ANALYSIS
After being tested in the wilderness, Jesus began his earthly ministry. He began to preach and had the same message as John the Baptist. Traveling throughout the land he called for the people to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” In the first part of this passage we see Jesus calling the first four of his disciples- Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. There are a few noteworthy examples that we see in Christ’s calling of the disciples. We see first, the characteristics of the call, and second, the characteristics of the response.
In the calling of the disciples, Jesus’ command is simple- follow me. We as Christians are called to life a life following diligently in the footsteps of Christ, daily being conformed to his image. Jesus continues his call saying, “And I will make you fishers of men.” This brilliant use of wordplay on their profession as fishermen describes the nature of what it means to follow Christ. We are called to spread the Gospel, to go to all corners of the world making disciples and baptizing them. From this passage we also see that it was Christ who sought out his disciples and drew them to himself.
The second point of interest is the disciple’s response. In the case of Simon Peter and Andrew, as well as James and John, it stands as significant the level of faith and trust that is displayed. In both examples the Word says that “immediately” they followed Christ, leaving boats and nets behind. They did not hesitate. They left their source of income, and thus their “security,” and thrust themselves solely at the feet of Christ. James and John also left their father Zebedee behind. Jesus said that if anyone loves father or mother more than Him, that person is not worthy of Him. The disciples give us a great example to follow in this passage.
Verses 23-25 sum up the beginning of Jesus ministry. Three activities are given as comprising his ministry at this point- Teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel and healing the diseased and afflicted. We too, as followers of Christ, need to be teaching the word, evangelizing the lost, and reaching out to the needy.
RESPONSE
This is a rich passage with numerous applications. For the purpose of this article, I am focusing on the meaning of being a Christian and how modern evangelicalism, myself included, has gone astray. Contrary to popular opinion, we who profess Christ are not called to a “Purpose Driven” life, nor are we called to “live our best life now.” We are called to follow Christ, to be continually conformed to his image. In following HIM, we must be willing to lay down our careers, our sense of security, and even our own family if the situation demands it. Nothing may stand between us and God. Nothing may prevent our worship of him. Nothing may take his rightful place as first in our lives. We are called, not to live our best life now but to live our best life later. We are not to cherish the perishable things of this world but the imperishable.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Temptation of Christ - Matthew 4:1-16
ANALYSIS
In Matthew 4:1-11 we see the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil. The passage starts out by making a significant comment about Jesus’ humanity which is important for proper understanding of the rest of the passage. Verse 2 says that after his forty day fast, Jesus was hungry. Although a short clause, easily missed on a surface read, this statement is significant because it shows that although Christ was, and is, God- he was also truly human. And as a human, he experienced many of the same limitations that we face. Jesus needed to eat. Jesus was truly “born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)
The main scene in this passage is the battle between Christ and Satan, between the rightful King and the usurper. We see Christ tempted three times. On all three occasions, in different ways, we see Satan challenging Jesus’ deity, the deity which HE had laid down.
In taking on the likeness of men, he became susceptible to hunger. Thus, in the first temptation, we see Satan attempting to use Jesus’ hunger against him. “Command these stones to become loaves of bread,” Satan says, “if you are the Son of God.” Satan plays off of John the Baptist’s statement in the previous passage, “God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” It is as if Satan is saying, “If you really are God and can turn stones into children, then why don’t you at least turn these stones into bread?” Jesus responds with Scripture. Second, Satan brings him to the top of the temple and says, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down” and angels will stop your fall. Jesus again responds with Scripture. Finally, Satan brings Jesus to a high mountain over looking all the kingdoms of the world. Satan says that all the kingdoms in the world could be Jesus if He would just worship Satan. Christ responds one last time, again with Scripture, telling Satan to be gone. After this series of temptations had passed Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested and he went to live in Capernaum. This fulfilled prophesy made by Isaiah.
RESPONSE
In this passage we see Christ give an example for dealing with temptation. Since it is our goal as Christians to become more like Christ each day, we would do well to follow his lead. In each instance the temptation is overcome by the Word of God. When Jesus is tried he immediately has the Scripture at hand to refute the temptation. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When I am struggling with sin, I need to remember that one effective means of combating that lust is to internalize Scripture dealing with that particular sin. The Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit, and by it we can dismember and put to death the many attacks of the devil and deeds of our flesh.
In Matthew 4:1-11 we see the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil. The passage starts out by making a significant comment about Jesus’ humanity which is important for proper understanding of the rest of the passage. Verse 2 says that after his forty day fast, Jesus was hungry. Although a short clause, easily missed on a surface read, this statement is significant because it shows that although Christ was, and is, God- he was also truly human. And as a human, he experienced many of the same limitations that we face. Jesus needed to eat. Jesus was truly “born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)
The main scene in this passage is the battle between Christ and Satan, between the rightful King and the usurper. We see Christ tempted three times. On all three occasions, in different ways, we see Satan challenging Jesus’ deity, the deity which HE had laid down.
In taking on the likeness of men, he became susceptible to hunger. Thus, in the first temptation, we see Satan attempting to use Jesus’ hunger against him. “Command these stones to become loaves of bread,” Satan says, “if you are the Son of God.” Satan plays off of John the Baptist’s statement in the previous passage, “God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” It is as if Satan is saying, “If you really are God and can turn stones into children, then why don’t you at least turn these stones into bread?” Jesus responds with Scripture. Second, Satan brings him to the top of the temple and says, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down” and angels will stop your fall. Jesus again responds with Scripture. Finally, Satan brings Jesus to a high mountain over looking all the kingdoms of the world. Satan says that all the kingdoms in the world could be Jesus if He would just worship Satan. Christ responds one last time, again with Scripture, telling Satan to be gone. After this series of temptations had passed Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested and he went to live in Capernaum. This fulfilled prophesy made by Isaiah.
