Jesus's Prayer

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(John 17:1) These words Jesus spoke, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that Your Son also may glorify You."

In the last chapter, Jesus had been preparing His disciples for their future without Him.  He now lifted up His eyes to heaven and began to pray.  He said His hour had come when He would suffer and die, and He asked that the Father glorify Him by supporting Him and carrying Him through the coming greatest of trials so that His actions would in turn glorify and bless the Father.

This has been a difficult chapter for some to understand.  Was Jesus really God?  If so, was He praying to Himself?  And if not, does this prove that Jesus wasn't God?  Jesus is God; that was proven in scripture (John 1:1).  However, Jesus was that part of God's Self that He made man to be born into the world to provide a way for God's creation to be saved.  So He did in effect pray to that part of Himself in heaven that was wholly God and wholly holy wishing His actions on earth to have been according to God's plan and sufficient to save His creation.

(2) "And You have given Him power over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him."

Jesus acknowledged that God had given Him power over all mankind that He could give eternal life to as many as God called to Him.  God had prepared that way for people to be saved from eternal damnation, and it was only through Jesus that men could receive eternal life.

(3) "And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

To have eternal life was to know God intimately, the only true God, and to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ which was the only way to know God.

(4) "I have glorified You on the earth; I have finished the work which You gave Me to do."

Jesus had done all He had done on earth to glorify God and to bring people to Him.  He had obediently finished the work God had sent Him to earth to do up to that point, and He was committed to follow through until it was completely finished. 

(5) "And now, O Father, glorify Me with Yourself with the glory which I had with You before the world was."

Jesus asked that the Father return Him to His former glory as One with the Father as He had been since before the world was created.

(6) "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word."

Jesus had manifested His Father's name by making His nature, character, and will known to the men He had sent to Him from out of the world and its worldview.  Jesus acknowledged that they were God's creation, but He had given them to Jesus to bring them to eternal life through His plan.  Jesus assured Him they had received His word and had accepted Him and His gift of salvation.

(7) "Now they have known that all things whatever You have given Me are of You."

Jesus, in His prayer to God, said that the men He had sent to Him had been taught and now believed that everything He did and said was of God Himself.

(8) "For I have given to them the words which You gave Me, and they have received and have known surely that I came out from You, and they have believed that You sent Me."

The reason the disciples now knew God was because Jesus had taught them the doctrines of God that He had given them to know.  They had received those doctrines and knew that Jesus had come from God and had been sent for that purpose.

(9) "I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them whom You have given Me, for they are Yours."

At this point in Jesus's prayer, He prayed for those whom God had given Him, those disciples who would preach God's plan for salvation throughout the world.  They had been brought through Christ to salvation and union with God; they belonged to God and Jesus prayed for them that they be strengthened and protected and blessed by God in their mission.

(10) "And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them."

As Jesus and His Father were One, all who had come to Jesus were God's, and all God's belonged to Jesus.  Jesus was glorified in them because they had come through Him to be with God, and they would continue to glorify Him as they preached His gospel to the world.

(11) "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your own name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We."

Jesus acknowledged that He was about to be no more in the world as He was about to go back to the Father in heaven.  However, His disciples would still be in the world, and He prayed that they be preserved in His name, in the knowledge of God.  He prayed that God defend and sustain them in obedience to Himself and His cause.  Jesus prayed that they be unified in love and purpose, as one Christian unit as God and Jesus were one.

(12) "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name; those whom You gave Me I have kept and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled."

Jesus said that He had kept or preserved all His disciples in God's name, in the knowledge and worship of Him.  He had preserved all His disciples God had sent Him, except Judas Iscariot, which of course, had been God's plan all along to use him to execute His will and fulfill scripture.  That's not to say that Judas never had a choice, but God chose him because He knew the choice he would make.  Jesus had not preserved him as a disciple because he was never meant to be one but had a different purpose.

(13) "And now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves."

It was now time for Jesus to return to the Father.  All the things Jesus had spoken while He was in the World, He asked to be for the benefit of His disciples that they might have Jesus's joy fulfilled in themselves.  That joy of a successful mission, that He had overcome the world!  That joy that came from knowing the truth about God's purpose in Jesus and that they possessed eternal life, and that they could pass that exciting good news to others.  

(14) "I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

Jesus had given His disciples God's word and they had received it within their hearts.  For that reason, the world hated them because they were not of the world's sinful lusts.  They were not like the world, just as Jesus was not like it.

(15) "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

Jesus didn't pray that His disciples should be taken out of the evil world, but rather that God protect them from the evil in the world.  Jesus had already told them that they would be persecuted and even killed (Matthew 24:9), so I believe what Jesus means by keeping them from evil is to protect and preserve them from the wiles of the devil who would seek to destroy their souls and their work.  The disciples were at that time not of the world and He prayed that they remain that way.

(17) "Sanctify them through Your truth; Your word is truth."

Jesus prayed that His disciples be made pure from their sins and made holy through God's word which was absolutely true.  All that had been prophesied and said by God and His word, the scriptures, and in His plan for salvation, would sanctify them as promised.

(18) "As You have sent Me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world."

Just as God had sent Jesus into the world to proclaim His good news that the world could be saved, Jesus was sending His disciples into the world to spread the same good news.

(19) "And for their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."

Jesus had no need for sanctification because He had no sin, but by this He meant that He consecrated Himself exclusively for the service of God.  This was His example for His disciples that they might also be sanctified through the truth in God.

(20) "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe in Me through their word."

Jesus prayed these things not just for His disciples, but for all followers who would come to believe in Christ through the preaching of His disciples.

(21) "That they all may be one, as You, Father, in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me."

Jesus prayed that all His followers, including those who came through the teaching of His disciples, would be in unity, one unit of brotherhood in Christ.  They should be one in the same love and purpose of God and of Jesus, who was God's plan for the salvation of man, and that the world may come to believe that God had indeed sent Jesus to save the world.

(22) "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one, even as We are one."

The honor which the Father gave to Jesus on earth Jesus bestowed on His followers.  The glory of Jesus shines in the children of God.  By sending Jesus into the world, God provided a single way for His people to be cleansed of their sins and able to approach Him.  By this, they became one, a unified Christian bride of Christ.  There would be unity of faith and purpose in Jesus's followers as there was unity of purpose in God and Jesus.

(23) "I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me."

Jesus dwelled within His followers by His spirit and by His Word, and by His Gospel message and His sacrifice, they could be made perfect in the sight of God.  They would act as one Christian unit following Christ so that the world would know Jesus had been sent by God to make disciples of men, and that God loved them.  Jesus provided atonement for people to be able to approach God and be in His presence and be loved by Him in the way that Jesus in His perfection could be in God's presence and loved by Him.  

(24) "Father, I want that they also whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."

