MATTHEW 5:27-30 / YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID

Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; v28  but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Jesus continues to contrast and compare the Old Covenant Law (Torah) with His New Covenant Truth. And, again, He is using the Mosaic Covenant and the Ten Commandments, specifically the “Second Five” which deal with personal relationships. Specifically, in these verses, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY”.

Jesus is warning against lusting after a woman even in your heart. There is much more that could be said, but, Jesus go straight to the point: “If you think it, you’ve done it!”  

He warns of the consequences of being ‘swept or dragged away and imprisoned’ by your sin (from the Greek language used in the Bible) and offers a radical and unthinkable remedy as opposed to spending an eternity in hell.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

What this means must be framed by the “Why” of the matter. Why did God warn against adultery (and murder), besides the obvious penalties stated, such as “Your whole body will go to hell” – and why that?
God is warning against a much greater threat. He is warning against separation from His Presence.

  Isiah 59:2. “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,  And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

The willful lust of adultery (or murder), is Sin against God, and it separates you from the presence of God.  It is the litmus test of self-centeredness. It shows a deliberate rebellion against and a disregard for God and others. And, being absent from the presence of God opens the door to every sort of destructive harm and damage to the human condition, now in this life, and later, eternal separation from God, “

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

We, who call ourselves Christians, should experience God in the ways described in the Bible. Yet, we suffer needlessly because of our failures, blaming the ‘weaknesses of our flesh’.

Look at the example of Job:

Job 1:5 tells us that “When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send word to them and consecrate them, getting up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did so continually.”

Consider that Job was obsessed with the sins of his sons. So much so, that he was gripped with doubt and fear. Suddenly …

Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job?

Now the ‘spiritual door’ was opened and Satan came among them, and, God allows Job to suffer at the hands of Satan. Now read …

Job 3:25. “For what I fear comes upon me, And what I dread encounters me. 26 “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, And I am not at rest, but turmoil comes.”

We call on the Name of God and beg for mercy, yet we fail to repent of our own rebellious ways, and a ‘spiritual door is opened’ and Satan comes among us, and we can no longer obey God and His Word. So, we say “All of these things you are asking are too difficult for me. This is a far-off thing you are asking of me. I won’t be able to do these things until I get to heaven!”

But, God says, in Deuteronomy 30:11

“For this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you could say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us, and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you could say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and get it for us and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 14 On the contrary, the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may follow it.”

And again in Romans 10:6

“But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13f or “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

The contemporary postmodern Church in America, and most parts of the world, will tell you, if you are a Christian, that God is your loving “Daddy” (Abba), and that is true.  They will tell you that He understands your frailty to sin, and that you should “do your best and forget the rest” because “He loves you so much, He can never love you any less”. But, these are lies of a religion fallen into apostasy.  They neglect to tell you about the consequences of sin, rebellion against God and that continued deliberate sin separates you from Him.

NOW – WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The Bible tells us that “we don’t have to sin”, but when we do, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ, Who is before the Father on our behalf, Who is the atonement (payment) for our sins. But, that we must turn to Him, confess our sins to Him and repent (acknowledge sin is wrong and turn away from sin).

1 John 2:3  “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked.”

You can be assured that …

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“

I pray that, as we who confess the Name of Jesus, will overcome by the word of our testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

MATTHEW 5:21-26 – YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID

v21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ v22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell”

v23  “Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, v24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

v25  “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. v26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

This section of Matthew is usually referred to as “The Sermon on The Mount”.  In it, Jesus is teaching and instructing His disciples in Kingdom principles and practices.

He teaches and contrasts the edicts of the Torah (the Law of the Old Testament) against the teaching, the fulfillment and the application of the New Covenant brought about by Jesus.

It is fitting that He starts His teaching with the words, “You have heard that the ancients were told” (verse 21), referring to the Old Covenants; and then begins this teaching with the 6th Commandment from the Mosaic Covenant, which deals with our relationships with one another.

It is worthwhile to highlight the main points:

1.  The Old Covenant Law says, “You shall not commit murder and whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court”.

 (a)  But. Jesus says, “everyone who is angry with his brother is guilty before the court”

(b)  And, Jesus goes on to explain, “Whoever call his brother ‘raca’ or him ‘you good-for-nothing’, shall be guilty before the Supreme Court”

 (c)  And, “Anyone who call his brother a “fool” shall be guilty enough to go to the fires of hell.”

