Matthew 1:18-25 ‘What is in a Name?’

Richard Dawkins, the High Priest of Neo-atheism was in a discussion with Ayaan Hersi Ali, an ex Muslim who became an outspoken atheist but ended up becoming a Christian.  They are friends and in this discussion that took place only 6 months after her conversion, Richard expressed his disbelieve that she had become a Christian and asked,

“Do you really believe in the virgin birth and the resurrection?”

Her reply was very simple,

“If God is God, he can do anything.”

How often we face crises that we cannot find an answer to.  There always is help at hand - that help is always available from God.  ‘Help me I’m desperate’ is a very sensible prayer.

Joseph lived in Nazareth and there he faced a crisis.  The possibility of a virgin birth never occurred to Joseph when he discovered that his fiancee was pregnant.  He knew it wasn’t his child so who was the father? In ancient Israel, betrothal was as binding as marriage. A betrothed woman was legally regarded as her fiancé’s wife, even though the marriage had not yet been consummated. This is reflected in the terminology used in texts like Deuteronomy 22:23-24, which treats a betrothed woman as though she were married.  This passage teaches that if a betrothed woman engaged in consensual sexual relations with a man other than her fiancé, both parties were considered guilty of adultery. The penalty was death by stoning for both, reflecting the severity with which adultery was viewed.

No wonder Joseph was shocked and in a dilemma.  He was a decent, kind, considerate man who felt deeply for Mary.  He was not willing to put her through the humiliation of a public court case.  Doubtless his mind was in a spin, he was stunned and would have felt let down.

Mary would surely have told Joseph about the visit, some months before, of the angel Gabriel who had come and told her,

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever.

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:31-35

It is not difficult to understand Joseph’s concern as there was only one natural explanation for the pregnancy.  This is why God needed to explain to Joseph what was happening.  Every major work of God mentioned in the Bible has been linked to a spoken explanation.  He does not leave his people in the dark.  Without a word from God we would never understand what he is doing.

God’s breaking into his world with the virgin birth of his own Son was extraordinary - but God is God and he can do anything.

God intervened  and an angel gave Joseph a message in a dream that consisted of two parts:

1. He said Mary was going to have God’s Son.                           Matthew 1:20-21

2. He reminded her that the Scriptures are God’s word.              Matthew 1:22-23

In the first four chapters of his book, Matthew included 10 direct quotes from the Old Testament.  By doing this he emphasised that Jesus recognised the Jewish Scriptures to be the Word of God.

By telling us how Joseph was reassured, Matthew gives us God’s framework for understanding who this child was and what he had come to do.

At the start of Matthew’s book he gives us some evidence that Jesus is God’s long promised Messiah, the Christ, God’s eternal ruler and king by recording the genealogy of Jesus.  He was the son or descendant of King David and the subsequent kings of the Jews.  This was a repeated prophecy about how to recognise the Messiah.

In this passage we are introduced to God’s explanation, this child will save his people from their greatest problem, he can only do this because of who he is.

1.  The Name that Encapsulates his Mission

Matthew records Jesus’ birth very simply as a straight forward historical event, with a minimum of comment or detail.

To Matthew it was utterly reasonable that a loving God should break into his creation but he gives not a single comment on the wonder of this incarnation.  He simply says,

“What is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

At 6 weeks an embryo is the size of an apple pip, at 8 weeks it is still only 0.6 inches in length.  Jesus had left the glory of heaven to be embodied in this little being and to become a helpless baby.

The real message that Matthew wants to dwell on is the question ‘Why?’.  Why was it so important for God to take such an extraordinary step.  The answer is given in the next verse:

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

The name ‘Jesus’ that encapsulates his mission.  Many parents agonise over the name of a new child, or they should.  In Wales, one woman in 2016 was banned from naming her baby daughter Cyanide. A judge ruled the name was unacceptable "even allowing for changes in taste, fashion and developing individual perception”.  How did Paula Yates come up with the names Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily for her daughter, sister to Peaches and Cream?

In the first century, names really meant something.  Verse 21 repeats what Gabriel said to Mary as recorded early Luke’s gospel, but note that in both places it is God who has named this child.  It is a command:

“You are to give him the name Jesus . ..” Matthew 1:21

It was a common name at that time, rather like John is for us now but it had great significance.

Jesus is the anglicised form of Jeshua which means ‘Jahweh saves’ or ‘The Lord rescues’.  It is the same name that Moses gave to Joshua before he took over from Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  When Joshua was born in Egypt his parents had named him Hosea, which means ‘Saviour’.

“These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)” Numbers 13:16:

So Hoshea, Saviour, was altered to Je-shua, the Lord saves. This change in name holds significant theological and symbolic meaning.  By renaming him, Moses explicitly attributes salvation to God rather than human effort, emphasising that God alone can save people.

Jesus was also on a mission, a rescue mission.  He came to save his people from their sins,

An Archbishop was giving a sermon Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. He told of a group of young lads who decided to have a joke and they bet one young man that he wouldn’t dare to make a false confession.  He accepted the bet and went into the confessional. and made up, on the spur of the moment some horrendous sins.   The priest however realised what was going on and said to the young man.

“As you know, with every confession there is a penance.  You are to go to the crucifix at the front of the cathedral, kneel down and say these words ten times: ‘You did all this for me, and I don’t care at all.’”

The lad went back to his friends to claim his reward but they insisted that he had to complete the penance so off he went to the cross.  He looked up and started to say those words:

‘You did all this for me, and I don’t care at all.’

The boy started but found he couldn’t complete the words. Instead, he broke down, realizing that Jesus had entered this world and died for his sin.  The Archbishop finished this story by saying.

“I know that story is true as that lad was me.”

A Problem with disastrous consequences

If you put a finger over the last two words in verse 21, how would most people expect it to finish?

“He will save his people from _____   ______.”

In first century Israel most people would probably say, ‘from Roman occupation’.  Today people would come up with a variety of answers such as ‘Financial instability’, ‘International wars’, ‘natural disasters’, ‘Russian invasions’, ‘Islamic fundamentalism’,’social inequalities’ or possibly some ‘personal difficulty’.

When a patient comes to a surgeon with some symptoms he will only help that patient if he gets to the root cause of the problem.  The presenting symptom may reveal a serious underlying problem that requires radical treatment.

God has told us what the root cause of all our problems are, and he has also provided the perfect treatment.  Sin is the root cause and he says that we all need to be rescued from our sin.  Sin is a profound rebellion against God’s rule in our life.  A person can be religious or even an evangelical and  yet not allow the Lord to rule.  This diagnosis matters because if left untreated it will result in awful eternal consequences.

The problem of our sin required a loving God to cause his Son to leave heaven and come down to earth on a divine rescue plan.

Sin is a technical term that requires some explanation.  In his letter to the Romans Paul gives this definition:

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” Romans 1:18-20

Sin is the rebellious suppression of the truth of God.  We refuse to allow him to reign in our lives.

Some may remember the video about Muhammad Ali called ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ about a great boxing fight for the World Championship in the Congo.  Throughout the film there is one recurring feature, Ali is standing there with his fist clenched, proclaiming,

“I am the greatest!”

Sin is the spiritual expression of this, it is the suppression of the truth of God in our lives.  Quietly we claim,

“I am the greatest!”

Nothing is more important than me!

We are reminded of the consequence of our sin in Romans 1:18:

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven . . .”

The consequence of our sin, our rebellion against God, is his anger and our exclusion form his eternal kingdom.  In Matthew’s gospel we are told at least 13 times that any person rejecting Christ’s rule and his truth will be thrown out of God’s presence at the end of their lives and be sent to a place of utter desolation, where there will be   “. . . weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

God knows that the long list of issues that we think are the major problems in the world are not the root problem.  Underlying the political unrest, loneliness, low self esteem or lack of purpose is the widespread problem of sin.  You can treat these problems superficially, like a nurse putting a sticking plaster on a wound, when there is really a life threatening disease present.  God repeatedly tells us that our sin is our fundamental problem and unless dealt with will affect our eternal destiny.

