Matthew: Chapter 9
Matthew chapter 9 continues the narrative of Jesus's ministry in the region of Galilee, where he went around teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (Matthew 9:35). The key emphasis in this chapter is placed in faith and forgiveness of sins. Besides this, the chapter also explores the beginning of hostility Pharisees, showed towards Jesus and his disciples.
Faith and Forgiveness of Sins
The chapter mentions the healing of a paralytic, a bleeding woman, two blind men, a mute and raising the dead daughter of Jarius ("a ruler"). In all these instances, Jesus notes, acknowledges and states that faith is a crucial element to healing and miracles.
... your faith has healed you ... (Matthew 9:22)
 |
| Healing the paralytic |
Along with faith, forgiveness of sins is also required for someone to experience healing (although that doesn't mean a person is a sinner if they suffer from a disease). This forgiveness is freely given by Jesus as we read in this chapter. All that is expected is a willingness to change from the sin.
… the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins … (Matthew 9:6)
The incompatibility with living in sin and also expecting God to work miracles is illustrated through the examples of sewing a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment and pouring new wine in old wineskins; the garment would tear, and the wineskin would burst. In a similar manner, existing in sin and trying to please God is impossible. In fact, sin alienates us from God.
The Pharisees
The Pharisees are one of the sects of Judaism during the time of Jesus. They couldn't accept that Jesus can forgive sins, since they never understood Jesus was the Christ. Further, they considered themselves to be self-righteous and seeing Jesus eating with people they considered as "sinners" and healing people didn't sit well with them. Even when the crowds were amazed at the wonderful things they saw and acknowledged that "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel", the Pharisees disregarded the miracles by saying "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons".
Jesus' response to them is threefold as recorded in Matthew 9:12-13.
… "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Jesus called out their self-righteous attitude by saying, the healthy don't need a doctor, but the sick need. The sick here are the people whom Pharisees branded as "sinners", who were eager to hear the good news about the kingdom of heaven and sought out Jesus actively. The Pharisees themselves didn't actively partake in listening, but just wanted to retain their social standing.
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice' is quoted from the book of Hosea (6:6), where the LORD chides the people of Israel for not understanding what the LORD expects but doing things just to fulfil a commandment and not taking in its essence. Jesus quotes it here to point out that love and care towards fellow humans is more desirable by God than plain sacrifices.
Finally Jesus states his mission on earth, to call sinners into repentance so that they can be a part of the kingdom of heaven.
The Workers are Few
Verses 35-38, of this chapter shows Jesus' compassion towards the crowds, who were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus comments that the workers are few, and asks the disciples to pray to the LORD to send out workers. These workers are the ones who are to take the good news about the kingdom of heaven to the ends of the earth, and to call sinners into repentance through Jesus Christ. The disciples played their part, and throughout history missionaries went around spreading the gospel, and now its our time.
The call of one of the workers (disciples) is recorded in this chapter. The person called was Matthew himself, who was a tax collector by occupation, but chose to immediately heed the call extended by Jesus and followed Jesus. This immediate obedience is often expected of us by our Father in heaven. Let us strive to please him. May goodness follow us all. See you in the next post, take care of yourself and each other.
Comments
Post a Comment