The Motley Crew – November3, 2010

Matthew 21:18-27

Read Matthew 21:18-22

1. Why make such a big deal out of a fig tree?

2. Could this tree picture something else?

3. I wonder how the owner felt about Jesus blasting his fig tree?

4. What does this say about the power of prayer?

Read Matthew 21:23-27

5. Are the religious leaders learning anything?

6. Do you notice how Jesus practiced what He preaches?

7. How are you doing at practicing what you preach?

8. So whose authority is making all of this happen?

All citations from the Holy Bible are from the New International Version, used with permission.

The Motley Crew – November3, 2010

Matthew 21:18-27

We opened with prayer.

Before we looked at this week's readings, we had a long, thoughtful discussion concerning the challenge faced by Christians who want to hold true to God's teachings in a pluralistic world. This is not unique to us in the 21^st century. Christians since the time of the Apostles have had similar struggles as evidenced by the writings of Christians for the last 2,000 years. It's helpful to remember that Plato (it is said) bemoaned the lack of civility of his younger generation (I guess that Aristotle was just “out of control” as a boy).

In this case, the daughter of one of our members attempted to talk in a Christian context about a relative who was involved in a same sex relationship. In the course of the discussion, she was slammed down each time she attempted to make a point about the Bible's teaching concerning such relationships.

There was a discussion of the distinction between judgment and discernment. In Matthew 7:1-2: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” But by the same token, we have the obligation to discern:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:15-20.

It was emphasized here that the daughter was not approaching this situation in a judgmental manner.

Likewise, the Church has an obligation to make such discernment as part of the Office of the Keys, Matt. 16:19; see The Office of the Keys as understood by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Pastor Eddie mentioned the process of ministering to an unrepentant sinner: talk to the person privately. If that fails, take one or two witnesses as directed by both the Old Testament (Deut. 19:15) and the New Testament (Matt. 18:16). If that fails, then the issue is taken to the congregation where the individual must be treated as a Gentile or a tax collector. See generally Matt. 18:15-18.The person is then denied Communion, but is still permitted to worship (and we would pray that that person would hear the Word, recognize the sin, repent and receive absolution, thereby being fully restored to God and to the Church). Diane mentioned the similar practice in the Catholic Church where some individuals are denied Communion but permitted to worship, presumably for the same reason that from worship can come realization of sin and then repentance.

The teaching of Matthew 7:6 came up: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” And Pastor Eddie added the teaching from the time when the disciples were sent out two by two that when they come into the home of a person that they would give their peace. “If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Matthew 10:13-14.

By the same token, however, we remembered the teaching to hate the sin but love the sinner. Beth shared a story of an uncle who had chosen to leave his wife and daughter and enter a same sex relationship. The aunt took the position that while the marriage was ended, the man was still her daughter's father and would not be excluded (the daughter should not be punished for the sin of the father). Beth took her cue from that aunt, and many years later, the uncle came to Beth, thanking her.

We talked about the fact that we are all sinners, every one of us. That we are saved is an unspeakable gift, but we must never take the approach that we're the saints and others are the sinners. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector came to mind. Luke 18:9-14. “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Likewise we must always remember while we hold true to our understanding of God's Word and Will, nevertheless, we only have partial knowledge of God's Word and Will. “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully.” 1 Cor. 13:12. Humility must be our by-word. The story of Galileo comes to mind as well.

The challenge of holding true to the clear teachings of the Bible in a relativistic world was discussed. But ultimately if you are a believer, the teachings of the Bible are all or nothing. This is the Word of God, and we can't pick and choose among God's teachings, even for the most compassionate of reasons. In the end, perhaps the best we can do is to teach and preach the Word, and pray:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Read Matthew 21:18-22. The Fig Tree Withers

18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.

21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Note: The “I tell you the truth” phrase is a translation of the very important Greek phrase that we have often seen in Matthew's Gospel: αμήν λέγω ήμπν (“Amen I say to you”). Whenever we see this phrase, we should pay particular attention to that teaching of Our Lord. As Dr. Lenski observed, this is “the seal of verity and of authority” (Lenski, p. 669). We can expect to see this one on the “Final!”

We have seen similar language in Matthew 17:14-20, Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy:

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Here again is that phrase in the Greek: αμήν λέγω ήμπν (“Amen I say to you”).

