Daily Writing

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Matthew 8:2

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And behold! A leper having come, he worshipped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if you desire, you can cleanse me.’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus came down from the mountain with great multitudes following him. Now, it says, “And behold! A leper.”

It is a new word, lepros, a leper. It is derived from the same root as lepra, leprosy. That root is lepis, a scale, such as that seen in Acts 9:18. In turn, that comes from lepó, to peel. From this, one can see that the affliction is a scaly, peeling disease.

A person with such an affliction was unclean according to the law. The requirements for such diseases are meticulously recorded in Leviticus 13. Of anyone with such an affliction, the law said –

“Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ ⁴⁶ He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” Leviticus 13:45, 46

Such a person, therefore, would be an outcast. There was to be no physical contact with him due to his state of uncleanness. However, this person, hearing about Jesus – probably from the crowds talking and considering Him the Messiah – believed he could be healed by Him. Therefore, it next says, “having come, he worshipped Him.”

The word proskuneó is the same as that used when the Magi came to worship the Child in Matthew 2 and when the Traducer asked for worship in Matthew 4. It is variously translated as worship, bowed down, prostrated, etc.

Such a gesture does not mean the man thought Jesus was God. It would be the same as coming before a high-ranking Roman authority, a king, etc. Each instance demands its own interpretation and the viewpoints on such things will vary based on the context, presuppositions, etc.

In some instances later, it is obvious that Jesus is being worshipped with the same reverence as God. In this one, however, that fact was yet unknown to the people. But if He was thought to be the Messiah, He would be God’s promised representative.

If one were to understand the implication of the prophetic words, they would be able to deduce that this coming One was the God/Man, but there is no indication the people understood this –

“‘Behold Me – Sending My messenger,
And turned way to My faces
And instantly comes unto His temple,
The Lord, whom you seek,
And Messenger the covenant,
Whom you – delighted.
Behold! Coming!’
Said Yehovah Sabaoth.” Malachi 3:1 (CG)

Regardless of the act, bowing for honor or worshiping as the Lord, the leper was “saying, ‘Lord, if you desire, you can cleanse me.’”

The word translated as “Lord,” likewise has a variety of meanings based on the context. It can mean a superior of any kind or even a person who is greatly respected. It can also be applied to the Lord God. Again, regardless of what this person thought about Jesus’ nature, he was convinced that He could perform this cleansing.

The word is katharizó, to cleanse or purify. The man was unclean according to the law. His concern was to be cleansed. The cleansing, however, implies healing. One cannot be clean under the law unless he is healed of this type of affliction. The main concern here, however, is cleansing.

Depending on one’s state, he could be healed and yet still unclean for some other reason. What this person wants is to be fully cleansed. Thus, he would be healed and also acceptable to return to enjoy living among the people in that state.

This is the first direct account of the healing of an individual by Jesus. In Matthew 4, it did say –

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. ²⁴ Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.” Matthew 4:23, 24

This person had probably heard of the healings previously conducted along with the words of the crowd as He passed through this city. In hearing these things, he had the faith to know he too could be cleansed by Jesus.

Life application: The healings recorded in the gospels and Acts are there for the reason of proving Jesus is the Messiah. They are recorded at times as an indication of individual faith by those who were healed. They were recorded at times to demonstrate a lack of faith by those who should have possessed it, such as in Matthew 17:14-21.

The purpose of these events has been met. Israel was given sufficient evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. Likewise, the authority of Jesus among the apostles and the early church stood as a witness to Israel that God’s favor had moved from Israel to the church.

Because those purposes have been met, there is no longer a need for miracle healing. Making claims on healing, as is so common in the church, demonstrates a misunderstanding of the purpose of Scripture and it demonstrates an arrogance in the one claiming such healing because the Bible does not align with the claims.

At times, for example, Paul was able to simply heal at a command. However, he prayed for the healing of others many times. Sometimes, Paul was unable to heal others, and the person’s affliction remained. This was true of Trophimus (2 Timothy 4:20) and Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23), among others.

