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What do all the beatitudes seem to be pointing toward?
Blessed life = even when circumstances aren't great, God is working in our lives
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When referriing to how Jesus talked about the law, what was the point made?
Reimages God's rules and says that it is not about outward obedience but inward obedience
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The rest of the sermon on the mount illustrates life in the kingdom, the specifics of cooperating with the Father. Give an example.
Jesus talks about worry saying that we shouldn’t worry about anything because God takes care of us. If he takes care of the birds, and they don't worry and will take care of us even more
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Back home in Capernaum occurred the event of the 4 men letting the sick friend down through the roof for Jesus to heal him. We talked about two aspects of faith. Clarify them.
- 1.the friends had helping faith
- 2.the man had healing faith
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What was the Jewish response to the healing and why?
Threatened by Jesus' healings, and the people watching were astounded and gave glory to God
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Jesus was asked about why his disciples did not fast when 2 other religious groups did. What 2 groups?
Pharisees & Scribes
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The phrase we used to explain Jesus' answer: "When you learn to receive the gift you stop working for it" - what do you think this means?
People who follow Jesus know that it's not about good works or following traditions but about faith and grace, which has nothing to do with works
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What was Jesus' response to healing of the centurion's son? Explain why.
- Jesus said that he had not seen such faith in all of Israel
- He was impressed because the centurion (a gentile) had faith that just one word could heal his slave
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Jesus' response to inquires from John the Baptizer's disciples forms for Luke a summary of Jesus' significance. Name 2 of 6 that he does.
The blind receive their sight The deaf hear For the periscope about Simon the Pharisee and the Sinner Woman
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We saw the difference between 2 ways of responding to Jesus. What are they?
Sincere love and formal entertainment
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We noted the love that Jesus generates in "sinner people," (with reference to above incident). Explain.
Jesus did not set up barriers, he took the risk of loving, showing sinners worth and dignity and didn't treat them badly
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If the point about Jesus stilling the storms seems to be "interior" rather than "exterior" what does this suggest?
As Jesus stood against the storms, he can help us to do the same (internal struggles)
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Fllowing "faith and storms" how does Matthew show that Jesus has power over inner turmoil?
Man possessed by legion of demons, has demons cast out of them by Jesus
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If faith is therapeutic, what is "therapeutic"?
Contributes to healing, if not to a cure, then at least to coping
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The word "disciples" suggests what and why apparently were there 12?
Learners They were the nucleus of the New Israel and were a replacement for the 12 tribes of Israel
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What was the (initial) mission or message of the 12?
Ministering to the people first (being good news before telling the good news)
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What were they to expect?
To be deeply wounded (pain, injustice)
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When Jesus said to come unto him for rest, that his yoke was easy, was he removing us from the realm of responsible action? Explain.
No, he doesn't remove the burden, but he can remove the anxiety
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Jesus clashed with whom "in the grain field and in the Synagogue" over the issue of what, and to what basic disagreement did that point, and what was Jesus' position?
Pharisees Gathering grain for his disciples and healing the man with the withered hand Working on the Sabbath---Sabbath made for men, for revelation, rest, and renewal
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Help for #19
Jesus saw that it was for rest, renewal, relaxation, rebirthing. They however let it bring weariness, burden, and dread. Explain reference. The Pharisees had mixed up the means with the ends.
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What seems to be the height of blasphemy?
Attributing the healing of God to the power of the devil
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In what basis does Jesus discuss judgment and what does he say?
Results We are known by our fruits, which are determined by our values, which come from what we treasure
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The scribes and Pharisees seemed to be "seeking the spectacular." What did they ask Jesus for and what did he say? And what did that mean apparently?
Sign that provided proof Jesus said He would give sins that provided evidence He, his miracles, and his parables were all signs that gave evidence (the signs were already there)
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In response to a question about who were his mother and brothers, Jesus talked of "new family relationships." Who were his "mother and brothers" and what did that suggest?
The disciples They were kin in the deepest sense (through God)
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Why did Jesus teach in parables? Four as discussed.
Uses what's familiar and obvious to illumine the obscure Uses a symbolic picture rather than a definition Provides a model to set beside rather than a cognitive preposition Communication form that confronts categories and calls us forth to commitment
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Explain the parable about the sower - including both main points.
The word of truth can go to different levels of depth Person had a sense of utter abandon
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Flashback to John the Baptizer: what did Herod think of Jesus, why had John been beheaded, what is Macchaerus, how were John's and Jesus' deaths distinguished?
He thought Jesus was John the Baptizer returning John was beheaded because he spoke out against Herod's affair with Philip's wife and herod feared him Macchaerus- the place where John the Baptizer was imprisoned and executed John and Jesus' deaths: their noblest tasks
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In discussing Jesus' criticism of Pharisaism, what did we conclude and what is Corban? (from Mark 7)
What comes out of our mouths is what defiles us Corban- means dedication to God.
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Clarify the "dynamics" of Pharisaism.
Protect ourselves from truth and shame, promote our selfish agenda, purify by religious behavior, perfect ourselves before we get to God, project an image of being righteous
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How did Jesus reimage what defiles?
What comes out of our mouths rather than what goes in is what defiles us.
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What is the scandal of particularity and what was the remark Jesus made?
Scandal of particularity- how can Jesus represent God? Jesus said: "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and household." Miracle is not self evident as an act of God.
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What is required to see God at work in a miracle?
The eyes of faith
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