Lesson #14 Crisis

(Matthew 13: 54 16: 12)

As we explored Jesus parables in Lesson #13 we enjoyed a reprieve from the mounting tension and conflict that we experienced in Lessons 10-12. We learned that a parable is a succinct, didactic story thrown alongside a common, ordinary truth to illuminate that truth in a striking and memorable fashion. We also learned that parables are meant to illuminate, not to hide or obscure. Although Jesus did not invent teaching in parables, he used the method brilliantly, drawing his comparisons from current events and from the ordinary actions of everyday lifehallmarks of a master teacher.

In Lessons 10-12 Jesus warned us that anyone who follows him will pay a price, and it will be a high price, indeed. After the interlude of parables in Lesson #13, we find that Jesus reputation has spread, and in Lesson #14 mounting tensions escalate into crisis: Jesus is rejected in his hometown of Nazareth; Herod Antipas takes notice of him; John the Baptist is executed; and Jesus aggressively confronts the religious leaders who reject him. Jesus high profile and radical message are quickly leading him into deep trouble.

The Gospel according to Matthews overall mirrored chiastic structure

A Narrative: Jesus as Messiah, Son of God (1-4) Minor discourse: John the Baptist identifies the authority of Jesus (3:7-12) B Great Discourse #1: Demands of true discipleship (5-7) C Narrative: The supernatural authority of Jesus (8-9) D Great Discourse #2: Charge and authority of disciples (10) E Narrative: Jews reject Jesus (11-12) F Great Discourse #3: Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven (13) E Narrative: Disciples accept Jesus (14-17) D Great Discourse #4: Charge and authority of church (18) C Narrative: Authority and invitation (19-22) B Great Discourse #5: Judgment on false discipleship (23-25) Narrative: Jesus as Messiah, suffering and vindicated (26-28) Minor discourse: Jesus identifies the authority of the church (28:18-20)

This section displays an intricate 5-part structure:

1. 2. 3. Jesus rejected at Nazareth Herod executes John the Baptist Miracles Feeding of the 5,000 Walking on the Water Healings Religious leaders reject Jesus Canaanite Woman accepts Jesus More healings Feeding of the 4,000 People demand a sign . . . again Jesus rejected by the religious leaders.

4. 5.

This section displays an intricate 5-part structure:

1. 2. 3. Jesus rejected at Nazareth Herod executes John the Baptist Miracles Feeding of the 5,000 Walking on the Water Healings Religious leaders reject Jesus Canaanite Woman accepts Jesus More healings Feeding of the 4,000 People demand a sign . . . again Jesus rejected by the religious leaders.

4. 5.

Nazareth (Google Earth)

Nazareth

Church of the Annunciation

Nazareth, today.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Church of the Annunciation (lower church). Nazareth, Israel.

Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Brow of the Cliff in Nazareth, overlooking the Jezreel Valley.

Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Dr. Creasy teaching this story on the Brow of the Cliff in Nazareth,.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Is he not the carpenters son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? (Matthew 13: 55)
Additional references to the brothers of the Lord: 1. 2. 3. 4. Matthew 12: 47 John 7: 5 Acts 1: 14 Galatians 1: 19

Brothers Greek, adelphos

The word used for brother is the Greek word adelphos, and the word for sister is the feminine form. The usual meaning of both refers to a blood brother or sister, and this is how it is used throughout the New Testament: in addition to Jesus brothers and sisters, the term is used of Simon and Andrew (Mark 1:16), James and John (Mark 1:19), Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus (John 11:1-2), Pauls sister (Acts 23:16), and Nereus and his sister (Romans 16:15). Jesus himself uses this term to mean blood brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:27, 32), the parable of Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:28), the sayings about the betrayal of brother by brother (Mark 13:12) and the inviting of guests (Luke 14:12). In addition, this word is also used to denote fellow Christians who are not related by blood some 30 times in Acts and 130 times by Paul in his letters. Since the term can be used to denote both blood brothers and sisters as well as people joined together in a covenant relationship, the context in which the term occurs must determine its exact meaning.

In a nutshell . . .

All Christians accept the virgin birth of Jesus.

Roman Catholics, following St. Jerome, view the brothers of the Lord as cousins in Jesus extended family. Protestants view the brothers of the Lord as his blood brothers born after Jesus virgin birth. Orthodox Christians view the brothers of the Lord as Jesus half-brothers, sons of Joseph.

This section displays an intricate 5-part structure:

1. 2. 3. Jesus rejected at Nazareth Herod executes John the Baptist Miracles Feeding of the 5,000 Walking on the Water Healings Religious leaders reject Jesus Canaanite Woman accepts Jesus More healings Feeding of the 4,000 People demand a sign . . . again Jesus rejected by the religious leaders.

4. 5.

Caravaggio. Beheading of St. John the Baptist (oil on canvas), c. 1607. National Gallery, London.

Based on Oscar Wildes drama in French, Salom, Richard Strauss composed his opera Salome. Its first performance in Dresden on December 9, 1905 was shocking, with its mingling of biblical, erotic and murderous themes. The opera was banned in London and Vienna, and after its premier in New York at the Met on January 22, 1907, further performances were canceled due to public outrage. The San Diego Opera performed Salome during its 2012 season.

This section displays an intricate 5-part structure:

1. 2. 3. Jesus rejected at Nazareth Herod executes John the Baptist Miracles Feeding of the 5,000 Walking on the Water Healings Religious leaders reject Jesus Canaanite Woman accepts Jesus More healings Feeding of the 4,000 People demand a sign . . . again Jesus rejected by the religious leaders.

4. 5.

Sea of Galilee (Google Earth)

North

The Other Side

West

East

South

Sunrise over the Golan Heights, the other side.

Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Feeding of the 5,000 (Icon). Convent of St. Elizabeth, the Grand Duchess of Russia. Etna, California.

Lorenzo Veneziano. Christ Rescuing Peter from Drowning (Poplar panel), 1370. Staatliche Museen, Berlin.

Tyre & Sidon (Google Earth)

Sidon Tyre Sea of Galilee

Moving on from there Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there (15: 20).
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

5,000
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Other side of the lake With Jesus a few hours Disciples initiate 5 loaves, 2 fish 12 baskets left over 5,000 fed

4,000
Near Mt. of Beatitudes With Jesus 3 days Jesus initiates 7 loaves, a few fish 7 baskets left over 4,000 fed

The Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha remembers the feeding of the multitudes. It sits at the foot of the Mt. of Beatitudes.

Inside the Church of the Multiplication the floor mosaic recalls the miracle.

This section displays an intricate 5-part structure:

A B a Jesus rejected at Nazareth JESUS REJECTED BY HIS OWN b Herod executes John the Baptist Miracles MIRACLES VALIDATE JESUS C Feeding of the 5,000 FEEDING FRAMES MIRACLES 1. Walking on the Water 2. Healings Religious leaders reject Jesus REJECT Canaanite Woman accepts Jesus ACCEPT 3. More healings C Feeding of the 4,000 FEEDING FRAMES MIRACLES a People demand a sign . . . Again JESUS REJECTED BY HIS OWN b Jesus rejected by the religious leaders.

1. Who are James, Joseph, Simon and Judas, the brothers of the Lord? 2. Why does Herod Antipas execute John the Baptist? What does his motive for doing so say about his character? 3. Why are there two stories of the multiplication of the loaves and fish? 4. What does Jesus mean when he says to the Canaanite woman: It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs? 5. What is the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Copyright 2014 by William C. Creasy

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