Jesus desired that His followers whom God had sent to Him to be made "perfect" by Jesus's sacrifice, be with Him in heaven, able to see Jesus as He truly is in all His glory.  Jesus, as God, always had that glory before the world was formed but His followers had only seen Jesus the man.  God would return Him to His glory in heaven and He desired that His followers be with Him there.

(25) "O righteous Father, the world has not known You, but I have known You, and these have known that You have sent Me. (26) And I have declared to them Your name and will declare, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

Jesus lamented that the world had not known the Father, but of course He knew Him intimately, and He had taught His followers by His words and His actions the nature of God, and He would continue to guide them by the Spirit of truth, that they might be united to God and loved by Him because of an indwelling Savior.

Jesus's beautiful prayer in this chapter is a perfect model for our prayers.  He shows the utmost reverence for God and the tenderest love for man.  I can't help but contrast it to the prayers of the name it and claim it Word of Faith bunch who belligerently declare that they know God's will and demand it.  The only one who ever truly knew God's will was Jesus, and see how humbly He prayed with great respect and reverence.  It's true that Jesus made a way for us to be able to approach God, but we should always remember how holy and almighty and perfect He is, and what an unbelievable and undeserving gift it is that we even be allowed to ask of Him.  But God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus so that we could commune with Him again.

Jesus Is Rejected in Nazareth, Then Sends His Twelve Disciples Out to Preach; Beheading of John the Baptist

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 6:1) And He went out from there and came into His own country, and His disciples followed Him.

At the end of the last chapter Jesus had just healed the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue at the ruler's house in Capernaum.  He now went from Capernaum to His own land around Nazareth.  Nazareth was said to be Jesus's own city because He had been conceived there and had been educated there.  He had regard for it as His hometown.  His disciples followed Him there.

(2) And when the Sabbath day had come, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands?"

When the Sabbath day had come, Jesus began teaching at the synagogue in Nazareth.  Many of the people hearing Him teach marveled and were astonished at His teaching.  They wondered where He had gotten such ideas and wisdom.  They recognized that He had some power to perform miracles and wondered what gave Him such power and wisdom.

(3) "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him.

Although the people marveled, they recognized that Jesus was the carpenter, the son of Mary, who had grown up with them.  Matthew had stated in his account that Jesus was the carpenter's Son, but it is perfectly reasonable to believe that Jesus had worked in His earthly father's trade in His younger years.  The fact that Mary was mentioned and not Joseph, might mean that Mary was a widow by then.  James, Joses, Judah, and Simon might have been the half-brothers of Jesus, sons of Mary and Joseph, but they might also have been close kinsmen, close enough to be called brothers.  The point is that these people knew Jesus's roots and His family.  They knew His sisters who were still among them.  They became offended that "one of them" should now claim this apparent spiritual superiority over them.  At least that is the way they probably saw it.  Seeing Him grow up with them and knowing His family, they could not or would not believe who He truly was, and by what power and wisdom He did the things He did.

(4) But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own kin and in his own house."

Jesus somewhat pardoned their ignorance.  He recognized that the primary place a prophet was without honor and respect as a prophet was among the people with whom he had grown up and his own family and household.  However, that did not completely excuse them.  Jesus recognized that it might be harder for them to believe and be saved, just as it is harder for a rich man to be saved (Matthew 19:24) or for a good man (1 Peter 4:18).  His own people find it hard to believe, a rich man finds it hard to give up his money, and a "good" man doesn't see his need as a sinner.  It might be harder, but not impossible, and it is necessary to be saved only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ's sacrifice.  

(5) And He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick folk and healed them.

It's not that Jesus was unable to do mighty miracles because of the people's unbelief, but the purpose of miracles is to bring people to a saving belief in Christ.  If people were not receptive to His message, then Jesus was not about vain show.  He knew the hearts and minds of those people before He spoke and knew whether or not they would be receptive of His teaching.  He concluded it was useless to perform a mighty work there.  However, Jesus did have mercy on a few sick people and healed them.

(6) And He marveled because of their unbelief.  And He went round about the villages, teaching.

Jesus the man could not help but be amazed at the unbelief of His very own people.  There He was offering grace and eternal life, and the people were too stubborn to even listen.  So Jesus went around to the surrounding villages and taught.  

(7) And He called the twelve and began to send them forth two by two and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Jesus called His twelve disciples to Himself and sent them out in pairs to preach and teach the Gospel.  By sending out two together, they would be able to support and encourage each other.  Besides, there was that scriptural adage that a thing was established if out of the mouth of two or three.  Jesus gave His disciples the power over unclean spirits.  In the last chapter, we were told of Jesus's innate nature to heal and drive out evil spirits.  The disciples were not able to drive out spirits of their own power, but Jesus gave them that power.  That squashes the notion of faith teachers that we can all heal and exorcise demons if we have enough faith.  It is only if it is within God's will and He gives us that power, and the Holy Spirit so directs us; then it is actually Him doing the healing or exorcism.

This reminds me of something I personally witnessed.  I was in a women's mentoring group, and prayer was asked for a sick member.  One woman prayed humbly that if it was in God's will, would He please heal that woman.  Another woman, apparently not pleased with the path of her prayer, interrupted and began praying that she knew God wanted that woman healed and therefore she demanded that sickness leave that woman's body.  She presumed to know the mind of God!  I've been in Word of Faith groups before, and they take scripture and claim every one as a promise for us all, and therefore think they know what God wants at any given moment.  As a result, they think they have the right to demand it.  What they fail to realize is that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9).  There may be a greater purpose in allowing a person to suffer with an illness.  There may be countless people saved because they see the faith and joy and peace of Christians regardless of their apparent hopeless situations.  I have a personal testimony regarding my husband that attests to that.  My husband was blind; he actually regained slight vision and then lost it totally again.  He had a weak heart and countless other medical problems resulting from a terrible car crash when he was younger.  His parents had been told on countless occasions that he would not make it through the night.  He was always in a lot of pain and normal daily activities seemed a struggle.  His heart finally did give out and he is no longer with me, but I cannot tell you how many people he touched just by his humble life and soft-spoken words.  And he always gave glory to God for all the little things.  People saw that and continue to tell me what an inspiration he was.  Just by living with all his infirmities and continuing in faith and love, he was an inspiration!  If countless more people were saved observing his life than would have been if he had not gone through it all, then which is the good thing?  Our selfish afraid of adversity selves would say the good thing would be to be immediately healed!  But what if it is God's purpose for our lives that we persevere in adversity so that others may see the hope within us and be saved?  We can't all be preachers and missionaries.  But if we perform our purposes with willing and glad hearts, there is great reward in heaven.  And this life on earth is just a blip in the whole of eternity.  As it says in Romans 8:18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

(8) And commanded them to take nothing for their journey except a staff only, no bag, no bread, no money.

