You are here: Home
Jesus, My Master
Correspondence Course on Gospel of Matthew
Lesson One: “Finding a Master Worth Following”
Introduction
If we are to make any real progress in our spiritual life, we know we need a guru, a spiritual master. We need someone to show us the way, to challenge and correct and guide and help us. We can only progress as far spiritually as our guru can take us.
God knew this too. This is why He sent us Jesus. This study of the Gospel of Matthew guides us to see what Jesus taught His first disciples. We also see what He wants us to learn. He calls us today also to be His disciples.
Is He worthy to be your spiritual Master?
Read Matthew 7:28-29.
What was it like to be with Jesus, to hear His teaching? What was so “amazing” to the crowds? What was the “authority” that they saw in Him? What was so different about Jesus that they wanted to take Him as their Master?
These are the questions we will be seeking to answer in this study of Jesus’ life as given us by His disciple Matthew.
The above verses at the end of chapter 7 were written at the conclusion of the section of Matthew’s gospel known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” This is found in chs. 5-7. Let’s begin, then, to look at this teaching that the crowd found so amazing.
• Finding True Happiness in Life
Read Mt. 5:1-12
vv. 1-2
Jesus sat, like an Indian guru, as He was teaching.
Whom did Jesus gather to hear His teaching?: _____________ These words were not meant for everyone, only for those who wanted to be His disciples.
Are you looking for a worthy Master to follow? Write down the attributes that you want in your spiritual master: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Now we will study the life and teaching of this Master. You can decide if He is to be your Master.
vv. 3-12
These verses are called “The Beatitudes.” “Beatitude” means “blessed.” Literally, the Greek word translated here as “blessed” means “happy.”
What makes you happy:
___ When you are successful? ___ When you are wealthy? ___ When you are respected? ___ When you are healthy? ___ When your children are doing well? ___ When there is peace in your family? ___ Other? _________________________
Our great hope in life is to be happy. What will bring us real, lasting happiness? How can we find it? Jesus, the Master, begins his Sermon on the Mount with teaching on this great human quest for happiness.
Read the Beatitudes (5:3-12) once again.
Write down how Jesus’ description of happiness is different from ours. Who does Jesus say will be truly happy?:
Notes on the Greek (from “The Daily Study Bible” by William Barclay): v. 3 – “poor in spirit” = those who recognize that God is our one strength and help in life. v. 4 – “mourn” = being sorrowful for our failings in life and for the failings in our society v. 5 – “meek” = self-control and humility v. 6 – “hunger and thirst” = what one lives and dies for v. 7 – “merciful” = feeling the pain of others v. 8 – “pure in heart” = motives are always pure v. 9 – “peacemakers” = bringing harmonious relationships between people vv. 10-12 – “persecuted” = to have something worth living and dying for
Write your comments on Jesus’ list of who will be truly happy? How does Jesus’ list compare with your list and with the list of most people? Also write any questions you have about Jesus’ list:
We see at the start of our study that to be a disciple of Jesus is to lead a whole different kind of life. What kind of life will it be? We see that next.
• Making a True Difference in Life
Do you want to make a difference in the world? Do you want your life to be memorable and powerful? You know what an impact Jesus had with His life. As His disciple, Jesus wants you also to make a difference.
Read Mt 5:13-20
Notes: v. 13 – “salt” = at Jesus’ time, used to keep food from spoiling
What is spoiling your family? What is spoiling our society? What can you do in your life to keep the world from going sour and corrupt? What did Jesus do? (We shall see!)
vv. 14-16
Light is to be seen Light is to be a guide. Light may be a warning light.
What of your life do you want others to see, as a guide or as a warning? Do you need a Master to show you the way?
Why would we want our Master to get the credit for our “good deeds?:” We want more people to follow Him and become His disciples.
vv. 17-20
“law” = how God wants us to act in life
We will see later in our study (ch. 23) how Jesus condemned the self-righteousness of the Pharisees.
Later also ( 22:37 -40), we will see how Jesus gave the summary of the Law: “Love the Lord with all your heart…. and love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Pharisees were interested that all kinds of religious rules be observed. What did Jesus teach as God’s desire for our actions in life? How is that kind of life greater than all? What kind of difference would that kind of life make in your family and in our society? Comment:
• Becoming a True Disciple of Jesus
Jesus is the Master. He calls His disciples to follow a whole new kind of life. Jesus is not interested in disciples who only want to follow half-heartedly. He wants disciples who truly want to listen to Him. He wants disciples to become like Him!
Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said…., but I tell you…..”
Read Mt. 5:21-47
Jesus wants disciples who not only obey His commands but who think like he does. He wants a clear heart, not such a clean life. He wants us pure from our innermost thoughts on out. Only then can we become like Him, even when He is not around to tell us what to do.
What is the difference in Jesus’ teaching to His disciples on these topics?:
Murder (vv. 21-26)
Adultery (vv. 27-30)
Divorce (vv. 31-32)
Making oaths (vv. 33-37)
Facing injustice (vv. 38-42)
Dealing with enemies (vv. 43-47)
Is Jesus’ teaching worthy to follow? Do you want Him to be your Master in life?
How would your life be different if you followed Jesus? How would our country to different if many followed Him?
Do you react with amazement at His teaching? Do you find a new authority in it, as His first hearers did? Are you up to the challenge of being Jesus’ disciple today?
Comments:
Assignment
Read the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, chs. 6-7. As you read, ask, “Is this the teaching that I would like to guide and inspire my life and our society?”
Correspondence Course on Gospel of Matthew
Lesson Two: “Who Is this Jesus?”
In Lesson One, we met the spiritual Master Jesus as He began His teaching. How did He come into the world? For that, we need to go to the beginning of Matthew’s gospel.
• Jesus’ Genealogy
The gospel of Matthew begins as many Jewish histories of that day did, with a genealogy. Matthew’s genealogy is designed in a special way.
Matthew also calls Jesus “Christ.” (v. 1) “Christ” is the Greek for the Hebrew word “Messiah” (meaning “anointed one”). From Abraham on, the Jews expected the Messiah, the Anointed (appointed) One of God. They expected that God Himself would come to lead them.
(You can see these Messianic promises to different leaders in the Old Testament, if you want to look them up: to Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3, to Moses in Deut. 18:15, to David in II Sam. 7:16, to various prophets in Is. 9:1-7, 11:1-11, Ez. 34:23-24, Zech. 14:9, for example.)
We will find Jesus accepting all kinds of people as His disciples. Is that what Matthew is implying? In fact, we will see later that Matthew himself was a person many of the other disciples did not want to accept into Jesus’ inner circle because of the bad life he had led.
Is Matthew reminding us right from the start that God has always included anybody and everybody?
If you are willing to join with Him, you are received!
What does that invitation mean to you personally? Comment:
• Jesus’ Nature
Read Mt. 2:18-25.
Matthew doesn’t give a lot of details about Jesus’ birth. More of the story is found in Luke’s gospel (see chs. 1-2). Matthew does tell us that Jesus was conceived in Mary “through the Holy Spirit.” (2:18, 20; see also vv. 23, 25) Jesus can be called the “God-Man.” He was born with both natures, both divine and human.
That is why Matthew quotes Is 7:14. Jesus is “God with us.” ( 1:23 ) What Jesus taught and did is from God Himself.
Matthew points out that the name “Jesus” also is filled with meaning for His mission. ( 1:21 ) In Hebrew, “Jesus” means “God saves!”
We saw in Lesson One how crowds recognized a special “authority” ( 7:29 ) in Jesus. They sensed God’s Presence and God’s Word in Him. Jesus Himself spoke with that authority, as we saw in Lesson One, when He said over and over again, “You have heard…. but I tell you…” (5:21ff)
What difference does it make to you that Jesus was God’s Presence and that Jesus’ words are God’s Word? Comment:
(You can read more about Jesus’ early life and about John the Baptist’s ministry in the next verses, 2:26-3:12 )
Read 3:13 -17.
Jesus’ Baptism is the event that began His ministry. The “voice from heaven” (v. 17) was God telling the world Who this was on earth. The Spirit came to add his commissioning (v. 16.) Jesus was appointed and anointed as the “Christ,” the long-awaited “Messiah.” Jesus called God “Father,” and in this passage God the Father calls Jesus His “son.” This is how Christians came to get the terms “Father,” Son,” and Holy Spirit. All three were present and active personally in the event of Jesus’ Baptism.
This is one of the accounts on which Christians base their belief in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is called the “Trinity” or the “Triune God.” God is One, but He has revealed Himself as three Persons at the same time. It is a mystery beyond our comprehension, but then He is God! How can we ever expect to understand or describe His Nature?
