Matthew 4:23-25

“Notice what you notice.” In putting these readings together I’ve mostly followed the ordering in The Chronological Study Bible (edited only for length of passage). However, today is the first case I’ve found where I could have done better. It’s a small matter, but…

In today’s reading Matthew speaks in broad generalities with respect to (a) Jesus’ activities, they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them (v. 24) and (b) His geography, And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan (v. 25). Mark and Luke are more specific in the next two days’ readings, however, following the past two day’s readings with Now in the morning (Mark 1:35) and Now when it was day (Luke 4:42). So my re-ordering of readings would be the 14^th and the 15^th, then the 13^th.

Beyond that, the one item that I noticed today was that Jesus was proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (v. 23). Back in verse 17 His preaching had been Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Is there a difference here? We think of the Gospel, the “good news” as the salvation message, much of what verse 23 would imply. By contrast, verse 17 is word-for-word John the Baptist’s message of repentance (Mt. 3:2). Sorry, no wisdom here, just an observation…

Incidentally, my other Study Bible notes that the phrase, “kingdom of heaven” is mentioned only in Matthew, but that it occurs 32 times therein. Mark and Luke refer to “kingdom of God”, a phrase used only four times in Matthew. Again, is there a difference?

Slava Bohu!!

Luke 4:38-41

“Notice what you notice.” So today we have the third of the Synoptics’ accounts of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. And the accounts are in agreement as to that healing and as to Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons. Mark and Luke also have Jesus leaving the Synagogue (on the Sabbath; this we know from readings three and four days ago). In addition, all the accounts have the people coming to Jesus after sunset with their sick and demon-possessed.

Luke, however, paints a slightly different picture of these Sabbath healings. Matthew and Mark separate the needy into two groups, those who were sick/ill and those who were demon-possessed. Mark has Jesus healing “many” of the people in those two groups. Matthew has Jesus healing “all” who were sick and is unclear as to “many” or “all” of the demon-possessed. Luke has only one group: …all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many… (vv. 40-41a). That is, Luke the physician (a) has Jesus healing “every one” of those who were brought to Him and (b) has the demon-possessed included among those who “were sick with various diseases”.

So, could one build a case today that much illness in our world today is the work of demons? That is, viruses, infections, “bugs”, etc., are they all manifestations of demons within us? The cold and congestion that I am trying to shake right now…? Carol and I pray for me to be healed quickly because of my surgery in ten days. Should we be praying against demons within me? I’ve been a part of one demon battle, I don’t look forward to another. Lord, have mercy…!!!

Slava Bohu!!

Mark 1:29-34

“Notice what you notice.” I wondered to myself before I began reading today’s passage how I could possibly see something new when we were repeating an event from Matthew yesterday and looking at only six verses. But right away on my first read I noticed a number of items. First, Matthew had Jesus simply going into Peter’s house while Mark has Jesus (a) leaving the synagogue and going into (b) Simon and Andrew’s house (c) with James and John. Quite a few differences right there! And after the events of today’s reading, Mark has Jesus rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed (Mark 1:36). That is, Mark is absolutely distinct with Jesus’ movements. Makes me begin to watch Mark’s chronology more than Matthew’s…

A second difference was more explanatory than anything else, and peculiar to my NKJV Chronological Bible. That translation begins Matthew’s second half of today’s story with When evening had come (Matthew 8:16) while Mark’s second half begins with At evening, when the sun had set (v. 32). Yesterday I had easily passed over the word “evening” in Matthew’s writing but clearly noticed “when the sun had set” in Mark’s writing. The point is, it was the Sabbath. Jesus and His disciples had come from the synagogue to Peter’s house and had a meal and only after the sun had set did the townspeople bring the sick and demon-possessed to Jesus. They were following the Jewish Sabbath laws and waiting until after sunset.

That gives us a little picture into the Capernaum culture, that they were following Jewish Sabbath laws from Moses’ time, some 1300-1700 years earlier! Though they were far removed from their spiritual center, the Temple in Jerusalem, they still honored and followed historic teachings. It makes me wonder about the extent of the (Jerusalem) Jewish leaders’ influence over the spiritual life of the Galileans.

