Section D

DEVELOP AN ENVIRONMENT OF INTERNALISED LAW

From "Little" to "Brother"

11:2 - 18:35

Paragraphs, sometimes with Parts A & B, have "hooks" that are a time statement made or implied

Wisdom and Jesus Attributes

Verse

Generalised Quotes Ending Time Segment

The use of paragraph hooks based on time is not likely to be as “tight” as the frameworks which are based on a specific place as used in Mark and later on in Luke and John. Matthew was writing from the background of Judaism with its salvation history and focus on time and moral law. This was not so concerned with the 'scientific exactness' required by the general culture of the Roman Empire e.g. with its stress on exactly straight roads etc. In the following section in Matthew a statement of time fits in comfortably at the beginning of an apparent paragraph. Many of the paragraphs also end with a generalised teaching maxim - like a summary statement of what has gone before.

1. Proves

11:2-11:19

.. Wisdom is justified by her works

11:2-11:19 (When) John heard about the works of Christ he sent a message to him through his disciples saying to him “Are you the coming one or may we expect another?” Answering Jesus said to them. "Go and tell John about the things that you hear and see. Blind men see again and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. Dead men are raised and poor people have the gospel preached to them. Blessed is the one who is not offended by me." With these going Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning him. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see - a reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? - A man in soft clothing? Behold those in soft clothing are wearing this in the houses of kings. But why

did you go out? Was it to see a prophet? Yes and I tell you it was more than a prophet. This is he of whom it has been written “Behold I send before me the my messenger who will prepare your way before you.” Truly I tell you there has not arisen amongst those born of women a greater person than John the Baptist. But even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. From the days of John the Baptist until the kingdom of heaven has been forcibly treated and forceful men have (tried to) seize it. This has happened from the time of the prophets and the law until John prophesied. If you are willing to receive it, he is Elias, the one who is to come. Let the one who has ears for it hear. But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children Cont

who are sitting in market places and who are calling to each other saying. “We piped to you and you did not dance. We lamented and you did not mourn” For John did not come either eating or drinking and they say

“He has a demon.” The Son of man came both eating and drinking and they say “Behold a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners.” Indeed wisdom is justified from her works." (Note: Text is mainly a paraphrase of the Literal translation in the RSV Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, 1988)

In terms of the “kingdom of heaven” being a balance between a society based on time (law) and a society based on place (order) there is relevance in the discussions above. Jesus recapitulates on the efforts made by people over the centuries to set up a society which will provide a secure environment. In doing so they have tried to use force to achieve this e.g. in the imposition of law or the imposition of order. Inevitably these two are tied together. But the gospels demonstrate that they also are separate entities and either one can be over-stressed. Over-stress is not likely to work as each of them has intrinsic weaknesses and needs to be balanced out by the other. Matthew presents Jesus' mention of the presence of Wisdom which produces an environment of internalised law which in turn leads into balanced order.

2 Excuses

11:20-24

... More tolerable for Sodom

11:20 - 24 Then he began to reproach the cities in which many of his powerful deeds had been performed because they did not repent. “Woe to you Chorazin. Woe to you Bethsaida. If the powerful deeds which had happened in your cities had happened in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago. However I tell you. It will be more tolerable for

Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you Capernaum. Have you not been exalted as far as heaven? So you shall descend as far as Hades. If the powerful deeds which have happened in you had happened in Sodom it would have remained until the present time. However I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

3 Relieves

11:25-30

.. Yoke is easy

11:25-30 At that time Jesus answered someone saying. “I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent people and have revealed them to infants. Yes Father such was your good pleasure. Everything was delivered by my Father and nobody fully knows the Son except the

Father. Neither does anyone fully know the father except the Son and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal him. Come to me all those who are labour and have been burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me because I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is gentle and my burden light