2025.03.23. Sermon Notes. THE COMPASSION OF WORK OF CHRIST – MATTHEW 9.18-38 [part 2 of 2]
WILLIAM AKEHURST, HSWC
BIG IDEA: The Compassionate Healing Work of CHRIST. Reaching Out to CHRIST by Faith. The Call of Commission for Workers of the Gospel to Reach Others for CHRIST.
Scriptures: Matthew 9:18-38, Luke 8:40-41, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 8:49-56, Luke 10:2-3, Matthew 13:38, Matthew 3:11-12, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:9, Isaiah 6:8-9, James 5:20, Jude 1:20-25
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.
Luke 8:40-41 40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.
41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
NOTE: This man Jarius, a worker in the synagogue, 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
Jarius came to JESUS by faith for his 12-year-old daughter, 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.
Luke 8:43-48 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”
When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
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.
Luke 8:49-56 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.
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.”
Luke 10:2,3
2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
Matthew 13:38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
Matthew 3:11-12 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
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!
Jude 1:20-25 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Benediction
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
PRAYER,
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
