Anointed by a Woman in Bethany: Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending February 28, 2010

Purpose: To encourage us to offer what is most precious in our lives to Christ

Scripture Text: Matthew 26:6-13 (NRSV)

Matthew 26:6-13
(6) Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, (7)a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. (8)But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why this waste? (9)For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.’ (10)But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. (11)For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (12)By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. (13)Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

This story is found in 3 of the 4 Gospels, see also Mark 14:3-9 and John 11:55-12:11. John has the story taking place on the Saturday before the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. While the story takes place in the home of Simon the Leper, Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead about a month prior to this was there as well as his sisters Martha and Mary along with the disciples.

While Matthew does not name the woman, John tells us in his writings it was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. To set the scene, it would seem the roads were crowded with travelers in preparation for the Passover feast that would begin in a few days. Good Jews would come early and go through the proper cleansing prior to observing the Passover feast. Bethany is about 2 miles East of Jerusalem and was one of Jesus' favorite places to rest and spend some quality time with his friends. Simon the leper had evidently been previously healed by Jesus and he wanted to host a banquet for Jesus and his close friends and disciples.

We should take note of verse 2 of this chapter, where Jesus tells everyone that the Son of Man will be crucified. Obviously Mary got the message, even if no one else did. There was an alabaster flask of very expensive perfume and oil that she had kept. We are told it was worth a year’s wages, but Mary was not concerned about the cost, she only knew if Jesus was going to be crucified, she wanted to give Him the kindness and ritual that would be given to a King. She chose to anoint Him from head to toe with this sweet fragrance, just as would be done in any court where the King was facing certain death. Mary got it; she knew that Jesus was the anointed one of God the Messiah/Christ. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were very close to Jesus, but Mary seems to have a spiritual understanding of who Jesus was.

No sooner had the flask been unsealed with the fragrance filling the room and the grumblings begin, with Judas the betrayer leading the charge. “What a waste, think of how much a year’s wages could have done for the poor.” (My paraphrase) Now we know that Judas continually stole the money out of the disciples’ money box according to John. (Jn. 12:6) It is doubtful Judas had any real conviction about helping the poor.

(I have recently witnessed a similar situation locally, John Travolta, and his wife Kelly Preston, live here in Ocala, recently John flew two large jets down to help in the Haitian relief effort. Then someone sent a letter to the editor of our local paper wondering why they did not help the poor of Ocala.)

Jesus quickly points out two things; first, don't blame Mary for discerning what was going to happen to her Lord, and doing the proper thing in preparation for His burial. And secondly there will always be an opportunity to help the poor among us. All the way back to Moses who said in Deuteronomy 15:11 “for the poor will never cease from the land”. The poor will always be a part of community problems. That does not excuse us from doing all we can do for the poor when given the opportunity. The sacrifice Jesus was about to make would do more for the poor than the offering of a year’s wages. In Matthew 11.5: Jesus says “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. The good news of Jesus as our redeemer trumps the need of the poor. And in Luke 6.20 He looked up at his disciples and said:”Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Jesus never promised wealth or elimination of the poor, He only promised them the Kingdom of God.

Mary was right in giving a gift of great price, it may have been an inheritance that she had received, but she knew it could not repay or buy the love that her Lord would show by willingly giving Himself, so that she and the poor could experience eternal life with Him.

Mary's gesture will long be remembered, but it pales when compared to the gift each of us was given at Calvary.

"Witnessed by Disciples" International Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending February 21, 2010

Purpose: To see how God calls us to share in the transfiguration of Christ

Scripture Text: Matthew 17:1-12 (NRSV)

Matthew 17:1-12
(1)Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. (2)And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. (3)Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. (4)Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ (5)While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ (6)When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. (7)But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’(8)And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

(9) As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ (10)And the disciples asked him, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ (11)He replied, ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; (12)but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

This past Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday, which precedes the Lenton Season, according to the Liturgical Calendar. Our lesson takes place just prior to Jesus and the disciples beginning the long journey to Jerusalem where the Passion of Christ would take place. According to Matthew it is just 6 days since the declaration of Peter, that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah, promised by the prophets. Jesus has tried to explain the situation and what was coming, but Peter and the rest did not want to hear, let alone believe, that what Jesus was saying was reality.