Jesus commanded His disciples to take nothing with them as they went forth two by two, except for a staff, which probably served as a walking aid.  They were to be about their work and not concerned with their "things."  God would provide.

(9) But be shod with sandals and not put on two coats.

They were to wear sandals but were not to take extra clothes.  Again, all their needs would be provided.  

(10) And He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, abide there till you depart from that place."

Jesus further instructed His disciples.  In whatever city or town they went to, when they were invited in to stay at a house, they were to stay there until they left that city or town.  That was to be their headquarters, so to speak.  They weren't to go from house to house throughout the town spending the nights in different places.  There was wisdom in that command, as there always is with Christ's commands.  Once they were welcomed into a place, it should only increase the pleasure of their hosts to be a small part of their great work; and the time it would take to find another place to stay and settle into there would only take away from their work.  Jesus would make sure they were welcomed into the right place in the beginning!

(11) "And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city."

If the disciples came to a city where no one would receive them into their houses or even listen to them, Jesus told them that when they left that city, they were to shake off the dust of that city's ground as a testimony against them.  They had been in that city's ground but now shook it off, leaving that city completely behind that had rejected the Gospel.  Jesus went on to say that in the day of judgment still to come, judgment on the city that rejected the disciples and their gospel message would be more severe than it would be for even Sodom and Gomorrah.

(12) And they went out and preached that men should repent.

The disciples went out as Jesus sent them forth, two by two, preaching that men should repent of their sinful ways.

(13) And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

The disciples were able to cast out devils with the power Jesus had given them.  They anointed the sick with oil which was a common custom among the Jews as it might have a soothing effect on the body.  In the case of the disciples, they also healed the sick by the power given them by Jesus.

(14) And King Herod heard of Him (for His name was spread abroad), and he said, "That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him."

King Herod began to hear of Jesus and the fame of His works.  He thought that it must have been John the Baptist risen from the dead.  I suppose his reasoning was that if John had the power to rise from the dead, he would have the power to do miracles.

(15) Others said, "That is Elijah." And others said, "That is a prophet or like one of the prophets."

Other people thought it was Elijah whom the Jews did expect to come before the Messiah.  Still others said it was one of the old prophets risen up, or a new prophet who had been raised up with the same power as the old prophets.

(16) But when Herod heard, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead."

When Herod heard the opinions of others, he rejected them.  He was sure it was John the Baptist whom he had had beheaded.  Obviously, his conscience was bothering him for having so good a man beheaded, and he was sure John had come back from the dead.

(17) For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold of John and bound him in prison for Herodias's sake, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her. (18) For John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

More detail is given about how Herod came to have John beheaded, and why his conscience might be bothering him.  Herod had taken his brother's wife, Herodias, as his own.  John had told Herod that it was unlawful for him to do so, so he had had John seized and bound in prison for Herodias's sake, and honor, as I suppose he would have thought it.

(19) Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him and would have killed him, but she could not.

Prison for John was not good enough for Herodias.  She wanted him killed, but it was not in her power to do so.

(20) For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, and observed him, and when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly.

Herodias had surely petitioned Herod to have John killed, but Herod feared John because he knew he was a just and holy man.  He kept him in prison, but observed him, listening to what he had to say.  He did many things and listened to John gladly.  We aren't told what many things he did, but it seems to be in reference to the things John was telling him that he received gladly.  However, we know that he did not fully embrace John's message as he continued to keep his brother's wife as his own.

(21) And when a convenient day had come when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords, high captains, and chiefs of Galilee; (22) And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the damsel, "Ask of me whatever you will and I will give it to you."

An opportune time came for Herodias when it was Herod's birthday and he held a supper for all his nobles and chief officers.  The daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and the men who sat with him.  He was so pleased with her performance that he told her he would grant her whatever she wished; she needed merely to ask.

(23) And he swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

Herod went all out and swore an oath to Herodias's daughter that whatever she asked, he would give her, up to half his kingdom.  That's quite a reward for a dance!

(24) And she went forth and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

Herodias's daughter asked her mother what she should ask for, and she told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist.  That woman could surely hold a grudge, for John had been in prison for almost two years, say Biblical scholars.  She probably didn't like the fact that Herod seemed to enjoy listening to John.

(25) And she came in right away with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want that you give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

Indeed, Herodias's daughter went immediately in to King Herod and asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

(26) And the king was exceedingly sorry, but for his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

King Herod was very sorry he had opened his big mouth, so to speak, to offer the girl anything she desired.  However, because he had sworn an oath, and because he had done it in front of all his guests, he would not refuse the girl her request.

(27) And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought; and he went and beheaded him in prison.

The king sent an executioner to the imprisoned John, and commanded that he bring John's head to him.  The executioner indeed beheaded John in his prison.

(28) And brought his head on a platter and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.

The executioner brought John's head on a platter and gave it to Herodias's daughter, and she, in turn, gave it to her mother.  And that explained why Herod was haunted by his killing of a good and holy man for a dance!

(29) And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

When John's disciples heard about what had happened to him, they came to the prison and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

As this is a rather long chapter with rather long commentary, I will end this post here and continue Mark 6 in the next.

Jesus Heals Many

Continuing a study of the Gospels:

(Matthew 8:1) When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.

Jesus had just finished His Sermon on the Mount in the last chapter.  He now came down from the mountain and huge multitudes of people followed Him, having heard His sermon and marveling at His teaching.

(2) And behold, a leper came there and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You will, You can make me clean."

Leprosy was a dreadful, loathsome, and contagious disease, first appearing on the skin in white scaly patches or leprous sores.  It was generally deemed incurable, and because it was so contagious, lepers were segregated from the rest of the people.  It is probable that this leper heard Jesus only from afar, but he came to Jesus and worshiped Him.  The same account in Mark says the leper came beseeching Him and kneeling down to Him; the account in Luke says he fell on his face.  Note the type of faith this leper had.  He didn't say that he believed Jesus could heal him.  He was fully confident that Jesus could heal him; it was just a matter of whether or not Jesus would do it.  

(3) And Jesus put forth His hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean."  And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

In His manner of curing this leper, by reaching out and touching this man who had a most loathsome disease, Jesus demonstrated that no sinner was too abhorrent to come to Him.  Such a touch meant ceremonial defilement in the Levitical law (Leviticus 5:3).  Albert Barnes suggested in his Notes on the Bible, that this meant the leper had already been healed by the time Jesus actually touched the man.  That may be, but it certainly wouldn't be necessarily so.  Jesus transcended the law; He fulfilled the law; His purity and holiness could not be defiled by it.  I believe it is very important to realize that no sinner is too abhorrent to come to Jesus.  There is no sin that Jesus cannot be in the presence of; that is the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus; He came to intercede for us, to cleanse us before God who cannot be in the presence of sin.  The leper had said Jesus could cure him, if He "will."  Jesus replied, "I will," and with the simple words, "be clean," the man was instantly cleansed of his leprosy.  

