THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 18

Kingdom Rank, Stumbling Blocks, 99 Plus One, Discipline and Prayer, Forgiveness.

The topic of Jesus’ teaching, in this chapter, shifts to become very personal, but the seriousness of His tone is unchanged. Jesus emphasizes humility as being key to entering the kingdom of heaven. This is an element largely missing in many Christian’s lives today, and particularly in many if not most pastors and preachers who are occupying America’s pulpits to the detriment and weakening of the Body of Christ.

Rank in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:1, At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Verse 2. And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, verse 3, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Verse 4. So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Verse 5. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; verse 6, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea.

(Commentary Break): Oddly, one of Jesus disciples is concerning himself with the question of greatness, not unlike many Christians who occupy our churches today. But in His usual form, Jesus goes to the heart of the matter, which is ego and pride.

Understanding, that in the presence of God, willfully putting oneself under the authority of the Lord by putting oneself last, is the only proper and effective response. Jesus warns that deliberate humility is key to entering the kingdom.

Additionally, Jesus, as He always teaches, warns of the harsh penalty for obstructing people from direct access to God; in this case, obstructing the children. (This could also apply to a mature person who has become a child in his or her ‘new birth in Christ’).

These are the most profound attitudes:  “humble yourself”, “become like children”, “whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”, “whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me”.

 There is absolutely nothing more appealing than humility. Imagine the effects it can have in a community of believers as they reach out to the people trapped in a lost, confused and chaotic world, which is being manipulated and crushed by elitists operating on the idea their ultimate power is in ego-driven status, position and wealth.

Take heed pastors. Humble yourselves and protect the children!

Take heed parents. Humble yourselves and protect your children!

Take heed teachers. Humble yourselves and protect the children!

Take heed all you who are in positions of leadership or authority. Humble yourselves and protect the children!

This is not a Sunday school lesson. It is not a suggestion just for ‘church people’.

Anything less than what Jesus is teaching, warrants that a heavy millstone be hung around the offender’s neck, and that he or she be drowned in the depths of the sea! (End Commentary Break).

Stumbling Blocks

Verse 7. “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!

Verse 8. “And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. Verse 9. And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.

Verse 10. “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

(Commentary Break): Once again, Jesus is teaching the Way. This time it is the inevitable stumbling blocks you will encounter in life. But keeping in context, Jesus is talking about the lack of humility, one of the most devious, onerous and difficult stumbling blocks we face.

The warning is dire: “If your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.” Whether you take this warning and remedy as literal (which I recommend against) or as a metaphor advising you to remove the stumbling blocks of sin from your life at any cost, the end results are the same. It is better to remove the stumbling blocks of sin, than to end up in an eternal fiery hell, and this part, you can take literally!

Jesus finishes these verses advising that you never look down on or take the children for granted, because these children are constantly and carefully watched by angels and God the Father in heaven and offenders will be held accountable.

A SPECIAL NOTE: An acquaintance and friend admitted to me that he is struggling with his faith because of all the injustices and harm inflicted, particularly children, the most vulnerable and innocent among us, due to neglect, abuse, wars, poverty and crime. He asks, “how could a sovereign and loving God permit such things? Is God unable or unwilling to stop these atrocities, or is He really God at all?”

As hard as it may be to accept, and even harder to imagine, God has given us free will. We are free to live as we choose, either good or evil. Of course there are natural consequences for evil behavior, and there are eternal consequences as well, but the Bible is clear that God has allowed both good and evil to be present among us. The Bible says that God makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and God sends rain on the just and the unjust.

It is up you and me, the individual to take these matters into account and in the proper sequence, using the proper procedures, to take them into our own hands.

I, like you, would prefer that good prevail at all times for all people. But that is not the case and it is not God’s design.

The Apostle Peter rightly reminds us that, “Blessed and gratefully praised and adored be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again, that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose, to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, born anew into an inheritance which is imperishable, beyond the reach of change and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed for you] in the last time. In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in your praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ in your life.  Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result, the outcome, the consummation of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (see 1 Peter 3-9). (End Commentary Break).

Ninety-nine Plus One

Verse 12. “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost? Verse 13. And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. Verse 14. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish.

(Commentary Break): This metaphor puts God’s exclamation point on His teaching and passionate love for His children (no matter their chronological age). It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish. Everyone has the power of choice or free will. But no one has the right to choose for another nor to cause another person to fall into condemnation. (End Commentary Break).

Discipline and Prayer

Verse 15. “Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Verse 16. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that ON THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER MAY BE CONFIRMED. Verse 17. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Verse 18. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.

Verse 19. “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Verse 20. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”  

(Commentary Break): Verses sixteen through seventeen are usually referenced when dealing in church discipline, and rightly so. The process and procedure which are spelled out is for the purpose of protecting the church, restoring the sinner to a right walk with God, and renewing fellowship among the church members. When used, it is to be applied justly, in love but firmly, always remembering, “There but for the grace of God, go I’.

Verse 18 reminds us of the permanency and the gravity of making these kinds of determinations and decisions. ‘Binding’ is the process of declaring something to be prohibited or unlawful and once it is bound on earth it is eternally bound in heaven; the process of ‘loosing’ on earth is permitting our unleashing in heaven, which is the place all things originate and manifest on the earth, and become permanent.

Verses 19 and 20 repeat and emphasize that these things will be done for you by God, your Father which is in heaven, and about their permanence.

The idea of ‘whenever two or more of three agree’ is that this is done in concert with other Christians and that their decision is guided when Jesus is in their midst. (End Commentary Break).

Forgiveness

Verse 21. Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Verse 22. Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.

Verse 23. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. Verse 24. And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Verse 25. But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. Verse 26. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ Verse 27. And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt.

