Some thoughts from Matthew 4-16

Along with members of my church, members of Covenant Network churches and others, I am reading through the New Testament, one chapter at a time (using this reading list: http://newcovenantatlanta.com/Network/2012%20NT%20Reading%20Schedule.pdf ). Here are some of my thoughts from the book of Matthew so far, as they originated as Facebook posts on the CN board.

• Two things I saw in Matthew 4: when we pass through the temptations, tests and trials, the angels will be there to minister to us (compare Luke 22:43), and Jesus’ ministry was preaching, teaching AND healing (also Matthew 9:35). That is how His ministry STARTED, some churches never get there.
• Matthew 5: two thing stood out, first the number of times persecutors, enemies,etc came up and the consistent response towards them, second was to recognize that we are blessed, salt and light no matter what our circumstances are, and to not hide that light for any reason.
• It is interesting that Matthew 7 says Judge not, that you not be judged… But a little later talks about others being known by their fruit. How does one reconcile these?
• So much good stuff in Matthew 9 – the blind men, Jairus (named in Mark 5) and the woman, eating with “sinners” … But what struck me was verse 5-6. After he asked “Which is more difficult?” did he wait for a reply from the scribes before he continued speaking? What did they say?
  I would assume from what he said in verse 6 that they said “Telling a man to get up and walk, and him doing so, would be more difficult.” So in verse 6, he showed them he could do the more difficult, so he could equally do the easier (in their eyes). But to Jesus, one was as easy as the other. They are two parts of the same covenant.
• Two interesting things in Matthew 11: First, while Jesus calls John the Baptist the greatest of the OT-era prophets, he says that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater (verse 11). Second, in verse 20, he ties mighty works (miracles, healings, demons cast out, etc) and repentance (changed mind and direction). Not preaching only, but demonstration.
• Two thoughts from Matthew 12: Verse 25, a house divided against itself shall not stand – we shouldn’t settle for or accept a false unity based on compromise of core values, but we shouldn’t reject those that are of the household of faith that see some things differently. Work with others as you can without giving up your values.
  Second thought is verse 34 – out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Whatever is overflowing in your heart will come out of your mouth when circumstances or pressure push past your ability to contain it. So best to replace what is in your heart that is unfruitful, and strive that your message doesn’t change when tough times come, but instead increases with consistency.
• Matthew 13:58 Unbelief stops many of God’s great works on man’s behalf from happening with any consistency.
• Matthew 14:31 “why did you doubt?” Doubt was a choice, because Peter walked on the water until he looked at the circumstances. Compare with John 20:27 “Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (NKJV, KJV faithless, NIV “Stop doubting and believe.”). Think about the similarities between Peter in Matthew 14 and Thomas in John 20.
• Matthew 16:24 Deny yourself. Give up the choice of your own way if you know it’s not God’s way. Give up the right to correct others when you disagree and it’s not your place. Give up your ability to live a saved but ungodly life. Give up the desire to have the last word. Give up your right to hold a grudge.

Doug