Matthew 9 - 10 (16th October) - Sylvia

Matthew 9

Jesus heals a Paralytic

Jesus continues to heal the sick and gets so many criticisms from the Pharisees. They claim to know the law - they teach it. Yet the Pharisees do not believe in the Son of God and do not have an intimate relationship with God.

The Calling of Matthew

Jesus saw Matthew and told him to follow Him. That was how Matthew became one of his 12. He was willing and obedient to follow in Jesus's footsteps.

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Jesus is so compassionate and merciful that He wants to save the sinners so that they may have eternal life.

Jesus questioned about fasting

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.

There is a time to fast. e.g.: We fast when we have something urgent to seek God or when we have to make important decisions when at crossroads of our lives.

A Dead Girl and a sick woman

The woman who had been bleeding had the faith that just by touching something that belonged to Jesus, she would be healed. It was her faith that healed her. How many times have we been disappointed or didn't receive healing due to our lack of faith?

v23-25 When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Jesus had to call for the crowd to be put outside as they were a distraction and were being negative which may shake the ruler's faith. The crowds symbolises obstacles or sin that i spreventing us from being healed. So in order for healing to take place, we need to focus on Jesus and remove unsightly/unholy things from our lives.

Jesus heals the Blind and mute

Jesus continues to heal the sick and needy, yet the Pharisees are so disbelieving that they went to the extent of calling Jesus the prince of demons who has the authority to command his demons.

We must stand up for our faith whenever people make fun or speak against our God.

The Workers are few.

37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

This passage is a call for us to rise up and outreach to people. It starts with a small gesture of love even before evangelising. There are so many people out there who have yet to hear of Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, lets be shining stars for Jesus, to magnify God's glory and love through our lives.

Matthew 10

Jesus sends out his 12, giving them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness by His name. So healing and chasing demons is not limited to just Jesus, because by His name, we can anything. But don't anyhow do it or else we may end up being spiritually attacked if our faith is not strong.

Jesus gives His disciples words of wisdom to guide them as they go round blessing people. He even warns them that they may face persecution for what they are doing but as long as they stand firm to their faith , they will receive their due rewards..

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; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever 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. 41Anyone 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. 42And 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."

Lesson to learn: Love God among all things and surrending ourselves to Him, trusting that He will help us lead our lives in a manner pleasing to Him and not us going our own way.
Loving the needy and our fellow christian brothers and sisters.