Verse 28. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe!’ Verse 29. So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ Verse 30. But he was unwilling, and went and threw him in prison until he would pay back what was owed. Verse 31. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their master all that had happened. Verse 32. Then summoning him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Verse 33. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ Verse 34. And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him. Verse 35. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

(Commentary Break): This teaching and metaphor should explain itself. Although the significance of the talent and a monetary standard is not the point, it does help illustrate the absurdity of the attitude of the first slave in contrast to what was owed him. He was forgiven his a debt of  10,000 talents of silver, which in today’s dollars, is about $345,427,600 . But he would not forgive another slave for a relatively insignificant sum by comparison. He is willing to receive forgiveness, but unwilling to give it in return. So, he choked his fellow slave and had him thrown into prison, over one hundred denarii which is worth about three hundred ninety-eight dollars in today’s dollars.

Although the values of the debt is significant in making this point, this teaching is actually about forgiving others of their transgressions toward us, which in comparison to the debt the God has forgiven us, is also insignificant.

The reaction of the Master toward this unforgiving servant, is reflective of the verses in Matthew 6:12-15 which says, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.” (End Commentary Break).

Eliminating the stumbling blocks of sin in a believer’s life, correcting the way of the sinner’s walk and purging sin from the Body of the Church are serious matters to God, and should be taken seriously by all of us.

Please believe with me that these words are the pneuma or the Breath of God, and they are instructional, creative, causative and prophetic. They are the way which leads to life.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 19, Divorce, Children, The Rich Young Ruler, The Disciple’s Reward.

PREVIOUS:  THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 17, The Transfiguration, The demon-possessed boy, The Temple Tax.

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THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 17

The Transfiguration, The demon-possessed boy, The Temple Tax.

This chapter seems to address three distinctly different subjects: The transfiguration of Jesus, the healing of a demon-possessed boy, and an example of paying the temple tax. However, it is a demonstration of the dependability of scriptures, their fulfillment, what that means to future generations of Christian disciples and how it enables us to continue and complete the works of Jesus, and about our responsibilities as Christians to not entangle ourselves with the worries, cares and arguments of this world which are only distractions from our calling and our mission as followers of Jesus.

The Transfiguration

Matthew 17:1, Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. Verse 2. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. Verse 3. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Verse 4. Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You want, I will make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Verse 5. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” Verse 6. When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. Verse 7. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” Verse 8. And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

(Commentary Break): In case you ever wondered what it meant that Jesus was transfigured, know this: The word, from the Greek language in which it was written is, metamorphóō, (from Strong’s concordance #3326, metá, “change after being with” and #3445, morphóō, means, “changing form in keeping with inner reality”, and is from a root word of the English terms “metamorphosis” and “metamorphize.” Something had taken place that was magnificent and irreversible. Read on to discover what had happened and what it means to you. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 9. When they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” Verse 10. And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Verse 11. And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; Verse 12, but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Verse 13. Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

(Commentary Break): First, Jesus called this transfiguration a ‘vision’. Was it a real occurrence or was it a vision? This is a complex word, but it can mean that it could be seen spiritually, mentally and, or, physically. The main point, however, taken from the Hebrew understanding, is that they could discern clearly perceive, see and  experience passively, and take heed.

Secondly, what is the purpose of this vision and what does it have to do with you or with me? The answer is found in verses 10 through 13. It is the fulfillment of prophetic scriptures that the scribes The scribes were the Jewish religious teachers, mostly Pharisees and Sadducees, who provided commentary on the Jewish Scriptures. They knew about these scriptures, but they could not see what was happening before their very own eyes.

GotQuestions.Org explains that Malachi 4:5-6 offers an intriguing prophecy: “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” To this day, Jewish Seders include an empty chair at the table in anticipation that Elijah will return to herald the Messiah in fulfillment of Malachi’s word.

According to Malachi 4:6, the reason for Elijah’s return will be to “turn the hearts” of fathers and their children to each other. In other words, the goal would be reconciliation. In the New Testament, Jesus reveals that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy: “All the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:13-14). This fulfillment is also mentioned in Mark 1:2-4 and Luke 1:17; 7:27. This was the fulfillment of the prophetic scriptures, but only for those who had eyes to see. It would, later, be revealed to the watching world, but still only those who had the eyes to see would understand.

Finally, why would Jesus’s command the disciples to tell no one of this vision until the Son of Man had risen from the dead? This is somewhat open to speculation, but it appears that Jesus did not want a distraction from the events to come. Once Jesus had completed His earthly mission, all would be clear.

As for you and me, it means that scriptures a dependable and true. We can rest assured our hope in Him is not in vain. (End Commentary Break).

The Demon-possessed Boy

Verse 14.When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, verse 15, “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. Verse 16. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” Verse 17. And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” Verse 18. And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed at once.

Verse 19. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Verse 20. And He said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

(Commentary Break): The takeaway from verses 14 through 20 could be about the disciple’s lack of faith, but don’t miss Jesus’ rebuke. I can hear Jesus telling us, today, that we are weak because of meager faith. If we had faith the size of a mustard seed, nothing would be impossible. Of course, this kind of faith is meant for Kingdom purposes alone. And Jesus, in Mark 9:29, Jesus further explained that, “This kind can only come out by nothing but prayer and fasting”. Perhaps and our fleshy desires and lack of commitment are what weaken us. Also, James explains that “you ask and you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so you may spend what you request on your own pleasures”. Even when asking for the right things, the pride and ego of self, get in our way.

Jesus was clear that He had not such mixed motives or weaknesses. He said that did not come to earth and work His works on His own initiative, See John 5:19, ^“Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way.” And again in John 5:30, Jesus says, “I can do nothing on my own initiative. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” It must be the same for us. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 22. And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men; verse 23, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved.

The Temple Tax

Verse 24. Now when they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” Verse 25. He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” Verse 26. When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. Verse 27. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater, (a sliver four-drachma Greek coin). Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”

(Commentary Break): There is a lot that could be said here, but again, it would be mostly conjecture. What we do know and can learn is that Jesus speaks to Peter in Peter’s language, so to say. Peter was a fisherman and Jesus speaks to him in that vernacular. So it should be with us. Using fancy terms of language and complex spiritualization can confuse the listener or the student. Yes, Jesus speaks in parables and metaphors, but they are specifically designed to teach the familiar to His disciples, both then and now. (End Commentary Break).

