Matthew Chapter 11

Jesus and John the Baptist

Scripture references for further study: John 1:24-34; Isaiah 35:5-6

1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

In verse one we start with being told that after the "class" he taught to send his 12 out to spread the Gospel, he went on to "teach and preach"  We think of these being the same thing but if you look at the definitions you find that they mean different things.  To preach is to proclaim or urge acceptance of, to deliver a message to an audience.  To teach is to interpret  the message, to instruct or explain.  Jesus was both a teacher and a preacher.  He delivered the message and showed people how to interpret it. 
Verse 2:  Remember that back in chapter 4:12 we learned that John the Baptist was in prison.  Now we see him sending some of the disciples to verify that Jesus is the Christ.  Sometimes this passage may seem that John was having doubts about it all, but that seems strange considering that John had proclaimed Jesus' identity.  (See John 1:29-34)  Maybe, he sent his disciples so that they could hear from the Master himself who he was, so that they would follow Him.  In John 1 : 35-37 John encouraged this.  But, he has also, now been in prison for a while so it would be understandable if he WAS having doubts.  After all, the Jews had expected a Messiah to put an end to Roman rule and establish a Jewish earthly kingdom.  Look carefully here, Jesus didn't  condemn the question, he just told the disciples all that he was doing, all that we have seen in the previous several chapters, and encouraged John to trust. 
For us, if we look at the progression with John, we see that its easy to believe, trust and follow the Lord when things are busy and happening and seem to be moving.  People re getting saved, excitement is in the air, you can declare your faith and just know nothing will change that for us.  BUT< when things settle down, and things start to go wrong, your family is squabbling, or even your church family is squabbling, things are tough at work, friends and others are laughing at your beliefs-- can you still follow Him with out doubts?  Probably not-- but there is nothing wrong with doubts.  Look at Elijah, in 1 Kings chapter 19.  He even wanted to die in this story.  What we need to know is that Jesus doesn't condemn us for our doubts.  He expects us to come to Him with them, the key is to sincerely ask for answers.  You can find others in your church or family or other places around you, but ultimately go to Jesus in the end.  He answered Johns questions and He will answer yours too.

 

 

             7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.            

Lets start with a short discussion of Elijah, whom many said that John the Baptist was incarnate of. 

Many Jews of the time read Malachi 4:5 to mean that the prophet Elijah would be returning  in person  to herald the coming Messiah.  If the people are willing to accept Jesus' explanation that John the Baptist is this promised Elijah, then they would be open to hearing the salvation message Jesus and his disciples were sharing.

This is taking place as John's disciples were walking away after Jesus's conversation with them.  The men who were preaching Johns message were being followed themselves. 

Jesus stops them and questions the people following Johns followers He wants to know what THEY had expected of John.  Certainly they had known he was not an elegant or refined man.  He was a prophet who was outspoken and rough and said what he thought.  But he was more than that.  He was the connecting link between the Old Covenant and the New one.  Jesus tells them that "there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist"  What praise, but then he goes on to tell them that even the least of the kingdom is greater.  John had probably never heard Jesus preach since he was put in prison so he only had the message of the kingdom on faith.  You can only enter the kingdom if you diligently seek it and intentionally want to follow Christ. 

He also was not the last of the Old Testament prophets but the first of the new Testament prophets.

Go through the Gospels and read everything you can find about John the Baptist, considering what Jesus said about him.  Try to imagine bin a jerw in his audience.  It would be pretty shocking and many listening didnt' understand what John saying.  Now consider Jesus' message as if for the first time.  Most of those listening tuned out the same way we do to anything we don't want to hear. 

Go back and read the Sermon on the Mount again and take it into your heart. 

Jesus started out talking to the direct followers of John, then he moved to the followers of that group.  Now he moves his circle out to the Pharisees, and the rest of the people. 

 

16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."   