2.  Verse 23 clarifies the matter by saying “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you…”

(b) You are to “leave your offering at the altar and go;

(i) first be reconciled to your brother
(ii) and then, come and present your offering

 3.  Jesus, then goes beyond simple reconciliation and says, “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way,

 (a)  so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge,
 (b)  and, the judge to the officer,
 (c)  and, you be thrown into prison.

 4.  Jesus completes His instruction, with emphasis, by saying, “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

 1.  Jesus is fulfilling the Old Testament law, which was written on tablets of stone which are an external standard for observance and practice and is bringing the new Covenant of His Grace and forgiveness and is writing it on the hearts of His people, so they will want to obey Him. (Ezekiel 11:19, 20 “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”)

 2.  Jesus is also telling us that continuing to think evil thoughts has the same effect as doing the act. Additionally, He is showing us that dwelling on an evil or sinful thought takes a person progressively deeper into evil thinking which will culminate in an evil act.  Finally, He is telling us the punishment that follows sin is self-inflicted and deadly.

 3.  Jesus then moves (literally) to the heart of the matter when He turns our attention to our offerings to God which originate in the attitude of our heart.

Proverb 3:9 admonishes us to “Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first, your produce; 10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

 1.  Jesus has extrapolated the meaning of “murder” to include anger, hatred, loathing or dismissing a person as worthless.

 (a)  If you treat someone as such, it means you are in jeopardy of being tried by God, found guilty and sentenced to a “prison” separated from God.

 (i)  Matthew 6:14-15. “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.”

 (ii)  Matthew 13:41,42 “ The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 2.  “Presenting an offering before the altar” is not a reference, strictly to money and belongings.  God is referring to the entire value of our being, which springs from the heart.

When our heart is right, God says, our “vats will overflow with new wine”. The vats are symbols of our natural being – our body, soul and spirit – and the new wine is the fruit of The Holy Spirit.

This means you cannot be right with God and at variance with your brother or sister and expect to prosper physically, emotionally or mentally.

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”

 3.  Finally, Jesus is saying you should make friends quickly with your opponent on your way to the “court” or you may be judged, convicted and imprisoned. And you will remain imprisoned until you repay the offended person, in full.

There is no judgment as harsh, no prison cell as secure and sentence as long as one handed down by an offended person with whom you cannot make amends. Never let the offense go that far, or you may suffer a life sentence of misery and regret.

This means that you must always seek forgiveness quickly and forgive even more quickly. Initiate reconciliation and seek a lasting bond of friendship. This is what brings true peace, prosperity and freedom for your soul.

(There is a lot of preaching and teaching about God’s Grace without the corresponding teaching of His Holiness and requirements that we also be Holy, just as He is Holy.  God will discipline the one He loves, but, if you knowingly sin without conscience and never experience God’s discipline in your life, then, something is amiss.)

1 John 2:9  “The one who says that he is in the Light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. 10The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling. 11But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

Jesus uses similes of courts, judges, judgments and prisons to explain the Spiritual consequences of anger, hatred and murder.  He is reminding us that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heave; in other words, once a matter is bound in heaven, then it is manifest on earth.

Romans 8:5 Is the perfect translation and explanation –

“For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

The word “flesh” in these verses comes from two root, Greek words:

 1.  “Saróō” – to sweep, clean by sweeping (to be swept away by)

 2.  “Sýrō” – to draw, drag, of one before the judge, to prison, to punishment\

The words “life” and “peace” in these verses translate as:

 1.  LIFE:  “Zōḗ” –  life, every living soul

 (a)  The state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate

 (b)  Of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God.

 (c)  Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

 2.  PEACE:  “Eirḗnē” – Peace; a state of national tranquility; exemption from the rage and havoc of war.

 (a)  Peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord

 (b)  Security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)

 (c)  Of the Messiah’s peace; the way that leads to peace (salvation)

 (d)  Of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

 (e)  The blessed state of devout and upright men after death

This means we have the power to choose.  Let’s begin today by setting our minds the things of the Spirit and find Life and Peace, and all that it brings. 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

MATTHEW 5:17,18 – FULFILLMENT and SATISFACTION

v17  “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.

v18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished!