I have a personal question for you, the reader, and a personal comment to make. What do you imagine it would be like, after reading and considering these first seventeen chapters of Matthew, to actually follow Jesus as demonstrated here? Or have the traditions and rituals of the postmodern church captivated or enslaved your thinking? Would you ever dare go and follow Him as He instructed?

My personal comment: The typical church, most of which are doing their level best to obey and follow our Lord, have organized the ‘laity’ into an army of greeters, kitchen workers, property care helpers, deacons and elders who tend to the administration duties of the corporate church, but who do very little of what Jesus said to be doing.

To wit:

Matthew 10:7-15, says, each of you – everyone calling themself a Christina, are to go, “and as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his ^]support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.”

Please don’t take this as a criticism. I, too, struggle with these very matters. I would like to consider my personal comments, here, as a wake up call. We all know the condition of this world. We all suspect, one way or another, that Jesus return is very close, and we all hope to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Ener into the joy of your Master.” Will we?

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 18, Kingdom Rank, Stumbling Blocks, 99 Plus One, Discipline and Prayer, Forgiveness.

PREVIOUS:  THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 16, Pharisee and Sadducees Challenge Jesus, Peter’s Confession, Jesus Foretells His Death, Discipleship is Costly.

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THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 16

Pharisee and Sadducees Challenge Jesus, Peter’s Confession, Jesus Foretells His Death, Discipleship is Costly.

The Word of God, the Bible, is creative, causative, prophetic and instructional. It is the same for the Book of Matthew. It is the breathed Word of God.

The book of Matthew is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.

Studying the book, we are seeing that Jesus was born for the Purpose of God, which is to redeem humankind from the curse of sin, for all who would receive Him; to transform us into His children of light and into the image of Christ Jesus; to perfect us and to prepare us for an eternity with Him and with one another, in a new and perfect heaven and earth.

Please notice the progression of the movement of Jesus as He comes to earth to accomplish His Mission, His Ministry and the Methods and will of the Father. God prepares the way (Matthew chapters 1 through 3). Jesus proclaims and announces that we are to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”! He then teaches, demonstrates and shows the way until His ascension to the Father.

Chapters 1 through 3 establish the lineage of Jesus the Christ, the birth of Jesus, the announcement of Jesus, and the baptism of Jesus.

Having finished His preparations, chapters 4 through 28 give us the model, the mission, the purpose and the plan of God, through His Son. Jesus teaches and demonstrates what it means to

1. To be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:13-17 and Matthew 28:19).
2. To be led by the Spirit to be tested in preparation to follow Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 5:1-14)).
3. To Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand. (Matthew 4:17).
4. To go and proclaim, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, doing the works of Jesus, and greater works. (Matthew 10:7-15).
5. To know what it means to “endure to the end”. (Matthew 24:13, Matthew 10:16-23)

Chapters 4 though 28 also give us our mission, purpose and plan. We, the Body of Christ, must be obedient and available for Him to do His Works though us, until the end of the age. This is where we intentionally intersect with the Person and the Power of Jesus. (This is where you and I get personally involved, following Jesus).

Jesus, as the Anointed One, brings the Good News of Hope and the Way of Salvation to the world. (These are the exciting teachings and demonstration of the power of God).

The PURPOSE of the Book of Matthew reflects the PURPOSE and plan of God for His creation, for all of humanity, and specifically for His Elect, that is those who choose to follow Him.

The purpose of this study and commentary, is to learn to walk in the steps of Jesus. We, as His disciples, have been commissioned and sent into all the world, to make disciples. We are to tell people about Him. We are to teach them to obey His words, and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Matthew presents us with the model and methods of Jesus, which are to be our model and method to accomplish His mission.

Secondly, the purpose of this study is to concurrently seek and find the prophetic words of Jesus, in order to pursue and apply them to our lives. This task and exercise will lead us to call on and to walk in the Holy Spirit with His guidance and power.

Finally, Jesus has told us we are to do the Works He has done and greater works than these, as He has gone to the Father.

If you are wondering about ‘these works’, you are not alone. The crowds that followed Jesus also asked, “What are we to do, so that we may habitually be doing the works of God?”  Jesus answered, “This is the Work of God: that you believe, [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.” (See John 6:28 & 29).

It is by this method – walking by faith, in the prophetic – that we are prepared and empowered to allow God to do His Works and even greater works – though our mortal bodies and through our lives.

Please read the chapters and the commentaries carefully, study them diligently and pray and meditate on them deeply. This is The Way!

Pharisees and Sadducees Test Jesus

Matthew 16:1, The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign. (a confirming miracle), from heaven. Verse 2. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ Verse 3. And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times? Verse 4. An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign; and so a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.

(Commentary Break): These verses may seem cryptic if you do not know the intentions of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They detest Jesus and plan to discredit Him. Ironically, these two group also detest one another, but as the saying goes, “and enemy of my enemy is my friend”, at least for this one matter.

Jesus’ reply is brief but communicates the idea that they can read simple things of the natural world, but fail to see the weightier things of Bible prophecies, such as the arrival of their long awaited Messiah – Jesus.

Jesus reference to Jonah can be understood to compare them to Jonah’s refusal to hear and see the voice of God, for which these two groups claim to be supremely qualified, but prove to be completely ignorant. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 5. And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. Verse 6. And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Verse 7. They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” Verse 8. But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Verse 9. Do you not yet understand nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you picked up? Verse 10. Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets you picked up? Verse 11. How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Verse 12. Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

(Commentary Break): These verses are self-explanatory, but demonstrate once again, the direct and plain talk of Jesus. He seems to rebuke His disciples for failing to connect life circumstances with the obvious signs and works of God. Or, it could be that His disciples’ thinking still resembles the Pharisees and Sadducees with whom Jesus had just encountered. Or, It could be like us, they are in the process of ‘repenting’ in their thinking, but not quite there, yet. (End Commentary Break).