Jesus was harsh about the people who heard his message and not only ignored it, but tried to talk others out of believing it as well.  They are like children who cant be satisfied.  One group wants to play the flute and  dance but is turned down, the other offers to hold a mock funeral the other group doesn't want to do that so they just sit around and bicker.  What is He trying to say about  John the Baptist?  Jesus explains that John lived a very disciplined life full of self denial and very austere.  Did the Pharisees approve of his message and in him in general?  No.  Jesus, on  the other hand, lived among the people, going to parties, weddings, dinner parties and associating with people of every level of society.  Did the Pharisees approve  No. They are like bickering children who refuse to be pleased because they don't WANT to be pleased.  Jesus is trying to explain that it really doesn't matter what they think.  The rightness of both John the Baptist and Jesus can be seen in their ministries. 

The Pharisees condemned anything they didn't like with out trying to analyse or understand or evaluate it.  The question to ask is Do you do the same?  You need to be able to analyse and evaluate the preachers or teachers that you hear to decide if they are telling you the truth or not.  Study what they are saying and compare it against the Bible, THEN>>> look carefully at the way they live and the results of their ministry.  Compare that too against the Bible. 

We all don't have to be exactly alike.  We must accept our friends and even strangers even if they are different as long as they believe in and obey Christ.  John the Baptist and Jesus lived very different lifestyles but each was right. 



Woe on Unrepentant Cities

11:21-23pp -- Lk 10:13-15

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." 

Many people, today, say they could believe in Jesus if they could just see a miracle.  But Jesus here tells us that he DID perform miracles and healed sick people of deadly diseases but still the majority of the people in these cities were unmoved.  They ignored the Truth, completely.  Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were centers of wickedness and He says THEY would have responded.  He likely wept as He said this as Jesus wants EVERYONE to come to him.  He knows also that there will be a day of judgment and those who heard hand rejected Him will have bear the consequences and accept responsibility for their choice. 

He went on to pray.  Notice he praised His heavenly father that only those who recognize their helplessness when they hear the Gospel message can receive it.  It doesn't take wisdom and learning or money or anything else.  It only takes humility, a child-likenesses.  God chose to set things up in a way that rather than making it something we can earn or work for, it is something that God freely has chosen to give the authority for the kingdom to Jesus, His Son, whom we cant know with out belonging to Him. 
Many think those who are humble are wimps.  This is not true.  Jesus describes himself as gentle and humble at heart.  He also now calls us to 'come' and HE will give us rest.  This is a spiritual rest and He wont burden us with rules and duties. 

Rest for the Weary

11:25-27pp -- Lk 10:21,22

25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

True humility is based on God's strength, and we can lean on Him and cast our troubles on Him, because HE truly cares for us (1 Pete 5:7)

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List and a little information about the 12 Apostles

To help understand who was being sent out to represent Jesus, here is a listing of the twelve disciples
Chapter 10 begins with a listing of the disciples that Jesus is sending out to represent him in this first ministry trip. 

 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.    .


Matthew 10:2 include
Simon, who is called Peter:  Simon Peter was the most prominent of the core group of disciples, easily becoming the natural spokesman and leader for the group during and following Jesus' earthly ministry.  Peter's purely human character has intrigued and encouraged many people who read the Gospel accounts.  Peters later ministry took him to Rome, where he was martyred under the roman emperor Nero. 

Andrew brother of Peter:  Andrew was originally a disciple of John the Baptist.  After John pointed Jesus out, Andrew became a follower of Jesus and was ear to bring others along, immediately haring the news with his brother Simon Peter.  According to tradition Andrew was martyred in Achaia, crucified on an X-shaped cross ( now known as St. Andrew's Cross")

James the son of Zebedee: James and his brother, John, were tow of the first disciples Jesus called.  Known for their quick temper and impulsiveness, the brothers were given the nickname "Sons of Thunder"  Little is recorded about James' ministry after Jesus' ascension; James did, however, become the first of Jesus' disciples to suffer martyrdom, at the hand of Herod Agrippa in 44 A. D.

