Learning Jesus | Week 9
Learning Jesus Week 9
Kingdom Love I
Key Word – Righteousness >> Central Passages: Matthew 5:1-10
We think, “Now would be a good time for the Messiah to return.” War in Israel. School shootings. Drug use mortalities. Immigrants fleeing for their lives. Sex trafficking. Decaying world-wide economy. Gender confusion. Throughout their history of famine, enslavement, wars, exile and occupation, the Jews looked for the Messiah as well. They thought “He will change everything.”
And He did. And He is and He will. But He invited Jews & Samaritans & Gentiles, Zealots & Pharisees & tax collectors, men & women & children, rich & poor, the lame & the leper to be part of that change, and He still invites them, and so …”everything” waits upon the patience of the Lord, for He is “not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance” (See 2 Peter 3:9-10).
But in Matthew 5-7, the Jews do not understand God’s grace is for all. At this point a few disciples have left blessings of family and trade to follow Him, and crowds from all over the Jewish world come seeking His blessings. Both disciples & crowds long to hear Him proclaim the plan for the “everything” kingdom change. Jesus sees the crowds. He climbs the mountain. He sits down. His disciples come to Him. And at last He opens His mouth to teach....
Day 1 Mark 3:7-12; Matthew 12:15-21
Background Information – We are beginning the later phase of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. In this section we see that Jesus’ reputation has extended into Gentile territory, including Idumean, Tyre, and Sidon. Remember this as you work through the questions. Due to His growing influence, leadership is already plotting on how to kill Jesus, but Jesus has work He to accomplish, so He retreats to the sea.
1. Consider all the various persons in Mark 3:7-12, including the unclean spirits. Considering all who are present, how do you see that the kingdom is at hand?
2. In Matthew 12:14, the Pharisees are plotting to kill Jesus, and Jesus is aware of this. How Jesus responds characterizes His character and ministry.
o List the three ways that Jesus responds in Matthew 12:15-16. Consider what this says about Him.
o Matthew states that Jesus chose these actions to fulfill Isaiah 42. Which Persons of the Trinity are supporting Him? Why? (See Matt 12:18.)
3. Next to each quote from Matthew 12:18-21 below, write a brief description stating what you think Isaiah is saying about Jesus’ character or mission. The first one is done for you.
o Behold, my servant -- The word “Behold” draws our attention to the only one who was a faithful servant. He belongs to God.
o whom I have chosen...
o I will put my Spirit upon him.
o He will not quarrel or cry aloud/nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
o a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
o until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope...
Day 2 Luke 6:12-16; Mark 3:13-19a
Background Information – In these passages, Jesus chooses twelve men from all His disciples to be apostles. A disciple is a “learner,” and an apostle is a “sent one” who possesses the authority of the one who sent him. Note why these passages state that Jesus appoints these twelve as apostles.
We perhaps have some symbolism in this passage. Jesus summoned them to the mountain, and in Scripture, a mountain is often a place to seek God for revelation. Twelve is the same number as the number of tribes in Israel, so it is perhaps a number symbolic of missional community. Some take the number twelve here so far to say that the Church is the new Israel and as such replaces Israel. Romans chapters 9-11, as well as other New Testament texts, and an abundance of Old Testament prophecies refute that.
1. According to the Luke passage, Jesus prays all night and then chooses from His disciples twelve apostles. Why does Jesus do these two actions in this order? Consider what you know about the characters of the apostles in your answer. For more information, go to https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/apostles.cfm
2. According to Mark 3:14-15, for what three purposes does Jesus choose the twelve apostles? Note that Luke says Jesus called all His disciples and then from them chose twelve.
3. Choose one of those apostles. How would just being WITH Jesus empower this apostle’s ability to preach and cast out demons? See link in question #1 if you need help choosing an apostle.
Background Information – Among the apostles are three sets of brothers: 1) Peter and Andrew, sons of John. 2) James and John, who were also Jesus’ cousins since Mary was Salome’s sister. Jesus refers to these brothers as “Sons of Thunder.” 3) James and Judas (not Iscariot), sons of Alphaeus.
