Author: Texas Gospel

The Book of Matthew

Matthew, fasting, and The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

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The Question about Fasting (From Matthew Ch. 9, NASB) 14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the groom cannot mourn as long as the groom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results. 17 Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” – NASB

Floyd Rogers

The accounts recorded by Matthew seem pretty straight forward on the surface. Matthew tells us of things that confirm Jesus as the Messiah. But there is a lot that can go unnoticed unless you do a slow reading of each account. I think the 9th chapter starting with verse 14 is a good example.  

Matthew 9:14 tells us that the disciples of John asked those following Jesus to explain why they do not fast. It’s important to notice that their question stipulated how the Pharisees fasted. Fasting was required by the law of Moses every year on the Day of Atonement.  But the Pharisees added more days of fasting to go beyond the law. Some say they wanted to show they were more observant than others. It could be they wanted to make it very clear they were following the law by going beyond it. A friend of mine put it this way, “They were showing off.” They didn’t just follow the law of Moses; they added a tradition based on the law.  I don’t think this is a small thing. The Pharisees did something some preachers do today: They added to the scripture. Traditions based on scripture may have good intent, but traditions are not scripture and should never be held equal to it. But why would the followers of John have asked about the extra fasting days?  Perhaps a better question would center on the reason behind the extra fasting days. Jesus asked such a question and prefaced it with a few others.

Some say Jesus’ questions were asked to give a deep answer to a somewhat shallow question. He first asked them if groom attendants mourned while the groom is with them or after the groom has left. He is eluding to something mentioned in the 22nd chapter.  Matthew speaks of a great banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven.  This is often referred to as the “marriage supper of the Lamb.” It seems Jesus used this opportunity to open their minds to the bigger picture.

Verse 15 tells us Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the groom cannot mourn as long as the groom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Keeping this in the apparent context, speaking of the Pharisees extra fasting days and not fasting required under the law for atonement, Jesus uses a very Jewish way of communicating. Consider, a Passover Seder uses the eating of bitter herbs to symbolize the bitterness of slavery in Egypt. Participants are not just told of the bitterness experienced by slaves; they experience a small bitterness (from the herb) while hearing of the bitterness. The lesson is not only taught verbally but also through the senses. In Matthew the longing for food during the fast seems to be used to teach of the longing of the church for Jesus’ return. It also seems Jesus is letting them know his followers are not going to inflict this on themselves at this time because the bridegroom, Jesus, is still here. So, this is the bigger picture.  Now more directly to their question.

Jesus said in Matthew 9: 16 – 17, “But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results. 17 Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” – NASB

I believe Jesus is speaking of the difference between the old traditions and what is to come. His answer may have been more obvious to the folks of his time who had experience with patches and wineskins, so let’s look at the literal meaning of Jesus’ metaphors. Cloth shrinks over time. In the first metaphor Jesus describes what happens if someone tries to patch old clothes with a new patch.  The garment on which it is sewn has already shrunk. A new patch (which has not yet shrunk) will tear the garment when the patch shrinks. Similarly, a new wineskin has the ability to expand or contract when filled or emptied of wine but an old one is rigid.  An old wineskin will break if you try to fill it with the same amount as you would a new one. The crowd Jesus spoke to had experience with patches and wineskins and understood the literal meaning of the metaphor, but did they understand what Jesus was saying?

The extra fasting added by the Pharisees assured that the works required by the existing covenant were done. While these traditions assured to others that the law was followed, consider the effect keeping these traditions would have once the law is fulfilled; something Jesus would do on the Cross. The tradition would become of no use.  Jesus’ fulfillment of the law tears apart and breaks the old traditions.

What are your thoughts?

The Wisecarvers meditate on true meaning of Christmas in “Wrapped In Red”

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (December 2, 2022) â€” Rather than close the book on 2022 with the October release of their most recent single for Horizon Records, “Stay Home,” The Wisecarvers are sharing one more song with listeners in “Wrapped In Red,” a grateful, graceful meditation on the true significance and celebration of Christ’s birth.   

Written and sung by Chase Wisecarver, with Kaila and Dustin Wisecarver adding warmly supportive harmonies over an arrangement led by producer Jeff Collins’ piano, “Wrapped In Red” offers a gentle yet insistent reminder of what truly counts in the holiday, summed up in the chorus’s simple, direct acknowledgement:

“He just wants my heart wrapped in red
The perfect shade of crimson
For the blood that He shed
Nothing I could offer Him would seem to be enough
But He said all He wants is my love
And this heart wrapped in red”

“It seems now Christmas has gotten so commercialized people often forget the true reason for the season,” notes Chase Wisecarver. “We give and receive gifts, have Christmas dinners, wonder what Santa will bring, and sometimes let all of that overshadow the most important thing — Christmas is the celebration of the birthday of Christ our King. I’ve wondered what we could give to our King for His birthday. There’s nothing greater we could give Him than our hearts wrapped in red with the blood He shed for us on Calvary.”

Listen for “Wrapped In Red” throughout the day on Texas Gospel

Are Christians told to avoid spending time with non-Christians?

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Floyd Rogers

I visited a Pentecostal church back in the 80’s.  It was a very conservative congregation.  Standing outside near the front entrance was a shabbily dressed man smoking a cigarette.  He looked out of place in front of a church where folks were wearing their Sunday-best as they prepared to hear an old-fashioned hell-fire sermon. I’m ashamed to admit I hesitated to talk to the man who others ignored.  I was young, single, and what would the young ladies of the church think of me if the saw me talking to this visitor who seemed to be the kind of person the preacher warned you about? I won’t go into the details of this man’s story other than to say he was there because he had a relative who attended the church, and he was waiting to meet him after the sermon was over. I’m glad I stopped to talk to him. I think this is the kind of encounter Matthew wrote of when he wrote that Jesus spending time with tax collectors and sinners. It also shows that people today have the same kind of reactions and motivations that people had in Jesus’ day. It is something that opens the door to an important discussion of loving the sinner but rejecting the sin. Let’s look at some background and some of what Matthew had to say.

