Some Activities for Young People from St Mary & St Nicholas Church

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Some Activities for Young People from St Mary & St Nicholas Church Some activities for young people from St Mary & St Nicholas church, Compton This day each year we celebrate those selected by the Church over the centuries to be examples of what a Godly person can achieve - we are to honour and if possible copy them in our life. But in the letters (Epistles) in the New Testament, Paul and other great leaders of the early church tell us that ALL those who try to follow Christ are indeed saints! So - what do YOU have to do to be a saint? Follow what Jesus has taught us! Last week we heard how Jesus said there were two Great commandments - and that they were in the Old testament all the time! We talked about how the Ten Commandments follow on from these and examples of what we should do were described in Leviticus. This week we will look at the beatitudes - the way Jesus described how we can behave in following these commandments - and the rewards we will get! - Matthew 5, 1 - 12. And we think about how we too can be saints Materials are mainly from Roots on the Web young people's Christian resources, or the Sunday School teachings "Living Stones" from Kevin Mayhew. These materials are Copyright but used with permission: Roots © ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020 Living Stones © Susan Sayers (author), Kevin Mathew Ltd (publisher) 1998 An alternative teaching is freely available from Roots based on 1 Thessalonians 2 - He is the one who has chosen you https://www.rootsontheweb.com/athome1Nov (click on this, it should work - if not - cut and paste to your browser) All Saints - the beatitudes - Matthew 22 Page 1 of 11 Guide to this document: Page For younger children Gathering activities 2 Present the reading 4 Explore the messages / activities to assist understanding / discussion 5 Activities for older ones 6 Paper activities 9 For younger children, I have based this lesson on a previous one by Roots based on a pun - we will talk about the BEE-atitudes. Wording from Roots: Today’s Gospel reading – Matthew 5.1-12 - is all about the attitudes Jesus’ followers should have. They are called the beatitudes. We can call them the BEE-ATTITUDES. Disciples of Jesus are: to believe, to be thoughtful, to be caring, to be peaceable, and to be seeing to the needs of others, and thinking of the kingdom of God. © Gathering ideas From Roots © unless otherwise stated A gathering prayer for children (from Living Stones) Warm-up Activities - several to chose from: 1. Colour the picture of a bee. Use this as the story is read, listening for bees. Think about how Jesus wants YOU to behave as you listen to the bible verses. Have some simple pictures of buzzy bees on cards displayed on the walls or tables — today Jesus is telling us the kind of people he wants us to BE! 2. Opposites — have a collection of opposites all mixed up, ready for the children to pair up. You might include the following: a stone and a feather (heavy—light), a lemon and honey (bitter—sweet), All Saints - the beatitudes - Matthew 22 Page 2 of 11 little paper clip and a large paper clip, picture of a lion and a picture of a lamb (fierce and gentle), brick and straw (sturdy and weak), chalk and cheese, steel and putty, dog picture and cat picture, or cat and mouse, smiling faces and sad faces. When the children have done it, explain that in today’s story, Jesus says some things that, are the opposite of what we might expect. 3. Pass the blessing This variation on pass the parcel illustrates how we can make choices in favour of those we may not always think about. Wrap up a small gift in lots of layers. On each layer write a special instruction about who to give it to next, such as ‘the person furthest from you’, ‘a person who has been ill recently’, ‘the smallest in the group’, ‘the youngest in the group’, ‘someone who has not received it yet’ and so on. All Saints - the beatitudes - Matthew 22 Page 3 of 11 Presenting the reading - encouraging and instructing the "saints" Matthew 5, 1-12 - Note from the introduction that Jesus is talking to His disciples - a pep-talk for those who He will send out with His message. Here is the pun version from Roots: "A short retelling of the beatitudes (Matthew 5.1-12) for all ages" I have put the more traditional wording in the second column The Bee-atitudes according to Roots © (verse) Traditional words 3 Happy are those who don't think they are the bee's knees, Poor in spirit God will give them honour in his kingdom. 