they shall obtain mercy both from God and man." I am bent toward mercy.  Sometimes I wonder if this is a self-serving bend; in other words, am I sometimes drawn to mercy because it's easier than forcing people up against a righteous standard that hurts in comparison?  I definitel

Section 42 THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT   (A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum)  Subdivision B BEATITUDES: PROMISES TO MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS MATT. 5:3-12 LUKE 6:20-26 Simpson describes the beatitudes as "promises" to the Messiah's subjects--I hadn't thought of them in that light, thinking of them more as encouragements.  Promises is stronger--something that holds weight and is guaranteed. Mat 5:6  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  Luk 6:21  “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. As problematic and unfair as the current world seems to the secular eye--and even the faith-filled one--it's encouraging to know that our thirst for "rightness" (a more accessible version of "righteousness") will be satisfied. Vincent's Word Studies: A very strong and graphic word, originally applied to the feeding and fattening of animals in a stall. In Rev_19:21, it

Subdivision B BEATITUDES: PROMISES TO MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS MATT. 5:3-12 LUKE 6:20-26 Mat 5:4  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Luke 6:22 Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. They that mourn (πενθοῦντες) Signifying grief manifested; too deep for concealment. Hence it is often joined with κλαίειν, to weep audibly -Vincent's Word Studies Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Isa. 42:2, 3; Luke 2:25; Rom. 8:18; John 16:20, 21. The blessing is not upon all that mourn (II.Cor. 7:10); but upon those who mourn in reference to sin. -FG We are apt to think, Blessed are the merry; but Christ, who was himself a great mourner, says, Blessed are the mourners. -Matthew Henry Note, The happiness of heaven consists in being perfectly and eternally comforted, and in the wiping away of all tears from their eyes. -Matthew Henry Joy springs from such sorrow so naturally that it is likened to harvest gathered from the see

Section 42  THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT  (Concerning the Privileges and Requirements of the Messianic Reign. A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum.)  Subdivision A INTRODUCTORY STATEMENTS MATT. 5:1, 2 LUKE 6:17-20 The Fourfold Gospel gives this framework: "While spoken to all, the sermon was addressed to the disciples, revealing to them the nature of the kingdom, and contrasting with it: 1. Popular expectation; 2. The Mosaic system; 3. Pharisaic hypocrisy." "According to Matthew, these beatitudes are nine in number and seven in character, for the last two, which concern persecution, do not relate to traits of character, but to certain external circumstances which lead to blessings." -FG From Pulpit Commentary: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT The following may serve as a brief summary. 1. The ideal character of his disciples (Mat_5:3-10), which must be allowed to appear (Mat_5:11-16). 2. The relation that they ought to hold towards the religion of the day,

Section 40 JESUS HEALS MULTITUDES BESIDE THE SEA OF GALILEE MATT. 12:15-21 MARK 3:7-12  This passage  tells of the increasing number of people who following after Jesus seeking healing.  Crowds were pressing, and he had his disciples have a boat ready so he could withdraw.  A pattern of withdrawing comes into fullness in Mark particularly: Mark alone notes no less than eleven occasions on which Jesus retired from his work, in order to escape his enemies or to pray in solitude, for rest, or for private conference with his disciples. See Mar_1:12; Mar_3:7; Mar_6:31, Mar_6:46; Mar_7:24, Mar_7:31; Mar_9:2; Mar_10:1; Mar_14:34.-FG He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory. Matthew 12:19-20 "These two verses find their fulfillment in the events of this paragraph. Jesus did not strive nor quarrel with the Pharisees,

Section 39  JESUS DEFENDS HEALING A WITHERED HAND ON THE SABBATH  (Probably Galilee)  MATT. 12:9-14 MARK 3:1-6 LUKE 6:6-11  On another sabbath, Jesus visits a local synagogue (probably in the same area where they gleaned the fields). Here he encounters and heals a man with a withered hand.  The Pharisees question the lawfulness of healing on the sabbath and consort with the Herodians to destroy him. It's interesting that Jesus points out how it is absurd to be kind to an animal (lifting it out of a pit for your own profit or for compassion) but not to care equally for a human being.  I feel people can be as equally indifferent to human suffering in our culture, treating their animals as if they were human extensions of themselves but lacking compassion for other humans they encounter on their daily rounds.  Perhaps part of the lesson here is that we should continually put people first and examine the illogical discrepancies and tendencies of our imperfect hearts. &quo

Section 38 JESUS DEFENDS DISCIPLES WHO PLUCK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH. (Probably while on the way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) MATT. 12:1-8 MARK 2:23-28 LUKE 6: 1-5 Jesus and his disciples are walking through grain fields on the sabbath.  His disciples are gleaning from the grain, and some of the Pharisees ask Jesus why they are not keeping the Sabbath. A few comments from others: Jesus reminded them of the words in Hos_6:6, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, that is, inner spiritual vitality, not mere external formality. -BKC Passages that show David's understanding of this dynamic: For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. Psalm 51:16 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17 The expression "Son of man" is used eighty-eight times in the New Testament, and always means the Messiah, and not man generally.... In asse

P A R T F I F T H. FROM SECOND PASSOVER UNTIL THIRD TIME: ONE YEAR Section 37 JESUS HEALS ON THE SABBATH DAY AND DEFENDS HIS ACT (At Feast-time at Jerusalem, probably the Passover.)   JOHN 5:1-47 Jesus approaches a sick man at the Pool of Bethesda, a place where the lame and sick would gather.  He knows the man has been sick for a long time--38 years--and asks him if he would like to be well.  The man replies that he can't because he doesn't have someone to help him into the waters when they stir, thus others always beat him out.  Jesus addresses him in the imperative---"Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!" The details of the story  (v 1-18)---even before Jesus's deep commentary (v 19-47)--are a lot to think through.  Why did he choose this man?  It's notable also that he just continues on his way after talking with and healing this man.  The Pharisees overlook the individual application of mercy and healing to focus on the leg

