Lesson 18, Day 1 (01/24/06) Outline of Readings

Matthew 1, 2 (Birth Narrative)
Matthew 3-7 (Radical Discipleship)

1:1-17 Jesus' place in Israel's family tree
Messiah ["anointed" in Hebrew; "Christos" in Greek]
4 women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba
deportation (Exile)
fourteen is numerical value of "David" in Hebrew
genealogy as memory aid
1:18-25 Jesus' conception and birth
angels and dreams communicate God's plan
"Jesus" in Greek; "Joshua" in Hebrew
fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14
2:1-12 The birth of Jesus and Herod the Great
wise men (Magi)
star (Numbers 24:17)
written by the Prophet (Micah 5:2)
gold, frankincense, myrrh (Isaiah 60:6)
2:13-23 The flight to Egypt and return
out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1)
3:1-12 Preparing the way
kingdom of Heaven
John's asceticism (2 Kings 1:8; Zechariah 13:4; Leviticus 11:20-23)
Pharisees & Sadducees
bear fruit: goal of life according to Jesus
fire as agent of purification, not destruction
winnowing fork (separation) & fire (destruction of wicked)
3:13-17 Jesus' baptism
righteousness = justice
dove as symbol of new creation after flood (Genesis 8:8-12)
4:1-11 Jesus and the devil
to be tempted (Genesis 22:1; Deuteronomy 13:3; Psalm 81:7)
forty: conventional number for lengthy period of time (Exodus 34:28)
Son of God
holy city = Jerusalem
4:12-25 The beginning of Jesus' ministry
John's arrest as stimulus
Isaiah 9:1-2
synagogues (business, politics, religion)
Decapolis (federation of 10 Hellenistic cities)
5:1-7:27 The Sermon on the Mount
1st of 5 discourses (see also: chapters 5-7, 10. 13, 18, 23-25)
5:1-12 The Beatitudes
Jesus ascends the mountain (Exodus 19:3)
blessed = happy or satisfied (Psalm 1:1)
ideal characteristics (Isaiah 61:2)
meek = aware of one's proper position (Psalm 37:11)
righteousness = fairness, justice (Psalm 72:2)
pure in heart = sincere, free from mixed motives (Psalm 24:4; Psalm 51:10)
5:13-16 The disciple in the world
salt as preservative and flavoring agent
lamp = David and his descendants (1 Kings 11:36; Psalm 132:17)
fulfill God's plan for Israel (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6)
5:17-48 Jesus and the Law
community understanding of the Torah (Law)
Prophets (2nd division of Hebrew Bible)
scribes = authoritative interpreters of the Law
God's purpose in giving the Law
core of nonviolence of Jesus' teachings
second mile = spare another person
5:43-48 Love and wholeness
love your neighbor, but do not hate your enemy (Leviticus 19:18; Exodus 23:4-5)
perfect = merciful
complete obedience (Deuteronomy 18:13) and holiness (Leviticus 19:2)
6:1-8 On justice and prayer
piety = justice, righteousness
alms = charitable gifts (Tobit 4:7)
hypocrites: actors vs. moralists (Sirach 1:29)
acts of justice (private) vs. Roman philanthropy (public)
6:9-15 The Lord's Prayer
Father (Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8)
God's kingdom = God's rule
on earth as it is in heaven = reflect God's priorities
daily bread (basic needs) vs. bread for tomorrow (eschatological banquet)
debts = sins
reciprocity is vital
6:16-18 Fasting
third example of pious deeds
mark of individual piety
6:19-34 Religion and possessions
heart = center of will
warning: concern for basic needs supersedes God's rule
balance human needs with service to God (disciple's trust in God)
7:1-6 Making judgments within the community
avoiding judgment
what is holy (meat from sacrifices)
7:7-29 Concluding the Sermon on the Mount
practical advice for the community
asking for material needs
Golden Rule
naive vs. wise, shrewd & gentle
metaphor of 2 roads (Proverbs 7:27; Proverbs 15:27; Jeremiah 21:8)
false prophets = teachers of false doctrine
ravenous wolves (Ezekiel 22:27; Zephaniah 3:3)
go away evildoers (Psalm 6:8)
sermon as "constitution" for Matthew's church