Before the second week of class reflect upon one of the following passages. Matt 1: 21; 2:14-15; 3:16-17; or 4:17.
In one or two paragraphs prepare a response and reflection by leaving a comment to this post. When preparing your reflection make sure to consider the surrounding literary context. Meaning, if I am writing about Matt 1:21 it is necessary to understand the meaning of this passage by reading all of chapter 1 (and even chapter 2).
Further, each week use this blog as a means to respond to other peoples reflection.
Here is a brief example:
Matt 1:21
The story of the birth of Jesus gives a dramatic statement saying "He will save His people from their sins." This statement is shocking because a child who was born illegitimate according to his culture was given high status without preforming anything. In Matt 2 we read that "three wise men" came to offer gifts and worship Him! This leads you to believe that this passage is not only making a declarative statement but is also prophetic. Theologically speaking this passage presents the mission statement of Jesus. He will save people from sin. This theological statement comes to fruition when he was crucified on a cross.
7 comments:
Matthew 2:14-15
This is in response to the third dream that Joseph has that he was to take the child (Jesus) to Egypt. Remember that until this point God had seemed to be quite silent for about 400 years, with the exception of John the Baptist's parents. It also demonstrates a major theme in the Old Testament that Egypt is a place of protection. It was the nation that Jacob's children went to to get food and later were provided for by Joseph (OT) who had been sent there because of the jealousy of his brothers. Here we see Joseph (NT) sent to Egypt to protect Jesus in a dream because of the jealousy of King Herod. The original event and the latter were fueled by jealousy in this second case it was to protect Jesus and allow him to be called out of Egypt to fulfill the prophecy.
Matthew 4:17
This is the second time that the "kingdom of heaven" is referred to in the NT, the first being in verse 3:2 with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness. As we discussed during class last Sunday (concerning Matt. 16:13-20), this is a major theme of the book of Matthew; this phrase is used over thirty times in the book. Some questions and ponderings I have : 1)How would we define the "kingdom of heaven"? What is it exactly? What are it characteristics? I feel this is a term used a lot in Christian circles, but without much precision. 2)Was there a difference between John the Baptist saying the kingdom of heaven was "at hand/near" and Jesus saying so? In other words, was the kingdom of heaven "nearer" after Jesus started preaching it? What should we make of this word?
Matthew 3:16-17
This is the first time in the NT that the trinity is referred to. Jesus after being baptized by John in the Jordan, came up out of the water and Heaven was opened, then the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove and all the while God the Father spoke from Heaven saying "this is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." This is just an amazing point in time. Does not every son on earth want to hear those exact words from their father? It not only vindicated Jesus of who his real father was but just restored his confidence by knowing he is pleasing his father.
Thoughts on Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
This is an angel of the Lord sharing with Joseph in a dream regarding the child in Mary’s womb. Mary was betrothed (engaged) to Joseph and they had not been intimate (he had not known her) and yet was with child. Joseph was planning to break the betrothal quietly and not bring Mary to shame when the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel begins his words to Joseph with “Do not fear…” – what I am going to say may be unsettling and what I am going to say may be beyond your immediate understanding – but be at peace with what I am going to tell you (do not fear…). The angel continues to set the stage for the declaration of who Jesus is in verse 21 by telling Joseph that the child conceived in Mary’s womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This is a mystery for the human mind – we cannot understand how this happened – what took place – how this was accomplished and yet here is the angel to say “do not fear” and implied with “do not fear” is “have faith – trust in God – even though you may not understand this with your human mind” and is setting the stage for the mystery of the Messiah.
In the days before ultrasound machines – the angel knew that the child was a son and gave Joseph a name for the son – Jesus in Greek/Joshua in Hebrew and then continued by revealing who Jesus was – the savior – who will save his people from their sins.
Man was created in communion with God (com = with – union). There was an open relationship and open communication between God and Adam. And then the union – the comm-union with God was broken and the open relationship and open communication between God and Adam – between God and man was no more. But God had a plan before the foundation of the world to bridge the gap and provide us a way to be back in comm-union with God. For what purpose did Jesus come to save his people from their sins? He came to provide a way to re-establish the lost relationship and lost communication with God – to save us from ourselves – to save us from being cut off from God.
The angel of the Lord did not fill in all that would happen for Joseph in his dream – but with the message to not be afraid – what the angel shared was enough to put Joseph at peace that this was bigger than himself. No questions from Joseph – just quiet obedience to the angel of the Lord. Joseph hid these things in his heart and watched God at work. And the child was born and Joseph named him Jesus.
Just as Joseph trusted in the Lord without understanding – but trusting in God because he is God – so should we also trust in God because he is God and not require understanding.
Matt 3:16-17
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased".
I like how this falls chronologically right after John speaks of the greatness of Jesus, and before Jesus' temptation in the wilderness.
These three segments all seem to center around the Father's favor of Jesus and His identity. John, as a prophet of God spoke ow what Jesus would do. Then, the Father Himself spoke with an audible voice from heaven and the spirit of God descended in bodily form on Him. Finally, Satan tried to get Jesus to sin by presuming upon and using His authority outside of submission to God's plan.
I think that Jesus' humility as seen in v 14-15 when he was baptized by someone less mighty than he. His obedience to the point of death, and His coming to do God's will (Heb 10:7) seem to be a very important aspect of His character and could have been part of why God was well pleased. I don't really totally understand it, but I would enjoy anyone elses take on that.
Matt 2:14-15
Two main things come to mind in these verses. First the amount of obedience it takes to get up and go. Also I do not know if Joseph knew about the things that the prophets had said "And so was fulfilled what the lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."" It would be interesting to know if Joseph knew about the word from the prophets.
Nathaniel: Great thoughts. I think you are exactly right. Often times OT stories speak to a truth found in Christ. Feel free to share your thoughts in class. I learn from you every time you speak.
Heidi: These are excellent questions that I hope to get into during "part II" off the Gospel of Matthew. You are so right when you say that "Kingdom of Heaven" is not used with much precision. Let's try to define in class when we get into the theology of Matthew. Nice catch in correcting me regarding this being the 2nd time this phrase is used. you are a careful reader who we all can learn from.
DanDoll: Great point. It's amazing how this is missed when Christians read this passage. You nailed it. Pointing out the unique relationship between the Father and Son is also another important point. So much similarity between the the relationship of the three members of the Trinity and human relationships.
Dan Kral: Two things stick out. First, I find it helpful that you use a modern idea (the ultrasound machine) in order to drive home your point of Mary being conceived as a virgin. This connects with people. Second, I wholly affirm you going back to the OT in oder to understand the NT. The NT was not written in a vacuum. The NT writers relied on the OT (MT and LXX) to continue to tell the story of Jesus. Great job. Love your participation in class.
Christine: I like it that you refer back to John the Baptist in order to understand what it taking place in the passage. Single passages cannot be understood on their own but have a literary context. Also, it's fantastic that you bring up Jesus' humanity. Often times we focus so much on Jesus' divinity only to neglect his humanity. Part of Jesus being human was in order to identify with those who he was trying to redeem. Hope to see you next Sunday.
tyler: You are on to something. The phrase "out of Egypt" is often used in the Scriptures. This phrase is use in reference to a historical event and as a "historical metaphor" for for Israel in the Babylon and for Christ. Ponder this over the week and perhaps we can chat about it further.
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