My son Matthew claims - often claims - that I am 'too soft' on David (our youngest son). I give in too much. I baby him too much.
Really I think I just love him to bits! And if truth were told ... I am 'too soft' on all of them in one way or another. Right now I can smell the pumpkin pie I know Matthew will clamour for the moment he gets in the door. The meals for the week-end are all 'Jonathan-friendly' ... well, for the most part ... except for the Super Bowl chili - requested by Matthew. :) Perhaps I am toooo soft.
What's all this got to do with Matthew - the book of the Bible Matthew?! Well as I was reading chapter 10 it struck me (as it did Kerry) how harsh a message Jesus was giving to his newly commissioned apostles. It made me wonder if we sometimes have a picture of Jesus as being 'too soft'.
For the last few chapters we've witnessed the awesome power of Jesus as He's performed a variety of miracles. We've seen that He doesn't exclude anyone from His healing touch - the leper, the woman, the servant, the Gentile. No one is out of His sphere of love. We read about how He calmed the storm to calm the fears of His disciples. His actions showed patience, grace, mercy. His power brought healing, forgiveness and new life.
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild ...
But here in chapter 10 we see Jesus as leader; forthright, commanding, warning, encouraging but definitely not coddling or 'soft'.
It's another side of Jesus - not to exclude the gracious side or dominate it - but definitely a side to know and accept as who He is.
More to come after I read some wise people's thoughts and think further on chapter 10 ...
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Matthew 10
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Matthew 9 - Authority expanded, purpose defined
Do you have a purpose in life? An overarching goal? Or do you find your life is a series of random events unrelated to each other? In chapter nine Matthew continues to record the miracles of Jesus. One after another he records them, almost like a grocery list. Is this just a random selection of events? Are they related or connected for a purpose?
If we compared Matthew's accounts of Jesus' miracles to that of John we would find that Matthew's description is sparse. His narrative is minimal. In contrast John goes to great lengths to paint a picture of the scene and of the people involved. Matthew writes concisely. His style brings to mind a lawyer standing before a jury pleading his point, submitting layer upon layer of evidence to build a solid case.
And Matthew is, in a sense, building a case. As we discovered earlier in the book Matthew is writing to the Jews. His purpose is to give proof that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed Jesus Christ, the long awaited Messiah. Matthew bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments by quoting the prophets. He builds his case by revealing how Jesus fulfills their predictions by the place, lineage and means of His birth. Matthew continues to solidify his claims by recording Jesus' authoritative teaching and miraculous healing.
But here in chapter nine the miracle working takes a turn. Not only does Jesus restore physical health, He forgives sin.
2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
The people were awe struck by Jesus' power! They were afraid! They were also mistaken. They thought God's new plan involved allowing 'man' to forgive sins.
8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
They were right in one sense that God had a new plan. However they were totally wrong about its form.
The teachers of the law were outraged by Jesus words. They understood the implications of Jesus' statement. Jesus was claiming to be God! Jesus' proclamation of forgiveness expanded His authority beyond the physical, the mental, and the natural to include power over the spiritual.
Jesus' claim to forgive sins not only pointed to Him being the Messiah but was His direct claim of deity. As God, Jesus' purpose was revealed. He came to provide forgiveness of sin.
The people were right - it was a new plan. Jesus explains:
16"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Jesus' forgiveness of the paralyzed man's sins commenced the opening of a new means of relating to God. By Jesus' proclamation He revealed another aspect of the Kingdom of God: the end of sacrifices. After hundreds of years of following the sacrificial law Jesus' words to the paralytic opened up the means of grace. It wasn't a patching up of the law - a new patch put on an old garment - but a totally different vessel to hold the relationship between God and man; a radically different plan.
Jesus' mandate was to be the means of grace and to share the good news of this new way. His life purpose was clear. Because of this Jesus' life wasn't a random set of events. His miracles pointed to the truth of an alternate way of life, of God's existence on earth, of the way things would one day be, of reconciliation between God and man.
His authority to forgive sins and His purpose to be the means of this grace both shocked and rocked the first century world... and amazingly still has the power to do the same today.
