I apologize for not posting for a few days and am only doing 1 chapter today but in a weird way it is a God Speak. I have read the book of Matthew many times and I was trying to group together several chapter since I figured it would take that much for God to speak... Ya, I know, God can speak when and how ever he wants, but chapter 9 was full of stuff that I wanted to slow down and really try to meditiate on the life of Jesus. My goal is not quatity but quality and so with that said, below is my blog...
After reading Matt 9, the main thing I got was how busy Jesus was. Busy might not be the right word since it can be considered negative, but this is a basic run down. Jesus crosses over the sea and heals a paralyzed man and confronts the religious establishment (verses 1-7). He then finds Matthew the tax collector and has a meal with him and his disciples and confronts the religious establishment again (verses 9-13). Then the non traditional religious people ask about fasting (verses 14 - 17). (This is were I get tired) Verse 18, "While he was talking... "someone came and mention that their daughter just died. While on his way to the house, the lady touches the fridge of His cloak and is healed. When he gets to the house and declares that the girl is just sleeping, he is laughed at by the crowd. He heals/raises for the dead and then was sought out by 2 blind men whom Jesus restore their sight and then a demon possessed man was brought to Him to be healed (verses 18 - 34).
The Bible does not give an exact time frame, but as I read this I see how Jesus was pulled in many directions. I get frustrated when my plans change or someone interrupts me, but I see clearly that Jesus made time and helped those in His path. I love how Chapter 9 (verses 36-38) ends with "Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because there were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd." Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
i love your blog today scott. it was worth the wait. let's keep this thing going! i appreciate you doing it so very much.
ReplyDeleteso my focus was on what kind of a man was jesus. where might you find him and with whom, etc.
how about eating at the table with new friends who were Not church people? i bet he had a beautiful glass of red wine and they laughed a lot. i wonder if any of them besides matthew began following him around and listening to his wisdom?
also, when criticized for his choice of companions he wasn't silent:
But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
jesus, help me to see what you want me to see through these readings and not ever use your word to justify my own desires. however, at this moment i want to thank you for reclining at the tables of the outcasts, those who were judged and condemned by the church. thank you for showing us that in the midst of a busy life of work and ministry there is time to relax and make new friends.