Bible in one year 1/2 to 1/3 /2022 Matthew 4-8
By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce
Christian Arts Ministries:Biblical precepts
& Gospel music/ Pastoral ministry & Counseling
Chapter 4 Jesus’ temptation and test
“The Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (vv.1-3) Jesus answered, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (vv.4-7).
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and
showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “ All
this I will give you,” he said, “ if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “worship
the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
(vv.8-10)
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended
him. (v.11)
Satan’s intention in the temptation was to
make Christ sin so as to thwart God’s plan for man’s redemption by
disqualifying the Savior. God’s purpose (note that the Spirit led Jesus to the
test) was to prove His Son to be sinless and thus a worthy Savior. It is clear
that He was actually tempted; it is equally clear that He was sinless
(2Cor.5:21). (Heb.4:15).
In
verse 3 the devil’s temptation of the first man, Adam, concerned the matter of
eating (Gen.3:1-6). His temptation here of the second man, Christ, also
concerned the matter of eating. Eating is always a trap used by the devil to
ensnare man, causing man to be tempted in a personal way. All scripture is the
breathed of God (2Tim.3:16) Hence, the words in the Scriptures are the words
that proceed out through the mouth of God.
In
verse 5 the devil’s first temptation of the new King was regarding the matter
of human living. Defeated in this, he turned in his second temptation to
religion, tempting the new King to demonstrate that He was the Son of God by
casting Himself down from the wing of the temple. In verse 6 Satan, as well as
Jesus, quote the Bible (in this instance, Ps.91:11-12, but Satan did not quote
accurately, for he omitted a phrase that was not suited to his purpose.
Third
temptation in regard to worldly glory- is especially seductive in relation to
the practical affairs of human life. In
verse 9 I will give you. Satan, as
prince of this world was within his rights to make this offer (John12:31;
1John2:15). The new King rebuked the devil for his presentation and defeated
him by standing on the ground of man to worship and serve only God. To worship
or to serve anything other than God for gain is always a temptation from the
devil, that he may secure worship. The devil’s temptation of the first man,
Adam, was a success; his temptation of the second man, Christ, was an absolute
failure. This indicates that He will have no place in the new King’s kingdom of
the heavens.
Chapter 5 the preaching of the King – Jesus’
teaching
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be
shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for there is the kingdom of heaven.” (vv.3-10).
Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same
way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(vv.12-13).
You
are the salt of the earth. But
if the salt loses its saltiness how can it be made salty again? It is no longer
good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.(v.13)
You
are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it
under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone
in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.(vv.14-16)
The law of Moses
5:17-20
Do not think that I
have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth
disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen; will by any
means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.(vv.17-18)
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever
practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you
that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers
of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (vv.19-20)
The law of
murder, 5:21-22
You have heard
that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not
murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you
that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
Again, anyone who says to his brother, “ Raca” is answerable to the Sanhedrin.
But anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.
The law of reconciliation, 5:23-26
Therefore, if
you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother
has something against you; leave your gift there in front of the altar. First
go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle
matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you
are still with him on the way or he may hand you over to the judge, and the
judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I
tell you the truth; you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
The law of adultery, 5:27-30
You have heard
that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But I tell
you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery
with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out
and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for
your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to
sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of
your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
The law of divorce, 5:31-32
It has
been said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of
divorce. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital
unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulterous, and anyone who marries the
divorced woman commits adultery.
The law of oaths
5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long
ago, “do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord. But
I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or
by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of
the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one
hair white or black. Simply let your “Yes,” be “Yes,” and your “
No,” “No,” anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
The law of nonresistance 5:38-42
You have
heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do
not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to
him the other also. And if someone
wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If
someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who
asks you, and do not turn away from the one who
wants to borrow from you.
The law of love, 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, “Love
your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and
the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what
reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you
greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even
pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as you heavenly Father is perfect.
Bible in
one year 1/3/ 2022 Matthew 6-8
Chapter 6 the practice of kingdom life, Jesus’ teaching
“Be
careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If
you do, you will have no reward from your Father heaven. So when you give to
the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth; they
have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let
your left hand know that your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be
in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done is secret, will reward you.
In relation to prayer, 6:5-15
And when you pray, do not be like the
hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street
corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their
reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray
to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done is
secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like
pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not
be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
This, then, is how
you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your
name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For if
you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, you Father will not
forgive your sins.
In relation to fasting, 6:16-18
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for
they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth;
they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on
your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you
are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees
what is done in secret, will reward you.
In relation to money 6:19-24
Do not
store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and
where thieves break in and steal. But store
up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the
body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your
eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light
within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one
can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he
will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and
Money.