• Jesus’ Work
After Jesus’ Baptism, Satan immediately tried to stop Him. You can read about this incident in 4:1-11.
Read 4:12 -25
Matthew quotes one of the Old Testament passages we referred to above. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring a “great light” to “people living in darkness.” (v. 16) We are reminded of the great Upanishadic yearning:
“From the unreal lead me to the real. From darkness lead me to light. From death lead me to deathlessness.”
Jesus calls people to “repent” (v. 17) because the “kingdom of heaven” (= the Presence of God) has come. The word “repent” in Greek means to make a 180 degree turn. It means to recognize that we are headed in the wrong direction, to turn around, and to follow a new path. It means to see the light and go towards it, out of the darkness.
Do you feel the need for a new path, a new light, in life? Do you feel you have been wandering in the darkness? Do you want to go from the unreal to the real? Do you long to have God’s sure Presence and direction in your life?
What are the ways you feel lost at this point in your life?
What do you need to leave and head in a whole new direction?
Do you believe that God can love you so much that He would come to lead you out of darkness with a “great light”?
Jesus came to people two thousand years ago. They were ordinary people, mostly fishermen. He said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (v. 19). They “immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.” (v. 22)
All through history, Jesus has continued to come and to call for disciples. You turn to Him in prayer, and he is there. Some people have been called by Jesus in visions. Some have been called when they have studied His teaching. Some have been called by other disciples (as John details for us how Simon was called by his brother Andrew in his gospel: Jn. 1:40-42).
Many people had excuses (see Mt. 8:18-22, Lk. 9:57-62). Making a 180 degree turn is not easy. It causes turmoil in one’s own heart and in one’s family and in the whole society. If you were to accept Jesus as your Master, what turmoil would you have to face?
Jesus had a special compassion for those who “were ill with various diseases.” (v. 24) Sickness and pain and suffering were not part of God’s original creation. He had created a perfect world, as we see in Genesis chs. 1-2. It pains God’s heart to see how His good creation has been spoiled by man’s sin and rebellion. We see God’s love and care in Jesus’ healing ministry.
Even today you can turn to Jesus for healing. He is the Master Who cares about you.
Assignment
Read Mt. 14:13-36
Lesson Three: “Jesus, the Power of God”
We saw in Lesson One, how the crowds recognized Jesus’ authority in His teaching ( 7:29 ). Now we will see how Jesus displayed His authority in His deeds. Jesus didn’t bring just the Word of God; He brought the power of God. He taught God’s will, and He did God’s will.
In the upcoming passages of Matthew’s gospel, we will see Jesus bringing God’s authority over life and death, over forgiveness, over the demons, over illness. This is why Jesus’ followers not only called Him their Master; they called Him their “Lord.”
A. Healing for You
We saw at the end of our last lesson ( 4:23 -25) that many people came to Jesus for healing. In this lesson, we will have some accounts of these healings.
Read Mt. 8:1-17.
v. 3 – Jesus said, “ I am willing to heal.” Why does Jesus heal? The answer is clear from the Old Testament quotation Matthew provides in v. 17: “He took our infirmities and carried our diseases.” (Is. 53:4) The prophet Isaiah says that this is what God will do when He comes as the Messiah.
This, then, is the purpose for which the God the Father sent the Son to earth. We see this purpose spelled out even more in the rest of Isaiah 53. Here are the verses from Is. 53:4-6:
“Surely He took our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten and afflicted. He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Jesus’ healing of leprosy and illness and fever and demon-possession in Mt. 8 was a sign of His whole purpose of healing. God had come to heal the world.
Jesus’ miracles of physical healing were a sign of the greater, eternal healing He had come to bring. We will see in Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection that indeed the Lord “laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6)
What is the healing that you need in your life?
Physical healing? Family quarrels? Personal guilt? Financial problems? Social conflict? Other?
To you also, Jesus says, “I am willing.”
B. Healing for your Loved Ones
Sometimes our pain and desperation are greater for someone else’s need than for our own. Will Jesus hear our prayer on their behalf as well?
In Mt. 8:5ff, a centurion comes to Jesus on behalf of his servant. Jesus said, “I will,” and He did.
What is the healing needed among your loved ones?
Jesus didn’t even have to go to the centurion’s house. He did it without the ill person even knowing it. You know Jesus. You can go to Him on behalf of your loved ones, whether the person knows it or not. Jesus’ healing power can enter your home through you.