The Bible does not provide the authority for the church today to claim healing. We are to pray for healing and allow the Lord to determine if it will happen or not. Anything beyond that is presumptuous and inappropriate.

Lord God, we are to live by faith. May our prayers for the healing of others be faithfully presented to You. May we never arrogantly demand from You, remembering that we may have afflictions that suit Your purposes. Lord, with the strength to praise You, even in times of affliction, may we be content. Amen.

Tuesday, 25 February 2025

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. Matthew 8:1

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And He having come down from the mountain, great crowds – they followed Him” (CG).

The previous verse ended Chapter 7. Chapter 8 closes out the event we call the Sermon on the Mount beginning with the words, “And He having come down from the mountain.”

The reason for going up the mountain to preach is not stated. All it said as Chapter 5 opened was, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him” (Matthew 5:1). It could be that because of the multitudes, He expected more room to preach and still be seen and heard. A level area might be more difficult to speak to so many.

In the spot believed to be where the sermon was conducted, today known as the Mount of Beatitudes, the acoustics are said to be well suited to such a discourse. It could also be that teaching in such an area was to give the sense of exaltation of His words. Moses received the law from an elevation on Mount Sinai.

When receiving the law, Moses was alone on the mount. On the other hand, while Jesus spoke, He was surrounded by people. In fact, at the giving of the Law of Moses, it said –

“You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. ¹³ Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.” Exodus 19:12, 13

The first account, at the giving of the law, shows the inaccessibility of man to God through the law. On the other hand, the latter account of the Sermon on the Mount demonstrates access to God through Christ’s fulfillment of the law just as He noted He would do in Matthew 5:17.

Nothing done by Jesus is without significance, including going up the mountain to speak His words to the disciples and the others who gathered.

Understanding this, it next says that “great crowds – they followed Him.” These would certainly include all those descending after the instruction He provided. But it probably would have included many more who heard that His words were astonishing and that He was probably the Messiah. Hence, there would be a great throng following Him.

This would then provide a chance for many to witness the events that will next be revealed by Matthew as His narrative continues.

Life application: As you read the unfolding events recorded in the gospels, think about why the surrounding words are included in the movements Jesus makes. Why did He go up on a mountain to speak? Why did He immediately come down from the mountain when He was finished? Why will He go to Capernaum instead of another nearby town?

Each thing is there for a reason as Jesus’ life and actions form walking parables of what God wants us to see and consider. Just as the land of Israel – its geography, layout, and location in relation to other countries and people groups – is used to teach us spiritual truths, so is the life of Jesus as He interacts with the people in the land.

God’s word is precise and filled with details that have importance. Remember this and consider the surrounding events in relation to the rest of Scripture. Hints of the very process of man’s redemption in relation to the dispensations of time are being provided. They will be revealed to those who consider them and align them with the rest of what is recorded in the word.

Lord God, what a precious and wonderful word You have given to us. Thank You for the intricate details that are being used to teach us truths about Jesus and His work in relation to the rest of Scripture. Thank You! Thank You, O God for revealing Your heart to us through the revealing of Jesus. Amen.

Monday, 24 February 2025

for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:29

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

For a direct link to the CG translation of Matthew 7, go to this link for (YouTube) or this link for (Rumble).

“For He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that the people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching. Next, it explains why it was so, saying, “For He was teaching them as having authority.”

Of the coming Messiah, Isaiah prophesied –

“Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:1, 2

Jesus didn’t come with great looks. We have no idea what His oratory skills were like, meaning the eloquence of the delivery of His messages. However, the content of what He said stunned those who listened to Him. They were outstruck as they considered His words.

Matthew says He was as having “authority.” The word is new, eksousía, coming from ek, “out or from,” and which intensifies eimí, “to be, being as a right or privilege” HELPS Word Studies says of this word, “authority, conferred power; delegated empowerment (‘authorization’), operating in a designated jurisdiction.”

