Day 21: Rest or Review

Definitely rest! Really challenging section though.

Day 20: Matthew 15

Jesus, Lord, Son of David, goes to the unclean

In chapter 15 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for hypocrisy (see sermon on mount) for being concerned with outward cleanliness, but not inner. In fact their rules are a way get around keeping the law rather than keeping the spirit of the law. In fact it's what comes out a man that makes him unclean because His heart produces all kinds of sins. The disciples don't get it, parable language seems to put them on the outside at this point, but again Jesus explains.

The Canaanite woman gets who Jesus is (see 1:1) and understands His parable language. She appears to be inside the Kingdom, which Jesus confirms in saying she has faith, but she is a Gentile woman (big surprise). This surprise is followed up by a repeat of the feeding miracle, but with 4,000, seemingly Gentile as they "praise the God of Israel" not just God.

Day 19: Matthew 14

John goes the way of Jesus before Him and Jesus reveals himself as God Himself

John goes the way of suffering as he is beheaded by the authorities- hinting at what is to come. Jesus hears of this leaves to a solitary place/wilderness, but the crowd follows Him. Jesus feeds the crowd in the wilderness with miraculous bread (what God did in Exodus). With 12 basketfuls left perhaps an allusion back to the 12 tribes, perhaps just a lot of bread! Jesus then walks on water telling them not to fear "it is I" or literally "I AM" God's name given to Moses in Exodus. The recognition seems immediate as they worship Him as the Son of God (though again what have they really understood). The correct response is faith, but Jesus has just told them they don't have faith illustrated by the Peter incident. The chapter finishes with Jesus and the crowd again, but again only bringing their ill. 

Day 18: Matthew 13:24-58

Jesus's supposedly small Kingdom will be massive, is worth everything and will cause the final division of humanity.

Jesus continues with parables some of which are explained. The parable of the weeds explains the division that will come when Jesus returns and why the judgement is delayed. The parable of the net at the end bookmarks this little section, making a similar point. The mustard seed parable explains that although the Kingdom looks small now it will be massive. The leaven makes a similar point, but makes the point that it will grow as it works its way through the world.

Jesus then explains the flip side of parables, that for those who are in the Kingdom, they add to understanding (those who have more will be given). We see this in practice as Jesus explains the parable of the weeds finishing on a high note that the righteous will shine like stars. In this light he continues with the parable of the field leading to great joy in the giving up of everything for it. And the pearl of greatest price- worth everything you have, makes a similar point.

A scribe in the Kingdom. One with understanding of God/Jesus's word (as the disciples claim) brings out a wealth of things from scripture (Old and New Testament in our context). Still though the reaction is rejection by His own people so He does not give them much to believe (to those that have not even what they have will be taken away).