Peter’s Confession of Christ

Verse 13. Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Verse 14. And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” Verse 15. He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” Verse 16. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, (the Messiah), the Son of the living God.” Verse 17. And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Verse 18. And I also say to you that you are Peter, (that is Petros, a small stone), and upon this rock, (that is petra, a massive rock), I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Verse 19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind, (or forbid) on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose, (or permit), on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Verse 20. Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah).

(Commentary Break): Verses 13 through 20 are both groundbreaking and earth shaking. First, we see the first demonstration and the new work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ disciples. It also demonstrates what confessing that Jesus is the Messiah accomplishes.

Additionally, Jesus make His first announcement of the Christian Church. Jesus uses a play on words of a sort, calling Peter, Petros, a small stone, and the rock upon which He will build His church, petros, which is a massive rock, constructed of innumerable small stones.

Finally, Jesus announces that He will soon give the keys of the kingdom of heaven to His disciples, then and now, and whatever you forbit on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you permit on earth shall be loosed in heaven. This is an amazing relationship of trust and responsibility coming upon Jesus’ disciples.

Please note, that there are many men and women who feign such authority today, only to promote themselves, having an appearance of godliness, but their behavior and character deny its power. God says we are to avoid these people! (see 2 Timothy 3:5).

Fortunately, God is not mocked, and only those who can be trusted will be given such authority. (End Commentary Break).

Jesus Foretells His Death

Verse 21. From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day. Verse 22. And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God be merciful to you, Lord! This shall never happen to You!” Verse 23. But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.”

(Commentary Break): Jesus’ response to Peter, in these verses, reflects His no-nonsense approach to important kingdom matters. Jesus had just informed Peter of His mission and that He must suffer many things, including His death, but that He would be raised back to life. He had also told Peter that it was upon this rock, He would build His Church, and apparently Peter oversteps his authority by dictating to Jesus how things should be done. We should expect the same when and if we come up with our own methods and ideas of ministry in His Name! (End Commentary Break).

Discipleship Is Costly

Verse 24. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. Verse 25. For whoever wants to save his life (or soul) will lose it; but whoever loses his life (or soul) for My sake will find it. Verse 26. For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? Verse 27. For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

(Commentary Break): If you are a Christian, you are a disciple of Jesus. If you are not His disciple, you are not a Christian. Plain and simple.

Jesus has warned and informed us, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me”.

It is a sad commentary that churches claiming the Name of Jesus, calling themselves Christian, do not adequately warn and inform this way. A ‘soft gospel’ or ‘cheap grace’ is no Gospel at all.

If you want to save your soul, you must take up your cross and follow Him – i.e., do the things He has taught, demonstrated and commanded. What will you give in exchange for your soul? The Son of Man is coming in the glory of His Father, with His angels, and He WILL REPAY EVERY PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Put on the righteousness of Christ. Let the sacrifice of Jesus and His Blood cover your sins and clothe you in His righteousness, today! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 28. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

NEXT: THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 17, The Transfiguration, The demon-possessed boy, The Temple Tax.

PREVIOUS:  THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 15, Inner Purity, Faith of a Gentile, Jesus Heals, Jesus Feeds 4,000

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THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 15

Inner Purity, Faith of a Gentile, Jesus Heals, Jesus Feeds 4,000

The language and style of Jesus’ teaching and remarks in this chapter are striking. He is direct and does not dull His points with apologies nor does He sidestep the issues He faces. One might even ask if His speech is perhaps unnecessarily harsh? The answer is NO. His speech and demeanor are on target. Time is short and there is much work to be accomplished. There is no time for long accommodating oratories or pathetically compromised teachings to convince the rebellious. Jesus is here to call the children of Israel to repentance. His speech is sharp to the hard of hearing and gentle to the willing, whether He is speaking to the Pharisees, His disciples, the Jews or a gentile woman.

Please pay attention and learn. This is our model. The time is short. There is much work yet to be done.

Tradition and Commandment

Matthew 15:1, Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, verse 2, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” Verse 3. And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves also break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? Verse 4. For God said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ and, ‘THE ONE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.’ Verse 5. But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” verse 6, he is not to honor his father or mother.’ And by this you have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Verse 7. You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you, by saying:

Verse 8, ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,

BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

Verse 9. ‘AND IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,

TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’”

(Commentary Break): Jesus is being challenged by the Pharisees about their tradition of washing one’s hands before eating bread. This tradition, known as netilat yadayim required that Jews wash their hands and say a blessing before eating any meal that includes bread or matzah. This ritual, although instituted by the religious establishment of priests and not found in the Talmud, it was a serious matter to the Jew and it was to be followed and obeyed or suffer imposed consequences (see myjewishlearning for more detail).

 Jesus call the Pharisees to account on this man-instituted ritual, comparing and contrasting their ritual demands to an actual requirement of the Torah, (the Jewish ‘bible’), one of the ten commandments, that of honoring father and mother. The Jews would find ways to side-step helping a parent in need by claiming all their excess of available finances or goods had had already been given to God. Jesus called these Pharisees, hypocrites, and quoted the commandment that such as these should be put to death. Jesus, thereby, invalidates their ritual and calls out their hypocrisy. Jesus continues to quote from Isaiah 29:13-14, saying, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the rituals of men.”

 This is not just to explain the context and the meaning of these verses, but to warn present and future generations of Christians against abrogating God’s law with the traditions of people. It leads to death, and a great majority of churches around the world are doing just that: replacing the plain teachings and commandments of God with what pleases men and women. Take note. Time is short. Jesus says we are to repent, today, and follow Him! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 10. After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand! Verse 11. It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles the person.”

Verse 12. Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” Verse 13. But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. Verse 14. Leave them alone; they are blind guides of blind people. And if a person who is blind guides another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.”

(Commentary Break): Jesus says, “Hear and understand”. These Words are very important and specific.

The word “Hear” is from the Greek word ‘akoúō, which means to hear God’s voice which prompts Him to birth faith within the listener!

The word, “understand” from the Greek word, ‘syníēmi, means to ‘put the facts together’ to arrive at a final conclusion, complete with life-applications. This ideas is closely connected with discerning and doing the preferred will of God.

