Just a reminder to you all. This is an interactive blog. You are invited to contribute. Just click on or tap the title you want to comment on and the platform will open up to write on.
I consciously humble myself before the Lord reminding myself I have nothing to bring to him except my response to his love.
“ Yes I am the Ancient of Days – none before Me none beyond Me – I bracket the time I created. And in the middle – the centrepoint is the gospel – the only true good news – the gospel that brings you peace – the gospel that brings anyone who embraces it peace. This is governed by one factor – My love – My holiness which exudes My love and it embraces all My creation. And it is in that love that I hold the future, your future and the future of the entire universe. The knowledge and understanding of all this is what holds the key to your peace and sense of security – so despite the apparent darkness of the night – within all that My love holds you in its steely yet warm grip. Don’t waste time trying to peer into the future, just relax and experience my peace today.”
Back to Matthew. Despite the fact that the so called “Sermon on the Mount” is written as an apparent complete message in chapters 5-7, it seems the entire message extends beyond that. In Mat 4:23 he writes that Jesus was, “Teaching …and preaching the good news of the kingdom”. In 8:35 he brackets that with the statement “Jesus went through all the villages teaching….and preaching the good news of the kingdom.” So this message of the good news of the kingdom, the “gospel” as we know it, extends a bit beyond what is written under the sermon.
That makes sense as we follow the two chapters after the sermon which are demonstrating the practical application of the Sermon and how to participate in that good news.
So firstly we see various messages on healing. Is that not what Jesus has come to do? To restore the damage of the curse and make us whole as the first fruits, as it were of the Messianic age which lead to the ultimate consummation of the kingdom. Within those stories of healing there is an emphasis on faith, which is the key factor for the “news” to become experientially real for anyone. There are a variety of expressions of faith, from a distance, by a word, through a touch, there is no fixed way that we could say, “That is the way”. The only thing that is constant is trust which Jesus follows by acting on it.
Then the last story in this cameo is in 9:27 ff where Jesus heals two blind men. Is this not a visible reminder that we are blind to this good news till Jesus opens our eyes? He also needs to open our ears and mouth. This supernatural work of revelation is implicit in our understanding of the spiritual dimension of the kingdom.
Then there are various stories of exorcism. That surely is demonstrating Jesus’ victory over the demonic world and the fact that through the gospel He delivers us from the Evil One.
Central to the stories is the question of forgiveness of sin, 9:1-8. Immediately after that Matthew, in telling of his own story, reminds us that coming to Jesus for forgiveness requires a recognition of one’s sinfulness and your need for God’s forgiveness. So implicit in the act of forgiveness we are reminded of the need for repentance. What a beautiful way to demonstrated that as Matthew tells of his response to Jesus call. He turns away from his old sinful life and leaves that to follow Jesus. Then just to underline this we are told the story of fasting. In the Old Testament the act of fasting was most commonly an outward sign of repentance.
I can go on about the reaction of the crowds which demonstrate Jesus’ deity. The reminder of the New Covenant, wineskins and cloth, which makes this action possible and more. But why don’t you go back and explore what else you can see which reveals aspects of the gospel.
So returning to 6:3 and the instruction to ‘enter through the ‘Narrow Way’.’ Entry through this way is on the one hand so easy. The way has been opened by Jesus and He does all the work. All He expects from us is a genuine desire, a recognition of our lostness and a desire to follow Him by turning your lives over to Him. At the same time it is extremely difficult because of people’s pride and insisting on doing things their own way rather than God’s way. That is surely why so few people find this way and enter in. Hence the admonition that it is only by doing it God’s way that there is access into the Kingdom. (7:21b)
Imbibe all this and let it enrich your understanding of the wonderful gospel of peace through Jesus and allow it to prepare you even more to be able to speak it to others, because the fields are white unto harvest.
Similar Posts
- Christmas Rememberance and our Blog.
- David’s further preparation to become King.
- Blood.
- The Mystery of the Battle, God Uses it for Growth.
- Hallelujah - the New Age has come.
- Damascus, a Turning Point.
- The Glory of the Lord.
- Has the Church forsaken God?
- Relationships.
- The Value and Necessity of Salvation.
So true! Every day to take up the cross of my own will and worldly self, and submit to my Lord’s will, love and guidance.
I’ve learned, with great thankfulness, that the peace Jesus talks about comes to me when I submit to His will, His way, His commands, His grace and mercy. To obey us better than sacrifice, because that is the practical reality of giving our bodies, our minds, as a living sacrifice.
I have truly learned in my life to rejoice in my utter dependence on my Lord and
Savior. This is the only place of comforting security for my heart. I pity people who depend on themselves, worldly sources or circumstances. Their lives are built on sand, their foundation is not adequate to support them. Ir is my choice moment by moment to depend on the Lord, my rock and my shield. I regard it as the highest privilege of being in contact with my loving Father, the King of kings, who will never leave, nor forsake me. My prayer is, that everyone may experience this unfathomable blessing. All.glory and power be to our Holy Lord forever and ever! Amen
He said to me , ” My grace is sufficient for you , for My power is made perfect in weakness ” 2 Corinthians 12 9
Jesus gave us so many examples in Mathew of Jesus’s utter love for His own. He gave us lessons of repentance, dependency on Him, how to live, how faith is the most important aspect, and our love for our Father and Priest. We are never alone, He is with us, and His Spirit in us. His creation gives us joy and we see God Our Father daily and all around us. We glorify Him.
At Hans’ PC briefly… I can’t seem to reply via FB or my ‘phone! Learning curve, I guess! Ian, “imbibe” has taken on a new meaning since your blog. Now I need to encourage all of us to “Put in the sickle, for the (vintage) harvest is rippe; come, get down, and tread the grapes, for the wine press is full, the vats overflow; for the wickedness (of the peoples) is great!” (Joel 3 v 13).
Now the “harvest” is not white in the winelands BUT it certainly is where wheat is harvested! I enjoyed the ‘treading of the grapes’ in the scriptures. An invitation to us all to “imbibe”