Healing a leper (vs. 1-4)—There are several healing miracles done by Jesus in this chapter. The first one is a leper who asks for healing. Jesus obliges. Notice especially verse 3: “Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” There was no time delay here and it was a disease that could be seen. The modern day “faith healers” would have a lot more credibility if they could heal outward afflictions immediately. I’ve asked several of them over the years to heal my blind eye, that I would even put my glass eye on display for all the world to see if they would only give me my sight. Well, I still have my glass eye and, of course, it’s my fault for not having enough faith.
Healing the centurion’s servant (vs. 5-13)—A centurion was a Roman military officer, so he wasn’t a Jew. He had a “dreadfully tormented” paralyzed servant (v. 6), and requested that Jesus come heal him. The Lord immediately agrees, but the centurion, who actually had sent friends rather than go himself (Luke 7:6), told Jesus to just speak the word and the servant would be made well. The officer, a man of authority, knew how powerful the spoken word could be. Jesus marveled at his faith, perhaps because he was a Gentile, or perhaps just because he showed great faith. Christ then indicates in verses 11-12 that many Gentiles will be saved but many Jews lost. The servant was healed at that very hour.
Peter’s mother-in-law and others healed (vs. 14-17)—Peter obviously was married or he couldn’t have had a mother-in-law. Catholic Popes, who claimed Peter as their forerunner, cannot marry. Jesus heals many demon-possessed people; Matthew refers to this healing power as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (v. 17).
The cost of discipleship (vs. 18-22)—Two men approach Jesus, both announcing they will follow Him. The Lord tells the first, in effect, it will cost you everything you’ve got. The second, who wanted to go bury his father first, is instructed to let the dead bury the dead. Jesus isn’t being cruel or unkind here, He senses an excuse—delay—and that can’t be brooked. So we must be willing to give up all to follow Christ, and we must be willing to follow Him now, not at our convenience. There will be a third example in Luke 9:61-62 where Jesus tells another man, “Come now and don’t look back.”
Jesus calms the storm (vs. 24-27)—Christ and His disciples were in a boat on the Sea (of Galilee, no doubt). A violent storm arose. The disciples asked the Lord to save them. He calmed the storm, and the men were amazed (why? They had asked Him to save them, and then they were astonished when He did! How many times have we prayed to God and been nonplussed when He answered?) But it truly must have been an awesome sight. A tremendously tempestuous storm. Jesus speaks a word, and the whole thing stops. The disciples’ statement at the end is understandable: “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” There’s nothing He can’t do. They obviously hadn’t figured out yet that He was God in the flesh. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14).
Healing two demon-possessed men (vs. 28-34)—Jesus and the disciples, having crossed the sea to a region beyond the Jordan, meet two violent, demon-possessed men. The demons, of course, know Who He is, and they know that He is much more powerful than they. They request that He cast them into a nearby herd of swine, which He does. The herd, which was huge, about 2,000 according to Mark 5:13, rushed down a hillside into the sea and were drowned. The people of the nearby city, having been told what happened, came out and saw the formerly demon-possessed men clothed and in their right mind—something they had never seen before. Apparently the whole thing frightened the men of the region so much that they asked Jesus to leave; such an awesome event was too much for them. A strange reaction, but perhaps fear in the face of such majestic power is not an uncommon thing. Trembling in the presence of God is a proper response.
Some have criticized Jesus for the destruction of somebody’s property here—2,000 swine. But the spiritual is obviously more important than the physical and must be recognized as so, even by those who suffer loss. All of us must sacrifice for the cause of Christ. Besides, ultimately those pigs belonged to Him anyway; everything does. “For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills,” (Psalm 50:10).
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Matthew 7, Part Two
The strait and narrow (vs. 13-14)—These two verses are perhaps the most frightening, and saddest, in all of the New Testament. Jesus could not have been smiling when He spoke this. But it’s a fair warning. Folks, most people are going to be lost. The way to salvation is “strait” and “narrow.” I like the old King James Version’s word “strait” here; notice it isn’t s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t, as in a straight line, but s-t-r-a-i-t, as in the Bering Strait or Strait of Gibraltar—a narrow, difficult passageway. And “few there be that find it” (v. 14). If you see the multitudes going in one direction, be very sober and cautious. Sin is pleasurable; that’s why so many people do it. Righteousness calls for self-discipline, self-denial, self-control—“conquer thyself.” Plato said the greatest victory a man could have was to conquer himself. And I think Jesus would agree. And most people can’t—won’t—do it. The other road is just too enjoyable, too easy to find.
