Always keep in mind:

1. Context … (a) immediate (b) larger “Scripture interprets Scripture” = all scripture is in harmony and does not contradict itself. So, ask these questions: Where does it fit in the conversation? Do other Bible texts speak to the issue?

2. Culture … use the culture of the day to interpret; do not be tempted to impose your current culture into the text

3. Principle … try and discover the eternal principle

4. Application …attempt to translate not only the words but also the meaning for today


Keep in mind:
John 6:60, 66 = After hearing Jesus speak, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” … from this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.



PART #6 of the series THE HARD SAYINGS OF JESUS: what did Jesus really mean when he said … “the last will be first and the first will be last”

The parable about the vineyard workers in Matthew 20 grows out of the encounter Jesus had with a rich young man in the previous chapter. The young man went away sad because he was unwilling to make the large sacrifice Jesus requested. Peter reacted instantly, defending the sacrifice he and the other disciples had already made, seeking an indication from the Lord of their reward level.

Jesus demonstrates how serving himself and the kingdom of heaven for the purpose of rewards and prominence is the least noble of motivations for a disciple. Those who serve seeking awards will be last; those who serve only in order to be obedient to the summons of Jesus will be first. (19:30, 20:16)

The parable of the great banquet in Luke 14 demonstrates that what is expected may in reality be turned upside down. Jesus was constantly surprising the religious elite by associating with those left off the initial invitation list!

Jesus and his followers are nearing Jerusalem. Soon Jesus will face his earthly life’s ultimate purpose and test. Under pressure, true motivation is revealed. For Jesus it is his devotion to the will of his father and his love for the people he came to serve.

This hard saying of Jesus speaks to us about
• The attitudes & dangers of ‘entitlement thinking’
• Serving with ulterior motives
• The ‘divine right’ of grace (which just may conflict with our expectations of fairness – example: parable of the lost/prodigal son in Luke 15)

This is not a teaching about salvation or gaining eternal life - those are never earned (Ephesians 2:8,9) – nor is it about rewards (every worker gets the same) – rather it is about attitudes & motivation within the Christian community. We are to rejoice when others respond to the call of Christ, even if it is an “eleventh hour conversion”!



Part #5 “on this rock I will build my church” Matthew 16:13-20, 1 Peter 2:4-12, Romans 9:30-33

Matthew 16 represents a turning point in the discipling journey that Jesus has with his followers. While there may be an identity crisis in how Jesus is perceived by many, Peter speaking on behalf of the twelve, gets it right. But this passage has some hard/difficult/awkward elements to it:

1. Questions:
* gates of Hades?
* keys of the Kingdom?
* binding and loosing?
* on this rock I will build my church?
* keeping the news quiet (The Messianic Secret)?
* divine revelation, not human understanding?

2. Historical Conflicting Classic Interpretations:
* Protestant
* Roman Catholic

Note:
1. The play on words: Rock = in Aramaic, Cephas/kepha; in Greek, Peter/petra
2. The pleasure that Jesus takes in Peter's correct confession in answer to the identity quiz.

Significance: The Church is built on confessing Jesus as "the Christ, the son of God". That is how and where the church begins. As long as this confession is ongoing, the church will survive, because God himself does the building. In Matthew 16 it is as if Jesus is saying - "Yes! You've got it! Now I can build a spiritual community to keep the work of my kingdom going long after I return to the father."



“What did Jesus really mean when he said … Lead us not into temptation” Part #4


In the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Jesus said to his disciples, “pray that you will not fall into temptation”. (Luke 22:40, 46, Mark 14:38, Matthew 26:41) This seems reasonable, but what about in the Lord’s Prayer when he says “Lead us not into temptation”. (Matthew 6:13, Luke 11:4) …. Would God intentionally lead us into temptation? How can we reconcile the three Scriptures below?