Tax collectors during Jesus’ time were not respected.  They were known to collect more than the allotted amount and keep it for themselves.  They were considered crooks.  The 9th chapter of Matthew describes how a Tax collector named Matthew was called to follow Jesus. It also records the unfavorable reaction of those who saw Jesus with Matthew as they gathered with other tax collectors. This is important: I think the big take here is the judgement people made at seeing this and what Jesus said in response. Verses 12 and 13 record Jesus saying to them, “…It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.  Now go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, rather than sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

I think these verses clearly tell us Jesus was with tax collectors and sinners to bring them the Gospel. I also think this scripture has implications. Consider, Matthew says Jesus was with them, but doesn’t say Jesus participated in their sin. It doesn’t record Jesus being in fellowship with them in the way 2 Corinthians forbids. While 1 Corinthians tells us, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals,” doesn’t the context make it clear the writer speaks of “fellowship” with other church members who live in sin; that is, to accept the sin as having God’s approval? I think this speaks to corruption inside the church and is something quite different from Matthew’s point.  Matthew’s metaphor isn’t about corruption in the church. He speaks of bringing healing to the sick, a metaphor of bringing the Gospel to those who need it. To be clear here: Doesn’t Corinthians warn of condoning sin while Matthew speaks of loving sinners who need to repent? We may not know what conversations Jesus had with the tax collectors and sinners, but I think it’s important that he was there even though others would judge him for keeping such company.

In summary, Jesus’ work was not restricted to the temple.  How many people go to church, sing hymns, listen to a sermon, and study the Bible, but seldom, if ever, share the Gospel outside of Christian company? Jesus didn’t limit himself to worship inside a church. He did not avoid “those” people to protect his witness. He went out to call the unrighteous to righteousness. It doesn’t say he handed out bible tracts and walked away, or even encourage folks to go to the synagogue. Matthew said he ate with them knowing well that others who thought they were among righteous would look on in judgement.

What are your thoughts?

Why don’t Christian prayers empty hospitals?

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Floyd Rogers

Why don’t Christian prayers empty hospital wards?

The ninth chapter of Matthew begins with verses that tell of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. Matthew says people brought the man to Jesus. Other Gospels record him being lowered through roof to Jesus.  Matthew also tells of other healings.  I believe the context of Matthew tells us why we read of healings.  I also believe there are many biblical reasons why prayer doesn’t lead to empty hospital wards.

Let’s lay out the context of Matthew.  The Book of Matthew was written by a Jewish tax collector for a Jewish audience to convince them that Jesus is the King of the Jews.  Matthew writes down things that Jesus did to fulfill prophecy.  The “fulfill prophecy” part is very important. We know Matthew’s purpose because of the number of times he wrote that Jesus did something to fulfil that which was spoken by the prophet. The Old Testament prophets said that the Messiah will heal. Matthew’s premise is that Jesus did things to fulfill what was written by the prophet.  Do you know any prophecies that are not fulfilled unless a hospital ward is emptied?

One could debate if Jesus healed people solely to fulfill prophecy; that is, solely to show that he had the power to forgive sin and heal.  I’m not sold on the idea that it is an either/or situation. It seems more likely that it’s a little of both and one of the reasons we don’t see hospital wards emptied today. At this point it’s important for me to stipulate I am extrapolating from scripture. I might be wrong in my extrapolation and am open to anyone who has scriptural reasons to argue differently.  With this as my preface I suggest that we should consider that James tells us that our prayers will go unanswered if we ask for things simply because we want them. And even Jesus prayed in the garden before his execution, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me…” but stipulated, “…yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Jesus didn’t assume he needed to be delivered because otherwise he would die. He acknowledged that God’s will is more important.

Let’s reflect back on Matthew’s account of the man’s healing mentioned above.  It says, “And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man who was paralyzed, ‘Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.’” When those around him had thoughts that Jesus had blasphemed in saying this, Matthew says Jesus healed the man, “…so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”  The man who was healed had faith as did the people who brought him to Jesus.  His healing is part of a book that records Jesus’ actions that fulfill prophecy.  His healing was part of God’s purpose. I’m not implying that suffering fulfills God’s purpose. Suffering is the result of a world made corrupt through rejection of God.

There are things in this world I find unboreable. For me it involves watching my kids when they suffer knowing sometimes there is no way for me to help them. Jesus asked that he not have to go through the suffering on the cross, but he was executed anyway to fulfill God’s plan. Just as his suffering was the result of sin and the corruption it causes, so too is the suffering we all experience while in this temporary life on earth. I think our prayers are often more about changing us than they are about changing the world around us.

What are your thoughts?

Gerald Wolf speaks about singing for small crowds

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SPECIAL DAYWIND RECORDS

Sunday night was a little different for Greater Vision. Gerald Wolfe explained with a post on Facebook Sunday evening.

“Tonight, we sang to the smallest crowd we’ve had in probably twenty years. It was a real blessing to see how The Lord used the evening, and the songs, to minister to those who were there. Afterward, I was encouraged again the comments I heard in the hallway. Once again, like many times before, I was reminded… Ministry is not about the “number,” it’s about the individual… The one God puts you in front of, at the right time, to share the word, or the song, they need to hear, to let them know God hasn’t forgotten them, and He has a purpose for them… and for you… and for me.”