John brother of James and son of Zebedee:  Most scholars believe that the references throughout the Gospels to "the disciple whom Jesus loved" are referring to John, the brother of James and son of Zebedee.  John is credited with writing five New Testament books- the fourth Gospel, three epistles and Revelation.  Tradition records that John was the only member to da a natural death, through he did suffer at least one exile because of his beliefs to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation. 


Matthew 10:3 includes

Philip:  Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee, the hometown of Andrew and Peter and may have been an early disciple of John the Baptist.  this Philip is not to be confused with the Philip described in Acts as the evangelist or deacon.

Bartholomew:  Little is known about this apostle, but he is probably the Nathanael mentioned in John 1
Thomas:  Known as Didymus (twin) Thomas is known both as a pillar of strength among the early disciples and for his initial doubt in believing that Christ had indeed risen from the dead.

Matthew the tax collector: Perhaps the most unlikely choice for one of Jesus' disciples, Matthew maintained a unique status in Jewish society.  A Jew who contracted with the Roman government to collect its exorbitant taxes from his own people,  Mathew along with all his fellow tax collectors was among the most despised and hated individuals in the nation.  The Jewish contempt for these individuals is evident by the numerous associations made throughout Scripture to the "tax collectors and sinners" 

James son of Alphaeus : Very little is known about this apostle.  The possibility exists that he and Matthew were brothers since in Mark 2:`4 Matthew (Levi) is also referred to as the son of Alphaeus.

Lebbaeus who's surname was Thaddeus  This apostle is mentioned just twice in the Bible, in tow of the lists of the apostles; nothing else is known for certain about him.

Matthew 10:4 includes
Simon the Zealot (or Canaanite) A different person than Simon Peter, this Simon was a member of a later Jewish political party known as the Zealots.

Judas Iscariot Not to be confused with the other apostle named Judas (Judas son of James) mentioned in two of the gospel listings of apostles, Judas Iscariot was the treasurer of the twelve.  His greed, resentment, and desire for personal power motivated him to betray Jesus to the Jews for thirty pieces of silver.  He is always found LAST in any listing of the Twelve. 

Matthew 10

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

10:2-4pp -- Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16; Ac 1:13 10:9-15pp -- Mk 6:8-11; Lk 9:3-5; 10:4-12 10:19-22pp -- Mk 13:11-13; Lk 21:12-17 10:26-33pp -- Lk 12:2-9 10:34,35pp -- Lk 12:51-53

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. 

Here we start out with Matthew telling of the 12 disciples, their task and who they were.  A disciple is a learner, a student and Jesus had and has many disciples following him.  We should count ourselves in the number of disciples over the ages.  An apostle is someone who has the authority to represent someone and is sent out with a specific purpose.  The 12 that are listed are from the "inner circle" of disciples who are being sent on a mission representing him.          When you see these 12 listed in Mark, Luke and Acts you may see some variation in names as several of them had more than one name. 

Jesus sent them out with the authority to act in his name driving out evil spirits, healing the sick, even raising the dead.  Above all they were to preach God's kingdom coming and they were to charge nothing for their services just  as Jesus did.  They were to depend solely on the people taking nothing else with them, not even a change in clothes. 

When each of us is representing Jesus, he gives us the authority to do so but ONLY when we are representing him with truth, when we are being Authentic Christians.  We are also to serve Christ with out the aim of getting rich, but don't take this passage out of context.  This was a one time mission for this group.  In Luke 22:36 Jesus tells them to take a purse and even a sword.  We need to ask God each day what we are to take with us in to his ministry.

Now, why was this group told to go ONLY to the Jews?  First we have to realize that salvation was given to the Jews to begin with and then through them to the gentiles Romans 1:16 and also remember that Matthew was writing first to a Jewish audience and those who would have read his works would have known the special place they held in gods plan of salvation.  Again this was a specific trip he was sending them out on and Jesus, himself knew how overwhelming a task it would have been if at that time he had sent the 12 men out with the plan of sharing the Gospel with the entire none world.  Jesus's instructions here were of a practical nature, concentrate on developing a strong foundation believers with in the Jewish population people who would at least be familiar with the Scripture and Messianic prophecies before attempting to connect with Non-Jews.

