Right of the batt here in Matthew 16 we once again see the insecurities of man pressing in on Jesus, "prove yourself to us Jesus" (mind you he has been healing the sick and multiplying bread and opening blind eyes ect, they have plenty of proof) and Jesus responds with a question. and lets them know the only sign they will be given is the Jonah sign.
It is believed that the "sign of Jonah" refers to the resurrection of Jesus, which is foreshadowed by the story of Jonah being in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Just as Jonah was brought back to life, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, which is the ultimate proof that he is the Messiah, the Son of God.
"keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast"
In the Bible, yeast is often used as a symbol of corruption or moral decay. In the Old Testament, yeast is mentioned in several passages in connection with religious festivals and offerings to God, and it is often associated with the idea of "uncleanness" or sin. For example, in Leviticus 2:11, it is commanded that no yeast or honey is to be included in any grain offerings made to the Lord, and in Exodus 12:15-20, the Israelites are told to remove all yeast from their homes before the start of the Passover festival.
In the New Testament, yeast is also mentioned as a symbol of corruption and is often used to describe the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. In Matthew 16:6 Jesus warns his disciples to "beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees". This passage is interpreted as a warning against the corrupting influence of false teachings and hypocrisy.
In addition to these negative connotations, yeast can also be seen as a symbol of growth, expansion and transformation. In Luke 13:20-21, Jesus uses the example of yeast in a parable to describe how the kingdom of God will grow and spread. Here, yeast is used as a positive image of the transformative power of God's word in people's lives.
In summary yeast in the Bible is often used as a symbol of the corrupting influence of sin, false teachings and hypocrisy, but it can also be seen as a symbol of growth and transformation through the transformative power of God's word.
“Thinking he was scolding them for forgetting bread, they discussed in whispers what to do. Jesus knew what they were doing and said, “Why all these worried whispers about forgetting the bread? Baby believers! Haven’t you caught on yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves of bread and the five thousand people, and how many baskets of fragments you picked up? Or the seven loaves that fed four thousand, and how many baskets of leftovers you collected? Haven’t you realized yet that bread isn’t the problem? The problem is yeast, Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.” Then they got it: that he wasn’t concerned about eating, but teaching—the Pharisee-Sadducee kind of teaching.”
Son of Man, Son of God
In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is and who others are saying he is, but it is not the first time that Jesus has asked this type of question about public opinion of himself.
In Matthew 12:38, some of the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign, and Jesus responded by asking them what sign they wanted, and he compared the people of his generation with the people of the generation of Jonah the prophet.
In Matthew 11:3, John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to ask if he was the one who was to come, or should they expect someone else.
In Matthew 21:10-11, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred, asking "Who is this?"
So, Jesus had asked similar questions before in order to test the understanding of his disciples and to make them think critically about who he is and his mission.
Now this is a beautiful interaction here with Jesus and Simon (who becomes Peter) and what stands out to me here is Identity.
“He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. “And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.””
And then we get this, again. . . not the first time Jesus has asked to be kept a secret
“He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah.”
Matthew 16:20 MSG
But why?
This request for secrecy may be because Jesus' claim of being the Messiah was likely to be met with opposition from the religious authorities and the political leaders of the time. If Jesus' messianic claims were made public too soon, it could have resulted in his arrest and execution before he had the chance to fully accomplish his mission.
Additionally, Jesus may have wanted to avoid premature enthusiasm and misunderstanding among the people. He wanted his disciples to understand his identity and mission fully before they began to spread the message. He wanted them to be fully prepared and to have a deep understanding of what it means for him to be the Messiah, so that they can explain it accurately to others.
There are other examples of Jesus asking for secrecy in the Bible such as in Mark 7:36, Jesus telling a man he had healed not to tell anyone, or Mark 8:26, when he asked the people who had witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fishes not to tell anyone about it.
By keeping his identity as the Messiah a secret, Jesus may have wanted to avoid creating a following based on popular opinion or superficial understanding, and instead, he wanted people to come to the realization of who he is through their own personal encounter with him and through the work of the Holy Spirit. By requiring his disciples to keep his identity a secret, Jesus was giving them the opportunity to spread the message in a way that would encourage people to seek the truth for themselves, rather than just accepting it based on hearsay or popular opinion.
The Pharisees, had a particular understanding of what the Messiah would be like, and Jesus' teachings and actions often did not align with their expectations.
The Pharisees expected the Messiah to be a powerful and conquering political leader who would overthrow the Roman Empire and re-establish the kingdom of Israel with its own political and religious independence. They believed that the Messiah would be a powerful military and political leader who would lead the Jewish people to victory over their oppressors, and they were looking forward to the coming of a powerful and glorious savior who would restore the greatness of Israel.
On the other hand, Jesus' teachings and actions were focused on the coming of the kingdom of God, which he said was not of this world. He emphasized the importance of humility, service and love towards others, as well as the inner transformation of the heart. He did not come as a military leader to overthrow the Roman Empire, but as a savior to offer salvation to all. He called for repentance and faith, not for rebellion and violence. He also rejected the legalistic approach of the Pharisees, and instead, he emphasized the importance of a personal relationship with God, based on love and grace.
