RJ Hamster
Bible Study with Hank
Hello All,
I know it is Easter Sunday weekend and in all probability most of us will be busy. However, an hour together on Saturday morning may be just the ticket to set the theme for witnessing the Risen Christ on Sunday. We will gather, via Zoom, at 8:00 PDT on 04/04/2026.
The Golden Rule is magnificent in its simplicity and it is Jesus’ appeal to our use of commonsense in dealing with others. Quite candidly, as simple a message as it may be, one must journey through the Beatitudes to fully understand the Golden Rule.
Please join us for a brief discussion of Jesus’ teachings at the beginning of His ministry as we gather to celebrate its ending with His glorious resurrection.
Love, hank
Zoom Link:
For Study, Prayer and Fellowship – 8:00 AM PDT 04/04/2026:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 829 6896 1343
Passcode: 77299ere:
Study Notes:
04/04/2026 – Prologue – This Torah of the Messiah, “is totally new and different, but it is precisely by so being, that it fulfills the Torah of Moses”. And the “interpretative key” is a declaration by Jesus that has caused significant confusion and consternation: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfill them.” [Matt. 5:17] This confusion often comes about through a misunderstanding of Paul’s writings about the Law. Neither Jesus nor Paul said the Law was bad, but that bad things happen, when people try to make the Law into something it is not.
[Matt. 7: 7-12] – Ask, Seek, Knock – Many seem to agree that the reference to the Law and Prophets [v. 5:17] is the beginning bracket and that [v. 7:12] is the ending bracket for the main teachings of TSOM. There is a lack of agreement concerning the context of [v. 7:7-11]. The clue indicating the concluding point is the beginning of [v. 12] as Jesus uses the word, “Therefore”. “Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (KJV) This tells us to spend a moment with our word choices here; the NIV uses, “So in everything …” Therefore, is an adverb meaning. “for that reason; be-cause of that; consequently.” With its use Jesus is drawing a conclusion, based on His previous teachings, by emphasizing that how we treat others should reflect our own desires for how we are treated. Candidly, this connects ethics to the deeper and broader principles of the Law and the Prophets. Jesus is telling us that we are to love and respect all people as we interact with them.
In retrospect here are the ‘divisions’ in the Sermon. The doorway found in [v. 5:3-12]; the general thematic statement of the disciples [v. 5:13-16] (salt and light); the Golden rule [v. 7:12]; and warnings for the disciples are the departure point [v. 7: 13-27]. Thus, to enter the teachings of the TSOM, both structurally and spiritually, is possible only by going through the Gospel promises found in the Beatitudes [v. 5:3-12] In this context we are able to see Jesus’ teachings as possible. Thus the ‘therefore’ and the Jesus’ logic takes us to His calling His disciples to deal in love and mercy with others is, only by way of Christ’s blessing and promise. This makes [v. 7:7-11] the ground and support for [v. 7:12]. Further the logic of [v. 12] could read, “The Father certainly will give all good things to you when you ask Him, for you are His dear children – through Jesus.” Again, ‘Therefore’, you in turn give good things to those who ask you! [v. 12]This is interesting, in that Jesus, whether intentionally or not, is that the words He uses are semantically equal to what is written in the Psalms. “O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them who fear Him.” KJV [Ps. 34:9] Regardless of the version of the Bible, this verse emphasizes the importance of reverence for God and assures us that those who honor Him will lack for nothing. With Jesus’ final summary in TSOM before He leads His disciples out of the teaching and back into the world via the exhortations found in [v. 7:13-27]
Blessing and Calling – [Matt. 7:7-12] Many folks who read these verses, conclude they are instructions to the disciples, but they err; Jesus is leading us toward the actions of the Father – who is so willing to give. Jesus develops His principle by arguing from the lesser to the greater. [v. 7:9-11] (Earthly fathers/Heavenly Father) Jesus has used this device before [v. 6:26-30]. He is appealing to commonsense and common decency by virtue of His rhetorical questioning. No earthly father would answer “yes” to any of Jesus’ questions. Luther had some interesting ways to describe this. Luther stated, “If we did not allow TSOM to go in one ear and out the other, we might be less coarse. If we measured our lives against the standard of this teaching, we might become our own teachers – teaching ourselves what we ought to do. We would not have to chase after holy lives and holy works, nor would we need many lawyers and law books.” Luther makes it clear that the Golden Rule is truly golden – a precious summary of the revelations that Jesus gave to His disciples [v. 5:17-7:11]. He added that we disciples could use TSOM in light of the Father’s Gospel promises. Those were articulated by Jesus in [v. 5:3-12] and in the invitation to believe the Father’s willingness to give the good gifts that we request from Him [v. 7:7-11]. The Golden Rule is too heavy to approach without our Father’s willingness. Through Jesus, the royal reign of God has come near [v. 4:17], to give good gifts to all who repent and believe in Jesus – however “little” [v. 6:30] that faith might be. Jesus calls – creates – sustains the relationship through which sinful people become His disciples. With Jesus’ sustaining His disciples, they take up the rule and apply it.
Jesus began His teaching with authority on the mountaintop [v. 4:25-5:2], but He does not remain there, nor do His disciples. His ministry will continue in a nation and among a people that mostly will reject Him. Jesus’ disciples will, until His return in glory, will live in a world that will try to deceive them and draw them away from their Lord [v. 5:10-12]. As Jesus concludes, He offers His disciples realistic, careful warnings and those warnings will be the subject of our future studies. AMEN
Love, hank
Hank Hohenstein, OFS
Land Steward
Shady Cove, OR 97539
Cell: 541-973-5442
