Please read Chapters 1-14 of the Gospel of Matthew. Concentrate especially on Chapters 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount. Please pick a key verse from the assigned chapters and do one of the following:1. Explain why you think this verse the key to understanding what the selection is about.
2. Explain why you think this verse is the best/most memorable in the assigned reading.
3. Explain why you think this verse is the most difficult/hard to understand in the assigned chapters.
27 comments:
I will admit, this is the most I have ever read out of the bible. After reading the first 14 chapters of Matthew, I find a few common themes. One, Jesus healed many sick people who had faith in him. Second, don't be pointing fingers at others until you take care of yourself. In the first 14 chapters, Jesus tells us how we need to live as Christians, and what will happen if we do not, which is not that pleasant.
I feel that Matthew Chapter 5:17-22 where he discusses Mosaic Law. It is these laws that the Pharisee's will use to put Jesus to death. It also is a precursor to how Jesus is going to show the Pharisee's and scribes that what he is doing is the will of God, and that he is not violating the codes.
2. These versus are the transition into Jesus explaining the laws or views of Christianity, or how we should really live our lives as human beings. For example, turn the other cheek. I feel that this is the most memorable, because he tells us that he is not here to destroy the laws but instead uphold them. When we think of a political king, the first thing that comes to mind is that he will over throw the rules and bring a new rule of law. Instead, Jesus changes the laws through preaching and telling the people through stories what they have to do.
3. I am not well versed in the bible, so pulling deep thought provoking ideas from the text is not my strong point. However, I do realize that the message is clear of what Jesus is preaching of how we need to lead our life today. The hard part about this message for me is when it is said that "I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you will not enter in the kingdom of heaven." 5:20.
Is he saying that we should believe that we are more holy than the people who interpret the law? Jesus groups them all together, so does that mean all the scribes and Pharisees were evil men out to further themselves? What exactly were these men’s jobs? Because I have read scribes, Pharisees, and Chief Priest, before and don’t really know what is the difference. If they are not to listen to these people, what are they to do then? Who lead and offer guidance after Jesus leaves. Finally, we are not to break the commandments that Jesus talks about in the versus I listed, but if we don’t listen to the Pharisees are we not breaking the commandments?
Kerry Konda
"Stop judging that you may not be judges; for with what judgement you are judging you will be judged" This passage for some reason is the one that stood out in my mind. I Think mainly because it is showing people to not judge others, if they want to judge someone than they should judge themselves. If everyone judged themselves then maybe no one would have to worry about judging others. And it seems funny that at times we use such harsh standards when we look at others but when we look at our own behaviors we seem to judge so loosely. I like this book because it points the finger back at yourself constantly. That is something that we don't do enough of.
Of all the passages in chapters 1 - 14, Chapter 6 catches my eye the most. these are the edicts Jesus Christ laid down for man.
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen by them; otherwise ye have no reward of your father which is in heaven." (Mathew: 6:1)
Worship should be between you and God alone. Many people try to gain glory and riches by public worship (Jimmy Swaggert, etc) in the name of God. If a person continued to look for glory by his worship, he would be serving two masters as is stated in Mathew: 6:24.
"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." (Mathew 6:24)
The body is a shell. Do not hold to material things because you will take nothing with you when you die. These are the words spoken to the people of Isreal from during his sermon on the mount.
Lying doesn't get a person anywhere, besides, the truth is so much moe fun. Jesus said we will all be judged by our words when the day comes.
"But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Mathew 12:36)
"For by the words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Mathew 12:37)
I’m not sure if you prefer a specific translation Art, I have a few. A professor I had in Michigan preferred the New Oxford Annotated Bible. I also have the New International Version and the New Century Version.
The New Testament Survey text labels chapters 4-7 in Mathew as “the Principles of the Messiah that were Announced”.
I would just like to say, that for a person trying to understand Gods will for their life, it’s nice to read this section of the bible, having Christ himself telling his followers what to do. In the NIV, the text is in Red.
The account had Jesus giving quite a number of instructions to his followers, I guess I find it hard after reading this section understanding how some individuals feel there are no conditions to Christian living.