Finally, Mark’s verse 33 says, And the whole city was gathered together at the door. So naturally, I wondered how many people would that have been? A Wikipedia site gave a Capernaum population of 1500 in Jesus’ time, one-fourth the size of Wilmore, one-sixth the size of Versailles – still quite a few people! Clearly his fame was growing!

Slava Bohu!!

Matthew 8:14-17

“Notice what you notice.” If we were reading through our Chronological Bibles four or five pages at a time, we’d might never have noticed that we jumped from chapter 4 in Matthew to chapter 8. Essentially we skipped the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) plus a few verses before and after. Both Mark and Luke maintain the flow, however, with their accounts of today’s reading, staying within the chapters that we have been reading. It could also be true that if we were reading Matthew in “linear” fashion, we may not have known that his account of Peter’s mother-in-law’s healing was also covered in Mark and Luke. Again, we are blessed with our reading of only a few verses each day. I’ll save comparisons with the other accounts for another day.

Today I was struck by verse 16, That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. I’m trying to imagine the extent of demon possession back in those days. Capernaum was probably one of the largest cities in Galilee (if not the largest), so as Matthew reports, there were “many” who were demon possessed or were ill. In addition, the readings the last few days have closed with a report of the extensive “coverage” Jesus’ ministry was getting in Galilee, And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region (Luke 4:37), so people were also flocking to him from nearby towns, all seeking healing. So, ill and needing healing, yes, I can understand. But demon possession…??!! We have a few graphical accounts of Jesus casting out demons, one from yesterday’s reading even, with the healing of the Gerasene demoniac being the most prominent (Mark 5:1-17).

So I wonder what was meant by “demon possession” back then. Was it a form of mental illness? Possibly, but there were also physical manifestations. Mark’s account of the Gerasene demoniac has him breaking chains and cutting himself (Mark 5:4). Demon possession seems to be all too common in Jesus’ time. I will find myself watching for it as we read further.

But I also wonder about demon possession in our own time. I wonder how common it might be. Before Carol and I were married my roommates and I encountered one such violent possession; it was quite scary. I’m sure evangelists and missionaries have many such stories. Thankfully we have a Savior who has overcome these evil spirits and to Whom we can turn. Glory!

Slava Bohu!!

Luke 4:31-37

“Notice what you notice.” So again we have back-to-back narratives, this time between Mark and Luke. There are only a few differences to note:

1. Mark refers to a man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23) while Luke refers to a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon (Luke 4:33), the difference being the naming of the “thing” as a demon.
2. Mark’s account says And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him (Mark 1:26), while Luke adds a final qualifier to his account, And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm (Luke 4:35), that the demon had done the man no harm. Is this Luke writing in his role as a physician?
3. Both Mark and Luke have the demon and Jesus speaking the exact same words. However, the words from the onlookers are quite different.
   • Mark has them saying What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him (Mark 1:27)
   • while Luke’s crowd says What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out! (Luke 4:36).
   • Mark has Jesus TEACHING with authority while Luke has Jesus ACTING with authority and power. I don’t know what to make of that, if anything. Thoughts?

Slava Bohu!!

Mark 1:21-28

“Notice what you notice.” It has always struck me how Mark seems to move around so quickly and that his writing is so “to the point”. In Chapter 1 Jesus goes from His baptism to the wilderness to the calling of the four, all in twelve verses, then on to His first miracle, the healing of a demoniac. One of the commentaries I read said that Mark uses the word “immediately” 41 times in his Gospel, including nine times in the first chapter alone! That’s moving along…!

Mark records the healing of the demoniac in chapter 1 as Jesus’ first miracle (along with Luke in chapter 4). John’s first is the wedding at Cana in chapter 2, while Matthew does not record a miracle from Jesus until chapter 8. Again, Mark moving quickly…!

