I challenged myself to read the New Testament in February, so today's reading is Matthew chapters 1 through 10. Mainly focusing on the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry and healings including the temptation of Jesus and his teachings. Just a couple of thoughts about this.
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The first thing you notice is that Jesus' story begins in a very odd way. I think those of us who have grown up in the church and heard this story often may become insensitive to how different it is. Jesus is sent basically to two teenagers (Mary and Joseph) who are engaged to be married and entrusts them with his son. Then almost immediately there is a threat to Jesus' life by Herod who then kills all the babies 2 years and younger who lived in the same area where the wise men said Jesus was. Then when Jesus does return to Israel it is in a backwater land like Nazareth (Matthew 2:23). Not a kind of place that most of us would pick for sure.
The people were clearly amazed at Jesus' teaching not just for the content of his teaching, but how he taught. The Pharisees and Sadducees would quote other teachers or authorities when they taught. But, Jesus relied upon his own authority. He didn't just talk about the letter of the law, but also the Spirit of the law. He didn't just talk about murder, but also talked about hate. He didn't just talk about actions, but also about motives. He warns against doing good works in order to be noticed by men Matthew 6:5-8.
In talking about motive, he talks about how we are to set our hearts on His kingdom and his righteousness. Not relying on our own sense of righteousness like the Pharisees did. He mentions that we should examine ourselves before judging another or better yet not judging at all, but rather showing mercy. He calls us to do to others what we would have them do to us Matthew 7:12. And to be a person who doesn't just hear the word, but does it Matthew 7:24-27.
In chapters 8 and 9 several of Jesus' miracles are mentioned including healing a man of leprosy, two demon possessed men and also the miracle of calming a storm and raising a little girl who is dead. The miracles were God's demonstration that Jesus is one who has authority. The Pharisees rightly thought that Jesus would be blaspheming if he was not God in the flesh when he forgave the man his sins Matthew 9:2-3. But, what they didn't realize is that he had the authority to do so.
Chapter 10 begins with Jesus sending out the disciples with his authority. He lets them know that the path they are taking will include some adversity and calls them to stand firm to the end Matthew 10:22. He tells us not to be afraid of those who can kill the body, but cannot harm the soul Matthew 10:28. Finally Jesus calls us to count the cost of following Him and tells us that "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
