Control and Revenge - a little bit more

Matthew 14:1-12 tells the sad story of the death of John the Baptist.  His loss grieved Jesus tremendously and it was so senseless. No good seemed to come from it - it didn't 'need' to happen to complete God's master plan. But Herodious was angry with the opinion John had publicly shared about her marriage to Herod. John did not approve of the marriage because they had married unlawfully.

As a gift, Herodious' daughter. Salome had danced seductively for Herod and in front of his guests and with an oath, he told her she could have whatever she wanted. The opportunity for revenge was ripe and Herodious prompted Salome to ask for John's head on a platter. Wish granted.

That's my short version of the event. What I saw as I considered the entire setting was a vile woman who was revengeful and controlling. She wanted revenge for the hurt John had caused her and her reputation; she wanted control over future damage to her life and reputation.

Revenge isn't really sweet, and the damage it can do in our lives when we are unable to forgive and take matters into our own hands, hurts us as much or more than those we are attacking.

Control is where this story hits me. That's a very extreme situation of control, but I am certain that I deal with issues of control in my own life. In a fairly normal life in this 21st century, I may stop and notice my attempts to control my family - extended and close. Maybe I am trying to control someone I work with - and control is a complex concept. But mostly I am convicted of trying to control what others think - about me, about my church, about my family members, even about what others think about my God. This story about control reminds me to keep my heart and thoughts focused on Jesus and to not worry about trying to control what others think of me. Or what they think of other people in my life.

There is a hymn that I sing to myself that gets me on track. I have to sing it to myself often because I can be stubborn, but this song softens me quickly and I can let go of the need to control because I am consumed with another focus.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

So if you hear me humming, you'll understand!

Notes… Review of 3-6-13

We did not hear a testimony this week.  We’re looking forward to Beverly’s testimony next meeting!

We studied Matthew 13 this week, which is about the parables of Christ.

It covers the parables of the sower, the weeds, the mustard seed and the yeast, the hidden treasure and the pearl, and the parable of the net.  I won’t go into a detailed review this week since our homework is to study the parables for ourselves and give a report when we meet.

The ladies paired together;

Parable of sewing the seed/ Four soils (1-9): Marla and Carolyn.

Parable of the weeds (24-30): Barbara Jones and Melanie.

Parable of the Mustard Seed (31-32): Joey and Jenny.

Parable of the Yeast (33-35): Chris and Phyllis.

Parable of the Fishing Net (47-52): Barbara Brown and Jenn Gilley.

The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl Merchant were left unassigned.

Stephoni asked us to include these things when considering the parables:

1.       Summarize the parable

2.       Explain the meaning

3.       Share appropriate applications to 21^st century Christians

Matthew 5 Retreat

LOL Matthew 5 Retreat
February 22nd & 23rd
Shannon House

Friday Evening – Meet at church
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Matthew 5:1-16. Our identity in Christ
St Mak the Beloved

7:30
Games/Movie. Appetizers. Music.

Saturday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Breakfast
Matthew 5:27-37. Lust, Divorce, and Vows
Pastor Mary Schaar, Stuttgart Germany

10:00 – Noon – Shop in Bethany’s Downtown

Noon – 1:00: Lunch – Meet at Bella Italia across from Sawyer Center

1:00 – 2:00 pm
Judgment: The Law, Anger and Reconciliation. Matthew 5:17-26
Mrs. Barbara Jones

2:00 – 4:00 pm -- Crafts at the Shannon House

4:00 – 5:00 pm – Retaliation vs. Loving your Enemies. Matt 5:38-48
Dr. Marty Michelson

Notes… Review of 2-6-13

We were blessed with Jenny’s testimony this week!  We’re looking forward to Phyllis’ testimony the next time we meet!

*A reminder- we don’t meet next week, but will resume our normal schedule on February 20^th.

