Faithfulness To Jesus!

¹⁶ “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd (wise) as snakes (serpents) and harmless (innocent) as doves. ¹⁷ But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. ¹⁸ You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are My followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about Me (Jesus). ¹⁹ When you are arrested, do not worry (anxious) about how to respond (speak) or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. ²⁰ For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

²¹ A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. ²² And all nations will hate you because you are My followers. But everyone who endures (perseveres) to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.

²⁴ Students (disciple) are not greater than their teacher, and slaves (servants) are not greater than their master. ²⁵ Students (disciple) are to be like their teacher, and slaves (servants) are to be like their master. And since I, the Master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of My household will be called by even worse names!

²⁶ But do not be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. ²⁷ What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout (proclaim) from the housetops for all to hear!

²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. ³⁰ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. ³¹ So do not be afraid (fear not); you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

³² Everyone who acknowledges Me (Jesus) publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. ³³ But everyone who denies Me here on earth, I will also deny before My Father in heaven.

³⁴ Do not imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ Your enemies will be right in your own household!’

³⁷ If you love your father or mother more than you love Me, you are not worthy of being Mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. ³⁸ If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. ³⁹ If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.

⁴⁰ Anyone who receives you receives Me (Jesus), and anyone who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me. ⁴¹ If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. ⁴² And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

^11:1 When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to His twelve disciples, He went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

Matthew 10:16-11:1 (NLT)

In the earlier verses of Matthew 10, Jesus called twelve of His disciples. Jesus gave these twelve disciples His power to cast out evil (unclean) spirits and to heal (cure) every kind of disease and illness (Matthew 10:1, 7-8). In essence, these twelve disciples would be continuing Jesus’ public ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing (see e.g., Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35). However, Jesus warned these twelve disciples also to anticipate hostility towards their words and deeds. Matthew 10:16-42 discusses Jesus’ instruction to His disciples and their coming hostility in detail. Jesus’ instructions in these verses applied to not only the twelve disciples’ short-term missionary assignment, but all disciples of Jesus.

First, Jesus told the twelve disciples that He was sending them as “sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16). Jesus instructed the twelve disciples, also called apostles, to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16; see also Romans 16:19). Jesus warned His disciples then and now, they will face persecution and trials because of their faithfulness and obedience to Him (Matthew 10:17-18). However, Jesus encouraged His disciples to endure and persevere when facing persecution and hostility because of their ministry from Him (Matthew 10:22).

In the world, Jesus warned His faithful disciples that they would face trials, sorrows, and opposition just as He suffered because of His faithfulness to God (see Matthew 10:24-25). Furthermore, Jesus warned His disciples that they would be handed over to courts, flogged in the synagogues, and dragged before governors and kings (Matthew 10:17-18). Even more, Jesus cautioned His disciples that brother would betray brother, a father will betray his own child, children will rebel against their parents, and all nations will hate them because they followed Him (see Matthew 10:21-22, 34-37).

In Jesus’ first coming, Jesus brought division since some heeded Jesus’ call to God’s Kingdom and while others rejected Him (Matthew 10:34-39; see also Matthew 3:12). Living for Jesus and obeying His values, morals, and commands often bring on persecution from others, but with it comes the opportunity to tell the Good News (Gospel) of salvation. Inevitable, belief and faithfulness to Jesus will cause separation between those who believe and those who do not, even within a family. The main point of Jesus’ warnings is that love of Him and God’s Kingdom must take precedence over every other human relationship. Nevertheless, Jesus does not want His disciples neglecting their families (see e.g., Matthew 15:3-7; cf. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). Rather, our faithfulness and commitment to Him and God’s Kingdom must be our first priority (Matthew 6:33; see also Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37).