RESPONSE
In this passage we see Christ give an example for dealing with temptation. Since it is our goal as Christians to become more like Christ each day, we would do well to follow his lead. In each instance the temptation is overcome by the Word of God. When Jesus is tried he immediately has the Scripture at hand to refute the temptation. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When I am struggling with sin, I need to remember that one effective means of combating that lust is to internalize Scripture dealing with that particular sin. The Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit, and by it we can dismember and put to death the many attacks of the devil and deeds of our flesh.
The Baptism of Jesus Christ - Matthew 3:1-17
ANALYSIS
At this point in the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 3) the narrative is brought forward a number of years. We are introduced to John the Baptist, the man prophesied of by Isaiah and also referenced to in John 1:6-8 who would “bear witness about the light” and make HIS way straight. Matthew 3:1-6 records John’s appearance, his message, and his impact. He is described as wearing a garment of camel’s hair with a leather belt, and his diet is said to consist of locust and wild honey. John came preaching a message of repentance warning all who passed by to turn their hearts to God. His impact was dynamic and far reaching as verses 5-6 say that all in the surrounding region were going out to him and being baptized.
In the next paragraph John openly rebukes the many religious Pharisees and Sadducees who had come down to hear them speak. He rebukes them presumably because of their religious formalism and sternly warns them not to place their trust in man-made rituals and ideas of salvation; instead, he tells them to bear fruit with repentance. An analogy, which stands for all of us, is made referring to an axe which will chop down all the trees which do not bear fruit. These trees will be cast into the fire. In verses 11-12 he foretells the coming of Christ and repeats his warning, this time with the analogy of wheat and chaff. Christ will baptize those who are his, and thus bear fruit, with the Holy Spirit and will gather his wheat into the “barn,” but those who are not his, and therefore remain fruitless chaff, will be baptized with “unquenchable fire”
In the last paragraph we witness Christ’s Baptism. It is significant that we see in these verses a clear glimpse of the Trinity. As Jesus comes out of there water there appears the Holy Spirit as a dove, and God the Father declares Jesus to be his beloved Son.
RESPONSE
What stands out in this passage as significant to me, is John the Baptist’s warning to the religious elite of that day. They had placed their faith, not in the sacrificial lamb which was to come, but in their religious rituals and largely in being “sons of Abraham.” This is an important message to many of us who profess to be Christians. Just as in biblical times, people today have a propensity to replace true spirituality with dead formality. We (meaning I) are easily distracted from the true purpose in life and worship, glorifying God. Instead we start to do things because we are supposed to. We replace a vertical focus on God with a horizontal focus on man and self, and we end up with the form, but not the function. I need to be constantly reminded to live a walk of repentance and judge the thoughts and intentions of my heart.
New Testament Outlines
So, I will be doing a new series of posts on outlines of New Testament books. These are outlines I am actually writing for a class and so I don't have as much time to spend on each one as I would like. But, nevertheless I'll putting them on here for anyone to read. Comments are welcome.
The format will be consisting of an analysis of the passage and a response, which is the application.
The format will be consisting of an analysis of the passage and a response, which is the application.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
So I thought i would do a quick post to introduce myself to any unfortunate person who may have happened to stumble across this blog.
As I start this blog I am transitioning in life. Last Saturday marked my final day of work at a Honda dealership where I worked as a mechanic for the past two years. This coming Saturday marks my first day at The Masters College where I will be majoring in Bible Exposition. I am excited to say the least. Since Christ graciously pulled me out of a life of sinful self indulgence less than two years ago, my driving passion has been to know Him more deeply through study of His Word and to commune with Him more fully in prayer. So, having the opportunity to learn from godly men at a highly respected Christian institution is a GREAT blessing and an answer to MANY prayers.
So who am I? I would define myself firstly as a disciple of Jesus Christ- as one striving each day to follow after Him in loving devotion, obedient from the heart.
After that, I have many interests.
Music is a very big thing for me. I am particularly fond of Hip Hop. Lyricism has always impressed me. At the moment there are a number of artists who are truly glorifying God with their music.
I also appreciate a fine Bible, so I read bibledesignblog.com This website has cost me more than a few dollars in the past, and I'm sure it will continue to do so in the future as well.
Writing is also an interest of mine, or else I would not be writing a blog, right? I like all types but I tend to gravitate towards a poetic style. That explains much of my admiration of Mr. Spurgeon and the poetic portions of Scripture.
As I start this blog I am transitioning in life. Last Saturday marked my final day of work at a Honda dealership where I worked as a mechanic for the past two years. This coming Saturday marks my first day at The Masters College where I will be majoring in Bible Exposition. I am excited to say the least. Since Christ graciously pulled me out of a life of sinful self indulgence less than two years ago, my driving passion has been to know Him more deeply through study of His Word and to commune with Him more fully in prayer. So, having the opportunity to learn from godly men at a highly respected Christian institution is a GREAT blessing and an answer to MANY prayers.
So who am I? I would define myself firstly as a disciple of Jesus Christ- as one striving each day to follow after Him in loving devotion, obedient from the heart.
After that, I have many interests.
Music is a very big thing for me. I am particularly fond of Hip Hop. Lyricism has always impressed me. At the moment there are a number of artists who are truly glorifying God with their music.
I also appreciate a fine Bible, so I read bibledesignblog.com This website has cost me more than a few dollars in the past, and I'm sure it will continue to do so in the future as well.
Writing is also an interest of mine, or else I would not be writing a blog, right? I like all types but I tend to gravitate towards a poetic style. That explains much of my admiration of Mr. Spurgeon and the poetic portions of Scripture.
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