This anger of God can be felt by God shunning us and leaving us alone to go down hill.  Isn’t this what we are seeing in the West today?  Some like the idea of God but then say ‘I want to serve my God my way.” How stupid! At the final judgment, that we will all have to face when we die, this wrath will be felt much more acutely.  Then God will endorse our decision to turn our backs on him and he will leave us all alone.

Esther Ransome, the Moral Maze, Oprah or Killroy all raise issues of symptoms but their so called experts never talk about the root cause or the real solution, they go round and round in confusion, as if lost in a maze.  ‘Moral Maze’ is a great name, we are lost with no answers.  If anyone does talk about the real problem or the real solution they will quickly be shut up or isolated.

When God broke into his world there was no discussion, no confusion, just an authoritative word of explanation from God:

“You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Jesus has come on a mission.  His operation will be radical.  He has come to get right to the heart of the matter.  He alone can rescue people from the consequences of their sin.

Is that how you and your family would have completed verse 21?  If someone suggests there is another solution, they haven’t understood the essence of God, his holiness, or the essence of man, our sinfulness.

2.  The Word that Reassures

The Lord sent an angel in a vivid dream to reassure Joseph and said,

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

Joseph was told that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and not in the natural way.  He refers to Joseph as ‘Son of David’ which reiterates the start of the book which gives Joseph’s family tree.  He also, as the legal parent of Jesus was, like Mary, a direct descendent of King David.  It is David whom the Old Testament prophets had repeatedly said would be the ancestor of the Messiah.  Jesus qualified in this respect both through Mary and through his legal parent Joseph.  ‘Do not be afraid’ suggests that Joseph wanted to marry Mary but had been wracked with doubt.

The sending of a Saviour had always been God’s plan for fallen humanity.  God had previously explained this through his prophets where we are informed how this mission was going to be accomplished.  Matthew has over 40 direct quotes from the Jewish Scriptures confirming that Jesus is God’s Messiah, confirming that Jesus and his apostles believed the Scriptures to be the ‘very words of God’ (Romans 3:2).  Here Matthew quotes some words from Isaiah chapter 7, saying

“All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew 1:22-23

This wording confirms that the Lord speaks through a prophet acting as God’s mouthpiece.  Isaiah tells us how God will provide for the rescue of all mankind - ‘A virgin will conceive’.  To Joseph this must have been startling as the idea of a virgin birth was completely foreign to Jewish and other religious thinking of the time.

In Isaiah 7, the Hebrew word translated ‘virgin’ is ‘almah, means a young unmarried woman, a maiden.  If Isaiah had meant a young married woman he could have used another word. Isaiah was announcing a remarkable sign that answers the doubts of King Ahaz.  At the time Judah was being threatened by a coalition of the king of Israel, Pekah, and the king of Syria, Rezin, and Ahaz didn’t know what to do.  Isaiah’s answer for those with doubts is the virgin birth of a special child!

Matthew uses a Greek word that specifically means a ‘virgin’.  This sign, a virgin birth, is truly extraordinary and utterly significant.  He is explaining how God will provide a son to rescue humanity.  Matthew is summarising that Jesus is truly God’s son as a result of God’s miraculous intervention but he is also Mary’s son from Mary’s womb.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”

Joseph and Mary were to call him Jesus,’ The Lord Saves’, but another title is ‘Immanuel’ which means ‘God with us’.  God was entering his world in the flesh.  Jesus was conceived in her so was fully human but he was also conceived by the Holy Spirit so is fully divine.

God knew he would be a boy, without ultrasounds, because this was all ordained by him.  Jesus was fully God and fully human. If he was anything less than divine he couldn’t have satisfied God and pay the price for our sin when he died on that cross. If he wasn’t fully human he couldn’t have represented us on that cross.

We all face problems and dilemmas in life but the God who created us has given us all two wonderful gifts that this verse talks about, God’s Son, Jesus the Christ and God’s word that we have in Scripture.

A Challenge that we Face

1. To know our Bibles

I recently visited another church and was amazed at how ignorant many people. Especially the young people were of the Scriptures.  When asked to turn to Romans 1 many were looking in the Index to see where it was.  May I urge everyone here who claims to be a Christian to read the Bible every day.  Use some scheme such as ‘Explore notes’ that many of us here use.  Ask us or look it up on-line.

1. To commit to Mission

Many companies have Mission Statements to focus on their purpose.  Consider this one,

““Our mission is to ensure every chicken has a life worth living and a death worth dying for, while making the tastiest fried chicken on Earth.”

Obviously this is appealing to people’s natural concern for nature and our appetites!  God gives his people the perfect mission statement:

“You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

This is the Lord speaking.  This is the purpose of Jesus’ life.  When in Joseph’s carpentry shop, when teaching his disciples and the crowds, when in the Garden of Gethsemane, when betrayed by Judas, when carrying the cross and when hanging on it, he was always Jesus, ‘The Lord who saves’.

But please do note that he doesn’t save everybody, he only saves ‘his people’, those who have made that specific decision to follow Jesus and take him into their lives as their Lord and Saviour.

Just think to yourself,

“Am I sold out to Jesus?  Am I commissioned to live for him for the rest of my life?”

If anyone here is unsure about how they stand before God what better time is there to turn to him today, simply ask him to come into your life and take over.  When you do this your sins are immediately all forgiven because the penalty for them has been transferred to Jesus on that cross.  He is our sacrificial lamb.  What wonderful news this is to share.  One of the evidences that Jesus is our Lord is that we long for others to turn to him so we love to talk about him and invite others to hear about him.

So please ask yourself,

“Is my mission the same as Jesus?  Do I long that others should be saved?”

Is this the mission of all of us in Christchurch Baldock.  Is pleasing Jesus the goal of my life?  Is the mission statement of all of us to see people saved from their sins?  It is so easy to be satisfied with a lesser mission, to give people social and psychological support, to be wise counsellors, to have a mission for the ethical improvement of our society or for social justice.  Jesus has given us his Spirit so we can continue his mission to save people from their sins.  Are we all on-board?

We heard two weeks ago that there is a shortage of people willing to commit to overseas mission.  There is also a shortage of people willing to train to lead churches in the UK.  The root problem is that there is a shortage of ordinary men and women who are seriously committed to fulfilling Christ’s mission through their local church.  Yet this is what all Christians have been ordained or commissioned to be.  Are we all clear about this?

A casual conversation is followed up

A Christian, working in Thailand, was travelling along a dirt road in the local bus, a converted truck.  It was very hot. He started chatting to a small, wiry man sitting next to him.  After a while the man told him about a dream he had just had.  He dreamt that he was suffering from leprosy but had been cured through a western man who apparently looked like his fellow traveller!

“What do you think of the dream?” The Christian asked. “Could it be that you are about to experience something special?”

The local man’s name was Mr. Gram and he lived in a nearby village.  He clearly did not have leprosy so the Christian reasonably wondered if God was preparing him for something deeper than physical healing.

As the journey continued the Christian explained that he had a responsibility to share the news that God had provided new life, a very different life, for those who trust in Jesus, God’s Son.  The man was keen to learn more but the noise of the bus and the swirling dust made conversation difficult so they arranged to meet up later in his village home.

A little later the Christian did visit Mr. Gram in his home and received a warm welcome and he returned several times over the following weeks.  He was introduced to the family and was able to explain the gospel to them all. They committed their lives to follow Jesus.

One one occasion asked about Mr. Gram’s life and work.  He replied,

“I assemble a group of workmen, and we go and build houses.”  Then he added, ‘But I also have another job - I’m an assassin!  On the day you met me on the bus I was going on a job to kill someone!  After meeting you, though, I changed my mind.  Something must have spoken inside me.  So I got off the bus, crossed the road, and took the next bus home.”

The Christian was astonished to learn that his presence on that bus that day had not only prevented a murder but resulted in Mr. Gram and his family changing the direction of their lives.  Those who are led by the Lord are the fragrance of life and death to those we meet day by day.