 Once again referring to Jewish teachings about rituals concerning dietary purity, Jesus explains that the Pharisees have it wrong again. They are seeing the outer laws but Jesus is and is explaining the indwelling law, the law that is to be written on our hearts. He says, it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles; for from the mouth spring issues of the heart. (see Proverbs 4:23).

Nowadays, it seems, that we don’t worry too much about silly, frivolous or profane speech, if it is all in fun, even in the church. And we establish many rituals, practices, habits or ‘legacies’ of our own and impose the on our Churches.

Jesus warns that those who practice such things are blind guides leading the blind, and they both will fall into a pit! (End Commentary Break).

The Heart of Man

Verse 15. Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” Verse 16. Jesus said, “Are you also still lacking in understanding? Verse 17. Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? Verse 18. But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person. Verse 19. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. Verse 20. These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.”

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Verse 21. Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. Verse 22. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely demon-possessed.” Verse 23. But He did not answer her with even a word. And His disciples came up and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us!” Verse 24. But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Verse 25. But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” Verse 26. Yet He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Verse 27. And she said, “Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Verse 28. Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at once.

(Commentary Break): Once again, the language Jesus uses here seems stark and harsh.

A Canaanite woman pleads with Jesus to help here demon possessed daughter, and she apparently knew about Jesus, as she called Him “Lord, Son of David”. But Jesus seems to ignore her. Even the disciples urged Jesus to dispatch her.

Finally, Jesus answers and refers to her a ‘dog’ and says He has come only to the lost sheep of Israel.  But she would not relent nor would she be denied, so she pleads further, “Lord, help me!”

Jesus refers to her as a ‘dog’ again, but it is interesting to know that Greek word Jesus uses for ‘dog’ is more like a ‘puppy’ or a house pet, not a mongrel. Jesus is showing compassion while speaking in the local vernacular.

The woman continues to plead with Jesus and He says to her, “Woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at once! Demanding things or matters of Jesus only leads to silence, but Jesus shows grace, mercy and favor to the meek, the humble, the needy, and to those who believe. So, when you pray, take note of this teaching. Hear and understand. (End Commentary Break).

Healing Crowds

Verse 29. Departing from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and after going up on the mountain, He was sitting there. Verse 30. And large crowds came to Him bringing with them those who were limping, had impaired limbs, were blind, or were unable to speak, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them. Verse 31. So the crowd was astonished as they saw those who were unable to speak talking, those with impaired limbs restored, those who were limping walking around, and those who were blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Four Thousand Men Fed

Verse 32. Now Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” Verse 33. The disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” Verse 34. And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” Verse 35. And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; verse 36, and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Verse 37. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. Verse 38. And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

(Commentary Break): Verses 29 through 38, although bear great symbolism, are self-explanatory. What I would point out is that “Jesus felt compassion” for those who are following Him, and He did something about it.

Let me make that personal: “Jesus feels compassion for those who follow Him, and for those in need, He does something about it.” (End Commentary Break).

Verse 39. And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.

(Commentary Break): Magadan is locality on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee to which Jesus came after feeding the 4,000. Magadan was identical with, or at least included in, Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene. Khirbet Mejdel, three miles N.W. of Tiberias is believed to stand on the site of Magdala today. (End Commentary Break).

Embracing Movement and Change

Jesus’ journey to Magadan underscores the importance of movement and change in the life of a believer. Just as Jesus traveled from place to place to fulfill His mission, modern Christians are called to embrace change and be willing to move wherever God leads them. This might mean physical relocation, changes in vocation, or shifts in ministry focus. The key lesson is to remain flexible and obedient to God’s direction.

The Power of Miracles

The mention of Magadan follows the miracle of feeding the four thousand. This event reminds Christians of the power of Jesus’ miracles and His ability to provide abundantly. Modern believers are encouraged to trust in Jesus’ power to meet their needs, both physical and spiritual. Miracles, both great and small, continue to testify to God’s active presence in the world.

Faithful Witness

The account of Jesus’ travels and the inclusion of places like Magadan serve as a reminder of the importance of being a faithful witness. Just as Jesus reached out to different regions, Christians are called to be witnesses of His love and truth in diverse settings. This involves sharing the gospel, serving others, and living out one’s faith authentically in various contexts.

Connection to a Loving God – God’s Care for All People

Jesus’ movement to regions like Magadan reflects God’s care for all people. Jesus did not limit His ministry to one place or one group of people. Instead, He demonstrated God’s love and compassion by reaching out to different communities. This underscores the inclusive nature of God’s love, reminding believers that God’s care extends to everyone, regardless of their location or background.

God’s Guidance in Transitions

The transitions in Jesus’ ministry, including His journey to Magadan, illustrate God’s guidance in times of change. Just as Jesus was guided by the Father in His earthly ministry, modern Christians can trust in God’s guidance during their own transitions. Whether facing personal, professional, or spiritual changes, believers can rely on God’s wisdom and direction.

Connection to Jesus Christ – Jesus as the Good Shepherd

Jesus’ movement to Magadan and other regions showcases Him as the Good Shepherd who goes after His flock, seeking to save and serve. This reflects His heart for the lost and His dedication to bringing God’s message to all. For modern Christians, this connection emphasizes the need to follow Jesus’ example in seeking out and ministering to those in need.

The Bread of Life

The miracle preceding Jesus’ departure to Magadan, where He fed the four thousand, highlights Jesus as the Bread of Life. This miracle symbolizes Jesus’ ability to satisfy the deepest needs of humanity. Christians are reminded that true fulfillment and sustenance come from Christ alone, who provides both physical and spiritual nourishment.

Conclusion

For modern Christians, this provides valuable lessons about embracing change, witnessing faithfully, and trusting in God’s provision and guidance. Understanding Magadan’s place in biblical history connects believers to the broader narrative of God’s redemptive plan, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who continues to guide, provide, and care for His people. (the preceding 8 paragraphs are from videobible.com).

