Good morning! What a beautiful rain last night! We needed it and the temperatures will be re tolerable for a while. My computer finally died (after 15 years of operation!) so I am using Sherri's Mac…set up is slightly different so its not going well for me!! Time for a new one!!
Jesus returns to Capernaum (v 1), his home town as suggested in Matthew 4:13. He was on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee (8:18) and now returns to the western side. He is preaching/teaching to a house full of people. The other Gospels tell us the man was lowered through the roof. This healing is one of the many tat are prophesied (Isaiah 35:5-6, eg) when the prophets said, "The eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf will hear, the tongues of the dumb will be loosed and the lame will leap with joy." Jesus didn't heal to please the crowds or to attain greatness, he healed to minister to the humble. It is interesting to notice that it was the faith of the friends that Jesus noticed- not necessarily the lame man (v 2); we know nothing about the faith of the man. Jesus healed not only the man's paralytic condition, but also his sins (v 2).
The scribes aren't too happy and begin to complain and object-privately- about Jesus (v 3). They were correct in complaining that Jesus did only something God could do- but they didn't realize that Jesus was God! Jesus catches them as Matthew says "Knowing their thoughts..." (v 4). This should have been enough to convince the scribes that Jesus was divine! The scribes are shocked that Jesus is acting all powerful and all God-like. To settle the question- the man gets up and walks away- proving that Jesus had the power of God to heal. The man gets up and goes home; the crowds are amazed and give glory to God- not to Jesus- which is what Jesus wanted.
Matthew (aka Levi, son of Alphaeus, Mark 2:14) the tax collector was tapped by Jesus to join in his disciples. Tax collectors were some of the most mistrusted and hated people as they were seen to be huge collaborators with Rome. Often times the tax collectors were Jewish, but had a string tie to Rome; people looked at them as traitors. Does God select people we feel are "unfit" to be disciples? Jesus says to Matthew, "Follow me" (v 9) and Matthew gets up and follows Jesus. What was it about Jesus that caused Matthew to do this? As an aside...there is some evidence that fish collected form the Sea of Galilee were taxed. So when Peter, James, and John (all fishermen) met Matthew (the tax collector) I wonder if there was an awkward moment?!
Jesus sits and eats with "them" (v 10). Can you imagine- eating with "them"!? We don't even want "them" as part of our group, and now He is eating with "them"?! The nerve of that guy, Jesus! The Pharisees were the most critical of Jesus and Jesus comes back with he comment- Aren't the sick the ones who need the doctors?" (v 12). I am glad that God calls the sinners and not just the well people!
Jesus then opens a ball of wax when he says, "Go and figure this one out..." in v 13.Jesus begins to approach the old v new covenant and the laws that Paul was always talking about. Remember- these words were addressed to the Pharisees- the educated teachers of the masses! John's disciples begin to pick up on this and address the old v new covenants in the questions of fasting (v 14). The Pharisees and John;s disciples would fast twice a week (especially for the Pharisees it was to often to impress the community); Jesus' disciples did not. What's up with that?! The time will come when Jesus' followers will fast, but now isn't the time (v 15). Jesus hints at his "removal" as the "bridegroom will be taken away." Jesus continues with the old wine-skins and the new wine. The two are incompatible. The new covenant (new wine) doesn't repair or reform the old (old wineskins)...it is a replacement. New also refers to the Gentiles as being part of the covenant.
As Jesus is talking, a leader of the synagogue comes and worships Jesus (v 18). Had Jesus not been God, this would have been blasphemy! Notice the words here- "lay hands on my daughter" compared to the centurion (in chapter 8) that wanted Jesus just to say the words. The leader had less faith? The story is interrupted by the woman with a bleeding condition (vv 20- 22). It was her faith, that just touching Jesus' outer garment (worn by all Jews) would heal her. Her private condition was made public and she was healed Jesus finally makes it to the rulers home and the (likely paid) mourners turn from mourning to ridicule very quickly (vv 23-24). "Professional mourners" were hired by even the poorest people! Jesus turns the tables and rebukes them by saying she is just sleeping. She is resurrected and people talk even more!
Jesus goes on to heal several more people: two blind men and the mute demon possessed man. In both cases it is the faith of the people that Jesus comments on. And in both these cases, the Pharisees begin questioning Jesus and Jesus' intentions. They are beginning to build a case against him, and I am sure Rome is involved!
The closing of this chapter we see Jesus' compassion and love for people. The image of shepherding is strong here. Sheep are worrisome and anxious creatures without guidance. Jesus notices their conditions and shows them love. There is great need and Jesus is there, ready and able to fill those needs...are we?
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
First of all, I laughed out loud when I read your comment - "Deviled Ham?"
ReplyDeleteI think it strange that Jesus heals a lot of people in front of a lot of people and then asks them not to say anything. Why would He be so public in His healing if it wasn't to spread the Word? I think the leader of the synagogue had as much faith as the centurion. After all, to worship Jesus in front of others and then to ask Him to come to his home showed a lot of faith. I was surprised that Matthew was selected so late in the game - was it this late in Jesus' ministry? What a good point - that God uses people we would never guess He would use (David, Saul...me?)