In relation to anxiety, 6:25-34
Therefore,
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about
your body, what you will wear, Is not life more important than food, and the
body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow
or read or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single
hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of
the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet, I tell you that not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God
clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into
the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, “what shall we eat?” or “what shall we wear?” for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Chapter 7 Jesus' teaching in relation to judging 7:1-5
Do not
judges or you too will be judged! For in the same way you judge others, you will
be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look
at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank
in your own eye?” How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out
of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You
hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Jesus' teaching in relation to prudence, 7:6
Do not give dogs
what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample
them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
Jesus' teaching in relation to prayer, 7:7-11
Ask
and it will be given to you, seek and the door will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door
will be opened.
Which of you, if
his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will
give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good
gifts to those who ask him!
Jesus' teaching in relation to others 7:12
So in everything,
do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and
the Prophets.
Jesus' teaching - The proof of kingdom life 7:13-29
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. (vv.13-14)Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear goof fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (vv.15-20)
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you, away from me, you evildoers!”(vv.21-23)
Therefore,
everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a
wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the stream
rose and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because
it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine
and does not put them into practice is like a foolish many who built his house
on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat
against that house and it fell with a great crash. (vv.24-27).
When Jesus had
finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he
taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.(v.29).
In these verses notice the two ways (vv.13-14),
two trees (vv.15-20), two professions (vv.21-23), and two builders (vv.24-29),
the two ways was a common teaching method in Judaism and Greco-Roman
philosophy.
In verse
22 mentions demons. There is only one devil (Satan), but there are many
demons. The demons are those angels who sinned with Satan by following him when
he revolted against God. Some are confined (2Pet.2:4), but many are active in the
world (Matt.12:43-45), they seek to thwart the purposes of God (Eph.6:11-12);
they promote their own system of doctrine (1Tim.4:1); they can inflict diseases
(Matt.9:33) and possess the bodies of men and of animals (Matt.4:24; Mark5:13)
Rock (v.24) does not refer to Christ but to His wise
Word. The Word that reveals the will of His Father who is in the heavens. The
living and work of the kingdom people must be founded on the Word of the new
King for the accomplishing of the will of the heavenly Father. This is to enter
in through the narrow gate and walk the constricted way that leads to life.
The rain (v.25) which descends
from the heavens is of God; the rivers, which come from the earth, are of man;
and the winds, which blow from the air, are of Satan. All these will test the
living and work of the kingdom people. The house built on the rock, a house
that does not fall, is like the work that is built with gold, silver and
precious stones, a work that can stand the testing fire (1Cor.3:12-13).
Sand (v.26) refers to human
concepts and natural ways. If we live and work according to our human concepts
and natural ways, our living and work will be founded on sinking sand. This is
to enter in through the wide gate and walk the broad way that leads to
destruction. The house built on sand, a house that falls , is like the work
that is built with wood, grass, and stubble, a work that will be burned by the
testing fire. However, the builder himself will be saved (1 Cor.3:12-15).
Chapter 8 ---the proof of the King, Exhibit: power 8:1-34
Power over defilement- Jesus healed a man with leprosy 8:1-4
When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds
followed him. A man with leprosy came
and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me
clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing.” He said.
“Be clean!” immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell
anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded,
as a testimony to them.”
The first class of people saved by the kingly
Savior to be the people of the kingdom is represented by a leper. According to
the examples in the Scriptures, leprosy
results from rebellion and disobedience. Moses’ sister Miriam became leprous
because of her rebellion against God’s deputy authority (Num.12:1-10) Naaman’s
leprosy was cleansed because of his obedience (2Kings5:1, 9-14). All fallen human beings have become leprous in the eyes
of God because of their rebellion. The Kingly Savior came to save men from
their rebellion and to cleanse them for their leprosy that they might become
His kingdom people. The leper worshipped the new King and called Him “Lord”,
recognizing that He is the Lord God. In reality the new King is Jehovah the
Savior –Jesus. According to the law, a
leper was to be isolated from the people because of his uncleanness. No one was
allowed to touch him (Lev.13:45-46). But the new King, as a man and as the
kingly Savior, touched this leper. What mercy and sympathy! By His one touch,
his leprosy was immediately cleansed. What wonderful cleansing. The new King
told the cleansed leper that for his cleansing he should continue to do things
according to the regulations of the old law, because the transitional period
still remained, the old law having not yet been fulfilled by His redeeming
death.
Power over distance-Jesus healed a centurion’s servant
who paralyzed at home 8:5-13
When Jesus
had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking
for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and
in terrible suffering.” Jesus
said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not
deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant
will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers
under me. I tell this one, “go” and he goes; and that one, “come” and he comes.
I say to my servant, “Do this” and he does it.