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. 

As the apostles traveled , preaching Jesus' message, they weren't to stay at the local Motel 6 but to stay in peoples homes.  Why?  Well, first because thy weren't carrying any money to pay for it with, but next because hospitality was a prized custom in the Middle East.     If they found people who seemed interested in their message they were to great the host with Shalom, meaning peace.  If, however, they were not greeted warmly as to share the message, so that its peace wont' be lost, they were to simply shake the dust off and move on to another more welcoming place.  There were several symbolic messages here:  The Jews believed that they should shake the dust off of themselves after any encounter with a Gentile.  So shaking the dust of an entire town off their feet when its people refused to listen would have been quite the insult to the town.  And as for being more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah?  God destroyed them for their wickedness if you remember.  Luke 12:47 explains the more we know the truth, the more we are expected to act upon it.  Think about what that really means in terms of OUR Mission.  Then Jesus tells them that they will be as helpless as sheep among wolves therefore they MUST have the shrewdness of a snake?  OK go back and read Genesis 3:1 the snake was evil, yes, but its wisdom isn't evil.  If they used wisdom with pure and righteous motives, that would protect them. 
We end this section with the reminder that our job is NOT to save people, but to plant seeds.  Even if our message is not well or even totally received, we have done our job and sometimes have to shake the dust from our own feet and move on.  The Holy Spirit is assigned the rest of the task. 

      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.   

In this section we are reminded, again that it should NOT be easy to be a Christian.  Some of what Jesus is telling his disciples is prophetic for the future and some of it is for this current mission he is sending them out on.  There is not any account this early on as to them being brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles,     but we know it DID happen later on.  We have to be careful with the next verses 19 and 20 as it is easy to twist these to your own desire.  some have used this to say we don't need to study the bible because they will be given the words when they need to witness, but go back to the verse before and see that it tells us in context to refer to arrest and persecution for being a Christian, not for witnessing to a friend.  the power of the Holy Spirit is available to those being persecuted for their faith and this may even come from our own families.  People will hate  Christians even tot he point of killing them but eternal life is the reward for those who are faithful.  don't SEEK death though he says to fee when you are persecuted.  This last sentence is again prophetic and there are several ideas about the coming mentioned.  1 the second coming, 2. His resurrection and 3 the destruction of Jerusalem.  

Remember what we said earlier about the Narrow and Wide gates?  Many who think they are Christians are not and being a Christian means that you have to be willing to endure hatred and anger for what you believe.  It cant be a causal belief something set aside when it is inconvenient.  It has to fill your heart and mind to the point that you are willing to suffer and die for Christ, or maybe even more difficult I our current society, to live for him even if your friends turn against you.    


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. 

In the first 2 verses, Jesus refers to himself as the Teacher and master head of the house.  He tells them here that his disciples can expects to be treated the same way as Jesus was treated.  It is a bit confusing, but some even called Jesus "prince of demons"  (12:24) so his followers can expect the same and even more.  We are not to be afraid when things happen because of our Christian walk, ultimately everything will be brought out in to the light of day, the open, and judged.  We are told to witness boldly, and openly about or faith.  Jesus is telling both his disciples and us today that we have no need to fear even if witnessing puts us in physical danger, for the alternative is to put our soul in danger of eternal destruction.  Verse 28 clearly speaks of God, for Satan cant destroy your soul.  (Heb. 10:31) We MUST fear disobeying God rather than fearing people as God is our final judge but he is merciful and fair even caring about he fate of a single sparrow.  Jesus reminds us that no only does God know and care about us and what is happening to us at any given moment, he knows how many hairs are on each of our heads.  Another reason to witness openly, is that Jesus tells us here that he will treat you, as you treat him.  Claim him, he claims you... deny him?????????
Think clearly every day, you may not be actively denying Jesus with your mouth, but ask yourself, is your LIFE denying him?  Are you LIVING on the Narrow road?  Or on the Broad road?  If you have not been persecuted, consider whether or not you are truly living FOR him?