Some of His commands seem very hard to follow, however, I feel that if you pray for God’s help in these areas, you will overcome your weaknesses. “who then can be saved, for man this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” God Grace is something one needs daily, praying for the Lords help in order to follow the commands of Christ in these chapters in essential.
-Nate Mills
When I was reading Matthew Chapter 7, I found several sections that stood out to me as important to understand. Starting at verse 7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
I understand this to mean that not only do you need to follow me but you need to seek me persistently. There is a section in Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells how to be good Christians. We are described as the salt of the earth. We are to maintain our taste. In other words,we should stand up for our faith or what we believe. Starting in verse 14 through 16, Jesus says that we are the light of the world. We shouldn't hide our light, so that other people can see our good deeds.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Jesus says this so that we understand that we are on a different path than the rest of the world. The wide path is the path of worldly people. However, the narrow path is that of godly people who live a life of surrender to Christ. By following His teachings, we can see that if we live the way that he has taught us to,while our lives may be hard, we will be rewarded in the end.
Amanda Blood
I’m not sure if you prefer a specific translation Art...
My personal preference is the King James Version. I like also the New King James, the New American Standard Bible, and the old American Standard Version. I really *don't* like most of the modern translations. The NIV particularly annoys me.
I wrote an article some years back explaining what I like and don't like about many of the different translations ("Why Johnny Can't Translate: Two 1611 Translations and Their Modern Equivalents"). I will forward you a copy if you like.
Alyson Guthrie
One of the major messages for Christianity that stands out from the Gospel of Matthew is that of faith. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." That passage stands out for me the most, because it exemplifies the importance for a Christian to put complete faith into his or her life.
Another major message I took from the Gospel was that of judgment, and the importance of judging yourself before others. This can especially be seen in "The Call of Matthew," because people wondered why Jesus would associate with a tax collector or sinner. Jesus' reply was "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick..."
I know I only touched on a couple messages from this gospel, but the teachings of faith and judgment stuck out the most for me.
This is a fairly easy and enjoyable book to read. I especially like the Sermon on the Mount which covered such attitudes that Christians should have or "Beattitudes".
Christians should endeavor to be merciful, compassionate, meek, thirsty for God, non judgmental, peacemakers, love God, love others, do not retaliate, give people what they ask for without complaining, etc.
All these things are great because as Jesus teaches them it reflects who he is. Jesus says things for us to do because these are the things that he does. Also, these are the things that God does. Jesus is a reflection of the Father and the Father is manifest in the person of Jesus Christ.
God causes good things to come into the lives of the just and the unjust. Jesus came into the world to save everyone, we are all on equal footing. God loves everyone.
So with that same expression of faith, we should be as God is, and as Jesus is, in relation to the characteristics listed above and especially in 1 Cor. 13.
Donna Baskins
I read ch1 to ch14. Actually, I am not a Christian and also never studied about Bible. So it is a little demanding for me. I choose chapter 5:2 – 5:12. Especially, 5:8, God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will be shown mercy.”is they key to understanding of Jesus saying and best and most memorable in the assigned reading.
It is evident that it is difficult to pure one’s hearts to meet the Jesus. A friend of mine is Christian and he always try to pure his heart and mind to meet Jesus. Purifying heart includes lots of meaning such as voiding greedy, selfish, and so on. That is to say, Purifying heart means all of the best things that we have to do regardless of desire to meet Jesus. So if my mind is very pure, that would be the best time in life. Thus, in my opinion, this verse is the main key of The Sermon on the Mount.
After reading the first to 14 chapters, I found that how can we live as ideal Christians. So if we following the Jesus saying, our mind and world could be a peaceful. ^^
Being not just a Christian, but also Catholic, I noticed Matt 8:8 particularly well. "The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed." It is quoted at every service.
3.I think this quote is a hard verse to swallow. During these chapters we look at how many people swarm to Jesus to be healed and educated by the Great Healer and Teacher. In this story you see a man with some public identity - important- approaching Jesus, not for himself, but for his servant. While Jesus offers to see the servant, the centurion tells him that he does not deserve to have Jesus in his home. There are few times in the Bible that Jesus is astonished and this is one of them. He looks at this man who would humble himself to ask Jesus for his saving touch, but knows that he did not deserve the time of day.