4 Happy are those who are beside themselves with sorrow, Mourn (feeling sad) God will help them begin again. 5 Happy are those left behind in the race of life, Meek (humble) God will give them beyond measure. 6 Happy are those who believe that justice cries out to be done, Hunger for God's God will see their dreams fulfilled. teaching 7 Happy are those who behave mercifully, Merciful God will be generous to them in return. (kindness) 8 Happy are those who begin to forgive, Pure in heart God will show them his love. 9 Happy are those who bring peace between foes (enemies), Peacemakers God will adopt them as his children. 10 Happy are those who are ill-treated because of loving Jesus, Persecuted God will give them a place in heaven. 11 Happy are those who are insulted beyond what they can Reviled, insulted bear, 12 God will astound then with the beauty of his love. These are your rewards!! These are the Be-attitudes - or 'how to be a disciple of Jesus'. (brackets are my additions) Discuss and explore the reading (Sorry parents, you will have to present this as appropriate for your young people!) These words were spoken by Jesus to give guidance to His disciples. They speak directly to us as well. The nine messages of guidance (verses 3 - 11) tell us how to behave - and the last verse tells us what our rewards will be - in the words of the old King James bible - Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven and Jesus encourages (?) us by saying that those who have spoken out for Jesus in the past also found it difficult (for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NIV) All Saints - the beatitudes - Matthew 22 Page 4 of 11 I think all but the first one (verse 3) are obvious; note how the warning is given twice - it is tough to follow Jesus! We have discussed the first beatitude - we think it means that we must accept that we are not perfect but can still work for Jesus. We must not be proud and think we are better than others. So what where the opposites all about? I think this has two meanings: 1 what Jesus wants us to do is not what you would expect - His heroes and the opposite of our normal view of heroes 2 We have a choice to make - for each of the guidelines, there are opposites In case you are asked - What is a saint? One definition: A saint is a committed Christian whose life is devoted to their Christian work. Often in their commitment to their Christian ideals, they endure suffering. They stay true to their faith whatever the consequences. Activities to explore further From pages 9 on are some paper activities. The picture cube (adapted from Living Stones ©) explores this teaching quite well. I have included four of the saints celebrated in the stained glass windows in our church in Compton - and a well-known modern saint. Use stiff card if you have it (available in Compton if required - use GET IN TOUCH button on the church website). Cut out the cube template and the separate figures (according to who is with you!). Before assembling, the children can colour in the pictures and try to identify the saints from the information below. before assembling, leaving one square blank. They can write in the names in the correct squares. Place the cube on the table with blank side down and talk about the saints. THEN turn up the blank square and tell them that they too can be saints (just follow Jesus' guidelines!). They can colour and stick the appropriate figure on the blank square and put on an appropriate label - eg "Saints are filled with God's love" or "He chose you to share in His glory and kingdom" Four of the saints on the cube are also in the stained glass windows of Compton Church: St Mary, mother of Jesus Mary was chosen by God and the angel Gabriel appeared to her to tell her. Mary was obedient to God’s call; this is what we emphasise. St Nicholas AKA Santa Claus! St Nicholas was a fourth century bishop in Turkey. He was a very devout and active Christian, kind and generous. He was imprisoned and punished for sticking to his faith. He is famous for giving gifts to people, often secretly left on their door- step. St Cecelia St Cecilia was a devout Roman lady married to a pagan; the pagan family were converted by her zeal and promptly martyred. During her wedding hymns, she sang to the glory of God in her head, praying for a pure heart; supposedly to organ music. She is therefore the patron saint of music and usually depicted with All Saints - the beatitudes - Matthew 22 Page 5 of 11 a hand organ (as in our window).