Moreover, Jesus told His disciples not to be fearful or afraid (Matthew 10:26, 28; see also John 16:33) because “everyone who endures (perseveres) to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22, NLT; see also Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; Revelation 3:5). Such endurance and allegiance to Jesus are hallmarks of true salvation (see also 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Hebrews 3:6, 14; Hebrews 6:11-12; Hebrews 10:-35-36). Jesus said, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for Me, you will save it” (Matthew 10:39, TLB; see also Matthew 16:24-25). As believers in Jesus, we must persevere and be wholeheartedly faithful to Jesus! The true and living God promises always to protect, guard, and sustain Jesus’ faithful followers (Matthew 10: 19-20, 29-31; see also Matthew 28:20; John 12:25-26; Hebrews 13:5-6). God loves and values you (John 3:16).

Everyone who publically accepts and obeys Jesus on earth, Jesus will acknowledge them before His Father in heaven (Matthew 10:32; see also John 8:31; John 15:4, 10). However, everyone who denies Jesus here on earth, Jesus will also deny before His Father in heaven (Matthew 10:33). Jesus and God are one (see e.g., John 10:30; John 14:9; John 17:11, 21-23). Everyone who welcomes Jesus will be welcome by the true and living God in heaven (Mathew 10:40; see also John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).

Messiah’s Messengers

¹ Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority (power) to cast out evil (unclean) spirits and to heal (cure) every kind of disease and (every) illness. ² Here are the names of the twelve apostles (special messengers): first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), ³ Philip, Bartholomew (Nathaniel), Thomas, Matthew (Levi, the tax collector, publican), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus (Judas Son of James), ⁴ Simon (the zealot, Cananaean or Canaanite), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Him).

⁵ Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Do not go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, ⁶ but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep (Jews). ⁷ Go and announce (preach) to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near (at hand, has come, is coming soon). ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely (without pay) as you have received! ⁹ Do not take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. ¹⁰ Do not carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Do not hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. ¹¹ Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. ¹² When you enter the home, give it your blessing. ¹³ If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing (peace) stand; if it is not, take back the blessing (peace). ¹⁴ If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. ¹⁵ I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day. Matthew 10:1-15 (NLT)

Matthew chapters 5 through 9 present an introductory portrait of Jesus’ public ministry. Both Matthew 4:23 and Matthew 9:35 summarize Jesus’ ministry as teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel (Good News) of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9 ends with Jesus urging His disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field. Then, Jesus gives His authority (power) to twelve disciples to go as workers into God’s fields.

During His public ministry, Jesus had large crowds that follow Him (see e.g., Matthew 4:25; Mark 3:7-8; Luke 6:17). From this large group of followers, Jesus selected a smaller group of twelve men, whom He also designated apostles or special messengers (Matthew 10:2-4; see also Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13-14). Jesus sent these twelve men with His special commission. Furthermore, these twelve special apostles will also judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). Matthew has already given the stories of how Jesus called five of these special apostles – Peter and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John (Matthew 4:18-22), and Matthew himself (Matthew 9:9-13). Peter, along with James and John made up Jesus’ inner circle. These twelve men made themselves available for Jesus’ message and service (see also Isaiah 6:8). There is a remarkable diversity among these twelve apostles, including fishermen, tax collector (Matthew), and a zealous revolutionary (Simon the Zealot).

Matthew 10 begins Jesus’ second major discourse (sermon). This sermon focuses on the disciples’ mission to Israel (Matthew 10:1-15) in the preparation of the disciples’ worldwide mission (see Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus sent out these twelve special apostles on their first missionary assignment to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6, KJV). Jesus sends out the twelve special apostles with His same message and power. These twelve apostles were to preach Jesus’ message, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7, KJV; see also Matthew 4:17). Moreover, Jesus gave these twelve apostles the power to continue His ministry of casting out unclean (evil) spirits and healing every disease, affliction, and infirmity (Matthew 10:8; see also Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35). Jesus empowered these twelve missionaries to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons” (Matthew 10:8, NIV). Thus, Jesus gave His disciples His power to reproduce and continue His gracious ministry – preaching, deliverance, and restoration. Jesus wanted the twelve disciples to ministry to both the spiritual and physical needs of the people. Moreover, Jesus instructed His disciples to give His blessings freely to others without pay (Matthew 10:8) and not peddle Jesus’ blessings for profit (see 2 Corinthians 2:17). These disciples would be representing Jesus in the world as Jesus’ hands, arms, legs, and feet. Nevertheless, Jesus’ faithful workers are worth his or her keep (Matthew 10:10; see also 1 Corinthians 9:4-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).

