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In Order. Humble Hearts Healed

October 16, 2017. Matthew 9-10.

We begin our reading with Jesus forgiving and healing in His own city, Capernaum.  For there seems to be a huge presence of sickness around Israel. Could it be due to their lack of faithfulness to the Lord? We can easily look back on this verse in Exodus.

(Exodus 15:26) If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statues, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.

Jesus knows our hearts, thoughts, and yes, even our level of faith. The paralyzed man was brought by his buddies to Jesus and He saw their faith, yet the one being brought to Jesus, needed cheering up. Was that because of doubt, fear, maybe some level of depression…it doesn’t really say. Only that Jesus saw his friend’s faith.

(Matthew 9:2b) When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven.” Notice how Jesus refers to him as His son?

Then we see Jesus passes by Matthew, the tax collector and says,”Follow Me”, and he did. 

As Jesus was about, a woman who had female issues for years, suddenly touched the hem of His garment, thinking if she could just touch Jesus she would be made well. 

(Matthew 9:22) But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter, your faith has made you well.” Notice how Jesus calls her His daughter?

We see that Jesus also restores a girl to life, as the disciples continue following after Him. Love the part of how He took her by the hand, and she arose. 

When we keep reading we see how Jesus in His compassion, continues to heal every sickness and every disease and share the gospel. Teaching, touching, and healing, just ordinary, humble people along His way, in a gentle, quiet way.

Do you see how Jesus dealt with their Spiritual needs before their physical? Because ultimately sin is at the root of all evil, and forgiveness is far more important than the physical healing. After all that is why the Father sent His son, to deal with man’s sin.

(Matthew 9:36) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved to compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Jesus shares the spiritual call with His followers of twelve.

(Matthew 9:37) Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Jesus warns that there will be times to meet human need and share the gospel, but there will be a shortage of sharers. 

As one chooses to be a “follower of Jesus” with a humble, and healed heart, sacrifices will need to be made, as His child.

(Matthew 10:39) He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Terri Hill

Terri has placed her hope and faith in the Lord Jesus, and is grateful to be a wife, the mother to four amazing children, and finds joy in her practically perfect, three grandchildren! ...more