Matthew 11-12

[wolfpurplemoon]

John the Baptist is in prison but sends his own followers to find out what this Jesus guy is all about, and whether he's for real. Jesus says to tell John that he's healing all sorts of people, and also tells everyone that John is Elijah. Jesus also says that the people don't like John because he doesn't socialise, and they don't like Jesus because he'll socialise with just about anyone.

Jesus then tells a couple of cities where he healed some people that he's really disappointed in them for not following him yet, they will get the same treatment as cities that were destroyed for their sin in the Old Testament if they don't wise up.

That didn't sound like it was going to go well for a moment, Jesus invites the people to come and rest because they are weary and burdened, he then tells them to carry his yoke, but luckily he then clarifies that his yoke is easy to carry and not heavy.

Jesus justifies breaking the rules of the Sabbath, apparently some other people did it before in the OT and they were fine, his accusers also say that it is illegal to heal people on the Sabbath, but he does it anyway so they go and plot his death. Jesus starts laying low, while being followed by crowds, healing people and telling them not to let anyone know he's there.

So they accuse him of being able to cast out demons because he has power from a demonic source (Sam from Supernatural anyone?), Jesus says this is ridiculous because Satan wouldn't cast out Satan (I dunno, if a demon was trying to get people to follow it for nefarious means he might cast out a few of his friends to appear good).

Oh the verse that was the premise for The Blasphemy Challenge from a few years ago, Matthew 12:32, denying the power of the holy spirit (like these people who claim that he's using demonic power and not the power of the holy spirit) is totally and forever unforgivable, um, oops!

Jesus' incredibly black and white view of humanity means that he sees people as either evil or good and says that nothing good could come from an 'evil' person. I don't think it's as simple as that.

Jesus rejects his mother and brothers when they come to see him, he prefers his disciples to his blood family, because they do the will of God.

Comments

[wolfpurplemoon]

He certainly doesn't seem to be in favour of family and has said a few other things I wouldn't agree with but I think I'll have to read more to have a firmer impression.

[dave-littler.livejournal.com]

"Jesus then tells a couple of cities where he healed some people that he's really disappointed in them for not following him yet, they will get the same treatment as cities that were destroyed for their sin in the Old Testament if they don't wise up."

It's this sort of "obey me or die" attitude which makes christianity - and the Jesus-figure that is at the centre of their mythology so fundamentally repugnant to me. People like to talk about Jesus being this "prince of peace" and all that, but he only seems to offer peace to the people who grovel at his feet and live the way he tells them to. I can see no fundamental difference between this sort of behaviour and that of the bloodthirsty tyrant of the old testament, and all the apologists in the the world can't convince me otherwise.

"Jesus justifies breaking the rules of the Sabbath, apparently some other people did it before in the OT and they were fine, his accusers also say that it is illegal to heal people on the Sabbath, but he does it anyway so they go and plot his death."

So much for coming to confirm the laws of the Old Testament. And that was just, what? Eight chapters earlier that he came and said that? He just kind of does whatever he wants to do and then justifies it after the fact with some pithy rejoinder. What a fucking clown.

[zen-says.livejournal.com]

difficult to believe aint it?

John when baptising Jesus, sky opened and a booming voice from sky said something. Now John the baptist still need to ask? That is how convincing jesus is, even to his cousin.

Casting out demons by other demons? Easy, come to Thailand, you be seeing who ibelongs to the more powerful deities, casting out the demon possessed people.

[zteccc.livejournal.com]

Jesus is now preaching and traveling without the twelve. John the Baptist's disciples come to see him and to verify that he is the Messiah. They were somewhat confused because the prevailing line of thinking of the Jews was that the Messiah would be a king in the political sense. They saw Jesus as a preacher, perhaps a prophet, but they were expecting a warrior, a hero, nobility, etc.
Jesus speaks well of John as a prophet and the prophesied messenger that would prepare the way for Jesus. Jesus uses the metaphor of Elijah, who was considered the greatest prophet of the Jews, to describe John.
Jesus then talks about the people of who aren't satisfied with John or Jesus. They claim that John had a demon in him because he fasted, they claim that Jesus is a drunkard and a sinner because he was a friend of sinners because he didn't fast. Jesus says that one can discern the truth by what people do (e.g. John talked about repentance from sin and baptized people, hardly the actions of someone demon-possessed; Jesus healed people and helped people, hardly the actions of a sinner).
Jesus rebukes the towns (a generalization) who witnessed miracles but did not accept that they were from God, nor did they return to worship of God. Much as occurred in the Old Testament, and even today, there were those who simply chose not to believe regardless of the evidence put in front of them.
Jesus then prays in thanksgiving (a different prayer than in Matthew 6 for those who thought there was only one acceptable prayer). He thanks God for sharing the news with ordinary people and not just "the elite" (the educated, religious, royal, etc.; if the Messiah had come as a king, he wouldn't likely have talked with commoners according to customs of the day).
The burden Jesus speaks of is sin. Everyone struggles with sin whether they admit it or not. It is a burden that people cannot get out from under because it brings guilt, fear, hopelessness, etc. People of Jesus' day tried to live according to the Law and its restrictions and to avoid sin, and then had to work harder to earn enough for their sacrifice for redemption of their sin. Jesus is saying that he offers a better path (more on this later).