If we compared Matthew's accounts of Jesus' miracles to that of John we would find that Matthew's description is sparse. His narrative is minimal. In contrast John goes to great lengths to paint a picture of the scene and of the people involved. Matthew writes concisely. His style brings to mind a lawyer standing before a jury pleading his point, submitting layer upon layer of evidence to build a solid case.
And Matthew is, in a sense, building a case. As we discovered earlier in the book Matthew is writing to the Jews. His purpose is to give proof that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed Jesus Christ, the long awaited Messiah. Matthew bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments by quoting the prophets. He builds his case by revealing how Jesus fulfills their predictions by the place, lineage and means of His birth. Matthew continues to solidify his claims by recording Jesus' authoritative teaching and miraculous healing.
But here in chapter nine the miracle working takes a turn. Not only does Jesus restore physical health, He forgives sin.
2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
The people were awe struck by Jesus' power! They were afraid! They were also mistaken. They thought God's new plan involved allowing 'man' to forgive sins.
8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
They were right in one sense that God had a new plan. However they were totally wrong about its form.
The teachers of the law were outraged by Jesus words. They understood the implications of Jesus' statement. Jesus was claiming to be God! Jesus' proclamation of forgiveness expanded His authority beyond the physical, the mental, and the natural to include power over the spiritual.
Jesus' claim to forgive sins not only pointed to Him being the Messiah but was His direct claim of deity. As God, Jesus' purpose was revealed. He came to provide forgiveness of sin.
The people were right - it was a new plan. Jesus explains:
16"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Jesus' forgiveness of the paralyzed man's sins commenced the opening of a new means of relating to God. By Jesus' proclamation He revealed another aspect of the Kingdom of God: the end of sacrifices. After hundreds of years of following the sacrificial law Jesus' words to the paralytic opened up the means of grace. It wasn't a patching up of the law - a new patch put on an old garment - but a totally different vessel to hold the relationship between God and man; a radically different plan.
Jesus' mandate was to be the means of grace and to share the good news of this new way. His life purpose was clear. Because of this Jesus' life wasn't a random set of events. His miracles pointed to the truth of an alternate way of life, of God's existence on earth, of the way things would one day be, of reconciliation between God and man.
His authority to forgive sins and His purpose to be the means of this grace both shocked and rocked the first century world... and amazingly still has the power to do the same today.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Just thinking
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
As I was reading through chapter 9 I came across this passage. I didn't remember this from Matthew. Mark 5 describes the scene in greater detail and is the passage I remember best. Here it is ...
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
31 "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' "
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
I've always been intrigued by this account. Especially by Jesus' response but also by the woman's situation. She'd been sick for 12 years. She'd been in pain for over a decade. Hmmmm. She'd been to doctor after doctor seeking a cure. She'd been disappointed time after time. A roller coaster of hope and disappointment. "Will this one know what is wrong with me?" "Will this one have a cure?" "Maybe if I do this the pain will go?" "Maybe this doctor will know what I should do!"
I bet she was just about willing to do anything to change her physical condition but the 'thing' to do alluded her. Exhausted by her illness, depressed from the inability to figure out, if not control, her body, she happens upon Jesus walking down the road.
I wonder if she heard the local official ask Jesus to come and raise his daughter from the dead. She probably felt dead. Her life blood had been slowly draining for far too long. Gathering what little hope she had she reached out to Him and touched his cloak. It might have just been the strings dangling down from his Jewish attire. Just a feint touch, but I wonder if she hoped with all her might that this man would have the cure.
Can you imagine being there? It says she was frightened when Jesus turned around. All of a sudden she was discovered, uncovered, revealed. I wonder if before this time she had remained hidden. Hiding in her house. Hidden from outside activities. Hidden from friends. This "revelation" scared her. I wonder if she thought He was going to be angry. If she would be berated for touching a man, or even just for being in public.
Imagine her relief when she looked into his eyes and saw compassion instead of frustration; a huge measure of unhurried patience.
Imagine her amazement as she realized her illness was healed! Suddenly, spontaneously, abruptly healed!!! I wonder if she cried ....tears of joy... of relief ... of unbelief. Actually that is what she didn't have. Unbelief. She believed. Her faith made her well.
Some days I wish Jesus was still walking down the street.