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Although Jesus’ coming has fulfilled and satisfied all the requirement of the Torah, the Law, and it would appear that the ‘old covenant has passed away’,

Jesus is clearly saying the Law of the Torah for the has not been abolished but the requirements of the Law are now met or satisfied through Him.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus is once again describing the connection between heaven (The Spiritual) and earth (the natural) and saying it is not finished until the natural laws have completely demonstrated or manifested the Spiritual. Once again, teaching about the “Law of Higher to lesser”.

This is critically important. Jesus is telling His present and future disciples about “secret of knowing” if you are truly His disciple. This will, of course, determine whether you will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Jesus says two things, in Matthew 5:19 and 5:20

(1)  v19 “Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Being “least in the kingdom of heaven” versus being “great in the kingdom of heaven” is, again, the law of “Great to lesser”. He is saying you cannot manifest the Greater Works of the Kingdom from the “lesser position”, i.e., in the natural man. But, when standing on the Spiritual basis, you will do the works Jesus does and GREATER works!

(2) v20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The scribes and Pharisees were working through the natural mind (the lesser).
“Surpassing righteousness” means to super abound (in quantity or quality), to be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to super abound. This can only be accomplished through the Spiritual.

NOTE: Unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The fact that not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished, and this tells us that “It Is Written” and it will come to pass. 

Our choice is either to join God in what He has already accomplished or to be left behind.  Choose wisely.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

An excellent explanation and video of “The Law”:  https://bibleproject.com/learn/the-law/

So, what are you doing in the Kingdom from God’s point of view (not from man’s inventions or visions)?  If you are ready, contact me, please, and let’s do this!

(Previous Post from Matthew chapter 5 – https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/08/the-light-shines/)

MATTHEW 5:15,16 – LIGHT SHINES

Verse 15.  “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Verse 16. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Jesus is using an extreme example and a simile to explain a profound Truth.  No sensible person will light a lamp only to hide it under a basket. So, naturally, you put a lamp on a lamp stand, so it is useful and effective. Similarly, your “light” (your goodness, truth and justice), in order to be useful and effective, must shine or be seen in such a way to glorify God, Who is in heaven. (give God all the credit).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

What comes next is critically important. Jesus describes the realty of the relationships between the Spiritual and the Natural realms. They are spoken of in parable, but, they are real.

There are both separation and connection between the Spiritual realm (the Kingdom of Heaven) and the natural realm of the world.  This is important for the Christian disciple to understand because any effort to “do the works of Jesus” are based on understanding these principles.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Hebrews 11;1,2  “reveals to us that that FAITH is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  It is by faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”

It is impossible to permanently affect or change the natural world from evil into good with just human effort or by our natural understanding.  We must begin on the Spiritual basis and the natural will follow – the natural must obey the Spiritual.  This is God’s Spiritual law of creation.  It is how He made the worlds.  It is known as “the order of Higher to the lesser”.  The natural must obey the Spiritual, or another way of saying is the Spiritual is always manifest into the natural and never the other way around.

NOTE: Scriptures warn us that this does not come easily.  It is “the fervent prayers of a righteous man which accomplishes much.

Jesus teaches this often and just as often it is overlooked and therefore misapplied or not applied in our Kingdom practices, at all.

In this particular teaching, Jesus says that “people do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but they put it on a lamp stand, so it will give light to all who are in the house.”

It is important to recognize that (1) the “people” Jesus is referring to, at this point, are Israelites or Jews who are becoming His disciples; and the (2) “the house” is the House of Israel. So, those who are hearing His words immediately recognize the significance of His Words and their inclusion in this teaching.

This is also true for any and all future Christians. In other words, Jesus is talking directly to you and me and all of His disciples, that is, those who follow and wish to obey Him.

Jesus, next, moves from the Spiritual basis in verse 14 to the natural in verses 15 and 16. He is stating a Spiritual Truth in verse 14 and then describing what the looks like or how it behaves in the natural world, by way of metaphor. This give the natural mind a way to understand a Spiritual Truth and, hopefully, a way to grasp this teaching so to apply it.

I.e., WHAT IS SEEN (natural realm) = COMES FROM WHAT IS NOT VISIBLE (Spiritual realm). It has been spoken into being by God.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

It is not your light but the Eternal Light of God dwelling within you.  Will you step out of the shadows and Let His “Light” illuminate the entire house?

