Verses 1-8:
The Lord left Gadara and sailed back to Galilee and Capernaum. Upon His return, a group of men bring another man to Him who has been struck by paralysis. They believed, by faith, that Jesus could heal him. We do not know what was going on in the mind of the paralyzed man. It was perhaps a mix of desperation and fear. Jesus gave him comfort by telling him to be of good cheer because his sins had been forgiven, a statement that did not sit well with the scribes who were in the crowd. They said among themselves that this statement was blasphemous. Jesus, however, knew what they were thinking. To forgive sin is strictly within the prerogative of God. By saying what He said to the man, Jesus was publicly proclaiming Himself to be God. He used the situation to present a question designed for interpretation and to demonstrate His Divine authority. What would have given this man true peace and happiness? Wouldn't the knowledge of God's forgiveness and grace upon this man supersede anything else? This would be of greater worth than just the healing of his physical body. Jesus healed this man both body and soul. The man then arose, took up his pallet, and went home praising God. The crowds, in turn, were amazed and also gave God glory for what they had seen and heard.
Verses 9-13:
The power of Jesus to forgive and restore people to the Father is again demonstrated as He walked by the tax office where Matthew was working. Matthew got up and left everything behind in order to follow the Master. Out of a grateful and thankful heart, Matthew hosted a dinner for his friends and others who were not part of what would be defined as "polite society". Matthew not only wanted to thank Jesus but also wanted his friends and colleagues to meet the Lord. The Pharisees witnessed this and were curious as to why Jesus would associate Himself with people of questionable reputation. Jesus replied by saying that it is those who are sick who need the attention of the physician, not the healthy. He was tending to those who knew that they were sick with sin. He was doing the job that the Pharisees should have been doing for the people of Israel but weren't. Everyone is sick with sin (Isaiah 53:4-6, 64:6; Romans 3:23). It is the proud and vain who would say otherwise, yet their own words and actions are evidence to the contrary. They are also poisoned with the disease that leads to eternal death, and only Jesus has the cure.
Verses 14-17:
Fasting, or going without food for a period of time, was (and still is) a spiritual discipline designed to focus less upon the body and more upon seeking the will of God as well as answers to prayer. Moses (Exodus 34:28), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), Ezra (Ezra 10:6), and Daniel (Daniel 10:3) each practiced fasting in order to gain an understanding of God's plans and decrees. Some of them also fasted of out sorrow for sins, both personal and national. Jesus fasted during His time in the wilderness. He resisted Satan's temptations during that time, His face towards the Father and the inevitable journey towards the cross. He had been questioned by the disciples of John the Baptist as to why He and His disciples did not fast like they and the Pharisees did. Jesus replied that it was not the time in His ministry to mourn. He quoted a prophecy where the time would come when the bridegroom would be taken away and then there would be a time of fasting. By stating this, He anticipated His own death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. To attempt to apply the standards of the Pharisees to the new age Jesus was introducing was like placing new wine into old wineskins or putting a new piece of cloth on an old worn-out garment. The old ways would not work anymore. When Jesus gives us new life, our old ways should depart as well (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Verses 18-26:
Jesus' next encounter was with a man named Jairus, who served as the "ruler" of the local synagogue. His job was to see to the upkeep and proper order of worship within the house of God. His daughter had just died, and he approached Jesus with an attitude of respect and worship, believing that Jesus could bring her back from the dead. Jesus and the disciples went over to Jairus' house. While heading there, a woman was in the crowd who has been suffering from abnormal menstrual bleeding for twelve years, leaving her physically sick, emotionally drained, and ceremonially unclean. This woman had either seen or heard of Jesus and His ability to heal the sick. She took the risk of venturing out to find Him, believing that if she could just touch the hem of His garment, she would be made well. This was a bold demonstration of faith, and she was made well instantly. In turn, Jesus gave the woman praise for her faith and celled her the tender name of "daughter". This was a restoration of physical and spiritual health and a term of endearment, showing that His love and care extends to anyone who will call on Him. Jesus turned His attention to Jairus' daughter as He entered the house. Upon entering, He encountered professional mourners and musicians who were playing a funeral dirge. He told them to leave the room, or back off because the girl was not dead, but in His words, "asleep". The formality of death would not be an issue for the LORD. Jesus is the LORD of life, and this enemy would not have the last word (Revelation 20:14). He took the girl's hand, and she was immediately restored to life. This miracle got the attention of everyone and gave further proof of Jesus' power and authority over all things (John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:16-17).
Verses 27-38:
After leaving Jairus' house, Jesus heard the cries of two blind men who had probably been in the crowd. They had heard Jesus teach and what people had said about what they had witnessed. These men called out for mercy from the LORD, referring to Him as the "son of David" a title that affirmed royalty. Arriving in Capernaum, Jesus then asked if they truly believed that He was able to heal them. They both replied, "Yes, LORD." He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith, let it be to you". Then their eyes were opened. Jesus told them to keep this private so as not to proclaim Jesus as merely a "healer". He was the Promised Messiah who had come to deliver His people from the tyranny of sin and death, a far more powerful force than the iron heel of Rome, and to give us a glorious eternity that will be far better than having a healing done in this present world. The men, like most people whom Jesus healed, didn't keep this to themselves and the news spread throughout the regions. Matthew also tells us of a man who was mute, and demon possessed. Jesus cast out the demons and the man's voice was restored. The Pharisees who witnessed this deliverance then made the outrageous and blasphemous charge that Jesus was doing was by the power of the ruler of the demons. These words condemned them eternally for attributing the devil to the works of God. This was the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, for which there was no forgiveness. The Pharisees and scribes who saw what Jesus did, yet blatantly attributed it to the work of Satan, was an act of sacrilege that God would never overlook. That is a terrifying thing to ponder.
Matthew wrote that Jesus then went about all of the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing people of their sicknesses. His work was intertwined with the visible and open compassion He had upon the people. They were spiritually hungry and thirsty, weary and in need of the care of a loving shepherd (Psalm 23; John 10). He told His disciples that there was a great harvest of souls, but few laborers. He asked them to pray that the LORD would send more laborers into the field. This was the precursor to the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). This is the call He give to each of us who have been set free from the power of sin and death by His act of compassion and redemption upon the cross on our behalf. We have the honor and responsibility to go out into the world and tell as many people as possible about the Savior. Do you know Him? Has what you read so far spoken to your heart and mind? Repent of your sins (Isaiah 1:18) and turn to Jesus for salvation (Romans 10:9-10, 13) today. His mercy and love wait for you.
donaldwhitchard@outlook.com
www.realitycityreverend.com
Oklahoma Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists:
https://ocosbe.org/donald-whitchard/