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-- 36 a 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."


This is a very tough concept for us to grasp because after all.... Isn't God LOVE?  and now here Jesus is saying that he didn't come to bring peace to the earth but to bring a sword?  When faced with the Gospel Message, each of us by ourselves, from with in ourselves, just make a choice.  First, do we believe, or not in the message given us?  But even more than that, do we hold on to a half-hearted
conditional commitment to Christ, a commitment that only lasts while everything is going great for us, as long as no sacrifice is asked from us or that we are not asked to leave our "comfort zone"  or do we choose a relationship with Christ above all things and all other loyalties and commitments?  We must know that the choice will not always be an easy one to make and sometimes it is going to involve going against societal norms and taking some unpopular stances on issues. 

Jesus is also NOT saying that he came here to CAUSE fighting and divisions.  But because he came, people, through out all history, will have to choose.  They have to either choose his truth or the worlds lies.  And, sometimes those choices will separate families. It is not Christ who causes this strife, it is the pride and sin in peoples lives that cause it.  The up side is that Christ also says here that anyone who hears your witness and responds is treating you as he would treat Christ himself.  If anyone even gives a cup of cold water, he will certainly not lose his reward.  Often we hear this verse  misquoted, or at least with out the part that says "because he is my disciple."  Sure, kindness will be rewarded not just on this earth but in eternity, but Christ especially values the kindness done to his followers BECAUSE they are his followers.  We are supposed to do all we can for each other first then to the outside world. 

Matthew 9

Matthew 9 Outline

1. Jesus heals the paralyzed man
2. Jesus eats with sinners at Matthew's house
3. Religious Leaders ask Jesus about fasting
4. Jesus heals a bleeding woman and restores a girl to life
5. Jesus heals the blind and mute
6. Jesus urges the disciples to pray for workers

Jesus heals the paralyzed man
     1 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." 3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man blasphemes!" 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'? 6 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." 7 And he arose and departed to his house. 8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.




     We start with a short review of Jesus healing the paralytic.  He and his followers were in Capernaum, which is where He was basically living at this point in time.  Some men brought a paralyzed man in for healing but in this version of the story Matthew doesn't tell us that the man was lowered through the roof.  He does tell us that Jesus arrived there by boat and all three of the Gospels that tell this story repeat that Jesus saw THEIR faith. 
Its interesting as well to read that Jesus SAW their faith;  how do you see faith?  James 2:18 tells us "by what I DO"  Their could include the paralyzed man, not just those who brought him.  Faith brought them to Jesus, he recognized that and what?  He healed the man.  But not immediately.  Do you see that first, He forgave the man of his sins.  This really upset the Jewish leaders as only GOD can forgive sins.  So by what he said, Jesus was showing himself to be God.  OH and he could read their thoughts too.  He THEN showed them that the mans sins were forgiven by healing him.  Apparent in this case the mans sickness was the result of sin, and when it was forgiven he could be healed.  
     The point here is that faith in Jesus should cause you to live differently.  If your life doesn't SHOW your faith then it isn't very strong.  Its that simple.  Live like you meant it.  Come to Jesus when you have problems and need his help.  The very first thing you need to do when you come, however is ask to be forgiven of your sins.  He can read YOUR thoughts and your heart as well.  After you have come to him, after hes forgiven you, Hell tell you something you should do.  do it, just like the man got up and went home.  What do you think he DID when he got home? 

Jesus eats with sinners at Matthew's house      9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 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."   


       Matthew 9: 9-17  Matthews personal autobiography
Perhaps the most unlikely choice for one of Jesus' original disciples.  Matthew had a unique place in the Jewish society of the time.  He was  Jew by birth, who contracted with the Roman government to collect its exorbitant taxes from his won people.  He was, along with his fellow tax collectors, the most disliked and despised class of individuals in the nation.  The Jewish contempt for these individuals is evident by the numerous associations made throughout Scripture to the "tax collectors and sinners"  To appreciate the decision Matthew makes to leave everything he knew behind him and follow Jesus, you have to understand the kind of wealth, status and privilege he was giving up as a Roman Tax collector. 

