I don't think you understand what I'm saying, or maybe haven't seen how many times I've said ALL that's written is for our learning. ALL of it is. However, I don't believe ALL of it is PRIMARILY addressed to us. There are spiritual principles (I'll say again) that apply to us, but I believe we need to be careful to not just mix it all together and not rightly divide (cut) the Word. It causes doctrinal confusion.
An example; Jesus told 2 disciples to go get a donkey for Him to ride. That was for THEM to do. Not for you or me. We don't have to go get Him a donkey. Now, a spiritual principle to be learned from that could be, we need to be obedient. We can trust He knows what He's doing and what He's talking about. He is humble, etc., etc. But the specific statement was to a specific person, at a specific time, about a specific thing; and it can be known. Taking it to the extreme, a group now could say, "Jesus said get a donkey. We're going to have donkeys, and become the Church of Borrowed Donkeys". There's usually room for me to be wrong, but I'd suggest that would be misappropriating Jesus' words. Repeating myself; they were primarily to who, and about what?
Also, I have no qualms about the present "church" not following truth. I believe it is so. However, I disagree that's what Jesus was primarily addressing. For that, if it's addressed at all, I believe it would be
primarily either by Paul or perhaps John in the Revelation (unless that was totally for Israel as well, as Nathan has suggested). ALTHOUGH, I'd think we can certainly learn much from Jesus' words to them - don't go by traditions of men, etc. MUCH there to benefit from. ALL scripture is for our learning. But I don't believe we should totally misapply it, "hang it primarily on one group", while totally missing the context of the group that was specifically being talked about. (
Not easy. But you've asked "why so many denominations. Could this be part of it?
) I believe Jesus was addressing the Jewish nation/religion that had been in control (and as sheila says, 'authority') and they were about to lose it. Judgment was coming to that nation. It's what the parable of the rich man and lazarus was about. It was preparation for the closing of that age and the coming of the gospel of the cross, saved by grace, coming to us, the nations. I believe the pattern is Israel first, now us the gentiles, then "when the time of the Gentiles has come in, all Israel shall be saved". Then the whole of mankind.
The context of the statement "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel" is Jesus talking about that nation, Israel, God's chosen, prior to that time and at that time. I understand Him to identify who he's talking about and to, in vs. 8,9. Again, I'll admit it, I have a hard time doing it - I'M NOT AN EXPERT!; but if we mix up the things that were primarily said to specific people and about specific things and just take it to automatically mean other things, things become confusing. I've done it a thousand times and still do it. Notice the context, who was being addressed, and how Jesus initially reacted to the Gentile woman. He didn't even respond to her, and when she kept "bugging him", He finally said, (Jabcat interpretation :) "I'm not here [right now] to address you. I'm talking to the Jews." Finally, she persisted, and He blessed her. He said though, and responded likewise, that this was not His primary focus and mission of His ministry. And I don't see this as a parable, but if it is, I would think the parabolic part would be His use of the word "sheep", alluding to Him being the Good Shephard and followers being sheep. Otherwise, the context seems to indicate He was telling the woman that she/gentiles were not His current focus.
7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy
of you, saying,
8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
14
Let them alone: [wasn't He talking to certain people in THAT generation - why would He be talking about 2,000 years later?] they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
21Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it
to dogs [GENTILES] .
27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the
dogs [GENTILES] eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
I also think there's a danger of NOT applying the scriptures enough to us, just dismissing too much of it as "for someone else". It certainly takes prayer, discernment, being led by the Spirit as well, doesn't it bro? I'm sorry for the "lecture", I in no way have all of it figured out and I'm wrong about many things. Laying out what I believe, I don't really know any other way to say this. If you see it differently, dwell in peace my brother. We all, me especially, have much to learn. God bless.