Beware of false teachers (vs. 15-20)—And mankind has a lot of help traveling down the easy road. There are plenty of false prophets out there who are more than happy to take advantage of people for personal gain—they “serve their own belly” (Romans 16:18). The real danger here is they look like sheep! These false teachers “come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (v. 15). No false teacher is going to come into a church with a sign around his neck saying, “Hey, folks, I’m a false teacher, don’t believe what I say.” They are so dangerous because, unless we are on the lookout for them, and know what to look for, then they will deceive us by their godly appearance and smooth speech (Romans 16:17). “By their fruits you will know them” (v. 20). They will cause division and sow discord among brethren. They will lead people astray and disrupt the good work of the Lord’s church. They will teach false doctrine. The best way to tell if a man is a false teacher or not is whether he teaches false doctrine. If he does, he’s a false teacher, period. Our first desire should be as Aquila and Priscilla did with Apollos: they “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). But if a man won’t repent, then he is to be “marked” and “avoided” (Romans 16:18). The warnings in the Bible against false teachers are legion. We have no excuse if we succumb.
Surprise on the Day of Judgment (vs. 21-23)—We aren’t told exactly why these people didn’t make it to heaven, except that the Lord never knew them and that they “work[ed] iniquity” (v. 23). From verse 22, they appear to be doing things right: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” They claimed He was there “Lord,” they did a lot of good works—what’s the problem? Well, again, they worked iniquity—perhaps they did a lot of wickedness mingled with their good deeds; is Jesus aiming at the Pharisees here? Or perhaps the “wonderful works” they did in His name were no longer authorized by Christ. People do not “prophesy” by inspiration today or “cast out devils,” so anybody who claims to do so is leading others astray. Or, it’s very possible that these people had one other major fault: Blessed are the pure in heart….But the warning from Jesus is clear here—there will be those who are going to be surprised on the Day of Judgment. Let’s not be among them.
Building our house on a solid foundation (vs. 24-27)—The bottom line is, we must hear the sayings of Christ and do them (v. 24). That is wisdom. Hearing and not doing is foolishness (v. 26). Hear and do. Sounds simple, and is in principle. But the particulars are not easy as vs. 13-14, along with 5:48, indicate. Christianity is indeed the most rewarding life in the world. But it’s also the most challenging, demanding, and difficult.
So in chapter 7, Jesus concludes this great sermon with several warning of matters that can cause us to stumble: improper judgment, going the easy way, false teachers, false religion, not hearing and doing His word. “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Don’t let these things obstruct you. A wonderful sermon and worthy of constant study.
Beware of false teachers (vs. 15-20)—And mankind has a lot of help traveling down the easy road. There are plenty of false prophets out there who are more than happy to take advantage of people for personal gain—they “serve their own belly” (Romans 16:18). The real danger here is they look like sheep! These false teachers “come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (v. 15). No false teacher is going to come into a church with a sign around his neck saying, “Hey, folks, I’m a false teacher, don’t believe what I say.” They are so dangerous because, unless we are on the lookout for them, and know what to look for, then they will deceive us by their godly appearance and smooth speech (Romans 16:17). “By their fruits you will know them” (v. 20). They will cause division and sow discord among brethren. They will lead people astray and disrupt the good work of the Lord’s church. They will teach false doctrine. The best way to tell if a man is a false teacher or not is whether he teaches false doctrine. If he does, he’s a false teacher, period. Our first desire should be as Aquila and Priscilla did with Apollos: they “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). But if a man won’t repent, then he is to be “marked” and “avoided” (Romans 16:18). The warnings in the Bible against false teachers are legion. We have no excuse if we succumb.
Surprise on the Day of Judgment (vs. 21-23)—We aren’t told exactly why these people didn’t make it to heaven, except that the Lord never knew them and that they “work[ed] iniquity” (v. 23). From verse 22, they appear to be doing things right: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” They claimed He was there “Lord,” they did a lot of good works—what’s the problem? Well, again, they worked iniquity—perhaps they did a lot of wickedness mingled with their good deeds; is Jesus aiming at the Pharisees here? Or perhaps the “wonderful works” they did in His name were no longer authorized by Christ. People do not “prophesy” by inspiration today or “cast out devils,” so anybody who claims to do so is leading others astray. Or, it’s very possible that these people had one other major fault: Blessed are the pure in heart….But the warning from Jesus is clear here—there will be those who are going to be surprised on the Day of Judgment. Let’s not be among them.