Will you go to Him and ask?
C. Jesus’ Call for Faith
A centurion at Jesus’ time was a very important person. He was a “centurion” because he had one hundred soldiers under him (see. v. 9). He was part of the powerful Roman Empire army.
Note, however, the humility he shows in addressing Jesus. Being a part of an army, he knew how to recognize and respect authority. The centurion had authority over soldiers. He knew this spiritual Master had far greater, divine authority. Jesus need “just say the word,” and God’s healing power would be there.
Jesus recognizes this faith and praises it (v. 10). Jesus held up this gentile (non-Jew), Roman (occupying army) officer as an example to everyone else. The centurion was not part of the people of Israel. He was not part of God’s covenant people. But Jesus does not look at what group you are a part of. He doesn’t look at how high or low your position is in society. He doesn’t look at what others say about you. He doesn’t care if you are an insider or an outsider.
Jesus only cares that you have faith. Jesus looks at the heart.
What does Jesus see in your heart? Does Jesus marvel and rejoice at your faith in Him? Jesus would hold you up as an example.
Note that the centurion did not keep his faith in Jesus a secret. Even though he knew that both Jews and Romans would ridicule and reject him, he came forward publicly. Jesus knew what courage this took. Jesus respected the love and honesty in the centurion’s character. Jesus gladly granted his wish and publicly praised him.
What consequences would you face if you showed publicly that you have faith in Jesus as your spiritual Master? Are you ready for it?
Read 8:18-22.
Jesus makes it clear that being His disciple is not easy. At that time, it meant living away from home and family obligations because Jesus was travelling from village to village.
Now, it might be harder to be a disciple staying at home and doing family obligations. People in our family may not want us to be a disciple of Jesus. What is Jesus’ reply today to someone who says he wants to follow but gives excuses?
D. Jesus, the Power of God
Read 8:23-9:7
We humans can do some physical healing. We can learn what herbs and medicines treat different diseases. However, there are some forces over which we have no power.
Jesus is the power of God. In this passage, Jesus revealed His divine power over all things.
In vv. 23-27, we see God’s power over Nature. In vv. 28-34, we see His power over demons.
Note how both Nature (v. 27) and demons (v. 29) recognize Who Jesus is: the Presence and Word of God. The forces of Nature and the demons do have free will. They do not have free will. They have o choice but to obey when God speaks. We humans can decide to not obey, to not accept. We can refuse to follow even though we know it is the call of God.
Jesus showed His divine authority over Nature and over demons. In 9:1-7, He shows His divine authority over forgiveness as well. Note how the teachers of the law recognize that Jesus is doing what only God can do: forgive sins (v. 3). Jesus Himself claims this divine power (v. 6). Jesus’ miracles are signs of His purpose in coming to the earth, to take on Himself “the iniquity of us all.”
At Jesus’ time, there was a common belief among the Jews that bad things happen to people as the judgement of God. Therefore, if a person became ill, it was thought to be a punishment for something he had previously done. This was not Jesus’ view, but He knew it was the paralyzed man’s view. Jesus immediately relieved the man of any guilt and fear. He said, “You sins are forgiven.”
Have you ever thought that bad things happened to you as a punishment for other things you had done? In Jesus’ teaching and actions, we see that we are forgiven for our sins. God does not punish us for them. Jesus brings us that forgiveness.
Do you stand in awe now as people did then that God “had given such authority to men?” Just as Jesus wanted the paralyzed man to be healed in body and in soul and in mind, so He wants you to be healed. As you believe in Him, Jesus tells you also “Get up!” Jesus wants to take away your paralysis of guilt and fear and make you stand. He wants to unburden your soul. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28)
What are the burdens that you would like to turn over to Jesus to heal you in body, mind, and spirit? May we pray for you?
Assignment
For more on Jesus as the Power of God, read ch. 12.
Lesson Four: “The Call for Disciples”
Those who recognize the authority of Jesus can then decide to be His disciples. Of course, this is no small decision. A disciple is a follower of the Master. He shares the Master’s life (remember 8:20 ). He shares the Master’s fate (remember Mt. 5:11 -12). He shares the Master’s work. When the Master is gone, the disciple replaces the Master and continues the work.
Jesus’ prime task in His ministry was to call and train disciples. He knew His time was limited, only three years of ministry. He knew the needs of the world would go on. He needed disciples to continue the work, both then and now.