(4) And Jesus said to him, "See you tell no man, but go your way; show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."

Jesus told the man to go straight to the priest to be pronounced clean, and to offer the gifts that had been set forth in the law.  He told him to tell no one that Jesus had cured him before presenting himself to the priest.  The fact that the priest pronounced him clean would be testimony that he had indeed been healed.  We get insight in this same account in Mark, as to the possible reason why Jesus told the man not to say anything to anyone until after he had presented himself to the priest.  Mark 1:45 states the man went out and immediately began telling everyone, and broadcast this miracle so much that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, and had to retire to desert places.  

(5) And when Jesus had entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,

Again the account in Mark expounds on this a bit and states that Jesus again entered Capernaum after some days.  A Roman army commander came to Him.

(6) And saying, "Lord, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented."

Adam Clarke, in his Commentary on the Bible, suggested that the word "Lord" used by the centurion just meant "Sir," and should always be translated that way when spoken by a Roman.  At this point, the Roman centurion may not have seen Jesus as Lord.  He told Jesus that his servant was in severe torment lying, probably completely confined to a bed, at his home sick of the palsy, that is, probably paralyzed.

(7) And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

Jesus replied to the centurion that He would go and heal the servant.

(8) The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."

The great faith of this centurion has me wondering if Adam Clarke was correct in his assertion that "Lord" always meant "sir" when used by a Roman.  Maybe his point was that it was very unusual for a Roman to mean anything other than that, so that this was an extraordinary salutation.  This man exhibited humility and a great faith that would seem to only come from the Holy Spirit.  This account was expounded upon in Luke, and it appears that the centurion had sent elders to Jesus, rather than approaching Him himself.  When he heard that Jesus was coming to his house, he sent friends out to Him, to say that he was unworthy to have so great a person in his house.  He had great faith that if Jesus merely said the word, he knew his servant would be healed.

(9) "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

The centurion explained that he was a man under authority, specifically Caesar, the Roman emperor, and his superior officers.  He was explaining that he understood authority.  As a centurion, he had at least a hundred soldiers under him, and when he said to one, "Come" or "Go," that man did as he commanded.  Likewise, when he commanded his servant to do something, he did it.  The centurion obviously saw Jesus as one in authority, and saw himself as under His authority.  Again, I believe this demonstrated that he must have thought of Jesus as true "Lord," but if not yet, he certainly saw Jesus as having authority over diseases, and had the utmost faith, that if Jesus merely said the word, the disease would obey His command.

(10) When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to them who followed, "Verily, I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

The centurion was a Roman, not an Israelite; therefore, Jesus especially marveled at the fact that this man exhibited more faith than anyone, even in Israel.

(11) "And I say to you that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus told His followers that people would come from all corners of the earth, and believe in Him; and they would join the most eminent followers of God in the kingdom of heaven.  To "sit down" with the great patriarchs suggested they would sit down to a banquet with them, a metaphor for being in close communion with them in heaven.

(12) "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

However, the Jews, who were God's own children and subjects of His kingdom, would be cast into outer darkness, meaning they would reject the light of Christ.  There would be weeping and gnashing of teeth by them, expressing the miserable state of those who would reject Christ and be cast out of the kingdom of heaven forever.

(13) And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way, and as you have believed, so be it done for you."  And his servant was healed in the same hour.

Evidently the centurion had come out to Jesus by this time, or perhaps Jesus sent word that the centurion could go about his business, because as he had believed, it would be done for him.  His servant was surely healed that moment, but was seen as within the hour by the witnesses.  The account in Luke states that "they who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole who had been sick" (Luke 7:10).

(14) And when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying and sick of a fever.

Jesus later went to Peter's house, which was also Peter's brother Andrew's house, where he saw Peter's mother-in-law, his wife's mother, lying sick with fever.  Peter, one of Jesus's disciples, was obviously married.  I was amazed at how many of the early Bible commentaries used this passage to condemn the Catholic church's position on celibacy for their priests.  I have to agree, it is obvious that Jesus did not condemn marriage in His disciples.  However, the Catholic church holds up Peter as their first "pope," and then forbids its priests to marry, contrary to the one on whom they established their church.  Not only was Peter married, but he had his wife's mother with him, demonstrating his kindness and care of his extended relations.  It appears then that marriage is no hindrance to virtue and following Christ.  Marriage is one of the first divine institutions of God.  God Himself said it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18).  How is it the Catholic church insists on celibacy of its priests?  The apostle Paul might have been a better representative for the Catholic church in this regard.  He was celibate, and wished that all could be content to be that way, but he considered this a gift; Paul had the gift of celibacy.  However, he himself stated that if one could not control his passions, then it was better to be married than to burn with desire.  Could that be why the Catholic church has such a problem with sexual abuse?  Priests being forced to celibacy when it is against their nature and contributes to uncontrollable desires?  After all the abuse scandals, why won't the Catholic church change its stance on celibacy?  Adam Clarke muses, "Those who pretend to say that the single state is more holy than the other slander their Maker, and say in effect, “We are too holy to keep the commandments of God.” 

(15) And He touched her hand and the fever left her; and she arose and ministered to them.

Jesus merely touched the woman's hand and she was immediately cured.  Other accounts said that Jesus took her hand and lifted her up.  Jesus healed with His touch.  Sometimes He healed with a word, sometimes a touch, sometimes both, and sometimes an action was required by the recipient.  There was no magic formula, demonstrating Jesus's unlimited power over disease in whatever manner He chose.  Also noteworthy is the fact that the fever didn't just leave her, but she was immediately back to normal and serving and ministering to her guests.

(16) When the evening had come, they brought to Him many who were possessed with devils; and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick.

Obviously, the fame of Jesus grew as He healed more and more people.  Many people were brought to Him, and He healed ALL who were sick.  The word of faith bunch use this as proof that Jesus wills all people healed.  At this point in His ministry, He did.  However, there are other instances in scripture where people were not immediately healed, or when they were not healed at all, as with the thorn in Paul's side.  Paul said God's refusal to take that away kept him humble; it had a purpose in making Paul the great apostle he was.  Another example I have often thought of is the time Jesus came upon a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked Him who it was who had sinned that this man was born blind; had it been his parents?  Jesus replied that neither the parents or the man had sinned to bring about his blindness, but that it was for that moment, that the works of God should be revealed in him (John 9:1-3).  I have often thought if the word of faith believers had their way, the man would have been healed long before that time.  However God willed that he remain blind until the right time.  Or how about the time that Paul and Silas were jailed, and they prayed.  Word of faith followers would have you believe that God's will was that they be free.  Well, they prayed, and an earthquake opened all the doors of the prison.  It would seem God answered their prayers and freed them.  However, Paul and Silas did not leave, but stayed and converted the jailer (Acts 16:24-31).  We don't really know what Paul and Silas's prayers were; rather than please free us, as we selfish humans would likely pray, theirs was probably use us in this situation to Your glory, according to Your will.  People can be brought to salvation by watching Christians keep strong faith and give glory to God in all, in their tribulations and infirmities.  There may be purpose in those infirmities, far greater than would be if those infirmities were healed.