Building our house on a solid foundation (vs. 24-27)—The bottom line is, we must hear the sayings of Christ and do them (v. 24). That is wisdom. Hearing and not doing is foolishness (v. 26). Hear and do. Sounds simple, and is in principle. But the particulars are not easy as vs. 13-14, along with 5:48, indicate. Christianity is indeed the most rewarding life in the world. But it’s also the most challenging, demanding, and difficult.
So in chapter 7, Jesus concludes this great sermon with several warning of matters that can cause us to stumble: improper judgment, going the easy way, false teachers, false religion, not hearing and doing His word. “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Don’t let these things obstruct you. A wonderful sermon and worthy of constant study.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Matthew 7, Part One
Proper judgment (vs. 1-12)—This has been one of the most abused passages in Scripture—“Judge not that ye be not judged,” which supposedly means that we aren’t to ever condemn anybody’s action at any time. Usually, when somebody quotes that verse with such an intent, they are trying to throw up a smokescreen to protect their sinful actions from someone who probably knows the truth and is trying to help them. Improper judgment is certainly condemned. But Jesus says in John 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Judgments are made all through the Scriptures by righteous people. Indeed, if we didn’t make these judgments, we wouldn’t very well know how to help people out of their sinful condition.
What Jesus censures here is hypocritical, unmerciful judgment. We all sin, and should keep that in mind when trying to correct others and lead them onto a proper path. “Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?…Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye” (vs. 3, 5). Jesus doesn’t deny that the speck is in our brother’s eye. But certainly one with a board in his own is unqualified and hypocritical in his purpose to remove that speck.
V. 2 is sobering: “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” We will determine ourselves the severity by which others judge us—and even God. If we aren’t fair and merciful to others, then don’t expect God—or others—to be fair and merciful to us.
Hypocritical, unmerciful judgment is what Jesus denounces here.
But a major mistake that is made with this section on judgment is believing it ends in verse 5. It doesn’t. It goes all the way to verse 12, and let me show you how.
With this condemnation of unmerciful, hypocritical judgment ringing in their ears—I mean, how many of us don’t need mercy?—Jesus’ disciples were liable to go to the extreme of concluding, “Well, if such is the case, then we will never judge at all.” But Jesus corrects that in verse 6: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” In other words, don’t waste your time with obstinate, obdurate, unconvertible people. The harvest is plenteous; there are a lot of souls out there that need saving, and if we spend all our time trying to bring one sinner to Christ whose “wounds are incurable” (Micah 1:9), and who is “past feeling” (Ephesians 4:19), then we will not be effectively doing the work of the Lord. Don’t waste your time with “dogs” and “swine.” It is a command of Christ! And a further, more crucial and challenging point: it is up to us to determine WHO the “dogs” and “swine” are! In other words, we have to decide when to move on and give up on someone who, from all appearances, isn't interested in the gospel.
Now, folks, that’s not easy—to, in effect, pass eternal judgment on people by determining they are no longer worthy of our attempts to teach them the gospel. It’s not only not easy, it’s a bit frightening and awe-inspiring. But remember, Jesus commands us to do it! We don’t have an option here because we are to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15), and we can’t very well do that if we spend all our time trying to convert one person. But to make this kind of decision…to determine when a soul must be abandoned…that is not a decision to be left up to spiritual babes or shallow, vapid Christians. Thus, it is why, in verses 7-11, Jesus talks about prayer again.
In this sermon, the Lord has already discussed prayer (6:5-15). Why bring it up again? Because, if we are going to obey Matthew 7:6, we’re going to need all the help we can get. We don’t want to make eternal judgments on people without the assistance of our heavenly Father. So ask…seek…knock, and the force of the language is to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Continue to petition Jehovah for the spiritual wisdom to serve Him effectively and make proper decisions. Again, Matthew 7:6 is not for the spiritually shallow. We need a deep, fervent relationship with God in order to effectively do what He commands us to do in verse 6, and in every other situation we may find ourselves in as His people. Superficial Christians do more harm to the body of Christ than all the atheists in the world.