A. The Need
Read 9:35 -10:4
Even in His lifetime, Jesus needed help. He could not reach all the people in need. He called disciples and gave them His authority. The group of twelve were called "“apostles,” meaning “sent ones.” Jesus’ disciples were trained and sent to heal the world.
The first group of twelve apostles was a mixed group. Some were brothers. One had been a despised collaborator with the Romans, a tax collector for them. This was Matthew, the author of our gospel. Another disciple was a “Zealot.” These were people trying to drive the Romans out of Israel violently. One betrayed Jesus.
These men were not from the elite of the society. Several were fishermen. They were not highly educated. They were not trained spiritual leaders. Yet, it is to such as these that Jesus gave the authority and responsibility of discipleship.
Do you think Jesus would call you to be His disciple? If not, why not?
If so, study carefully the instructions Jesus now gives.
B. The Instructions
Read Mt. 10:5-16
v. 5 – The word “instructions” is the Greek word for a general’s battle plan for his troops. As we will see, Jesus’ disciples will need a soldier’s courage and discipline in the task set before them.
Jesus tells His twelve apostles: vv. 5-6 – to whom they should go. God remembered His call to Israel to be the “light to the world,” so they are His first focus. v. 7 – what they should say. The disciples carry forward their Master’s work, so they are His heralds to announce what He announced ( 4:17 ) v. 8 – what they should do. The disciples do what their Master did, by His authority (v. 1). vv. 9-10 – what they should not do The disciples are to prove useful to people and enjoy their support. They go humble and dependent on others. (see v. 11)
V, 16 – The disciples are being sent out like soldiers. They will be vulnerable, like “sheep among wolves.” They will need to be shrewd, careful, aware. Yet, they must be innocent, honest, ethical. This is a different kind of soldier because it is a different kind of battle. It is a battle for people’s hearts. It is a battle not to conquer the world but to build up the world. It is a battle not to change a culture but to develop its greatness.
C. The Struggle
People will misunderstand the disciples’ motives and goals, just as they did with Jesus. Oppressive and abusive powers will not want to change their ways. They will fight against the spread of God’s rule of love and justice. They will not want people to gain new self-respect and empowerment and hope. The people’s development, they fear, will bring a revolution, and the powerful will be brought down. The opposition may be fierce and come from surprising places.
Read Mt. 10:17-25
vv. 17-20 – Jesus’ disciples can expect opposition from the government Have you seen instances where government has opposed the call of Jesus?
vv. 21-23 – The disciples can expect opposition from family members. Have you seen instances where one’s family members have opposed the call of Jesus? The disciples can expect opposition from society. Have you seen instances where social pressure has been brought on someone who wanted to follow the call of Jesus?
D. The Promise
Read Mt. 10:26-33, 40-42.
vv. 26, 28, 31 – Jesus tells His disciple “soldiers” to “not be afraid” as they face their struggles. This is a spiritual struggle. It is a struggle of the soul. Jesus calls His disciples to keep their soul and spirit right, at all costs. Nothing is worth the loss of one’s spiritual life and eternal destiny (v. 28).
What is the promise that Jesus gives? vv. 29-31 – You are loved and respected and valued by God Himself as a disciple of Jesus. vv. 32-33 – God knows the courage it takes to publicly follow Him. He will know you for all eternity. vv. 40-42 – God will bring people to support you
Do you sense this promise over your life as Jesus’ disciple? What does it mean to you?
E. The Decision
Read Mt. 10:34-41
At first, one wonders why Jesus would say this. Then we recall that we are at war.
v. 34 – What is the peace that is not God’ pleasing? What is the “sword” that is necessary to fulfill His will?
What does “peace” mean in a situation of oppression or injustice or abuse? Should there be peace in a situation like that?
What is the “sword” that is necessary in a situation like that?
This is a battle against evil. Jesus’ disciples need courage and wisdom and authority. This is why Jesus promised to send His Spirit (see 10:19 -20).
vv. 35-37 – This passage also surprises us at first. Jesus is trying to shock His disciples, to awake them to the possible dangers and struggles along the way.
Jesus is calling His disciples to a decision, to a focus, to a commitment. They will need it for the battle.
Jesus is asking, “What will you do, if……?”
Jesus hopes His disciples’ obedience to Him will not alienate them from their families, but it can happen. “What will you do then?” Jesus asks.