In the disciples’ first assignment, Jesus restricted their ministry to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6, KJV) and not to the Gentiles or Samaritans (Matthew 10:5). This method of Jesus was also followed by the early church fathers to go first to the Jews (house of Israel) and then to the Gentiles (see e.g., Acts 18:5-6; Acts 19:8-9; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 2:9-10). As the Jewish Messiah, salvation comes from the Jews (John 4:22). Moreover, Jesus graciously gave His blessings to Gentiles and Samaritans who showed faith in Him (see e.g., Matthew 4:15; Matthew 8:5-13; Matthew 15:21-28; John 4:5-42). Jesus is “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42, ESV; see also Luke 2:10-11). After His resurrection and outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Jesus called and summoned all faithful followers of Him to go into all the world and all people (Jews and Gentiles) to preach the Good News (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8; Act 2).

Also in Jesus’ first assignment, Jesus restricted the disciples to “not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or staff” (Matthew 10:9-10, NIV). These disciples lacked nothing as Jesus provided all their needs during the missionary journey (Luke 22:35; see also Psalm 23:1; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19-20). Jesus wanted to build His disciples’ faith to look to Him to provide all their needs (see also John 15:5). God cares and provides for His people’s needs. However, upon His impending death, Jesus lifted His previous restrictions and instructed His disciples to take a purse, a bag, and a sword on their missionary journey (see Luke 22:35-38).

Finally, Jesus also warned His special messengers that some will welcome their Good News of the Kingdom and miraculous healing powers while others will reject them (Matthew 10:11-15). Jesus told His disciples to seek a godly home to stay while in a particular city and be friendly (Matthew 10:12). If the owners welcomed the disciples, Jesus told His disciples to give that home their blessings and peace (Matthew 10:13). However, if the home rejected the disciples, Jesus told His disciples to withhold their blessings and peace from that particular home (Matthew 10:13). Moreover, Jesus said that any city or home that does not welcome them as Jesus’ disciples to shake off the dust of that place from your feet as you leave and await God’s judgment on that city (Matthew 10:14-15).

References

Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).

Jesus Cares!

¹⁸ As Jesus was saying this, the leader (ruler, rabbi) of a (Jewish) synagogue came and knelt (worshipped) before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but You can bring her back to life again if You just come and lay Your hand on her.” ¹⁹ So Jesus and His disciples got up and went with him. ²⁰ Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind Him. She touched the fringe of His robe, ²¹ for she thought, “If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed.” ²² Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed (restored) at that moment. ²³ When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, He saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music (flute-players). ²⁴ “Get out!” He told them. “The girl is not dead; she is only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at Him. ²⁵ After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! ²⁶ The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

²⁷ After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind Him, shouting (crying aloud), “Son of David, have mercy on us!” ²⁸ They went right into the house where He was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told Him, “we do.” ²⁹ Then He touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith (trust and reliance on Jesus’ healing power), it will happen.” ³⁰ Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Do not tell anyone about this.” ³¹ But instead, they went out and spread His fame all over the region. ³² When they left, a demon-possessed man who could not speak (mute) was brought to Jesus. ³³ So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed. ³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because He is empowered by the prince of demons.”