In addition to those who were sick, the people brought many to Jesus who were demon possessed.  He cast out those spirits with merely His word.  It could be that Satan and his demons caused many of the diseases as he was allowed to do in the case of Job.  However, it is more likely that these were diseases of the mind that would not be seen by the public as normal sickness.  It is very interesting to note that Josephus the historian wrote that there was not a nation under heaven more wicked than Judea in the time of Christ.  Wow!  How far had God's people fallen!  It seems Judea abounded by demoniacs at that time.  Adam Clarke wrote that the people were strongly addicted to magic, and therefore, invited evil spirits to be familiar with them.  It could be that Satan, who leads the whole word astray (Revelation 12:9), having been thrown out of heaven with his angels, his demons, was working overtime at that time because he knew his time was short (Revelation 12:12).  With so much of Satan's work evident at the time of Jesus, it allowed Him to demonstrate frequently His power over Satan.  Jesus triumphed over Satan when He rose from the dead; He triumphed over death.  We know that He will come again, and I have to believe that time for Satan is again short, as wickedness grows so quickly now.  Things are happening today that one could not imagine would have been just a few short years ago.   

(17) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses."

Continuing the thought started in verse 16, Jesus healed all who were sick to fulfill the prophecy spoken by Isaiah in Isaiah 53:4.  Our Bible translation of that verse says, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows..."  Yet the primary definition of the original word "choliy" that was translated as "griefs" is actually "malady, disease, sickness" and "griefs" is secondary.  I can't help but notice how similar that word is to our modern "cholic."  The original word translated as "sorrows" was "makob" and the primary definition of that word is "affliction, pain."  Therefore, we can see that the prophecy indeed spoke of Jesus taking our afflictions (infirmities) and bearing our sicknesses.

This seems a good place to end this post, as the first half of Matthew 8 was all about Jesus healing many people, all who came to Him.  Once again, I think of word of faith followers, so prevalent in some of my circles.  Isaiah went on to prophesy in Isaiah 53:5, that "with His stripes we are healed."  They use this as proof that we ARE healed; we just need to have faith enough to accept it.  Healing becomes almost an idol, the main focus.  I believe it is quite obvious that the meaning of Isaiah's prophecy is that we are healed from our sin and from death.  Jesus overcame death through His persecution and cruel death, those stripes of the beatings He received.  He rose again to eternal life, and by our acceptance of His sacrifice for our sins, we may also have assurance of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.  The reason Jesus healed all in His time was to prove His power over Satan.  If He had not healed all the ones who came to Him, it would appear He did not have complete authority over Satan.  It was necessary that He heal all during His time.  That does not mean that all have to be healed today.  Miraculous healing does still occur; I've been witness to it myself.  But it is not a foregone conclusion.  We have been healed!  Death has no hold over us!  There is no fear of death to those who know where their eternity lies.  And I firmly believe that some disease and infirmities are used by God to bring people to salvation.  To prematurely heal them from their physical infirmities might be to doom them to hell.  It might not give many others an opportunity to witness great faith through those infirmities that might bring them to salvation, marveling at the faith of those so opposite from those who grieve over death because they have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  As Peter said in 1 Peter 3:15, may we be ready to give others reason for that hope that is within us, even in our infirmities.  Paul gladly gloried in his infirmities because the Lord had told him that His strength was made perfect in weakness, so he rejoiced that the power of Christ would rest on him (2 Corinthians 12:9); when he was weak, then he would be strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).  To the Philippians in Philippians 4:13, he stated he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.  We have great hope and faith and knowledge that we should be willing to share and shout from the rooftops.  We have been healed, and so can all who come to salvation in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Teaches the Spirit of the Law and Perfect Love

Continuing a study of the Gospels:

(Matthew 5:21) "You have heard that it was said by them of old, 'You shall not kill, and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.'"

Jesus had gone up on a mountain to escape the crowd and had begun what is called the Sermon on the Mount.  He continued here.  He had told the disciples in the last post that He had not come to destroy the law or the prophets, but had come to fulfill them.  He had said in essence, that the scribes and Pharisees were no longer to be their rulers and teachers, but Moses and the prophets were still to be their rulers.  He reminded them of the law they had heard and had been taught to observe, that they shall not kill (Exodus 20:13).  This killing referred to murder, and the Mosaic law declared that anyone judged guilty of murder was to be put to death (Leviticus 24:21, Numbers 35:16).

(22) "But I say to you, that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be in danger of the council; but whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be in danger of hell fire."

Jesus expounded on this law, not adding anything new, but teaching the full extent and true spiritual intent of the law.  He went to the heart of the matter, and said that whoever was angry with another without cause would be judged guilty of murder in his heart.  This judgment spoken of by Jesus would have to be the judgment of God, as it is not likely that the courts would judge the heart of man.  By His statement, Jesus sought to teach the spiritual intention of the law, and demonstrate how the scribes and Pharisees, with their strict legalistic interpretation of the word of the law, had corrupted the law and abused permissions that would be inevitably allowed by only a strict interpretation of only the words of the law.  

If the person angry with his brother without cause went on to voice this anger, and exclaim "Raca!" which was a term of contempt meaning a senseless, empty-headed man, then that anger in his heart was manifesting into something worthy of punishment by the Sanhedrin.  "You fool," which seems to our modern interpretation to mean the same as "raca," was actually commonly used to denote idolaters, and godless, wicked men.  When the anger or murder in the heart rose to that level, a person would be in danger of hell fire.  Jesus wasn't speaking of hell in this instance, but the original word was Gehennah of fire, and it referred to the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom.  That was the site where idolaters worshipped Molech and made their children pass through fire, and sometimes even burnt their children with fire in sacrifice to Molech.  Because this valley had been the scene of those fiery sacrifices, the Jews used the word for hell during this time.  However, after much study of this difficult verse, I don't believe that Jesus meant hell.  