This is our calling!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Previous Post from Matthew The law of being

Next Post from Matthew Satisfaction

 

MATTHEW 5:14 – YOU ARE

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Jesus is speaking in the language of a metaphor. He is saying that His disciples are to be like light which is meant to illuminate goodness, truth and justice and to dispel the darkness of evil, error and fear. His disciples are to be like a city set on a mountaintop, visible to all, radiating the light of God’s character, His goodness, mercy and justice.

Jesus is stating a Spiritual Truth and a fact. He is not suggesting what you should be. He is stating what you are as a follower of Christ Jesus – if you are His disciple at all.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

An important word here is the small word “ARE” found in the statement “You are the light of the world…”. This is the Greek word “Eimi”, which is a basic Greek verb expressing the state of BEING, i.e. “to be” – am, is. Strong’s #1510 (eimí), defines this word and its counterparts, as properly conveying existence, without explicit limits. It translates “to exist, to live, to stay, remain in place”.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

When you have become “poor in spirit” through God’s process of sanctification and thereby become an heir of the Kingdom of Heaven (see Matthew 5:3), God fashions you into His image (poieo). He now resides in you and He is seen, and He does His Works through your mortal body as “The Light of the World”.

People may say they see your good deeds, but what they are seeing is God through you – literally.  The importance of this cannot be overstated.  If you are His disciple at all, you are to be seen in His Image.

Jesus says, that if you are to enter into a covenant agreement and to follow Him, that is, to be His disciple, you must know that the standards are impossibly high, the disciplines are impossibly strict and the commitment is for life.  And, He warns, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”, and that “MY RIGHTEOUS ONES WILL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF THEY SHRINK BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN THEM”.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Will you be made Into His Image and be His Witness (martus) or will you shrink back?

These are urgent times which call for urgent measures.  Please, let’s measure up!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The next post from Matthew 5 https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/08/the-light-shines/

The previous post from Matthew 5 https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/04/being-jesus-disciple/

Matthew 5:13 – Jesus’ Disciples

Jesus was direct in His speech and in His teaching, especially when talking to and teaching His disciples. Read Matthew 5:13 as He tells His disciples,

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Imagine with me that you, as a disciple of Jesus, are sitting with Him as He talks to you and others.  He has just finished describing the difficulties of becoming His disciple and entering the Kingdom of God.

Now, He calls you “salt of the earth”.

The most common and important seasoning in Israel was salt (Job 6:6), demonstrated by how it is referenced throughout the Bible, and by how its use was mandated with most sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). You would have been referred to as a person who, like salt, was precious. In Jesus’ day, salt was a valued commodity. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid with salt, giving rise to the phrase “worth his salt.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus is saying that, like salt, His disciples would have a preserving influence. Salt was used to preserve and to slow decay. Likewise, Christians should have a preserving influence on their culture.

Disciples, like salt, should add flavor to their community, making the earth a purer and more palatable place to live.

Then, without pausing, He looks directly at you and says, “But, if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?”

The word “tasteless” was a familiar word to the Jewish audience of that day as to mean “to be foolish, to turn to foolishness, tainted, and thus: tasteless, made useless.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

So, the question with which you are faced is

“If you, as a disciple of Jesus, who should be a preserving influence and a purifying influence on those around you, have lost those qualities and thus, have become useless as a disciple of Jesus, how you can be made useful again?”

This borders on shocking, almost an indictment. The question Jesus is asking is a direct interrogatory. In other words, “if you know of a way, tell me, because there is no way.”

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Then, as if to hammer the point home, Jesus bluntly says, ”It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.”  Staying with the metaphor of salt, at that time, garbage would have been disposed by throwing it out, into the street. This explains why once the salt is cast out it will be trodden under the foot of men as useless garbage. A stark warning to the disciples as to the commitment required to follow Jesus as His disciple and the consequence of failure.

He is saying that if you are going to enter into a covenant agreement to follow Jesus as His disciple, the standards are impossibly high, the disciplines are impossibly strict and the commitment is for life.

We should be reminded of another time Jesus was talking to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”

And looking at them, Jesus said, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The Disciples’ Reward

Somehow, you would expect it would be Peter to respond to Jesus and boldly ask, “We have left everything and followed You; what is in this for us?”

Jesus answered Peter and said, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, now in this life, and in the age to come, will inherit eternal life.”