[zteccc.livejournal.com]

The disciples picked some grain to eat on the Sabbath (this would have been considered work, and work wasn't supposed to be done on the Sabbath). The pharisees (holier than thou folks) were incensed. Jesus said that David once took food from the temple and he said that the priests work on the Sabbath and nobody calls them sinners for doing so. He challenged them to understand the scripture that says that mercy is greater than sacrifices (and by extension all of the religious rules that they followed). The pharisees had almost turned their rules into a sort of idolatry. They acted as if the rules were more important than people (common to many religions). I imagine that if someone were starving to death, they'd have wanted Jesus to hold to the rules rather than cook food to feed them. God is about Love. Sure, people should dedicate time to God, but they should also use a bit of common sense. The rules can be just as much of an idol as a figurine made out of rock or metal.
Jesus is challenged as to whether it is OK to heal a man on the Sabbath. Jesus again answered with a common sense answer, effectively the answer was yes, because it is always right to help people. The pharisees wanted him dead because he preached freedom of thought and common sense rather than bondage to the rules.
Jesus decided not to hang around and get killed. People followed and he healed them and asked them not to tell anyone (he didn't want to be turned in and killed).
Matthew draws a parallel between Jesus and Isaiah's words of God's chosen servant.
Jesus heals another blind man and the crowds ask if he could be the "Son of David". They are referring to the prophecy that the Messiah would be of the line of David.
The pharisees claimed that instead he was an agent of Beelzebul, ruler of demons.
Jesus answered their charge saying that a house divided cannot stand, if he was from Beelzebul or Satan then Beelzebul or Satan would be fighting against himself. He then asked the religious leaders if they also used the power of Beelzebul to cast out demons or if they instead used God's power through prayer. He said that he was using God's Spirit to drive out the demons (in the process conquering Satan's (the strong man's) strength to do so).
Jesus declares that people need to choose to follow him or they are against him. There is no middle ground.
Any sinful thing that we do or say can be forgiven except speaking against the Holy Spirit (another aspect of God). The pharisees knew that Jesus was using God's Spirit to drive out demons, just as they did, but they lied about it anyway. They effectively were saying that God was Satan. Note that this applied to the Pharisees because they knew God and still said the Spirit's power was Satan. If a young child were to say the same thing, they would not be of an age where they would be accountable. If an adult were to say such a thing without conviction (e.g. as a joke), then they would be guilty of a poor joke, but nothing more. In this, as with all things, it is the conviction of the person's heart (their faith) that matters. It only applies when someone knows God and rejects God. This is consistent because it is only through God (by following Jesus), that we are forgiven of sins, and in rejecting God we reject that forgiveness.
Some of the Pharisees (who didn't believe Jesus) wanted a dog and pony show from Jesus (they were trying to trap him). Jesus referenced Jonah and said that would be the only sign they'd get. Jesus is referring to his own death and resurrection where he would be buried, and three days later, he would be resurrected.
Jesus speaks about evil spirits and how they return stronger if their host doesn't turn from evil.
Jesus says that all who obey God, and who follow Jesus, are his brothers and sisters. Significant because we are not seen as subjects, servant, etc. We are important enough to be considered brethren (and therefore loved as such).

From me to you

[(Anonymous)]

I think it's pretty awesome your reading the Bible and journaling your thoughts on it, and your not even a "christian". If you read the entire Bible, you have done more than I have and I have been a believer for about 5 years.

An atheist reading the Bible

[(Anonymous)]

I did a simular thing about ten years ago. I did not do it as an atheist but an agnostic. I believe everyone should read the Bible or their own religious book once to decide what they think of it. Good for you. However, I see you are using atheist study helps while reading. To be fair, try reading unbiased. That way you come to your own conclusions. I did just that. I won't share my view, in fairness. I just ask that you read it on your own.

Re: An atheist reading the Bible

[wolfpurplemoon]

I'm not really using atheist study helps, the Skeptics Annotated Bible isn't exactly comprehensive and tends to be taking issue with the oddities of the KJV, which I stopped reading several months ago.

You're very welcome to share your view, many others have already!

Why do you bother

[cory sinklier (from livejournal.com)]

Wow! You sure are wasting a lot of time on something you don't believe in. Pride is what must be over come. It's not about having to grovel; it's about being willing to.