(back to the title Son of Man, Son of God)
In the Bible, "son of man" and "son of God" are two different titles that are used to refer to Jesus.
"Son of man" is a term that is used more frequently in the Gospels, particularly in the sayings of Jesus himself. This term is derived from the Hebrew "ben adam" and it is used in the Old Testament to refer to humanity in general, indicating that Jesus is fully human. The title "son of man" emphasizes Jesus' humanity and his identification with all people, it also emphasizes Jesus' humility and his mission as a servant to humanity.
On the other hand, "Son of God" is a title that emphasizes Jesus' divinity and his unique relationship with God the Father. This title is used more frequently in the later parts of the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the apostle Paul and in the gospel of John. It is used to affirm Jesus' divine nature, his pre-existence and his role as the incarnate Word of God.
The term "son of God" is used in several places in the Bible, and it is used to refer to different individuals or groups of people depending on the context. Here is a list of some of the places where the term "son of God" is used in the Bible:
In the Old Testament, the term "son of God" is used in several passages to refer to angels (Job 1:6, 2:1) and to the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:22, Hosea 11:1).
In the New Testament, the term "son of God" is used to refer to Jesus of Nazareth, who is the incarnate Son of God. The term is used in several passages, including Matthew 3:17, Matthew 4:3, Matthew 8:29, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 26:63, Luke 1:35, John 1:34, John 3:16, John 5:25, John 10:36, John 11:4, John 20:31, Rom 1:3-4, 2 Cor 1:19, Gal 4:4, 1 John 4:15
The term "sons of God" is also used in the New Testament in Romans 8:14 and Galatians 3:26 to refer to believers in Jesus who are adopted into God's family through faith in Jesus.
There are also other usage of the term "son of God" in the New Testament like in Hebrews 1:5, it is used to describe Jesus in his divine nature, and in 2 John 1:3, it is used to refer to Jesus as God's eternal Word.
It's important to note that the use of the term "son of God" in the Bible is not only a matter of human descent or genealogy but it is a title of dignity, authority and divine nature, which is being used to express the unique relationship of Jesus with God the Father.
The term "son of man" is used in several places in the Bible, and it is used to refer to Jesus of Nazareth in many of the passages. Here is a list of some of the places where the term "son of man" is used in the Bible:
In the Old Testament, the term "son of man" is used in the book of Ezekiel to refer to the prophet Ezekiel himself (Ezekiel 2:1, 3:1, etc.).
In the New Testament, the term "son of man" is used to refer to Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospels, particularly in the sayings of Jesus himself. Some examples of this include: Matthew 8:20, Matthew 9:6, Matthew 10:23, Matthew 12:8, Matthew 16:13, Matthew 17:9, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 24:27, Matthew 25:31, Matthew 26:64, Mark 2:10, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:12, Mark 13:26, Mark 14:21, Luke 5:24, Luke 6:22, Luke 7:34, Luke 9:22, Luke 18:8, Luke 19:10, Luke 22:22, John 1:51, John 3:13, John 5:27, John 6:53, John 8:28, John 12:23, John 12:34, John 13:31.
The term "son of man" is used in the New Testament to refer to Jesus' humanity, his identification with all people, his humility and his mission as a servant to humanity. It emphasizes Jesus' full humanity and it is a title that Jesus used for himself more than any other.
It's important to note that the term "son of man" is used in the Bible to emphasize the humanity of Jesus, his identification with all people, his humility, and his mission as a servant to humanity. It is a title that Jesus used for himself more than any other and it is rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ezekiel, where it is used to refer to the prophet Ezekiel himself, and it is also used to refer to humanity in general, indicating that Jesus is fully human.
It is also worth mentioning that in the context of the New Testament, the term "son of man" is also used as a messianic title, referring to Jesus as the promised Messiah, the one who will bring salvation to humanity. It emphasizes Jesus' humanity and his divine nature at the same time, showing that he is fully God and fully man.
YOU'RE NOT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
“Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!” But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.””
in Matthew 16:21-28, Jesus reveals to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, be killed, and then rise again, and he explains that if anyone wants to follow him, they must be willing to take up their own cross and follow him, and he talks about the rewards for those who follow him and the consequences for those who are ashamed of him. He also emphasizes the idea of self-denial and complete commitment to him as a requirement to follow him.
In Matthew 16:23, Jesus says "Get behind me, Satan!" to Peter, in response to Peter's statement that Jesus should not have to suffer and die. Peter, who had just confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, is still thinking in terms of an earthly, political Messiah, and not in terms of a suffering and dying Messiah who would bring salvation to humanity.
When Jesus says "Get behind me, Satan!" to Peter, he is rejecting the idea that the Messiah should be an earthly, political leader who would not have to suffer and die. He is also rejecting the idea that the Messiah's mission is to bring political liberation and not spiritual salvation. Jesus is affirming that his mission is to die for the sins of humanity, and that this is the only way for salvation to be achieved.
