Offense or Rest (Bible E-Course Matthew 11)

Can we find rest in Jesus in the midst of a troubled world? Did John the Baptist need rest from doubt?

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns. John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?” (Matthew 11:1-3 CEV)

Did Jesus’ answer reveal the real cause of their doubt? In severe trials, do we also feel abandoned by Christ?

And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11:4-6 ESV)

What did Jesus say about John?

As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear soft clothes are in kings’ palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. This is the one it is written about: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; he will prepare Your way before You. (Matthew 11:7-10 HCSB)

Was John a great man?

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11 KJV)

Violent Takeover

Does God’s kingdom on earth suffer violence? Has that continued throughout Christian history?

From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force. (Matthew 11:12 CEV)

Was John a second Elijah?

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:13-15 NASB)

Was that generation like children wanting the prophets to dance to their tune instead of preaching God’s message? Is our’s?

But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’ (Matthew 11:16-17 NKJV)

What accusations did people make? Are similar accusations still made regarding legitimate personal choices?

For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.” (Matthew 11:18-19 NLT)

Unrepentant Cities

What judgment awaits those who reject Jesus?

Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.” (Matthew 11:20-24 WEB)

To whom are the secrets of God revealed?

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have shown them to babies. Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness. My Father has handed all things over to me. No one knows the Son except the Father. And nobody knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:25-27 CEB)

True Sabbath Rest

Nowhere in the entire New Testament is a rest on either Saturday or Sunday commanded. Choosing a rest day remains a valid personal choice, but not a mandate. Did Jesus give a spiritual application of the day of rest?

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 CEV)

Those who rest in Jesus are rejected by the worldly wise. Whether or not we choose a particular day for rest, do we rest in Jesus? You decide!

Usury & Extortion (Exodus 22)

One of the earliest principles of money lending is a law against usury.

If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. (Exodus 22:25 NKJV)

This is the exact opposite of how western banks operate today. If a person is rich and deposits large sums in a bank, then they are given special low interest borrowing rates. Whereas if a person is poor, they are charged higher interest rates, because they are seen as a higher risk. Moral responsibility towards the poor is not a consideration in the calculations. Yet, those who claim to believe there is a God, are called to operate in a different manner.

Banks are known for their reluctance to lend money to the poor, and if they do, they do so at punitive interest rates, not charged to the rich. This makes good sense economically, because the poor are a greater risk. However, it only makes sense in an economy that does not include the highest morals in its calculations. There is a moral principle which overrides the mathematical calculations of risk. It is the social responsibility of the rich towards the poor.

If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you. You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit. (Leviticus 25:35-37 NKJV)

Banks that still make enormous profits each year, after bank managers have already received good salaries, and CEOs have been paid an incredible amount, have no moral excuse. Many CEOs earn more their first week on the job than ordinary workers earn all year. Some earn a thousand times an average wage. Nobody needs to take that much from the community, except due to pure greed.

Surely banks can consider taking a portion of their profits, and plow it back into the community, and bear some of the burden of the destitute and oppressed. But, no, shareholders expect to receive those profits in dividends, and who really cares if the poor suffer? Well, God does and so should we!

This is such an important principle that it is repeated in Deuteronomy, a book where the law is repeated and where the Ten Commandments are broken down and applied to a variety of life situations.

You shall not charge interest to your brother—interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest. (Deuteronomy 23:19 NKJV)

The word brother here refers to a national brother, not necessarily a direct relative.

One may ask, how can banks possibly pay their employees if they cannot charge interest? First let’s ask, how can large banks possibly pay their CEOs grossly offensive robber-baron salaries? When people take social responsibility, then there are other ways to be paid other than oppressing the poor with unlivable interest charges. There is nothing against banks charging fees for services rendered instead of usury.

What profit is there in not charging the high-risk poor usury? If there is no God, who cares? But, if there is a God, then it is He who provides a dividend not seen on usual profit projections, a curse or a blessing on our business dealings. Those who take usury from their dealings with the poor can overcome generational curses placed upon our lending institutions by decades and centuries of greedy bankers.

