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Tag: Matthew

  • Interrupting Jesus 9 – not too dirty for God

    Interrupting Jesus 9 – not too dirty for God

    Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

    You know the old saying (based on an old Hebrew proverb) and preached by John Wesley, among others. Can one so dirty in sin or lifestyle approach God?

    We are all sinners and none is clean enough without the Living Water.

    You and I may be able to think of untouchables as sub-human or those so far removed from our daily experience that in an abhorrent way, we become callous to reaching out to these souls with the healing they covet. In ancient times no description more defined the unwanted of society than ‘leper.’

    leper handsLeprosy is contagious and one of several ‘unclean’ conditions. The Law of Moses gives priests considerable guidance in how to deal with lepers. Lepers were removed from society for the guarding of the community from disease.

    Numbers 5:2  

    Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. 

    The Gospels are Good News for the unclean, not just those who a priest makes ritually pure.

    leper reaching outImagine that you are not accepted by anyone in society, let alone a leading Rabbi – a teacher of the Law and Prophets who actually is known to perform miracles. Would you be so bold as to come up to Him and interrupt Him?

    How will Jesus react?

    Matthew 8:1-4

    Jesus Cleanses a Leper

    When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”jesus-heals-the-leper-luke-5

    3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.”

    And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

    4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

    How the man’s life must have been changed from that moment he was healed by Jesus! Yet Jesus instructs the leper to say nothing and do as the Law prescribes: go to the priest and be declared clean.

    An unclean group of lepers also interrupted the journeys of Jesus at another time.

    Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)

    Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

    11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying,

    “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

    Of course these men lived and begged outside the village. They were unclean and village citizens would not risk becoming one of these unclean lepers.

    14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”

    How interesting that Jesus commands the ten lepers to show themselves to the priests. Why would a man with leprosy show himself to a priest? Yet by their obedience these ten lepers discovered the cleansing of the very words of Christ Jesus.

    And as they went they were cleansed.

    15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.

    • Have you received any grace of healing?
    • Have you received any miracle in your life?
    • Is your very health not a miracle from God?
    • Has Jesus Christ cleansed you of a sin which once devoured your flesh?

    Where then is your gratitude to Christ, the Living Water of God Almighty, who has redeemed and cleansed your soul?

    How like the nine lepers we are. How we take for granted the grace of God.

    Now he was a Samaritan.

    17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

    Where are you with your praise, dear brother, gentle sister in the Lord?

    Dear Christian, will it take an unbeliever to praise Jesus for the same grace you have received?

    19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.

    Are we well in Christ Jesus while having neglected to return to our Lord with praise and thanksgiving?

    And if you are an unclean sinner; believer or unbeliever, you are not too dirty for God.

    Return to Jesus and let Him wash your sins away.

     

  • Interrupting Jesus 8 – late to a funeral

    Interrupting Jesus 8 – late to a funeral

    Are the moments of Jesus’ earthly mission so different than yours?

    • What unexpected event interrupts your week?
    • Who interrupts your daily journey though life?
    • How will you touch their lives?
    • How will you fit everything and everyone in?

    Jesus, the promised Christ of GOD the Father, had an earthly mission to accomplish in just 3 years. You and I, mortal souls bound by flesh, have missions to accomplish, goals and plans for our everyday mortal lives. Just like in the life of Christ, what happens? Interruptions.

    One event on our planner leads to another and gets interrupted by a life event or person we must ‘pencil in.’ How does God want us to face the unexpected?

    Matthew 9: ESV

    14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” … 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.

    O.K. You are in an important meeting with VIP’s of the community (even someone from your church or synagogue). Someone informs you that ‘so and so’ has died. Of course, you want to go comfort their loved ones, who may even be acquaintances, friends or family of yours.

    In fact, the man who came to Jesus with the news was actually the father of the one who had died. Furthermore, the man is an official, a ruler of some kind who not only has come to Jesus, but worships Jesus as Lord.

