BIG IDEA. OPPOSITION INCREASES, HEALING MINISTRY CONTINUES.
Despite the continued opposition of the religious leaders, JESUS continues to fulfill his mission and show compassion for those in need. Dealing with Sin and Sickness, and our calling to not only follow HIM, but to help bring others to HIM. The LORD of the Harvest calls out "Help Wanted" (vs 37-38).
Scriptures: Matthew 9:1-38, Mark 2:14, Romans 5:8, Matthew 5:3, Hosea 6:6, Ephesians 2:14-18, Ephesians 2:16, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:9, Isaiah 6:8-9, James 5:20
Study of Matthew 9:1-38
JESUS Forgives and Heals a Paralytic (Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26)
(1-2) A PARALYTIC IS BROUGHT TO JESUS.
1 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When JESUS saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
His own city, Capernaum
They brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed:
Mark and Luke state that due to the crowds, he was lowered down through the roof.
When JESUS saw their faith
JESUS noticed the faith of his friends, not necessarily the faith of the paralyzed man.
Their faith displayed by bringing the paralyzed man to JESUS, even taking off part of a roof to lower him down.
Because of their faith, He spoke to the paralytic.
JESUS wanted to encourage this man’s faith by His next words.
Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you
The faith of the paralyzed man’s friends did something – they brought this man to JESUS.
But JESUS addressed the man's bigger issue.
Being paralyzed is bad, but being trapped and lost in your sin is even worse.
JESUS wasn’t saying the man was paralyzed as a consequence to sin, by which he forgave him.
Six reasons why JESUS dealt with the man’s sin first. (Matthew Poole)
1. Sin is the source of all our problems.
2. Forgiveness is more important than physical healing.
3. JESUS’ Mission was to address sin.
4. When a person's sins are forgiven, they become a child of GOD.
5. Faith leads to the forgiveness of sins.
6. To start a key discussion with the scribes and Pharisees.
(3-5) REACTIONS OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”
4 But JESUS, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
And at once some of the scribes said within themselves:
The scribes quickly disagreed privately.
This Man blasphemes
The scribes saw that JESUS was claiming to do something only GOD could do. Not understanding that JESUS was GOD, and stating JESUS blasphemed by considering Himself to be GOD.
POINT: This is the 1st rejection of JESUS as GOD in Matthew after Herod’s rejection of the child King of the Jews.
But JESUS, knowing their thoughts, (for evil)
POINT: GOD knows and cares about our thoughts too.
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
To heal and forgive sin are impossible for man.
But with GOD, all things are possible:
Matthew 19:26 But JESUS looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.”
POINT: You can’t see someone’s sin being forgiven, but you can see when they are healed.
POINT: JESUS PROVES HIS DIETY by forgiving and healing.
(5) THE QUESTION
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
(6-8) THE ANSWER: AUTHORITY - JESUS SHOWS HE HAS AUTHORITY OVER SIN AND SICKNESS.
6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.
8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified GOD, who had given such power to men.
THE ANSWER:
But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.
JESUS answers the question of forgiveness by healing the man, thereby proving his authority to forgive sin.
And he arose and departed to his house
PROOF: The man was healed instantly healed, proving that JESUS did have the power of GOD both to heal and forgive.
When the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified GOD
When the man was healed, they praised GOD for the miracle.
Matthew the Tax Collector (Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–32)
THE CALL OF MATTHEW - THE TAX COLLECTOR.
(9) MATTHEW OBEYS JESUS’ CALL TO COME FOLLOW HIM.
9 As JESUS passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
Mark 2:14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
A man named Matthew, (or Levi) sitting at the tax office
Despised by the Jewish people, Tax collectors worked for the Romans, and were viewed as extortioners and sinners, as the tax collector kept whatever they over-collected.
The Jewish people viewed tax collectors as traitors because they worked for the Roman government and had soldiers to help collect taxes.
These tax collectors were seen as dishonest because they could charge more and keep the extra money they collected beyond what was owed to Rome.