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

Having given up his sideline in assassinations, Mr Gram became a key figure in the small Christian group that began meeting in the village.  He was later chosen to be the builder of a new church in the local town.

What fruit from a chance meeting on a bus and then following this up!

Can we all say:

“Lord please save me from my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit so I go out into your world to love and serve you because you have forgiven me.”

The final words of the Tridentine Mass in Latin are ‘Ite missa est’.  ‘Ite’ means ‘Go’, an imperative, an order. ‘Missa est’ means ‘You are sent’.  Some think it just means ‘Go, the mass is over’ but the Bible’s message is much more, ‘Go. you are sent - sent to bear fruit for Jesus Christ.”

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your great love for us, that you should send your son from heaven, to rescue those of us who have turned to you.  Thank you that you love to help us when we face crises.  But we thank you particularly  for freeing your people from both the penalty of sin and from the power of sin so that we can go out into this world with your mission statement, to share with people that their sin can be forgiven and they can be empowered to live as you want.  In the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.

Appendix - The Reality of Hell

This is doubted by many today so it is worth stressing that there is a real hell for those who reject the rule of God and of his Son Jesus Christ.  Jesus repeatedly warns us about hell in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Matthew 5:22

“It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:30

“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15

“Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evil doers.” Matthew 7:23

This is a hard teaching but subsequently Jesus repeatedly warns us that this judgment  and penalty will really happen to those who do not truly follow him in their lives.  Later in Matthew he repeatedly stresses this fact:

“ I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:11-12

“The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:41-4

“. . . and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:50

Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 22:13

“He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:51

“And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Matthew 25:41

This is the warning of the whole Bible, beginning with Adam’s expulsion from God’s presence in Genesis.  It is well described in Psalm 2 where people who conspire against God are described as laughable.  This psalm finishes with this summary,

“Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2:11-12

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Matthew 9-10 ‘The Good Shepherd’

A good Christian shepherd was described in the story Jesus told .  A shepherd owned a flock of sheep that grazed in lush, green pastures. Every day, the shepherd would rise early, check that each sheep was healthy, and would guide them to grazing areas. He knew each sheep by name.  When a storm arose, threatening the sheep, the shepherd did not just think of himself but stood guard, ensuring no predator could harm or steal the sheep. He even carried one frightened lamb in his arms, speaking gently to calm it.

One day, a wolf prowled near the flock. The shepherd, armed only with a staff, placed himself between the predator and his sheep. Though in danger, he was willing to risk his life to save them because of his deep love for each of them.

When one sheep wandered away, this shepherd left the ninety-nine others in the care of a helper and went searching. He travelled along rocky paths and through thick forests until he found the lost sheep. Rejoicing, he placed it on his shoulders and brought it safely back to the fold. (John 10:11-16)

Jesus describes Himself as the “Good Shepherd.” When he saw crowds of people he felt very sorry for them.  Have you ever felt this when watching a premier league football match where there are thousands of excited people watching people kick a ball from one end of a pitch to the other and back again?  Is this what matters most to them?  Jesus felt deeply for people because he could see their needs.

“When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:16

Jesus’ immediate response was to ask his disciples to pray about this problem:

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37

This title for the Lord God is seldom mentioned today, he is ‘the Lord of the harvest’.  He longs to welcome people into his kingdom but his usual way of achieving this is to mobilise his own followers to go out into the harvest field.  What are God’s people to do in the world of need?

Jesus sent out his disciples on a practice run.  He gave then his authority and their purpose was essentially two-fold:

1. To preach the message that the kingdom of heaven is near.

2. To care for peoples physical needs.

These priorities have never changed.  He told them:

“As you go, preach this message:  The kingdom of God is near.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew10:7-8

Today people have a wide variety of needs, physical, psychological, social, moral as well as spiritual sicknesses abound and God’s people must be willing to get involved in a murky world for the Lord Jesus. We must not remain aloof to people’s needs. Today there are some Christians who are willing to  help others with their physical needs but who are unable or unwilling to help answer the spiritual needs.  Such people rarely, if ever, explain to people how they can become acceptable to God and be received into his kingdom.  Conversely there are some who are happy to preach to people but not to raise a finger to help practically. Christians must do both but we must never forget that we do have a message to share and Jesus kept stressing this to his future church leaders:

“As you go, preach this message: The Kingdom of God is near.” Matthew 10:7

There will be those who will not welcome this message.  Jesus simply says, ‘Don’t worry about that.  Go somewhere else and tell them instead!’

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. . . . I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:14-16

Many find it hard to get involved with those who are suffering or failing but we must remember that all true Christians have been given the Spirit of Jesus to enable us to continue his task.  Jesus said,

“A student is not above his teacher nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” Matthew 10”24-25

Our priorities must be the same as our Lord, Jesus the Christ.  Christians should not worry about what others think of them but continue to find ways to winsomely pass on Christ’s message. What we do now in secret will, in God’s time, become public:

“So do not be afraid of them.  There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.” Matthew 10:26

What better motivation is there to make it our priority to get the message out.  This was the longing of Jesus and he passed on this mantle to his disciples.  In time they will need to teach subsequent generations of Christians to fulfil this mission:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus continued,

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Matthew 10:27-28

Why are Christians so reticent to make the proclamation of the gospel their main priority?  Could it be that we don’t really respect God as God and so see all of life from the perspective of eternity?  Jesus continued:

“Rather be afraid of the the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

Jesus reminds us that our heavenly Father loves us and cares for us more than we can ever know.  What seems insignificant in our eyes can mean much to God.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

Isn’t this thrilling?  Jesus said this to those who were to become his apostles and it must be the same message for those thinking of becoming minister/elders in his church today.  We all need to understand the gravity of what Jesus is saying.  He finished this passage with the telling words:

“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

Encouraging people to speak up and out about Jesus will inevitably cause some frictions for them.  Jesus recognised this so he continued,

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 1034

This is not supporting military action to win converts but a recognition that some listeners will react to the message violently.  This antagonism may even come from within our own families.  Isn’t this being seen today in some Islamic societies where a Muslim turns to Christ for salvation?

A godly leader will warn his people that our priority in life must be to live for Christ above everything else.  Jesus continued,

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-38

All God’s people must align themselves with those who are active in sharing the Word of God with others:

“Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” Matthew 10:41

It really will be well worth while to make both serving the Lord and supporting others who are also making this their life’s priority and leaders need to encourage others in this by their actions and words.

We must therefore make it our priority to protect and care for those people who suffer because they are making the service of the Lord Jesus their priority.  This chapter finishes with a simple reminder,

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Jackie Pullinger is a British missionary who has dedicated her life to serving marginalised communities in Hong Kong since 1966. Her work has primarily focused on sharing the gospel with those there with problems.  She has helped to rehabilitate drug addicts, supporting young people in crisis, and assisting individuals facing life-threatening challenges. In 1981, she founded the St. Stephen’s Society, a nonprofit organization that provides rehabilitation homes and comprehensive support services.   She has committed her life to this task because she is deeply committed to serving the Lord Jesus.

Dick Lucas had the same motivation when he accepted an invitation from some Christian business men to establish a missionary work amongst businessmen in the city of London.  St Helen’s Bishopsgate, a previously empty city church, has become a major Christian centre for the world.

Mrs Beatrice Thatcher devoted her life to teaching children the Christian message in her Sunday School in Walton on the Maze in Essex.  I was one of her pupils.  All such people will receive their reward.

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Matthew 12:38-45. What Will Convince People About Jesus? (Copy)

The use of the spectacular to gain a following has been common practice for centuries.  Crowds will always draw crowds. A claim that the supernatural is going to be witnessed is a great draw.

One of the great advocates of the charismatic movement in the 1960’s, John Wimber, later acknowledged that some of the two of the main spectacular features that were promoted by that movement as signs of God’s working, the ‘Baptism of the Spirit’ and ‘Speaking in Tongues’ were wrong.  He ackowledged that children with Down’s syndrome that he had prayed for had not been healed.   Yet still today there are those who make unreal claims to those in need.  Similarly no amputees have had their limbs restored in such meetings and the results for Alzheimers disease and blindness are similarly very poor. Things were very different in Jesus day, real miracles were occuring, the blind did see.

