Matthew 9
-This chapter revolves around the concept of faith in the Lord
to accomplish great and mighty healings and life altering miracles. We see
God’s compassion reigning supreme here as Christ’s ministry begins to take full
shape. He is the Forgiver of sins, which the religious ones (scribes) falsely
called blasphemous, and heals from disease, even a paralytic. From these first
eight verses, we see that the Messiah has the power to: 1) forgive sins, 2)
read the thoughts of man, 3) heal incurable ailments, and 4) receive awe and
glory from people. One interesting thing to note at the end of this section is
the testimony that God had given this authority not just to a Man, but “to men,”
plural. This foreshadows the coming miracles of believers as they work in the
power of the Holy Spirit, just as the Messiah did here in this instance (Matthew
9:1-8).
-*Application* It
is important for us to see the more important aspects of our charitable work on
this earth. Notice that Jesus addresses the spiritual condition of the paralytic
first and foremost. The primary reason that he should take courage, Jesus says,
is because his “sins are forgiven.” The Lord wasn’t interested as much in his
physical condition as his spiritual state. He did take care of the physical
need, but that was secondary. We should approach the good we do for others in
the same fashion.
-God calls people to follow Him for advancement in the
spiritual growth of the entire world. Right after Jesus had healed the
paralytic there in Capernaum, He sees Matthew (Levi) sitting at his tax booth
and implores him to come and follow Him. Capernaum was a key military center
for Roman troops during this period of history as well as a thriving business
community along the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee. Merchants would pass
through this area from as far away as Egypt to the south and Mesopotamia to the
north. Collecting taxes was a major part of the Roman system and Matthew was a
privileged, but despised, part of that collection process. Tax collectors would
charge commission on the dues owed the Roman government, and in most cases
would accumulate exorbitant compensation for their work. This obviously
irritated the local population of Jews since Matthew himself was Jewish but
profiting off foreign domination (Zacchaeus was also a tax collector in
Jericho, Luke 19:1-9). It was in this context that the Messiah calls Levi to
leave everything else behind and come follow Him. Amazingly Levi does this. He
leaves behind a lucrative business of shame and becomes a reputable disciple of
Jesus Christ. He ends up giving us the gospel of Matthew as an endearing
testimony of a life surrendered completely to the King of kings and His Kingdom
(Matthew 9:9).
-*Application*
When we read of actual events like this one where a successful man in the ways
of the world gives up literally everything to follow Christ, what kind of
inspiration does that spark in our own soul? When the Lord beckons, we have one
of two choices: 1) Leave everything behind and follow Him, or 2) Make excuses
and refuse the call of God (putting off a call is saying no to it, God expects
immediate compliance). When we hear the voice of the Lord calling us, be like
Levi going with Him on the amazing journey of faith.
-Matthew immediately hosted Jesus Christ and His disciples
along with other Jews and Pharisees to celebrate his conversion in following
after the Lord. The Pharisees made comments about why Jesus would associate
Himself with such a sinner and the like, but Christ knew their hearts and
addressed them. He proclaimed His mission, that it is the sick who need a
physician, not the well. He desires compassion (love, inward change), not
sacrifice (outward expression), and Jesus told the religious crowd to “go and
learn” what that meant (Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:10-13). Again, we see the
repentance word come up and this was something that the hard-hearted Pharisees
were unwilling to see, hear, or understand. They were self-righteous and loved
to point out the wrong in others while neglecting their own imperfections. Jesus’
point should have been clear to them that they also needed a change of heart
towards the Savior, but unfortunately, they missed it.
-*Application*
How often do we commune with those that may be considered outcasts and rejects
of the standard church scene? Jesus was not ashamed or afraid to interact with
even the most despised members of His society to share the good news of the
gospel. How much more should we be noticing and seeking out individuals who God
is calling to be a part of His Kingdom?
-Here in this next section we see the disciples of John
questioning Jesus about the lack of fasting they observe in His disciples
compared to them. Jesus’ response is attended to alert them to His Messianic
greatness as a time of celebration and joy, which they were never actually able
to perceive. Jesus did maintain that there would come a time for His disciples
to fast when the bridegroom is taken away. The Scripture uses this bridegroom
analogy often as something that is known is compared to a deep spiritual truth
concerning the Kingdom of God. This was the plaroma
(the fullness of time) in which God came to be with man in special revelation
through the incarnation of His Son (Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:10). Special
rejoicing and celebration around this monumental event should have been
expected if anyone really understood what was going on. Jesus even tried to
explain this to these, but they continued to be blind and deaf (Matthew
9:14-15).