In this context, Jesus is identifying Peter's suggestion as coming from Satan, who is trying to tempt Jesus to reject the way of the cross and to pursue an easier, less painful way to gain glory and power. Jesus is rejecting Satan's temptations and affirming his commitment to carrying out God's plan of salvation through his death on the cross.
In summary, Jesus says "Get behind me, Satan!" to Peter, because Peter's suggestion that Jesus should not have to suffer and die, is a temptation from Satan, trying to tempt Jesus to reject the way of the cross and to pursue an easier, less painful way to gain glory and power. Jesus is rejecting Satan's temptations and affirming his commitment to carrying out God's plan of salvation through his death on the cross.
“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”
Matthew 16:24-26 MSG
JOB 11
““Do you think you can explain the mystery of God? Do you think you can diagram God Almighty? God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend, Stretching farther than earth’s horizons, far wider than the endless ocean. If he happens along, throws you in jail then hauls you into court, can you do anything about it? He sees through vain pretensions, spots evil a long way off— no one pulls the wool over his eyes! Hollow men, hollow women, will wise up about the same time mules learn to talk.”
Job 11:7-12 MSG
We see Zophar's Counsel here, There are lots of Truths to it, God is all knowing and just. we can't comprehend him at all! He is way outside our realm.
Zophar goes on to try and encourage Job to repent of his sins so that God will restore him back to his former prosperity
““Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him, If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, You’ll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless. You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dawn. Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again; you’ll look around, sit back, and take it easy. Expansive, without a care in the world, you’ll be hunted out by many for your blessing. But the wicked will see none of this. They’re headed down a dead-end road with nothing to look forward to—nothing.””
Job 11:13-20 MSG
however, since we have insight into the story, we know that he is wrong about Job. But is he wrong about his theology?
Job 12
“Job answered: “I’m sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there’ll be no one left to tell us how to live. But don’t forget that I also have a brain— I don’t intend to play second fiddle to you. It doesn’t take an expert to know these things.”
Job 12:1-3 MSG
“I’m sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there’ll be no one left to tell us how to live."
This next section is one to chew on . . .
““But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand— Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature? Isn’t this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste? Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom, that you have to grow old before you understand life?”
Job 12:7-12 MSG
Do you know what this sounds like?
Matthew 6:19-26
19-21“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
24 “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.
25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Matthew 6 and Job 12 both contain passages that speak about God's provision and care for his creatures. In Matthew 6, Jesus uses the example of birds and flowers to illustrate the point that these creatures rely on God for their needs and that they do not worry or strive to get what they need. He encourages his followers to have the same trust in God's provision and care for them and to not be anxious or worried about their needs. On the other hand, in Job 12, the focus is on how God is the one who controls the natural world and all living things, and that he gives strength to the weak, and brings down the mighty. Job points out that wisdom and understanding come from God, and that God is the one who gives and takes away. Both passages emphasize the idea that God is the one who provides and cares for his creatures, and that they should trust in him and not worry or strive to get what they need. Both passages also remind us that God is sovereign and that everything happens according to his will.
““True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for. If he tears something down, it’s down for good; if he locks people up, they’re locked up for good. If he holds back the rain, there’s a drought; if he lets it loose, there’s a flood. Strength and success belong to God; both deceived and deceiver must answer to him. He strips experts of their vaunted credentials, exposes judges as witless fools. He divests kings of their royal garments, then ties a rag around their waists. He strips priests of their robes, and fires high officials from their jobs. He forces trusted sages to keep silence, deprives elders of their good sense and wisdom. He dumps contempt on famous people, disarms the strong and mighty. He shines a spotlight into caves of darkness, hauls deepest darkness into the noonday sun. He makes nations rise and then fall, builds up some and abandons others. He robs world leaders of their reason, and sends them off into no-man’s-land. They grope in the dark without a clue, lurching and staggering like drunks.””
Job 12:13-25 MSG
Here are some verses from the Bible that echo the idea that God is the one who teaches us how to live:
Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
Isaiah 48:17 - "This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
John 14:26 - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
1 John 2:27 - "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him."
These verses demonstrate that God is the ultimate teacher, and that he provides wisdom, guidance, and instruction to those who seek him. They also emphasize that God's teachings are for the benefit of those who follow him and that it leads to a good and righteous life. Additionally, these verses also remind us that God's teachings come from his Holy Spirit, who guides and directs us in our daily lives, and that it is through his teachings that we can gain wisdom and understanding.
Psalm 16
“Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. I say to God, “Be my Lord!” Without you, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make! Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names. My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell— that’s not my destination! Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.”
Psalms 16:1-11 MSG
Psalm 16 was written by King David and takes place amongst 1 Chronicles 17:27 and 1 Samuel 27.
This is a great Psalm! I love how David Expresses that he has chosen God as his God and acknowledges that you don't just go shopping for a god like they are brand names, But that is exactly how the culture works, you go to the fertility gods with offerings because you want to have a child. . . or the harvest gods before you plant your fields, or you pledge your allegiance to the god in Athens, it's about identity. . .
Comments
Post a Comment