Yet, even then, there were some who were not convinced.  A group of senior Jewish men asked Jesus to show them a miraculous sign, in spite of the fact that if they had followed him around they could have witnessed many extraordinary miracles.  The Greek word used for ‘miraculous sign’ here is semeion which literally means a ‘sign’ or token.  This could be a miracle or anything spectacular that would convince people that the extraordinary was present.  What Jesus said to them is very relevant to those who are seeking answers to the big questions of life in the wrong place, in a search for the spectacular or supernatural.  Jesus replied,

“A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign!  But none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Matthew 12:38

Miracles and spectacular signs are not the answer - elsewhere we read,

“Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in his presence, they still would not believe in him.” John 12:37

Jesus refuses to oblige them by demonstrating a sign – he could have struck them dead as a sign of future judgment!  Jesus himself is the most important sign that God has entered his world to save people – it is he they should be looking at. His character, his teaching and his fulfilment of Scriptural prophecies as well as his miracles all point to him as someone very special indeed.  Jesus knows full well that any who follow him because of any signs they witness will be spurious disciples as their interest is probably self-centred.  Jesus knew that unfortunately there would be those who go down this spectacular route, even today, to gain followers:

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24

Instead Jesus cites three ways that help an honest seeker after the truth - to be convinced about him.

1.  The Sign of Jonah – historical evidence

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12::40

Jesus is clearly using the story of Jonah as a prophecy about what will happen to him after his death.  Incidentally the Greek word translated here as a ‘fish’ can mean to any ‘sea creature’.  Jesus had repeatedly told his disciples, when they were on their way to Jerusalem, that he would be killed and would rise again after three days.

“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.  He spoke plainly about this . . .” Mark 8:31-32

Jesus is alluding to two sorts of evidence about himself.  The first is the fact that he was about to rise from the dead after three days.  That should be enough to convince anybody, particularly as there were so many witnesses to this fact.  The second is the evidence from the Old Testament Scriptures about the coming Messiah.  Over 330 of these prophecies have been fulfilled in Jesus and anyone can verify these.  His human family background, his place of birth, his miracles, his death by crucifixion, his resurrection, the content of his teaching and also his status of being equal to God are all foretold.

2.  The Response at Nineveh – evidence of conscience

“ The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.” Matthew 12:41

The people of Nineveh were very depraved but when they were told that if they repented and turned back to taking God seriously they could be forgiven, they responded gratefully.  Jesus compares them with the religious Jews he was talking to.  The Jews had so many advatages but could not see their own need.  They thought they were alright before God because they were religious.  How many religious people make the same mistake?  They think God will accept them because of their religious affiliation.  In contrast Jesus taught that without a personal commitment to him and a determination to live as he wants, there can be no salvation.

If any reader has still not turned back to rely on the Lord Jesus for salvation, they must act before it is too late.  The word ‘belief’ in the Bible does not simply mean agreement with a doctrine or involvement with a church but is a personal commitment to follow Jesus.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36

The evidence that godless people can repent and become godfearing individuals, should be a wake up call to people’s consciences and strong evidence that this path is right.

If the Ninevites could respond to a simple moral challenge, how much more should people who have the full revealtion of Jesus repent and turn to him.  His message is indeed compelling but there is so much more evidence for him being the hope of the world.  He is much greater than Jonah!

3.  The Queen of Sheba – evidence of ‘wisdom’

Truth is a wonderful idea and all people should seek the truth is all areas of life but especially when trying to answer the big questions of life.  The search for wisdom is the search for truth.

“The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:42

There really is a judgment when each of us will stand before God and Jesus uses the example of the Queen of Sheba as yet another reason that people must believe in and follow him.  She was attracted by accounts of the wisdom of Solomon and travelled a long way to understand life, as Solomon taught and demonstrated this.  One of Solomon’s early Proverbs was,

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7

A search for truth involves an intellectual rigour but honest questioning will draw people to the truth and so to faith in Jesus as the Christ.  Questioning is not the opposite of faith but should be the route to faith.  My books, ‘Cure for Life’ and ‘Stepping Stones to Faith’ both outline the types of evidence there is for belief in God and in the Christian faith, evidence that would win in any court of law.

Atheism is a faith but how few have honestly investigated the origins and consequences of that faith’s claims.  The same goes for any faith system.

It is staggering that so many people follow Islam when there is much evidence that it cannot be true but was a late invention that suddenly appeared around 692 AD.  Muhammed was said to have been born in 570 AD, dying in 632 AD.  So why is there no mention of an Arab leader Muhammed, either on coins, on rock engravings or in the 7th century court documents of the Caliphs prior to 692 AD?  Why did the direction of the Qibla of mosques change so late?why are there no quotes from the Quran prior to 692 AD if the seventh century Arab expansion was the result of this?  Why was Mecca largely unknown until the 8th century. Similar investigations concerning the origins of Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses reveals that they are based on shakey evidence.

The search for wisdom or truth should a vital ingredient if people are to find God’s way.  I was surprised to hear a member of the Jehovah’s witnesses who came to my door admit that she had never investigated the origin of her faith – they are not encouraged to ask such questions.  What a disaster a faith without wisdom is.  Any true faith must be evidence based and this will require intellectual rigour.

Jesus finishes this summary about the best evidence by returning to the essential focus of any quest.

“ . . . now something greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:42

The ‘something’ is clearly everything to do with Jesus.  He claimed to be the only Son of God who was equal to his Father in heaven.  This was such a staggering claim.  The most important question anyone seeking for ansers to life should be asking is:

“Who is Jesus and why should I follow him?”

In this short section Jesus has outlined the sort of evidence we should be looking for.

The Solution is in a Person

At first I was puzzled why Jesus goes on to talk about an ‘impure spirit’ in this context.

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:42-45

Up to this point he has been emphasising that the answer to life rests in himself.  A commitment to him means that impure spirits will leave.  However if that person does not coninue to live in a close relationship with the Lord Jesus then their fate is worse than ever.  A temporary clean up of a person’s life will not bring salvation.  If a person’s life does not continued to be filled by the Lord Jesus, then impure spirits will return and again take over.  It is them much harder to repent and turn again to Christ.

The story is told about Billy Graham, the great evangelist in the second half of the twentieth century.  He was walking along a street one evening and saw a drunkard propping up a lamp-post.  This man recognised Mr Graham and called out.  I am one of your converts.  Billy Graham replied,

“You may be one of my converts but you are clearly not one of Jesus Christ.”

The greatest evidence anyone can have is to walk daily with the Lord in control.  Jesus himself said,

“If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes form God or whether I speak on my own.” John 7:17

A real sense of assurance that we are on the right path will only be known by those who have repented and are choosing day by day to live as Jesus and the rest of Scripture teaches.

BVP

Matthew 5:1-16 Jesus’ Manifesto for Christians

Before the last General Election much was made of the various parties manifestos - the outlines of their policies.  This article looks at Jesus’ manifesto for Christians as he embarks on his world changing ministry.

The Occasion

Already great crowds were following Jesus.  In the previous chapter we read:

“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.” Matthew 4:23-25

Jesus went about teaching in the synagogues, ‘proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom’ and healing people with all sorts of diseases.  Hordes of people followed him because their minds were being stimulated about eternal issues and their bodies healed.  You can imagine the broad range of people in the crowd, Pharisees and tax collectors (publicans), religious and prostitutes, scholars and illiterate.  Jesus is relevant to all sorts of people.

Jesus’ reaction is significant.  He went up a mountain to teach his disciples..  Doubtless some of the crowd overheard this teaching but it was primarily for the disciples.  Whenever Jesus sees crowds of people he sees that they are suffering because they are not being led well.  In both the subsequent stories of the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 we read that Jesus was filled with compassion.  Yet Jesus’ main strategy was to teach his twelve disciples so they could go out and teach others his message about god’s Kingdom.

The core message is that Jesus is God’s Messiah, God’s chosen eternal king, and that God’s Kingdom consists of those who are committed to following and obeying their King.  Jesus promises his people that this is the only road to real, eternal happiness.