It was the empowered nature of His words, stating them as if authoritative. Taking the roots of the word eksousía, one can see the intent. His words were “out-being.” The authority, the “out-being” He possessed, was transferred to the content of His words. This then is set in contrast to the next words, “and not as the scribes.”

The scribes may have been handsome, rich, very eloquent, etc., but their words lacked the “out-being” necessary to convince the people of what they taught. They treated the Mosaic code as a means to an end. Jesus has not done that. He has spoken of the end of the code, noting that it was authoritative and applicable until He fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17, 18).

He then explained the true weight of the law, meaning how God viewed it in relation to His people. From there, He continued to explain things in a manner that no person had ever done so before, revealing things that were expected of the people that they had never considered as such. The scribes did not, nor could they.

They had placed their hopes in Moses and forgotten that Moses prophesied of another who would come. John 5 notes this several times. Thus, Jesus set Himself apart from the other teachers. Not only did He speak with authority, but He did so claiming that He was the authority that Moses pointed to.

Life application: Churches around the world look for pastors with charisma. They seek out people with exceptional oratory skills as well. They will have big bands with long musical shows each Sunday.

Christian TV is filled with this kind of stuff. And yet, those who know the Bible well enough can tell that what is presented is lipstick on a pig. Having excellent elocution doesn’t mean the content is proper or authoritative. But, because of such oration, people who are uninformed will believe it and follow them.

Praising God through music is something the Bible not only condones but promotes. However, it is to be based on alignment with Scripture, not emotion with Jesus tossed in as a bonus. We all need to be careful to not get caught up in what is unimportant in our church-seeking lives.

Rather, we should be looking for adherence to the word and a proper exposition of it before all else. But we cannot do this if we don’t know the word. Read your Bible.

Lord God, help us to be responsible about knowing Your word. May we diligently make it a priority every day of our lives. Help us to not get caught up in sensationalism or hype, but to be careful, contemplative, cautious, and conservative in our approach to Your precious word. Amen.

Matthew 7 (CGT)

1 Not you judge, that not you may be judged. ² For in what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and in what measure you measure, it will be remeasured to you. ³ And why you see the chip, the ‘in the eye’ of your brother, and in your eye, a beam not you examine? ⁴ Or how you will say to your brother, “You permit – I may eject the chip from your eye,” and behold, the beam in your eye. ⁵ Hypocrite! First, you eject the beam from your eye, and then you will thoroughly see to eject the splinter from your brother’s eye. ⁶ You give not the holy to the dogs, nor you shall cast your pearls before the pigs, lest they ever will tread them in their feet and, having turned, they shall dissever you.

⁷ You ask, and it will be given you. You seek, and you will find. You knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For all ‘the asking’ he receives, and ‘the seeking’ he finds, and ‘the knocking’ he will have opened. ⁹ Or what man, he is, from you, whom his son if he may ask him bread, not stone he will give him? ¹⁰ And if fish he may ask, not serpent he will give him? ¹¹ Therefore, if you – being evil – you have known to give good gifts to your children, how much more your Father, the ‘in the heavens,’ He will give good to those asking Him. ¹² Therefore, all as what you may determine that men, they should do to you, thus also you, you do to them. For this, it is, the Law and the Prophets. ¹³ You enter through the narrow gate. Because wide the gate and spacious the way, the ‘leading to the destruction,’ and many, they are, those entering through it. ¹⁴ For narrow the gate and having been compressed the way, the ‘leading to the life,’ and few, they are, those finding it.

¹⁵ And you caution from the false prophets who – they come to you in clothes of sheep, and inwardly they are wolves – rapacious. ¹⁶ From their fruits you will recognize them. Not any, they gather from thorns a grape or from thistles figs? ¹⁷ Thus, every good tree, it produces good fruit. And the rotten tree, it produces evil fruit. ¹⁸ Not it is able, a good tree, bad fruit to produce, nor a rotten tree good fruit to produce. ¹⁹ Every tree not producing good fruit, it is exscinded, and it is cast into fire. ²⁰ Hence, from their fruits you will know them.