    Yet there is an urgency here more important even than attending a funeral. The man is important and has bowed down to Jesus as Lord. Above all, this ruler has shown faith in what he asks of Jesus:

    “… come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

    Is this ruler of the Jews saying that He not only believes that Jesus is the Messiah of Jehovah, but that Jesus can give live eternal (after death) to his beloved daughter who has just died?

    Yes! But perhaps more.

    Is it possible that this ruler, father of the girl who had just died, may have heard of the miracle Jesus performed on the boy in the casket at Nain? Perhaps.

    If you or I were a father or mother in the presence of God Incarnate, would we ask the Lord Jesus to raise our child from the dead (if it is His will)?

    So Jesus Christ leaves His meeting with the Pharisees and accompanies the official to his home. AND like so often happens with Jesus, once more He is interrupted along His journey by someone else with faith – a woman who also believed.

    christ-and-woman-with-issue-of-blood20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”

    Perhaps Jesus is now hemmed in by the crowds like when the men came to Him and had to cut through the roof to bring their paralyzed friend to the Messiah. Maybe Jesus was on the way to the home of the official and still had the usual crowds all around Him.

    The unclean woman wants to touch Jesus! How would this Rabbi react – how will this renowned teacher act when an unclean woman stands in the path He must take to go to the funeral of Jairus’ daughter?

    22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

    Again, Jesus does not ignore her for the important official; nor does our Lord fail to show her compassion.

    The Apostle Matthew reports the interruption in the mission of Jesus and summarized the impact of the miracle Jesus would perform for Jairus’ daughter. Matthew tells how after these two interruptions Jesus became even more well known for the His miracles.

    … 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

    The patient history of the Gospel writer Dr. Luke, however, provides additional detail of both interruptions. See how we sometimes overlook the obvious, that Jesus did not accomplish either of these miracles without an ordinary passing of mortal time with travel on foot through crowds of followers. (First, a context of some passing time, growing crowds and place:)

    Luke 8:

    Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities…

    4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed…

    26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee…

    Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’s Daughter

    40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house,42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

    • a man named Jairus 
    • ruler of the synagogue 
    • falling at Jesus’ feet 
    • he had an only daughter, age 12 
    • she was dying

    As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.

    43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.

    • woman had discharge of blood 12 years
    • spent all her living on physicians
    • not healed by anyone
    • healed the moment she touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment

    44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.

    45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?”

    When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”

    • Again, crowds pressing in on Jesus
    • Peter and the Apostles are with Jesus

    46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”

    47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.

    • Like the ruler of the synagogue asking for Jesus to heal his daughter; the woman had the faith to press through the crowds to touch Jesus so that she might be healed.

    48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

    49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.”

    • Jairus undoubtedly knew that his 12 year old daughter was near death when he finally came to Jesus.
    • Now Jairus’ daughter has died. (Too late to heal her…)

    Will you also be near death in your sin before you will come to Jesus Christ in faith?

    50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”

    51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

    Do some of us laugh at Jesus when He says we are dead, but He can heal us?

    Are we sleeping in our sin?

    54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once.

    Your spirit will not return to you while you sleep. Is your flesh yet alive, while your spirit is dead?

    Make no mistake about it. Jairus’ daughter was dead physically, neither breathing nor alive any more than the boy in the casket at Nain. It is the spirit that gives the body life!

    God created us body and soul. Jesus Christ commanded her spirit to live once more and her spirit and life returned to her body.

    And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

    Jesus commanded her parents to give her something to eat. Feed your body. Drink water for your flesh and blood. Be nourished in the flesh and live well.

    Yet God alone commands your soul, gives being in your creation and conception. God alone measures the days of your body and soul, appointed to a time to die… for your soul to sleep until the day we are revived for the Judgment.

    • A woman in continual pain comes to Jesus in faith for just the touch of His healing.
    • A father of a dying girl comes to Jesus in faith for the laying on of His hands of healing.