There is a lot to be considered in this chapter. I would caution us to remember, first, that Jesus is Lord and that we are His servants. We do not supersede Him, and that it is He who does His works through us.

Secondly, straight talk, delivered in love with the intention of drawing all people to Christ. We should remember to season our speech with the power and fire of the

Gospel of Jesus, but to temper it with the love and compassion shown by Christ our Lord.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

NEXT:THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 16, Pharisee and Sadducees Challenge Jesus, Peter’s Confession, Jesus Foretells His Death, Discipleship is Costly.

PREVIOUS:  THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 14, John Beheaded, Jesus feeds the Five Thousand, Jesus Walks on The Water.

THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 14

John Beheaded, Jesus feeds the Five Thousand, Jesus Walks on The Water

The Bible is separated into books, chapters and verses, so it is easy to consider what came in the previous book or chapter is disconnected with what came in a previous book or chapter. It is like thinking that chapter has ended and now here is something new in another chapter or book. But, the Bible is the breathed out Word of God. It is the longest, continuous love letter spoken by God to His created. It has been written down by men under the direction of the Holy Spirit of God for us to read in this day. Furthermore, the Gospels were written by first hand witnesses, often corroborating one another’s accounts.

So, as we continue with Matthew chapter 14, keep in mind that what you are reading is connected to the narration of the entire Bible. In other words, it is your next step in the journey from Genesis through the Revelation. It is a progressive teaching and training for the disciple of Jesus, both then and now. Reading and absorbing these words and teachings, you, like a living stone, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. (see 1 Peter 2:5).

John the Baptist Beheaded

Matthew 14:1, At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, verse 2, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Verse 3. For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Verse 4. For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Verse 5. Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

Verse 6. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, verse 7, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatevershe asked. Verse 8. And after being prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” Verse 9. And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests. Verse 10. He sent word and had John beheaded in the prison. Verse 11. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Verse 12. John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

(Commentary Break): Excluding the crucifixion of Jesus, this account of the beheading of John the Baptist is one of the most macabre events recorded in the New Testament. If there was any doubt the Herod was a beast of a man, this erases that doubt. His family was equally degenerate and evil.

John was beheaded to satisfy the grisly and debased desires of a perverse, immoral and debauched woman.

This is representative of the challenges you may face, whether greater or less, as you fulfill your calling and mission with Jesus. Jesus warned, in Matthew 5, verse 12 and 13, that “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

This also tells us that despite the horror and depravity of this event, it was foreordained. It was part of God’s plan, and John did not shrink back from destruction, but he had the faith that preserves the soul (see Hebrews 10:39). He was called and faithfully completed his mission.

This may be hard for some to accept, but becoming a Christian and following Jesus, may require more than you have been told to this point. So I am telling you now, the cost of being a disciple requires all you have and all you are. And be aware that God takes no pleasure in those who shrink back! Therefore, do not throw away your confidence when trials come, for it has a great reward. You may need the endurance that comes from confidence, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised. (see Hebrew 10:35).

Finally, and on bit of a lesser note, there is ongoing speculation about why Herod said, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Bible commentators and teachers widely speculate that Herod was imagining these things or that he mistakenly identified John with Jesus. This is all nonsense. Jesus said, in Matthew 11:11-15, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Bible is quite clear that John the Baptist is called “Elijah” because he came in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), not because he was Elijah in a literal sense. John the Baptist is the New Testament forerunner who points the way to the arrival of the Lord, just as Elijah filled that role in the Old Testament. John did for Jesus what Elijah was to have done for the coming of the Lord. The point of this is the fulfillment of prophecy. It has come to pass, just as the Bible said. You can depend on and have confidence in the Word of God to accomplish all that it says. Now, go! Complete your mission and calling! (End Commentary Break).

Five Thousand Men Fed

Verse 13. Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard about this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. Verse 14. When He came ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

Verse 15. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is secluded and the hour is already past to eat; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Verse 16. But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go; you give them something to eat!” Verse 17. They said to Him, “We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish.” Verse 18. And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Verse 19. And ordering the crowds to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looked up toward heaven. He blessed the food and breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Verse 20. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces: twelve full baskets. Verse 21. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

(Commentary Break): Try to see with me that with the death of John the Baptist still fresh on Jesus’ mind, Jesus enters a boat and withdraws to a secluded place. The Bible doesn’t say why Jesus seeks solitude, but it does say that the crowds chased Him down and met at the shoreline even before He could get out of His boat or find rest. And Jesus saw the crowd and felt compassion. Please note, if you are a devoted follower of Christ on His mission, especially if you claim the title of pastor, this is the response of the Shepherd. He did not moan and lament, ‘how do I get away from these people and find rest’. He felt compassion. As it should be with anyone so called. This is our example.

I will not speak to this miraculous feeding of the 5,000. It is self-explanatory. But I will call notice to the symbolism of the ‘broken bread loaves’ as Jesus’ body, and the significance ‘leftover broken pieces’ and the 12 full baskets. The ‘broken pieces’ are significant that He is broken for us.

The meaning of the number 12 is completeness. The number 12 in Hebrew signifies perfect government, God’s government, divine order. Perhaps this is why we see:

God chose 12 tribes of Israel.

He ordained 24, (12 x 2), priestly divisions.

The 12 gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem point to His reign.

The 12 disciples chosen by Christ reveal the rule and authority of Jesus.

The context of 12 symbolizes the completeness of the nation of Israel. This stands for the completeness of His governing authority.

So, what do we do with this knowledge? What do we learn from the fact that numbers hold meaning in God’s Word and that the number 12 signifies God’s control and reign? Perhaps the most significant thing we can take away from this knowledge is nothing in Scripture is random or incomplete. God is a God of details, all pointing to His wisdom and power.

The meaning of 12 symbolizes His government and authority and should encourage us as the world seems spinning out of control. Though we’re living in the middle of the now and not yet, the New Jerusalem not on this earth with its twelve foundations and twelve gates, we know God is not finished. (End Commentary Break).

