Author: 7streams

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April 7



Matthew 27-28

Today we are in the Christ Stream and we will finish the book of Matthew. We will cover our first reading of the crucifixion and resurrection as we read from the World English Bible this week.

 

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Today we read of what the world has been waiting thousands of years for.  History builds to this event.  The remainder of history reflects back on this event and draws inspiration to finish our call of Destiny.

 
27  – is the trial, crucifixion, and burial.  We are going to look at some of the distinctions of the other gospels compared to Matthew this time through.  If you wish to reference some of this, they are Mk 15, Lk 23, Jn. 18
 
Matthew says the chief priests and elders took counsel.  They had already met with Annas and Caiaphas and been convinced that it was better for one man to die instead of the whole nation…wrong intentions but they did supply the right answer.  They want him dead but they want Pilate to drop the gavel. Only Matthew gives detail of Judas here. Keep in mind that Matthew was a government worker prior to being a disciple -and the only one of the 12 to be so. Legal matters are more of an issue to him than to Mark, Luke and John.  All the disciples were from Galilee in the north except one; Judas.  Interesting that Matthew is possibly making an insinuation here about where “faithful ones” come from and vice versa.  When Matthew tells of him before the governor, John is describing this scene in much greater detail as being before Pilate, the discourse, the back and forth, and the frustration of all involved. From here Matthew tells the most in describing Barabbas, while John merely mentions him. Only Luke describes the scene of him in front of Herod. Matthew tells of the crown of thorns and the mocking as does Mk and John.  Lk doesn’t have that part.  At this point only John tells of Pilate being practically desperate to release Jesus as he addresses the crowd and then Jesus, back and forth. Finally Pilate delivers Jesus to them and washes his hands [only in Matthew] to symbolize that the guilt of killing Jesus is not on him. Only Matthew and Mk reference Jesus being scourged/whipped, but all four gospels say that Pilate then handed him over to be crucified.  Luke gives the most dialogue from when Jesus is going from Pilate to Golgotha (the Hebrew word for “skull”).  “Calvary” comes from a Latin derivative; a translation that plays out later.

Jesus is offered wine mixed with gall -Mark calls the gall–> myrrh.  And then He is crucified

The sign “This is Jesus, King of the Jews” is placed above him.  Mk /Lk only reference
“… King of the Jews”.  Matthew describes the whole sign for his gospel is written specifically to tell Jesus story to the Jews living in Israel/Jerusalem. [Mark writes to Jews everywhere, Luke write to Greeks, John writes to the whole world (Jn.3:16, “God so loved …the what?”  John [alone] describes the bantering over Jesus’ outfit. Mt, Mk, Lk all tell of Jesus being scoffed at; while Matthew tells the most about the derision. The thieves beside Jesus are merely mentioned by Mt./Mk.  Luke is the one who fully describes the dialogue between the two thieves and their contrasting attitudes. And Luke is the only one who describes the beautiful dialogue between Jesus and the penitent thief.  “Today, you will be with me in Paradise” is one of the most beautiful things ever spoken.  It is also a marvelous testament to “being saved by grace”.
The death of Jesus is told by all four who focus and highlight various things distinctively.  Matthew gives the greatest description of the natural phenomenon: curtain tearing, earthquake, ground splitting, tombs breaking open, and multiple resurrections!  Only John tells of Jesus’ side being pierced. Matthew gives the least detail about Jesus’ burial, but he is the only one to tell of the issue of guards at the tomb and more guards being added.
 
28 – Looking only through Matthew for the finale~ here, He tells of the women going to the tomb, the earthquake (more nature detail), and the angels informing them of Jesus Resurrection.  Now they must also go tell the others. Then Jesus appears to them! and also tells them to tell the disciples that He’s alive and they must go to Galilee to meet Him there.  Hey, what better assignment to give to a group of ladies? What do they love better than spreading good news with no other agenda but to be spreading good news.  God knows how to spread the word around, eh?!
Meanwhile there’s a scheme afloat back among the chief priests to spread false rumors about the Resurrection being faked.  — good luck with that.
 
Jesus had other appearances, but Matthew focuses on the Galilee scene next to highlight the Great Commission mainly.  He tells them to take this gospel to the whole world and to obey all His commands and assures them that He will be with them always until the End of the Age.   These words have motivated more action than any other sentence ever spoken.  Hundreds of thousands come to Christ daily even today because of this word from Jesus.  It triggers more missions and publishing and evangelism and salvations and related activity of ministry than any other single thing ever … ONE SENTENCE.  Matthew is so focused on making this the finale~ of his book that he ends with it.  ‘doesn’t even mention Jesus going up and ascending back to God.  Good Heavens.  We need to obey this verse here.
 
Lord, you went through it all so we would have all of you and take all of you to all of the world.  Thank you for being with us still and that you always will.  Amen
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April 6

 

Hosea 1-2

We are in the Exile Stream starting a new book – Hosea. We are reading from the World English Bible this week.

