Part 2: Their fringes are long and their phylacteries are big - Jesus...

In Part 1 of this study, it was learned what phylacteries were, http://boundaryhomestead.blogspot.com/2011/01/their-fringes-are-long.html.

What are the fringes that Jesus spoke of in the verse below?:
[5] They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, (Matthew 23:5 ESV)


Fringes were tassels woven with blue cord that hung from the four corners of a Jewish man's outer garment. These were worn as reminders to follow God's commandments and to stay holy in the Word. The idea for these tassels are found in the following Bible verses:

[37] The LORD said to Moses, [38] “Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. [39] And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. [40] So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. [41] I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God.” (Numbers 15:37-41 ESV)

[12] “You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of the garment with which you cover yourself. (Deuteronomy 22:12 ESV)

Even today, fringes are worn by the observant Orthodox Jewish man. The Jewish name for the fringes is 'Tzitzit'.

Tzitzit or Fringes on the prayer shawl of a Jewish man.


The point of Jesus' criticism of the Pharisee's "long fringes" was that they were more obvious in long length on their garments, so that everyone could see how holy and observant they were. Everything about the Pharisees was in showing others how religious they were, in very bold and highly visible ways. We know that Jesus wore "fringes" based on the following verses, [20] And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, [21] for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” (Matthew 9:20-21 ESV) and this verse, She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. (Luke 8:44 ESV)

Mind-your-head-Jim: Its Never Been About Me - Gal 2:20

This is good stuff from a friend's blog, I felt the need to share it.

Mind-your-head-Jim: Its Never Been About Me - Gal 2:20: "In our Home Friendship Group last week we talked about being a disciple of Christ. And as the facilitator observed even though one might thi..."

Part 1: Their fringes are long and their phylacteries big - Jesus...

[23:1] Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, [2] “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, [3] so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. [4] They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. [5] They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, [6] and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues [7] and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. [8] But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. [10] Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. [11] The greatest among you shall be your servant. (Matthew 23:1-11 ESV)


I love to break down Scripture. There is so much being said in the above selection from Matthew. In verse 5 Jesus talks about phylacteries and fringes. What exactly is he talking about?

In the following verses we learn about phylacteries.
And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. (Exodus 13:9 ESV)

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

(Deuteronomy 6:8 ESV)

You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

(Deuteronomy 11:18 ESV)

The above three references, I think, are actually about how you should live your life as evidence that you follow the Lord. That your life, and how you live it will become evident to other people. In an earlier study I talked about the inner change of the heart, the hidden change inside of you that only God can see. That this inner-change is actually very important in that the initial hidden change begins your road to Heaven. Then when you grow in your Christian life, the way that you live your life will be evident to others. What you read in the Bible, what you learn from Christ, what you put in your heart, your Christian values will become evident to others. This is a natural growth when becoming Christian, and then living in Christ, by Christ, thru Christ, for Christ. But the Jewish tradition with phylacteries was a sign for others to know that you follow the God of the Holy Scriptures, and a reminder to the wearer about the above verses. Phylacteries were small leather cases that contained scripture written on small pieces of parchment. The leather cases were worn on the Pharisees' left arm and on their forehead to show literal obeying of the above three Bible verses. Even today, some Orthodox Jews wear them, mainly during prayer time. Did Jesus wear them? Well, He was the ultimate Jew, so He may have. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that He did. When He chastised the Pharisees in Matt 23:5, He says that they wore "broad" (or big) phylacteries, for all to see. Jesus may have worn a small, traditional version, who knows?

The above picture shows a Jewish man wearing phylacteries on his head, and his left upper-arm.

More on this study later...

It's a Seahawk day...

Go Hawks!!  I pick Seattle over the Bears, 24-17. Then home to face the Pack!

Get out of the pool...

[2] Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. [3] In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.* [5] One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” [7] The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” [8] Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” [9] And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. (John 5:2-9 ESV)

Above, the Pool of Bethesda
*5:3 Some early manuscripts insert, wholly or in part, waiting for the moving of the water; [4] for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. But the earliest manuscripts do not include the above italicized end of verse 3 and all of verse 4, therefore, most Bible versions do not include them. The belief, however, is probably conveyed in John 5:7.

The Pool of Bethesda was a sticking point for many years as to whether John's testimony could be trusted, as there was never any evidence of the Pool he wrote about in verse 2. In the late 1950's the site was found and excavated, some 40 feet below ground, and sure enough there were 5 covered porticoes, the 5 colonnades John describes in the verse.

In verse 6 it says that Jesus knew that the man had been there a long time. This is probably due to His divine knowledge, just as he knew Nathaniel by the fig tree (John 1:48), and just as He knew the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:18). But what intrigues me most through this particular study, presented to me today during our pastor's sermon, is the question Jesus asks the invalid. “Do you want to be healed?”  What? Does he want to be healed? What kind of question is that? Of course he wants to be healed, he's been at the healing pool for a long, long time. The man then confirms to Jesus that he does want to be healed. So, Jesus heals him, tells him to pick up his bed and walk. And he does.

But what about that question, "Do you want to be healed?" Our pastor pointed out that sometimes we might get stuck in a "comfortable" rut. We aren't exactly happy with the way things are going, but it would be more trouble to change things. What about the person unhappy in a marriage due to a spouse's unwillingness to change bad habits? The spouse might not ask for the change, just allow bad things to go on. What about the person stuck in a job where they aren't fulfilling what they believe is their (or God's) purpose in life? What about the husband or wife who allows an alcoholic spouse to continue to destroy themselves? What about the wife who allows the continued beating of her, or her children? Sometimes Jesus might just be saying here, come on out, get out of that pool and make a positive change! This certainly makes me do some self reflection...