Who has withdrawn his hand from the poor And not received usury or increase, But has executed My judgments And walked in My statutes—He shall not die for the iniquity of his father; He shall surely live! (Ezekiel 18:17 NKJV)

This is not just a risk calculation but also a live or die situation for the lender.

The use of interest for legitimate purposes of trade was never forbidden in ancient Israel. It was intended as a national law protecting the poor, that usury was off limits in ordinary money lending to private citizens. Though it may not compute in lending calculations, there is a promise of business longevity for those who abide by moral lending principles. The longevity of a business is difficult to project in foresight, but God’s blessing can be clearly seen in hindsight.

He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:5 NKJV)

Here is a new word that goes along with usury. Are lenders also guilty of extortion? When a lender uses usury and extortion, his position will not be blessed by God, but one who is generous, especially to the poor, will eventually replace the gouging bully, because he will lose out. His replacement will be as compassionate as possible within the limits of his authority.

One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. (Proverbs 28:8 NKJV)

This is a promise that the lending scheister will not live long enough as a business to enjoy his ill gotten gains, but they will be inherited by a person of superior morality who pities the poor.

What about us? Do we want to be part of creating a better society or continue the predatory ways of the past? You decide!

Money Morality (1 Timothy 6:10)

The basic rule for money morality is well-known, but most people seem to either misquote this principle or stop after the first clause. Let’s read the whole principle.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV)

Notice the wording. Money alone is not evil, nor is it “THE” root of all evil. The “LOVE” of money is “A” root of all evil. Plenty of other things in the world are also at the root of many evils. Money itself is neutral. It is a tool, but an exaggerated focus on the instrument, a love affair with money, instead of the good it can do, leads to greed and sorrow.

A misplaced obsession with money can lead people away from genuine mutual care that should exist in a civilized society to an evolutionary nightmare where the fit survive and the weak die, from genuine Christianity to a counterfeit health-wealth substitute. And it seems that greed and sorrow go hand-in-hand. No, money does not bring happiness, but giving it away can.

“... remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 NKJV)

A personal story may illustrate the point here. At my father’s funeral, his best friend told me a story that I will long remember and honor his memory thereby. Dad was a very successful insurance salesman at a big national company. He had told me during his life that he would rather sell a policy that gave him little commission than make a big profit that hurt the customer. Honesty was a valuable tool for building a business that lasted decades. Dishonesty was only good for a short term profit and was bad business.

He had been invited to make a presentation to the board of directors, and told them quite bluntly that they were engaged in some dishonest business practices that would only hurt the company in the long term. After he left the room, one of the board members asked Dad’s best friend if Dad was for real. His friend told the board members that my Dad was the most honest man he had ever known and that they had better listen to him. I never knew what happened after that, except that decades later that same company was called the worst in a royal commission investigating misdemeanors of the insurance industry.

Do you use money as a tool to bless others, or are you greedy? Surely the LOVE of money is A root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. What about you? You decide!

Persecuted Missions (Bible E-Course Matthew 10)

What dangers and blessings await those who dare to share the Good News in a hostile world? What authority did Jesus give the twelve disciples?

He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 10:1 CEB)

Did this mean that even Judas who later betrayed Jesus had these powers?

The first of the twelve apostles was Simon, better known as Peter. His brother Andrew was an apostle, and so were James and John, the two sons of Zebedee. Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus were also apostles. The others were Simon, known as the Eager One, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus. (Matthew 10:2-4 CEV)

Missions

On their first missionary journey, what special instructions did Jesus give the disciples?

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (Matthew 10:5-8 ESV)

What were they not to take on this training exercise?

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (Matthew 10:9-10 KJV)

Where were they to stay?

And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. (Matthew 10:11-13a NASB)

What if they were not welcomed by an unworthy household?

But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! (Matthew 10:13b-15 NKJV)

Persecution

Are there dangers in the mission field?

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. (Matthew 10:16-18 NIV)

Should disciples worry about what to say if wrongfully arrested?

