Philip found Nathanael and told him,
"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him,
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
This passage highlights Jesus' high christological character. Here he appears to see into the future and see Philip before actually seeing him. This is quite different than the other gospels because Jesus in the synoptic gospels appears to be more human like and have human limitations. In the Gospel of John we see Jesus often is able to read peoples thoughts, know the future, and foresee what is to come. The allusion to seeing greater things is foreshadowing the signs Jesus will use in the Gospel of John to bring people to faith, another stark difference with the synoptic gospels which require faith for the miracles to work. This is why the symbol for John the evangelist is an eagle due to his high christology.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Matthew 23:23-26 Judge yourself first
Jesus said:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean."
In this passage, Jesus continues to blast the religious leaders of his time for their lack of holiness and genuineness. He accuses them of cleansing the outside while being defiled in the inside. This image applies to all of us who call ourselves people of God. We often cloth ourselves in religious garb and pretend to be all holy and righteous when in reality we are sinners, fallen and in great need of God's grace. Christ is calling us out of our arrogant selves and reminding us that holiness is not something that is displayed to others but something interior. It is more important to grow in relationship with God than receive the praise of others. Before we go around judging others and calling them "heathens" we must remind ourselves that we are equally in need of God's grace.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean."
In this passage, Jesus continues to blast the religious leaders of his time for their lack of holiness and genuineness. He accuses them of cleansing the outside while being defiled in the inside. This image applies to all of us who call ourselves people of God. We often cloth ourselves in religious garb and pretend to be all holy and righteous when in reality we are sinners, fallen and in great need of God's grace. Christ is calling us out of our arrogant selves and reminding us that holiness is not something that is displayed to others but something interior. It is more important to grow in relationship with God than receive the praise of others. Before we go around judging others and calling them "heathens" we must remind ourselves that we are equally in need of God's grace.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Matthew 23:13-22 All we do, we do for God
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."
In this passage Jesus reminds us that religion and religious practices do not make things sacred but it is God that makes things sacred. So often we forget about God when we worship. It is so easy to get caught up in rituals, paintings, gold, and financial offerings that we often forget all this is to serve God. When we end up forgetting about God and do things for the religion, religion ceases to be a vehicle to God and becomes a tool that drives us away from God. Jesus' commentary on the religious practices of his time are a stark reminder to us that all we do we do for God and no one else.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."
In this passage Jesus reminds us that religion and religious practices do not make things sacred but it is God that makes things sacred. So often we forget about God when we worship. It is so easy to get caught up in rituals, paintings, gold, and financial offerings that we often forget all this is to serve God. When we end up forgetting about God and do things for the religion, religion ceases to be a vehicle to God and becomes a tool that drives us away from God. Jesus' commentary on the religious practices of his time are a stark reminder to us that all we do we do for God and no one else.
Matthew 23:1-12 Religion must be life giving
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
In this passage we receive a stern warning about the hypocrisy that often creeps into religion. Here we see a warming that we should not fall prey to the actions of religious leaders who often receive praise from the people and have the best of everything. Jesus in this passage is very critical of the religious leaders of his time, however, he is not saying Religion is a bad thing (which is often how this passage is interpreted). He is challenging the people to live out their Religion to its fullness and not be caught up in objects, customs, or positions of power. All religions ultimately fail and become corrupt, but that is not to say there is no truth in Religion. The reality is that Religion attempts to capture and celebrate God's being, which is of course impossible since God is so much greater than any person or religion. Religion has its place in teaching us truth, what we need to remember is religion is life giving and if it loses this it fails to have any relevance in our world.
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
In this passage we receive a stern warning about the hypocrisy that often creeps into religion. Here we see a warming that we should not fall prey to the actions of religious leaders who often receive praise from the people and have the best of everything. Jesus in this passage is very critical of the religious leaders of his time, however, he is not saying Religion is a bad thing (which is often how this passage is interpreted). He is challenging the people to live out their Religion to its fullness and not be caught up in objects, customs, or positions of power. All religions ultimately fail and become corrupt, but that is not to say there is no truth in Religion. The reality is that Religion attempts to capture and celebrate God's being, which is of course impossible since God is so much greater than any person or religion. Religion has its place in teaching us truth, what we need to remember is religion is life giving and if it loses this it fails to have any relevance in our world.
Matthew 22:34-40 The two greatest commandments
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
The challenge by the Pharisees is typical of their oral law based tradition. Pharisees were in constant conflict with the Sadducees over theological opinions over issues such as the Bodily Resurrection. In this story, Jesus' reply reflects what is found in the Torah. Most people often attribute this response to Jesus himself but he is drawing on an older tradition. Firstly there is no relationship with others without a relationship with God. Only through God can one fully grow into maturity. Secondly, without a relationship with others we often become self-centred. It is impossible to only love God while hating neighbour because it is though our neighbours God's grace and majesty is revealed. Only by balancing these two can one enter heaven. All the laws of the Torah flow from these two commandments.
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
The challenge by the Pharisees is typical of their oral law based tradition. Pharisees were in constant conflict with the Sadducees over theological opinions over issues such as the Bodily Resurrection. In this story, Jesus' reply reflects what is found in the Torah. Most people often attribute this response to Jesus himself but he is drawing on an older tradition. Firstly there is no relationship with others without a relationship with God. Only through God can one fully grow into maturity. Secondly, without a relationship with others we often become self-centred. It is impossible to only love God while hating neighbour because it is though our neighbours God's grace and majesty is revealed. Only by balancing these two can one enter heaven. All the laws of the Torah flow from these two commandments.
Matthew 22:1-14 Follow Christ' Call no matter how busy you are
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables
saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
In this parable, we see a comparison with the Kingdom of God with a wedding feast. In this story the King invites many people to come to the party but few choose to go. Similarly, Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God and few choose to follow him. Next we see a judgement passed on those who do not attend the wedding, similarly there is a belief that those who know Jesus' teachings and still refuse to follow them shall receive a harsh judgement. Finally we see that both good and bad are present at the party but the King only wishes to eat with the good. This may be an allusion to the finial judgement where the goats and sheep are separated and only the sheep allowed to enter the kingdom. This parable reminds us that if we hear the words of Jesus, we must follow them regardless of how busy we are or where we are in life.
saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
In this parable, we see a comparison with the Kingdom of God with a wedding feast. In this story the King invites many people to come to the party but few choose to go. Similarly, Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God and few choose to follow him. Next we see a judgement passed on those who do not attend the wedding, similarly there is a belief that those who know Jesus' teachings and still refuse to follow them shall receive a harsh judgement. Finally we see that both good and bad are present at the party but the King only wishes to eat with the good. This may be an allusion to the finial judgement where the goats and sheep are separated and only the sheep allowed to enter the kingdom. This parable reminds us that if we hear the words of Jesus, we must follow them regardless of how busy we are or where we are in life.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Matthew 20:1-16 God is free to award whatever God pleases
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
he found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
In this parable we are reminded that God's grace is something that is freely given by God. Although we sometimes wish those who are more righteous should deserve more, God is free to award whatever God pleases. This is similar to the story of Jonah in that God forgave the enemies of the Jewish people while it was Jonah that wish hardship against his enemies. God's love is far greater that our own notions of love and forgiveness.
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
he found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
In this parable we are reminded that God's grace is something that is freely given by God. Although we sometimes wish those who are more righteous should deserve more, God is free to award whatever God pleases. This is similar to the story of Jonah in that God forgave the enemies of the Jewish people while it was Jonah that wish hardship against his enemies. God's love is far greater that our own notions of love and forgiveness.
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