The word publican means a tax-collector.
And He said to him, “Follow Me”:
Regardless of this hatred for tax collectors, JESUS called for Matthew to “Follow Me”
This shows JESUS’ love for those who are (to others) unlovable.
As a result, Matthew drops everything and follows Christ and eventually writes this Gospel Account we know as the Book of Matthew.
POINT: Matthew gave up everything as a Tax collector. This was a great sacrifice of worldly things such as wealth and prosperity to follow JESUS, “the SON of Man who had nowhere to lay HIS Head.” Matthew 8:20.
INTERESTING FACT: Fish taken from the Sea of Galilee were taxed. Matthew may have taken money from the disciples who were fishermen such as Peter, James and John. This would be an awkward arrangement of introduction.
(10-13) JESUS EATS WITH TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS.
10 Now it happened, as JESUS sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When JESUS heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him
This suggests a gathering of Matthew’s friends and associates where JESUS could reach others whom Matthew knew.
Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?
ANSWER: Because JESUS is the friend of sinners.
Romans 5:8 But GOD demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
The Pharisees were like doctors who wanted to avoid all contact with sick people.
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
POINT: JESUS came to help those who realize they need Him, like the sick and the poor in spirit. Prideful people believe they don't need JESUS and miss out on what He offers.
Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”
Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of GOD more than burnt offerings.
JESUS quotes Hosea 6:6.
In Hosea’s day, GOD’s people brought sacrifice but abandoned mercy and giving up the truth and knowledge of GOD for burnt offerings.
GOD wants hearts that are full of truth and mercy over ritual sacrifices.
I desire mercy, and not sacrifice—that is, the one rather than the other.
JESUS shows that 'sacrifice' is a strict religious rule, while 'mercy' represents a more compassion to help those who are lost or fallen.
The Religious Leaders wanted no fellowship with the sinners and went about their daily ‘sacrifices’, keeping pure and not to be defiled by the association with sinners.
JESUS was showing that Mercy for those in need, was more important.
for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance
POINT: JESUS CAME FOR SINNERS headed in the wrong direction and in need of repentance or change.
THE NEW AND OLD COVENANTS AND THEIR DIFFERENCE.
JESUS Is Questioned About Fasting (Mark 2:18–22; Luke 5:33–39)
(14) THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN ASK A QUESTION: WHY DON’T JESUS’ DISCIPLES FAST AS THEY AND THE PHARISEES DO?
14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
Why do we and the Pharisees fast often
The ministry of John the Baptist was strict in its character and had an emphasis on humble repentance (Matthew 3:1-4). John’s disciples imitated this, and showed their own proper humility in light of their own sin and that of their people.
The Pharisees fast often
The Pharisees fasted up to twice a week, not to show humility, but to impress themselves and others with their spirituality.
But Your disciples do not fast
Apparently the disciples of JESUS did not fast as either of these two groups did.
JESUS explains next...
(15-17) THE PRINCIPLE: THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW THAT THE MESSIAH IS HERE.
15 And JESUS said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. 17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?
JESUS' disciples were not to act as the hypocritical Pharisees.
And in contrast to John the Baptist, who prepared the way of the LORD to the people, The disciples were there in the present with the MESSIAH. Things were now different.
But the days will come:
The day would come when fasting would be appropriate for JESUS’ followers, but at the present time when JESUS was among them, it was not that day.
But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them.”
A foreshadow of what is to come. JESUS hints of His coming rejection and that the religious leaders, would take HIM away.
Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break:
JESUS used the example of wineskins to show that He didn't come to fix the old ways of Judaism, but to create a completely new agreement. This new agreement doesn't just make the old one better; it completely replaces it and goes further.
But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved:
JESUS used the example of wineskins to show that the current Jewish practices couldn't hold His new teachings.
He planned to create a new group, the church, that would unite both Jews and Gentiles as one.