When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20 NLT)

Do they even have enemies within and outside their own families?

Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake (Matthew 10:21-22a WEB)

Is there salvation for those who endure? Throughout the Bible, salvation is spoken of as was saved, am saved, am being saved and will be saved. It’s a process.

But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22b CEB)

Should they just stand there passively taking persecution, or may they flee?

When people mistreat you in one town, hurry to another one. I promise you before you have gone to all the towns of Israel, the Son of Man will come. (Matthew 10:23 CEV)

Are insults to be expected?

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul [an insulting name of the devil], how much more will they malign those of his household. (Matthew 10:24-25 ESV)

Should they be afraid or bold?

Therefore, don’t be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered and nothing hidden that won’t be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops. (Matthew 10:26-27 HCSB)

Why not fear death?

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:28-31 KJV)

What about publicly confessing Jesus?

Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before people, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 NASB)

What about peace on earth?

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ (Matthew 10:34-36 NIV cp. Micah 7:6)

Who comes first in our lives?

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (Matthew 10:37 NKJV)

Is this like taking up our own cross?

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. (Matthew 10:38 NLT)

Does this have anything to do with living a life of self-sacrifice?

He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:29 WEB)

What of those who welcome Jesus’ disciples?

Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded. (Matthew 10:40-42 CEB)

If we are serious about spreading God’s Good News then we will share in the suffering and joys of Christ as did countless generations before us. What are our priorities? You decide!

New Wine (Bible E-Course Matthew 9)

Amidst various healings Jesus taught about old and new ideas.

Healing

Did Jesus heal a paralyzed man? Was Jesus falsely accused?

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” (Matthew 9:1-3 ESV)

How did Jesus answer their accusations? Did Jesus also heal the paralysis in some minds?

But Jesus knew what was in their minds, and he said, “Why are you thinking such evil things? Is it easier for me to tell this man his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? But I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.” The man got up and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were afraid and praised God for giving such authority to people. (Matthew 9:4-8 CEV)

Did Matthew hesitate to follow Jesus?

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” So he got up and followed Him. (Matthew 9:9 HCSB)

How did Jesus explain eating with sinners? Would this explain our imperfect churches?

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:10-13 KJV)

Old versus New

Will disciples fast?

Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the groom cannot mourn as long as the groom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:14-15 NASB)

What about the Pharisees’ approach could not mix with Jesus teachings?

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. (Matthew 9:16 NIV)

How did the making of wine in wineskins relate to Jesus’ teachings?

Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. (Matthew 9:17 NKJV)

Healings

How did Jesus respond to the death of a little girl?

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. (Matthew 9:18-19 NKJV)

How did Jesus handle being interrupted by a woman with a discharge?

Behold, a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.” But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. (Matthew 9:20-22 WEB)

When Jesus finally arrived at the house of the dead girl, what did He do?

When Jesus went into the ruler’s house, he saw the flute players and the distressed crowd. He said, “Go away, because the little girl isn’t dead but is asleep”; but they laughed at him. After he had sent the crowd away, Jesus went in and touched her hand, and the little girl rose up. News about this spread throughout that whole region. (Matthew 9:23-26 CEB)

How did Jesus reply to the cries of two blind men?

As Jesus was leaving that place, two blind men began following him and shouting, “Son of David, have pity on us!” After Jesus had gone indoors, the two blind men came up to him. He asked them, “Do you believe I can make you well?” “Yes, Lord,” they answered. Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, you will be healed.” They were able to see, and Jesus strictly warned them not to tell anyone about him. But they left and talked about him to everyone in that part of the country. (Matthew 9:27-31 CEV)

How did Jesus heal a mute? How was He falsely accused?

As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” (Matthew 9:32-34 ESV)

Did Jesus continue preaching and healing?

Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 9:35 HCSB)

Was there a great need? Is there still?

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:36-38 KJV)

Is there a difference between the old and new covenants? Did Jesus encourage us to learn what He teaches about what’s new? You decide!