But my favorite is versus - 37-38. The need for laborers - a need that is so keenly felt today!! I think we should still be saying the prayer Jesus requested in 38 - "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."!! Especially in this time where churches are shrinking and closing.
When Jesus performs a "miracle", He always asks about the person's faith. Maybe, in today's world - vs. Jesus' time when people believed in magic - we do not have the faith to receive a miracle. We say we believe but we don't just pray for healing, we take our children to the doctors, put on our seatbelts, try to live healthy??? Does this thought make sense?
Enjoy this cool weather !
Deviled ham-- an old pastor's joke
DeleteCorrect- Jesus did many healings in front of people- then asked not to tell. He wanted people to follow him because of his teachings and philosophies, not necessarily the healings and miracles. People could interpret them as "Magic"- and there was plenty of. that going round with the false prophets.
It is difficult to know exact time frame when we read Matthew's account…but it does seem that Matthew was selected late, this is still early in Jesus ministry though- but not like we expect.
I have used the "need for harvesting" several times in messages the last ten years. It is a need in the church and in the community. There are so many people that need help- and so few people willing to do it!
Good point about our current faith status and the reception of miracles! We need to be safe though too. So have we lost faith and then our ability to decipher miracles??
Good points Donna!
This is a chapter rich in familiar stories and ideas. Over and over we read about how important your faith is. Vs. 29 says Then he touched their eyes and said "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite part is the end of the chapter, vs. 36-38. My Bible says "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." I often feel harassed and helpless but I know I have a shepherd. I just need to ask for more help. (Sometimes I feel like I'm ALWAYS asking for help and God must get sick of hearing from me.)
Yesterday I watched and listened to a webinar called "The Librarian's Guide to Homelessness". The presenter talked about how to have less problematic behavior in a library. It turned out to be very interesting. He explained how trauma in a person's life, especially in childhood, actually changes a person's brain; the reasoning part that helps make decisions. I couldn't help thinking about all the trauma that children all over the world go through- in countries wracked by war, corrupt governments, children forced to be in a militia, children abused by their families, hungry children and so on. Our country is not much better than most others. And when these children grow up we just don't have help in place to deal with them.
Sending workers into God's harvest fields means all of us; helping even if we have our own "stuff" to deal with. These verses talk about all kinds of work- Not just sitting in church for an hour a week and calling that good. There is great need right in our own communities.
The words "according to your faith" are "haunting" and I may use in a message some day. If we were held "according to our faith", how would we fair? What is our faith status?
DeleteI don't think God gets tired of hearing us ask for help- But I do think God would appreciate some thanksgivings one in a while too! I feel that many people just ask and ask and ask and don't really offer thanks!
I was in education for 33 years; there was a significant difference in the kid's abilities, sense of respect, sense of community, etc over those many years. Kids struggle on a daily basis, and like you said, The United States isn't too much different than other countries when it comes to how we treat our kids. So how can we, the church, help? I'd be interested in what you learned in your webinar!
I said in church a few weeks ago, if you are comfortable in church- you're doing it wrong. We should be uncomfortable; we should be "out there"; we shouldn't be just showing up for an hour and being done. If that's how one does "Christianity" then it is probably wrong!
Great thoughts and sharing time. Thanks Cathy!
It's hard to imagine witnessing these miracles that we have so often heard of. I think miracles continue to happen. The vaccine that we now have for covid19 is a miracle. Maybe Jesus was their guide.
ReplyDeleteCathy I pray for the suffering of children to end every day. These countries that are at war is so heartbreaking. I served on grand jury a few years ago. almost every case we assessed was a child abuse case. We were all crying at times. The children of this world deserve better. I am reading a book about the depression and the dust bowl in the Midwest. Those farmers worked so hard and most lost their farms to the government. Farmers today are still undervalued.
God's work is not easy.
Cindy, I think I read that same book, or at least one like it - mine was called "The Worst Hard Time" - so very sad and such a hard time for all that suffered through that.
DeletePeople do have gifts and graces from God- maybe these are the things that help make miracles happen- with guidance from the Holy Spirit
DeleteMy wife works at a few elementary schools in the Binghamton district- there are some sad stories that she shares at times.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Cindy.
Cathy reading your comment brought tears to my eyes You are so right . may God bless all children. There is so much we could do to help children so maybe as they become adults their lives may be less traumatized (for a word).
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter we see the Pharisees criticizing Jesus accusing him of being friends with sinners, blaspheming, in cahoots with Satan and not following Jewish religious traditions Jesus answers all their accusations and continues to heal the sick and afflicted. I think the Pharisees were perhaps jealous of what Jesus could do?? I found it interesting that Matthew mentions himself becoming a Christian and following Jesus as a disciple. I don't recall in Luke that Luke mentions himself this way.
There are many lost souls (sheep) and we all could help the Shepherd
to find them and bring them home. We all need to be more like the apostles and Paul.
A much more comfortable day so enjoy all.
How can the church help with the children?
ReplyDeleteJealous- yah definitely! He was beginning to get a following and the people were beginning to notice some of the ways the Pharisees and Saduccees were treating others and using religion as their crutch!
RE: your comment about Matthew- he may not have been the author of the Gospel. The books were attributed to the apostles, but there is currently disagreement as to who wrote them!
How can we be more shepherding? I agree!
Good comments Clara!