Jesus longs to establish God’s Kingdom on earth and he has chosen us, his disciples, to be trained to pass this message on, both by word and by the different way we live.  Unfortunately those first disciples took a long time to understand these principles.  Even after Jesus’ resurrection they asked,

“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6

They had ears and had heard Jesus but they were still deaf to his message.  They had heard this manifesto and seen it lived out by Jesus, but they had still not understood.  They expected an earthly king - a ruler who would free Israel from the Romans and other oppressors.  How often churches, both Roman Catholic, Orthodox and others have made this mistake of focussing on earthly kingdoms.

God’s kingdom is not advanced by the sword, it is primarily about a relationship with Jesus that changes our characters and ambitions into His own.  This is what the Christ’s manifesto focusses on.  Jesus had nothing to say about world governments and their promises for a better life here.

Being blessed is all about being, not having or knowing anything.  Being blessed is not a question of what you have but who you are.  Jesus left this world without giving us a political programme, indeed he repeatedly corrected mistaken notions about what is great.

In summary, the ultimate purpose of the King is to bring multitudes into his kingdom where everyone has individually submitted to his rule.  To achieve this he needed a small group of people, a nucleus, who understood his manifesto for them and were committed to his radically different principles for living.

The Manifesto

In the opening beatitudes, Jesus revealed the truth concerning the essential change seen in members of his Kingdom, which is to do with character.  These words must have sounded so strange to a people expecting a worldly kingdom. Some of Jesus’ disciples had first followed John the Baptist and his message had been,

“Repent for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:2

Jesus similarly had emphasised that he had come to introduce a different kind of Kingdom, a spiritual one.  He summarised his message as:

“The Kingdom of heaven has come near.  Repent and believe the good news.” Mark 1:15

In submitting to Jesus, people were making a decision to live according to his manifesto.  There is nothing in this manifesto about earthly kingdoms.  Earthly kingdoms are to do with race, military power, propaganda and armaments.  The weapons of God’s kingdom are people who speak about the truth and who live Godly lives.

Here is Jesus’ manifesto - seen in his person and in his words.  There was no fanfare, no pomp, no ceremony, just words supported by different lives.

This manifesto is so clear and simple but how few understand.  The evidence that people are in God’s Kingdom is their happiness and contentment, associated with their Christlike character.  Jesus was not weak, he was strong and determined.  He did not waver in achieving his goal, yet he was full of grace.

Jesus is teaching his disciples and ourselves the fundamentals of kingdom life - the characteristics God tells us howthat he wants his people to follow. Jesus wants a changed way of thinking and therefore a changed way of life in each of us.

The way God thinks is radically different to our natural selves.  700 years before Jesus the prophet Isaiah had reminded us of this:

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:6-8

Isaiah went on to say how this new way of thinking would come about:

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth.  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire.” Isaiah 55:11

Jesus, his apostles and the Old Testament prophets all tell us that God has informed us of all we need to know in his word, the Bible.

Let us examine the words of the beatitudes to learn the general principles.  The first word in Greek is makarios, variously translated ‘blessed’ or ‘happy’.  It is a deep word meaning perfect peace, joy,, perfect rest.  Jesus will wipe away all our tears.

Jesus in his life faced much distress, his friend Lazarus died, in the Garden of Gethsemane as he waited for his arrest and crucifixion. Yet he knew he was blessed by his heavenly Father.  He was filled with infinite compassion for those in the crowd who knew nothing about the vital importance of being in His kingdom.

Jesus is telling us, his people, that happiness, deep joy, does not depend on what we possess but on what we are:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit.

Blessed are the meek

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

Blessed are the merciful

Blessed are the pure in heart

Blessed are the peacemakers.”

There is not a single word about achievements and possessions - it is what we are that results in our experiencing eternal joy.

The description starts by saying that happiness is available to those who are poor in spirit, those who are spiritually poor, who see their needs in spiritual terms.  These characteristics create the conditions which will result in great happiness in God’s Kingdom.

Why is the Christian who is ‘poor in spirit’ happy?  Surely, at root, it is because he knows he is a member of God’s kingdom and is therefore eternally secure.  What a privilege!  Jesus is reminding us that happiness starts not with circumstances but inwardly with a trusting, obedient heart.

Negative features

Four of the first seven beatitudes are passive, to be poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hungry and thirsty.

To be ‘poor in spirit’ means to be truly subject to the king and therefore willing to be governed.  There’s is the Kingdom.

The ‘mourners’ have learned that their own worthiness cannot achieve the goals God requires.  They know they are sinners and, because of this, they will be comforted.  Jesus used this word ‘comforter’ for the work of the Holy Spirit who is given to all who turn to Christ.

The ‘meek’ are obedient to the rule of the king - they are submissive to him and live under his authority.  Jesus is an example of robust, strong meekness.  He said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Those who are meek, who submit to Christ, will inherit the earth, the future world.

Those who ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’ are discontented with anything other than God.  This is not narrow and negative, it is a passion for establishing God’s kingdom now.  To be filled is to be satisfied.

Positive features

The next three features are positive and outgoing, merciful, pure or undivided in heart and peacemakers.

The ‘merciful’ are kind to the needy and suffering.

The ‘pure in heart’ are undivided, loyal and devoted to Christ.

The ‘peacemakers’ help others find peace with God as well as with other people.

These characteristics are to be seen in those committed to living the King’s way, which is so different to the way of the world.  It is not easy to live this way but we have been given the Holy Spirit to make this possible.  People who speak about how to find the ‘peace of God’ will be opposed, but still Christians ‘cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness- for theirs is the kingdom.”

This completes the circle.  Have you noticed the sequence in these features?  The Christian life begins with a poverty of spirit.  We then turn to Christ to be forgiven and to be blessed.  We are then in God’s kingdom.  Mourning follows, our persistent sin hurts us.  Meekness then follows , we are now obedient to God’s wishes.  From this comes the passion to serve.  This is actually the message of the whole Bible, God restores or saves us so that we can serve him.  Jeremiah taught this:

“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.” Jeremiah 15:19

This is the manifesto of Jesus for all of us, his people.  Christians have a direct relationship with God through Christ.  The level we permit these characteristics to dwell in us will be proportional to the joy and happiness we experience.  This is up to us.

The purpose of being a Christian

Having given his manifesto to us his followers, Jesus goes on to explain why he has chosen us.  Remember he said:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” John 15:16

We have each been chosen to be:

1. Salt of the earth

2. Light of the world

Jesus wants us to influence other people and our societies for him.  We do this best as a team.  He doesn’t want us to live solitary Christian lives, he wants us to be an effective team.  A strong scrum in rugby will be very effective in winning a match.  We follow our Lord’s counter-cultural lead to be the means of passing on this blessing to others,, we can make the multitudes of people Jesus loves eternally happy.

Salt

Salt was needed wherever there was corruption or a risk of rot setting in.  Like John the Baptist, Christians should stand up against evil, laziness and other wrongdoing both in ourselves and in those around us.

“You are the salt of the earth.”

We do not dispense this, no, the salt is in our new characters.  In a similar way our influence over our children comes really through what we are, not through what we say.  God wants his people to be in society checking all that corrupts it.

Light

Jesus wants his people to shine in the world both by what we are and what we say.  One of the most damnable heresies of any age is to think that a man may be pure in public life and make the wisest and best decisions there and yet be impure in their private life.  What we are determines our influence in the world.  Never think that an angry, grumpy person will have little influence for good.

We are here to give light to others, to show them the way to live so that they will want to be saved and become followers of Jesus.

Life is not easy in Israel at present.  Meron is an orthodox Jewish man who runs a training programme for Haredi men, a strict branch of Orthodox Judaism, to help them enter the job market.  He ordered ten NewTestaments to give to his students. He told the Christian who delivered them that he has been moved by the outpouring of support Christians have shown for those in Israel,  The Christian gave his testimony how, as a Jew he had turned to Christ.  The man listened and asked some questions, then he said,

“We believe in 90 per cent the same things..”

