Matthew 9
-This chapter revolves around the concept of faith in the
Kingdom to accomplish great and mighty healings and life altering miracles in
direction. We see God’s compassion regaining supreme here as Christ’s ministry
begins to take full shape. He is the Forgiver of sins and cleanses from every
disease. He 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 of
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 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. *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 your 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 you hear the voice of
the Lord calling you, be like Levi and go with Him on the amazing journey.
-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 9:13). 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 are also called to be a part of the Kingdom of
God?
-Here in this next section we see the Pharisees, rich in
their legalistic tradition, questioning Jesus about the lack of fasting they
observe in His disciples compared to them and John’s disciples. 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 them 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. *Application*
There is a season for all things. These are seasons of the soul and God wants
us to react appropriately in each and 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 your
life?
-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 God’s mercy and compassion,
He 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 His hard hearted hearers. *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 your spiritual work. But always remember to do it
God’s way in love and without bitterness or jealousy.
-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. *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 (Matthew 9:35-38).
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