Can you think of a situation in your own life where following Jesus could make enemies for you right in your own family?
vv. 38-39 – This is a famous saying of Jesus, quoted in all four of the gospel books about His life.
The “cross” at Jesus’ time was the cruelest form of execution used by the Roman Empire . The person to be crucified would have to carry the crossbar to the site of crucifixion.
What is the “general” telling His “soldiers” here?: “If you follow Me, it may happen to you as it happened to Me.” Are you ready? It is a battle, and the struggles and risks are real.
What is the “life” that Jesus’ disciples will lose when following Him?
What is the “life” they will gain?
Are you ready to lose an ordinary life to gain an extraordinary life? What are the struggles and risks that you would face?
Assignment
Read ch. 11.
Lesson Five: “The Master Taught in Parables”
Mt. 13:34 - “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; He did not say anything to them without using a parable.”
What is a parable? Why did Jesus use them? How does one understand them?
A. What Kind of “Ground” Are You?
Read Mt. 13:1-23
The point of a parable usually comes in the last lines. The end of the parable is the climax, the important point.
What is the last verse of this “Parable of the Sower” (v. 8)? What, then, is the major point of the parable?
In this parable, Jesus is teaching that the seed of His teaching will produce results, tremendous results.
Note the refrain that we will often hear at the end of Jesus’ parables: v. 9
What do you think Jesus means by this? What does “ears to hear” mean? Why would one not want to hear?
Jesus quotes the Old Testament prophet Isaiah as he speaks with deep disappointment and sarcasm about the people of Israel . Why weren’t these Old Testament people willing to hear the prophet’s message?: vv. 13-15.
What does it mean that a person’s “heart has become callused?” Another expression for this in the Bible is that people have a “hard heart.”
God’s Word cannot get in and produce results. Remember the Sermon on the Mount in Lesson One? People don’t want to lead a life that makes a difference: people who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Mt. 5:6), people who are “peacemakers” (5:9), who are the “salt of the world” and the “light of the world” ( 5:13 -14), and so forth. They know they will stick out; they will face opposition, they will be “persecuted because of righteousness” ( 5:10 ). They don’t want to be a disciple of the Master so they make their heart to His call.
Jesus gives several examples of this hardness of heart in the parable. Note Jesus’ explanations in vv. 18-23. What is the reason for the hardness of heart:
in v. 19? –
in vv. 20-21? –
in v. 22? –
Why could the seed produce such marvelous results in v. 23?
Can you think of times in your life when you were like each of these examples? Give an example when your heart was hardened to God’s call:
Give an example of when your heart was open to God’s call:
If people are open to receive God’s call in their life, they will have true life (remember Mt. 10:23 ). They will make a difference with their life “30-, 60-, and 100-fold.”
The disciple of Jesus the Master will go from strength to strength. He “will be given more, and he will have in abundance (v. 12).
B. Are You Ready for the Rule of God?
In His parables, Jesus calls His disciples to this abundant life. Many people will want the easy life, just as at the prophet Isaiah’s time. Jesus wants disciples who have an open, ready heart. They are ready to have God rule in their lives.
Jesus called this rule of God the “ Kingdom of Heaven ” (v. 11). “Heaven” is a term Jews used for God. Out of respect they would not say His Name directly. In other gospels, the phrase used is “ Kingdom of God .” The meaning is the same: the rule of God on earth.
Jesus expressed it very clearly in the prayer He taught His disciples, called “The Lord’s Prayer” (Mt. 6:9-13): “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus’ parables call His disciples to let God rule in their lives and in their communities: “Thy Kingdom come.”
There are many parables of Jesus recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Below are several parables recorded in our gospel of Matthew. What is Jesus’ teaching about the rule of God in people’s lives in each of these parables?
13:44-46 –
13:47-50 –
18:12-14 –
21:28-32 –
22:1-14 –
25:1-13 –
25:14-30 –
25:31-46 –
Which of these teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven (God) do you find hard to accept? Do you feel like the seed on the path or in the rocky place or among thorns? (13:18-22)
Which teaching is your heart ready to receive? If you accept it, what marvelous results will it bring in your life? ( 13:23 )
Your Master wants your life to make a difference. He wants you to be salt and a light in the world ( 5:13 -16). “He who has ears to hear let him hear.”
C. Understanding the Parables
After having studied the parables, answer our opening questions about parables:
What is a parable? It provokes you to think. You have to apply its truth to your life.
