Friday Playlist: Matthew 16:21 - 22:46

The tension of the narrative will build during this week’s reading as we approach our final week of readings from the book of Matthew. We will walk with Jesus into Jerusalem this week and begin reading the section of Matthew which describes the interaction that Jesus has with the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

Track One: Matthew 16:21 - 17:13
Today’s reading includes the first “Passion” prediction of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. The “Passion” is the term used most often to describe the crucifixion of Jesus. During today’s reading you will notice a sharp tension between Jesus and Peter, one of his disciples. As you read this short section of scripture, take some time to consider the reasons behind this strain.

In terms of the relationship that Jesus had established with Peter [Peter had decided to follow Jesus as his disciple] what do you make of the language of Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in 16:23?

What does it mean to take up your cross? What are some of the practical examples that come to your mind?

In what ways might you be tempted to “save your own life?”

In what ways might you be called to “lose your life?”

As you think about the previous two questions, read this statement from my Study bible.

“Saving one’s life means not confronting the injustice of the present, but settling for safe self interest. To lose one’s life is to embrace the alternative practices and community that embody God’s empire.”

How does this statement impact your thinking?

In the section on the Transfiguration, we again find Peter and Jesus with a conflicting opinion. What does Peter want to do?

Why does Jesus disagree?

We have talked at length throughout our reading of Matthew about the parallels in this Gospel story with Exodus and the heritage of Judaism. Where do we see that at work in the story of the Transfiguration?

Track Two: Matthew 17:14 - 18:20
Who is Jesus upset with in vs. 17?

What’s ironic about the statement that Jesus makes in vs. 20?

What might Jesus be trying to communicate to his disciples about the nature of faith?

17:22 : This is the second of Jesus’ passion predictions.

Looking at 18:1-14, work through the following questions.

What does this say about God?

What does this say about humanity?

What does this say about the relationship between God and God’s world?

Looking at 18:15-20
Even in the midst of the Kingdom values that Jesus lays out in verses, 1-14 of chapter 18, there is a still a recognition that conflict will occur.

What’s the goal of the process that Jesus lays out in vs. 15-20?

Looking at the process Jesus lays out, what are the implications for the way you usually deal with conflict in your life?

Track Three: Matthew 18:21 - 19:30
If you were providing a title for the first parable in this section of scripture, what would it be?

How does forgiveness work in your life? Do you find it easy? What’s the fruit of forgiveness for you? How have you dealt with unforgiveness in your life?

One of the issues that is sometimes missed in the section of divorce is that the nature of divorce in the time of Jesus was much different than we think of it today. Verse 7 illustrates that when it says, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” Jesus is being asked specifically about “male-initiated” divorce which often left women totally outcast from society. Remember, Jesus is speaking to a culture where women were considered property, could be divorced at the whim of the husband, were not seen as reliable witnesses, and were not to be spoken to by other men in public.

With that information in mind, what is Jesus saying about divorce?

What is Jesus saying about the “value” of women?

This social critique continues in the next section where Jesus welcomes children. Again, children had the same “value” as women in the Ancient world.

What is jesus saying about children and the way society understands them?

Looking at the parable of the Rich Young Ruler, notice the way Jesus changes the language of the man’s request in verse 20.

How does he change it? Any ideas why?

In what ways have you found your possessions possessing you?

Consider this note from my study bible.

“To live a life that deprives people of necessary resources, that maintain social inequities, makes it impossible to participate in God’s empire.”

All throughout the Old Testament, we find God instructing his people to be aware of the “gap” between the rich and the poor. God goes so far as to say that the responsibility for limiting that gap rests with the powerful, not the poor.

In what ways does that challenge you?

In what ways does that challenge our culture of consumption?

Track Four: Matthew 20:1 - 21:17
If the first parable of this section is to illustrate how God acts, would you call God’s actions fair? Why or why not?

vs. 17-20 : Jesus’ third passion prediction

In vs. 21-28, we find the Mother of James & John responding to Jesus in the way you might expect someone to respond who had been schooled in a culture of imperial domination. Within the framework of the “worldly kingdom,” her request makes sense, but Jesus challenges those hidden assumptions about power and authority.

In what ways might we still approach Jesus with requests and desires that are shaped by our culture rather than by the Kingdom of God?

Do you see our obsession with “success” in today’s world as a modern day parallel? If so, in what way?

Track Five: Matthew 21:18 - 22:46
Looking at verses 21: 17-46, work through these questions.

What is Jesus saying about the religious leadership in Jerusalem?

What is at the heart of their offense?

In what way might you guess this story is going to end?

Looking at 22:1-14.

What does this passage say about God?

What does this passage say about us?

What does this passage say about the relationship between God and God’s world?

Finally, as you work through the rest of your readings, I want you to take notice of the frustration experienced by the religious leadership in that they cannot find a way to deal directly with Jesus. He will not answer some of their questions. He sidesteps the land mines they place for him. Jesus isn’t giving them any room for them to fulfill their agenda.

They can’t get rid of Jesus… In our readings next week, we will see that the religious leaders finally have to turn towards an alternative solution to the problem of Jesus.