³⁵ Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing (proclaiming) the Good News (the Gospel) about the Kingdom. And He healed (cured) every kind of disease and illness. ³⁶ When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ He said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. ³⁸ So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.” Matthew 9:18-38 (NLT)

The final series of Jesus’ ten miracles occur in these Scripture passages. In Matthew 9:18-38, Jesus healed a woman suffering from constant bleeding (Matthew 9:20-22), raised a girl from the dead (Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26), gave sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31), and restored a mute man’s speech (Matthew 9:32-33). After Jesus’ tenth miracle, the crowds were amazed and cried out, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” (Matthew 9:33). With these ten miracles, Matthew continued to paint a theological portrait of Jesus as the Messiah (Christ), the King of the Jews (Israel), the Son of David, the Son of the living God, the Great Shepherd, and Savior of the world!  

Those who came seeking Jesus’ miraculous healing were a mixed multitude. In these set of miracles, Matthew first presents a ruler of a Jewish synagogue seeking Jesus to restore his daughter’s life (Matthew 9:18-19). From Mark and Luke’s Gospels, we know that the synagogue ruler’s name was Jairus (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). Like the previous Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5), the synagogue ruler believed and trusted that Jesus could heal and restore his daughter’s life. However, as Jesus was making His way to the ruler’s home, a woman who had suffered twelve years of bleeding touched Jesus’ garment (Matthew 9:20). This woman was desperate. Matthew tells us that that the woman thought and believed, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well” (Matthew 9:21, NKJV). The woman’s faith was not in vain. Jesus turned to the suffering woman and said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well” (Matthew 9:22, NKJV). Instantly, the woman was healed and restored to good health (Matthew 9:22, NKJV). Like this woman, we too can simply reach out in faith to Jesus, and He will respond! Continuing onto the synagogue ruler’s house, Jesus entered the deceased girl’s room and restored the girl to life (Matthew 9:25; see also John 11:38-44). The ruler’s faith in Jesus was also not in vain. Jesus’ healing power knows no limits when we have faith and trust in Him (Matthew 9:22, 29; see also Luke 7:50)! Jesus has the miraculous power to heal not only our physical outward sickness and weakness but also heal our spiritual inward sickness (sin). Sin makes a person sick! The report of Jesus’ wonderful miracles swept the entire countryside (Matthew 9:26, 31; see also Matthew 14:34-36).

Passing on from the girl’s home, Jesus is followed by two blind men. The blind men called out and shouted to Jesus, “O Son of King David, have mercy on us” (Matthew 9:27, TLB; see also Isaiah 35:5-6). Amazingly, these two blind men could see that Jesus was the long-awaited Son of David predicted by the Old Testament prophets (see e.g., 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:15-16; Zechariah 9:9;  Matthew 1:1). Like many others, Jesus healed and restored the two blind men’s sight because of their faith in Him (Matthew 9:2, 22, 29-30; see also Matthew 8:10, 13; Matthew 15:28). 

In the tenth miracle, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who could not speak (Matthew 9:32-33). When Jesus casted the demon out of the mute man, the man was instantly healed. Demonic influences manifest itself in various forms; here the demon prevented the man from speaking (see also Matthew 12:22). Upon seeing the healing, the crowd was amazed and shouted, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel” (Matthew 9:33, NIV). However, not everyone celebrated Jesus’ miraculous healing power. Some watching Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons” (Matthew 9:34, NIV). However, the Pharisees overlooked the genuineness of Jesus’ ministry through His authoritative teaching, moral excellence of His character, and His ministry of doing good (see e.g., Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 7:16; John 3:2; John 9:31-33; Acts 10:38). The compassion and mercy of Jesus is a repeated theme of the New Testament (see e.g., Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Mark 6:34). Jesus expects faithful Christians to show compassion, kindness, patience, and mercy towards others in need (e.g., see Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 10:34; James 5:11).

In Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew once again summarizes Jesus’ ministry as going out in “all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News (Gospel) of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness” (Matthew 9:35, NIV; see also Matthew 4:23-25). Jesus was the Good Shepherd, and He cared for the hurting people (John 10:11; see also Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 23:4-6; Ezekiel 34:23; Hebrews 13:20; Revelation 7:17). As in Old Testament times, the shepherds of the people failed to faithfully care for the flock of God (Matthew 9:36; see e.g., Ezekiel 34; Micah 5:4; Zechariah 10:3-4).

In Matthew chapters 8 and 9, Matthew has given readers the ten miracles of Jesus to prove His miraculous healing powers, just as in Matthew chapters 5 through 7, Matthew presents Jesus’ great teaching ministry.

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).

Jesus Brings Peace and New Life

²³ Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake (Sea of Galilee) with His disciples. ²⁴ Suddenly, a fierce (great, violent) storm struck the lake (Sea of Galilee), with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We are going to drown (perish)!” ²⁶ Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid (timid)? You have so little faith!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm (peacefulness). ²⁷ The disciples were amazed (marveled). “Who is this Man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey Him!”

²⁸ When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake (Sea of Galilee), in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed (controlled) by demons met Him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent (fierce) that no one could go through that area. ²⁹ They began screaming at Him, “Why are You interfering with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?” ³⁰ There happened to be a large herd of pigs (swine) feeding in the distance. ³¹ So the demons begged, “If You cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” ³² “All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. ³³ The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged Him to go away and leave them alone.

¹ Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake (Sea of Galilee) to His own town (Capernaum). ² Some people brought to Him a paralyzed man on a mat (bed, sleeping pad). Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” ³ But some of the teachers of religious law (scribes) said to themselves, “That is blasphemy! Does He think He is God?” ⁴ Jesus knew (seeing) what they were thinking (thoughts), so He asked them, “Why do you have such evil (malice) thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? ⁶ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” ⁷ And the man jumped up and went home! ⁸ Fear (awe) swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised (glorified) God for sending a Man with such great authority.

⁹ As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him. ¹⁰ Later, Matthew invited Jesus and His disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable (wicked) sinners. ¹¹ But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with such scum (tax collectors and sinners)?” ¹² When Jesus heard this, He said, “Healthy people do not need a doctor—sick people do.” ¹³ Then He added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices (cf. Hosea 6:6).’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

¹⁴ One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked Him, “Why do your disciples not fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” ¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. ¹⁶ Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. ¹⁷ And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” Matthew 8:23-9:17 (NLT)

In these Scripture passages, Matthew gives readers three more miracles of Jesus. Matthew wanted to reveal Jesus’ miraculous power over the winds and waves (Matthew 8:23-27), over legions of demons (Matthew 8:24-34), and finally over sin and sickness (Matthew 9:1-7), which lead the crowd to praise God for sending Jesus (Matthew 9:8). Then, Matthew gives his personal testimony of salvation, which dramatically revealed Jesus’ love and forgiveness for all people – saints and sinners (Matthew 9:9-13)!

While Jesus was with His disciples in a boat, a furious storm came up over the Sea of Galilee, so that the winds and waves swept over the boat (Matthew 8:24). However, Jesus was peacefully sleeping. Jesus’ disciples cried out to Him and said, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing” (Matthew 8:25, ESV). Jesus woke up from His sleep and said to His disciples during the storm, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26, ESV). Then Jesus arose and rebuked the storm, and there were a great peace and calm over the waters (Matthew 8:26). The disciples were amazed, saying, “What sort of Man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:27, ESV). Jesus was not only strong enough to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 8:16-17), but He can also calm our storms (Matthew 8:26-27).