Recommended publications
  • JESUS QUESTIONS the PHARISEES Whose Son Is Christ
    JESUS QUESTIONS THE PHARISEES Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Whose Son Is Christ? Bethlehem and come from the clan of David (Micah 5:2). Matthew 22:41-46 Ezekiel prophesied the reuniting of Israel into one nation I. THE INQUIRING QUESTION: (vs. 41-42a)...a probing question following their division (Israel and Judah) and that there would Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked be one king for all of them and that king would be from His servant David (Ezekiel 21-25). them a question: “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” (vs. 41-42a)... Throughout his gospel, Matthew focused on Jesus being the Son of David: After conclusively answering the three questions that the Jewish leaders had asked designed to entrap Him (Matthew 22:15-40)... Begins with the genealogy (Matthew 1:6; Luke 3:31). Jesus continued to teach in the Temple where He had been since Matthew recorded Jesus being hailed by various groups as the early that morning (Matthew 21:23). Son of David throughout His earthly ministry. After all that has previously taken place that morning, He then took At the Triumphal Entry the people shouted and called Him, the opportunity to ask them a question about the Christ. Notice Son of David (Matthew 21:9). that He didn’t ask this question directly about Himself...instead He asked it in the second person. Even though He had often declared The two blind men in Galilee cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David” (Matthew 9:27).
    [Show full text]
  • The Function of the Double Love Command in Matthew 22:34-40
    Andrews Uniwsity Seminary Studies, Spring 1998, Vol. 36, No. 1, 7-22 Copyright @ 1998 by Andrews University Press. THE FUNCTION OF THE DOUBLE LOVE COMMAND IN MATTHEW 22:34-40 OSCARS. BROOKS Golden Gate Seminary Mill Valley, CA 94941 Matthew used the pericope of the double love command, love to God and neighbor, to summarize Jesus' teachings, as well as the laws of Moses, and to continue to demonstrate Jesus' prowess as a teacher in the presence of his Pharisaic opponents. This article sets forth the reasons for his doing so as well as the method used to accomplish this. Parallels to Matt 22:34-40 are found in Mark 12:28-34 and Luke 10:25- 28. It is not necessary here to do a full analysis of these parallels nor to determine the exact tradition behind the Synoptics. This has been done by Furnish, Fuller, Hultgren, and numerous others.' 7he Setting of the Double Love Command The quotations of Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18 are the nucleus of each of the commandments. Hultgren thinks these two commandments, introduced by "Jesus said," formed a "free floatingn dominical saying in the early tradition.' Matthew's setting for the saying follows Mark's order, which places it in Jerusalem during Jesus' last days and is preceeded and followed by the same stories. Matthew opened the story by noting that the Pharisees "came together" (22:34) "to test him." Unlike Mark and Luke, Matthew made this a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees. A lawyer (nomikos) addressed Jesus as a teacher and asked: "Which is the great commandment in the law (nornos)" (22:36)? Jesus quoted Deut 6:5: "You shall love the Lord your God," thus answering the lawyer's question.
    [Show full text]
  • “Jesus and Politics” Matthew 22:15-22 May 26, 2019
    “Jesus and Politics” Matthew 22:15-22 May 26, 2019 INTRODUCTION: Jesus didn’t say a great deal about politics. Today’s passage, though, contains one of his most significant pronouncements about this topic. His declaration is both simple and profound: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). It would seem that politics was about as divisive in Jesus’ day as in our own, because the topic was brought up by Jesus’ enemies in the hopes of getting him in trouble. Matthew tells us this right at the beginning. “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words” (v. 15). The first word there, “then,” is not without significance. It connects this passage with the preceding parable. Jesus had spoken about heaven as the great wedding banquet, mentioning how many miss that banquet because of their anger against God. Here we have that anger expressed against Jesus. The Pharisees enlist the Herodians to help them in their plot. These are strange allies because they agreed on almost nothing. The Pharisees were the strict conservatives of their day. Politically, they saw the presence of the Romans as their main problem. The Herodians, on the other hand, were favorable toward the Romans. They were called Herodians because they were behind King Herod, who ruled at the direction of Rome. So the alliance of these two groups shows the depth of their animosity toward Jesus. It’s the old idea of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” So they came to Jesus with what they thought was a sure way to trip him up.