3. What is Heaven like...

In the first 2 parts of this Bible study I've learned that Heaven is:

1. A separate place apart from the earth.

2. A place where Jesus is, and He is preparing for our arrival.

3. A place for those who live by Jesus here on earth and also believe in Him as Savior.

4. It starts here on earth by us changing our inner heart, our hidden being, by following Jesus and applying Him to our lives. 

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV) Oh, oh. Even if we say we follow Jesus, he knows what is in our heart, that hidden, inner being. Remember, that hidden, inner being can lead to Heaven, or in the above case, not.

[32] So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, [33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 ESV) Being Christian starts with a change to the inner self, hidden from others, but then becomes evidenced in the way we live. Others must know who we live for, our reason for being, Christ. We must be witnesses for Him to others.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44 ESV) 

[45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46] who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46 ESV)

The parables above are not about hiding the treasure found, that treasure being Christ, they are about Heaven being worth more than any treasure we can have here on earth. We cannot fathom the dwelling place of God, nor the reward of living in eternity with Him, thru Christ. Heaven is beyond anything we can relate to on earth.

Remember, John tells us, [1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2 ESV) Jesus was before creation began, unfathomable! Christ tells us that eternal salvation, eternity, is thru Him, unfathomable! Jesus tells us that our Heavenly reward is being in the eternal presence of Him, unfathomable! I want to be there, and I am told by Him that I can, if I believe in Him, if I live my earthly life in Him, and if I live my life as evidence to Him. I hear the call, I do.

In closing this Heaven study, Heaven is:

1. A separate place apart from the earth.

2. A place where Jesus is, and He is preparing for our arrival.

3. A place for those who live by Jesus here on earth and also believe in Him as Savior.

4. Heaven starts here on earth by us changing our inner heart, our hidden being, by following Jesus and applying Him to our lives.

5. A place for those who truly follow Jesus, He knows what's in our hidden heart.

6. A place for those who are witnesses here on earth for Christ.

7. A treasure beyond any treasure we can attain here on earth.

8. An eternal home, being in the eternal presence of an eternal Jesus, an unfathomable reward, but attainable thru Him!

[1] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. [4] And you know the way to where I am going.” [5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:1-7 ESV)

2. What is Heaven like...

In my previous post (http://boundaryhomestead.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-heaven-like.html), it was learned that Heaven is:
1. A separate place away from the earth.
2. A place where Jesus is, and He is preparing for our arrival.

In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus says that Heaven is like the parable of the man who sowed the good wheat seed in his field. And then the enemy came and sowed weeds in the man's wheat field. You could not separate or pull the weeds from the field as the roots of the weed and the wheat were intertwined among each other. The wheat would be killed with the weeds if you pulled the weeds from the field. The bad weeds could only be separated from the good wheat at harvest time, when the weeds were bundled together and thrown into the fire. God will permit the evil to live among the good on earth. The good and evil will be separated at judgment day, when the good will go to Heaven to be with Jesus. Jesus said that He is the sower of the good seed, and the devil is the sower of the bad seed.

In the following verse we hear another version of what Heaven is, He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:33 ESV) The leaven spoken of here is a very small amount of it that is hidden among the very large amount of flour. This little amount of leaven is hidden from view, but fully leavens the large amount of flour when mixed into it. He is saying that Heaven starts with the change on earth of the inner soul/inner heart of us. The insignificance of the tiny, hidden, inner change is actually very important in that it leads to Heaven.

So, we've learned that Heaven is:

1. A separate place apart from the earth.

2. A place where Jesus is, and He is preparing for our arrival.

3. A place for those who live by Jesus here on earth and also believe in Him as Savior.

4. It starts here on earth by us changing our inner heart, our hidden being, by following Jesus and applying Him to our lives. 

More later. I'm going to finish watching the Seahawks and the Saints playoff game. Go Hawks!!!

1. What is heaven like...

I often wonder, what will heaven be like?  We worked hard to grow in Jesus' teachings and then live by His Word. We've run and finished the race...then what? What does the Bible tell us? Matthew 6 tells us in numerous verses that heaven is a place, separate from the earth. Here in this particular verse Jesus tells us that our treasure is safe in heaven, a place very different than our earthly, temporary home, [19]“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV) Is Jesus talking about real, physical treasures here? Working hard in heaven to make money and things? No, the treasure he is talking of is the reward for living in Him, here on earth. The reward will be being in His heavenly presence. The rewards in heaven are beyond what we can comprehend, and they cannot be compared to what are viewed as monetary or physical treasures here on earth. And it all starts at this very moment, living by His commands here and now, not later. To be Christian is to do just that: follow Jesus and then attempt to apply His teachings into our lives. We will try to do that, and sometimes we will fail, as only He was/is perfect. But, as I've said before, the Christian life is a life of multiple do-overs, and with each do-over, we'll get better at it. John 14 also tells us that heaven is a place, it's a place where He will prepare for us, and a place where He waits for us. I love the following verses, [2] In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. [4] And you know the way to where I am going.” [5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:2-6 ESV) Heaven is a place where He is, and He prepares a place for us! Cool, He's thinking of me and you...again. Then He tells us how to get there: all we have to do is follow Him, not later, but now. Why do I say this; now, and not later? [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44 ESV) Jesus is telling us here that the call has been made, and we need to hear it now. We do not know when the end will come, so we must be prepared. Sorry, got a bit off track, back to heaven.

We've learned here that heaven is:
1. A separate place away from the earth.
2. A place where Jesus is, and He is preparing for our arrival.

More later. Gonna watch the Shehawks and the Sheep play football.  O.k., the Seahawks and the Rams. Go Seahawks!!!