The good news is that God is eternally faithful to finish the work He has begun in you. He is rich in grace and abounding in mercy and loving kindness. Jesus reminds you that His burden is light and, His yoke is easy and that all who come to Him will find rest for their soul, and He will in no way cast you out.

Now that you know a little more, will you follow Him?  He is calling.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The next post from Matthew 5:  The Law of Being

The previous post from Matthew 5:  Blessed, blessed, blessed

“And Jesus opened His mouth and taught them, saying…”

(This is not meant to be just a recapitulation of Scriptures, nor is it meant to be just a commentary. 

I pray each of us will find, in these words, the path we are to walk; the very path Jesus carefully laid out for us –  to walk. 

This is the path of His Authority and of His Works.  The path of health and healing, the path of purpose and of Kingdom conquest.  This is the path that leads us to the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This is the path leading to the healing of the nations where there will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and we, His bond-servants, will serve Him and we will see His face, and His name will be on our foreheads and there will no longer be any night; and we will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine us; and we will reign forever and ever.)

Matthew 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Began:   Strong’s Concordance #757 (Greek: ἄρχω archo ar’-kho)  AV-rule over 1, reign over 1; 2

1) to be chief, to lead, to rule

This word tells us that Jesus time had come to rule and reign over the physical and spiritual world.  This is vitally important, as you will see a little later.  We need to remember this.

Preach:   Strong’s Concordance  #2784 κηρύσσω kerusso kay-roos’-so

AV-preach 51, publish 5, proclaim 2, preached + 2258 2, preacher 1; 61

1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald

1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald

1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed

2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done

The world used here is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has been done, first in the Spiritual to be manifest in the natural.  It is not a general statement nor is it a request.  It is a prophetic command.

(Matthew 6:18“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.”)

The concept of “binding and loosing” is taught in the Bible in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the apostle Peter and indirectly to the other apostles, ((and subsequently, to future disciples)).  Jesus’ words meant that Peter ((and subsequently, future disciples)) would have the right to enter the kingdom himself, that he would have general authority symbolized by the possession of the keys, and that preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers.  The book of Acts shows us this process at work. By his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40), Peter opened the door of the kingdom for the first time. The expressions “bind” and “loose” were common to Jewish legal phraseology meaning to declare something forbidden or to declare it allowed.

This is IMPORTANT as we see what Jesus says about the Authority of the Kingdom and who may enter and what they are commanded to do in His Name.

 

Matthew 4:18 ¶  Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19  And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Walking:   Strong’s Concordance    #4043 περιπατέω peripateo per-ee-pat-eh’-o

AV-walk 93, go 1, walk about 1, be occupied 1; 96

1) to walk

1a) to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities

From:  3961 πατέω pateo pat-eh’-o

AV-tread 3, tread down 1, tread under feet 1; 5

1) to tread

1a) to trample, crush with the feet

1b) to advance by setting foot upon, tread upon: to encounter successfully the greatest perils from the machinations and persecutions with which Satan would fain thwart the preaching of the gospel

Jesus is setting the example for His disciples, present and future.  The word used for WALKING is demonstrating His Authority.  We must take notice, for by this He is teaching us to be His disciples, and we must walk in His Steps (Chapters 10, 11 and 28 of Matthew, Jesus sends His disciples.)

Saw:  Strong’s Concordance    #3708 ὁράω horao hor-ah’-o

AV-see 51, take heed 5, behold 1, perceive 1, not tr 1; 59

1) to see with the eyes

2) to see with the mind, to perceive, know

Jesus was on mission.  He was watching for and SAW, both with His eyes, His Mind and He Knew.  So it is with us, as we are being filled with The Holy Spirit.  THIS IS IMPORTANT as we are sent, and we are watching for those to whom we must preach the Gospel.

Peter:  Strong’s Concordance #4074 (Greek:  Πέτρος Petros pet’-ros)

AV-Peter 161, stone 1; 162

Peter  = “a rock or a stone”

Andrew:  Strong’s Concordance #406 (Greek: Ἀνδρέας Andreas an-dreh’-as)

AV-Andrew 13; 13

Andrew  = “manly”

Casting:  Strong’s Concordance #906 (Greek: βάλλω ballo bal’-lo)

a primary word; v; TDNT-1:526,91;  {See TDNT 122 }

AV-cast 86, put 13, thrust 5, cast out 4, lay 3, lie 2, misc 12; 125

1) to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls

1a) to scatter, to throw, cast into

1b) to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result

This word is a good description of how most people view their lives, in general.  “To throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls;  to scatter, to throw, cast into;  to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result.”

