Matthew

Today, we will have read the entire Gospel of Matthew over the past few weeks. We should maintain a regular program of Bible reading, with emphasis on the New Testament.

The Resurrection of Jesus is the defining moment of his ministry to mankind. He died, but does he live? He was sacrificed, but does he reign? Yes! An earthquake and an angel opened his tomb. His brilliant white appearance must have been like that of the Transfiguration (Matt. 17). The angel (messenger) of God told the women who had come to the tomb, “He has risen, just as he said” (Matt. 27:6). What joy filled their hearts. As we contemplate his death and resurrection, we should also be filled with joy. We should worship and serve him.

The soldiers who had guarded the tomb to no avail reported the amazing events of the Resurrection to the chief priests. The soldiers were paid to perpetuate the lie that Jesus’ body was taken by disciples while the soldiers slept. What a pity. Mountains are often the setting for momentous occasions in the Scriptures. The Great Commission is the marching order for Jesus’ followers. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20). We must continue the work of Jesus. He did what only he could do. But he left plenty of work for us to do. We must present the Gospel to the lost and encourage them to obey and be saved. We must do everything possible to mature and strengthen those who are saved. And we must be ever ready to help the hurting and the needy. God is willing. Are we?

My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of Matthew’s gospel. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.

It seems that Judas really believed that Jesus would deliver himself from the hands of his enemies. He was remorseful at the news Jesus was condemned to die. But Judas’ remorse was that of one caught in his sin. If Judas had repented, surely the Lord would have forgiven him as he forgave Peter of his denial. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Cor. 7:10). Even with his close association with Jesus, Judas had not learned of his amazing capacity to forgive. His worldly outlook led him to take his own life.

Pontus Pilate was currently the Roman governor of Judea. The farce trial of Jesus included appearances before Pilate, King Herod, and the chief priest of the Jews. Ultimately, the weighty decision regarding Jesus came back to Pilate. The governor had the right to let Jesus go, but he chose to leave the choice to the people. Would they choose to save a notorious prisoner, Barabbas, or the sinless Jesus? In our own lives, will we choose the world or Jesus? Pilate’s symbolic washing his hands of the matter did not absolve him of the matter. What we do through the agency of others is still on our record. The flogging or whipping of Jesus is recorded with very few words. What an awful, brutal whipping it was. History tells us that some died during flogging. Isaiah wrote, “The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).

The Roman soldiers had seen many a crucifixion, which was their preferred method of capital punishment. Their treatment of Jesus our Lord makes us shudder. Little did they know they were truly crucifying the king. People treat the name and the rule of Jesus so lightly still. They may abuse him now, but they will appear before him on the last day.

On the way to the place of crucifixion, Jesus was offered a pain-dulling drink, but he refused. He would drink the bitter cup of death without relief; he would remain fully aware until his death on the cross. Jesus was crucified between two robbers, suggesting he was the worst of them. People continued to mock and abuse him. This continues today as the multitudes make light of the Savior. How often is his name used as profanity instead of a plea for salvation! It was not the nails that held Jesus on the cross. Love for the lost held him there until the end (1 John 3:16).

The death of Jesus was surely the saddest time in history. He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). God had not forsaken him, but to the human side of Jesus, it surely felt that way. People often worry over the days and times, but our focus should be on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. The precious Son of God lived in the flesh and died in the flesh. What a sight it must have been when the graves of many holy people were opened, and they came to life! The Roman centurion and others rightly concluded, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matt. 27:54). And he still lives!

Joseph of Arimathea kindly asked for the body of Jesus. He prepared the body for burial and placed it in his own new tomb. No worry—Jesus would not remain there for long.

The leaders of the Jewish establishment asked that guards be placed at the tomb of Jesus. They feared Jesus’ disciples would take his body and claim he had risen from the dead. Picture the setup for what followed. Dead body. Tomb of stone sealed with a large stone. Roman guards at the entrance. It would not be long.

My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of Matthew’s gospel. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.

