May 24, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Matthew? Here’s today’s reading:
Matthew 9 (NIV)
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”……Continue Reading
Matthew 8
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 ¶ When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
”For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”“
Matthew 9:5-6 NKJV
What is easier to “say”. “Arise and walk” is easier to say. What is easier to do? To forgive a man’s sins or heal him so he can walk? I would say that Jesus’ death for the forgiveness of sins was harder to do. Jesus does and says this so that they would know that He has the power to forgive sins. On the face of it, the statement demonstrates no power. Jesus then heals the man, demonstrating His physical power to prove His point.
”Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.“
Matthew 9:8 NKJV
Jesus heals the paralyzed man. After this, Jesus picks up Matthew and has dinner at his house.
“When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'”(Matthew 9:11-12)
We should, as Jesus did, show our light to the world in the hopes that the world may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16)
Jesus then explains to the Pharisees why his disciples are not fasting by saying that they will fast once He is gone.
“And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”(Matthew 9:15)
The woman who touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment was healed by her faith and was instantly made well. We actually went into the mind of the woman for a second when it said, “for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.’”
After the encounter with the woman, Jesus made his way to the dead girl. The people there were already doing a ceremony. Jesus orders the people to leave Him and they do. He then took her hand and the girl arose. The word of this soon spread around.
Next, Jesus healed the two blind men. The blind men believed that Jesus could heal their eyes and Jesus did saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” After healing them Jesus told them not to tell anyone of what happened but they told people…
After this Jesus cast out a demon in a man that enabled him to speak. The Pharisees hardened their hearts and said that he could do this because He was the prince of demons. FALSE
“But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the prince of demons.’”(Matthew 9:34)
Finally, Jesus had compassion for the people of the towns saying to his disciples, “‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”(Matthew 9:37-38). There are many who need to be cared for and brought to God.
Matthew 8 & 9
Ch 8. The storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus sleeping. Disciples panic. What’s the difference. Jesus on his father’s timetable. So aren’t the disciples. No sense worrying. Until your time comes. Rest through the storms. How do you rebuke the wind and waves. In seaman’s terms there’s what is called fetch. It’s the days after a storm and though there’s no wind. The seas remain high. Jesus immediately calms the waves. Ch 9. Matthew as a tax collector. The decision to follow Jesus immediately cost him a lot more than apostles. Unemployment for sure. Distrust. Etc. but the excitement of being a part of the Son of Gods family. Well there’s no comparison to anything this life has to offer. Vs 12. Good luck trying to share the gospel with those that think they’re not in need of a spiritual savior. But those who are hurting and sick. Let’s reach out Poor. Lonely. Outcast. These next verses are people who had lost all hope only Christ can do the impossible. Just reach out. Vs 38. Pray to God to be used by him to show a dying world an awesome God
Matthew doesn`t give all the details so referencing, Mark and Luke we get more. Starting with Jesus healing the man with palsy. Jesus was in a house in Capernaum with many gathered around including Pharisees and doctors of the law. { KJV}. There was so many gathered that no one could get in through the crowd. There were many people from Galilee. Judea, and Jerusalem. The friends of the man with palsy lowered him down through the roof on a bed right in the middle of where Jesus was teaching. It doesn`t say how many men but to make it safe it was probably four. They had open up the roof before lowering the man down. Jesus commented on their great faith and said their sins were forgiven and healed the man proving who He is. Then the healed man and many there glorified God. Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26. Then Jesus calls Matthew and he follows Jesus. In Matthew refers to himself as Matthew, but in Mark and Luke they call him Levi. This was because after Matthew came to Jesus, he was starting a new life in Christ and didn`t want anything to do with his old life. While the other writers referred to him as his first name. Also in Matthew, he invites his former associates which were tax collectors to his house. There were also other sinners along with Jesus and His disciples. The scribes and Pharisees complained to Jesus why He was eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus answer was: They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9: 12,13. The Pharisees and scribes didn`t see their need for a Savour for they were self righteous. Therefore only those who saw themselves as sinners could repent and turn to the Savour. Such blindness. It is interesting to note that Matthew refers to this meal as meat or dinner while Luke refers to this meal as a great feast. Perhaps Matthew was playing it down because of humility in Christ just like he was calling himself Matthew rather than Levi. But one thing is sure that he wanted others to come to Christ just as he had.