As you read, it becomes clearer that the apostles are divided into three groups, each with a leader:
1) Simon Peter leads the Twelve and also James, John, and Andrew. 2) Philip leads Nathanael (also called Bartholomew), Matthew, and Thomas. 3) James, son of Alphaeus leads Judas (also called Thadeus), Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
Day 3 Matthew 5:1-10 Central Passage of the Week
Background Information – We are beginning what is commonly called “The Sermon on the Mount.” Only Matthew and Luke include this sermon; Matthew’s account contains 107 verses, while Luke’s only 30. Since the purpose of the sermon was to affirm that the Messiah had all authority to interpret the Law, this makes sense. The Law belonged to the Jews, who were Matthew’s audience. Luke wrote for a Greek audience.
By studying Scripture, the Jews knew all persons entering the messianic kingdom must be declared righteous. However, during the four hundred years of silence, between Malachi and John the Baptizer, the Pharisees devised a wide road for entering the kingdom. If one were Jewish, then he or she was a sure citizen of the coming kingdom. But only those who obeyed the Mosaic Law would hold positions of honor in the kingdom. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that the road into the Messianic Kingdom is narrow, not wide, and the greatest honor He references is persecution.
It's important to note when Jesus speaks this sermon: 1) Both Jews and Gentiles are interested in Him. 2) He is in conflict with Jewish leadership. 3) He has chosen His twelve apostles.
o See left side. Why would someone who is _____ be “happy” in their relationship with God? Ponder these and maybe take some notes to share with your group.
o See right side. Why would someone who is _____ be “happy” in their relationship with others? Ponder these and maybe take some notes to share with your group.
2. The Beatitudes have a logical progression. Try to determine how each builds upon the other by answering ONE of the questions below. Each focuses on our inward relationship with God.
o Why does Jesus start with “poor in spirit” and then move to mourn, then to meek, then to hunger & thirst for righteousness? Consider that the Pharisees and the people have elevated man-made religion over God’s Word for generations.
o When you first became a believer, how did you start with being poor in spirit and grow toward hunger and thirsting for righteousness?
o How can this progression also be part of your daily sanctification (growing more like Jesus by depending on the Holy Spirit)?
3. Focus on how outward character affects our relational joy with others. Choose one question.
o Why does Jesus start with “merciful” and then move to pure in heart, then to peacemakers, then to persecuted for righteousness sake? Consider that the Pharisees and the people have elevated man-made religion over God’s Word for generations.
o Share how because you have shown mercy, sought to please God, served as His peacemaker, you have experienced persecution for Jesus’ sake.
o How have we seen so far that because of Jesus’ inward character and relationship with God that He is merciful, pure in heart, peacemaking and...persecuted?
Day 4 Luke 6:24-26; Matthew 5:11-26
Background Information – From a human point of view, the Pharisees’ attempt to control the flesh by adding even more rules to God’s Law (the Mishna) makes sense. Remember they taught the kingdom was the birthright of all Jews; the purpose of the Mishna was to keep them in the land promised for kingdom reign. In our reading today, however, Jesus turns their kingdom inside out when He says that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Understanding the role of the prophets and the remnant of Israel will aid us in understanding this first section. Prophets spoke “the word of the LORD.” to Israel. That did include how we often understand prophecy, meaning the foretelling of near or distant events, but it also included reminding Israel of her written history and written Law and of the covenants God made and would fulfill. Prophets did not reinterpret the Law as the Pharisees did. They spoke as God to the people. A remnant always obeyed; these like salt preserved the survival of the nation, added flavor to Jewish community, and caused others, including Gentiles, to thirst for God. As a nation, Israel was to be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6).
1. Use the notes above and Matthew 5:11-16. Why would Jesus’ disciples who lived as salt and light be persecuted?
Jesus said He would fulfill the Mosaic Law down to the iota (the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet) and dot (the smallest stroke of a single Hebrew letter). Here Jesus is teaching that Scripture is inerrant because words convey concepts and even the smallest letter and smallest stroke make up words God Himself inspired. Jesus followed all 613 commandments, every iota and dot, of the Mosaic Law. When He died for the sins of humanity, Jesus took upon Himself the curse of the Law making it inoperative.
2. Use the notes above. What does Jesus mean when He told the Jewish people that their righteousness had to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees?
