In this section two miracles are described. A ruler (of the synagogue - Mark 5:22 - probably at Capernaum), called Jairus in Mark and Luke, came to Jesus and requested healing for his daughter who, Luke added, was 12 years old (Luke 8:42). She had just died, Jairus said, but he believed Jesus could give her life. In the parallel Gospel accounts the father said she was “dying,” not is “dead” (Mark 5:23; Luke 8:42). This apparent discrepancy is explained by the fact that while Jesus was speaking to Jairus, someone came from his house to tell him the girl had died. Matthew did not mention that detail, and therefore included the report of the girl’s death in Jairus’ request.
As Jesus went on the way to deal with Jairus’ daughter, He was interrupted by a woman who was healed as she in faith reached out and touched Jesus’ cloak. Interestingly the duration of her hemorrhaging was the same as Jairus’ daughter’s age—12 years. The woman was ceremonially unclean (Lev. 15:19-30). Jesus stopped and called her Daughter. Jesus said her faith was the reason she was healed. Undoubtedly Jairus’ heart must have been encouraged by this act, for he too had faith in Jesus. When the party arrived at Jairus’ home, the flute players and the noisy crowd (of mourners, Luke 8:52) had already assembled to weep for the family. They believed the child was dead, for when Jesus said the girl was merely asleep, they laughed. Jesus was not denying that she was actually dead. He was simply comparing her dead condition to sleep. Like sleep, her death was temporary, and she would rise from it. After the crowd was dismissed, Jesus restored the girl to life.
As Jesus traveled on, He was followed by two blind men who appealed to Him on the basis of the fact that He is the Son of David. This title clearly related Jesus to the messianic line. The persistence of the blind men was seen as they followed Jesus into a house where He miraculously restored their sight. Their faith was genuine for they truly believed He was able to heal them They affirmed His deity for they acknowledged Him as Lord. Their sight was restored in keeping with their faith. In spite of Jesus’ warning to tell no one about this event, His fame continued to spread throughout the region. His warning was probably given to keep multitudes from flocking to Him merely for the purpose of physical healing. While Jesus did heal many from physical diseases, His miracles were for the purpose of authenticating His claims. Jesus came primarily for spiritual healing, not physical healing.
Jesus had been going through all the towns and villages of Israel, teaching and preaching about the kingdom. As Jesus observed the crowds, He had compassion toward them. Suggesting strong emotion, it means “to feel deep sympathy.” Jesus saw that the people were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Like sheep bothered by wolves, lying down and unable to help themselves, and having no shepherd to guide and protect them, the people were maligned by the religious leaders, helpless before them, and wandering about with no spiritual guidance. The religious leaders, who should have been their shepherds, were keeping the sheep from following the true Shepherd. In response to the people’s “helpless” condition, Jesus encouraged His disciples to beseech the Lord of the harvest, namely, God the Father, to send out additional workers. The harvest was ready.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read?)
It's been a few years since I read through Matthew. Everyday I am struck with how much dynamic truth for my life is packed in these passages. Lord, Help me to take these truths to heart and do what they say. Today, two particular truths stand out. 1) The faith of the folks who were healed. Jesus does things for us in accordance with our faith.
"Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you" Matthew 9:29-30 (NIV)
Lord, increase my faith. Increase the faith of my family. And Lord, please, increase the faith of our people at COV. Bring forth folks with vision and passion and belief. Do a miracle in hearts. Help us see Your vision for our lives. Help us accomplish your mission and vision for our church.
Help us believe You for the vision BEFORE it actually happens. Give us the faith to see a full parking lot and a full sanctuary and people every Sunday giving their lives to you.
2) The harvest is ready to be brought in. Lord, speak to the hearts of our people about sharing their faith and praying for the salvation of the people in their world. Lord, show them how they can build bridges for people to you. Give us boldness and courage to step out in faith and speak up for you. Give us the same attitude that Paul had -
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Romans 1:16 (NIV)
PRAYER
Remind me Lord every day about the power of your name, and break my heart with the lostness of people. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV)
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I love this part of Jesus' ministry: miracle after miracle after miracle. Miracles of every suprising kind (walking upon water, changing water into wine, raising the dead, casting out demons -- and on and on) and in every place he traveled, right up to restoring the cut-off ear in the Garden and redeeming the thief who hung beside Him on the cross.
ReplyDeleteYet in almost evey instance there are doubters, even among the eyewittnesses - let alone those who heard about the miracles by word of mouth. It seems as though Christ purposely planned to provide and leave a preponderance of evidence of His divinity so that there would be many, many wittnesses -- of every station and nation -- assuring that virtually everyone throughout the areas he traveled had been given the opportunity to know that the Messiah lived and walked among them.
Thank you Father for giving us this record of the Living Word. His entire life on earth was a miracle. His redemption of the sins of all humanity by His death and resurrection, was the greatest of all miracles. Help me Lord to be worthy of Him, to present myself as a living sacrifice to You every day. Keep me in daily prayer and in the Word. Bless Pastor Mike richly, give him strength and encouragement, and heal his back. In Jesus Name, Amen.