Why did Jesus use them? What happened when people didn’t want to apply the truth to their lives?
How does one understand them? There is a challenge to accept the rule of God in one’s life.
One more question: What teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of Heaven means the most to you personally?
Assignment
Read more of Jesus’ parables in Matthew.
Lesson Six: “The Master Faces Opposition”
Part One – Jesus against a Religion of Rules
As people heard Jesus’ teaching, they found new authority in Him (remember Mt. 7:28 -29). This drew the attention of the religious leaders. Matthew records how they began to confront and to test Jesus:
Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” (Mt. 15:1-2)
We will see that Jesus’ fiercest enemies were the religious leaders of His day. Jesus was a religious teacher, so the religious leaders felt threatened when the crowds started to follow Jesus. Actually, what Jesus taught was nothing new. It had been taught by the Old Testament prophets before Him. The religious leaders had resented and persecuted the prophets also (Mt. 5:12 ).
A. The Religion of the Pharisees
Jesus faced particular opposition from the religious leaders called “Pharisees.” The Pharisees were a group of sincere believers in God. They wanted to do God’s will. They believed God’s will was given in the Old Testament laws. God would be happy and bless us if we obeyed these laws.
The Pharisees drew up hundreds of rules based upon these Old Testament laws. They made up the rules, but they insisted that they be observed as divine laws. They had rules on: what we should eat and what not eat whom we may eat with and whom we may not eat with what people were clean and what people were not clean what was work on the Sabbath Day of rest what we should wear whom we should honor and on and on and on.
If a person observed all these rules, they said, then he was a good Jew. Then he was a spiritual, God-pleasing person. Then God would bless him and the land. The Pharisees’ religion became outward show, status, and ritual.
Have you seen that kind of religion? How did you feel about it?
How did Jesus feel? Read Mt. 15:1-20.
Jesus gives an example of how the Pharisees would make up rules that were unjust and then call them God’s laws. You can imagine how God felt about that being done in His Name! God’s law was to “honor one’s father and mother.” One would assume that would include taking care of them in their old age. Instead, selfish people could use a rule to avoid this law. They could say all their possessions are gifted to God so weren’t available to help their parents!
What was Jesus’ reaction to this kind of religion of rules?: vv. 6-9.
What does Jesus mean by saying that people can say religious things and follow religious rules but “their heart is far from” God?
B. God’s True Religion of Love
Compare this religion of rules with the true religion of God. We see this in another confrontation with the Pharisees. Read Mt. 22:34-40.
Jesus replies to the Pharisees’ test by quoting to them their own authoritative Scriptures. Jesus points out that true religion is very simple. It’s not complicated, oppressive man-made rules. It is simply a call to respond to the love of God: love God as He loves you love others like God loves you.
Does this describe your religion? If not, how does it contrast? Would you want this to be your religion?
C. Jesus’ Anger against the Religion of Rules
What follows is Jesus’ great speech against the Pharisees’ religion of rules. You can see that Jesus is very angry. He reflects God’s righteous anger when His dear children are being hurt and misled and turned from His freeing and strengthening love.
Read Mt. 23.
Note the list of abuses for which Jesus scolds the Pharisees:
vv. 1-4 – making an oppressive religion of rules vv. 5-12 – using religion to gain persona status vv. 13-15 – turning people away from God’s true religion of love vv. 16-22 – creating a religion of meaningless arguments vv. 23-24 – losing the heart of God’s will in man-made rules vv. 25-28 – follow rules but have an unloving heart vv. 29-36 – doing to Jesus what previous religious leaders did to God’s prophets
vv. 37-39 – Yet, Jesus loves the Pharisees. Like a mother hen, Jesus wants to protect them from themselves. But their heart is hard. They are heading to self-destruction. Jesus is trying to warn them, to help them see where they are heading. Jesus wants to be their spiritual Master and lead them to God’s true, freeing religion of “justice, mercy, and faith” (v. 23).
Have you seen this religion of rules in your life? Which of the abuses have you experienced?
Religion of rules – Status seeking – Turning people away from God – Meaningless arguments – Losing the heart of God’s will – Unloving heart – Persecuting God’s prophets –
What does it mean to you that Jesus loves Pharisees and wants them under the freeing rule of God’s love?
Assignment
Read Mt. 22:1-33. Note the contrast between Jesus’ teaching and the Pharisees religion of rules.
|