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SIMON, THE ZEALOT
(Study on the Twelve Apostles)
(MBC - Wednesday PM, June 28, 2023
I – THE MEANING OF THE WORD “ZEALOT” Read Matthew 10:4 who is the disciple named before Judas Iscariot.
Matthew 10:4 “Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.”
This disciple is called the ______________________ .
Notice in Matthew 10:2,4 among the twelve apostles, there are two disciples who had the same name Simon. Can you name the two men that both had the name Simon. ___________________ v.2; ____________________ v.4
Many people know the one Simon mentioned in verse 2 whose common name is Peter, but we hardly know anything of the other Simon mentioned in verse 4. This man called Simon in verse 4 is never mentioned except when the names of the twelve disciples are listed, that is why we are not familiar or know anything about him except his name.
This Simon mentioned in Matthew 10:4 was called “Simon the ________________ ”
Let us learn about the name of this man. Although this man was called Simon the Canaanite, it does not mean that this Simon comes from the city of Cana, besides, it does not mean also that he was a descendant of the Canaanites. The truth is, the name Simon the Canaanite means Simon was a zealot or he was an enthusiast. This disciple Simon was a member of a political party which later became known as Simon the zealots.
Read the two bible verses Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13 and complete the missing word, so we can know what name we should call him.
Luke 6:15 “Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called _______________,”
Acts 1:13 “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon __________, and Judas the brother of James.”
Because of this biblical record of his name, from now on we shall call this man “Simon the zealot.”
II – THE BELIEFS OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE “ZEALOTS” The zealots’ people were very zealous group of people. They word zealous means enthusiastic, in other words these zealots were very zealous patriotic party of Jews who strongly opposed the rule of the Romans. What philosophy did these zealots had and fighting for? These zealots Jews wanted Israel to be a free nation and they do not want any foreign nation to rule over them, so they hate the Romans to rule them. In our times, we probably call these group of people Jews as known today the “Israelite Liberation Army.” These zealots’ Jewish group of people wanted their nation Israel to be liberated or set free from the control of Roman power. These zealots’ Jewish member of the liberation believe that the action on they are doing action and their proclaimed movement were justified as they use force to in order to accomplish their goal of freedom against the rule of the Romans. These zealots’ patriotic Jewish group would use violence, robbery, and even as much as they can will use assassination to accomplish their goal that their nation Israel is free from any control of any foreign nation which they believed is right. The zealots hold and stand on their philosophy that the end justifies the means. These zealots’ group believed there is nothing wrong to do evil, if good shall ultimately be accomplished. The end that they are fighting for was LIBERATION FROM THE ROMANS. They believed in their mentality that their means of violence, murder, force, and others were justified by the end which is liberation from the Romans. That is why these zealots were willing to act on anything even sinful things so that they could further their cause of their goal. Did God commanded us that we should follow this philosophy? ___________________
Do you agree that God wants us to do evil and sinful things that good may come? _________________
Romans 3:8 “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”
Did you think that God is pleased and agreed that a father should steal bread in order he can feed his family suffering severely from hunger? _______
If you did not think God wants a father to steal for his starving family, so what can a father do instead? ____________
THINK: “IT IS NEVER RIGHT TO DO WRONG TO DO RIGHT!”
In Acts 5:37, we learn that the zealot movement probably began with the uprising of Judas of Galilee but did not succeed
Acts 5:37 “After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.”
This said uprising of the zealot took place about the time of the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. There are many zealots during the time of public earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, who wanted to use force even in a wrong way just to liberate their country. Probably some of the zealot’s members are the criminal named Barabbas who wants by the crowd to be freed in exchange for the crucifixions of Jesus, and the other criminals who died at the cross at the left and right of Jesus were zealots, they were crucified because they were both enemies of Rome, for they opposed the rule of Rome.
Among those Jewish zealots who strongly wants Israel to be liberated during that time was named Simon. When got to know Jesus as Savior, this man Simon decided to follow Jesus Christ. Simon started to realize that Christ came to this earth primarily to liberate the heart of man not the country of Jewish people. The bondage of sin (spiritual bondage with eternal consequence) is much more serious, dreadful and miserable than the Roman bondage of the Israelites (earthly and temporal bondage). Simon the zealot realize that it is more blessed to be freed from the bondage of sin with eternal punishment than to be liberated from the rule of Romans.
John 8:32-38 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
When Simon converted to Christianity from being zealot for the liberation of Israel nation to being zealous follower of the Lord Jesus who is the greatest liberator of all.
John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
The zealous movement did not succeed on what they are fighting for, they never accomplished its goal against the Romans. In AD 70, the zealots so angered the Romans that the Roman army led by future emperor, General Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Jewish Temple. The siege of Jerusalem of 70 CE was the decisive event of the first Jewish-Roman war (66-73 CE). Following a brutal five month siege, the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem, the center of Jewish rebel resistance in the Roman province of Judaea. Hence, the zealots did not succeed in setting their nation free. In Romans 2:13-14, God wants every believer to be on fire for the Lord. Every believer must be enthusiastic and excited about the spiritual things of the Lord. It is God’s plan and will of God that every believer to be different kind of a zealot.
God wants every believer to be a different kind of a "ZEALOT." He wants us to be "______________ of good works" (Titus 2:13- 14), which means that we are to be "on fire for the Lord!" or enthusiastic and excited about the things of the Lord.
Find the missing word in Titus 2:13- 14 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, ___________ of good works.”
Examine yourself if you are a zealot for the Lord:
Are you zealous or enthusiastic about attending a fundamental, Bible-centered church?
