Matthew
Lesson 6Matthew Chapters 11-13
We continue our study of Matthew and a look at some of Christ’s parables on the Gospel, His Messiahship, and about the Kingdom of Heaven. We will observe a decided turn in the direction of Jesus’ ministry and His approach to teaching, as we delve into this lesson. We will also learn a great deal about His Kingdom and His sacrifice for us.
For this lesson, read Matthew Chapters 11, 12 and 13 and answer the following:
- In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus invite people to do?
- In farming what is the purpose of a "yoke", and how would that relate or apply to us today?
- What "burden" is Christ referring to when he says that His "burden is light"?
- In the first twelve chapters of Matthew’s Gospel, John the Baptist, and then Jesus, preach repentance to the Jews. Things begin to change in Jesus’ teaching approach beginning in Chapter 13. Can you identify what happened, and how Jesus changed his approach?
- What do we note that happened in Matthew 11:20?
- Then, what do we see happening in Matthew 12:14?
- In Matthew 12:15-21, what do we see beginning to happen? (see especially verses 18 and 21)
- As we noted in a previous question, beginning in Chapter 13, Christ taught in parables. Specifically why did he do this? (see Matt. 13:10-14)
- What do the parables of "The Sower", "The Wheat and the Tares", "The Mustard Seed", and "The Leaven" all have in common (apart from the fact of course that Jesus taught them)?
- What do the parables of "The Hidden Treasure" and "The Pearl of Great Price" both have in common?
- What is the basic truth that Jesus was hiding in these parables?
- In looking at the parables of "The Wheat and the Tares", "The Mustard Seed", and "The Leaven", what principles can be seen as common to all three?
- Often misunderstood and diversely interpreted, the parables of "The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven" were easily understood by the disciples (see Matt. 13:51). If that be the case, then Christ’s references to two common Jewish symbols would have needed no explanation, that of leaven and that of the birds. If leaven represents evil, or sin (as we know that it does), what might the birds represent? (See Matt. 13:4)
- If the parable of "The Wheat and Tares" shows us the Church today on earth, with righteous and unrighteous intermixed by Satan’s schemes, what would Christ be telling us in the other two parables ("The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven"), that would be consistent with this theme?
In this lesson, we have observed Christ turn from teaching principles about Christian living to teaching principles about His kingdom, the Church, and our adversary Satan. From the His last two parables, we can deduce that He is the person who gave "all that he had" to purchase us. Recently, I have been meditating on the crucifixion and the horrible price Christ paid for us. I would encourage you to dedicate some time to do the same.
In light of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, I also considered that Jesus was slain just as the blood a lamb was sacrificed on this "Day of Atonement" for the sins of the Jews. Just as it was in the beginning, when innocent blood was shed for pelts to cover man from his sins, so it is that Christ, the Lamb of God, was slain for us. And above all, he did all of this because God saw in us a treasure worth giving all that He had in order to purchase us.
His love for us is greater than we can ever imagine. I pray that we will all come to see that we are the treasure that Christ purchased, and that we will commit to reflect His glory in our lives in return for all that he has done for us.
Have a great week everyone!
In Christ,
Wes
[2017]