Mark mentions the crowd recognizing Jesus’ “teaching with authority” twice in this reading (verses 22 and 27). I can understand their v. 27 reaction, since Jesus had just cast out the unclean spirit. But how could the crowd see Him teaching with authority before that miracle? There must have been something in His speech, in His composure, in His confidence. It could be like the juxtaposition that Jesus uses in the Sermon on the Mount, “It has been said…” (the scribes?) compared to “But I say unto you…” (e.g., Mt. 5:31-35, 43-44). Yesterday at Nazareth he certainly spoke with authority, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21). Certainly, Mark reports, …they were astonished at His teaching (v. 22). Not much more to say…

Blessings!

Fred

Luke 4:14-30

“Notice what you notice.” I’m really glad that I did yesterday’s chronological, geographical foray into Jesus early ministry and to have John S.’s helpful, corrective comments therein. That yesterday’s post and comments were timely was borne out in my NASB Study Bible comment on verse 16, And He came to Nazareth… The footnote on that verse said, “Not at the start of His ministry, but perhaps a year later… Probably all the events of John 1:19-4:42 occurred between Luke 4:13 and Luke 4:14.” I think John S. and I would agree with most of that sentiment – again reading between the lines. So now, no more chronological, geographical exploration until we return to John again, but not until May. We’ll spend these next few months in Galilee, very likely during Jesus’ second year of ministry.

There is a major disconnect between Jesus’ favorable reception in Nazareth as reflected in Luke 4:16-22 compared to them ready to throw him off a cliff in verse 29. I’m wondering if the reaction turns when He says Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well. And He said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.” (vv. 23-24) or when He suggests that Gentiles in the Old Testament (vv. 25-27, the Zarephath widow and Naaman the Syrian) were receiving God’s favor – the favor that the Jews were rejecting. Were the Nazarene citizens troubled by His perceived insolence or by His elevation of the Gentiles? If the latter, unfortunately for the Nazarenes, Jesus’ elevation of the Gentiles will continue the rest of His ministry – and on further into the Book of Acts – and even further, to our own salvation…!! GLORY!

Blessings!

Mark 1:14-20

“Notice what you notice.” When we read the Synoptics’ accounts of the same event, we tend to go back and forth and see what is similar and what is different in their accounts. I couldn’t help but notice one major difference in Mark’s calling of the four disciples compared to Matthew’s – Zebedee, with his sons James and John had hired servants.

What to make of that? None of the other writers makes any such mention, not even Luke who has more to say about wealth and poverty than any of the other writers. We can draw a contrast between James and John, wealthy enough to have hired servants, with Peter and Andrew out in their boat casting their own nets. Luke tells us later that Peter and Andrew were partners with James and John and Zebedee (Luke 5:10). So when Peter and Andrew left to follow Jesus, all they left behind was their boat and equipment, which presumably they would have left to Zebedee’s care. Meanwhile James and John leave their father’s business behind, knowing that Zebedee had hired servants to continue in the business, plus the additional boat and equipment from Peter and Andrew. Put all that together and it makes it easier to see Peter, Andrew, James and John simply walking away from their professions.

A second item of note is Matthew and Mark both mentioning John’s arrest and tying that event to Jesus’ return to Galilee. This is consistent with John’s account: Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only His disciples), He left Judea and departed again for Galilee (John 4:1-3).

So now to put together a reasonable chronology… We begin with Jesus living in Nazareth with His mother and John baptizing in the Jordan River, but further north (Aenon/Salim), just south of Galilee and about a day’s walk from Nazareth. Jesus goes to John and gets baptized; while there He meets a few of his future disciples (John 1). He then goes back to Cana for the wedding (John 2:1-11), goes to Capernaum after the wedding for a few days (John 2:12), then heads south for the Passover (John 2:13, ff.). While there He cleanses the Temple and begins preaching alongside His disciples who are baptizing in the Jordan River just east of Jerusalem. After a month or two there Jesus heads off to the wilderness and His disciples go back to Galilee. While He is in the wilderness John gets arrested and Jesus heads back to Galilee by way of Samaria. There He meets the woman at the well, stays on a few days, then heads back to Galilee (John 4:1-45) where we pick up yesterday’s and today’s readings, the calling of the four disciples. Whew!