Jesus is calling all of His disciples, past, present and future, to a life that has purpose, meaning and eternal value.

Net:  Strong’s Concordance #293 (Greek: ἀμφίβληστρον amphiblestron am-fib’-lace-tron)

AV-net 2; 2

1) anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing 

This word describes the lives of the disciples before meeting Jesus as are most of our lives ‘bound up’ as in anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing”

Freedom is where and why Jesus calls us to follow Him.

Follow:  Strong’s Concordance #1205 (Greek: δεῦτε deute dyoo’-teh)

AV-come 12, follow + 3694 1; 13

1) come hither, come here, come  (sense of urgency)

2) interjection, come!, come now!

The word used for ‘follow’ has a sense of urgent command.  Come, now!  It is IMPORTANT that we remember Jesus was speaking prophetically then and is speaking prophetically to us, today!

Make:  Strong’s Concordance #4160 (Greek: ποιέω poieo poy-eh’-o)

AV-do 357, make 113, bring forth 14, commit 9, cause 9, work 8, show 5, bear 4, keep 4, fulfil 3, deal 2, perform 2, not tr 3, misc 43, vr do 3; 579

1) to make

1a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.

1b) to be the authors of, the cause

1c) to make ready, to prepare

We are the clay in the Potter’s Hands; once He touches our lives, we are made new, into His image for His purpose.  This is IMPORTANT to grasp.

 

Immediately:  #2112 εὐθέως eutheos yoo-theh’-oce

AV-immediately 35, straightway 32, forthwith 7, misc 6; 80

1) straightway, immediately, forthwith

From:  2095 εὖ eu yoo   AV-well 3, well done 2, good 1; 6

1) to be well off, fare well, prosper

2) acting well

This word tells us, not only of the urgency to Jesus’ call, but how the state of our lives is made to be well of, to fare well and to prosper, by answering His call and following Him.

Kingdom:  #932 βασιλεία basileia bas-il-i’-ah

from 935; n f; TDNT-1:579,97;  {See TDNT 127 }

AV-kingdom (of God) 71, kingdom (of heaven) 32, kingdom (general or evil) 20, (Thy or Thine) kingdom 6, His kingdom 6, the kingdom 5, (My) kingdom 4, misc 18; 162

1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule

1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom

1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom

2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king

3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

This word is so descriptive that you must take each definition and consider the impact and importance.  “Royal power, kingship, dominion, rule,  not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.”

This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,

Healing: Strong’s Concordance #2323 (Greek: θεραπεύω therapeuo ther-ap-yoo’-o)

from the same as 2324; v; TDNT-3:128,331;  {See TDNT 307 }

AV-heal 38, cure 5, worship 1; 44

1) to serve, do service

2) to heal, cure, restore to health

This comes from a root word, #2324 θεράπων therapon ther-ap’-ohn   AV-servant 1; 1

1) an attendant, servant: of God

1a) spoken of Moses discharging the duties committed to him by God 

The definitions of this word are complimentary:  To serve, to worship, to heal, to cure, to restore to health.  Jesus healed the whole person, body, mind/will/emotions and spirit.  His healing is complete.  We are called to this ministry, so we would do well to be disciples and learn.

Disease:  #3554 νόσος nosos nos’-os

AV-disease 6, sickness 5, infirmity 1; 12

1) disease, sickness

2) plague

3) misery, suffering, distress

4) madness, vice (moral filth)

5) bane

Sickness:  #3119 μαλακία malakia mal-ak-ee’-ah

AV-disease 3; 3

1) softness

2) in the NT infirmity, debility, bodily weakness, sickness

*This come from a root word, # 3120, malakos mal-ak-os’

AV-soft 3, effeminate 1; 4

1) soft, soft to the touch

2) metaph. in a bad sense

2a) effeminate

2a1) of a catamite

2a2) of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man

2a3) of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness

2a4) of a male prostitute

Again, Jesus heals the body, the mind, the soul and the spirit of all infirmities, including homosexuality.

There is nothing outside the reach of God and we are on mission with Jesus.  Please, don’t stand idly by and watch.  Join God is what He is already doing!

Matthew 4:21 (and following), NEXT

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young