Matthew 9-11.20.22

Scripture

Matthew 9:1-8 NIV

““Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”

Observation-What does it say?

This is a great example of faith in action.

“Jesus saw the faith of his friends, not of the paralyzed man himself. It was evident that they had the faith to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus and their faith was active enough to take apart a roof and lower the man down before Jesus.” (David Guzik on enduringword.com)

Understanding-What does it mean?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” -Hebrews 11:6 NIV

The paralyzed man’s friends not only prayed to God for their friend, but they took action. As a result of them being proactive, their friend had an encounter with Jesus, his sins were forgiven AND his paralysis was healed!

Life Application

What are some ways that we can put our faith into action for a family member or friend who needs Jesus today? (Providing for a need, blessing with a meal or a gift, writing a note of encouragement/blessing, spending time with them, sharing the Gospel message, inviting to church, etc.)

-Michelle Gaddi

Matthew 8-11.29.22

SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 8:1-4

"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed Him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. "I am willing," He said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

OBSERVATION:

Jesus had just come down from the Mount of Beatitudes. His miracles and teaching had attracted a great deal of attention, and great multitudes followed Him. A leper came and worshipped Him. Being a leper in the ancient world meant that you literally had no hope of recovery. Leprosy is a horribly progressive disease that may begin with the loss of all sensation in some parts of the body, the muscles waste away, the tendons contract until the hands and feet are like claws. There follows ulceration of the hands and feet. Then comes the progressive loss of fingers and toes, until in the end a whole hand or a whole foot may drop off. The duration of that kind of leprosy is anything from twenty to thirty years. (Barclay)

UNDERSTANDING:

The condition of leprosy is a model of sin and its effects. It is a contagious, debilitating disease that corrupts its victim and makes him essentially dead while alive! Rabbis especially despised lepers, and saw them as people under the special judgement of God, deserving no pity or mercy. This desperate leper came to Jesus by himself. He knew how terrible his problem was, and he knew other people had given up on him as having a hopeless condition. He had no one who would or could take him to Jesus. He had no invitation from Jesus or the disciples. He must have felt ashamed and alone in the crowd. Despite his desperate condition, this man not only begged Jesus, he also worshipped Him. He worshipped Him by bowing before Jesus. He called Him, "Lord", and he humbled himself by not demanding - but leaving the request up to the will of Jesus. He worshipped Jesus with his confidence that Jesus could heal him IF HE WAS WILLING! The leper wanted more than healing, he wanted cleansing; not only from the leprosy, but also from all its terrible effects on his life and his soul. Jesus was willing! He moved with compassion and put out His hand and touched the leper, and immediately the man was cleansed! Then Jesus commanded the man to give testimony of his healing to only the priests! (enduringword.com).

LIFE APPLICATON:

We were all born in sin. Our sin is what kept us from being able to have a relationship with God. BUT, in His mercy and grace God extended His love toward us, and was willing to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross in order to pay the full penalty for our sins. Through Jesus we have been forgiven, and we have been made right with God! Not because of anything we've done, but because of Jesus! We are now able to stand before God as righteous and justified! (JUST AS IF WE'VE NEVER SINNED!) Despite our past desperate condition, we are now able to stand in God's presence and enjoy a personal, lasting relationship with Him. We are no longer victims of being dead while alive! We have been born-again! We have been cleansed and made right before our Heavenly Father.

I'm so very grateful that when we call out to Jesus, and believe He is Lord, He is not only able to touch us and heal us... He is willing!

-Robin Orefice

Matthew 7-11.28.22

Scripture

Matthew 7:24

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Observation – What does it say?

This analogy Jesus shares, comes right on the heels of a teaching about the fate of those who don’t do God’s will. He informs the crowd gathered during what we now refer to as “The Sermon on the Mount,” that he will reject those who didn’t do his Father’s will; even those who did miracles in his name. He emphasizes his point in this teaching about the wise and foolish builders, making a clear distinction between those who listen and obey and those who listen and do nothing. One will stand firm while the other collapses; one received by God while the other is rejected.

Understanding – What does it mean?

In reading this, I am reminded of Jesus’ younger brother, James. As pastor of the church in Jerusalem, he wrote to them urging, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” There is serious consequence for disobedience. For those of us who read God’s word frequently, who hear sermons often, God is going to hold us to a higher standard! We can’t claim that we didn’t know better. With every command of God we read, every challenge toward obedience we hear, we mustn’t take it lightly or allow it to stop with good intentions. Jesus is clear that the only one who is blessed, who is received by God, who is going to stand firm, is the one who does God’s will.

Life Application

God, where have I been failing to do your will? Show me the areas I’ve been failing to put your word into practice. I know I am saved by your grace, through my faith and not my works. But, I also know that the genuineness of my faith will be reflected by the way I live. Please help us to be a people who have a genuine faith, expressed through passionately seeking to do your will. Amen.

-Levi Thompson