1. Why make such a big deal out of a fig tree?

The fig tree represented Israel, especially that part of the Jewish people who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. In particular, the commentators have identified the leadership: the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Scribes.

There is also the parallel between “Daughter of Zion” in verse 5, and the fig tree in verse 19. The “Daughters of Zion” is said to refer to those Jews that believe in Christ, that is, those who have heard and believed, while the fig tree refers to the unbelieving leaders and people of the Jewish faith who have heard but did not believe.

Mark's Gospel helps us to understand the context more fully (“Scripture Interprets Scripture”). Mark begins his account by writing:

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Mark 11:12-13.

One of our members pointed out that the fig trees usually set their fruit before the leaves filled out; another member also mentioned that fig trees have three seasons, spring, summer, and late fall (lasting through the winter). See Lenski, p. 822.

In this case, because the fig tree was in leaf, it was assumed that it would bear fruit. This is like the Pharisees: they promise much, but have little spiritual fruit to offer one who is spiritually hungry. A.T. Robertson quoted Bruce who wrote: “The cursing of the fig-tree has always been regarded as of symbolic import, the tree being in Christ's mind an emblem of the Jewish people, with a great show of religion and no fruit of real godliness.”

2. Could this tree picture something else?

The Judgment Day. There Jesus will pronounce judgment on those who have failed to believe. But in this case, the fig tree has pronounced judgment on itself, as the unbelieving Pharisees have also done. They have condemned themselves by their lack of belief. Christ did not pronounce a curse, as some translations have incorrectly rendered this verse. Rather, He has tendered His Judgment. Dr. Lenski wrote: “This tree pictured unbelieving Judaism. Its withering because of the word of Jesus pictured the divine judgment that blasted this nation....” (Lenski, p. 825). Men remove fruitless fruit trees, Dr. Lenski observed, and so will God in due time. Lenski, pp. 825-26.

3. I wonder how the owner felt about Jesus blasting his fig tree?

No problem there. A tree along the side of the road has no owner, and is thus available to all. Pastor Eddie shared that this was the case in Ethiopia during his recent visit as well. Any tree along the side of the road is free game for any who pass by.

4. What does this say about the power of prayer?

If you have faith and do not doubt, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Your faith will save you. Importantly, prayer must be the first step, not a last resort, in times of trouble.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:5-6 (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Of course, no prayer will be answered unless what is asked for is best for me. As we all recall, Paul asked for relief from his “thorn,” but that was not what was best for him. Instead, God gave him the grace to bear the “thorn” in his life, as He does for all of us. While I might want a Lamborghini, that is unlikely to be God's will for me, and I am unlikely to receive it no matter how long I pray.

You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2-3

A frequent paring in the Old Testament is the fig tree and the grape vine (“I am the Vine”). Beth shared two important texts that bear on what we have been talking about today.

Jeremiah 8:13 (NIV © 2010)

“‘I will take away their harvest,
declares the LORD.
There will be no grapes on the vine.
There will be no figs on the tree,
and their leaves will wither.
What I have given them
will be taken from them.’”

Micah 7:1 (NIV © 2010). Israel’s Misery.

What misery is mine!
I am like one who gathers summer fruit
at the gleaning of the vineyard;
there is no cluster of grapes to eat,
none of the early figs that I crave.

Another text that also relates to our topics today is:

Hosea 9:10 (NIV © 2010)

“When I found Israel,
it was like finding grapes in the desert;
when I saw your ancestors,
it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.

And in this respect, check out Isaiah 5:1-7 (NIV © 2010). The Song of the Vineyard, which begins:

"I will sing for the one I love
a song about his vineyard:
My loved one had a vineyard
on a fertile hillside."

In short, pray hard, and hold on for the ride! “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,” says James (5:16). And don't forget what happened to Peter in the middle of the Sea of Galilee when he has a moment's doubt (do you ever get that sinking feeling?).

“...when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7.

A final note about this incident comes from Clark's Commentary on the Bible.:

Removing mountains, and rooting up of mountains, are phrases very generally used to signify the removing or conquering great difficulties - getting through perplexities. So, many of the rabbis are termed rooters up of mountains, because they were dexterous in removing difficulties, solving cases of conscience, etc. In this sense our Lord's words are to be understood. He that has faith will get through every difficulty and perplexity; mountains shall become molehills or plains before him. The saying is neither to be taken in its literal sense, nor is it hyperbolical: it is a proverbial form of speech, which no Jew could misunderstand, and with which no Christian ought to be puzzled.