²¹ Not all, the “saying to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’” he will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of My Father the ‘in heavens.’ ²² Many, they will say to Me in that ‘the day,’ “Lord, Lord, not the ‘Your name’ we prophesied, and the ‘Your name’ we ejected demons, and the ‘Your name’ we performed many miracles?” 23 And then, I will assent to them that, “Never I knew you! You depart from Me – Those working lawlessness!”

²⁴ Therefore, everyone – whoever he hears these, My words, and he does them, I will liken him to a sagacious man who, he built his house upon the rock. ²⁵ And the rain, it descended. And the floods, they came. And the winds, they blew. And they fell towards the house, that. And it fell not, for it had been founded upon the rock. ²⁶ And all the hearing – these, My words – and not doing them, he will be likened to a moronic man who – he built his house upon the sand. ²⁷ And the rain, it descended. And the floods, they came. And the winds, they blew. And they struck towards the house, that. And it fell, and the falling of it, it was great.

²⁸ And it was when Jesus, He had completed the words, these, the crowds – they were outstruck at His teaching. ²⁹ For He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

Sunday, 23 February 2025

And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, Matthew 7:28

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And it was when Jesus, He had completed the words, these, the crowds – they were outstruck at His teaching” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus finished His words about the houses built on the rock or on sand. That finished His speaking and the words now are given to show the people’s reaction. They begin with, “And it was when Jesus, He had completed the words, these.”

It is a summary statement that covers everything from Matthew 5:1 –

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying…”

From that point, Jesus methodically worked through a vast number of subjects and points on theology, finishing up with Matthew 7:27. The content of His words surpasses the thoughts of the greatest theologians to have ever lived, and people are still learning new insights from them two thousand years later.

Because of the volume of information He presented, surely without any prepared notes, overhead projectors, or video displays, the minds of those who heard would have been packed full. Because of this, it next says, “the crowds – they were outstruck at His teaching.”

Notice the difference between the opening and closing thoughts of the sermon –

5:2 – …and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying
7:28 – …the crowds – they were outstruck at His teaching.

Jesus taught the disciples. However, others joined the instruction who listened intently. These would be those mentioned at the end of Matthew 4 –

“Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.” Matthew 4:25

Wherever Jesus went, crowds thronged Him. This crowd, however, didn’t just get physical healing as noted in Matthew 4. They got doctrine never before heard. It must have been an incredible thing for them. Because of this instruction, Matthew uses the word ekpléssó, outstruck.

The word is derived from ek (out, from) and pléssó, to pound, strike, smite, etc. A comparable English word, here given a new context and meaning, would be “outstruck.” The people were completely floored by what they heard.

Life application: The Sermon on the Mount is complete. It is a teaching that has provided people with a lot of hope and inspiration over the millennia. However, it is a teaching that also has brought a lot of misunderstanding and confusion to those who follow Jesus. The reason for this can be summed up with one word, context.

The context of Jesus’ words is instruction to Israel while under the law. Although there are precepts found in the teaching that convey eternal truths that everyone should apply to their lives, the overall tenor of His words is given to Israel. They were spoken prior to the completion of His ministry, and a great deal of what He said is now set aside.

This is explained in the book of Hebrews with verses like the following, each of which is referring to the Law of Moses:

“For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹ for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18, 19

“In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13

“Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), ⁹ then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second.” Hebrews 10:8, 9

These verses concerning the end of the law are confirmed by Paul quite a few times in his epistles as well.

Remember this context and then as you read through the Sermon on the Mount in the future, be sure to apply it to what you read. In so doing, you will avoid a great deal of theological error and even contradiction in your understanding of Scripture.

Lord God, thank You for Your precious word that conveys life and hope to Your people through its contents. In it, we find Jesus. And in Jesus, we find Your love for the people of the world. Thank You for tending to Your people as You have done. Amen.