Things turn ugly as a plot against Jesus’ life is formed. The religious leaders of Israel, who should have led the way in accepting Jesus, led the plot to kill him. They “plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him” (Matt. 26:4). He had challenged their pretentious way of life and he had to go.

Meanwhile the downtrodden and poor comforted Jesus. They reached out to the one who reached down to save them. It was not a waste to anoint Jesus with very expensive perfume; it was a beautiful thing. Here we find the memorable quote, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me” (Matt. 26:11). Why wait to honor someone we love until their death? Lavish love upon them now.

How sad and tragic to see Judas betraying the Lord. Jesus chose him, knowing his weakness. The Lord also knew Judas had potential and gave him the opportunity to do the right thing. But Judas opened his heart to Satan. He became an opportunist, thinking Jesus would overcome the plot against his life. Judas would pocket a nice pile of cash and Jesus would live on. No harm, no foul? Not so. We cannot have it both ways. We dare not join hands with the enemies of Jesus, while pretending to walk with him.

The introduction of the Lord’s Supper is a precious occasion. The Passover commemorated the deliverance of Israel from death and from bondage in Egypt. This narrative is recorded in Exodus. The Lord’s Supper commemorates Jesus’ death, by which we are delivered from bondage in sin. The church would begin to participate in this memorial meal in its beginning and would faithfully carry on the practice through the years (Acts 2:42, 20:7). What a blessing to have this communion with Jesus and one another each Lord’s day.

After such an uplifting subject comes the prediction of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Peter could scarcely believe that he would do such a thing. He boasted and denied that he would do so. All the disciples said the same. When our faith is put to the test and we must choose to suffer with Jesus or cower and deny him, what will we do? “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” (Titus 1:16).

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus sought the company of his closest allies while he prayed about his upcoming sacrificial death. Jesus needed their support. Imagine that. In his prayer, Jesus asked that, if possible, the cup of suffering might be taken from him. Perhaps the Father could find another way to accomplish the salvation of the world. “Yet not as I will, but as you will” must always be our sentiment.

The betrayal of Jesus is such a sad scene. The “Judas kiss.” Jesus did not need Peter’s physical defense. “He could have called 10,000 angels, but he died alone for you and me.” Jesus went willingly with his captors. 

The Sanhedrin was the “supreme court” of the Jews. Rome ruled the land with civil law and military might, but the Jews still ruled in matters of their religion. How pitiful that Jesus’ accusers sought false evidence against him. They could not find any real evidence to warrant his execution. Under oath, Jesus answered the charge that he claimed to be the Christ, the Son of God. Not just a claim, but a fact. His claim was not blasphemy; it was truth. How pitiful when mere men sit in judgment of the Son of God and the Word of God. They spat on and struck the Lamb of God!

And then, as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied Jesus. Not just once, but three times. Can you imagine how Peter felt from then on when he heard a rooster crow? Are we reminded of his denial when we see or hear a rooster? How easily men disown the Lord. Let us deepen our conviction and stand with Jesus always.

My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of Matthew’s gospel. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.

This chapter contains three judgment parables. A parable is a simple story told to illustrate spiritual truth. At the end of time all mankind will be judged by the Lord. We will be judged by his the standard of his Word, and according to our deeds. None will escape this judgment; it is universal (John 5:28-29; Acts 17:31; Rom. 14:9-12; 2 Cor. 5:9-10). We must live in awareness that time will end and that we will stand before God. Let us be prepared (2 Pet. 3:11-18).

The parable of the Ten Virgins tells us that we must be prepared to serve God for the long haul. The foolish virgins did not have enough oil for their lamps; they became drowsy and fell asleep. We must be alert and ready all our lives for the coming of the Lord. We are in this for the long haul.

The Parable of the Talents is about stewardship of life’s gifts. The lesson is based on usage of differing amounts of money. The talent was a measure of money. Whatever God gives us to use in the way of time, skill, and material blessings must be used faithfully and judiciously. God will expect to find that we have done well with our blessings. He will hope to find the fruit of a life well-lived. A faithful family, good influence, souls saved, etc.