The Pharisees stated that a person did not violate the law against premeditated murder (Exodus 20:13) until he committed murder. Jesus stated that since God’s law is righteous, we are held to a higher accountability of righteousness, and that higher degree begins with the inward heart and then moves outward to our actions. Peacemakers shall be called sons of God because their hearts are like His Son’s.
3. In the Beatitudes Jesus calls peacemakers blessed because they are true sons of God (Matthew 5:9). Think through Matthew 5:21-26.
o What are the various liabilities for the one who is angry with his brother or sister?
o How should one respond if a brother or sister is angry with him?
o Why should we follow Jesus by being peacemakers who strive for unity among the brethren?
As the only One who will fulfill the Mosaic Law, Jesus here has the authority to interpret it; and He states that our righteousness is internal: even before we commit an external act, we can break the Law. To illustrate this truth, Jesus gives four examples: 1) Murder of the Heart 2) Adultery of the Heart 3) Oaths of the Heart 4) Retribution of the Heart. Today we covered “murder of the heart.” Tomorrow we shall cover the last three.
Day 5 Matthew 5:27-48
Background Information – If we are pure in heart, then our actions are motivated by our desire to please only God. Reading Matthew 5:27-37 through that lens helps us to understand in each example how our righteousness is internal before we even commit an external act. The Pharisees did not consider a person guilty of adultery if they entertained lust in their mind. And according to Pharisaic law, a man could divorce his wife for many reasons besides sexual immorality. Finally, according to the Mosaic Law one took an oath to emphasize their word was binding, but the Mishna provided many ways that a person could violate an oath.
1. Use the notes above. How does NOT – committing adultery, divorcing a spouse, breaking an oath – demonstrate a purity of heart that pleases God?
Background Information – According to the Mosaic Law, vengeance belonged to the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35); only the Jewish court of law could punish an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:24). The Pharisees applied “eye for eye” as appropriate for even personal vengeance.
2. Jesus taught in the Beatitudes that the merciful shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7).
o How by not retaliating to – a slap on the cheek, being taken to court, being forced to walk – would a person please God who gives him mercy?
o What is each enemy in effect asking you to “give” that is of no real cost to a child of God?
3. The Mosaic Law taught the righteousness of loving a neighbor who could not repay, but the Pharisees found exceptions for loving a neighbor. Why would God delight in the merciful who specifically give to those who cannot repay them?
re-jesus space
This re-jesus space is where we will take time as a Christ community to ensure we are applying the truth we know to our lives in real time. Not just talking about what we will do, but doing it now and together.
Jesus says WE are to be a CITY on a hill, which means we are salt and light TOGETHER.
God gave the Jews the Law and the one who loved God interpreted the righteousness of the Law correctly and applied it correctly by providing care for the most vulnerable. But when the Pharisees added their laws, their hearts and actions toward the vulnerable: children, women, slaves, the poor, and the sick were no different from the cultures around them. Lack of love for God = lack of love for others.
But then Jesus fulfilled the entire Law and died for the most vulnerable people group of all -- sinners. As history shows, we the Church, consisting of forgiven sinners, as salt and light were the first to build schools, hospitals, orphanages, rescue centers and other bridges to the vulnerable during times where that was almost scandalous to do.
We together are to be so startling different from any around us that others either persecute us or give glory to God. Either way, God is glorified, and the kingdom is ours.
In Lesson 6, you made a list of “lepers” in your spheres of influence and prayed over them. Then you had a few weeks to pray about who God was placing on your hearts.
Now and together make a plan to minister to either one person/family or one needy group. Consider your W’s – Who, What, When, Where, and hoW. The closing for Lesson 9 above is your WHY. As much as possible, delegate work to pairs or threes to accomplish together.
Throughout the weeks before your execution date, follow through with your area of responsibility.
COMMUNITY GROUP TIME
• Discuss the Central Passages questions. (This week that is Day 3 — Matthew 5:1-10.)
• Open Share Time -- Allow time for each to share “starred” insights or questions from Days 1-5. Allow others to respond to the shared insight.
• Engage in re-jesus space together.
• Close in prayer.
God’s joy & strength to you,