Jesus gathers His disciples and gives them a "final exam" of sorts, asking the ultimate question, "Who do you say that I am?" Then, up on a mountaintop experience, God the Father reveals Jesus' glory. Jesus wraps up with some sobering words about what it will involve to live for Him until He returns. Only those who tenaciously believe in Him and steadfastly follow Him will make a difference in a godless world. Though evil is strong, Jesus is Lord.
Here are some questions from my study guide:
- The account of the feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle, other than the resurrection, that is recorded in all four Gospels. What are the significant details of this work of Christ?
- What was the significance of Jesus quizzing His disciples as to His "reputation" (16:13-20)?
- What did the Transfiguration reveal? Why do you think the disciples who witnessed the event were not forever altered by it?
- What passage stands out to you the most? Why?
Those who heard and saw Jesus did not reject Him for lack of evidence, but in spite of overwhelming evidence. They did not reject Him because they lacked the truth, but because they rejected the truth. They refused forgiveness because they wanted to keep their sins. They denied the light because they preferred darkness. The reason for rejecting the Lord has always been that men prefer their own way to His.
* All notes above from "Matthew: The Coming of the King", John MacArthur, 2007.
1 comment:
1. Significant details of the 5,000feeding: Jesus commanding His disciples to serve, even though He performs the miracle and provides the food. He tells them: "YOU give them somthing to eat."
Also, He thanked His Father before breaking bread. He provided the example of giving thanks before a meal (and later on, giving thanks before having communion with God).
2. Significance of Jesus quizzing his disciples: I think He wanted to see how much they had learned about Him (and from Him). Of course He already knew, but he didn't miss this opportunity to teach.
3. What the transfiguration reveals: I think the embodiment of the Old Testament prophesies. But I don't have a clue about why those guys weren't forever altered by it!!!
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