      The Romans sold a "franchise" for an area to the highest bidder, and allowed that person to collect the area taxes.  The tax collector was told how much to pay the roman government but what ever else he could collect beyond that was his to keep.  His pay as it were.  They over taxed as much as they could getting rich off of their "friends and neighbors"  Naturally they were not a popular group of people.  Matthew had undoubtedly heard of Jesus and probably had also heard what John the Baptist had said about him, so it was not new information when Jesus called out to him.  Notice how he reacted to Jesus' call.  Matthew got up and followed him.  He ALSO brought his associates and friends to meet Jesus. 
      The Pharisees and other religious leaders were unhappy that Jesus was hanging out with sinners.  This again caused him to speak out to the leaders.  he responds that the sinners needed what he had to offer.  The Scripture he quoted reminds us again that God is concerned about our HEART attitude, not what we show to the outside world.      



Religious Leaders ask Jesus about fasting
      14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?"   
     As John the Baptist observed one almost continual fast, his diet being locusts and wild honey, his disciples naturally had great respect for that rite, and noted the lack of its observance by Jesus as an apparent defect in his character. They were honest inquirers, and Jesus answered them respectfully as such.


     15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.   
17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."            

     Jesus explains to Johns followers that when the "friends of the bridegroom" went to get the bride and bring her to the ceremony for a wedding, it was with great happiness not mourning and sadness.  Jesus had not yet left this earth, he was here with his people therefore he did not require any fasting.  He also goes on to explain to the people there that while John had lead them to expect a leader who would come to "reform" judism, that was NOT his purpose.   He was there to not really put patches on the fabric of time, but to close the holes. 


Jesus heals a bleeding woman and restores a girl to life     18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live."19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. 20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour. 23 When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.   


      While he was still speaking to John's disciples he was interrupted.  One of the elders of the synagogue, (referred to here as ruler) came to ask for help for his daughter.  Again, we have parallel accounts in the gospels of this episode.  Mark and Luke tell us that the daughter was dying.  Matthew may have meant that she was certain to die, but at a rate her father showed his faith by his confidence in Jesus even though he was going against everything his friends and family believed about this guy. 
Jesus went with the man to see the daughter.
     On the way, he passed a woman who had been sick for 12 years with a disease that made her ceremonially unclean.  (Look up Lev. 15:25-27)  It seems strange that she wanted to touch his cloak but it was the tassels she touched (numbers 15:38-39)  We can read the story in Mark and Luke to see that SHE KNEW she was healed even as Jesus felt that she had drawn on his power.  He stopped to speak to speak to her and let her know that it was her faith that enabled her to be healed. 

     Arriving now at the house of the ruler, they encountered crowds of hired mourners.  These people were hired and had no real connection to the family so Jesus put them out. He then went to raise the girl up.  And the news once again spread. 

     Jewish mourning customs were not at all similar to the quiet reserved funeral service of today's society.  Loud wailing (often by professional and hired mourners-individuals paid to induce and sustain loud wailing among the mourners)  tearing their garments and flute-playing ( the flute's sound was associated with death) were characteristic of the Jewish tradition. 

    Again, Jesus not only wants us to have faith in him, but he wants us to act on that faith  He wants us to come to him as confidently and reverently as the synagogue ruler did.  He wants us to reach out to touch him with the same confidence the woman had.  We also have to realize that the attitudes of those around us can have an affect on us.  The hired mourners had laughed an t Jesus and he made them leave.  If the people you hang out with cause you to stumble in your walk with Jesus or are a distraction to you in trying to walk beside him, you need to find new friends.  Is that drastic?  Yes but its part of acting on your faith.  Evaluating yourself and your surroundings and adjusting to see where God wants us to be.

     We DON'T have Jesus standing here eating, drinking and walking with us so today, this week, we need to consider prayer and fasting to see where we are to be going in our walk with Him.        We need to bring our questions, our concerns and most of all our sins to him on a daily basis.  Then we need to spread the news.