Jesus had previously established that anyone angry with his brother without cause had committed murder in his heart.  The Jews at that time considered only actual murder a violation of the sixth commandment.  By using terms associated with punishment used in their laws, with which they were familiar, Jesus demonstrated a broader sense of the commandment.  When He spoke of "judgment", although I do believe there was a double meaning in that God indeed judged the heart, the term would have meant to the Jews at that time civil judgment by a panel of judges who judged smaller matters.  The "council" was the Sanhedrin that judged weightier matters; and the Gehennah of fire was where people were burned alive.  I believe Jesus was illustrating just how that anger without cause was already murder in the heart, left unchecked, growing to contempt, wickedness, then murder.  He compared the growing anger to levels of judgment in their government that the people understood to demonstrate that there was much more to the sixth commandment than just actual murder.

(23) "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (24) Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

The Pharisees were intent on external acts of worship.  If they conformed to the rites of religious worship, no matter what hatred for their brother might be in their hearts, they felt they were just and righteous.  Jesus taught the heart of the matter.  Even if one was in the act of worship and offering at the altar, and remembered that someone had something against him, it was his duty to leave his offering and go be reconciled with his brother.  Note that he did not have to be the person with anger in his heart; if he knew someone had anger against him, it was his duty to reconcile the matter.  Evil was to be nipped in the bud.  Anger in the heart can lead to murder, and is actually judged as murder in the heart by God.  As Christians with love for one another, it is our duty to forgive and save another from that judgment as much as we are able.

(25) "Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him, lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison."

I believe again this is Jesus's comparison of the growing anger in the heart to steps of civil dispute that men would understand.  One was to reconcile his differences with another quickly, while they were on the way, probably a reference to taking their matter to court, in Jesus's law analogy.  Once again, one was to nip evil in the bud.  Allowing a matter to fester, even if not in his own heart, but in his adversary's, brings much trouble and evil.

(26) "Verily, I say to you, you will by no means come out of there till you have paid the last penny."

Completing the thought begun in verse 25, Jesus was warning to do all possible to reconcile differences before they reached this level, because it cost so dearly and so completely.  One was not to let even someone else's anger against him fester and grow until it could not be satisfied until he had given all.  Consider what that does to the soul of the adversary.  One would be saving the soul of his brother from murder in his heart that would ultimately lead to much greater hatred and damage, if he would just reconcile his differences early.  Matthew Henry compared this passage to reconciliation to God through Christ.  While we are alive and on the way to His judgment seat after death, it's the time to reconcile with God through Jesus Christ; once we are dead, it is too late, and we truly will have given all, eternal life with God in heaven.

(27) "You have heard that it was said by them of old time, 'You shall not commit adultery.'"

Jesus turned to the subject of the seventh commandment against adultery.  Just like the commandment against murder, the Pharisees looked at this commandment in the strictest sense, and considered only the act of actual adultery as unlawful, so that it had no respect to acts of fornication, or lustful thoughts, words, and actions.  They felt justified by being able to say they were not adulterers.

(28) "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Once again, Jesus taught the heart of the matter.  He went behind the actual deed to the early stages in the heart when a lustful look might inflame passions that lead to fornication, defilement, adultery, or rape; in current times, it can lead to an addiction to pornography.  Like with anger or murder in the heart, this adultery in the heart must be nipped in the bud.  Like Joseph with Potiphar's wife and the advice of Solomon and Paul, one must flee from that temptation; one must turn his eyes from temptation.

(29) "And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish and not that your whole body should be cast into hell."

Obviously, Jesus did not intend for one to mutilate his body by plucking his eyes out.  His intention was to show just how serious the sin of adultery in the heart was.  It was imperative that one turn his eyes away from the temptation a beautiful woman might bring.  It was far more profitable to his soul that he deny his eyes any visual pleasure that might lead to something that would have his whole body cast into hell.  

Personally, I see this scripture another way.  My husband was blinded in a terrible car crash when he was a rebellious teenager.  He came from a Word of Faith believing family who always believed that they could faithfully pray his vision back, that by Jesus's stripes he was already healed, that he just needed to accept it because it was God's will that everyone be healed.  My husband came to believe that just because something looks bad, doesn't mean it is.  He looked to this verse, realizing that the taking of his eyes could be the thing that saved his soul.  He realized he was headed head-strong into the wrong direction away from God, and he came to thank God for His mercy in allowing whatever it took to save his soul.  God knows what it takes for each of us; some may need more than others to turn us back to Him.  This time on earth is but a brief minute compared to our glorious time in eternity with God.  Romans 8:18 tells us, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  I also believe that in my husband's suffering, as he had many other health issues as a result of that accident, many people may have been brought to Jesus by seeing his strong faith through all his struggles.  For all we knew, that may have been his purpose on earth.  We should be ready and willing for God to use us where we are.  My husband never faltered in his faith, and I know his reward is great in heaven.   

(30) "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell."

Likewise, Jesus said to keep one's hands from evil.  Denying oneself  temporary sinful pleasures is far more profitable to his soul.  I think of Hebrews 11 and the great leaders of faith, specifically the words spoken about Moses in verses 24 to 26, "By faith Moses, when he had come of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward."

Scripture tells us that all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).  If we could only view our troubles as opportunities for God to use us, and realize that it is far better that we have these troubles and work in fellowship with Jesus, than to be free from troubles and go along distracted and unaware of the dangers to our souls in a godless world.

(31) "It has been said, 'Whoever shall divorce his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorcement.'"

Jesus spoke on the subject of divorce.  He didn't refer to this as a law said by them of old; divorce never was God's plan.  It was only a permission granted because of the hardness of the hearts of men (Mark 10:5); and the original intent was that only adultery permitted it.  However, the way the law was written in Deuteronomy 24:1, if his wife found "no favor in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her," he could give her a bill of divorcement.  Men began to forget the second part, and if his wife no longer found favor in his eyes for whatever trivial reason, like he found another woman more desirable, then he could divorce her.  I can't help but compare this to our laws, how the original intent of our constitution has been lost, and bizarre rights have been written into it because of some language that could be taken out of context and twisted to invent rights never intended.  That is exactly what the Jews were doing 2000 years ago.

(32) "But I say to you that whoever shall divorce his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever shall marry her who is divorced, commits adultery."

Jesus said that if a man divorced his wife for any reason except for her sexual immorality (Strong's defined it as harlotry), then he caused her to commit adultery if she then married again.  Additionally, any man who would marry her would also be guilty of adultery.  Jesus was not revoking the permission granted in the law; He was restoring it to its original intent.  With their present interpretation of the law, if a man divorced his wife for a frivolous reason, that marriage bond ordained by God was still in effect; if she ran to the arms of another man and married him, she would be guilty of adultery because she was still lawfully married in the eyes of God and the original intent of the law.  The man who married her would also be guilty of adultery because he married an already married woman.  The first husband would have caused all this because of his rejection of his wife for a trivial reason.

(33) "Again you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, 'You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths.'"

Jesus spoke again about a law from men of old, referring to Leviticus 19:12, that one must not swear by the Lord's name falsely, and that he was to carry out his oaths he vowed to the Lord or by His name.