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats tells us that God will separate the righteous and the unrighteous and send us to respective eternal destinies. How we treat our fellowman figures heavily into judgment. Jesus indicates that how we treat one another is how we would treat the Lord if he were among us. “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40). Notice that the devil and his messengers will be punished with eternal fire. Let us serve God faithfully so that we will have no fear of facing him in judgment.

My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of Matthew’s gospel. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.

Bible chapters such as this one and some in Ezekiel and Revelation are a happy hunting ground for religious error. If you don’t understand it, make it say what you want it to say, right? Not acceptable. We must accurately handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). Difficult chapters are found to be always in agreement with simpler, plainer teaching elsewhere in Scripture.

Apocalyptic language was familiar to the Jewish people. It is filled with figures, symbols, and types to illustrate truth to God’s people and to keep the message safe from enemies. Such language was used in times of grave danger, amid serious threats from unbelieving governments and religious factions opposed to God’s truth. Upheaval in nature represents upheaval among the governments and peoples of the world. Falling or darkened heavenly bodies represent leaders losing their influence. Etc. etc.

In this chapter, Jesus has much to say about the fall of Jerusalem, which took place in 70 A.D. After a series of rebellions by the Jews, the Romans flattened the city and destroyed the temple, hoping to quell the fervor of the Jews. Jesus foretells this temporal judgment around 30-33 A.D. To his disciples, such a time sounded like the coming end of the world. This was not the case, but there are parallels. Jesus carefully warns his disciples to watch the approach of the Roman armies and to seek safety in the mountains. People use the expression, “Head for the hills” for good reason.

Regarding the fall of Jerusalem, the disciples were told to NOT be alarmed too soon. Wars and rumors of wars have happened in every area. This did not point to the end. Famines and earthquakes are common; they did not signify the end. When they observed increasing numbers of false prophets offering to protect them, they should beware. The key thing to watch for was the “abomination that causes desolation,” mentioned by Daniel and clarified by Luke (Dan. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Luke 21:20). This referred to the approach of the heathen Roman army that would profane and destroy the temple. By the time this occurred, the temple would be only their house, not God’s house any longer. This destruction occurred 40 years after the beginning of the New Testament kingdom, the church. When this happened, Christians heeded the warning given by Jesus and fled to the Transjordan mountains. Those who foolishly listened to false Christs and tried to barricade themselves in the city would perish. Excellent reading is available on the fall of Jerusalem. Do not fall prey to those who use most of this chapter to keep people frightened every time the earth rumbles or one nation fires at another.

There is a clear shift of subject in verse 36. Regarding the end of time, the greatest Day of the Lord, no one knows the time, and no one can know. People will be carrying on ordinary life right up to the time when Jesus comes. Numerous signs pointed to the fall of Jerusalem. There will be no signs of the end of the world. Hear Jesus: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt. 24:44). Are you ready for that great day?

My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of Matthew’s gospel. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.

As always, please read the chapter. You don’t want to miss this one.

Addressing the crowds and his disciples, Jesus began to expose the Jewish teachers and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. The Jewish leaders may have known and taught the Law well, but their lifestyle was not to be imitated. They were experts on what others should do, while excusing themselves from duty to God. They were vain and self-important, loving the praise of men. They were a den of snakes! And those are Jesus’ words.

These leaders were blind guides and hypocrites. Remember, the term hypocrite was taken from the practice of wearing a mask while acting in a play. Living for God is not merely a show. The Pharisees were outwardly religious, but inwardly corrupt. They were like whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but full of bones inside. As the time of his death drew near, Jesus began to truly distinguish between the faithful and the unfaithful. The salvation of mankind would cost him his life, and the resulting blessings would not go to those who trifled with God’s commands.

Although the Jewish leaders advertised themselves as friends of God, they were just like their forefathers who killed God’s prophets. God greatly desired to save all his people, beginning with Jerusalem. However, the sins of the people and the city would come due before long. Jesus referred to the temple no longer as God’s house, but as “your house.” It was left desolate, the scene and symbol of their empty religious life.

Let us be faithful to God and thankful for his every blessing.

My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of Matthew’s gospel. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.