Jesus heals the blind and the mute:
     27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" 28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it." 31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. 32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!" 34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons." 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 

Lets take a side bar here for just a moment and look at a question.   Why does Jesus tell some people NOT to share about their healing?  Through out the Gospels, we find Jesus warned people on numerous occasions to certain people NOT to tell anyone about their healings.  (see Matt. 8:4, 9:30, 12:16, Mark 5:43, 7:3)  If you read Luke 4:41 and Mark 1:34)  Jesus was so concerned for this that he would not even allow the ,demons to address him as the Christ.  We wonder why he was so secretive. 
     Jesus never really gives us a clear reason but several possibilities exist, if we look at his concern for  1)  The persons being healed. 
Jesus understood that while the Jewish people as a whole thought highly of him, there were individuals in the Jewish community who certainly did Not accept his message, miracles or ministry.  These were primarily the religious leadership.  Jesus may have been telling these people not to tell where their miracles came from to protect their own reputations by remaining silent. 
  2) The timing of his ministry
Remember that the Jewish expectation of the Christ was so strong that Jesus realized that he needed to pace his ministry or the anticipation and excitement of the people will move events too fast for what needs to happen. 
3)  the political climate of Palestine.  In the minds of many Jews of that day the coming of the Messiah would be in terms of earthly power and might, a military or political leader who would lead the nation out from under the domination of the Roman empire.  If the supernatural deeds Jesus was performing along with what the people "thought" should happen in their inaccurate understanding, if this were allowed to happen unrestrained the national frenzy that could have been created might well have resulted in a revolution and then further and increased domination by Rome. 

So this also brings us to the question, will Jesus always heal us if we believe enough that he can?  No but he DOES demand that we believe in him as the starting point.  remember that the first thing He looks at is oru faith when we come to him.  But unlike the Pharisees, we need to be careful of our motivations when we judge things.  They were so caught up in their traditions and rules that they couldn't see Jesus for WHO HE WAS.  We know him, but it s easy for us to not understand when we see different customs and ways of worship.  Be careful not to immediately condemn something Check the Bible to be sure its wrong and not just different. 



Jesus urges the disciples to pray for workers

             36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."   

Jesus went everywhere teaching and preaching and healing.  he reached out to everyone he could.  Why?  Because he was "moved with compassion for them"  He saw the lost condition of everyone around him and it broke his heart. 

He made the statement to his disciples that still applies today,  The harvest it plentiful. but the workers are few.  There are many more people out there who need Jesus than there are people reaching out for them to lead them to Christ.  We still need to be praying that God will help each of us, help each of them. 
If we go back to Ezekiel 34, God spoke to Ezekiel about his people, saying bad things about the "shepherds" he had sent to them.  They had left the flock and it was "scattered" and "plundered"  He said he would hold the shepherds accountable and remove them from tending the flock.  In verse 11 he says, "I myself will search for my sheep and look after them"  Now in Matthew, he has great compassion on the people because they were like lost sheep. 
We must have hearts filled with compassion for the lost.  We are told in Mark 16:15 Luke 24:27 and Acts 1:8 that our job is to go out and minister to the lost and dying and bring them to Christ all over the world, and in our own back door. 


If you want deeper study here look up these verses that show Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would have such powers:
1 Samuel 10:10 and 11:6
2 Chronicles 32:7
Isaiah 29:18-19
Isaiah 35:5-6
Isaiah 40:10
Isaiah 61:1
Isaiah 63:12
Jeremiah 10:6
Hosea 13:14
What kind of "power" were these references speaking about?  How does Jesus the Messiah either contradict, redefine or fulfill these? 

Our Purpose:

The purpose of this blog is to help our Bible Study Class members to be able to participate in this study in a way that is meaningful, even when raising babies, taking care of illnesses, working to pay the bills, and just being out of town.   This year we have been studying the book of Matthew and I will start the blog where we are currently at and then go back and back date lessons so we can get the whole chapter study in.  That way if there are things any of us have missed, we can go back and get the picture of the whole story.