See also Lenski, p. 669 and p. 824.

Read Matthew 23-27. The Authority of Jesus Questioned

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"

24 Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"

They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men'—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."

27 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

5. Are the religious leaders learning anything?

These guys seem to be a little slow on the uptake, considering how many times they've tried to trap Jesus in His three year ministry, and their total lack of success to date.

The earliest of these confrontations was recorded in John 2:18, after the first cleansing of the Temple: “The Jews then responded to him, 'What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?' ” (The full citation from this Gospel is reproduced below).

Dr. Lenski observed on p. 827: “... we see that in three years they had not advanced a single step beyond the first challenge they made in John 2:18. Unbelief is really non-progressive.”

Pssst. Don't tell anybody, but I read ahead. The Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes are about to have another three-and-out inning. Stay tuned for Chapter 22.

“Here Jesus uses a deadly dilemma, a form of logic which caught the Sanhedrists on its two horns. The baptism of John was either from heaven or it was from men; it was either divine or not divine (only human). … The Sanhedrists are compelled to choose one of the two horns and thus to impale themselves.” Lenski, p. 828.

“They well knew by what authority he did this. He had not concealed his power in working miracles, and had not kept back the knowledge that he was the Messiah. He therefore referred them to a similar case - that of John the Baptist. He knew the estimation in which John was held by the people, and he took the wise in their own craftiness. Whatever answer they gave, he knew they would convict themselves, and so they saw when they looked at the question. They reasoned correctly. If they should say that John received authority to baptize from God or from heaven, he would directly ask why they did not believe him. They professed to hear all the prophets. If they said, "Of men," they would be in danger, for all the people believed that John was a prophet.” Barnes' Notes on the Bible.

6. Do you notice how Jesus practiced what He preaches?

From the very beginning of His ministry to the very end of His ministry, we see Him teaching and healing. In John's Gospel, after the first cleansing and His meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus and His disciples go into the Judean countryside teaching, preaching and healing.

In the last days of His ministry, there is a special urgency. These are the last hours. The parables and warnings that He shares with us then bear special attention. And at the very end, just before the Ascension,

… Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV).

7. How are you doing at practicing what you preach?

Some days are better than others.

It was brought up that after someone passes away, we often hear what a saintly fellow or lady he or she was. Why is this? In fact, even though we've been redeemed, we're all both saints and sinners in this life, and won't become perfected until we are united with the Father.

A couple of members mentioned grandma's teaching not to speak ill of the dead. Pastor Eddie seized on this, asking that since two individuals had said this separately, was this someplace in the Bible? Maybe in one of the Minor Prophets – where I'm on pretty shaky ground anyway [this is Doug writing, not Eddie] – or perhaps one of the Psalms or one of the Proverbs? No, it was decided, it is just a bit of common wisdom.

Charlie's spirit must have been with us … as I heard someone quip: “Nobody ever said anything about my Uncle Frank being a saint.”

8. So whose authority is making all of this happen?

God, the Father.

We closed with prayer.

Mark your calendars. There will be no Motley Crew Bible Study on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Parallel Verses

As we discussed last week, Mark's Gospel gives a more accurate chronological account, while Matthew concentrates his writings on the major themes in the ministry of our Lord. For a good outline of our Lord's ministry, see: An Outline of the Life of Jesus. The home page is Bible History Online. This wonderful web site has a tremendous wealth of information that can be of help to the Biblical scholar, including

Bible Maps | Study Tools | Quotes | Archaeology | Biblical Customsx  Illustrations x Ancient Images | Museum Art | Geography

For Additional Study

Online Resources

Book of Concord in PDF Format, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod <http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/TrigBOC.pdf> (2MB file)

These texts are in the public domain and may be copied and distributed freely. The source of these translations is Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921).

A number of important Lutheran texts can be found in the Belief and Practice section of the website of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=112

John S. C. Abbott and Jacob Abbott, Illustrated New Testament
http://www.studylight.org/com/ain/

Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament
http://www.studylight.org/com/bnn/

Harold F. Buls
http://www.pericope.org/buls-notes/index.html and
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-bul.html
Adapted from Exegetical Notes, Series A, Festival Season Sundays, Gospel Texts, by Harold H. Buls, Concordia Theological Seminary Press: Ft Wayne IN, 1980

The Adam Clarke Commentary
http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/

Burton Coffman, Commentary on the Whole Bible
http://www.studylight.org/com/bcc/

John Darby, Synopsis of the Bible
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/darby/matthew1.htm

The Greek Interlinear Bible,
http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm
Based on NA26/27. A word-by-word translation of the Greek New Testament.