Then he added,

“I would rather a Jewish person believe in Jesus than be secular.”

A week later Meron phoned his new Christian friend to say that he had read Matthew, Mark and Luke.  He said he ‘loves' Jesus and thinks his teaching is relevant to Jews today..  He shared the New Testaments with his students, and some of them became angry and yelled at him.  That however did not stop him handing the New testaments out because he believed they needed to read it!

As people see how we live and that this is because of Jesus, they will be drawn to him.  We must be bright lights obvious lights for Jesus; too many hide their lights and don’t share with others the good news about Jesus.  It is a tragedy to hear someone we have known for some time say to us,

“I never knew you were a Christian.”

We are all to be lights for Jesus, we are to stand up for him amongst those we meet.  This section finishes,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

As they see what we do, they are not to praise us but our heavenly Father.  They can only praise God if we have let it be known that we are devoted to him.

Jesus said to the people,

““I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Yet here Jesus says to his followers

“You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Just as the moon has no light in itself but simply reflects the light of the sun, so Christians are to reflect the glory of God to people around.  The moon shines in the darkness and so should we also shine into a dark world.  It is interesting that right at the beginning of the bible we read,

“God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.” Genesis 1:16

One Christian reading this expressed a concern saying,

“But this is not my gift.”

The response came back,

“Have you not been given the Holy Spirit so that you are enabled to live as Jesus did and as he wants his followers to live?

Let me finish with a question to ponder on,

“How should we balance this emphasis on the submissive character Christ’s people should strive for and the Great Commission  to go into all the world and make disciples,’, to be the driving force as ‘the light of the world’?

B V Palmer.        

Matthew 21:1-17 Jesus Comes Clean About Who He Really Is

It is never easy to talk about yourself but in this fascinating chapter Matthew records what Jesus says about his true nature.  He does not mince his words.  Time is short and his execution is fast approaching.  Jesus is saying that he is the King of all people, God’s king, God’s Messiah.

The nature of his kingship when he lived on earth is very different to what it will be when he returns in glory.  In the last book of the Bible, John gives us a glimpse of the glory Jesus will have then.

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.  Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron sceptre” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords.’” Revelation 19:11-16

He is not mild then, he is God Almighty, sitting on the heavenly throne with his Father.  The prophet Daniel had been shown that in the future a man would be worshipped as God and would be given all power and authority:

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14

Matthew describes Jesus’  kingship in Matthew chapter 21 by telling us of five events that occurred at this time in Jesus life.  Their meaning could not be clearer, Jesus really is King both of the Jews but also of all people.  Let us look at what Matthew is saying.

1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem for the final time he told them to do something strange.  They were to go into the village of Bethphage, which was on the Mount of Olives that overlooked Jerusalem, and they would see a donkey with its colt standing there.  They are to bring them to Jesus.  If anyone asks them questions they are to say,

“The Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” Matthew 21:3

We are not told whether an agreement had been reached before.  What we are told is the reason for this strange request:

“This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’’ Matthew 21:4-5

This is a quotation from the prophet Zechariah about the Messiah.  Jesus is deliberately saying that this is about himself. Little could be more obvious; he is God’s chosen king!  This prophecy also describes his character.  Jesus was amazingly gentle when we consider who he really is; he did not call down thunderbolts to destroy those opposed to him but longed that they would come to see the error of their ways before it was too late.

When Old Testament passages are quoted in the New Testament the context and verses either side that are not quoted are usually very significant and they are in this case.  The passage in Zechariah reads,

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!  Shout, Daughter Jerusalem.  See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations.  His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:9-10

What they did not realise was that this gracious humble king who is entering Jerusalem on a donkey is demonstrating how different he is to rulers of this world. He did not enter God’s own city, Zion, on a large white stallion surrounded by soldiers as Pontius Pilate had done.  Yet this same person will eventually rule the whole world and then no opposition will be able to exist.

2.  Jesus accepts peoples’ worship

Everything went as Jesus planned.  They placed ordinary cloaks on the animals.  As Jesus approached Jerusalem a very large crowd gathered to welcome him.  These people spread their cloaks and branches from local trees, probably palm trees, on the road.  This was done when Jehu were crowned king in the Old Testament (2 Kings 9:13),

“ ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’  They hurried and took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps.  Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, ‘Jehu is king.’ 2 Kings 9:13

The people must have known this tradition, but Jesus did not rebuke them.

The crowds were shouting phrases that came from the Old Testament which referred to the Messiah.

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”  “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9

The crowd shouted praises to Jesus, “Hosanna!” Hosanna is a word used to express praise or adoration to God, meaning, “Save, I pray or Save now!” The reason they welcomed Jesus so enthusiastically was because they heard the news about Jesus calling Lazarus from the tomb and raising him from the dead (John 12:17–18). The word ‘hosanna’ comes from a Hebrew word meaning “save now” or “save us, we pray.”

The first word of Psalm 118:25 is the Hebrew word ‘Hosannah’, and is linked to the word ‘Jehovah’.  It is translated “O LORD, save us!” The crowd’s use of this word at the triumphal entry was significant—especially as they waved palm branches.  Psalm 118 was associated with the Feast of Tabernacles when palm branches were waved.. By saying “hosanna” as Jesus passed through the gates of Jerusalem and referring to David and David’s kingdom, the Jews were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. The Jews had been waiting a long time for the coming of their Messiah       (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17:11–14; 2 Chronicles 6:16), and their shouts of “hosanna in the highest” indicated the belief that their Messiah had finally come to establish God’s kingdom though doubtless few understood this in the way Jesus had taught.. Luke tell us that there was an expectancy that this Kingdom was soon to come whereas Jesus taught that it had already come because their King had come (Mark 1:15).

“ . . he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” Luke 19:11

The use of the phrase ‘Son of David” is also Messianic.  Seventeen times this phrase is used of Jesus in the New Testament.  The Old Testament teaches that the Messiah would be a physical descendant of King David.  There can be no doubt that the people were then worshipping Jesus as their Messiah!  They were realising what Peter and the disciples had come to understand; they were realising who Jesus really was.  Peter had exclaimed a little earlier,

“You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

The vital thing to understand is that this humble Jesus accepted all this worship because he knew it was valid.

3. Jesus clears his temple

Jesus’ next act was to enter the temple and what he found distressed him deeply.

“Jesus entered the temple area and drove our all who were buying and selling there..  He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” Matthew 21:12

This was not just the rebellion of an angry young idealist, he was genuinely concerned for his Father’s glory and honour.  He did this to fulfil other Old Testament prophecies.  Matthew continues to explain Jesus’ explanation,

“‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” Matthew 21:12-13

The Jewish authorities must have known these passages that Jesus was quoting.  The prophets were also outspoken against the abuse of religious power for financial or other gains.  In both those passages it is God who is speaking and Jesus intends people to understand that God is still speaking.

“For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Isaiah 56:7

In this passage Isaiah is talking about the coming kingdom of God and Jesus is now saying that he is the promised king.  This kingdom Isaiah talks about is also going to be global, and talks about the foreigners who will come to the one true God,

“ And the foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him. . . and give them joy in my house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:6

Jeremiah was also talking to religious leaders who privately broke God’s law and yet think they are safe from God’s judgment.  He had not acted up to then although shortly after Jeremiah said this the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians whom God had allowed to defeat his adulterous people.

“Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Jeremiah 7:11

Jesus is emphasising not just that he is God’s king but that his kingdom is for all people.

4.  Jesus Heals

The next illustration of Jesus’ kingship was one that had a marked impact on the people of Israel in Jesus’ time.

“The blind and lame came to him at the temple and he healed them.  But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant.” Matthew 21:14-15

The raising of Lazarus from the dead after he had been in a tomb for four days had been the trigger for the worship of Jesus but for three years Jesus had healed people who came to him for help.

Again Jesus replies to the religious leaders anger by quoting from the Scriptures.