Jesus elects Peter, James and John to accompany him up to the top of an unnamed mountain, perhaps Mount Hermon some 20 miles north and east of Caesarea-Pillipi. Jesus would later choose these same three to pray with him after his last meal with the disciples, in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night of his betrayal.

Once they reached the mountain top, Jesus was transformed before their eyes, the Greek verb used is metamorphoo, (translated “transformed” or “changed in form”). The three witnesses saw Jesus go from His human form to a “glorified” form; His Divinity became visible to the three disciples. Jesus was not only radiant, but He was joined by Moses and Elijah, and the three of them conversed, Matthew uses the word suddenly to give the moment a bit of dramatic flair. Why Moses and Elijah? One reason could be that they represented the Law and the Prophets. Another reason may be the mysterious way each of them came to the end of their earthly life. No one ever saw Moses die or his body; we only read he was buried by God. As for Elijah, he went up in a fiery chariot and was never seen again, until this meeting. (The only Old Testament figure missing was Enoch, he too did not taste earthly death but we are told in Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Interestingly Enoch was the father of Methuselah, the oldest man, Methuselah lived 969 years and still died before his father did).

Back in the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 18 verses 15-19 God promises the Messiah through the words of Moses. God promised to raise up a prophet like Moses and commanded “Him you shall hear.” It is not a coincidence that God tells them on the Mount of Transfiguration “listen to him”.

When Peter saw all of this he immediately wanted to erect three tabernacles, probably out of tents, like the one constructed by Moses for the nation of Israel as they traveled in the wilderness. Peter seemed to have limited vision, he only thought of the now and could not see the eternal dwelling place that God has prepared for those that love Him.

Maybe the most important thing is what happens when these three fisherman cower in fear, and are overcome, Jesus touched them. You cannot help but think of Bill and Gloria Gaither’s song “He Touched Me”

Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame.
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.
He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.
Since I met this blessed Savior,
Since He cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.
He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.

Declared by Peter: International Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending February 14, 2010

Purpose: To affirm that a true confession of faith is the foundation of our Christian life

Scripture Text: Matthew 16:13-27 (NRSV)

Matthew 16:13-27
(13) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ (14)And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ (15)He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ (16)Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ (17)And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. (18)And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. (19)I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ (20)Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

(21) From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (22)And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ (23)But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

(24) Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (25)For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (26)For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

(27) ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

This passage comes near the end of the Galilean ministry of Jesus, and He is preparing His disciples for the trip to Jerusalem. Caesarea Philippi was a city where Herod the Great had built a marble temple for the worship of Caesar Augustus, and was a center for emperor worship. Herod Philip renovated the city and changed its name from Paneas to Caesarea; the Philippi was added to distinguish this city from other cities called Caesarea throughout the Roman Empire and to honor the re-builder of the city Herod Philip. It was located about 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee in a valley at the base of Mt. Hermon, the present name for this community is Banius, and it consist of about 50 houses and lots of interesting ruins. A spring located there was one of the sources for the Jordan River.

There were varying thoughts on who Jesus was, and what His role was as far as Jews and gentiles were concerned. King Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected; others thought he was Jeremiah, or Elijah, a prophet, teacher, healer, an insurrectionist, very few actually thought Him to be the Messiah or the Christ.

When Jesus asks the question, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” The original response was pretty predictable, but more importantly Jesus wanted to know who the disciples thought Jesus was. Simon Peter acting as a spokesman for the group says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The next few verses are some of the most important and misinterpreted in the New Testament. When Peter calls Jesus the “Son of the living God,” Peter separates God from all of the other Gods, because the other Gods are not living. Jesus responds by blessing Peter for his insight and correctly answering the question. Jesus states that just as Peter is the son of Jonah, He is the Son of God, or the Christ, and Jesus can say this because His Father in heaven has revealed that information to Peter.

It is somewhat astonishing that in a span of four verses Peter goes from receiving the praise of Jesus to receiving His scorn. Jesus no sooner hands Peter the keys to the kingdom than he has to chasten him for being “a stumbling block.” In an instant the Church was born and with its birth came the authority it would need to govern itself. In this small passage the concept of the church is born, and this body of believers are marked by the confession of Peter, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” this “church” would forever be marked off from the other people of the earth, the Greek term ekklesia signifying called out ones. All of this power and authority rest in Peter's confession, not in Peter himself.

