2-1-8 (week 2, Day 1, Year 8)
PSALM 2–GOD’S ROYAL SON GOD’S PROMISE TO HIS ANOINTED-The Kings and Rulers are warned to serve the LORD with fear. Everyone even the great rulers of the world need to respect the LORD. This second Psalm in the collection of 150 places the correct order of the world with God over the nations. “The Psalm was composed for the occasion of the enthronement of a king of Judah at Jerusalem in the time after David (Weiser, p. 109).” Psalm 2 lifts the Creator LORD above the newly ordained king. The king is the anointed one (the Messiah). The king becomes an adopted son of God. God is the Lord of the earth. It is understandable how the Church used this Psalm to elevate Jesus as the Messiah. The Church has taught this is a Messianic Psalm which announces the coming of the LORD’S Messiah. The Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth.
MATTHEW 8:1-MATTHEW 9:38 THE MESSIAH MANIFESTS DIVINE POWER. Jesus’ ability to heal is a direct sign that he is the Messiah. His enemies accused him of being in collusion with Satan. Jesus’ healings and miracles are done for the sake of God’s people to show Jesus’ love and compassion. This section of MATTHEW is divided into groups of three stories each. There are a total of ten miracles.
MATTHEW 8:1-34 DEEDS OF POWER AND DISCIPLESHIP
MATTHEW 8:1-17 THE HEALING OF EXCLUDED PEOPLE. Each of the first three miracles is done to show Jesus includes someone into the kingdom of God that others exclude.
MATTHEW 8:1-4 JESUS HEALS A MAN WHO HAD A SKIN DISEASE. Jesus tells him to tell no one. This is what called the Messianic Secret. Why does Jesus wish his identity as Messiah to be a secret? There are many reasons given but the one I propose is that everyone needs to decide Jesus is the Messiah not only be told. Those with leprousy were not allowed in the community. The Leper is viewed as an example of faith. There is nothing wrong to ask for healing from God.
MATTHEW 8:5-13 A ROMAN COMMANDER HAS FAITH. The centurion is excluded from the Jewish community as a Gentile. Jesus compliments the centurion’s faith.
MATTHEW 8:14-17 JESUS HEALS PETER’S MOTHER-IN LAW. Jesus heals a very important woman to his mission as Messiah. This healing shows women are to be equal in the Kingdom. By healing this woman Jesus empowers her to serve in the Kingdom. The writer, MATTHEW, ends this first three miracles by referring to ISAIAH 53. This chapter in ISAIAH is interpreted by Christians to be a direct prediction of the death of the Messiah. Jesus is viewed as the combining of the Suffering Servant and the Messiah.
MATTHEW 8:18-27 AUTHORITY OVER THE POWER OF CHAOS
MATTHEW 8: 18-22 IT COSTS TO FOLLOW JESUS. The scribe offers to follow Jesus. Jesus uses the title, “son of man,” as a sign of self-designation. There are two major opinions about Jesus’ use of this term. First, the audience and readers think of the apocalyptic figure in DANIEL 7:13 who represents the perfected Human to bring judgment. I am sure Jesus meant for his hearers to think apocalyptically about his ministry. Second, the term could mean Jesus is emphasizing his humanity as a heavenly being who has incarnated into human form. Jesus has both earthly work in God’s kingdom as well as being God’s glory. The two men who excused themselves from being Jesus’ followers were obeying Mosaic Law. Jesus’ call to be a follower indicates the radical nature of being in the Kingdom of God.
MATTHEW 8:23-27 JESUS CALMS THE STORM. Jesus has power over nature. The storm represents the chaos of life. When we have little faith then we are overwhelmed. The incarnation of God in Jesus will lead us through troubles, disease, and even death. The followers of Jesus first say, “save us, we are perishing.” This is human existential anxiety. Jesus has overcome our anxiety. The power of Jesus amazed the disciples and should amaze us. The LORD has power over nature.
MATTHEW 8: 28-34 JESUS HEALS TWO MEN CONTROLLED BY DEMONS. The exorcism of demons is difficult to understand in our “modern” culture. The evil in our world can only be explained at times by demonic forces. A person must be cautious in labeling a human being demonic. Jesus has power over evil, but God chooses at times to allow evil forces to rage. Demons symbolize the disruption of righteousness and obedience. The demonic certainly makes sense when seeking to understand addiction in our society. Alcohol can be called “demon rum.” “To name the demons in modern society is to incur disfavor (MATTHEW, Hare, p. 98).” This event occurs in Mark and Luke. Each writer tells the event differently. Here in MATTHEW there are two demon possessed men. The men are healed and the townspeople ask Jesus to leave. Jesus can be dangerous when he changes us. This passage ends with a quote from ISAIAH used to claim Jesus as a healing Messiah.
GENESIS 15-16
GENESIS 15:1-21 THE FIRST COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM. This chapter provides the first actual dialogue between Abraham and the LORD. Abraham doubts an heir will be provided even though the LORD has promised one. Reassured by the LORD, Abraham “trusted in the LORD, and He (the LORD) reckoned it to his merit (Alter’s translation of Genesis 15:6).” The New Revised Standard Version uses righteousness instead of merit. This concept is crucial to Paul’s understanding of the work of Christ to provide righteousness as a gift to humanity in Romans 4. A covenant ceremony is held with slaughtered animals. Abraham falls asleep as Adam did at the creation of Eve. The slavery in Egypt is referred to, but the promise of the land is repeated. The land belongs to the descendants of Abraham.
GENESIS 16:1-16 HAGAR’S ENCOUNTER WITH GOD AND THE BIRTH OF ISHMAEL. Sarah complains about her inability to have a child with Abraham. She provides her servant, Hagar, to be as a wife to Abraham. Their child would be an heir to Abraham. She conceives, but is ridicules by Sarah. She is sent out from the tents of Abraham. Hagar is approached by the LORD’S messenger. This is the first “angel” in GENESIS. The messenger is sometimes called the LORD. Hagar is told to go back to Sarah and obey her. Here the messenger is called El roi which means “God who sees me.” Hagar is told to go back to Sarah. She birthed a son, Ishmael means “God has heard.” Abraham is 86.
ACTS 8
ACTS 8:1-40 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL TO SAMARIA AND BEYOND
ACTS 8: 1-3 THE CHURCH IS SCATTERED-The Jews begin to persecute the Christians. Saul participates in the persecution of the Christians. The Jewish Christians were viewed as a sect of Judaism, but the Greek speaking Christians (Hellenists) were persecuted and had to leave Jerusalem.
ACTS 8: 4-8 PHILIP GOES TO SAMARIA. Philip, a Hellenist Deacon like Stephen, became an evangelist and preached in Samaria. The message of Philip was effective and the Gospel reaches Samaria.
ACTS 8: 9-25 SIMON THE EVIL MAGICIAN. Christ’s disciples need the Holy Spirit. The story of Simon illustrates that the power of the Gospel is greater than the power of magic. The faith in Christ of the Samaritans must be authenticated by Jewish Christians. LUKE emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s action generates the baptism of the Samaritan Church. Peter and John return to Jerusalem. The Gospel has now reached Samaria and the Church there is authenticated.
ACTS 8: 26-40 PHILIP AND THE MAN FROM ETHIOPIA. The Gospel reaches to Ethiopia which indicates the fulfillment of ACTS 1:8: “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Paul’s call will be introduced in ACTS 9 and he will preach to the church in Rome as the center of the known world.