“Do you hear what these children are saying?” Matthew 21:16

Jesus could have  quoted some of the many passages in the Old Testament that teach that the Messiah would heal people with impossible conditions such as:

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.”  Isaiah 35:5-6,

Instead he replies,

“ ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, have you never read, ‘From the lips of infants and children you have ordained praise.’” Matthew 21:16

This quote is from Psalm 8 which reads,

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:1-2

Jesus has just received the praise of children and then explains this by quoting a psalm where children are praising God.  Psalm 8 is a Messianic Psalm written by King David.  It describes how the Lord created ‘the heavens’ and is praised by children.  But then the psalm continues to acknowledge the ‘Son of Man’.

“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour.  You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.” Psalm 8:4-6

The ‘him’ in this psalm is in the singular, it refers to just one man who is ‘crowned with glory and honour’.  The book of Hebrews quotes this passage and confirms that it is all about Jesus.

“In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him.  Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:8-9

Jesus’s meaning, in quoting this Psalm, is obvious, he saying he is God’s Messiah.  Jesus has said enough to make it clear what he wants all people to know about him.

5.  Jesus reminds them of Scripture

The fifth argument is apparent within these four answer of Jesus.  In each case he moves the conversation back to what God has said to mankind in Scripture, just as he did when tempted by Satan.  How well Jesus knew these passages of Scripture and the context they come in. For him they are authoritative.

The Old Testament gives approximately 330 prophecies about the coming Messiah, 60 of which are major ones.  However the Scriptures do much more than this.  They tell us about God’s character (such as Exodus 34:6), give many examples of people’s sin but stress the hope of salvation.  This salvation was found through having a personal relationship with God demonstrated by obedience backed by involvement in the sacrifices of sheep bulls and goats as substitutes for their sin.  All this is fulfilled in Jesus who, as God’s chosen king, died as the final sacrifice for our sin. Jesus demands the same level of faith from us that men such as Abraham and David had.  Jesus wants people of all nations to be certain that he really is God’s chosen king, our Messiah who has the power to save us so that we can put our trust in him.

When Jesus came to earth for the first time, two thousand years ago, he came with love and humility.  He explained that he would come again but then it will be in power to rule; all his enemies will be removed from his holy presence. The good news or gospel is that Jesus is now ready to receive all who turn to him and we receive forgiveness, an eternal future and a purpose in living.  Our response must be to acknowledge his right to rule over us because of the evidence, both objective (such as Jesus gives us in Matthew 21) and subjective. Subjective evidence is what we instinctively know, that our life has a purpose, that there are real values such as love, honesty, truth and beauty that can only be valid if we have been created by a real loving God.

C.S. Lewis, the author, professor at Cambridge University and former antagonist to the Christian faith wrote about Jesus in his book “Mere Christianity”,

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say.

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God: or else a madman or something worse.

You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

The decision, with its eternal consequences, remains with each one of us.

BVP

Matthew 11:28. ‘A Man under Authority’

A recent e-mail from a student worker analysed the thinking of students today.  One striking factor was,

“They dislike all authority.” 

Another youngster said of his generation,

“They’re not impressed by authority. So for instance they don’t see why they should be interested in the Bible.”

‘Anarchism’ is a political philosophy and movement that rejects all involuntary, coercive forms of hierarchy. Radically it calls for the abolition of the state which it holds to be undesirable, unnecessary and harmful.  It became a ‘worker’s’ movement, alongside Marxism, and at times was also violently militant.  Both Marxism and Anarchism developed because people wanted to live without being under authority - but this is not possible, all that happens is the ruler changes.  We saw from communism that it has given rise to even worse forms of tyranny than that which was replaced.  Eastern European countries thought they were being liberated in 1917 but the effect was the very opposite.

The problem is that man is naturally selfish and without some pressure, either from coercion or from retribution, civilisation would be destroyed.  Some form of policing and judicial system is essential.  We do need strong governments, weak governments are a disaster for a society.  Alan Richardson said in his fine little book, ‘The Political Christ’,

“Without strong government, human life would be, as Thomas Hobbs and the biblical realists agree, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”

William Temple, who was one of the most astute Archbishops of Canterbury once said,

“It is desirable that government should be just, it is essential that it should be strong.”

Some may prefer to change what is desirable and what is essential in this statement but surely both strength and justice are needed for good government.

The point is that all people need to live under authority and yet naturally we don’t like this because we want to be independent.  Parents, schoolteachers, bosses at work and governments must have the authority to rule.  Many of us have suffered under unfair and even cruel authorities and that can further exacerbate our dislike of authority but nonetheless, some authority over us is clearly vital.  For example, driving on our roads would be chaotic if there were no authority and rules.

Leith Samuel was one of the great Christian teachers of students in the 1960s.  He deliberately chose as the title of his autobiography,

“A Man Under Authority.”

To become a Christian means to voluntarily submit to the authority of God over our lives.  Just as a young horse has to be ‘broken in’ or disciplined to be of any use, so do human beings.  A spoilt child is not only unpopular but will become a real problem unless learn to live under authority.  I have just been re-reading Dr James Dobson’s book “Straight Talk to Men and their Wives” where he stresses the need for all children to be brought up under loving constraint.  He claims that, without this, they will not understand how to live happily in society.  He tells the story of a strong willed, rambunctious child who was taken see a paediatrician.  Before the consultation a nurse weighed and measured the boy and took a short medical history.

“Tell me, Mrs Ortlund, how is he sleeping?”

The boy interrupted and answered on his own behalf,

“I sleep very well.”

“How’s his appetite, Mrs Ortlund?”

Again the boy took over,

“I eat everything.”

“And how are his bowels, Mrs. Ortlund?’

The boy responded,

“A, E, I, O, U.”

There is an independence that is important, but when this becomes wilful and selfish it becomes dangerous and must be curbed.

Yokes

Jesus said,

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

A yoke is some form of authority.  Originally it was a wooden device used to harness two oxen together to enable them to pull a plough together.  Jesus probably used this idea because it comes in the Old Testament.  God told Jeremiah to go up and down the streets of Jerusalem and search everywhere,

“If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.” Jeremiah 5:1

People were still a bit religious but this did not influence the way they lived,

“Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, still they swear falsely.” Jeremiah 5:2

Jeremiah wondered if this was because the people were poor and ignorant,

“I thought, ‘These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.” Jeremiah 5:4

“ ‘So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.’  But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds.” Jeremiah 5:5

Clearly the ‘yoke’ was what God requires of people, however they wanted to be just as independent of God as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden.  If we are to live peaceful, happy, victorious, fruitful ives we must accept the yoke that God places us under.

Jesus himself lived under three yokes.

1.  The Yoke of human authority

As Jesus was growing up he was tempted  ion every way that we are.  Yet we read,

“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.” Luke 2:51

The New English Bible is a patchy translation, probably because it was made by a committee, some bits are good and other parts not so good, but here it translates the Greek very well,

“ . . . under their authority.”

Jesus learned to live under the authority of his parents.  Obedience to the Lord Jesus is axiomatic of Christian discipleship in the New Testament.  Jesus repeatedly said,

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” John 14:21

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” John 14:23

It is no coincidence that after stressing the need for obedience that he talks about the peace that his followers will experience.  This is the peace that comes from living under God’s authority.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Our peace and security comes when we are living as God wants us to.  We are meant to live under God’s yoke.  This is how we can bring peace to people. Peace in the New Testament is usually an inner peace.  Surely this is why Jesus said in the Beatitudes,

“Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

To introduce people to their Lord and help them live under his authority is the task of the church.  No wonder Jesus goes on to say that his people will be persecuted, people naturally hate the idea of God’s authority over them.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matthew 5:11

Ephesians

Successful families have to learn to live subordinately to each other.  Paul expounds this idea at some length in Ephesians 5, a chapter often preached on at wedding services.  It includes a sentence that some feminists object to,

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22

But Paul wisely prefaces this teaching with,

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21

He also follows it with a directive for husbands,

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for here, to make her holy . .” Ephesians 5:25

In the following chapter Paul emphasises the need for obedience of children to their parents and of slaves to their masters, but adds that even those who own slaves must treat them respectfully because we know that everyone is living under God’s authority. Whoever we are, we are all to ‘submit to one another out of reverence for Christ’ (Ephesians 5:21).