 

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

What we read of Hosea the Prophet is found almost solely in this book.  There is precious little written about Hosea elsewhere.  He came on the scene just before Isaiah and Micah, and was younger than Amos.  His work of living and prophesying to the north was right around 760 B.C. – 720 B.C.  For what it’s worth, the first stones of the city of Rome were being laid and the first columns and colonnades were being erected as Hosea was beginning his painful years of ministry.  When he began, the northern Kingdom had been split from the south for about 200 years and was at it’s height of power and wealth.  During Hosea’s lifetime it went from it’s height under King Jeroboam II to being decimated as the Assyrian Army ransacked the nation under Israel’s King Hoshea. God had sent Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, and Amos to the north. All four had come from the south. Now he was sending Hosea into ministry – he was from the north. So they may have referred to him as “a local”. Hosea is addressing the nations rampant problem of adultery. They had worshiped an idol of a calf for two centuries and that had long morphed into a horrendous mess. The population in the north was utterly degraded. Hardly a child, nor a home, nor a marriage was intact. Chastity was not valued or protected.  At the rate they were going, it would not be long before God would “vacuum up” THESE particular people and throw them it into the dustbin of history.

 
Hosea 1 – notice the kings listed here are the same kings listed in Isaiah 1.  From the start, Hosea is ordered to ‘do as the locals’: have children with a prostitute. SHE will be your wife. God had been true to these people all through their history, and yet they go about “whoring” – to use KJV term.  Imagine the pain that adultery causes God. We are called to one God and to live it out with one spouse.  But humans want a dark version of “freedom” from this…and from God. Hosea, under God’s orders, has three children with Gomer the prostitute. Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi.
 
Jezreel is the first son’s name because the House of Israel would finally end here (722BC) The bloody mess that Jehu responded to would be avenged (see II Kings 10:1ff)  Son; Jezreel’s birth was a statement that retribution was on its way. The decapitations in
 II Kings 10 would be repeated by the Assyrians swarming in (II Kings 17:5 ca. a century later).  It would be a horror show sequel to put it lightly.  Only the death scale would rise “1000” times over.
 
Lo-Ruhamah, a daughter is born and her name means “not loved”. The love and mercy from God is soon overwith for Israel. They had smacked God in the face for two centuries. He had had enough of the Northern Kingdom.
 
Lo-Ammi another son is born and his name means “not my people”.  It’s sad symbolism, isn’t it?!  The death of a people was imminent
Still God’s goodness comes forth in the final two verses as God tells of his intention to grow his people and to unite them.
 
Hosea 2 – The 2nd and 3rd children are referenced in the first verse here.  Mr. “not my people” and Miss “not loved (no mercy)” are to be told, “you ARE my people, You ARE loved.”  Mother is to stop the prostitution.  All are to come home again to where she was truly cared for and not just offered gifts and luxuries at a pimp’s place – though soon to be deserted by this liar.  God wants to call them home like parents call children for supper.   But they won’t come. but He still loves them, still they won’t come. But He still loves…  So God’s love will be opened up (Hosea 1:10) to whosoever will (Romans 9:24-26). The Romans’ reference is worth checking before the day passes.  God is certainly good to us, regardless how we dismiss, ignore, or swat away his love.
 
Lord make us like you, please make us like you. Your goodness, even in the face of being treated treacherously by your own children, is nearly unfathomable. May we be infused with your relentless love. Amen
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April 5

Isaiah 50-54

We are in the Prophetic Stream today. We will be covering the famous chapter Isaiah 53 as we read from the World English Bible this week.

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord, you serve and send The Savior.  It is truly you and your work for us that saves.  Keep us filled with faith and gratitude.  Bless you Lord,  Amen.

The theme of this section of scripture is that the LORD will serve His people; they will be redeemed and restored and The Servant of the LORD will aid and protect them in Zion. This idea has been seen scattered throughout Isaiah but the resumption of this thinking comes into full view here as this concept has been accumulating through Isaiah’s book.

 
50 – it begins with the nation in dismay, but God assures immediately they he can redeem from any situation. God has full control over nature, the LORD speaks, he gives us “ear to hear”, He helps, The Lord calls all to come to Him and trust Him – to stop trusting in their own plans; contrare~ plans that they think are going to be of any protection.
 
51 – These next two chapters are devoted to telling of Zion’s redemption and restoration. Judah would go into captivity in the future, but God’s plan for His own has never wavered. His commitment to Abraham and Sarah has not been down graded or altered in the least. God’s plan is endless – so listen to God, come to God, look to God, He will strengthen – but they needed to adorn themselves in Him. Remember ALL He has done!  He comforts and calms and liberates. The delirium that comes from disobedience is akin to drunkenness and need never be a problem to them again.
 
52 – This chapter is also pure wonderment.  It is the day of Zion’s triumph.  It’s so beautiful it is actually a song.  There’s no way to list all the great things God is up to and not simply recite the whole chapter –> again.  This is truly a song of happy days.  People who’ve sung “Our God Reigns” since for-ev-er may wonder where it comes from.  It’s from here! v. seven has the whole song within it.  The rest of the chapter is just as marvelous.
 
53 – The fascination of this chapter merely grows with time.  Isaiah told so many details about a Savior and he is describing Him 700 years before His arrival.  The details cannot be ignored or altered if one religions’ description of a Savior doesn’t match God’s. Some have tried to explain this chapter away as being some other person from some other era or to be someone who is coming yet in the future.  This chapter is Jesus and what He has done to heal, to forgive, and to save.
 
54 – The fascination here is that Zion is going to expand; expand in every way, the people, the land, the blessing, the dwellings, and the beauty; the adornment, the jewels, oh my!  It will all be the wonderful work of God.  The people of Zion have suffered, but God’s mercy and comfort and lovingkindness will prevail and ‘win the day’.  Zion will prevail in righteousness.