(34) "But I say to you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; (35) Nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King."

Once again, we can be certain that Jesus was not changing any law.  There would be times when swearing by God would be necessary as in a court of law.  However, He was discouraging swearing about trivial matters.  An oath to God was a very solemn matter.  As Leviticus 19:12 went on to say, by swearing falsely by His name, one would so profane the name of his Lord God.  By flippantly swearing an oath to God, one would be taking His name in vain, equating it to some trivial matter.  He also said not to swear by heaven; that was equally solemn and serious because heaven was God's throne.  Swearing by the earth should be prohibited because the earth was God's footstool; and swearing by Jerusalem would be carelessly swearing about the city of the great King, their Lord.  It was better not to swear at all because to do so in the manner He described was to profane the Lord and take His name in vain.

(36) "Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black."

Likewise, one should not swear by his head or his life or the like because in doing so, he swore by things out of his control, and things which are more God's than his own.  That, in effect, would be diminishing God, as well.

(37) "But let your communication be 'Yes' for yes, and 'No' for no; for whatever is more than these comes of evil."

Jesus said a simple truthful yes or no was sufficient without swearing oaths.  More than that would lead to evil.  However, Jesus's words were, "comes of evil."  It seems men again twisted a law.  They might not swear by God, but by swearing by other things, they could get away with perjury through a loophole.  Because they had not sworn an oath to God, they were under no obligation to perform what they had vowed according to the strict words of the law.  However, Jesus informed the people before him that all was God's, so they shouldn't swear at all.

(38) "You have heard that is has been said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'"

This was the law of retribution.  Its original intent was that it should take vengeance out of the hands of private parties and commit it to the magistrate.  It was not intended to be used as an excuse to literally maim the accused, but understood to mean that one must pay a price equivalent to the damage done; and that was left up to the judges to determine, not for private parties to exact revenge.

(39) "But I say to you that you do not resist evil, but whoever shall strike you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."

The word translated as evil here, "poneros," Strong's tells us is not the same as other words used for evil that represent the essential character of evil, evil itself.  "Poneros" is a form of the word "ponos" which means anguish or pain; therefore this was an evil act conducted to bring about anguish or pain.  It cannot be said it was meant to be evil itself, as we are told elsewhere to resist the devil, the quintessential evil one (James 4:7).  Jesus's meaning in turning the other cheek was to resist the inclination to immediately seek vengeance, but to be willing to patiently suffer a repetition of the same injury.  "A soft answer turns away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1), but seeking revenge would only stir up more anger and more evil.  Although the law allowed for retribution, again Jesus went to the heart of the matter, suggesting that there not be evil in men's heart against their adversary so that they seek revenge, but they should seek to lovingly defuse the situation.

(40) "And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also."

Likewise, if the matter went all the way to court, and one lost something to another in court, rather than dropping the matter there with resentments still in place, one should give something else of himself to ease the hostilities.  It was better to suffer loss of property than to engender hatred that could eventually affect men's souls.

(41) "And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two."

I am reminded of the saying that if you give an inch, they'll take a mile.  Jesus says that is actually what we should intend.  If someone should force some action of us, we should be willing to do more.  Adam Clarke in his Commentary on the Bible, pointed out that these previous verses represented three types of injuries:  insults and injuries (striking the cheek); loss of property (coat and cloak); and when our bodies are forced to endure all kinds of toil and torment (forcing to go a mile).  We are exhorted to love, patience, and forgiveness.

(42) "Give to him who asks you, and from him who would borrow from you, do not turn away."

In a sort of summary, Jesus said to give to one who asked and not to turn away from one who wanted to borrow.  Note that Jesus didn't say a brother or a Christ follower (Christian), but anyone who asks.  In Luke 6:30, Jesus said to "give to every man who asks of you".  

(43) "You have heard that it has been said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.'"

It is totally evident that scripture had told men to love their neighbors, but I wasn't sure it ever said to hate their enemies.  This was probably a corruption of the law to love one's neighbor, as a neighbor the Jews interpreted to be one of their own nation and religion, giving them justification to hate those who were not part of it.  In a psalm of David, Psalm 139:20-22, David felt justified in hating his enemies because they hated His Lord; he hated them with "perfect hatred."

(44) "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you."

However, Jesus said to love your enemies, and to bless and do good to them.  Of course, the best thing we can do for all is to pray for them.  The law had been corrupted in that people felt justified in separating their neighbor from their enemy.  It was never God's intention that we hate anyone.  Harboring hatred in the heart hurts the heart's owner, not so much the one who is the object of the hatred.  We are to hate evil (Psalm 97:10, Proverbs 8:13, Amos 5:15), but not the person.  We don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against dark powers and spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12).  Is it so hard to love a lost soul who is being deceived by Satan and may spend eternity in hell because of it?  If we could see our enemies as Jesus did, poor lost souls who "know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), we can find it in our hearts to love them.  It doesn't mean we have complacency in their evil or profane actions, or put confidence in someone we know to be deceitful, but we love the person.  We must remember that when we were lost, we did atrocious things, and our Lord loved and forgave us; so should we be willing to love our enemies.  "There but for the grace of God go I."

(45) "That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust."

Jesus said people were to love their enemies so that they might be called the children of God, followers and imitators of Him.  God gives His sun and rain to both the just and the unjust, both the evil and the good.  As imitators of their Father, so should they give their love to both their neighbors and their enemies.

(46) "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?"

Jesus said if people only loved those who loved them, there was nothing deserving of praise in that.  Even the tax collectors, whom the Jews considered generally men of the worst characters, loved those who loved them.  People who only found it in their hearts to love those who loved them were no better that the most despicable people.

(47) "And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Don't even the tax collectors do so?"

Likewise, Jesus said if people only greeted their friends, they were doing nothing more than the loathsome tax collectors did.

(48) "Therefore be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

Obviously, no person on earth can ever be perfect like God!  However, that should always be our goal.  We can be children of God, imitators of Him; in this case, we can love all people, even those who do harm to us.  Perfect love casts out fear and torment.  God is love and he who lives in love lives in God, and God is in him; in that way love is made perfect. (1 John 4:16-18).

The laws Jesus spoke about in these verses all have to do with love in our hearts--love instead of anger and murder in our hearts, love instead of lust in our hearts, love for our enemies, and there's even love in truth (v. 37).  Jesus would later say that to love was the greatest commandment, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind...and...you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

A Lesson in Reverence and Humility Before God

Continuing a Bible study of Job, Job speaks after his friend insinuates that he is not a totally righteous man and may have brought judgment on himself.

(Job 9:1) Then Job answered and said, (2) "Truly I know it is so, but how should man be just with God?"

Job knows that what had been said before is true, probably the basic premise that God does not pervert justice. But if that is the true basis for God's judgment on him regarding all the calamities that have befallen him, how could he, as mortal sinful man, ever be considered just with Almighty God?