Section 35  JESUS HEALS A PARALYTIC AT CAPERNAUM MATT. 9:2-8 MARK 2:1-12 LUKE 5:17-26 Jesus returns to Capernaum and was preaching to crowds of people. According to McGarvey, this marks end of his first missionary tour through Galilee. Four men bring a paralytic to him for healing, resorting to lowering him through a hole they made in the roof because the crowd was impassable. It's noteworthy that Jesus counts this as an act of faith: Mark 2:5  "And when Jesus saw their faith..." Significantly, his first action is to heal the man's soul, forgiving this man's sins. The scribes observe this "some of them questioning in their hearts" (Mark 2:6); "some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”" (Matthew 9:3) From McGarvey's Fourfold Gospel: "Why did he pronounce the forgiveness so publicly? As the terms of pardon prescribed in the law were yet in full force, this open speech of Jesus was a surprising as

Section 34 JESUS HEALS A LEPER AND CREATES MUCH EXCITEMENT MATT 8:2-4 MARK 1:40-45 LUKE 5:12-16 A leper approaches Jesus and asks him to heal him-  "If thou wilt."  Jesus replies "I will; be clean" and tells him to report to the priest (per regulation) and not tell anyone about it.  The man goes out and "talks freely about it." Timing and details seem to differ among the gospels.  Matthew has this after the Sermon on the Mount, a bit later chronologically.  Mark has it in Chapter 1--as if he needed to fit one more episode in!  Mark's touches and wording is more specific--the man is kneeling, Jesus was "moved with pity" and "strictly charged" the man not to spread news of the healing. If thou wilt (ean thelēis). The leper knew that Jesus had the power to heal him. His doubt was about his willingness. “Men more easily believe in miraculous power than in miraculous love” (Bruce). If only out of gratitude and perhaps a bit

Section 33  JESUS MAKES A PREACHING TOUR THROUGH GALILEE.  MATT. 4:23-25  MARK 1:35-39  LUKE 4:42-44  After the healing of Peter and Andrew's mother, Jesus retreats to a solitary place for private prayer.  The time of his departure was very early, "while it was in the night" (Mark 1:35). "Jesus taught and practiced solitary prayer. We can commune with God better when alone than when in the company of even our dearest friends. It is a mistaken notion that one can pray equally well at all times an in all places." -Fourfold Gospel There is a contrast between these two sections of Christ's life---an intensely  private focus toward God and a highly public ministry.  Was Jesus an introvert at heart?  I find this question intriguing.  He obviously loved people but also found them draining.  We should embrace our own sides and needs too. "Jesus moved in serenity and tranquility—opposite of what we value in our society, but what we desire innately.&qu

Section 31-32 HEALING A DEMONIAC IN A SYNAGOGUE  (At Capernaum) MARK 1:21-28 LUKE . 4:31-37  Part of James Tissot's "Man with an Unclean Spirit" Mark's only 21 verses into his gospel and has summarized John the Baptist's coming, Christ's baptism and temptation in the wilderness, and the calling of the first disciples.  This breakneck pace led me to explore the larger "book" commentaries for Mark, a subject for a separate post. Jesus comes into the synagogue at Capernaum and a man "in" an unclean spirit cries out "What have you do to with us?"  Jesus censored the spirit demanding that it come out of the man, and his fame spread. Section 32  HEALING PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS. (At Capernaum.)  MATT. 8:14-17  MARK 1:29-34  LUKE 4:38-41  Leaving the synagogue, Jesus comes to Simon Peter and Andrew's home in Capernaum.  Simon's mother-in-law is in bed with a great fever.  Jesus touches her ha

Here are some basics about the author of the book of Mark along with excerpts of global commentary from Vincent's Word Studies. His name was John Mark .  He was the son of Mary, cousin of Barnabus, and close friend of Peter. We know from Acts 12 that he was the son of a wealthy woman in whose house the early church met . And from Peter's reference to him as his son in the faith (1 Peter 5), it would seem as though Peter was influential in John Mark's conversion. If this be so, it would make Mark's Gospel actually Peter's Gospel —for it would have been Peter who informed Mark of the events contained therein. Thus, scholars believe they are hearing the words and feeling the heart of Peter as they study the Gospel of Mark.-Jon Courson "Matthew, Luke, and John each had a particular lens, a framework of purpose, through which they presented the events of Jesus' life.  Mark is a documentarian, quickly serializing events.  Because of this style, many thin

Section 29  JESUS' TEMPORARY RESIDENCE AT CAPERNAUM.  MATT. 4:13-16 The Fourfold Gospel states that Jesus made Capernaum his new base of location, as opposed to Nazareth. Sea of Galilee, south end near Tiberias Section 30  JESUS CALLS FOUR FISHERMEN TO FOLLOW HIM. (Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum)  MATT. 4:18-22;  MARK 1:16-20; LUKE 5:1-11.  Matthew 21 "And going on from thence b a little further, a he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, bwho also were in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their the nets."  They also, like Peter and Andrew, were at work when Jesus found them. God calls the busy to his business. For instances where God had called the busy, see cases of Moses (Ex. 3:1, 2)--was tending his father-in-law Jethro's flocks when an angel of the Lord appeared Gideon (Judg. 6:11)--was threshing wheat by the winepress to hide it from the Midianites when an angel found him. Saul (I. Sam