22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
As I was reading through chapter 9 I came across this passage. I didn't remember this from Matthew. Mark 5 describes the scene in greater detail and is the passage I remember best. Here it is ...
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
31 "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' "
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
I've always been intrigued by this account. Especially by Jesus' response but also by the woman's situation. She'd been sick for 12 years. She'd been in pain for over a decade. Hmmmm. She'd been to doctor after doctor seeking a cure. She'd been disappointed time after time. A roller coaster of hope and disappointment. "Will this one know what is wrong with me?" "Will this one have a cure?" "Maybe if I do this the pain will go?" "Maybe this doctor will know what I should do!"
I bet she was just about willing to do anything to change her physical condition but the 'thing' to do alluded her. Exhausted by her illness, depressed from the inability to figure out, if not control, her body, she happens upon Jesus walking down the road.
I wonder if she heard the local official ask Jesus to come and raise his daughter from the dead. She probably felt dead. Her life blood had been slowly draining for far too long. Gathering what little hope she had she reached out to Him and touched his cloak. It might have just been the strings dangling down from his Jewish attire. Just a feint touch, but I wonder if she hoped with all her might that this man would have the cure.
Can you imagine being there? It says she was frightened when Jesus turned around. All of a sudden she was discovered, uncovered, revealed. I wonder if before this time she had remained hidden. Hiding in her house. Hidden from outside activities. Hidden from friends. This "revelation" scared her. I wonder if she thought He was going to be angry. If she would be berated for touching a man, or even just for being in public.
Imagine her relief when she looked into his eyes and saw compassion instead of frustration; a huge measure of unhurried patience.
Imagine her amazement as she realized her illness was healed! Suddenly, spontaneously, abruptly healed!!! I wonder if she cried ....tears of joy... of relief ... of unbelief. Actually that is what she didn't have. Unbelief. She believed. Her faith made her well.
Some days I wish Jesus was still walking down the street.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Matthew 9 - The Message
Who Needs a Doctor?
1-3 Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins." Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
4-8Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.
9 Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.
10-11 Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?"
12-13 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."
Kingdom Come
14 A little later John's followers approached, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don't?"
15 Jesus told them, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!"
16-17 He went on, "No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don't put your wine in cracked bottles."
Just a Touch
18-19 As he finished saying this, a local official appeared, bowed politely, and said, "My daughter has just now died. If you come and touch her, she will live." Jesus got up and went with him, his disciples following along.
20-22 Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can just put a finger on his robe, I'll get well." Jesus turned—caught her at it. Then he reassured her: "Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you're well." The woman was well from then on.
23-26 By now they had arrived at the house of the town official, and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and the neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: "Clear out! This girl isn't dead. She's sleeping." They told him he didn't know what he was talking about. But when Jesus had gotten rid of the crowd, he went in, took the girl's hand, and pulled her to her feet—alive. The news was soon out, and traveled throughout the region.
Become What You Believe
27-28 As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, "Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!" When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" They said, "Why, yes, Master!"
29-31 He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." It happened. They saw. Then Jesus became very stern. "Don't let a soul know how this happened." But they were hardly out the door before they started blabbing it to everyone they met.
32-33 Right after that, as the blind men were leaving, a man who had been struck speechless by an evil spirit was brought to Jesus. As soon as Jesus threw the evil tormenting spirit out, the man talked away just as if he'd been talking all his life. The people were up on their feet applauding: "There's never been anything like this in Israel!"
34 The Pharisees were left sputtering, "Hocus-pocus. It's nothing but hocus-pocus. He's probably made a pact with the Devil."
35-38 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
1-3 Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins." Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
4-8Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.
9 Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.
10-11 Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?"
12-13 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."
Kingdom Come
14 A little later John's followers approached, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don't?"
15 Jesus told them, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!"
16-17 He went on, "No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don't put your wine in cracked bottles."
Just a Touch
18-19 As he finished saying this, a local official appeared, bowed politely, and said, "My daughter has just now died. If you come and touch her, she will live." Jesus got up and went with him, his disciples following along.
20-22 Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can just put a finger on his robe, I'll get well." Jesus turned—caught her at it. Then he reassured her: "Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you're well." The woman was well from then on.