    [Show full text]
  • This Is the Greatest and the First Commandment. the Second Is Like It
    This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it. 5. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 22:35-40 One of the Pharisees, a scholar of the law, tested Jesus by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” The Gospel of the Lord. Commentary The Pharisees are often portrayed in the gospels as micro-managers of the law. There were literally hundreds of laws governing nearly every aspect of life. So, a scholar approaches Jesus and calls him teacher, yet the Pharisee intends to test him. Jesus first quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, the commandment to love God. He doesn’t stop there, as he then recites Leviticus 19:18 to love your neighbor. Loving others is like loving God. In fact, loving others is one way to demonstrate our deep love for God. The two are now very closely linked because of this master teaching by Jesus. At baptism, parents are asked if they are ready and willing to accept the responsibilities to raise the child as Christ has taught us, to love God and love one’s neighbor. Proclaiming this Gospel at the wedding liturgy will underscore the very basic mission of a Christian–to throw one’s entire heart, mind, and soul into loving God, and then to seek to love all others.
    [Show full text]
  • Matthew 22-23
    The Gospel of Matthew The Fulfillment of Israel’s Story The “Cleansing” of the Temple ´ Matthew 21:12 Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written,‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.”14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry 16 and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself’?”17 He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. The “Cleansing” of the Temple ´ Jeremiah 7:3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings, and let me dwell with you in this place. 4 Do not trust in these deceptive words: “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.”5 For if you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly act justly one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own hurt, 7 then I will dwell with you in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your ancestors forever and ever.8 Here you are, trusting in deceptive words to no avail.
    [Show full text]
  • What You Need to Know About Matthew 22:24
    Scholars Crossing Willmington School of the Bible 2008 What You Need to Know about Matthew 22:24 Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/will_know Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "What You Need to Know about Matthew 22:24" (2008). 35. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/will_know/35 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Willmington School of the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MATTHEW 22:24 The following list provides over 300 names, titles, ministries, etc., all of which are meant to describe the person and work of Jesus Christ. The list comes down to us throughout the last two or three centuries, which has been arranged (and added to) by countless pastors, laymen, song writers, etc., in an eloquent attempt to magnify and elevate the Son of God! I suggest you think on all this during your Christmas devotions! What Think Ye of Christ? Whose Son is He? 1. Herod could not kill Him—Luke 23:11 2. Doctors could not comprehend Him—Luke 2:46-47 3. Waves could not drown Him—Mark 4:37-38 4. Demons could not resist Him—Mark 5:1-20 5. Satan could not beguile Him—Luke 4:1-14 6. Sickness could not withstand Him—Matt. 8:16-17 7. Pharisees could not refute Him—Matt. 22:21 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Narrative Lectionary List of Readings for Years 1-4
    Narrative Lectionary List of Readings for Years 1-4 The preaching texts are always listed first. During the fall, Old Testament texts are the primary vehicle for proclaiming the biblical story. In years when there are not 16 weeks between Labor Day and Christmas Day, the reading marked [Optional] should be omitted. The gospel readings become primary texts on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A brief accompanying reading (selected from one of the gospels before Christmas and after Easter; selected from Psalms from Christmas through Easter) is noted in parentheses. These accompanying readings are optional. YEAR 1 (Matt) YEAR 2 (Mark) YEAR 3 (Luke) YEAR 4 (John) Creation NL101 NL201 NL301 NL401 Genesis 6:5-22; Genesis 2:4b-25 Genesis 2:4b-7, Genesis 1:1— 8:6-12; 9:8-17 15-17; 3:1-8 2:4a Human beings in the Noah, the flood, garden; woman and Creation, Garden Creation by the and the promise man as companions of Eden, fall into word; light, life; of the rainbow sin It was good (Mark 1:16-20 or (Matt 8:24-27) Mark 10:6-8) (Luke 11:4) (John 1:1-5) Abraham NL102 NL202 NL302 NL402 Genesis 12:1-9 Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 15:1-6 Genesis 21:1-3; 21:1-7 22:1-14 Call of Abraham, God promises promise of land, The promise of Abraham God gives descendants, Isaac’s birth to an descendants as Abraham and blessing to the aged Sarah and numerous as the Sarah a son in nations Abraham brings stars.