Are you zealous or enthusiastic about reading your Bible?
Are you zealous or enthusiastic about prayer?
Are you zealous or enthusiastic about sharing the gospel of Christ to others?
Are you zealous or enthusiastic about going to prayer meeting?
Are you zealous or enthusiastic about maintaining doing good works that please the Lord?
God is searching for zealous, excited and enthusiastic believers today!
Read Revelation 3:19 and see how Jesus was displeased of the Lukewarmness of Laodicean church that lack zealousness. Read John 2:13-16 and look how Jesus was consumed by zeal for temple of God and proved Himself to be zealous for the things of the God.
The description of being consumed by zeal for God’s house is applied to Jesus in John 2. Jesus had just proved Himself to be very zealous for the house (or temple) of the Lord. He had cleansed the temple of the wicked men who were extorting and cheating worshipers:
John 2:13-16 “And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.”
Look how Jesus was affected for the bad treatments of people toward the temple or house of God. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts and there Jesus found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So, Jesus made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; then Jesus scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves the Lord said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my father’s house into a market!’” Now, interestingly, upon seeing Jesus’ actions in the temple His disciples remembered what was written in John 2:17 “His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me’”.
It is quite possible that others had felt “uncomfortable” about what was going on in the temple (house of God). However, Jesus was the only one on record who actually did something about it. In this case, “consuming zeal” may have a bit of a double meaning. Not only was Jesus’ zeal consuming in that it caused Him to take full force action opposing those wicked men in the temple, but it set the Lord Jesus to be in collision with the Jewish leadership that eventually resulted in their delivering Jesus to Pilate to be crucified. If you are following the steps of Jesus, be zealous, be enthusiastic about all things about God. Amen! - - - - - TO BE CONTINUED - - - - -
III – THE OPPOSITE OF MATTHEW AND SIMON, THE ZEALOT The life of Matthew and Simon, the zealot is very opposite. The life of Matthew and Simon, the zealot who were both disciples of Jesus Christ are very instructive, informative and inspirational. Give attention to two notable and utmost differences:
Matthew was formerly a tax collector hated by his fellow Jews because of his support to the Romans who rule over Israel.
Simon was formerly a member of zealots group who believe it is right to do wrong just to achieve their goal for liberation of Israel against the power of Rome.
Read Matthew 22:17, and think what will be the decision or reply of a zealot regarding the question in Matthew 22:17?
Matthew 22:17 “Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”
Without Christ, what would happen to Matthew and Simon?
In fact, if both of them did not become Christians they would not agreed to each other, because without Christ they would have been great enemies having their own beliefs and sinful wicked ways of life.
Read the transforming power of Christ and complete the verse II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new ___________: old things are ________ away; behold, all things are become _________.”
Although this verse teaches about our new standing before the Lord as justified by faith
Romans 3:21-22 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:”)
We now have the imputed righteousness of Christ
II Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”)
It also teaches us that since Christ is righteous, we need to live in righteousness
I John 2:29 “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”
Matthew and Simon could be together, they could work together, eat together, serve together and learn together because it is the result of great miraculous transforming power of the Lord Jesus.
In fact, if both of them did not become Christians they would have been at each other ‘s throats, because without Christ they would have been aggressively attacking each other with their opposite directions of their ways of life.
Is it possible that the opposite men could be united? How? Through and by Jesus Christ the union of opposites become possible. Because both Matthew and Simon knew Jesus as their Savior and become apostles of the Lord Jesus, so they had great things in common.
Can you think of some things that these two disciples are now had in common? (Galatians 3:28) __________
Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Read Galatians 3:28 then write down the missing words.
Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all ____ in Christ Jesus.”
This verse teaches us that when we are all in Christ Jesus, there are certain differences that do not really matter. We will learn that we need to cast away that burden to the Lord for the Lord causes all things work together for your good.
Can you think of big differences that is really existing between you and another person. ___________
Can you think also of several things that is in common between you and another person. __________
Do you believe that there is a possibility today for two different and opposite people to get along with each other? _____
If you believe that is possible, then how? __________
Notice Paul writes to the Ephesians believers in Ephesians 4:2 that they are to be forbearing. Put the missing words.
Ephesians 4:2 “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing _______ _____________ in love;”
The word “forbear” or “forbearing” is a verb, present participle middle or Passive voice in New Testament, nominative masculine plural. The Greek “anecho” from “ana” means “up”; “echo” means to have or hold up or bear with, that is showing tolerance. The verb “anecho” signifying “to bear with, endure” and is rendered “forbearing one another” Paul said that we are to be putting up with one another in love. It is astonishing to see that Matthew put up with or bear with Simon, and it is even shocking to see that Simon put up with or bear with Matthew. It is much more amazing to know how Jesus Christ put up with or bear with these two men who lived only for their greediness, selfishness, and even violence, evil ways. In spite of the ugly past lives of Matthew and Simon, Jesus’ reach and touch their heart, change their whole lives and make them His disciples. Did you think how blessed you are and are you thankful that Jesus Christ is willing to put up with you and that Jesus came into this world to save you? Listen to Paul’s testimony in I Timothy 1:
I Timothy 1:12-16 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”
Christ loves us who ae not very lovable and through His love helps us to reach out also those who are not very lovable like us. Let us not forget the lessons we learned from the former selfish collector who gained richness from dishonest way and Simon the Zealot who justified doing evil things just to accomplish his own rights for liberation of his country but by God’s grace, their lives were transformed by God and are now faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen!!
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