-*Application*
There is a season for all things. In these seasons of the soul God wants us to
react appropriately to every situation. It is His will for us to rejoice always
(Philippians 4:4, Ephesians 5:16), but there are times when we should fast and
make special efforts in seeking Him. What time is it in our life? Ponder this
and act appropriately according to the word of the Holy Spirit.
-Jesus reiterates His point with two more illustrations
designed to show how the new in Him had come. This is a precursor to the New
Covenant, which He would establish with His blood on the cross of Calvary
(Jeremiah 31:31, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25). It was a new day and a new
way with the Son of God’s justifying sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Gone
would be the old religious system tied up in the traditions that were manmade
and cumbersome on the soul of man. Righteousness was now going to be
attainable. Those who wanted to cling to the old system would say that it was
good enough (Luke 5:39), but they failed to realize that it could never bring
salvation and impute the righteousness of God on a person. It only restrained
evil by the enforcement of the rigid law that was perfect as far as God gave
it, but it proved impossible for man to keep. Therefore, in His mercy and
compassion, God gave His only begotten Son to be the substitutionary atonement
for our sins (Hebrews 10:1-10). These deep theological truths Jesus spoke in
parables, which flew right over the head of most of these hard-hearted hearers
(Matthew 9:16-17).
-*Application*
The “old wine skin” has become synonymous with traditional manmade systems that
have become too rigid and controlled to be of much Kingdom value. When we seek
“new wine skin” we are breaking away from the religious spirit into the work of
Christ in a freeing and more pliable situation that is commensurate with the
Spirit of God. Often this causes tension with those who want to be unyielding
and unchanging, but Jesus predicted these things would happen not only back
then, but anytime a controlling spirit is present. At times like these it is
best to break away and find a new container for our spiritual work. But, always
remember to do it God’s way in love and without bitterness or jealousy.
-Matthew gives further evidence of the Lord’s Divine Nature
as he relates the instance where Jesus receives the worship of a synagogue
official and his request to raise his daughter from death. The man had the
faith to come to the Lord asking Him to simply come and lay His Hand on her for
resuscitation to life. The Lord got up with His disciples to follow the
official, and had another miraculous encounter with a woman, because of faith,
who had been suffering from a twelve-year hemorrhage in her body. She believed
that if she could just touch His garment, she could become well, and it
happened. Afterwards, God arrived at the official’s house to much derision, but
performed an incredible miracle of healing in bringing life back into the
synagogue official’s daughter. News of this event spread throughout all the
land (Matthew 9:18-26). As Jesus was going from there, two blind men followed
after Him crying out for mercy to the “Son of David.” The Messiah entered a
house when the two came up to Him for healing. Jesus asked if they believed He
could do this, and upon hearing their confession of faith, He restored their
vision as “their eyes were opened.” He warned them not to spread the news
sternly, but they disobeyed, out of sheer joy I’m sure, telling the news about
Him throughout the land (Matthew 9:27-31). Next, a demon-possessed man was
brought to Him, and the Lord cast it out allowing this mute man to speak.
Obviously, this amazed the crowds as to the uniqueness of this Man, but the
Pharisees jeered Him as being the ruler of demons to thus have authority over
them (Matthew 9:32-34). A point Jesus would refute in other portions of
Scripture (Matthew 12:22-30, Mark 3:22-27, Luke 11:14-20). Jesus is seen ending
up in the chapter going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of
disease and sickness. He felt compassion for the people because they were
distressed and dispirited like sheep with no shepherd. He commented to His
disciples at this point, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest
(Matthew 9:35-38).” Prayer then becomes the key in getting the work done of the
Kingdom of God.
-*Application*
Jesus was astute enough to perceive the real needs of people He ministered to.
He was praying for and raising up workers for the harvest of souls relying on
the power of God. We should be doing the same things just as He commanded here
in this passage. We pray, He sends, He harvests.
Verses to Memorize:
Matthew 9:13, 16-17, 35-38
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