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.
26 comments:
Brett Newton
Matthew chapter 5:19 "whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven"
In introducing the fulfillment of the law Jesus preaches these powerful lines about practicing and teaching. The practicing part is easy to understand. This calls for us to fulfill our path in becoming a better person everyday. Trying to live and love in a manor that pleases God while serving him to the best of our abilities. While this is extremely important and individual responsibility of every Christian, sometimes the second message gets lost in the first.
When Jesus speaks of not only living but teaching we understand the power of spreading his word. Not only is it the power to spread his word in the right way, but also a higher calling in the responsibility we have when we teach. Whether it is Christian views or the way to say please and thank you, it is all reflective of the right way to teach and live, Christian way. Jesus message is simple in that we are remembered by the fruit we bear. And the fruit we bear is best remembered by those we affect and those we teach.
In the idea of teachings we can begin to understand why the Christian church has grown from its early years. By spreading the word, and affecting other people’s way of live, this provides the church the best way to carry on the beliefs and the growing of faith from one generation to the next.
Holly Jones
Matthew 6:34 "Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
In our world today we worry more about what is going to happen in the future. Jesus is trying to tell us that planning for tomorrow is time well spent as worring about tomorrow is time wasted. We as individuals are caught up more in worrying than our true relationship with God.
If we plan ahead with "true faith" in our goals, schedules and steps we are taking the motions to alleviate worry. This will help us as sinners not to be consumed with our fault.
"Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today" If we as individuals go to church or practice what is said we should lead full lives and be blessed so that we can prosper. If we consume our life with worries the burdens will consume us and we will start to die off.
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
Annie Merkel
Matthew 4:22 "Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him."
The verses that come before this talk about the fishermen that Jesus called out to for them to follow him. For me, this verse is memorable because it clearly states that these fishermen left their father. It is hard for me to not automatically think of Jesus; Jesus was sent by his father (God) to teach the people. Although Jesus was an infant, he ultimately left his father. In this verse, the fishermen left their father to follow Jesus and his teachings.
Also, the verse also states that the fishermen left the boat. This can be likened to property. Therefore, these followers of Jesus not only left their father (their loved ones) but their possessions. Basically, these fishermen dropped everything in their lives just to follow Jesus. I think this is a strong belief of Christians.
Essentially this verse illustrates how a belief can be started. Jesus called out to a few fishermen to be his followers. From these few men grew more and more people that also learned from Jesus. Finally a belief developed.
For the most part the sermon on the mount is really easy to understand. The one verse I found that is most confusing and requiring more explanation, at least for me, is when Jesus is speaking about devorce.
Matthew 5:33 "But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever that marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." It does not seem that it is correct for the woman in this verse who is being devorced to be the sinner and the noninvolved party the man who is marring her to also be commiting adultery.
The rest of the sermon has a pretty consistant message, sacrifice in this life to go to heaven and be good to your neighbor. This verse doesn't seem to make much sense here or go along with the same type of message that Jesus was giving.
Matthew 5:2-6, where it says blessed to the people who are poor in spirit, they who mourn, they who are meek, and they who are hungry and thirsty. This showed me that that Jesus was telling these people that know matter how bad things may seem for them that it is all going to change for the better if they follow him. For the people who have been merciful and pure in heart, that they don't need to worry because the time will come when they will be repaid by the same to then.
In 5:29, when he says to pluck out your eye if it offends thee. Also to cut off the right hand if it offends you. It showed that Jesus would rather have the person cut off the sinful body part and give it away rather than getting rid of the entire body. Sort of shows that Jesus is giving us all chances to do good instead of making one mistake and than being done with.
I think that the very first verse of the entire book is probably one of the most important.
Matthew 1:1--
"The book of the geneaology of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
You may be thinking to yourself, "There is absolutely nothing significant about this verse Tim!" Well, let me explain a little further. In the first 14 chapters of Matthew, it seems that he is writing in a way to prove to us that Jesus is the son of God, the chosen Messiah. The very first thing Matthew has chosen to do is say, 'look right here--this guy, Jesus, is related to David, who in turn is related to Abraham, to whom God gave his original covenant.' This first section is mainly to show Jesus' kingly ancestry, to prove he is here to rule heaven AND Earth.
The rest of the reading is pretty simple, a miracle here, a parable here, mainly used to show the basic message that Matthew is trying to show of Jesus--he IS the Messiah.
Until next time, happy blogging!
Tim Baustian
I forgot to mention a small detail--Matthew probably writes this way because he has a specific audience. I am guessing it is more or less to the non-believing Jews, and he is using his gospel as an appeal to them.
