Imagine having a photo album of the events in Jesus’ life. That describes well what God has given us in the first gospel. Between five major spoken messages of Jesus in Matthew, we find narrative pictures of Jesus’ in action. Last week we looked at chapter 8 and today Matthew 9 gives us seven more snapshots of Jesus in his ministry. The theme of this chapter is still about his authority, but at this point Jesus begins to face resistance to his authority particularly from the scribes and Pharisees.
In the first little episode in verses 1-8, Jesus demonstrates his authority to both forgive sin and heal a paralyzed man. Here the scribes accuse Jesus of blaspheming. In the second episode, 9-13, after he calls Matthew, the tax collector, to become a disciple, it appears that Matthew hosts a dinner and invites all his friends to come meet Jesus. It just happens that all of Matthew’s friends at this point in his life are also all tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees see Jesus having dinner with them and complain about the kind of company Jesus keeps. In the next episode in verses 14-17 even John the Baptist’s disciples wonder about Jesus. They ask, “Why don’t you fast like the Pharisees and us?” Jesus explains that now is not the time. But the time will come soon enough. Later in verses 32-34 Jesus shows his authority to cast out demons and the Pharisees make a wild accusation. They say Jesus is using the power of the ruler of demons to cast out demons. Trouble is brewing. Jesus is becoming a controversial person.
What’s happening? Jesus begins to do things that are not acceptable to the Jewish leaders:
He claims to forgive sins, 1-8. He goes to dinner with tax collectors and sinners, 9-13. He doesn’t fast like everyone else, 14-17. At the same time Jesus is clearly powerful, influential and becoming popular through his ministry. Everywhere he goes people seek him out for his healing powers and his power to cast out demons.
Someone has said that the people that do the least usually receive the least criticism. Those who do the most generally receive the most criticism. Jesus was extremely active in his work of ministry. He didn’t just open an office and hang out a shingle with “walk ins welcome!” on it. Jesus got out there and sought opportunities to serve and teach. Verses 35-38 reveal Jesus as a traveling minister. He went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. And Jesus didn’t just teach and preach he healed the sick and cast out demons. Jesus saw the multitudes! He was aware of people and their condition and their needs. He got out and purposely traveled about among places where people were. And he didn’t just look around as he went, but he also spoke and acted with the authority and power of God. Jesus was a “go getter” in the best sense of the words.
His heart was also moved to compassion by what he witnessed. Listen to verses 35-38.
Let me read his words again here. Jesus said, “The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray that the Lord of harvest will send forth laborers into His harvest!”
What do you think about those words? What do you think about Jesus going from place to place doing this ministry? What do you think about the opposition he faced?
As I read about Jesus here, several things impress me… and trouble me. Jesus’ life is a model for you and me. We are not supposed to just read these things about Jesus and go, “Wow! That’s neat!” And go back to living the way we want. These are stories that are calling us to imitation. Does God want you to be like Jesus? Isn’t that what the word “Christian” means? Christ-like? Is Jesus giving us an example here so that we can follow in his steps? I believe so. Now what is impressive is that Jesus simply did what he could at the time he was supposed to do it. He took what God the Father had given to him and he used it by reaching out to others when and where God wanted him to. This makes me think. I don’t have authority to raise the dead, cast out demons, heal sick, or forgive sins, but what if I did? What if you did? What would you do with that authority? When would you do it?
Here’s an unmistakable point in Matthew: Jesus not only has authority (and ability) to do incredible things, he put that authority to work for the glory of God. Jesus got busy and did what he could do!
Jesus instructs us directly in this gospel saying: “You are the light of the world… and let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl…” Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” May God help us not to hide our light or lose our flavor! Nothing is sadder than a worthless Christian, or a worthless church.
How much authority has God given you? How much? Do you even know? How are you using it?
Remember that Jesus didn’t always do this traveling, miracle working ministry. For a long time, Jesus stayed at home and was obedient to his parents. He didn’t begin his ministry until he was 30 years old. We have no record of Jesus doing any preaching or teaching until after he was baptized. And once he began his ministry, it only lasted about three years. It was fast and furious. Jesus began in Galilee and particularly Capernaum. Later, he began to really move about going into Jerusalem and even Samaria. But his ministry was short lived as an individual. He was cut off in his prime of life, crucified as a religious rebel and traitor to Rome. But his ministry didn’t stop. He planned for the future by training others. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God and reigns from heaven. He also poured out the Holy Spirit upon those he prepared to carry on his work of ministry. Jesus’ ministry is now carried on through what? How is Jesus still ministering in this world today?
Through the church! That’s right! Through you and me, his disciples, Jesus continues his ministry through us as we are the body of Christ!
If you are baptized into Jesus Christ, you have received the Holy Spirit and the authority to carry on his ministry!
Over the past few weeks I’ve been making application from the text to parents and children. Today is another chance to apply the message of Jesus to strengthen our homes and families. Last week’s application was a challenge to simply open the word of God and read it with your family and pray together daily. Parents: God has given you authority to parent for him. He specifically tells you to train up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Are you exercising the authority God has given you as a parent? The Church can’t parent for you. Kendall can’t parent for you. God authorizes and commands you to do it. You are the salt of your home, but if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is then good for nothing… did you get that? Good for nothing! God doesn’t want “good for nothing” parents or children! But “good for nothing” parents often raise “good for nothing” kids! How can you help this? Use your God given authority and carry on the ministry of Jesus in your home! I dare say, if we don’t do it at home, we will probably not do it at all!
If Jesus calls me to be the light of the world, most certainly, I am also called to be the light in my home. There is no greater light in my life than the light of God’s word. There is no brighter glory than the presence of God in prayer.
Did anyone hear me say this last week? Is there and echo in my preaching these days?
Do you know something? When I grew up, every single sermon I ever heard ended with the gospel call to believe in Jesus, repent of sin, confess him as Lord and be baptized in his name for the remission of sins. It was part of our identity! I still end my lessons with a call to come to Christ and be saved by the blood of Christ - believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized into Christ. But I’m thinking about another ending to sermons that, if it was our identity, and were practiced in every home, would have perhaps an even greater impact on us for Christ. A charge by the authority of God that every one of us would read, meditate on, obey and share the Word of God and prayer every day in our homes, in our work places, in our schools, and in our day to day walk.
Are you doing that?
