Matthew 25-28This was a tough section--another one--but not just because this is the first crucifixion account we will hear. I found it tough to reconcile Matthew 25--which has always been one of my favorite gospel chapters. But it starts with the parable of the bridsmaids--and some of them get in trouble because they don't have enough oil. They were in need and went to the others and were turned down. When they went to get more oil, and the Groom showed up, they were left out.
But later in the same chapter those who helped others out were rewarded. Those who didn't were thrown out where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. (There is a lot of gnashing of teeth in Matthew. Maybe he knew a good dentist!) Isn't that a bit inconsistent? How are we supposed to know who to help?
I was also struck by how Peter is the one that is always accused of denying Christ, yet all the other disciples agreed with Peter. They all said they wouldn't deny him--and yet they did. How often do we still pick out A scapegoat, one who gets all the blame for the things we do? And again, Matthew says that all this was done to fulfill prophecy. You get the sense that Matthew did not believe in free will. So much had to happen.
The whole episode with Pilate was like something out of today's paper. Here is a political leader who knows the right thing to do, and yet he doesn't do it because the mob raises their voice. I guess justice, government, leadership by opinion poll isn't an invention of the modern age! Just a what if--what if Pilate had a backbone, had listened to his wife, had done what he knew was just?
It must have been a busy week for the Jerusalem Geological Association--multiple earthquakes. And what about the dead coming out of the tombs when Jesus dies! And did you note that the thieves reviled him. What happened to the good one?
I am also struck by the fact that when Jesus appears to the disciples in Galilee, "some doubted." Sometimes seeing isn't believing. Maybe believing is seeing! But then, at least they were there! In spite of their doubts, they still were in Galilee, following Jesus. Maybe that is what matters--obedience.
This is the end of Matthew! Thanks be to God! This has been a tough gospel to hear.
3 comments:
I think what bothers me more than anything else about Matthew is all the separating going on -- sheep from goats, wheat from chaff, wise virgins from foolish virgins, faithful servants from wicked servants, etc., etc. And it always ends very very badly for those in the second group. Where is inclusion? Where is grace? Where is the universal love of God?
I fully understand the discomfort with the way that things end so badly for so many in Matthew. But is it a lack of inclusion on the part of God or the consequences of actions? That is always the sticky wicket for me!
Matthew doesn't seem to have a concept of the overwhelming grace of God. There are consequences (the blood will be on our hands, etc.) For him, if you want to be righteous, do righteousness. If you don't, then here are the consequences.
Sigh. That's just hard for me to accept, that consequences for mistakes can be SO harsh and SO lasting/permanent. I know that's how it works in the world, I see it all the time, but . . . I don't know. I guess I want things to be different with God. I want God to say, "Yes, you definitely screwed up. But we can get past that." Not, "Yes, you screwed up, so you are now punished forever and left in outer darkness." That's depressing to me, especially in light of what I have to do this week. Dang it, Matthew, I want HOPE for the unrighteous, messed up people!
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