That's all--TB
Matthew 9:17, "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."
This parable is the best explanation of what Christ was bringing to the world. In the sermon on the mount He spoke of new laws for His people. Christ, and what He was bringing with him, is the new wine. The laws of the Pharisees are the old wineskin. Christ's new laws would rupture the Pharisees old system; much like the new wine rupturing the old wine skin. This makes understanding the book of Matthew much easier.
Brian Johnson
Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfil."
This verse is significant because in it Jesus reveals that he has come in fulfillment of the Law of Moses, and many of those practices done in the olden times were symbolic of him.
And because he fulfilled the Law of Moses it is no longer necessary, and that is significant because in the Sermon on the Mount he lays out the new teachings and guidlines for people to live by.
The verse that I found most memorable is in the section where Jesus is teaching about prayer, Matthew 6:8 “…Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
This statement leads into the Lord’s Prayer which has become one of the foundations of Christianity. It is in this reassurance that we place our trust in Him that our prayers will be answered, maybe not how we want them to be, but according to His will.
Amanda Imberi
Zach Anderson
Matthew 10:33 " But whoever will deny Me before men, I also will deny him before My Father who is in the heavens."
I feel that this verse was a good summary of Matthew and what it means to be a Christian. This is a key difference between Christianity and the other major religions in the world. The most important thing in Christianity is to accept Jesus as the Lord and savior.
In saying this Jesus is saying he is here to fulfill the prophecy that he is the son of god, and salvation is recieved through Jesus alone.
Matthew 7:1-2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For the same way you jugde others, you will be judged...
This to me seems to be the most memorable verse because this is something that we do everyday. Even if you say you don't, most likely there are times that you have judged others. It is just in are nature, but this verse doesn't seem to be saying that this is a bad trait. It is just trying to show others to judge people like you would like to be judged. Don't look at the flaws in them, look at what may be good in them.
Eric Bengs
Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”
This verse signifies the importance of unity, within the religion of Christianity, but it also contains a sense of hostility, which comes from the writer.
The verse depicts two sides, us against them. As strange as this may sound, I enjoy these kinds of scenarios. Matthew 12:30 constructs a reality where there is only right and wrong. There is no middle ground; because of this everything is clear cut. However, this leaves no room for errors, but if a person knows what is right this shouldn’t be a problem.
Matthew chapter 5 14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
This is a verse that is heard a lot today. I think that this verse shows how Jesus was a teacher and he is trying to pass his knowledge to his students to carry on his works. I think the whole of the new testament shows reveals a lot of the same kind of talk. Much of it shows miracles that He performed but the whole of the story is about him teaching people and specifically his disciples how to live and work. This verse also explains how Christians, or the Disciples, are are going to be watched and how they have to be an example toward the the followers.
I do think that this is the best verse because it is full of encouragement but also reveals to the followers the responsibilities of believing.
Matthew 7:12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."
I had forgotten that this verse was in Matthew and no matter what I read before it, or anything I read in the remainder of the reading, my mind always popped back to this verse.
Whether we look at this verse in a historical way or a personal way its always something in the back of our minds. I might be rewinding back to my elementary Sunday school days, it still remains the most important verse I feel we ever learned.
This verse/idea has been drilled into us since we were small and of all the verses in the Bible, let alone Matthew, it is one of the top ten that always comes to my mind.
The reason I think this is the best/most memorable/most important verse is because it is something we use everyday. It's not just a pleasant thought that makes us smile and goes in one ear and out the other ten minutes later. This verse sticks with us every second of everyday. While it is not something that we might always say, it is something that everyone (or mostly everyone) lives by daily. If we all lived the exemplify this verse it would be a much better world for everyone.
Katie Koester
Matthew 4:19 "And he saith unto them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
I believe that this verse is the best and most memorable because Jesus is showing that he can do anything, he can create a apostle out of a simple fisherman. However, Jesus cannot do this without the free will that men posses. It's like that picture where Jesus is knocking on the door with no doorknob, Jesus wants to come in, but only you can let him in.
Joseph Adam
In Matthew 5:21 it begins to talk about the Ten Commandments and certain wrong doings such as holding grudges. A good quote that explains holding grudges is in Matthew 5:22 “Whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire". The chapter continues with speaking out against other offenses to god such as Adultery, killing, and Forswearing.
Jesse Peck
Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you, and while speaking lies, say every evil thing against you, because of me."
Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
This passage is a good example of how counterintuitive his teachings in the sermon on the mount seem to be. Aside from the fact that this method makes for a good sermon, it helps to make his point that what is unknown to other wise men because it can only be known from god.