Saturday, 22 February 2025

and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:27

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And the rain, it descended. And the floods, they came. And the winds, they blew. And they struck the house, that. And it fell, and the falling of it, it was great” (CG).

The previous verse conveyed Jesus’ words concerning the foolish man who built his house on the sand. Of him, it next says, “And the rain, it descended.” The words are identical to the corresponding clause in verse 7:25.

The house is built, its foundation is on sand, and there will be a result forthcoming, just as with the house built on the rock. But what will this result be? Before it comes, the rains have to be sufficient to test the matter. That is noted in Jesus’ next words, saying, “And the floods, they came.”

Again, the words are letter for letter identical to the corresponding clause in Matthew 7:25. With sufficient rain, the water begins to amass and move along. Along with the rains, stormy conditions came, as indicated in the next words, “And the winds, they blew.”

The identical wording continues here. Such accompanying winds are not unexpected, even with a small shower, but when combined with heavy rains and flooding, the winds will add extra stress to a structure. Obviously, the more wind, the more stress is then laid against it. Jesus next continues with, “And they struck towards the house, that.”

The words contain a single small change from the corresponding clause in verse 7:25 –

²⁵ And they fell towards [prospiptó] the house, that.
²⁷ And they struck towards [proskoptó] the house, that.

The house on the rock had rains fall toward it, but it remained unaffected by them. The implication seems to be that, by building on the rock, the house was elevated enough to avoid being struck. On the other hand, the house on the sand was right where the floods were moving. Instead of merely falling towards the house, they struck towards it. Surging against it.

Depending on the swiftness of the water, this rushing water would have at least two major effects. The first is to actively hit against the house. The second is to subduct the house as the waters swirled around it. Because of at least one and possibly both actions raging against the house, Jesus says, “And it fell, and the falling of it, it was great.”

The contrast is set forth for the hearer to mentally heed and attend to –

Rock: And it fell not, for it had been founded upon the rock.
Sand: And it fell, and the falling of it, it was great.

In life, a little care and planning can go a long way. As this is true with physical things that we encounter, Jesus is demonstrating through metaphor how much more important it is concerning spiritual things. His words are a foundation of rock when they are heeded and adhered to. Failing to do so leaves one’s future resting on the shifting sands of doom.

Life application: In 2024, three hurricanes hit the area of Sarasota, Florida within just 2 months and 4 days. The damage was extensive, and the words of Jesus were proven true concerning houses. The barrier islands are only sand. They can take a certain amount of wind and flooding, but even with a mild hurricane, there will be changes to the topography.

With larger storms, entire sections of land can be cut through, making two islands out of one. Houses sitting on a sandy foundation can be lifted up and swept away. Those with concrete foundations will withstand more before disaster comes. Those with piles driven deep into the ground, and which are then elevated above ground level, will generally stand even more raging winds and water.

Advance planning and careful thought are needed to determine what type of foundation will work best in any given location. But the point is that a stable foundation will always outlast a less stable one.

If one bases his life’s decision on the words of Scripture, there can be no surer foundation for things to turn out well. This doesn’t mean in this life. Too many people use the words of Scripture almost as a talisman to claim this life will be carefree and without complication when they are adhered to. But there is no guarantee in the Bible for this.

Rather, the surety is in what is spiritual and eternal. What happens here is often common to all men. Hurricanes hit both believers and nonbelievers. Economic collapses will affect both as well. This is a fallen world, and difficulties are to be expected. However, adherence to the word will bring salvation and reward on top of that.

Call on Jesus to be saved. That is recorded in the word. Live in faith, and conduct your life in faith, and rewards will be credited to you. This is also recorded in the word. Pay heed to what it says. It is the blueprint and guide for living in the presence of our glorious Creator.

Lord God, when we properly consider and apply Your word, things will go well with our relationship with You. When we fail to do so, we are the ones who put up the wall between us. You have made the way known and the path smooth if we will just follow it according to what You have set forth. Help us, O God, to use wisdom and properly follow You all our days. Amen.