(3) "If he contends with Him, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. (4) God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?"

Job knows that he could not win a battle of judgment and justice with Almighty God, and by saying this, I believe he is telling his friends that that was not his intention in what he had said.

(5) "Who removes the mountains, and they do not know, when He overturns them in His anger; (6) Which shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble;"

With these words, Job is demonstrating how utterly vain it would be for him, mere mortal man, to contend with God who moves mountains and causes earthquakes.

(7) "Who commands the sun, and it does not rise; and who seals off the stars; (8) Who alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea; (9) Who made Arcturus, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south;"

Job continues with a description of all the great and powerful things that God does to prove that he knows he could never pretend to contend with God. Arcturus is the constellation of the Great Bear.

(10) "Who does great things beyond explanation, yes, and wonders without number. (11) Lo, He goes by me, and I do not see Him; He moves past, but I do not perceive Him; (12) If He takes away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, 'What are You doing?' (13) God will not withdraw His anger, the helpers of the proud lie prostrate under Him. (14) How much less can I answer Him, and choose my words to reason with Him?"

The old commentaries vary slightly on what was meant by the helpers of the proud. They may have been as mighty as "they who bear up the world" and even they bow down. Or perhaps helpers are all the things on which proud men rely, as wealth, health, rank, and talent. In any event, if even those men lie under Him, how would someone as feeble as Job now was ever presume to contend with God?

(15) "Though I were righteous, I would not answer Him; but I would make supplication to my Judge."

Even if Job were truly of the utmost righteousness, he would never presume to argue his case against God, but he would approach Him as a sinner comes before the righteous Judge, and prayerfully ask for His mercy. What a beautiful picture this is of how we should approach God in times of trouble. Not with arrogance and shaking our fists. We sometimes want to feel we have been wronged by God, but Job realized that was not possible. God is the supreme righteous Judge and His ways are so far above our ways that we cannot always understand that they are better. In this sinful fallen world, with sinful people often choosing to follow the prince of this world, bad things are bound to happen to us. Whether God acts or whether He allows others to act, He WILL work all things together for good, if we would just seek to follow Him. If we could honestly have complete faith in the infallible righteous judgment of our Lord, we could truly live without fear in any situation.

But Job teaches us there is more than just living without fear because we have faith. This is where I think present-day "Word of Faith" followers miss the mark. Well, I think they miss the mark in several ways; I think their faith is placed on the wrong things. They begin to have faith in their faith. If only THEY had enough faith, they would get what they ask for. They get so focused on the THING they have faith in getting, even if it is a noble thing, such as the health of a loved one, that they forget THE ONE who should be the object of their faith and focus. If we have faith in HIM, we don't have to worry about all the THINGS, because we have faith He will take care of those things. He already said He would take care of our needs! He may not take care of all our wants, and it really makes me uncomfortable when some people presume to know what God WANTS! The only thing I can say for certain that He wants, is that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth! And because His ways are higher than our ways, is it not possible that He might allow sickness and/or death of a loved one, if it might bring that person or those witnessing it to salvation? What is the ONE thing God wants? That we are saved! Not that we should all live perfect healthy prosperous lives. Yes, there are scriptures that say He wants us to prosper, but what does that mean to the Almighty Savior God of the universe? Once again, He sees things that we cannot see and knows things we cannot know, so if we just place our faith in Him, rather than the object of our desire, we don't have to worry about how He will work it out; we can just know with certainty that He will work it for good.

I often think of a story in John when people in the faith movement try to tell me they KNOW that God wants this or that healing. Remember the man blind from birth? The disciples wanted to know who had sinned that he should be born blind, him or his parents. Jesus answered neither, but that the works of God be revealed in him. I can't help but picture some word-of-faither approaching this man's parents when he was a baby and telling them that he KNOWS the will of God is that their baby should see and not be blind...and that would be wrong. It was NOT the will of God that that baby or later that young child should see, but that God be manifest in him when Jesus performed the miracle of restoring his sight when he was grown. How many people may have been saved by witnessing that miracle at that time?! Yet "faithers" presume to know the will of God?

Job did not presume anything with regard to Almighty God. He would never venture to argue a case of his innocence before Him, but he WOULD make a plea to Him, the righteous Judge. This is where we can all learn a good lesson from Job. Job had tremendous reverence and awe for his God; he did not question HIM, but he knew he could make supplication to Him. There is a difference!

Very recently something has been laid upon my heart, before I came to this part of my study. I have learned to walk in faith in many things. We have been through so many personal trials and have seen God carry us through, making a way when we didn't see one, that it has become easy to trust Him. But I don't want to ever take Him for granted. I want to have a thankful reverential heart in awe of His wonders and mercy. Job had that.

(16) "If I had called and He had answered me, I would not believe that He had hearkened to my voice."

I believe this is referring back to verse 14 and the first part of 15, when Job said he would not presume to contend with God. The original word translated as "called" here is "qara" and its meaning rather paints a picture of one accosting another in an aggressive manner. So I don't believe Job is referring to his supplication here.

(17) "For He breaks me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause. (18) He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness. (19) If I speak of strength, lo, He is strong; and if of judgment, who will appoint my day in court? (20) If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me; if I say I am perfect, it will also prove me perverse. (21) If I were perfect, I would still not know my soul; I would despise my life. (22) It is all one thing; therefore I say, 'He destroys the pious and the wicked.' (23) If the scourge slays suddenly, He will laugh at the trial of the innocent. (24) The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges; if it is not He, where and who is it?"

All these things are to say that Job cannot contend with God and it would be useless to try. God is mightier than man in anything he may attempt to do to justify himself.

(25) "Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good. (26) They pass away as the swift ships, as the eagle hastens to the prey. (27) If I say, 'I will forget my complaint; I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself', (28) I am afraid of all my sorrows; I know that You will not hold me innocent."

I think the idea here is even if Job were to try to be cheerful and "forget his troubles", he knew God could bring the sorrows back because as the righteous Judge, He would not just make them disappear if Job were guilty. Once again, it's just an illustration of how there is nothing Job can do against an Almighty God.

(29) "If I am wicked, why then do I labor in vain? (30) If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands ever so clean, (31) Yet You will plunge me into the pit, and my own clothes will abhor me. (32) For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him and that we should come together in judgment. (33) Nor is there any mediator between us, who may lay his hand on us both. (34) Let Him take His rod away from me, and do not let His fear terrify me; (35) Then I would speak and not fear Him, but it is not so with me."

There is absolutely nothing that Job can do to defend himself against Almighty God. If He were to take away this perfection in righteous almighty judgment, this awesome power, His very God-ness, maybe then Job could speak with him, presumably as more of an equal, but it is not so.