David Guzik, Commentaries on the Bible
http://www.studylight.org/com/guz/

The Geneva Study Bible
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/geneva/matthew1.htm

John Gill, Exposition of the Bible
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/gill/matthew1.htm

Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete)
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/mh/matthew1.htm

Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/mhc/matthew1.htm

Jamieson, Faussett and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/jfb/matthew1.htm

B.W. Johnson, People's New Testament
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/johnson/matthew1.htm

John Lightfoot, Bible Commentary
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/light/matthew1.htm

Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians
http://www.studylight.org/com/mlg/

J. W. McGarvey, Original Commentary on Acts
http://www.studylight.org/com/oca/

J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton, The Fourfold Gospel (also known as "Harmony Of the Four Gospels")
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/four/matthew1.htm

Alexander Maclaren's commentaries on the books of the Bible (various titles)
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/m#a2330

The NET Bible. <http://bible.org/netbible/> A completely new translation of the Bible with 60,932 translators’ notes. It was completed by more than 25 scholars – experts in the original biblical languages – who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Excellent notes, citing both the Greek and Hebrew, as needed. Greek and Hebrew fonts available without cost.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures of the New Testament
http://www.studylight.org/com/rwp/

C. I. Scofield, The Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
http://www.studylight.org/com/srn/

Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David
http://www.studylight.org/com/tod/

R.A. Torrey, The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
http://www.studylight.org/com/tsk/

W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
http://www.antioch.com.sg/bible/vines/

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/wesley/matthew1.htm

Other Additional Resources:
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/SPLC/Motley%20Crew%20Research%20Resources.html

Other Resources

Barker, Kenneth L., ed., TNIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006)

Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. Readers Edition. (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2006)

Davies, Benjamin, ed., Baker's Pocket Harmony of the Gospels (Baker Book House, 1975). Formerly printed as Harmony of the Four Gospels.

Goodrick, Edward W. and John R. Kohlenberger III, eds., The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999). This is the second edition, originally published as the Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance. It was originally published as The NIV Exhaustive Concordance. It should be distinguished from The NIV Complete Concordance by the same authors.

Green, Jay P., ed., The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament. Vol. IV. Second Edition. (Hendrickson Publishers, 1985)

Halley, Henry H., Halley's Bible Handbook. New Revised Edition (24^th Edition). (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1965)

Hickie, W.J., Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977). This is a reprint of an older edition, originally published by Macmillan, August. 1893. A contemporary review described this as "A handy little volume, compiled on sound principles from trustworthy authorities." The 1911 edition is available online and for download at http://openlibrary.org/b/OL17866849M/Greek-English_lexicon_to_the_New_Testament

Hoerber, Robert G., ed., Concordia Self-Study Bible. NIV (Great Rapids, Zondervan: 1973, 1984).

Lenski, R.C.H., The Interpretation of St. Matthew's Gospel (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1943, reprinted 1964)

The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2009).

Nave, Orville J., ed., Nave's Topical Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979)

New Bible Dictionary. Second Edition. (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1962)

Nicoll, W. Robertson, The Greek Expositor's Testament. Vol. 1. Five Volumes. (New York: George H. Doran Co., ca. 1910). Excellent notes on the Greek text and summaries of commentators. Available at Google Books ( www.books.google.com ) and the Internet Archive ( www.archive.org - easier to find here than at Google Books).

NIV Archeological Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005)

Alexander Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture (Text from Project Gutenberg)

Robertson, A.T., Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Holman Reference, 2000). This “Concise Edition” is derived from the six-volume work by Robertson published in 1933. Robertson was also the author of 45 books, including numerous commentaries, a Harmony of the Gospels, etc. Also available online

Rogers, Cleon L. Jr., and Cleon L. Rogers III, eds., The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998). This is the second edition of the excellent work by Fritz Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, translated and edited by Cleon L. Rogers, Jr.

Strong, James, ed., The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990)

Vine, W.E., Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Original Greek Words with their Precise Meanings for English Readers (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, no date). Originally published circa 1940.