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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:31-35

Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed and yeast. He says that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Although it’s the smallest of seeds, it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds perch in its. The kingdom of heaven is also like yeast a woman mixes in with dough.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

3a) The kingdom of heaven

b) The smallest thing blossoms into the something grand that others enjoy and use. Most Bible scholars agree that these parables are prophetic in terms of the growth of Christianity and how God’s Word and the Good News will spread.

4) It doesn’t matter where you come from; you can follow Jesus and make a difference in this world. In Matthew 16:6-12, Jesus is comparing yeast in bread to the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Ezekiel 17:23-24 talks about how God plants trees on mountaintops that will bear fruit and have birds’ nest in it and find shelter. Everyone will know that God did so. Ezekiel 2:11 says that every grain offering is to be made without yeast. Ezekiel 23:15-18 talks about bread offerings. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 states that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast. Therefore, God works though the smallest things to create big things.

5a) He knew that those with a heart for God would understand the message, and those that didn’t know God weren’t privileged to do so.

b) It’s cool to see different interpretations and how things are used in the Bible. It prompts me to study God’s word deeper and continue to research meanings of Scripture.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

Two of Jesus’s less famous parables, but everything Jesus said should be considered of equal import. Here, it’s important to grasp the message of how small things can yield big results. Practically speaking, when you are struggling to understand your place and purpose in life, know that you have an impact on others by what you are doing.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

Most mustard seeds grow no more than the size of a bush. If the mustard seed is growing into the size of a tree, it’s a miracle. Most Bible scholars picture this as the church growing and offering shelter for the world. Some Bible scholars see the tree as an image of a great empire  Ezekiel 17:2331:3-9Daniel 4:10-12

Thus, the parable describes how God’s kingdom grew but then became a nest for corruption as in the Middle Ages. Birds can symbolize demons or even Satan Revelation 18:2

The birds that nest in the tree’s branches can be interpreted as Gentiles finding refuge in Christ. God’s work is big.

The parable of the yeast can be interpreted as a picture of the kingdom of God growing, or of sin and corruption growing.  Exodus 12:812:15-20

The large amount is more than usual. “Hidden” is used in other translations over “worked all through.” The idea is that Jesus’s kingdom would be threatened by corruption.

The church is part of the things hidden from the world and would not be revealed fully until later. Paul talks about this in Ephesians 3:4-11.

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jesus calls matthew a tax collector in matthew 9 www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 3: Matthew 9:9-17

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 9:9-17

Jesus called Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him. Matthew did. They ate dinner at Matthew’s house with other tax collectors and sinners. This was much frowned upon, and the Pharisees asked why was Jesus doing this. Jesus responded that he has come to heal the sick and the sinners.

John the Baptist’s disciples asked Jesus why he does not fast like they do. He replied that since he is here on earth, everyone should be rejoicing, not fasting. He says you don’t patch up old garments, making the tear worse, nor do you pour new wine into old wineskins.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 2: Matthew 9:9-17

6a) That Matthew immediately gets up and walks away from his career and everything else.

b) First, many are curious about the author of the book, and it’s a great example of what you do when Jesus calls you. It also lends credibility to his words.

7a) The Pharisees asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” This was deeply frowned upon in Jesus’s day; no one of faith mixed with known sinners.

b) Jesus responded that he has come to heal the sick and the sinners. Jesus is here to offer mercy and show God’s love.

c) Matthew 28:19-20 is the great commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations” and teaching them about God and to obey God. John 17:14-19 says how Christians are not of the world and Jesus prays for protection from the evil one and that they (disciples) may be santified as they enter the world, spreading the gospel. 1 Peter 3:13-17 says that you are blessed for doing good and be prepared to tell everyone about Jesus. It is better to suffer doing God’s will than to do evil. Set Christ apart in your heart.

Matthew challenges Christians to go out into the world shining God’s light. To go against the grain for Jesus even if you suffer for it. He says to do good rather than evil. To spread the Good News.

8a) “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

b) He replied that since he is here on earth, everyone should be rejoicing, not fasting.

The wedding guests: no one should be mourning while the bridegroom is with them.

The patched garment and wineskins: He says you don’t patch up old garments, making the tear worse, nor do you pour new wine into old wineskins.

Isaiah 43:18-19 talks about doing a new thing and how Jesus is making a new way for the world.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 2: Matthew 9:9-17

Lots to think about in this lesson. We see how to follow Jesus: unequivocally. We see that with Jesus, it’s a new way. And, perhaps most importantly, we see it’s okay to go against the grain to follow Jesus and do things his way, not the world’s.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 2: Matthew 9:9-17

Mark 2:14 reveals that Matthew as also known as Levi the son of Alphaeus. Matthew 10:3  tells us that there was another son of Alphaeus, James, who also was amongst the 12 disciples.

Tax Collectors in Jesus’s Day

Jews despised tax collectors (they aren’t liked now, either) because they collected taxes that then went to the Romans. This job pitted Jews against Jews, as they were seen as traitors. Tax collectors were paid on commission, which lead to many extorting others; whatever they collected over the tax amount, they got to keep. This meant the more they collected, the more they enriched themselves.

Jews considered a tax collector an outcast. They could not be a judge or a witness in a court of law, they could not attend synogogue, and they were most likely outcast by their immediate family, too. The price was high to be a tax collector in the 1st century A.D.

You will see the word “publican” used for tax collector in the King James Version, from the Latin word meaning “public revenue.”

Matthew left a lucrative career to follow Jesus. Out of all the disciples, he may have given up the most. Yet, he penned the first book in the Gospels. How cool!

Dinnertime

We see truly how Jesus came for sinners with his calling of Matthew. Odds are, Jesus used this opportunity to reach others who were sinners and needed Christ. This was most likely a large public gathering, not one in a home.

Jesus came for sinners, as seen in this scene. (Romans 5:8). Yet, the Pharisees don’t get it; they avoided sinners like the plague.

Jesus here quotes scripture Hosea 6:6 and essentially tells learned leaders to go back and read God’s word because they just don’t get it. “Go and learn” was a rebuke commonly used by religious leaders at the time to someone who should know better or learn more about what they are speaking about.

Romans 3:10 “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Jesus offers sinners righteousness.

“Why Not Fast?”

The disciples of John the Baptist were very strict on their religious followings. The Pharisees fasted regularly Luke 18:12), and Jesus already addressed how they only fasted for show, rather than for faith. (Matthew 6:16).

The day will come where fasting will be appropriate, but while Jesus is here, it’s not. Instead, it’s a time to celebrate.

The wineskins represent how Jesus will not repair the Old Covenant, but instead he’ll bring a new one. New wine into new wineskins means his new church will form a new body of Christ.(Ephesians 2:16).

There is no patch to the Old Testament; only new. Sometimes the old cannot be renewed.

Jesus as the bridegroom is another claim Jesus makes as God. In the Old Testament, God was the bridegroom and His people the bride. Here, Jesus is saying he is God with this analogy.

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