One New Man – IN CHRIST
Ephesians 2:16 and that He might reconcile them both to GOD in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Ephesians 2:14-18
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to GOD in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
JESUS teaches that what is old and unchanging often cannot be improved.
GOD looks for new people to do His work until they become unfit.
Religious groups may not always please JESUS and can sometimes go against HIS work.
JESUS came to introduce something new, not to patch up something old.
This is what salvation is all about.
In doing this, JESUS doesn’t destroy the old (the law), but He fulfills it.
Illustration: An acorn is fulfilled when it grows into an oak tree. The acorn is gone, but its purpose is fulfilled in greatness.
HEALED: A LITTLE GIRL AND A WOMAN WITH AN ISSUE OF BLOOD.
(18-19) A RULER AMONG THE JEWS ASKS JESUS TO HEAL HIS DAUGHTER.
A ruler came and worshiped Him:
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed (Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56)
18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So JESUS arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.
NOTE: This man worshiped JESUS, and JESUS received this worship – which would have been blasphemous if JESUS had not Himself been GOD.
My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live
This ruler came to JESUS by faith, but his faith was small in comparison to the centurion of Matthew 8. The ruler thought it necessary for JESUS to personally touch the girl, while the Centurion understood JESUS had authority to heal with a WORD even at great distance.
(20-22) A WOMAN IS HEALED BY HER FAITH AND HER TOUCH OF JESUS.
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But JESUS turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
And suddenly, a woman:
While Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:43-48 give a much fuller account of this miracle.
Matthew’s account shows the compassion of JESUS.
We see the response of GOD’s Power to those who have faith to seek HIM.
Seek and Find.
If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well:
The woman was deemed unclean with her condition, and would be condemned for touching JESUS or even being in a crowd. Her desire was for healing, but she wanted to do this secretly, and would not ASK, she thought, “if only I may touch HIS garment, I will be well.
She believed in the healing power of JESUS and His garment served as a point of contact for that faith. Her faith was in JESUS and she was reaching out for HIM.
POINT: In this same way, when we pray in faith, we are reaching out in faith, to touch and receive from the heart of GOD.
And the woman was made well:
Her 12-year disease was healed immediately, Her faith was enough to receive what JESUS wanted to give her.
POINT: DO you have faith to believe that JESUS will provide for your healing, or answer to your prayer?
When He saw her, He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.”
While this woman didn’t want attention, JESUS makes her healing public.
JESUS officially declared her healed to her and everyone present.
JESUS stated her healing was by her faith.
JESUS honored her, calling her “daughter”.
(23-26) JESUS, DESPITE SCORN, RAISES THE LITTLE GIRL FROM THE DEAD.
23 When JESUS came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.
The flute players and the noisy crowd:
Mourners paid for a display of mourning not out of real sorrow.
When the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose:
JESUS endured the scorn from the crowd and raised the girl to life for the grieving father, so that they would believe in HIM.
NOTE: A foreshadowing. JESUS would endure the scorn and shame of the Cross, to die in our place, but to be raised up by the POWER of HIS SPIRIT.
Three more accounts of healing.
(27-31) JESUS heals two blind men.
Two Blind Men Healed
27 When JESUS departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And JESUS said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And JESUS sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.
Two blind men followed Him:
PRINCIPLE: DETERMINATION
For these blind men to follow JESUS, it wasn’t easy. They had to ask others where JESUS was going, and they had to listen to every sound that might guide them. But they were determined to follow Him.
Son of David, have mercy on us:
The two blind men followed JESUS and shouted this open recognition of JESUS as Messiah, because Son of David was a rich Messianic title.
They asked JESUS for the best thing they could ask for: mercy.
When He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him:
(CARSON) “JESUS did not deal with the blind men until they were indoors. This may have been to dampen messianic expectations on a day marked by two highly public and dramatic miracles.”
Do you believe that I am able to do this:
Again, JESUS healed the blind men in response to their faith.
Faith does not GUARANTEE healing for every individual, yet there are many people (multitudes) that are NOT healed because they LACK faith.
