Week 41: Matthew 15-28

Mia:  In Matthew 16:21 Jesus predicts his death and resurrection.  All it says is “he explained”.  He just calmly, explained he would die and then on the third day come to life.  He also told his disciples the same thing in Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:17-19 and Matthew 26:2.  Then, when Judas came to betray Jesus in Mathew 26, Jesus said to his betrayer, “Friend, do what you came for.”  He completely fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  he was led like lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Ian:  The following two observations are really informing my reading of the Gospels.  Thanks, Matt.

1)  The primary effect of his healings was to include social outcasts into community. His healings restored outcasts to community.

(With his healings he did this by removing the obstacle that made them an outcast. By eating with outcasts he welcomed and accepted them just as they were. With the temple incident he critiqued a system/structure that excluded outcasts on the basis of their race.)
 
2)  Jesus touched those whom he healed. He was willing to get dirty and even become unclean by touching them.