Jairus one of the rulers of the synagogue fell down on his knees and pleaded with Jesus to heal his only daughter who 12 years old for she was close to death. Jesus agrees and go with him along with his disciples. After healing the woman with a blood issue for 12 years after she touched his garment; Jesus tells her that it was because of her faith in Him. Mark says that she suffered much from many physicians and had spent all her money. She realized that only Jesus could heal her. Right after this someone from the ruler`s house came and told Jairus that his daughter was dead. Jesus then tells Jairus not to be afraid but believe. When arriving Jesus tells the minstrels and those making noise that she is only asleep. They laugh at Him for she is actually dead. He did know that for He is the Son of God. He dismisses all except for except for the mother, father, Peter, James, and John and goes into the room and takes her by the hand and tells her to rise and she does. He tells them to tell no one what He has done and says to give her something to eat. Jesus at this point in His ministry doesn`t want anyone to know that He has raised someone from the dead. But there were a few eyewitnesses. Then He heals two blind men by touching their eyes and tells them that according to their faith they will be healed. He also tells them not to tell anyone but they do and spread His fame abroad. He then casts out a demon from a man. The man could now speak and people marvelled. Of course the Pharisees try to discredit Jesus by saying it was done by the prince of devils. Jesus gives an answer to them in Luke 11: 14-28. That if Satan is divided against himself how can he stand. Check the whole reference in Luke. Then Jesus continued to teach and preach in the synagogues. He also kept healing every sickness and disease among the people. Jesus was moved with compassion on the people for they were without a shepherd. He tells His disciples that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. And to pray for the Lord to send forth laborers. This means that we are to pray to the Lord to send people to proclaim Christ. We also must be willing to tell others that we come in contact with about Jesus. About the salvation message. The Lord has been sending our next door neighbor to us for he wants to talk to us and even help me. He is a 36 year old man. His name is John and he has a learning disability so he lives with his parents. Please pray for Melodye and myself as we talk to him. That we may say the right words to share Christ with him. His girlfriend is Sarah. They almost listened on line with us during last Sunday service. God is working here.
Glad to hear Dennis. I will be praying for you guys!
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd
Everywhere Jesus went there was so much to do; healing, casting out demons, teaching and this verse made me think how overwhelming it must have seemed. Not too much for Him of course, but just so much hurt, disobedience, pain and yet still so much Faith! He still saw the faith of each person He helped. He took time to address them in a way that spoke to them and the time to share with those that gathered around each miracle that He was bringing something NEW, something different, and something that we each have the opportunity to experience and live in and then ultimately share with others.
Regarding 9:21…
It was no superstition that compelled this suffering woman to touch Jesus, not on his sleeve, or back, but at the hem, corner (aka wings) of his garment, with Hebrew tassles called tzitzit. See Numbers 15:38ff
This woman’s faith was remarkable, as she believed Jesus was the Messiah.
Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Incredible faith. -reb
Matthew 9
Stephen, the reason I came to Christ is because I knew I was a sinner, I knew I was living wrong morally, and for what I knew about God in 1979, I was way outside his will.
No one can come to God, or Christ otherwise. The Pharisees needed to hear that message. Nicodemus heard it, and we can only trust he took it to heart. -reb
Jesus radically changes everything He engages in, whether it is in healing and raising the dead, or dealing with detractors and legalists that won’t believe and yet don’t know what to do with Him. But because of Jesus, many lives are radically changed in this chapter and in them Jesus reveals who He is and shows that He is the Son of Man and the Son of God. How true it is that the One who does such things can also forgive sin and should be celebrated while He is here on earth. And the thing that makes it all work for every individual is believing, shown most clearly in the healing of the woman with the bleeding issue. Several people were touching Jesus, but she received power because her touch was coupled with faith. It is truly our privilege to represent Him in this world and so may we be the answer to Jesus’ prayer and be the workers that God is raising up.
Faith in God is extremely important in our Christian walk. When we believe, we are forgiven, saved, healed and guided by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 9
Matthew 9
Jesus says desire mercy not sacrifice. He says he did not come to save the righteous I came to save sinners. Jesus heals because of some ones faith. He says can you believe that I am able to do this. Christ says according to your faith it will be done. Then their eyesight was restored. There are so many people to save and so few doing the work. Even more so today.