The Surprising God

This post exegetes Matthew 25:14-46 to provide context for the RCL Gospel readings for 11/19 and 11/26 of 2023 (24th and 25th Sundays after Pentecost). It draws on commentary from Robert Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"), RT France ("New Bible Commentary") and Louis Barbieri ("Bible Knowledge Commentary").  This post is part of a four-part series; to access the other parts, click a number:  1 ,  2 , 3 . Introduction In this post we continue looking at the section of the Gospel of Matthew spanning 24:36-25:46 in which Jesus addresses the part of the last days that began in AD 70 then stretches to his appearing ( parousia ) at the end of the age. In 25:14-46, Jesus elaborates on that time with two additional parables focused on the salvation and judgment that result from his presence.   Be serving: The parable of the talents (25:14-30) 14 "Again, it [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted hi...

What is the kingdom of God? For many Christians, the term "kingdom of God" brings to mind the transformation of the world that will occur when Jesus returns to earth. In other words, they think of the kingdom as yet future. Those who hold this view diminish or entirely overlook the biblical teaching that the kingdom is now present.  Note the definition of the kingdom offered by Gary Deddo in an  essay  on the Grace Communion Seminary website: The kingdom of God is primarily about the rule or reign of Christ and not so much…about a realm or a spatial or geographical location. Wherever Christ’s lordship is operating according to his will and purpose, there is found the kingdom of God. Note also how Grace Communion International's catechism “ We Believe ” defines the kingdom: In the broadest sense, the kingdom of God is God's supreme sovereignty—his reign over all the world through the operation of the Holy Spirit based on the completed work of Jesus Christ. That reign i...

Fundamental to the historic, orthodox Christian faith (biblical theism) is the understanding that God created humanity in his own image. A related understanding is that what was given humanity at creation was in some way lost or at least greatly diminished as a consequence of the Fall . But the good news is that there is a solution — there is a way back: redemption  and ultimately glorification . "Expulsion from the Garden of Eden" by Masaccio (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) In The Universe Next Door   (5th edition, 2009), James W. Sire describes the consequences of the Fall and what God is doing to reverse its effects:  Human beings were created good, but through the Fall the image of God became defaced, though not so ruined as not to be capable of restoration. Through the work of Christ, God redeemed humanity and began the process of restoring people to goodness, though any given person may choose to reject that redemption. (38-39) Sire notes that by rebelling aga...

This post exegetes Matthew 25:1-13 to provide context for the RCL Gospel readings for 11/12/2023 (24th Sunday after Pentecost). It draws on commentary from Robert Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"), RT France ("New Bible Commentary") and Louis Barbieri ("Bible Knowledge Commentary").  This post is part of a four-part series; to access the other parts, click a number:  1 , 2 ,  4 . Introduction In Matthew 24:36-25:46 Jesus addresses the part of the last days that began in AD 70 and then stretch to his appearing ( parousia )   at the end of the age. Jesus makes his points with parables focused on the salvation and judgment that result from his presence—now in the Spirit, and yet to come in the Great Consummation that will occur when he appears bodily in glory. In the parable of the faithful and bad servants (Matt. 24:36-51), Jesus addresses the parousia, noting that it will occur when not expected because its timing   is unknown. That being the case, it is c...

This post exegetes Matthew 22:15-23:39, providing context for the RCL Gospel readings on Oct. 22, 29 and Nov. 5 in 2023 (21st, 22nd and 23rd Sundays after Pentecost). This exegesis draws on commentary from Robert F Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"), RT France ("New Bible Commentary"), and Louis Barbieri ("Bible Knowledge Commentary").  This post is part of a four-part series; to access the other parts, click a number: 1 ,  3 ,  4 . Introduction Last time  we looked at the first part of the Holy Week confrontations between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment. We’ll now look at additional ones. Throughout, Jesus uses these confrontations to reveal more about his identity as the Messiah, the Son of God; and about the radical nature of the grace and judgment that comes in and through him. "Woe Unto You Scribes and Pharisees" by Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Confronting the Jewish religious establishment (22:15-22:46) The Jewi...

This post exegetes Matthew 21:18-22:14, providing context for the RCL Gospel readings on Oct. 1, 8 and 15 in 2023 (18th, 19th and 20th Sundays after Pentecost). This exegesis draws on commentary from Robert Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"), RT France ("New Bible Commentary"), and Louis Barbieri ("Bible Knowledge Commentary"). This post is part of a four-part series; to access the other parts, click a number: 2 ,  3 , 4 . Introduction In Matthew chapter 21, Jesus enters Jerusalem and the events during ‘Holy Week’ unfold. In Jerusalaem, Jesus ramps up his teaching, using enacted and spoken parables to reveal more about his identity and authority. This precipitates an intense confrontation with the Jewish religious establishment. Jesus’ arrest, death and resurrection are now just a few days away. "The Entrance of Jesus Into Jerusalem" by Gerome (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) The Gospel reading for 10/1/23 starts at Matthew 21:23. But let...