Daily Bread for Oct 11 Mat 15-17
Today’s readings are Mat 15-17.
In Mat 15, Jesus
teaches the Pharisees that many of the traditions of the Jews have been
symbolic, such as the various washings. They were there to symbolize the importance
of leading a holy lifestyle and avoiding the filth of sin. The Pharisees seem
to have missed the point (Mat 15:1-9).
To emphasize this truth, Jesus teaches that spiritual tainting
comes from inside, not outside (Mat 15:10-19). As a way of demonstrating this
truth, He heals a Gentile, a woman who was considered filthy (Mat 15:21-27).
The woman openly confesses that she, a Gentile, is second in the order of
receiving the gospel (the Jews are first). In her humility, she recognizes
Jesus as Lord and bows before Him. Jesus commends her faith which is a stark
contrast to the suspicions and accusations of the Pharisees.
Ultimately, whether the sinner is a Jew or Gentile,
Christ, not the ceremonial washings, is the one who cleanses! By implication,
the lesson is that pious rituals and behavior are not of any spiritual benefit
if the heart is not seeking the Lord.
Then Christ heals many (Mat 15:29-31). We see that the One
who cleanses also heals! Sin is not only washed away, but the eternal impact of
it is taken away as well, and the one who follows Christ is healed of the
consequences of sin which are death and separation from God!
After these profound lessons, Jesus feeds another huge
crowd, but this crowd is a crowd of Gentiles (Mat 15:32-39). This time there is
enough left over to fill seven baskets. The twelve baskets leftover at the
first feeding (Mat 14:13-21) represent the twelve tribes/twelve apostles. That incident
was a clear indication that the gospel is for the Jews. The seven baskets seen
in this scenario most likely represent the fullness of the gospel going to all
the world (all the Gentiles) as seven is the number of completion. Between the
two feedings, the message resounds that the gospel is for everyone.
There's a more profound lesson in the two miraculous feedings.
There are also two miraculous feedings in the Old Testament, one by Moses (Ex 16, Num 11) and
one by Elisha (2 Kgs 4:38-44). Both Old Testament feedings were a portent of
what was to come. The feedings we see in Matthew are symbolic of Jesus being
the ultimate fulfillment of the promises of Moses and Elisha (the Law and the
Prophets). Furthermore, the presence of the Old Testament prophets during the
transfiguration in Mat 17 shows
that He is neither of them but the Son of God.
Despite all these incredible events, the Pharisees naively demand
a sign (Mat 16:1-4)! The contrast between the deaf man who now hears, the blind
man who now sees and the unhearing, unseeing Pharisees is profound.
Jesus and the disciples reach Caesarea-Philippi. This is as
far north as Jesus will travel and it marks another turning point in His
ministry. From here on, He will head toward Jerusalem and the cross. The last
phase in Mat 16:13 begins with Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ.
“Jesus” is His name, “Christ" is His office or title.
In a compelling moment, Jesus tells Peter that he didn’t
come to this conclusion himself, the Father had revealed this truth to him (Mat
16:17). In a commonly misinterpreted passage, Jesus tells Peter the new church
will be based on the revelation that He is the Christ (Mat 16:18) and that the
same truth will be the keys to the kingdom (Mat 16:19) that hell will not be
able to stand against. Peter is not the rock the church is built upon. That
foundation is the revelation of Christ as Savior.
After Jesus prophesies His death and resurrection (Mat
16:21-23) and instructs those who follow Him to follow in His sufferings (Mat
16:24-28), Mat 17:1-13 depicts the transfiguration. Three disciples get a peek
at the glory of Christ, a promise of what is to come. The promise is there to
gird them for what's next. Notice that immediately before the glory is
revealed, two things happen: Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ, then
Jesus tells the disciples He must die. Even more significant is that fact that
He calls them to "take up their cross and follow Me." The full import
and impact of this statement will not be apparent for a while. Jesus is headed
to Jerusalem and the cross, all the while telling His disciples that they may
suffer as well.
Following the transfiguration, Jesus heals
a demon-possessed boy. In doing so, He relates the teaching of the
mustard seed. When He refers to their "little faith" (Mat 17:20),
He's not talking about their lack of faith but referring to their infant,
baby-like faith. It has not yet matured and is, so far, ineffectual. But, even
a small amount of faith, like a mustard seed, can grow into a powerful,
earth-changing faith. The mountains are a metaphor for earth-shaking. They are
not intended to be literal. Jesus is telling His disciples that their ministry
will start out very small, based on the works He is now performing, but will
one-day change and reform the world.
With this teaching of nascent-but-ever-growing faith,
freedom is declared to the disciples, albeit with an admonishment to respect
earthly authorities, insofar as it is possible to do so and maintain godliness
(Mat 17:24-27).
The lesson of the temple tax and the miraculous provision
are meant to demonstrate that Jesus will provide and bless if the disciples
work within the governmental system, honoring the taxes and the ones who levy
them, even though they may present a hardship.
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