1. The "expert" Pharisees failed to recognise Jesus as the long awaited Messiah.
2. Jesus showed the ignorance of the Pharisees about the Scriptures.
3. Jesus' yoke of discipleship was a light burden compared with the Pharisees' oral laws.
4. The Pharisees, experts on keeping the Law, virtually broke all 10 Commandments!
Earlier we saw John the Baptist seeking confirmation about who Jesus was. We noted that John had not seen any of the judgment that is foretold about the Messiah. In this passage we certainly see Jesus giving judgment on the unbelieving Galilean cities.
Read MoreThe people had the preconceived racially proud views of how God would send the Messiah to raise up Israel over other nations. Their hard hearts could not accept a Messiah who did not fit in with their view of how the Messiah should act. He should dance to their tune.
Read MoreJesus makes it clear that we must always confess Christ as denying him may have eternal consequences. But it is more than confessing Christ with our words. We must confess Christ with our lives, our deeds, our time and our priorities.
Read MoreWe observed that Jesus included among his unusual group, rough unlearned fishermen, a despised tax collector, an outlaw zealot and even a man, who would betray him
Read MoreJesus was looking for their declaration of faith in him, the very means of their healing; eg v.22 “your faith has made you well.”
Read MoreJesus was doing something new with his teaching, healing and atonement of sin. The Old Testament prophesied about this.
Read MoreBut Jesus made the cost of discipleship clear, that such worldly expectations would hit a brick wall.
Read MoreThe Centurion recognized that Jesus had power from God over illness and demons. Just as the centurion could command authority over men by a mere word, so too could Jesus exercise authority over illness and demons by a mere word, even over long distances. Jesus was astonished at the centurion's faith.
Read MoreBut when winter came and its banks overflowed with water from the swollen River Jordan, it was a different matter. Wise builders in this locality would dig down to the underlying bedrock and build their foundations upon that.
Read MoreJesus has warned his disciples about the dangers of temptation about choosing their rewards and treasure. Now he warns them about temptations in their dealings with others and avoid hypocrisy.
Read MoreJesus warned importantly about how to give, pray and fast. The hypocrite Pharisees were choosing earthly rewards rather than heavenly rewards.
Read MoreThe Lord's Prayer perhaps should be called the disciple's prayer since this was the form of prayer he wished his disciples to use.
Read MoreHeavenly Father, We thank you for your great love for us that you sent your precious son, our Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our salvation. We thank you for his emphatic warning about the real dangers of letting our lives be taken over by the desire for human praise rather than living our lives for you and the reward of eternal life with you. In Jesus' Name Amen.
Read MoreAs we live our lives s the children of God, with the Holy Spirit inspiring us, our transformed character should make our yes or no sufficient on its own. We have no authority to use God's name to attach to our own private affairs and declarations. To do so smacks of the misuse of God's name; something we should take pains to avoid.
Read MoreJesus fulfilled the Law in every way. He perfectly obeyed the law of God, (but not every aspect of the man-made Scribal oral law, which caused controversy.) Jesus permanently met the Law's requirement for a perfect sacrifice for the sins of humankind. So all of the New and Old Testaments point to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law's requirements. Because Jesus did this on our behalf, we are free from the Law's curse and penalty. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit to worship and serve God in our hearts and lives. Jesus perfectly interpreted the meaning of God's laws so that we can understand them, again with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Read MoreThe teaching was quite different from that of the religious leaders that was based on self works and self righteousness that puffed up their pride. The teaching Jesus gave was such that it was impossible to meet God's standards. It drew attention that it would take a divine power to enable any where near achieving. They remind us that life is short with much suffering. Therefore we are to look to God to provide something better.
Read MoreHowever, when the call came they responded at once. Indeed their becoming disciples was quite unusual. Someone looking to become a disciple would normally approach a rabbi and make an offer of service. The rabbi might then take this disciple on for a period. If the disciple was found satisfactory, the relationship would continue. But Jesus call was quite different. “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” it was a command with a sure promise.
Read MoreWhilst Jesus was in a weakened state, it still seems incredible that Satan thought he could implant doubts in Jesus' mind about who he was and being loved by the Father. Jesus had just heard the Father declare publicly “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt.3:17). Finally Satan offers the kingdoms of the world to Jesus. Whilst Satan has some control for a time over these kingdoms, they are not his to give away but the Father (Cf. Ps 121:1-2). Indeed, Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Moreover, Jesus is to receive the kingdoms from the Father anyway (Cf. Psalm 2). Jesus' reply and then command over Satan showed his end was in sight!
Read MoreThe Pharisees and Sadducees took pride in being descendants of Abraham as if that alone assured their salvation. They took pride in their power, position, prestige and religious ritualistic practices. Their pride made them deaf to John's warnings. They not only could not receive his words, but had no desire to receive them. (Luke 11:37-54).
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