1 Peter

Peter also emphasises the importance of submitting to authorities.  When discussing how Christians should live in this world, he begins with the problem of sin,

“Dear friends, I urge you, as strangers and aliens in this world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against you soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

Christians must not be weak in our battle against sin but singleminded and clear thinking.

Christians must live in society so as to win the respect of those around us.  We must not live as recluses but be seen to live honourably,

“Live such good lives among the heathens that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12

This will mean being law-abiding citizens.  Being under grace does not mean we are not under the laws of our society.

“Submit yourselves to every authority instituted among men, whether to the king, as th supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” 1 Peter 2:13

The same goes at work,

“Slaves (or servants), submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” 1 Peter 2:18

The same goes in families,

“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” 1 Peter 3:1

The same goes for church elders,

“Be shepherds of God’s flock, serving as overseers . . .” 1 Peter 5:2

Even the presbyters, those with responsibilities for controlling and teaching the churches, must be its servants.

The same goes for the young men in the church, those perhaps most prone to be independent,

“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.” 1 Peter 5:5

Dean Selwyn wrote in his brilliant commentary on 1 Peter,

“The New Testament ethic is a subordinationist ethic.”

We must all serve each other.

Modern Society

This emphasis in the Bible is not popular in modern societies.  Feminism longs for equality and independence.  Anarchism seeks to do away with authorities.  The bible stresses that men and women are of equal worth in God’s eyes but are complementary to men, both in homes and churches.

The Children’s Rights movement considers that authority is harmful to children.  Their objectives are outlined in a ‘Child’s Bill of Rights’ have been paraphrased thus,

1.  Children should have the right to make all their own decisions.  Thus it proposes the abolition of parental leadership

2.  Children of any age should have the right to live where they chose.  A three year old would have the right to live with a neighbour who bought him sweets.

3.  Children of any age should have the right to vote and be involved in any decisions that affect their lives (whether governmental, ecclesiastical, educational, medical or familial.)

4.  Children should have access to any information that is available to adults.  No pornography or violence should be shielded from a child.

5.  Children should be permitted to engage in any sexual activity that is legal for their parents.

6.  Children should never be spanked under any circumstances, whether at school or at home.

This list goes on and can be read in Dr Dobson’s ‘Straight Talk to Men and their Wives’ page 61.

You might think this is a list of radical extremists but it is now being slowly absorbed into the west.  In 1979 the Swedish government passed a law in their parliament, by 259 votes to 6, that prohibits ‘any act, which, for the purpose of punishing, causes the child injury or pain, even if the disturbance is mild and passing.’  This means parents may not spank or otherwise punish their children!  This doctrine is slowly spreading.  The next thing will be that children should be able to divorce their parents.  Dr Dobson says that Sweden has passed this law too!

Such changes are attacking a God-given pattern of life.  Parents must train their children and teach them to respect authority.  Are we not beginning to reap what we have sown =in our school classrooms and in the behaviour of some youngsters today.  How cruel can we be to them.

Dr Dobson also recounts the story told him by an American attorney about his six year old son.

“Last Friday night, my wife, Becky, told him to pick up some orange peelings he had left on the carpet, which he knows is a ‘no-no.’  He failed to respond, and as a result received one slap on his behind, whereupon he began an obviously defiant temper tantrum.

Since I had observed the whole episode, I then called for my paddle and applied it appropriately, saw to it that he picked up and properly disposed of the orange peelings, and sent him straight to bed, since it was already past his bedtime.  After a few minutes, when his emotions had had a chance to settle down, I went to his room and explained that God had instructed all parents who truly love their children to properly discipline them, etc., and that we truly love him and therefore would not permit such defiant behaviour.

The next morning, after I had gone to work, David presented his mother with the following letter, together with a little stack of ten pennies.

“From David and Deborah to Mom and Dad

Dear Mom and Dad

here is the 10 cints for patteling me when I  really neded and that goes for Deborah to  I love you

Love your son David and yur Doter Deborah

Throughout the world we are being taught a ‘me first’ philosophy.  Frank Sinatra said it musically in his song,

“I did it my way.”

Sammy Davis Jnr followed this sentiment with,

“I’ve gotta be me.”

Robert Ringer followed this up with his book ‘Looking out for Number 1’ which became a best seller in the USA for nearly a year.  Now there are so many books, articles and films encouraging promiscuity, open marriages and a self centred lifestyle.  No wonder people are increasingly unhappy and relationships are increasingly unstable.  We need to take God’s yoke back on us.

Political Christianity

Christians were at the forefront of the abolition of the slave trade and slavery.  They were at the forefront of the abolition of child labour and the introduction of schools for all.  Hospitals and caring for the sick were spearheaded by Christians.. there must be political implications of God’s rule in our lives, but the gospel is not political, it is about the Lord Jesus and his redemptive work for us on the cross and his Lordship of his world.  Everything then comes out from this.  Liberation theology does not emphasise that the good news is about who Jesus is, about the rule of Jesus in our hearts and establishing his kingdom.  It is largely political about changing who rules but is seldom centred on putting Jesus Christ at the centre of people’s lives.

2.  The Yoke of Holy Scripture

When the devil tempted Jesus when he was alone in the wilderness for forty days, he suggested,

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:3

Jesus answered by emphasising that he live under the authority of God’s word,

“It is written: Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Jesus believed in the verbal inspiration of Scripture, he talks of: “ . . . every word that comes form the mouth of God.”

Jesus is not attacking satan with a bible text, as if it were a bullet, Jesus is speaking to himself, he is saying that Scripture is the yoke that he lives under.  Jesus clearly loved and studied the Jewish Scriptures and he often quotes from it.  This quotation is from the book of Deuteronomy, which describes the time God’s people spent forty years being tested by God in the wilderness!

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.  He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.   Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 4:2-5

Jesus knew, because he knew his Bible, that this was a lesson for himself.  When he wondered why he was there in the desert, so soon after his baptism and his commissioning by his Father, the answer was clear, it was to test him to see if he would really go god’s way when the pressure was on him.  Jesus was soaked in Scripture.  It is a lesson we all need to learn,

“. . . to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 4:3

This is the yoke for all God’s people.  Today physical needs such as food are considered to be more important that spiritual food, but the bible stresses that we can depend on our heavenly Father.  If he wants us to live we will live, if he doesn’t want us to live, however careful we are we cannot prevent our death.  Of course we must be wise but ultimately everything is in his hands.  We are totally dependant on God.  Didn’t Jesus say,

“So do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  for the pagans run after all these things and you heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33

Many people’s lives today are full of fear and phobias.  The life of faith frees us from fear.  Our lives are not in our hands, our heartbeat is not under our control.

If we, like Jesus are living under the yoke of Scripture, reading it, studying it, coming to understand the mind of God and then obeying what he teaches, then we have learned the secret of life.

3.  The Yoke of His Heavenly Father

Jesus always lived in tune with the wishes of his Father.  Jesus said to some Jews who were persecuting him,

‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself.; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. . . that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father.” John 5:19

In one respect only Jesus could say this because he alone was perfectly obedient.  However this is what Christians should aspire to.  Jesus goes on to say,

“. . . for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.  The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28-29

This perfect man says that everything he has known has been taught him by God and everything he does is dependant on his Father.  He did not do anything outside his Father’s will.  In contrast we are like an untrained dog, always pulling on the lead to go our own way.  We are like that with our heavenly Father but when I keep in close step with my heavenly Father, then I will experience what it means to be full of the Holy Spirit.

This is a lesson and example for us.  We will repeatedly fail to live in obedience to Christ but we need to keep coming back to our heavenly father, admit where we have gone wrong and start again.  We need to keep asking for his help to make us want to surrender to him.

What a great ideal this is, to learn to live, like Jesus, under these three yokes,

1.  The Yoke of Human Authority

2.  The Yoke of Holy Scripture

3.  The Yoke of our heavenly Father

BVP