• Jesus was “led by the Spirit” into the wilderness to be tempted (Matthew 4:1, Luke 4:1)
• “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-15)
• “So, if you are thinking you are standing firm, be careful you do not fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12,13)


Notes:
1. The Greek word peirasmon can also be translated ‘testing’.
2. The testing could be (a) everyday life trials & tribulations (b) the testing that precedes the return of Christ (c) our testing God with unbelief and rebellion
3. Some possible variations on the petition could be:
- Grant us grace to endure the test
- Grant that we may not fail in the test
- We know our faith, to grow strong, will need to be tested; but keep us from those tests which would destroy our faith
- Lord, keep us from those trials which will cause us to put you to the test.

“What did Jesus really mean when he …. Cursed the fig tree & spoke about faith that can move mountains? Part #3

When Jesus cursed the fig tree it was an 'acted parable' (as opposed to a 'spoken parable'). These questions emerge from the passage.

* What do we know about Mid-East fig trees?
* What/who does the fig tree represent?
* Why is the tree cursed?
* Is there a link to the cleansing of the temple?
* What is the implication of the 'mountain moving faith' statement?

Traditional Explanations:
1. unresponsiveness, even if done in ignorance, forfeits peace for judgement
2. failure to yield the fruit of faith instead yields the curse of Christ
3. believing prayer can accomplish the impossible

A suggested Additional Explanation: This particular tree stood out because it was in leaf. It's leaves advertised that it was a bearing tree, but that was 'false advertising'. Jesus cursed the tree, not because it was not bearing fruit, but because it made a show of life that promised fruit yet was bearing none. The concern is about those who are spiritually barren but who show the outward/initial impressions of perfect health. In all four Gospels hypocrisy is a constant target for strong words from Jesus. This is an acted parable cursing hypocrites, not Jews or Judaism.

Application:
1. As a branch on Christ's v ine, how would you describe the fruit in your life? .... ripe, green, shriveled, wormy???
2. Is there a confidence in Christ when you pray?

primary Scripture: Matthew 21:18-22
secondary Scriptures: John 15, Galatians 5, Psalm 1, James 5:16
for more on the fig trees and faith see Luke 13:6-9, Mark 11:12-14, 20-25, Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 8:13, 24:1-8, Luke 19:41-44




"What did Jesus really mean when he said ... forgive your brother seventy times seven" Part 2 of the Series:

Matthew 18:21-35
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant as told by Jesus in Matthew 18 is difficult because it seems to suggest that any resentment and unforgiveness we cling to disqualifies us from experiencing God’s forgiveness.

If we forgive, does this encourage irresponsibility and negate justice?
Which comes first? Do we forgive others so God will forgive us or does God forgive us so we will have a forgiving attitude?
• "The grace-given give grace. The mercy-marinated drip mercy."
- Max Lucado

Romans 12:14 “bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse”
Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge but leave room for god’s wrath”
Romans 12: 21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you”
Matthew 6:12 “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors”

• Some people just like to keep score. (7 or 70 x 7?)
• What are the consequences of holding a grudge?
• Who is the most difficult person for you to forgive?
• In what ways could you pass on God’s forgiveness?





What did Jesus really mean when he said .... "it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town"Scripture: PART #1

John 6:60-69, Matthew 10:1-15

• Hospitality to travelers was a very important virtue in Mediterranean antiquity, and even more so in Judaism

• OT example of Elisha in Shunem 2 Kings 4:8 ff

• PEACE was more than just a Jewish greeting like “hello”, it was a ‘wish-prayer’ …Luke 10:5 = “peace to this house”


• Rejecting the messengers of God is equal to rejecting God himself 1 Samuel 8:6-9, Numbers 14:1-4, 11-12, Numbers 16:11, Acts 9:1-5


• Vs. 11 = “worthy”; Vs. 13 = “deserving” … not a person of high moral or religious stature but one who responds positively to the message of the ‘peaceful greeting’


• Pious Jewish people, when returning to ‘holy home ground’ would not want even the dust of pagan territory clinging to their feet! Unresponsive = unholy


• Paul used the ‘dust shaking symbol’ in his ministry: Acts 13:48-51



• Sodom & Gomorrah are set forth as the epitome of sinfulness (OT Prophets, later Jewish tradition); Genesis 19 = rejection of God’s messengers

• Dog & Pigs Matthew 7:6

Application:
• Urgency, Seriousness of a positive response. Increased light means increased responsibility/culpability