Imagine the tension when so soon after proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus starts preparing them for His death on the cross. Of course Peter now says “God forbid it, Lord” How can the Christ build His church by dying, so Peter goes from hero to goat in a very short span, now Jesus is calling him Satan, and accuses him of being short sighted and only interested in the now, and not understanding the divine. I have often wondered which Peter became the first Pope, the Peter of verse 17 or the Peter of verse 23. One also has to ponder why God revealed the truth to Peter and then Satan used him as stumbling block to Jesus. Peter had gained this influential power, then he lets Satan use that influence he had gained to become a stumbling block. We must always be careful how we allow our influence to be used, and we should never lose sight of our mission on earth. Satan would love to use our influence for his fight.

Finally, Jesus carried the fact of His death and resurrection to its further point by providing a pattern for his disciples. The church would be built upon sacrifice, first by himself, and secondly, on the part of his consecrated followers. They as He must lay down their lives (psyche) that they may take them up again.

That Jesus was “the Son of the living God,” is the basis of our setting ourselves apart from the rest of the people on earth. With it comes power, but also responsibility, and we must have willingness to sacrifice.

Do you have influential powers? Are you using that to strengthen the church? Or are you guilty of letting Satan use your influence as a stumbling block?

Recognized by a Canaanite Woman: International Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending February 7, 2010

Purpose: To understand the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry

Scripture Text: Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV)

Matthew 15:21-28
(21) Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.(22)Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ (23)But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’

(24)He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ (25)But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ (26)He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’(27)She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ (28)Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

This week's lesson from chapter 15 offers an interesting approach to the role of organized religion in our society and to the Church's role in the advancement of Christianity. The chapter starts with the Scribes and Pharisees complaining about Jesus and His disciples not obeying the “tradition of the elders.” Jesus proceeds to condemn them for following the traditions, but not obeying the intent of God's law of love; they had circumvented God's law for their own gain, by creating the “tradition of the elders.” I worry that we may be doing the same thing within our churches. When I was a young Christian, I use to say “it was harder to get into some churches than it was to get into heaven,” now I am more certain that it is a fact. Our “tradition of the elders” has grown stronger and following the simple moral law of Christ is less important than the “tradition of the elders,” “tradition of the elders” has become our new standard. Christ made it simple, “love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul and your neighbor as yourself.” Everything else is the “tradition of the elders.” I know good God fearing people that would like to join a church, but the “tradition of the elders,” says they must be indoctrinated first, even though they have been members of the denomination for many, many years, they have not heard the latest pitch or obligation. In verse 14 Jesus says “they are the blind leading the blind.”

That is some of the problem Jesus faced when he traveled to Tyre and Sidon in Syria/Phoenicia. One problem was a “women” wanted to speak to Jesus, which was not in the “tradition of the elders,” another was, she was a gentile or Canaanite women. Jesus appears to stick with the “tradition of the elders” and seemingly ignores her cries for an audience. But after the women bows down and worships Jesus and recognizes him as the promised Messiah, the Son of David, Jesus listens and grants her request. He did not do this without testing her faith and going into a dialog about how she is aware that God's chosen people are to be served first, but she is willing to eat the crumbs from the Kings table, she knew she was not worthy. This gentile/Canaanite woman had just met all the requirements needed to become the benefactor of God's promise of healing and love. She was humble, reverent, and full of faith. She had exhibited God's moral law, she loved the Lord with all of her heart mind and soul and she was willing to love others as she loved herself; she was not asking for herself but rather for a daughter that was demon possessed. This woman knew the power of Christ could overcome the power of evil that was in possession of her daughter.

The “tradition of the elders” in the first century taught men to say “Praise be to God that he has not created me a women.” One rabbi wrote, “Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman.” and the Talmud cursed the man who allowed his wife to say grace for him.

Jesus set aside all of these traditions and rewarded the Canaanite woman for her faith and trust, and she received a “foretaste” of things to come. She got in advance what all of us were afforded after His mission on earth was completed by His resurrection. This women had lots of reasons to be distressed, troubled and to feel unloved, but when she met the Master he blessed her and made her as important as any Jewish man of faith; that is the same with us, we have no right on our own, but after we have been received by His adoption, we can become joint heirs with Him.

How do you think God's message of love is best being spread today, by “the tradition of the elders” or by God's law of love, lived out in people’s lives?