I like this verse because it shows why latter Christians were willing to die instead of renouncing their faith. This is a powerful idea because instead of running away from persecution they face it regardless of the cost. In this way being persecuted can be seen as an opportunity instead of a burden.
This passage is difficult in practically carrying it out. It would be hard to see being persecuted as a kind of blessing. At the same time this could be another strength. In order to see it as a blessing it would take a huge amount of faith. Maybe seeing the amount of faith that is expected could increase the belief of his followers.
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
The selected verses are essential to how the Christian church started to grow; the faith appealed to those who were poor, oppressed, hard-working, and at the base of a hierarchial pyramid. The Christian faith would glorify Jesus Christ as one who would serve the people if the people served him.
Such a message would relieve the souls of the weary and hard-working people, give them an inner-confidence in their day-to-day lives and find someone to confide in if they were feeling oppressed.
A person may feel pressured or not satisfied under a certain diety they worshipped, and finding comfort under Christ, a simple man who taught love and forgiveness, would calm their strickened soul, gain confidence and trust, and would recommend this message to others feeling similar emotions.
There were many ways that messages of Christ were spread, and the mentioned verses could have been one of the many that found favor with a population.
Chapter 7 verse 7: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you"
I think this is one of the more memorable verses of the selection because of the comfort it gives to us. It assures us that, no matter what we ask for, God will be there to hear us and answer our prayers. If we are having troubles in our lives we can pray that God will guide us through our hardships and be confident that he will do so. Or if we are looking for guidance in our lives, whether it be finding the right spouse, pursuing the right career, or anything that we are unsure of, we can be sure that God will guide us to what he knows is best for us. And we can be sure that he will guide us to what is best for us because of what He tells us in other parts of the Bible. In the book of Romans, chapter 8 verse 28 God says through the Apostle Paul "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I think that these verses give us a very comforting thought-the knowledge that we have a God who will listen to all our prayers and answer them in the way that He knows is best for us.
John Rawerts
Ruth Wilson (Previously known as Douglas)
Matt. 11:15 "He who has ears, let him hear."
This verse seems so simple. Everyone has ears, right? Why would this be included and repeated so many times, then? During this whole reading, Jesus had been teaching regular, everyday people how to live their lives. I'm sure many of the people there were in attendance because of the spectacle-- what is this man talking about and why is he such a sensation?-- even though they were listening to the messages Jesus was speaking, I don't believe all of them understood what he was doing, teaching or changing in the process. I think this verse is key to Jesus' entire ministry: he who has ears, let him hear. Just about as many as have ears, has heard the gosple messsage, heard and discounted with excuses as to why it doesnt matter to them. Those with 'ears', however, took this message seriously. They created the Catholic Church, broke its monoply, traslated the Bible into their respective languages so that everyone could read the massage or hear it for themselves so that they could concider in on their own. Those who 'heard' changed the world.
I thought that Matthew 5:44 is a very good depiction of the entire reading. "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
I believe that this is Jesus telling his followers to be more like him in a way. He suffered so greatly for us, and he was willing to take all of these men on simply by saying "father forgive them they know not what they do." Where many people would curse at them as they curse at you, and many people would falter and give up to their bad ways, but Jesus stayed strong because he knew that it was for the better of the world. This verse is much similar to that of the Lords prayer as he states "but if ye forgive men their tresspasses, your heavenly father will forgive your tresspasses." This is such a powerful statement.
Matthew Chapter 6:24 No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
I thought this was the most memorable line to me because it talks about how you can't love God and money at the same time. I think that is very important because throughout history civilizations have gone to war to try and get more power and money. In fact, many Christian civilizations go to war to be able to make more money. Also, today, everything is driven by money anymore and not many people rely on their faith alone.
Mt. 22:23 " I am the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob?' God is not the God of the dead but of the living."
When Jesus said this it is his proclamation that he is there for the people now. He doesn't want to dwell on the past what they did. Though what they did was good and noble, you have to live for today. It is his way of proving that his religion isn't one that ignores the people.... people who reject the idea of religion or Jews who don't believe in the Gospel, this shows them that God is not for or just about the past and sacrifices and huge obnoxious gestures is wrong. Rather poor and homeless or a wealthy millionaire God loves you for being you.
Knowing the history is important but really unless you use it as a tool to better your life what good is it really. I believe that often people are turned away from the Christianity because they feel no real connection with it themselves, all they see is giving up all that they have to worship something that others told them. This is not faith and I believe that this is what Jesus was trying to report, that he is here specifically for them, individually.
Jenna Doblar
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