After arriving on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was confronted by two demon-possessed men (Matthew 8:28). These two men were evil, violent, and dangerous (Matthew 8:28). Sadly, evil had robbed these men of their sanity and self-control. When confronted with God incarnate (Matthew 1:23), these two demon-possessed men screamed at Jesus, “What do You want with us, O Son of God?” (Matthew 8:29, TLB). Seeing a herd of pigs feeding in the distance, the demons begged Jesus to send them into that herd of pigs (Matthew 8:31). Jesus granted the demons’ wishes. The demons came out of the men, entered the pigs, and the whole herd rushed over a cliff and drowned in the waters (Matthew 8:32). The people of the city heard about Jesus and asked Jesus to leave their region (Matthew 8:33-34). Shockingly, the people cared more about pigs than Jesus!

Then, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the people brought Him a paralyzed man (Matthew 9:1-2). Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2, ESV; see also Acts 3:16; James 5:15). Jesus’ miraculous healing of the paralyzed man caused a great controversy with the watching religious leaders, and they inwardly accused Jesus of blasphemy (Matthew 9:3). Knowing and seeing their internal thoughts, Jesus said to the religious leaders, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Matthew 9:4, ESV). To prove He has the power to forgive sins, Jesus said to the paralyzed men “Rise, pick up your bed and go home” (Matthew 9:6, ESV). The once paralyzed man arose and went home (Matthew 9:7). When the crowds saw Jesus’ miraculous healing, they marveled and glorified the living God, who had given Jesus such authority (Matthew 9:8). In Jesus, the people saw God at work!

As Jesus’ cured the paralyzed man, He said to the man, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2, ESV). Some biblical scholars noted that Jesus’ statement suggests that this man’s sin and sickness were interrelated. The Holy Scriptures teach that sickness and disease come for many reasons, including our sins (see e.g., Deuteronomy 28:15-63; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32); to prevent sin (see e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:7-10); to test our faithfulness to God (see e.g., Job 2:1-7); to display God’s glory (see e.g., John 9:2); or because of demons and evil (see e.g., Acts 5:15-16). Though our sins are not always the direct cause of our suffering and sickness (see e.g., John 9:2-3), ultimately all sin and death resulted from the Great Fall or original sin in Genesis 3 that lead to humankind’s first death (see Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:16-19). As God incarnate, Jesus has the power to forgive all our sins and heal all our diseases (see Psalm 103:3). Through our faith in Him, Jesus heals our physical sickness and forgives our spiritual sickness in the form of sin and brings us new life (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

After telling of Jesus’ miraculous healings, Matthew tells the readers of his personal salvation by Jesus while working as a tax collector for Rome (Matthew 9:9-13). As Jesus passed by Matthew sitting at the tax collection booth, He said to Matthew, “Follow Me” (Matthew 9:9). Like the other disciples before Him (Matthew 4:18-22), Matthew immediately left His lucrative government job and followed Jesus (Matthew 9:9). Then, Matthew invited Jesus to his home where many tax collectors and sinners came and reclined with Jesus and His disciples (Matthew 9:10). During Jesus’ time, many Jews viewed tax collectors as cheats, traitors, and sinners that served the Romans Empire. When the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, they said to Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11, ESV). Jesus overheard the Pharisees’ comments against Him and said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12, ESV). Then, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Matthew 9:13, NLT; see also Hosea 6:6). “Sacrifice” summarized observance to religious rituals and ceremonies. More important to God was our mercy and lovingkindness towards Him and towards others as our goodness bring Him glory (see Matthew 22:34-40; see also Matthew 5:13-16; Titus 2:11-14)! God in the Old Testament informed the people through His faithful prophets what He required: “to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NLT; see also Genesis 5:22; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:9-10).

Then, John the Baptist’s disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14, ESV). Jesus said to John the Baptist’s disciples that He was the Bridegroom, and His disciples did not need to fast while He was with them (Matthew 9:15). Jesus revealed His life and teaching brought “a new wine” and fresh wineskins will be required (Matthew 9:17). As God incarnate, Jesus is all-powerful that the winds and waves obey, demons flee, and every disease healed! The Kingdom of God dawned with Jesus, and He brought new life and growth in Kingdom righteousness (see also Matthew 1:23; Matthew 4:16).

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).