Jesus Walks on the Water

Verse 22. Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. Verse 23. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. Verse 24. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. Verse 25. And in the fourth watch of the night, (about 3 a.m.), He came to them, walking on the sea. Verse 26. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. Verse 27. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Verse 28. Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Verse 29. And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. Verse 30. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Verse 31. Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Verse 32. When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. Verse 33. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!”

(Commentary Break): Verses 22 through 33 are rich with teachings and matters of curiosity, courage and faith. I suggest you read these verses over, several times and meditate on them, visualize them, to get a clear picture in your mind.

Now, review them again, and first, place yourself as getting into the boat with the other disciples. Close your natural eyes and see it with spiritual eyes. Think it. Feel it.

Now, place yourself in the boat, a long distance from land. It is 3 a.m. It is deathly dark, and a storm comes up and your boat is driven by a fierce wind and large waves are crashing over the bow and battering your boat. You are soaked from the rain and waves and hanging on for your life. Close your natural eyes and see. Think it. Feel it.

Suddenly, you and the other disciples see the figure of a man walking on the water, in the face of the wind and among the waves, and you are terrified. You cry out if fear, “It is a ghost!” Close your natural eyes and see.  Think it. Feel it.

Then Jesus speaks to your and the others, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Now put yourself in the place of Peter, as if you are Peter. Being true to your character, as Peter, you dare to ask Jesus if you can join Him in the tempest and on the wave. Jesus says, “Come”, and you step out of the boat. Close your natural eyes and see. Think it. Feel it.

Seeing the wind, you become frightened, and you began to sink, crying out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reaches out with His hand and takes hold your hand, and says, “You of little faith, whydid you doubt?” Close your natural eyes and see. Think it. Feel it.

When Jesus and you get back into the boat, you are sitting the in the boat, exhilarated, exhausted and wet. The wind stops. Close your natural eyes and see. Think it. Feel it.

As you sit in the boat, what do you say?  Say it. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 34. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. Verse 35. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick; verse 36, and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch the border of His cloak; and all who touched it were cured.

The men of that place recognized Him. If you do, indeed, recognize Him, what will you do?

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

NEXT: THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 15, Inner Purity, Faith of a Gentile, Jesus Heals, Jesus Feeds 4,000.

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THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 13

Jesus Teaches Parables

“To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”

Here, in this chapter, are the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, hidden since the foundations of the world. There are many prophets, righteous people and even angels who long to see these things.

These things are written solely for the Christian and disciple of Jesus. Please, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, pay close attention, for this is the way.

Jesus Teaches in Parables

Matthew 13:1, On that day Jesus had gone out of the house and was sitting by the sea. Verse 2. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

Verse 3. And He told them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; verse 4, and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Verse 5. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and they sprang up immediately, because they had no depth of soil. Verse 6. But after the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Verse 7. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. Verse 8. But others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much. Verse 9. The one who has ears, let him hear.”

An Explanation for Parables

Verse 10. And the disciples came up and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Verse 11. And Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, (that is, those who do not believe in the Christ, who do not follow Jesus, those outside the family of the One True Living God), it has not been granted. Verse 12. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Verse 13. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Verse 14. And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

‘FOR THEM, THEY SHALL KEEP ON LISTENING, BUT SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND;  AND THEY SHALL KEEP ON LOOKING, BUT SHALL NOT PERCEIVE; Verse 15. FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’

Verse 16. But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. Verse 17. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

The Sower Explained

Verse 18. “Listen then to the parable of the sower. Verse 19. When anyone hears the message of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road.

Verse 20. The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; verse 21, yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the message word, immediately he falls away from the faith.

Verse 22. And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the age of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it proves to be unfruitful. Verse 23. But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.”

Weeds among Wheat

Verse 24. Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. Verse 25. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds that resemble wheat among the wheat, and left. Verse 26. And when the wheat sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also became evident. Verse 27. And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ Verse 28. And he said to them, ‘An enemy, a hostile person has done this!’ The slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ Verse 29. But he said, ‘No; while you are gathering up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Verse 30. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

(Commentary Break: This is the parable: The sower sows the word of God, which the good news regarding the way of salvation. These in the first group are the ones along the road where the word is sown; but when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 

In a similar way these [in the second group are the ones on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy, but accept it only superficially, and they have no real root in themselves, so they endure only for a little while; then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they are offended and displeased at being associated with Me and stumble and fall away.

 And the others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries and cares of the world the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures, and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour of wealth or fame, and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 

And those [in the last group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much as was sown.”

 The question remains, ‘who is saved’? All three groups hear the word but only the third group, those in the good soil, accept the word of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation, and bear fruit.

 Good fruit is that which is produced by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a starting place: the fruit of His Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The more we allow the Holy Spirit free rein in our lives, the more this fruit is evident (Galatians 5:16, and verse 25). Jesus told His followers, “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Righteous fruit has eternal benefit.

 There is a counterfeit to bearing good fruit is pretense. We can, either deliberately or ignorantly, become experts at routines that resemble good fruit; the lingo, and “acting Christian,” while experiencing no real power and bearing no eternal fruit. Our hearts remain self-centered, angry, and joyless even while we go through the motions of serving God. This can be either through deliberate deceit or an inadvertent misunderstanding of what it means and what it takes to become a true follower of Christ Jesus. The latter is tragic and fatal and can easily slip into the sin of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day in judging ourselves by how we think we appear to others and neglecting that secret place of the heart where all good fruit germinates. When we love, desire, pursue, and fear the same things that the rest of the world does, we are not abiding in Christ, even though our lives may be filled with church-related activity. And, often, we don’t realize that we are living fruitless lives (1 John 2:15–17). These are the tares, the weeds growing alongside the wheat in the church. Check yourself and call on God as you work out your own salvation with fear and trembling! (End Commentary Break).

The Mustard Seed

Verse 31. He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a person took and sowed in his field; verse 32, and this is smaller than all the other seeds, but when it is fully grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE SKY come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES.”

