Matthew 4 - 6

1:33 PM 1/9/2011


Matthew 4


Led to be tempted.


In contrast to the Israelite's experience (Deut 8:3) where they did not have a choice in the desert but to rely on God's provision, Jesus' action to fast is a deliberate one of reliance. I supposed the same effect have been brought upon to Jesus as it is to the Israelites for this experience. 


Jesus only started his ministry after the temptation, and not immediately after his anointing.  But of course it was two events immediately happening after one another.
Matthew 5


verse 11 - are those who are following Jesus already experiencing some form of persecution, or is this more of a prophetic statement?


v. 17 - Jesus mentions The Law and The Prophets as two categories of Scriptures in what we know now as Old Testament.  So I guess the rest of the non-Prophet books are also categorized together with The Law, which is more than the first 5 books attributed to Moses?


It is quite interesting how the laws that the people has been taught either omits something or adds something, the effect of which becomes legalistic or even contrary to the Bible.


Matthew 6


5 - How is prayer supposed to be?  You approach a God who already know what you want, and in addition knows what you need, which can be the same thing or two entirely different things.  


13 - Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted, and yet in the prayer He taught it includes a request not to led to temptation.