It was his faith that saved the servant, and Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Where does that come from? I am still unsure about how it fits in with the centurion, but I think it is something akin to people may feel that they deserve to be in the kingdom of heaven, when the opposite is true. When that time comes, those who have faith will be in heaven, but those without faith will never deserve the kingdom.
-amber eich
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us for the evil one." This may be the most well known prayer. When I was a kid I went to church regularly with my parents and I always heard it. In the middle of the service the congregation would say that prayer. I still have it memorized in my head. I went to church every Sunday when I was home for the Christmas break and that prayer was spoken every time. My family occasionly says this prayer before meals. I chose to comment on this passage because I am familiar with it and I have several memories of hearing this prayer
In reading the first part, Matthew 1:1-18 connects Jesus with his ancestors from the Old Testament, such David, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Matthew was proving that Jesus is the promised Messiah through linking him to famous and infamous ancestors of the Old Testament.
The main theme of Matthew is to prove that Jesus was the Messiah through linking him to passages in the Old Testament. The ancestry, virgin giving birth to child, Bethlehem as his birthplace, exile to and return from Egypt, the massacre of the infants, etc., according to Matthew, was prophesized in the Old Testament and came to fruition by Jesus.
Another theme is Jesus trying to clarify the Mosaic law. Matthew 5:17-20 states the purpose of Jesus' proclamation of "not to abolish but to fulfill" the law of Moses. Matthew 5:21-7:28 is where Jesus takes the words of the law of Moses and give its true intent to his disciples. Many start with "You have .... But I say to you...." By doing this, Jesus gives us direction to how we should live good and moral lives.
2. In chapter 6 one of the lines that I could not get out of my head was line 34. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow. For tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." This line reminds me personally to enjoy each day and deal with what I can at that moment.I think the less we stress the more we enjoy, for I believe that the meaning of life is to at some point realize that to be truly happy, one needs only the simple things in life, the things that require the least amount of stress.
- Maggie Madrid
2. Mathew 6:1-6 was the passage that stood out the most to me while I was reading the first part of the Gospel. I feel many Christians today, exspecially televangelists such as Pat Robertson and Billy Graham, are making religion a very public affair. As people who feel that they are the "moral compasses" for America, I think the televangelists and many others within the Christian Community should sit down and seriously study what they are preaching to those who need to "find Jesus" in their opinion, and a great place for the them to start is the Gospel according to Mathew. I feel that a person's religion is a private matter which should be practiced for the spiritual well being of an individual, not to go on television or a person's local community and take on a "holier then thou" attitude.
Eric Saathoff
Matthew Scott
I have awlays especially liked this verse in Matthew 9: 12-13 which says, "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 sacrific: for I am not come to call the righteous , but sinners to repentence."
I fell that this verse can show us a lot about Jesus' ministry. He looked for the people that needed help and he graciously helped them. He ministered to ALL people even though He faced persecution because of it. Even in the selection of his twelve apostles He looks to the lowly fishermen and tax collector. The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes are given for all to know and follow. Jesus literally changed the world by helping all people.
Jesus also tells us to think about it! He tells us to go and learn what ministering to those that need help means. Implying not just to listen to it, but learn from His teachings and practice it in our everyday lives. We must step out of our comforate zone at times and minister to those that are in need of the Gospel. We are Jesus' hands and feet because He is no longer physicaly with us.
The third thing that Jesus implies is that there is hope. If the sinners repent they will be called to be followers of Jesus. The mercy of Christ is evidence of a loving and caring God that would never let us down.
I fell that this passege sums up Jesus' ministry in all aspects. First of all it states what must be done. Secondly, it tells us to think about it and practice in our lives and lastly, it conveys a message of hope and understanding. These three asppects are the basic principles of Christianity. As Christians we are called to study and learn, go out to practice our faith, forgive one another, and hopefully gain the ultimate goal of Heaven.
Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said" eye for eye and tooth for tooth" but i tell you, do not resist and evil person. if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
to me this is the best verse in the readings because throught out history an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth has always been a rule followed by cultures in this world. if a person stole something from someone else and they were caught they were expected to pay back equally what they stole. In Jesus'sermon on the mount he is preaching to the people that they should forgive any wrongs done to them and turn there other cheek to the people and let them do what the wish. Jesus teaches this because worldly possesions mean nothing. It's the treasures that we have in the father that we will enjoy after our life here on earth.
Dave potts
1. Explain why you think this verse the key to understanding what the selection is about.
It explains how a Christian should live his life. It is a guideline for what a Christian should stand for and how he should carry himself. Yet at the same time it also say how all people should try and live their lives.
2. Explain why you think this verse is the best/most memorable in the assigned reading.
I personally do not believe this is the most memorable verse of the bible because I have not read any other part of the bible to compare it to. But I think it is meant to be the most memorable because as I said earlier it say how a Christian should act and what a Christian should stand for. It is what a Christian should remeber everyday when they wake up and how they should live.
3. Explain why you think this verse is the most difficult/hard to understand in the assigned chapters.
I think that the reason that these chapters are hard to understand is because they ask you to give up all temptations and resist all passions. It makes it seem like the only way a person is going to be loved by god and go to heaven is to live a boring life. That one must not do anything that he wants to do in fear of punishment, but at the same time they are punished just for their thoughts. It makes one think that just by being human and wanting to give intempation, you have already given in to temptation.
Adam Kuehl
In reading the 14 chapters of matthew, it reveals that jesus heals, cleanses, strengthens, etc. time after time, and shows that through his teachings, man can ultimately lead a good life aside from the harder things that can bring faith down, jesus's acts restore this faith and in the sermon on the mountain, i note that in chapter 7, the first few verses "judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again" Which i feel is what commonly is a way to lead a good life now, treating others as you want to be treated....a very common phrase, that makes a whole lot of sense, as does the lessons jesus has to offer in this sermon.
-Landon (Jeffrey) Lawson
I will comment on the comparison of believers to salt. I have read this before and never really understood why salt is what is used of all things to compare people with. I now understand the importance of salt in ancient times and even the use of it as money or where we get the term salary from. I also will comment on the "law of oaths." I find it interesting that we are not suppose to swear by anything and a simple yes or no is all we are to do simply because we can't completely control that promise or oath, making it a lie in some ways and therefore evil. I also find it slightly humorous that we are to swear to tell the whole truth in a court of law on a bible.
2. Explain why you think this verse is the best/most memorable in the assigned reading.
Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
I chose this verse as one of the best in the selected reading because it shows how Jesus would be able to spread his ministry. Having been sent to bring the message of salvation to the Jews (Jesus also allowed Gentiles to hear his message and be saved, but he did not focus his teachings on the Gentiles until later in his ministry), he needed a way to catch the attentions and hearts of the people. The Jews, being a people of the Law, would thus only easily accept the teaching of an authoritative figure (see Matthew 7:28 and 9:8) who followed the Law and didn’t denounce or break it (in spirit, not in letter, a difference the Pharisees had trouble seeing). In fact, the Jews were so much a people of the Old Testament that Matthew started off his gospel with a genealogy specifically designed to link Jesus to important patriarchs and leaders of Jewish history, mainly Abraham and King David. Jesus came with a bonus too—he claimed to be the Messiah about whom the Old Testament had many times prophesied (see, for example, the links between Mt. 8:17 and Isa. 53:4, Mt. 12:18-21 and Isa. 42:1-4, and Mt. 13:14-15 and Isa. 6:9-10).
And so, Jesus clearly states here in chapter five at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount that he had come not to abolish the Law and the prophecies, but instead to abide by the Law and fulfill the prophecies. A bold statement by any human standard, Jesus stepped out with this claim to gain trust, submission and obedience from the Jewish people. Only then would his earthly ministry flourish. It was a necessary step to begin his ministry successfully, so I think it to be one of the best verses in Matthew 1-14.
Rachelle Rasmussen
I believe the verses that are most imporant in understanding in what this selection is all about would be Matthew 5:21-22. "Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.
(Mathew 5:21)
Not only does Jesus tells them of the Law that they are familular with about murder. He adds to it and says: "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire"
(Matthew 5: 22)
This passage goes hand and hand from a passage in Jeramiah where God promises to make a new covenant. This covenant is nothing like the old. Instead his new covenant will have to do with the heart, instead of the law.