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished
and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found
anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the
east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be
thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you
believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Centurion. A
roman army officer who commanded one hundred men. The leper in vv.2-4
represents the Jews, whereas the centurion
in vv.5-13 represents the Gentiles. Before
God, the Jews had become leprous,
unclean, because of their rebellion and disobedience, whereas the Gentiles had become paralyzed, dead in
function, because of their sinfulness. The
kingly Savior came first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles (Acts3:26;13:46; Rom.1:16;11:11)
The believing Jews were saved by His
direct touch (v.3), whereas the
believing Gentiles are saved through faith in His word.(vv.8,10,13). The centurion, a Gentile, recognized the authority of
the kingly Savior and realized that His word had the authority to heal. Thus,
he believed not only in the kingly savior but also in His word, asking Him not
to go in person but only to speak the word. This was stronger faith, and it was
marveled at by the Savior. (v.10). This indicates that the Gentiles will
participate in the gospel of the kingdom.(Eph.3:6,8; Gal.2:8-9; Rom.1:13-16).
This refers to the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens. In the
manifestation of the kingdom the overcoming Gentile believers will feast with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Power over disease-
Jesus healed a fever 8:14-17
When Jesus came
into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He
touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on
him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and
he drove out the spirits with a WORD and HEALED all the sick. This was to
fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our
diseases.”
Peter’s mother-in-law in vv.14-15 represents
the Jews living at the end of this age, who will be saved by receiving the
kingly Savior (Rom.11:25-26). At that time, during the great tribulation, the
Jews in the eyes of God will be “in fever” (v.14), “hot” in things other than God. After the fullness of the salvation of the Gentiles, the kingly
Savior will come back to this remnant of the Jews that they may be saved (Rom.11:25-26; Zech.12:10). Peter’s mother –in-law was healed in Peter’s house. At the end of this age all the remnant of
the Jews will be saved in the house of Israel. Furthermore, they will be
saved by the kingly Savior’s direct touch (v.15), as was the Jewish leper (v.3).
Many who were demon possessed and all
those who were ill represent all the people on earth in the millennium. The
millennium is the last dispensation of the old heaven and old earth. In the
millennium the power to cast out demons and heal illnesses will be manifested
to the uttermost. Hence, all the demon-possessed and all the sick will be
healed. Such extensive power is the power of the coming age (Heb.6:5). The
casting out of demons and the healing of the sick in this age are only a
foretaste of the extensive power of the coming age. The signs record in vv.2-17
bear a dispensational significance and show the coming kingdom in miniature.
All healings accomplished on fallen people are a result of the Lord’s
redemption. On the cross He took away or infirmities, bore our diseases, and
accomplished full healing for us. However, in this age the application of this
divine healing power can be only a foretaste to us; in the coming age we will
experience the full taste.
Power over disciples- called to follow Son of Man 8:18-22
When Jesus saw the
crowd around him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a
teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever
you do.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to
lay his head.” Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my
father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Son of Man, the
title “Son of God” is Jesus’ divine name (Matt.8:29); Son of David is His Jewish
name (Matt.9:27); But “the Son of Man” is the name that links Him to the earth
and to His mission. It was His favorite designation of Himself (used
over eighty times) and was based on Dan.7:13-14. It emphasizes: (1)
His lowliness and humanity (Matt.8:20); (2) His suffering and death (Luke19:10)
and (3) His future reign as King (Matt.24:27).
Power over the deep- Jesus rebuked the winds and the
waves 8:23-27
Then he got into
the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came
up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to
drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so
afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and
it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is
this? Even the winds and the waves obey him.
Faith comes from and depends on the word of the Lord (Rom.10:17). A rebuke is not given to lifeless things but to things with personality. The King rebuked the winds and the sea because in the winds were the fallen angels of Satan (Eph.6:12) and in the sea were the demons (v.32). The fallen angels in the air and the demons in the water collaborated to frustrate the King from going to the other side of the sea because they knew He would cast out the demons there (vv.28-32). Actually, it was not the winds and the sea that obeyed the King’s authority but the fallen angels above the winds and the demons under the sea.
Power over the demons-Jesus healed two demon-possessed
men 8:28-34
When he arrived at
the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the
tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. What do you want with us, Son of God? They
shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed
time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons
begged Jesus, “ If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
He said to them, “Go! So they came out and went into the
pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the sleep bank into the lake and died in
the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and
reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then
the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleased with
him to leave their region.
The King called Himself the Son
of Man (v.20), but the demons called Him the Son of God, tempting Him to deviate from His standing as the Son of Man. Before the time implies that God has appointed a time for
the demons to be tormented and that the demons know that time, which will be
after the millennium and for eternity. This is was the King’s authoritative
order, and the demons obeyed it. The King complied with the demons’ entreaty and
allowed them to enter into the hogs because hogs are unclean in the eyes of God
(Lev.11:7). The hogs would not tolerate being possessed by the demons, and they
rushed into the sea. The demons consented because the water is their lodging
place (12:43-44). The people of the city, having lost their hogs, rejected the
King. They wanted their unclean hogs but did not want the King of the heavenly kingdom.
They probably were Gentiles. They rejected the heavenly King because of their
unclean way of making a living.
Bibliography,
Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.)
Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago,
IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.
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