This week we discussed the first part of Chapter 12, verses 1-32.  An overview of the reading:

a.    The Pharisees intentionally attack Jesus while he and his disciples are eating grain; ““Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

b.    Jesus refutes their claims with Scripture; ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’

c.     The Pharisees attack Jesus regarding Healing; Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

d.    Jesus counters with logic and compassion; “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?  How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!”

e.    The Pharisees see Jesus’ miracles as reasons for revenge; “But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”

f.      The Pharisees attack Jesus’ character by alleging that he is demon-posessed; “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

g.    Jesus refutes the assertions of the Pharisees through logic, once again; “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

h.    Jesus draws a line in the sand; “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”  The message says it this way; "This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my side, you're the enemy; if you're not helping, you're making things worse.”

i.      Jesus warns against the hardening of the heart; “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

Great points for reflection…

a.    Jesus’ arrival and the belief system he brought with him were more than just challenging, at the time.  It was a life-altering, society-defying Truth.  It took great courage to become a Christian during that time.

b.    Jan pointed out that it is interesting that the Pharisees never challenged Jesus’ ability to perform miracles.  There was an implicit acceptance and knowledge of his power found in their attacks and accusations; “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” & “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

c.     Jesus’ presentation to the world was unexpected and wholeheartedly reviled by the majority of the Jewish community.  The Jews were expecting a strong and militant King who would change their physical lives and conditions, rather than a suffering servant who would change their spiritual lives and in the condition of their hearts.

d.    Jesus used Scripture, logic, and the actions of the Pharisees themselves to turn their own arguments against them.  How can we use this example today, to effectively minister to the logic-driven society that we live in today?  How does our own belief system affect our ability to minister to others?  Does the authenticity of our faith have an effect?

e.    The definition of blasphemy came up, so I looked it up in and found this;

·      Biblestudytools.com has a dictionary, which defines it this way: Overt, verbal, and conscious repudiation of the fact that God is at work in Jesus.

·      There is also an article on Biblestudytools.com: http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/blasphemy-against-the-holy-spirit.html

·      Another interesting article from carm.org: http://carm.org/what-blasphemy-holy-spirit-can-christian-commit-it

f.      Lynette Leonard read the Message translation for perspective on blasphemy: “There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God's Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives.  If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you're sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.”

Stephoni finished up the night with a thought for reflection: “What do I believe?  How can I shape, define, and understand my own thoughts and beliefs in such a way that allows me to communicate them with others and love them more effectively?  What does it mean when I say, “There is a God.  He has a Son.  His Son is my savior.”

*Homework*

11.   Identity where Jesus claims to be the Messiah in Chapter 12.

  2.   Explain the parable in verses 43-45.

Prayer requests…

Sandy: Chris’ grandmother is in the hospital.  Please pray for her.

Barbara Jones: Son has decided to take in foster children.  Daughter-in-law is anxious about it.  Please pray for a good experience.

Phyllis: Daughter-in-law had a hysterectomy.

Melanie: Health in pregnancy.

Notes… Review of 1-30-13

We’re looking forward to Jenny’s testimony this coming week!

This week we discussed Chapter 11.  An overview of the chapter:

a.    John confronts Jesus with his doubt: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

b.    Jesus teaches John how to look for Truth through actions: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

c.     Jesus teaches that His Way is not easy: “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

d.    Jesus warns the hard of heart: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

e.    Jesus teaches about children: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”

f.      Jesus tells us that we can trust Him: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Great points for reflection…

a.    In Matthew 11:2-3: “When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”  Several of us questioned this, wondering why he would ask these questions.  There was much speculation, so Stephoni ended up going back to revisit the subject in the blog.

b.    In Matthew 4-6 Jesus replied to John’s question.  Stephoni pointed out that it is not insignificant that Jesus mentioned the fact that “the good news is proclaimed to the poor,” and that it is the only point made that is not a “miracle”.  The Scriptures predict this from our Savior.

c.     We discussed Matthew 11:29; “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  A yoke is used on oxen to harness and steer them.  It not only ties them to their master, but also promotes harmony.

d.    The paradox of the true freedom of Christ is found in the fact that we’re only truly free when we’re living well within the will of God, not living on the edges.

e.    Stephoni mentioned that it is telling that he says “Learn from me.” when speaking of taking the yoke.