We learned early in this study the importance of cultural context. Later we learned about how to read the stories in the Bible. Now we will go back and do both again. The new Testament is made up of about 60% stories, most found in the Four Gospels and the book of Acts. The cultural context in Christ’s day had some similarities and differences from the cultural context of the Old Testament days.
- Read Matthew 9:9-13 a few times carefully. (If possible, read a few different versions of the text using some on-line tools if needed.)
- Why do you think the Pharisees were so offended by Jesus’ actions?
- What did Jesus mean by His words “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice”?
We have to understand the cultural context for this text and these questions to make a lot of sense. Eating meals together in this culture was something that the Pharisees saw as another way to prove themselves holy and separated from those who were not the select and elite of God or those who didn’t keep the law the way they did. It was not just seen in what they ate but who they ate with.
Jesus kept some of these cultural habits as well but often He would eat with both the Religious Elite and those who didn’t meet their legalistic requirements. He reached out to those who were forgotten as well as those who saw themselves as special. Jesus sharing meals with these people enacted God’s grace – He showed love and grace. He was welcoming open participation into a new society.
- Is there anything that makes more sense now that you understand the cultural context?
- What ways can modern day religious peoples put up barriers between themselves and those who don’t follow Christ?
- What are creative ways you can express God’s grace, extending love and forgiveness to people around you who aren’t “religious”?
- How can you apply Matthew 9:9-13 specifically to your life and church this week?
No comments:
Post a Comment