Sections 74-76
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
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
JESUS' BROTHERS ADVISE HIM TO GO TO JERUSALEM.
(Galilee, probably Capernaum.)
JOHN 7:2-9.
Subject--Jesus went to Galilee but his brothers urged him to go to Judea and do his works openly during the Feast of Booths. He corrected his brothers in the timing of things.
Pulpit Commentary:
"...the Lord’s idea of needful manifestation, both as to degree, time, and place, was accurately realized and represented in both narratives."
Yes, the value of moving through the gospels slowly for months is that the parables and the high points of narrative quiet down and the underlying tenets and purposes of Christ surface more clearly. Beyond the grand healings and miracles, Christ resisted the urge to become a showman. He danced for God alone. Throughout, he was misunderstood by his family and disciples. Their vision was clear only for brief glimpses at most.
"But with melancholy and some gentle irony he said, "The world against which I have to deliver my prophetic burden cannot (οὐ δύναται, moral impossibility) hate you! Your aim is to fall in with its demands, to realize its corrupt and unspiritual dreams. You are violating none of its cherished fancies; you are abasing none of its idols; your time is always ready; my time is not yet come."
Fourfold Gospel: "Six months later, at the Passover, he manifested himself by the triumphal entry somewhat as his brothers wished." -Pulpit Commentary
Jesus points out that there is no conflict between the world and his brothers.
Section 76
THE PRIVATE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
(Through Samaria. Probably September, A. D. 29.)
LUKE 9:51-56; JOHN 7:10.
Subject--Jesus later went to Jerusalem, but in his own way and time.
Fourfold Gospel: The secrecy of this journey consists in the fact that Jesus did not join the caravans or pilgrim bands, and that he did not follow the usual Peræan route, but went directly through Samaria. Though our Lord's death was still six months distant, his going to Jerusalem is described as attended with a special effort, because from that time forth Jerusalem was to occupy the position of headquarters, as Capernaum had done, and his withdrawals and returns would be with regard to it.
As Jesus went through Samaria, his mind was set on Jerusalem, and the Samaritans' resented him just passing through. James and John wanted to call for fire from heaven to rebuke them, but Christ rejected this idea and just kept moving on.
The BKC points out the larger context and significant length of this episode and subsequent teaching in Luke:
"This lengthy section of Luke comprises two parts: (1) the rejection of Jesus by most on His journey toward Jerusalem (9:51-11:54) and (2) Jesus’ teaching His followers in view of that rejection (12:1-19:27) This section begins with Jesus’ rejection by people in a Samaritan village (Luk_9:51-56). Of course it was expected that Samaritans would reject Him, but that rejection set the pattern for what followed. The rejection climaxed when Jesus was accused of having demonic power (Luk_11:14-54)." -Bible Knowledge Commentary
Section 75
JESUS' BROTHERS ADVISE HIM TO GO TO JERUSALEM.
(Galilee, probably Capernaum.)
JOHN 7:2-9.
Subject--Jesus went to Galilee but his brothers urged him to go to Judea and do his works openly during the Feast of Booths. He corrected his brothers in the timing of things.
Pulpit Commentary:
"...the Lord’s idea of needful manifestation, both as to degree, time, and place, was accurately realized and represented in both narratives."
Yes, the value of moving through the gospels slowly for months is that the parables and the high points of narrative quiet down and the underlying tenets and purposes of Christ surface more clearly. Beyond the grand healings and miracles, Christ resisted the urge to become a showman. He danced for God alone. Throughout, he was misunderstood by his family and disciples. Their vision was clear only for brief glimpses at most.
"But with melancholy and some gentle irony he said, "The world against which I have to deliver my prophetic burden cannot (οὐ δύναται, moral impossibility) hate you! Your aim is to fall in with its demands, to realize its corrupt and unspiritual dreams. You are violating none of its cherished fancies; you are abasing none of its idols; your time is always ready; my time is not yet come."
Fourfold Gospel: "Six months later, at the Passover, he manifested himself by the triumphal entry somewhat as his brothers wished." -Pulpit Commentary
Jesus points out that there is no conflict between the world and his brothers.
Section 76
THE PRIVATE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
(Through Samaria. Probably September, A. D. 29.)
LUKE 9:51-56; JOHN 7:10.
Subject--Jesus later went to Jerusalem, but in his own way and time.
Fourfold Gospel: The secrecy of this journey consists in the fact that Jesus did not join the caravans or pilgrim bands, and that he did not follow the usual Peræan route, but went directly through Samaria. Though our Lord's death was still six months distant, his going to Jerusalem is described as attended with a special effort, because from that time forth Jerusalem was to occupy the position of headquarters, as Capernaum had done, and his withdrawals and returns would be with regard to it.
As Jesus went through Samaria, his mind was set on Jerusalem, and the Samaritans' resented him just passing through. James and John wanted to call for fire from heaven to rebuke them, but Christ rejected this idea and just kept moving on.
The BKC points out the larger context and significant length of this episode and subsequent teaching in Luke:
"This lengthy section of Luke comprises two parts: (1) the rejection of Jesus by most on His journey toward Jerusalem (9:51-11:54) and (2) Jesus’ teaching His followers in view of that rejection (12:1-19:27) This section begins with Jesus’ rejection by people in a Samaritan village (Luk_9:51-56). Of course it was expected that Samaritans would reject Him, but that rejection set the pattern for what followed. The rejection climaxed when Jesus was accused of having demonic power (Luk_11:14-54)." -Bible Knowledge Commentary
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