23-26 By now they had arrived at the house of the town official, and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and the neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: "Clear out! This girl isn't dead. She's sleeping." They told him he didn't know what he was talking about. But when Jesus had gotten rid of the crowd, he went in, took the girl's hand, and pulled her to her feet—alive. The news was soon out, and traveled throughout the region.
Become What You Believe
27-28 As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, "Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!" When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" They said, "Why, yes, Master!"
29-31 He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." It happened. They saw. Then Jesus became very stern. "Don't let a soul know how this happened." But they were hardly out the door before they started blabbing it to everyone they met.
32-33 Right after that, as the blind men were leaving, a man who had been struck speechless by an evil spirit was brought to Jesus. As soon as Jesus threw the evil tormenting spirit out, the man talked away just as if he'd been talking all his life. The people were up on their feet applauding: "There's never been anything like this in Israel!"
34 The Pharisees were left sputtering, "Hocus-pocus. It's nothing but hocus-pocus. He's probably made a pact with the Devil."
35-38 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Matthew 9
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
The Calling of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Jesus Questioned About Fasting
14 Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
15 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
The Workers Are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
The Calling of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Jesus Questioned About Fasting
14 Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
15 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
The Workers Are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Matthew 8 - Authority
10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.When I first read Matthew 8 I was struck by the references to faith. This chapter seems to contain numerous examples and to provide a notable contrast in faith.
Initially we read of the leper asking Jesus to heal him. How great is his faith? We might think the leper had nothing to lose and therefore his faith was little more than a cry of desperation. Nonetheless, he calls out to Jesus for help, he steps out in faith.
The next instance of faith is noticed by Jesus as exceptional. The faith of the Gentile Centurion defies explanation. Why would he ask for Jesus' help? Why would he believe in Jesus? Had he seen him heal the leper? His faith was extraordinary, in part, because he had no reason - no Jewish history - to draw him to Jesus. His faith was amazing because he realized Jesus' authority and power. He believed Jesus only needed to say a word and his servant would be healed.
In contrast, the disciples, who we'd think could trust Jesus, are unable to survive a storm on the lake without questioning His ability to keep them safe. Their faith seems sorely lacking. Of these men Jesus says, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (v 26)
With all this about faith, I was sure that was what this chapter was about. I was all set to apply this to my life, to examine my faith status, when I looked more carefully at the chapter.
It's interesting that the centurion's servant's faith (if he had some) isn't mentioned, yet he was healed. It's notable that Peter's mother-in-law didn't have the ability to reveal her level of faith, yet she too was healed. Similarly the 'demon-possessed' in verses 16 and 28 were unable to express any faith they had - and quite possibly their state of mind was contrary to having any faith in Jesus - yet they were healed.
Jesus' healing ministry focuses less on the faith of the people and more on the authority of the healer. His actions reveal what living in the Kingdom - a Kingdom ruled by God - is like.
In the Kingdom of God all people matter - the leper, the servant, the Gentile, the woman, the possessed, the disciple. Jesus came for all the world. His love reaches out to each of us no matter who we are. But more than reaching out to us, Jesus' miracles in chapter 8 reveal His authority and power to bring about healing; to restore order out of chaos; to bring peace.
Jesus' authority is emphasized in in the little paragraph sandwiched between the various healings - in verses 18-22. These were curious verses to me. They seemed out of place. What is this about foxes having holes and the dead burying the dead? Without a detailed exegesis what it seemed to point out to me is that Jesus is not bound by anything earthly, (houses, tradition, family) and that He demands full allegiance. And He rightfully can demand this first priority because He is God. He has authority and as such He calls people out of their worldly concerns into a life of following Him.
It's interesting, isn't it, that even the demons in verse 28 recognize Jesus' authority. The demons do what He commands.
Nature recognizes His authority. The wind obeys him.
The physical body is bound by His will. Disease is removed.
Despite His authority no where in this chapter do we witness Jesus forcing Himself upon someone; healing someone who prefers to remain sick. Interesting. Somehow our willingness, His authority and our faith are tied together. This mix or relationship isn't completely clear to me.
What does seem clear from Matthew 8 is that Jesus' authority and ability are without question... and I find, as I reflect upon these, that my willingness and faith are increasing.
How about you?
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