    Will you, dear fellow sinner, come to Jesus in faith, which bids your soul to awake to eternity?

    “Awake, O sleeper,
    and arise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

  • Interrupting Jesus 6 – Jesus of Capernaum

    Interrupting Jesus 6 – Jesus of Capernaum

    Who are you, really?

    I was raised in Cortland, Ohio U.S.; therefore you might call me: Roger of Cortland. Yet is that really who I am? No, of course not. I now live somewhere else and who I am or what I do is not related to where I live.

    We often make a mistake in looking back on the Person of the Son of God, the Messiah, simply as Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was known by that because of where Joseph and Mary raised Him after they fled from Bethlehem of Judea under the threat of Herod before they returned to Galilee after Herod’s death. In fact, the Gospels reveal that Jesus of Nazareth had resettled in Capernaum.

    Capernaum, by the sea of Galilee is about a nine hour walk from Nazareth. {I encourage you to look at a satellite map of the area behind this link.}

    Think in terms of Capernaum and Galilee as part of the occupied area of the Roman Empire with no identity as Israel. This context of daily life of Jesus in Capernaum and surrounding areas would be more accurate of the secular Roman culture than to see only through the lens of a few Bible verses and traditional maps in your Bible. (Is our own 21st c. culture really so different?)

    Capernaum SynagogueThe Synagogue in Capernaum was important to Jews, but the town and area are ruled by Rome (as was Jerusalem).

    During the Israelite/Iron period (1200-587BC) there was a break in the population, which was restored in the 5th C BC (the period of the returns of the exiles to Zion). It was designed according to that period’s urban design of straight lines, which was built in parallel to the main Roman imperial highway, that crossed the village on the northern side. Capernaum grew larger at the time of Jesus (early Roman period, 1st C AD), and a synagogue was built in the center of the village. [source: Capernaum history]

    Tetrarchy of PhilipJesus of Capernaum, the Son of Man, taught in the towns nearby like Chorazin and Bethsaida-Julius where Scribes and Pharisees studied the Law and the Prophets. Jesus of Nazareth, as He was known, also taught on the hillsides near Capernaum. Most of these places where the teachings of Jesus were heard and miracles witnessed were near Capernaum.  We can be certain that Roman officials tracked every move of this popular leader of the crowds. Certainly Centurions would listen to every word for the first sign of another insurrection against Rome.

    “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?

     “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

    Matthew 5

    Matthew 8

    When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

    Word of miracles gets around quickly. Crowds followed Christ Jesus because of the miracles and His teaching . Jesus taught everybody with ears to hear:  Judeans, Galileans, Samaritans, Jews, Gentiles… and even Roman occupiers who traveled with the crowds to keep things under control.

    Now a Roman officer asks Jesus for a miracle! (What an interruption to what Jews thought the Messiah would do only for Israel.)

    5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,

    6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”

    7  “I will come and heal him.”

    8  “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

    10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him,

    “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

    13 And to the centurion Jesus said,

    “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.”

    And the servant was healed at that very moment.

     

    You may not be a Jew. You may not even be a Christian (one of those who follow Christ Jesus, such as those to whom our Lord turned to note the faith of this Centurion.) Like the Roman soldier you probably live in far-away places from Capernaum (like Cortland or L.A., London, Rio, Addis Ababa, Beijing or Delhi).

    • Do you have the faith to interrupt the Son of God, Incarnate in the Person of Jesus, with your plea to heal a loved one of yours?
    • Do you have the humility of the Roman Centurion to tell Christ Jesus, “I will take you at your word and trust that by your Authority that You will do what you say?”
    • Will you recognize that this lowly, first century Son of Man was sent to a cross to be sacrificed for your sins and for mine?
    • Do you, dear foreign friend, have the faith of a Roman Centurion?

    Ask Christ Jesus, though the Holy Spirit of God, to come into your eternal life with the healing of your sin.