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OK, folks. This is the third and final Matthew design. I like to think of it as my “Matthew Trinity.” After this week, it’s time to move on from Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection and explore the whole new world of Mark. Mark dives into crazy stuff like the story of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. You won’t want to miss it!
WTF, Jesus?
All right, Jesus, what the heck are you talking about here? It sounds like that if me and someone else agree that we want a popcorn tree and cats that hug, we just need to pull the Jesus-slot-machine-lever and it’s magically gonna happen. I’ve tried that (oh, believe me, I’ve tried) and it doesn’t work. WTF, Jesus? It’s not even like I’m asking for sinful things! Popcorn trees and cats that hug would make this world (and by that I mean “my world”) a better place. If the Bible is the infallible and inerrant word of God, right now I should be hugging a cat that just plucked perfectly popped corn off a tree and is feeding it to me with its paws.
My Key to Success is to FAIL
I have a general rule for Bible verses I encounter that I don’t understand. First, I take two minutes to try and figure it out. (Yeah, you heard me right. two whole minutes. And I’m talking two minutes straight. No breaks!) If I don’t get it after two minutes, I follow this process that I came up with:
- First, I assume that God got something wrong.
- After that, I think about how much I like the cheese popcorn from Candyland.
- If thinking about the popcorn hasn’t completely distracted me, I go on to assume that since God was wrong (see the first step) then I am right.
- Last, I congratulate myself on how awesome I am.
I use a simple acronym to help me remember the steps: FAIL. That process is my gift to you. Share it with your friends and use it as often as you want. Personally, I’ve found that it helps if I FAIL in my daily life, FAIL on the job and FAIL with my relationships. Heck, sometimes I’ll even FAIL in church! The possibilities are endless! You are welcome.
Stay on the Scene, Like a Context Machine
Anyways, even though I usually use the FAIL method, this time I actually decided to do a little research. What I found is that some folks have a theory that with Bible verses and passages it’s important to understand the context. They say that it can be dangerous to take one or two verses on their own and ignore the verses (or chapters) that come before and after that because those help clarify what the one or two verses actually mean. Honestly, that sounds like a bunch of self-help mumbo jumbo to me, but a lot of people believe it.
It’s Time to Get All Serious up in Here
Seriously, what the heck does this verse mean? Does anyone else wonder what’s up with this verse? All you pastors and Theonerds out there, now is the time to let your light shine. Drop a comment and help me understand this verse. Remember, I need byte sized chunks, so try to keep it less than 3-4 sentences. You know what happens if it takes me more than two minutes to read. #FAIL
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You’re funny, brother. :)
If’n I were to follow that theory about context I would find this verse to be at the end of Jesus’ instructions to the church on how to restore a brother in unrepentant sin. (Restoration being the operative word.) If he/she continues in said unrepentant sin after this series of attempts are made, he/she is to be treated “as if” they were an unbeliever. Not saying they are… but treating “as if” b/c they are acting “as if” (b/c of their refusal to repent).
The “2 or more” are “witnesses” in this process seeking out the wayward person, and if they “agree” or “ask anything” of God regarding the persons’ restoration (good!) or refusal (bad!), because they’ve been faithful to follow Jesus’ instructions, God “agrees” or in a sense, approves, of their decision – because it was really God’s decision to begin with. Since Jesus is God & all.
Sorry. Those were the most comma-laden, complex sentences I’ve ever written. But you were limiting me. And I’m a Theonerd.
Three thoughts:
1. God created this world to work, so the more people, patterns and systems (powers) are in line with God’s original creation the less interventionist miracles are needed.
2. Jesus (Matthew 7) and Paul (1 Corinthians 13) are not so impressed with miracles but are very impressed with love.
3. Love provides a context in which miracles can happen, but, more important, where patterns and systems will be changed.
Can you hang with me for one more? Sorry, I just now thought of it.
4. ‘Pursue love’ ~Paul
I agree with Aaron. Unfortunately I don’t own a copy of the New Testament so I’ve had to sniff around on the internet. This passage always troubled me. So I just had to grab someone else, get them to agree with me, and I’d be able to get a brand new Camaro? Seemed like Jesus was making some pretty weird rules.
But in the context of the verse it looks like he was definitely referring to witnesses, sort of like a jury. He was making a point that someone can’t be convicted on just 1 person’s testimony, there should be two or more people in agreement to convict them. Looks like he was referring also to Deuteronomy 19:15 (which I DO have a copy of!) which also talks about the two-person rule. In the notes of that verse they talk about how it’s guarding against “spurious accusation” and is a call for universal justice. I think Jesus is probably reinforcing this. He wants people to watch what they say about others, and make sure they consult someone else before assigning blame.
I believe this is not so much a literal but a cultural metaphor for jews, Matthew was written with the purpose of helping jews understand the ministry and purpose of Jesus coming here. So I believe that this particular teaching had a heavy weight on them when it comes to having a reliable word. They believed that to be able to believe someone else’s testimony on an event, that person had to have a second that would be proof of the truth of the event. So Jesus is telling them “If you need an additional dude to back you up, then so be it, come on over and you will see God work”. I believe it’s more like people learning to be together in agreement when praying.
Here’s my thinking: v.15 makes clear it’s about church discipline. The prayer is one for leading/guidance in what to do. Where that leading is agreed upon (where it is done so in Jesus name which also means acting in accord with Jesus as his ambassador) then the act will accomplish its purposed discipline.
I’m sure there’s more in these verses than just what I’ve said but I reckon that’s the basics of it.
Wow. Theonerds represent! Thanks, everyone. Even though I forced you into some long run-on sentences, this is some really good stuff. So good that I have no further questions. Gaining that understanding actually makes me like the design a bit more too.
I simply love the FAIL pattern. Very useful, I’ll try that out next time I don’t understand anything in the bible.
Thank you so much for your great art and also for sharing your thoughts in a so funny and frank way. I’m so tired of grave discussions with a bunch of theologians battling with incomprehensible words.
So finding your site was not only a great joy but also a relief to me – I’m not the only one who hasn’t got the slightest idea how that shall work.
I’ve heard and read too many theories and basically my way of dealing with it is: “If it was relevant for salvation, God would have explained it more clearly”
Also – just read your FAQ and wanted to say that I totally agree with you not making these valuable designs download able for free.
Best wishes! I’m looking forward to the next designs.
Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words, Hattinah! The Bible can be weird, complicated and beautiful, and I try to notice and highlight all of it. I feel like humor and sarcasm can make it easier to jump into conversations about theology, so it’s great to hear your feedback. I really appreciate it :)
Hi Jim, I smiled when I saw this poster :-) Great job! In my simple understanding is (about this verse), God is saying that when you pray in accordance/agreement with your fellow Christians on a subject/request, He will grant it. But… the request/prayer has be to according to His will also. And as we all know, God’s will/plan is always the best. But collective prayer in accordance on a subject matter has GREAT power.
Although I’m not sure if He’ll ever grant you that popcorn tree. It’s against His will (just unnatural), he he…
Thanks, Inka! I will never give up on the popcorn tree… NEVER!
Perhaps there is a popcorn tree waiting for you in heaven and He just doesn’t want to spoil it for you yet! :)