Margaret Schiley
1. I think that it gives that grounds for the law of god. what god wants us to hold dear and obey.
2. it talks about subjects such as murder to oath and treasure in heaven. tells you what not to do and what rewards await the rightous.
3. i dont think its difficult, its really strigth to the point in my opinion.
Ka'Nova williams
In Chapters 5-7 it is Christ sermon on the mound. These are the basis of Christian teachings even today. Although some of these teachings are a little shaky today.
In the beatitudes the wise and foolish builders show just how the pharisees and sadducees wanted everyone else to listen but when it came time for them to do the listening they just blew it off. Put into practice your own teachings not just sluff them off when it suits you.
The hardest part to understand in the beatitudes is the fulfillment of the law because matthew does mix law and gospel. 5:17 is the only gospel message found in chapters 5-7 everything else is just law. Christ came down to fulfill the law not to destroy it.
Jessica Hinners
Mat 6:19
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, then your heart will be also.
This verse clearly explains society’s problem in the most simplistic of terms. How can we not accept such simple explanations? Furthermore, this verse is crucial to the definition of one of the greatest virtues: live simply. In order to rid ourselves of such frivolity we have to give ourselves over to God and eliminate the desire for such materials. This verse is fairly self-explanatory, yet contains the key for eternal and unpolluted happiness.
We live in a society riddled with doubt and material possessions. There is no escaping such a corrupted and disciplined society. Surely, we have lost all sense of self in the over zealous consummation of products. Instead of being give and take, we simply have a take society. What do all our material goods get us, a minute of false happiness? We use such materials as a façade for inner ugliness. Although, I have no religious affiliations and up until this point, I have considered myself fairly agnostic, Matthew’s concerns create a modern and undoubtedly truthful explanation of society. This passage is one of the most memorable that I have encountered in my very brief religious teachings. It seems so simple, yet I highly doubt that we could ever reach such potential.
Although this verse clearly illustrates clear purpose and intent, it becomes one of the hardest virtues to achieve. I can never imagine a society where people will relinquish their grasp over such greed. Corruption dominates society and greed influences all. We need to find the purity and heart in order to save ourselves. This lack of religious discipline is the most difficult theory to achieve.
Kirsten Saunders
John Schirado
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Matthew 7:6
This verse is the singularily memorable to me due to its originality. It is generally excepted that the bible teaches benevolent acts like giving of oneself, however this verse cautions us in how we give.
To give everything of oneself to those who do not deserve it is not "right" or holy. This verse places emphasis on knowing when and more importantly how to give rather than simply blindly giving, which can do more harm than good.
Matthew chapter 5:19-20; deals with the breaking of of these comandments and if one should break them or teach anyone to break them would fall short from entering the kingdom of God. It goes on to say that if your righteousness doesn not exceeds those of the pharisees and other teachers of law then you to would fall shot of the kingdom of God. In that case the pharisees are known to be the intellectuals of the bible and know its laws through and through, so If your are falling thier teaching you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven, but if your righteous and your faith in God you will enter heaven beacause your faith was strong enough to keep them from leading astray like the pharisees.
As I read Matthew again I remembered that the majority of these ideas for me came from my CCD and Catholic teachings. Overall this is our introduction to the NT, which is the basis of the Christan beliefs. These chapters seem to be out there to prove to people of the time and all of the readers of Matthew that Jesus was the Lord & Christ. They do this through his miracles of curing the leprosy and not being tempted by the devil after 40 days and nights without food. People rarely believe without proof and even then its sketchy, I see this as the purpose of the beginning of Matthew.
Jesus Sermon on the Mount to me is the basic statement of the New Testament of what we are to be and how we are to act. Matthew 7:1-5 I find very interesting.(About Judging others) I believe that this is one of the hardest for people to follow. Most are quick to assume and make judgments. I wish people would take the time to really read, understand and follow these rules. Even if they are not religious these rules are really just basic courtesy and with the proper usage I believe that they could prevent much of the rudeness and controversy.
Jenna Doblar
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