    [Show full text]
  • Matthew Preaching Notes
    Matthew SermonSermon notesnotes Background notes on five passages in Matthew’s Gospel preaching notes contents week one 3 The Parable of the Two Debtors Matthew 18:21-35 week two 6 Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-16 week three 9 Parable of the Rented Vineyard Matthew 21:33-46 week four 12 The Wedding feast Matthew 22:1-14 week five 15 Render to Caeser Matthew 22:15-22 2 © Giving in Grace 2013 contents Matthew18:21-35 Matt18:21-35 Suggestedreadings (NRSV) Genesis 50:15-21 n Ps 103:(1-7)8-13 n Rom 14:1-12 Then Peter came and said to In this parable the theme of financial indebtedness, an ever-present him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, and harsh reality in Jesus’ day as in ours, is used to illustrate the how often should I forgive? As theme of forgiveness. The Greek verb aphienai literally means to many as seven times?’ Jesus said cancel a debt, and comes to mean forgiveness. By taking a back to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. bearing from the challenge to forgiving grace taught in the parable, For this reason the kingdom we can draw some conclusions about handling financial matters in of heaven may be compared the light of the kingdom life to which Jesus calls us. to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When Matthew has brought together a parable from his own source he began the reckoning, one who material and a saying of Jesus in 18:21-22 in answer to a question owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he from Peter about the limits of forgiveness.
    [Show full text]
  • Matthew 22:1-14 Unchristlike Images of God in Matthean Parables a Mini-Minyan with Brad Jersak, Brian Zahnd, Derek Flood and Andrew Klager
    Matthew 22:1-14 Unchristlike Images of God in Matthean Parables A Mini-Minyan with Brad Jersak, Brian Zahnd, Derek Flood and Andrew Klager Introduction (Brad Jersak) I was recently invited to share thoughts and respond to questions about my book, A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel, among a theologically mixed group of very perceptive readers. Prior to the meeting, the facilitator gave me the consideration of a heads up about a question he was planning to ask. He wanted to me to address the problem of why Jesus’ parables sometimes seem to represent God in a rather un-Christlike light— especially as an infuriated and vengeful king who not only destroys, but even tortures those who do not respond to his invitation. Specifically, he asked me to look at the parable of the banquet as told in Matthew 22. I was aware of the difficulties in that passage and thought to invite three colleagues to weigh in with their collective wisdom, rather than speaking on my own. Namely, Brian Zahnd, Derek Flood and Andrew Klager. I also received behind the scenes input from Pastor Jason Tripp, who I’ll reference later as well. The conversation that followed seemed well worth sharing, so the following represents excerpts from it. We begin with the text: Matthew 22 1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.
    [Show full text]
  • Matthew 22:1-14 Esv the TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER
    THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Study Notes for the Christian Layperson by: Rev. Andrew Richard Collect of the Day: MATTHEW 22:1-14 ESV O Lord, grant to Your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their Author and Date: sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Matthew Levi the apostle around AD 50. Jesus tells this parable during Holy Week. Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, At this point the people were very sharply divided: those who loved Jesus and hung now and forever. Amen. on His words and believed in Him, and those who hated Jesus and despised His words and refused to believe in Him. The tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners Introit: characterized the first group; the Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests, elders, scribes, Psalm 48:1a, 9-11 (antiphon: Liturgical Text) — and lawyers characterized the second. Immediately before today’s reading Jesus told The people of God delight in His righteous works and His the Parable of the Tenants, a strong warning against rejecting the Son of God. dwelling place among them 1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven Psalm: may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, Psalm 27:1-9 (antiphon: v. 8) — Of David; a desire to be where the LORD is and the confidence that comes from • The king in the parable is God the Father, and His Son is Jesus.