Jesus then brings us full circle to proper judgment in verse 12: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Notice the “therefore” at the beginning of the verse; that tells us that verse 12 follows and sums up what has just been said. How do you want people to judge you? Well, we want mercy, but we should also want people to be fair in their judgment. If I’m doing something contrary to God’s will, I should want to know it. “Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee” (Proverbs 9:8). But I also want to be judged by those who have a deep, personal relationship with God, not some shallow, thin Christian whose religion barely rises above self-righteousness. Proper judgment is necessary. But it takes great wisdom and spiritual perception, something that can only come from a deep, deep personal bond with God. And we need a lot of prayer and Bible study to reach that level of spiritual maturity.
And people who shout “Judge not that ye be not judged” at the first sign of heat do NOT have that kind of bond with God.
What Jesus censures here is hypocritical, unmerciful judgment. We all sin, and should keep that in mind when trying to correct others and lead them onto a proper path. “Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?…Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye” (vs. 3, 5). Jesus doesn’t deny that the speck is in our brother’s eye. But certainly one with a board in his own is unqualified and hypocritical in his purpose to remove that speck.
V. 2 is sobering: “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” We will determine ourselves the severity by which others judge us—and even God. If we aren’t fair and merciful to others, then don’t expect God—or others—to be fair and merciful to us.
Hypocritical, unmerciful judgment is what Jesus denounces here.
But a major mistake that is made with this section on judgment is believing it ends in verse 5. It doesn’t. It goes all the way to verse 12, and let me show you how.
With this condemnation of unmerciful, hypocritical judgment ringing in their ears—I mean, how many of us don’t need mercy?—Jesus’ disciples were liable to go to the extreme of concluding, “Well, if such is the case, then we will never judge at all.” But Jesus corrects that in verse 6: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” In other words, don’t waste your time with obstinate, obdurate, unconvertible people. The harvest is plenteous; there are a lot of souls out there that need saving, and if we spend all our time trying to bring one sinner to Christ whose “wounds are incurable” (Micah 1:9), and who is “past feeling” (Ephesians 4:19), then we will not be effectively doing the work of the Lord. Don’t waste your time with “dogs” and “swine.” It is a command of Christ! And a further, more crucial and challenging point: it is up to us to determine WHO the “dogs” and “swine” are! In other words, we have to decide when to move on and give up on someone who, from all appearances, isn't interested in the gospel.
Now, folks, that’s not easy—to, in effect, pass eternal judgment on people by determining they are no longer worthy of our attempts to teach them the gospel. It’s not only not easy, it’s a bit frightening and awe-inspiring. But remember, Jesus commands us to do it! We don’t have an option here because we are to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15), and we can’t very well do that if we spend all our time trying to convert one person. But to make this kind of decision…to determine when a soul must be abandoned…that is not a decision to be left up to spiritual babes or shallow, vapid Christians. Thus, it is why, in verses 7-11, Jesus talks about prayer again.
In this sermon, the Lord has already discussed prayer (6:5-15). Why bring it up again? Because, if we are going to obey Matthew 7:6, we’re going to need all the help we can get. We don’t want to make eternal judgments on people without the assistance of our heavenly Father. So ask…seek…knock, and the force of the language is to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Continue to petition Jehovah for the spiritual wisdom to serve Him effectively and make proper decisions. Again, Matthew 7:6 is not for the spiritually shallow. We need a deep, fervent relationship with God in order to effectively do what He commands us to do in verse 6, and in every other situation we may find ourselves in as His people. Superficial Christians do more harm to the body of Christ than all the atheists in the world.
Jesus then brings us full circle to proper judgment in verse 12: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Notice the “therefore” at the beginning of the verse; that tells us that verse 12 follows and sums up what has just been said. How do you want people to judge you? Well, we want mercy, but we should also want people to be fair in their judgment. If I’m doing something contrary to God’s will, I should want to know it. “Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee” (Proverbs 9:8). But I also want to be judged by those who have a deep, personal relationship with God, not some shallow, thin Christian whose religion barely rises above self-righteousness. Proper judgment is necessary. But it takes great wisdom and spiritual perception, something that can only come from a deep, deep personal bond with God. And we need a lot of prayer and Bible study to reach that level of spiritual maturity.
And people who shout “Judge not that ye be not judged” at the first sign of heat do NOT have that kind of bond with God.
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