Matthew 9:17-38 -- "The Eds" & The Amazing Christ

I wanted to conclude our current Bible chapter by presenting you with

MATTHEW 9 "THE EDS" EDITION
ca. 30 A.D.

This will cover verses 18 through 38 since we already discussed the first half of this chapter.

Ruler BEGGED: Jesus to go to his house and heal his daughter

Jesus RESPONDED: by going with him

Woman TOUCHED: Jesus' garment

Jesus AFFIRMED: her faith had made her whole

Jesus ARRIVED: at Jairus' house

People MOURNED: Jairus' daughter's untimely death

Jesus RESPONDED: that she was asleep, not dead

Crowd LAUGHED: at Jesus' foolish words

Girl RESTORED: to life (take that, Death!)

Blind men CALLED: to Jesus for mercy

Jesus QUESTIONED: their belief in his ability to heal

Men RESPONDED: "Yes, Lord."

Jesus TOUCHED: their eyes

Sight RESTORED: according to their faith

Jesus ADMONISHED: "'See that no one knows about this.'"

Men DISOBEYED: ^31"But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region."

Did you ever wonder why Jesus told some people not to tell what he had done for them? And did you also wonder why the people went out and deliberately did what he asked them not to do? Is it because being able to see or walk or speak after not being able to see or walk or speak was such a huge deal that they couldn't help but share what great things had happened to them?

Demon POSSESSED: mute man brought to Jesus

Jesus AMAZED: the crowd by driving out the demon and making the man able to talk again

Crowd RESPONDED: "'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.'"

Pharisees COUNTERED: "'It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.'"

This reply by the Pharisees makes me believe that others were doing "miracles" back in the day. And we know this also from the Old Testament when Moses went before Pharoah and Pharoah's magicians were able to copy Moses' miracles to some degree. So it seems demons can do some sort of "miracles" which for some reason makes me want to recommend y'all read this post Amber wrote yesterday on The Art of Lying. If we recall that, biblically, Satan is the father of lies then...I just think you all should take 3 minutes and read Amber's post.

Jesus LOVED: by his words and deeds --

³⁵Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

NOW BACK TO THE PRESENT AGE - 2010 A.D.

Susanne CHALLENGED:

1. by Jesus' words: "'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"

2. to see the crowds with Jesus' eyes -- ³⁶"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Must say that I absolutely love to ponder verse 36. I think of a crowd of people who are sick and needy - some physically, all spiritually. And Jesus looking at them not with irritation because he really wants to get a falafel sandwich, a cool glass of water and sit down and rest his aching feet or go visit with his mom. Instead of getting frustrated with all these needy people, read how he looked at the crowd and tell me that is not a reason to want to be like this Christ!



To see all of "The Eds," please click here.