    [Show full text]
  • Gospel Reading Plan III.Pages
    Section Three: The Life of Christ, II February 14 - March 31 THE LIFE OF CHRIST moves in dynamic partnership with history. Woven through the lives of citizens, governors, kings, religious leaders and the oppressed is the life and ministry of Jesus. And it is moving toward confrontation, contemplation and crucifixion. As we journey with Christ through Lent and the Passion, what will the steps of Jesus tell us about our own? Reader’s Notes: Feb 14 (Ash Psalm 51 Call to Turn Our Hearts Wednesday) Around As we enter Lent, we expose ourselves to the kind of life Feb 15 Catch Up Day demands and find ourselves Feb 16 Luke 9:18-27; Matthew Following Christ falling short of following. 16:13-28; Mark 8:27-9:1 Even at points hyperbolic, (John 12:25) and glancingly impossible, the life of Christ really does Feb 17 Luke 9:28-36; Matthew Jesus Transformed boil down to two things: his 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13 love of God and his love of Feb 18 Luke 9:37-43a; Matthew Jesus Heals a Boy neighbor. 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29 Remember, don’t get frustrated when you find the Feb 19 Luke 9:43b-45; Matthew Jesus warns about his 17:22-27; Mark 9:30-32 arrest readings jumping around. Feb 20 Luke 9:46-50; Matthew Jesus Corrects the 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-41 disciples (John 13:20) Feb 21 Luke 9:51 - 56 Jesus sets out for Jerusalem; Following Jesus Feb 22 Luke 10:1-24 Seventy-two sent out; (Matthew 9:37-38, Judgement against 10:7-16, 11:20-27, cities that reject Jesus; 10:40; 13:16-17) The seventy-two return Gospel Reading Plan 2017-2018 Reader’s Notes: Feb 23 Luke 10:25-37 Loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40; A “Catch Up Day” is Mark 12:28-34) positioned in several places of the reading plan in order Feb 24 Luke 10:38-42 Jesus visits Martha and to help facilitate reviewing Mary something again or reading a day you might have missed.
    [Show full text]
  • Matthew‟S and Mark‟S Pharisees
    Matthew‟s and Mark‟s Pharisees By Martin Pickup The Gospels of Matthew and Mark are recognized as key sources of information on the Pharisees, yet any analysis of their data is fraught with difficulty. We are dealing with highly tendentious documents whose interest in the Pharisees lies solely in the fact that, as key opponents of Jesus‘ ministry, the Pharisees serve to set forth Jesus and his teaching in vivid relief. Scholarly debate on the historicity of the material in Matthew and Mark continues, both in regard to what they relate generally about Jesus and his ministry, and in regard to what they relate specifically about the Pharisees. Are we to regard the accounts of encounters between the Pharisees and Jesus as faithful remembrances of actual events, or are we reading idealized material that reflects the issues confronting Christians at the time of the Gospels‘ composition? The dates assigned to these documents play a significant role in this historicity debate. If Mark was written ca. 65 – 70 CE (the common view), it becomes a valuable source of information on the Pharisees prior to 70, even if its specific claims about the Pharisees‘ encounters with Jesus are considered ―idealized.‖ The case is more dubious for Matthew, a gospel which is commonly dated in the 80s or 90s at a time when the Pharisees appear to have risen in prominence and power (though to what extent remains debatable), and a time when the relationship between Jews and Jewish Christians collapsed. That late first-century setting provides a possible Sitz im Leben for Matthew‘s gospel, which suggests to many scholars that, rather than providing historical information about the Pharisees of Second Temple Judaism, Matthew‘s portrayal of the Pharisees is really a representation of the Jewish leadership toward the end of the first century.
    [Show full text]