The reading for day 70 was Matthew 16:1-26:75.
In chapter 16 verses 13 through 20 we see Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah. The most interesting part of this little passage (in my opinion) is verse 19. 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The NASB says "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." There are two things that interest me:
1. What does it mean that he's been given the "keys to the kingdom" and
2. What are the bindings and loosings talking about? What kinds of things?
The first thing can be seen a couple of different ways. You could take the catholic position and say that he was The authority figure in Christ's absence. I disagree with this view. Another way to see it is that Peter held the key to the evangelization of the gentiles. He "unlocked" that door when he was sent to Cornelius' house. I personally subscribe to this view. He may very well have "unlocked" other doors, but this is the best example I could think of.
I think the second thing should be seen in light of the first. When Peter "unlocked" the door with Cornelius you could also say that it was loosed. Before Peter loosed it though, it had already been loosed in heaven.
Thoughts anyone?
Verse 28 of chapter 16 is interesting to me. What does the phrase "the Son of Man coming in His kingdom" mean in the context of this verse?
In chapter 17 we get a glimpse of a glimpse of the glory of Christ. After Jesus' transfiguration and meeting with Elijah and Moses, the disciples are confused and ask Jesus "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" They didn't understand that, since Jesus is the Messiah, why Elijah had not come before Him to prepare the way. Jesus responded with this 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
17:12 But I say unto you, That
Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Jesus called John the Baptist Elijah. The one who prepared the way. You can't read through the book of Matthew and eschatology not come up. So I'll ask a question. In light of Malachi 4 verses 5 and 6 and Jesus calling John the Baptist Elijah who was to come, what are we to make of the great and terrible day of the Lord? Has it already happened or is it in the future? Jesus makes a lot of comments about people who will not die until they see the Son of Man coming.What does He mean when He says that? What do you think?
In chapter 19 we see the story of the rich young ruler. The thing I had never really noticed before was what Jesus says in verse 26.
19:26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them,
With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Jesus is speaking about salvation. The quesiton that preceded this response from Jesus was "Then who can be saved?" Jesus tells us that man cannot be saved on his own. It is impossible. Only God can do it. You can't do anything to be saved. Nothing. The only one that can possibly do it is God. Period.
In chapter 20 James and John's mom comes to Jesus to ask if her boys can have the place of honor next to Jesus in His kingdom (caution: read carefully as this may affect you eschatology :)). Jesus says that it is not for Him to grant but is reserved for those appointed by the father. The question Jesus asks them is "Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They say "yes." Jesus says "indeed you will but to sit on my right and on my left is not for me to grant..." What cup was Jesus about to drink? The cross? Who was on His right and on His left? Thieves? When did His kingdom come? (sorry...I guess leading questions is my thing :))
In chapter 23 Jesus tells the people to do what the Pharisees say but not what they do. I'm sure the Pharisees really loved that. In verse 8 He says
23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Do you think this might be a fulfillment of What it says in Isaiah, that "they will all be taught by God?" Careful...you better find that scripture and see what else it says in that passage before you answer :)
Verse 16 of chapter 23 stood out to me because it seems very similar to what happens when we have a huge conference or something and lots of people "make a decision" and then go out with false assurances that they're saved because they prayed the prayer. We've made them twice the sons of hell that they were before!
Chapter 24 is that eschatology passage thats hard to understand. I don't claim to know how to interpret everything, but I think that most of it can be understood in light of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 when "one stone was not left on another."
One thing I do want to point out to the dispensational crowd out there. Verses 40 and 41 are NOT referring to the "rapture." They are referring to judgement. Thats how bad it will be.
Chapter 26 covers Jesus' anointing with the perfume to the trial before Caiaphas the high priest. When He is in the garden he tells Peter, James, and John to keep watching and praying so that they will not enter into temptation. What temptation is He talking about? I found it interesting that right after Peter is told that he will deny Jesus three times Jesus rebukes him three times for not being able to stay awake. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall
ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
26:67 Then did
they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands, 26:68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
This was just the beginning of Christ's punishment for our sins...
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