I doubt I do much more chronology, but getting it right (or at least reasonable) in this first year of Jesus’ ministry was important to me.

Be blessed y’all!!

Matthew 4:12-22

“Notice what you notice.” Yeah, I’m fascinated by the chronology and the geography – and even more so when we see the four Gospels harmonizing together in our Chronological Bibles. But I just got whapped by something. A few days ago when Jesus was with the woman at the well and His disciples came, Jesus had said that there were still four months until the harvest. My Bible notes had suggested, therefore, that He must have spent 2-3 months in Judea after the Passover celebration before returning to Galilee. So now we leave John’s Gospel and move to the Synoptics, specifically Matthew’s 4^th chapter, which begins with Jesus’ forty days’ temptation in the wilderness. Forty days in the wilderness completely agrees with John’s 2-3 months in Judea after the Passover. Plus, all three Synoptics cover Jesus’ temptation, then move Him to Galilee. So there is a real consistency between John’s time frame and the Synoptics.

Furthermore, the Synoptics’ calling of the first four disciples (today’s reading) is now chronologically reasonable. Andrew was one of the two disciples of John the Baptist; possibly John the writer was the other (let’s imagine that for a time). So Andrew and his partner leave John the Baptist and follow Jesus, after first bringing along Simon Peter (John 1:35-42). Very possibly they are all headed to Jerusalem for the Passover. They witness the cleansing of the Temple and see other signs that Jesus performed. Then Jesus heads off to the wilderness while the three or four followers (Andrew, Peter, John, ?James?) head back to Galilee, back to fishing. Then after Jesus’ 2-3 months in Judea, he goes through Samaria, then on to Nazareth, then Capernaum (Mt. 4:12-13) which is by the sea. Now, knowing that He is beginning His Galilean ministry, He calls the first four disciples – who had already been called a couple of months earlier, but had returned to fishing when He went on His retreat.

Two other items worth noting. In verse 13 Matthew has Jesus living (settling) in Capernaum. Jesus having residence there will be picked up a number of times as we read further (e.g., Mark 1:21, 2:1; Luke 4:23, 31). Finally, in verses 20 and 22, Matthew uses the word “immediately”. I’ve always associated “immediately” with Mark!

Blessings!!

John 4:39-45

“Notice what you notice.” Again, John’s chronology… John has Jesus staying two days in Samaria – and he mentions it twice! (vv. 40, 43) Very specific! And then, geographically correct, Jesus continued north to Galilee.

Beyond that, I’m struck at the Samaritans’ belief. A stranger comes to town, has a revealing interchange with one resident which causes others to come and listen – and they believe. And no miracles/signs!! Their belief was the result to Jesus’ words. Contrast that with the Galileans who welcomed Jesus having seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the feast (v. 45). John had earlier noted that when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing (Jn. 2:23). So Galileans believed because of what He did while Samaritans believed because of what He said.

Intriguing as all that is, what happened to the Samaritans after this interchange? There is no mention of any of them following after Jesus. At Pentecost the crowds asked, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? (Acts 2:7). No mention of Samaritans. Maybe this two-day encounter is a lesson for us about evangelism and discipleship? Samaritans believed, maybe were even “born again”, but that’s the end of it? Our evangelistic friends count how many are saved and often do what they can about follow-up, but my guess is that intentional, persistent, personal contact is the only way to go.

That’s how it happened with me. Jim was a second-semester college freshman who began sharing with me after we met in a chemistry class in Spring 1972. We met on-and-off for the next 3+ years, often erratically but sometimes planned. Our last meeting was fully planned. We ran into each other on campus during finals week, Spring 1975 and made arrangements to get together that Saturday night, after his graduation and dinner with his family. Late that evening the Holy Spirit worked His will with me and I had my “born again” experience. Jim left campus the next day and I was on my own – except that God was fully with me! Jim’s front-end work, especially his persistence, had had such a powerful impact on me that following through on my late-night “conversion” was not an issue. Jim had no follow-up with me (except through the U.S. mail), but his front-end work had made the difference! I’d be interested to hear of others’ experiences on individuals responsible for your personal growth.

Slava Bohu!!