(Commentary Break): Remember that we are hearing a simile, comparing a spiritual truth to a natural (earthly) example. ‘A person’, as spoken of in these verses, is you. If you take a mustard seed and sow it you’re your field, which is your heart and your life, then this smallest of all seeds, which is humble and insignificant in its appearance and origins, grows and matures until ‘is fully grown’; This seed, which is sown in your heart, mind, soul and life, is like the Kingdom of Heaven, and becomes a tree, but not just any tree. This tree becomes mightier than the cedar in Lebanon, as described in Ezekiel 31:

“A tree ‘whose tops is among the clouds, The waters made it grow, the deep made it high, with its rivers it continually extended all around its planting place, and sent out its channels to all the trees of the field. ‘Therefore its height was loftier than all the trees of the field and its boughs became many and its branches long because of many waters as it spread them out. And, all the birds of the sky nested in its twigs. And under its branches all the animals of the field gave birth, and all great nations lived under its shade. ‘So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; For its roots extended to many waters.”

This is what becomes of your life. But you must believe it, accept it by faith and act upon it. (End Commentary Break).

The Leaven

Verse 33. He spoke another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast or fermented dough, which a woman took and hid it in three measures of flour (which is about forty-eight pounds of flour) until it was all leavened.”

(Commentary Break): What is the kingdom of heaven like? It is like yeast, when hidden within ‘flour’ (which represents your heart, mind and soul, and your life), its cells begin to multiply and to expand.

Interestingly, the fermentation process produces different flavors, which contribute to the unique and delicious taste of bread and other fermented products. Yeast is a natural ingredient that has played an important role in the human diet for thousands of years. Yeast, as an active living microorganism, can provide probiotic benefits. proteins which contain all nine essential amino acids needed by humans; it also provides dietary fibers and several vitamins like thiamine, (B1), riboflavin, (B2), niacin, (B3), Pyridoxine, (B6), and folic acid (B9).  Additionally, nutritional yeast is low in sodium (the constituent of salt) and free from cholesterol and lipids.

All of this is more than an apt description for what the Kingdom of Heaven represents in your life. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 34. All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak anything to them without a parable. Verse 35. This was so that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled:

“I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL PROCLAIM THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”

The Weeds Explained

Verse 36. Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds resembling wheat of the field.”

Verse 37. And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,

Verse 38. and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one;

verse 39, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil,

and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.

Verse 40. So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.

Verse 41. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks and everything that is offensive, and those who commit lawlessness, verse 42, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Verse 43. Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH LIKE THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears, let him hear.

Hidden Treasure

Verse 44. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells everything that he has, and buys that field.

A Costly Pearl

Verse 45. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, verse 46, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold everything that he had and bought it.

(Commentary Break): What kind of treasure could cause you to sell everything that you have in order to buy a parcel of land in order to obtain what is buried there or to purchase one pearl? And what is the source of joy, found here? Is it earthly riches of great material wealth? Or is it something greater – much greater?

Keep in mind that this is a simile, comparing two things. In this case, the Kingdom of Heaven compared to a treasure hidden in a field. One is from the spiritual realm, the unseen world; and the other is from the natural world, the seen world.

It is also important to recognize that the kingdom of heaven, the spiritual realm, where all things originate; the natural world is where they manifest. The spiritual realm is the beginning of all things, and the natural world is the end of all things, where ‘dust returns to dust’.

This parable is telling us that there is a treasure of unimaginable value, which is hidden from the natural mind and therefore, out of view of the natural eye.

Understanding that the natural mind cannot understand or fathom what is hidden, then you must know that this man, ‘who found the treasure and hid it again’ had gained the ability to see and understand what he had found. How is this possible? 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, tells us that

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one”.

This man had gained a spiritual mind. John 14:16-17 tells us the secret. Jesus has said that, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you a Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.”  By this you are born again, and the Spirit of God dwells within you, giving you the eyes to see and ears to hear about the kingdom of God! (End Commentary Break).

A Dragnet

Verse 47. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; verse 48, and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. Verse 49. So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come forth and remove the wicked from among the righteous, verse 50, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Verse 51. “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” Verse 52. And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure new things and old.”

(Commentary Break): Jesus concludes this teaching making a covenant with His disciples. It is as if they have heard the teachings and are now being asked, ‘do you solemnly swear’? Where upon they affirm, “Yes’. With that, Jesus proclaims the prophetic words in verse 52, which stated another way, says, “Therefore, as a result of your profession of understanding, I affirm that you, now a teacher of these mysteries and truths, having been discipled in the principles of the kingdom of heaven, are now a an owner and caretaker of these things for My household, and you will bring forth from this, your treasure, the new and glorious things I have revealed to you and the precious things and teachings from ancients days of My Father.”

These words were spoken then to those disciples and have continued to resonate throughout time, to this day, in your hearing and in your sight.

Jesus is now asking you, ”Do you now understand these things? If you say ‘yes’, then you are now a householder you are now an owner of these oracles of God. You are the scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven, and you will now bring out of your treasure, both new and old. (End Commentary Break).

Jesus Revisits Nazareth

Verse 53. When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. Verse 54. And He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, with the result that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man acquire this wisdom and these miraculous powers? Verse 55. Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is His mother not called Mary, and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Verse 56. And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man acquire all these things?” Verse 57. And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and in his own household.” Verse 58. And He did not do many miracles or works of power there because of their unbelief. (End of Chapter 13).

Verses 53 through 58 give us a clear example and a picture of how you should be viewed from this time forward:

• You will, henceforth, go to your hometown a teach with the result that they will be astonished. And,

• People will ask “Where did this man or woman acquire this wisdom and these powers?

• People will ask, “Is this not the ordinary person I know? Where did he or she acquire these things?”

• And many will take offense at you. And you will not do many miracles or works of power because of their unbelief!

My prayer is that you and I can truly see, hear and believe the prophetic truth of the words we have just read, so we can go and do as Jesus has said.

This is our calling and our mission. This is the way!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 14, John Beheaded, Jesus feeds the Five Thousand, Jesus Walks on The Water

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