POINT: These men simply proclaimed their faith by saying, “Yes, Lord.”
POINT: DOES YOUR FAITH SAY…YES LORD!
According to your faith let it be so to you
QUESTION: HOW IS YOUR FAITH?
Is our faith enough?
Do we believe in mind only, or in body soul and spirit?
And when we DO NOT receive, does our FAITH REMAIN STRONG?
OBSERVATION: The faith of these 2 blind men.
FAITH TO FOLLOW, forsaking other paths, other directions, listening, asking, seeking the One they could not see.
FAITH to Cry Out. to ASK, putting their desire into words.
FAITH to make noise. Unafraid of embarrassment.
FAITH to recognize JESUS as MESSIAH, the Son of David.
FAITH to ASK for MERCY knowing they didn’t deserve healing.
FAITH to believe that JESUS could heal them.
FAITH to say “YES LORD”
See that no one knows it:
Even though JESUS warned them, they couldn't help but tell others.
We don't approve of their disobedience, but we do admire their excitement about GOD's work. Their only issue was not having enough faith to follow JESUS' instructions properly.
(32-34) A MUTE MAN HEALED.
A Mute Man Speaks
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”
34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
A man, mute and demon-possessed:
In Jewish understanding this man could not be helped because he was mute. They believed the demon had to tell you its name before it could be removed.
JESUS cast out the demon before the man could speak.
It was never seen like this in Israel:
This was amazing to the multitudes
This showed that JESUS has complete Authority over the spiritual realm.
It also showed the weakness of the rabbinical ways.
But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons”
Continuing to reject JESUS and HIS Work, the Pharisees attribute this work to the power of Satan. These words border blasphemy from the mouths of the Religious leaders.
NOTES:
In this chapter JESUS faced many accusations by the Pharisees and the religious leaders.
JESUS was accused of low morals (eating with sinners), blasphemy, ungodliness and even being in association with the devil.
As Matthew continues to present JESUS as Messiah in fulfillment of the prophetic scriptures, But we are beginning to see an increasing frequency and intensity of the rejection and criticism of JESUS by the religious leaders.
And yet, with all that, we see a constant in The Compassion of JESUS.
(35-36) JESUS’ COMPASSION ON THE MULTITUDES.
35 Then JESUS went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
JESUS met the needs of the people with compassion.
They were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd:
Separated from GOD, we are like sheep without a shepherd, and are in trouble until we come under the care of THE LORD WHO IS MY SHEPHERD.
Sadly, in that day, the scribes, priests, Levites and Pharisees were worthless shepherds. They were more intent on their religious rituals than shepherding the people. And the people, were a neglected flock of sheep.
(37-38) THE LORD’S HARVEST
37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few
JESUS saw the greatness of human need as an opportunity, as a harvest that was plentiful. A harvest is a good thing, and this was a plentiful harvest.
HELP WANTED: But it was also a harvest that needed laborers.
The good of a harvest can go to waste if there are no laborers to take advantage of the bounty. JESUS warned us that opportunities to meet human need and bring people into His kingdom may be wasted because of a shortage of laborers.
JESUS described the workers in His kingdom as laborers – that is, those who work hard.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest
The harvest belongs to the Lord of the harvest
We are commanded to pray that He would compel workers to reap His harvest.
We are to pray that the Lord would send out laborers
This is a prayer we must all pray.
But we are to pray with an open heart when HE says, “You, GO into the harvest.”
Matthew 28:18-20 GO THEREFORE
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Isaiah 6:8-9
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people:
James 5:20 …he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
POINT: THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.
WILL YOU OBEY HIS VOICE
WILL YOU GO WHERE HE SENDS YOU?
WILL YOU SAY…YES LORD!
FATHER, as YOU speak to us through HOLY SPIRIT, apply YOUR WORDS to our hearts, minds, body, soul and spirit. Change us with hearts of repentance, to follow after JESUS, the Way, Truth and Life Everlasting, to accomplish YOUR Purpose in and through us. Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Pastor Bill
