October 16: Matthew 9-10

October 16, Matthew 9-10

Matthew continued…

Matthew 9 Again, Jesus does more miraculous healing’s and forgives peoples sins - angering the Pharisees and becoming more popular. He answered the disciples questions about fasting and that they will fast when Jesus leaves them. Jesus called Matthew to be His disciple! 

Without naming him, Matthew tells us about and we learn about Jairus’ daughter who was healed by Jesus. Jairus - He was the ruler of the synagogue. His only daughter was 12 years old and dying. He came to Jesus for help in Jesus agreed to go to his daughter. On the way there a lady who had been bleeding for 12 years touched Jesus and was immediately healed. Jesus knew the power had gone out from him even though there was people all around touching him. The lady knew that she had to be honest and Jesus tells her that her faith has healed her… go in peace. While he was healing her, Jairus’ daughter died. Regardless, Jesus went to her and brought her back to life! And her spirit returned to her.

Jesus also healed more people. 

Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Same goes for today. 

Matthew 10 starts with Matthews list of the calling of the 12 disciples, Simon (a.k.a. Peter), Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas… Good to go for now…

Now Jesus was going to send them out. But notice a few things… Only reach out to Israelites. No Gentiles for now. What were they supposed to do? “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.” Take no money from anyone. God will provide. If they are received in the towns and houses, those receiving them will be blessed. The opposite is true as well - those who do not receive them will be cursed. Doesn't sound too difficult until Jesus says this, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Hmmm - Jesus flat out tells them this is going to be extremely tough/dangerous and they need to be strategic in their approach. They will be persecuted for the name of Jesus Christ. This comes with peace knowing that God has them in His hand, but it will still be tough none the less. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword…” Jesus is not some lovey-dovey teddy bear. Here is what it comes down to - “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it…” Here - Jesus 1st and everything is fine. Jesus not 1st and everything not fine. 

Those who receive the testimony of God’s disciples receive Jesus Christ. 

Anything more? Yup - “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward…” Jesus is wanting our hearts for Him and our service to be real. 

To sum it all up: 

• Jesus 1st. Seriously - Jesus is to be 1st for everything in our lives. 
• I think it is this simple - Live out your faith or your faith is a lie.