January - Reading 23

Good evening all -

As we begin winding up Genesis, we see echoes of the whole chapter manifesting themselves. The blessing of the younger son, Ephraim, just as each generation had shown the less likely, younger son in each story being blessed; Jacob, Israel at this point, saying, "who are these?" in verse 8, just as Esau had said to him at their encounter in the desert; Israel's vision failing just as Isaac's had at the time of the blessing of Jacob; and once again, the promise of the land of Canaan. I like the image of Israel rallying his strength to meet Joseph at the beginning of the chapter. It has an air of distinction and nobility.

In Psalms, I'm sure each of you probably recognized the first line, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" They are the words Christ uttered on the cross as accounted by the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. For years as a youngster, I always thought that this point in the crucifixion story showed that Christ had hit a breaking point. Years later, I came across this passage in Psalms and it was a revelation to me. It wasn't a breaking point. It was Christ showing us how to find strength in the scriptures.

In Matthew we see the disciples of John the Baptist assembled and looking to Christ for theological answers. We will see this group periodically throughout our reading of the Gospels. John is still alive at this point and these men go between him and Christ to tie together the ministries. Their question is on fasting which was very important to the Jewish lawgivers and most likely John's group as well. Christ answer is that His purpose and mission are new and revolutionary and would not be held by the old system.
Also, another great testimony of faith: If I can just touch his cloak...

In Acts, tonight and last night we see Paul witnessing to a group of Jews. This greatly resembles Stephen's address of the Pharisees but with less violent a result. We see that this witness had positive results with some of those assembled but at their second gathering they are rejected and Paul and Barnabas turn their ministry toward the Gentiles. It's interesting, I was just speaking with my friend and pastor yesterday about witnessing and was talking about the use of scripture in doing so. One of the comments he made was, "Yes, but New Testament scripture doesn't always work if the person is Jewish." I had been pondering this and coincidentally, we read this passage tonight. I will probably start a thread on "effective witnessing" within the next few days up in the general Baptist forum. Please watch for it. I would appreciate everyone's input.

May God bless all of you

- Clint

 

Thanks Brother Clint for the warm expository comments. I say warm, because you managed to slip in my name into the Bible account. And in the company of Paul, no less! Enjoyed the reading. Keep up the good work.

 

Barnabas =

originally called Joseph

a Levite from Cyprus

is the "good example" in Acts 4 in contrast to Ananias and Sapphira

best known for his apostilistic missions with Paul (Saul)

Name means "Son of Encouragement"

Very fitting name your folks gave you, friend!

- Clint

 

I'm feeling really guilty for not having shown up here for a day or two! I'm sorry to have left you on your own, Clint.

I loved your summary of the Genesis reading. It gave me a view of it I hadn't had before. Thanks.

Psalm 22 is even more than what you said -- if you look at the end of it, you will see the final triumph of Christ. The disciples all knew Scripture. They would have known that Psalm once Christ started it for them on the cross. It was Christ's promise to them that this was not the end. I'm not sure any of them had the presence of mind at that point to realize that, however. That was a pretty gruesome scene they were watching!

But look at the last of that Psalm:

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the Lord will praise him --
may your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him --
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn --
FOR HE HAS DONE IT.

The capitals and the end are mine...

The wages of sin are death -- and He claimed those wages for us.
But death is not the end of the story. This opera ain't got no fat lady!

In Matthew there are some really important things to notice.

1. If anyone is ever in doubt about the efficacy of our prayers for one another, please note that Jesus noticed the faith of the friends who carried the paralytic on the mat to Jesus. To those who seem to always find a Christian who has an ongoing illness or disability and then tell him he only needs more faith, here is your response: "If I don't have enough faith, please, you have enough faith for me, like the friends of the paralytic had for him. I am sure Christ will honor your faith if mine is weak..." Go ahead, put them on the spot!

2. The reason the teachers of the law, in verse 3, are saying Jesus is blaspheming, is because they know that ONLY God can forgive sins, and in saying that the paralytic's sins are forgiven, they clearly understand that Jesus, at the least, is claiming God's powers and, at the most, is claiming to be God Himself!
Jesus does NOT defend Himself! He simply heals the paralytic as well, showing that He knows EXACTLY what He is talking about and doing.

3. The general crowds, however, miss the boat here. The teachers knew exactly what was being claimed, but the people reacted with praise to God, which is great, but why? Because God had given such authority to MEN!
No, God did NOT give that authority to men, then or ever.

As for the second part, when Matthew becomes a disciple, it is evident that Jesus would have made an awful Country Club Christian -- He hung around with the wrong folk! He hung around with people who knew they needed Him and responded to Him. What a disaster for His social life! Absolutely no status there at all!

But then, He was doing what He had come to do...

(I think you were ahead a day on the Matthew comments, Clint, and maybe on Acts, too?!)


In Acts, it is interesting to see the name of the false prophet is Bar-Jesus. The name Y'shua (Jesus) was probably the most popular boy's name of the time as people were very aware that this was the time of Daniel's prophecy. Bar-Jesus was evidently the son of one of those boys named Jesus. For "bar" means 'son of' or 'from' as in a lineage.

Paul/Saul was a wee bit upset with this fellow, and pronounced a blindness on him. He was blind to the truth anyway, so why not make it evident from God's judgment on the physical side?

The the proconsul and the others knew which end was up. What is interesting, however, is that we don't know what he did about this knowledge -- accept it or reject it...

Paul then sails to Perga.

I have a question if anyone knows -- is this the same place as the Pergamum of one of the letters of Revelation?

Paul's address here is to both the Jews and Gentiles of this place, and he immediately focuses on the God of the Jews and some of Jewish history.

 

Helen!

I printed out the reading plan at the beginning of the month and my paper cited reading 23 to be "Matthew 9:14 - 26" and "Acts 13: 26 - 52! Yes, I was indeed ahead. LOL At least I know you're reading.

I just signed on to do my posting. Thanks for clarification!

I just checked against the link at the bottom of the page and my list confirms. Gonna go scratch my head for a minute. (My 80 year old Sunday School teacher does this all the time! LOL)

- Clint

 

The confusion began on the 21st and it was Helen that noted it! Doggone it, now we gotta start all over! Okay everyone read Genesis 1, Psalm 1, Matthew 1, and Acts 1 and let's get it right this time!

 

I see this thread is in good hands. Now I can go and take my beauty sleep!

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Barnabas:
I see this thread is in good hands. Now I can go and take my beauty sleep! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

..... oh, help......

 

Our Scriptures for 1/24 are:

Matthew 9:27-38

Acts 14

Psalm 22:12-31

Genesis 49

 

Our Scriptures for 1/24 are:

Matthew 9:27-38

Acts 14

Psalm 22:12-31

Genesis 49

 

Our Scriptures for 1/24 are:

Matthew 9:27-38

Acts 14

Psalm 22:12-31

Genesis 49

 

Our Scriptures for 1/24 are:

Matthew 9:27-38

Acts 14

Psalm 22:12-31

Genesis 49