He touched their eyes

He touched their eyes

Scripture:

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” Matthew 9:27-34

Observation:

In this passage, Matthew records two miracles. In the first, Jesus heals two blind men, and in the second, he drives out a demon from a mute man, who starts to speak. The prophecy of Isaiah of the Messiah who would “open eyes that are blind, free captives from prison  and release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness” was being fulfilled before Israel’s eyes.

The two blind men followed Jesus for some time, calling out “have mercy on us, Son of David!” By calling Jesus “Son of David”, they were showing their belief that He was indeed Israel’s prophesied Messiah for the Scriptures were clear that the Savior would come from the line of David. How was it they were able to follow Jesus when they could not see? Perhaps they had friends or kind strangers who helped them or perhaps they could sense the excitement of the crowd following Jesus and followed along using their keen ears.

After Jesus had gone indoors, they were allowed to come and see Him, and He asked a very important question. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Belief or Faith is so key to healing. And this aspect is relevant not only in regard to healing but to any miracle, any prayer we bring before the Lord. Do we believe God is able to turn our bad marriage around, or change our wayward kids, or give us a good job after a year of unemployment, or save us from severe financial distress? Do you believe I am able to do this? The Lord is asking us today. If we can truly learn to believe, it will certainly take us to another level in our Christian faith.

Then Jesus touched their eyes and said “According to your faith, let it be done to you.” The touch of Jesus bringing healing is a precious image in all of Scripture. Even in praying for others or even ourselves, imagine it is Jesus hands’ that touches. Just as Jesus touched the blind men’s eyes, we too need the Lord to touch our eyes, that we may see better and deeper spiritually. “According to your faith”, Jesus said. Again and again, the Lord reminds us that it is our faith that makes so much difference in our prayers. There is a two-way exchange of power - our faith in God, and God’s power flowing to us and through us.

In the second incident, Jesus drives out a demon that had caused a man to be mute. And the effect of the man starting to speak again so greatly amazed the crowd they excitedly said among themselves “nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” Unfortunately, the bitter Pharisees, instead of rejoicing for such a blessed miracle, condemned Jesus as doing it by satanic means. Today, even in rural villages and poor communities, we hear of incredible miracles, of the fillings of poor villagers being turned to gold, people raised from the dead and God showing incredible signs in the sky. What is our attitude to these things? Are they really the works of God? We are told in Scripture to test everything and that we will know the truth by the fruit produced. Nevertheless, our attitude should be open and praise God that He is able to work great miracles even today while asking Him for discernment to ascertain if a work is not from Him.

Application:

Meditate on the truth of the power of faith. In whatever we are praying for, picture our Lord asking “Do you believe I can do this?” Look to the Lord in our mind’s eye, and say “Yes, Lord, I believe.” Remember to picture the Lord’s hand as we pray for others or ourselves, imagining it is the Lord Himself who touches. Imagine the Lord Himself, touching our eyes, enabling us to see new spiritual truths and having deep new insights and discernment. Praise God, that in Him, we have power and authority over demons. Praise Him for the great miracles we see or heart about happening in His name. Still, pray to God for wisdom and discernment to determine if any miracle is not of Him.

Prayer:

I praise You, Lord Jesus, that You are able to do all things. I believe in You, that You are able to do all things. Even as I pray O Lord, I see You working, I see my prayer being answered. Praise You, Heavenly Lord. You are Healer. You are God. Blessed be Your name O Lord. I see Your hands touching, healing, bringing life, blessing my loved ones. I praise You, Lord, that in Your name, I have power over every demon and power and principality. You reign supreme over all. Touch my eyes, O Lord, that I too may see. Grant me wisdom and discernment O Lord, to know if miracles are from You. Blessed be Your name always. In Jesus name, Amen.

A desperate father & a woman of faith

A desperate father & a woman of faith

Scripture:

While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region. Matthew 9:18-26

Observation:

In this passage, Matthew records two subsequent incidents, where Jesus heals a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, and raises a little girl from the dead.

Right while Jesus was telling John the Baptist’s disciples about the patch of unshrunk cloth and the old and new wineskins, a synagogue ruler appears and kneels before Jesus. In those days, synagogues were gatherings which consisted of Jews in the vicinity who came together to hear the Torah read and be instructed in the Jewish faith. A synagogue ruler would be someone who was in charge of the building where the synagogue met and also appointing the various persons who would be on duty for the service, which was held on the Sabbath. Usually, wherever there was at least 10 Jewish men, a synagogue would be formed, and this was the way the Jewish faith was preserved through the centuries up till today. In any case, a synagogue leader or ruler was someone of respectable standing, and at the time, with many of the Pharisees and teachers of the law already against Jesus, it was not easy for a synagogue ruler to come to Him and risk the wrath of the religious elite. Nevertheless, this synagogue ruler was no longer bothered with all that for he was in such sorrow in regard to his daughter who was dying or even already dead at the time. In desperation, the father came to Jesus, whom he heard had healed the sick and cast out demons, hoping that the Lord could somehow heal his daughter.

While walking to the synagogue leader’s house, a crowd accompanies Jesus, and just then, a woman with an issue of blood approaches Jesus and touches the edge of his cloak, believing that she will be healed. Jesus noticed her and tells her “take heart daughter, your faith has healed you”. Is healing dependent on the supplicant’s faith then? In another portion of Scripture, it is written how Jesus could not do many miracles in his own village because of the lack of faith of the people. Notice how the woman kept telling herself “if only I touch his cloak, I will be healed”.

At the ruler’s house, Jesus tells the mourning band to go away because the girl is only sleeping, but they just laugh at him. Nevertheless, Jesus just goes in and takes the girl by the hand, upon which she gets up to everyone’s great amazement. The Lord has shown His authority even over death.

Application:

Drawing from the experience of the woman with the issue of blood, we can see that while Jesus’ power is ready and available, faith is also a most important factor on the part of the supplicant or intercessor. When we pray for healing, we must believe that our Lord Jesus is able and willing to heal.

                                                                                                                                 

Do all get healed? Do all get raised from the dead? Certainly not! However, our part is to pray in faith. The healing or miracle is God’s prerogative according to His wisdom and timing.

Another lesson we can learn from this passage is the father’s desperation. The father was desperate to the point he no longer cared about his position as synagogue ruler or what other people thought, he just wanted his daughter to live, and cried out to Jesus with all his passion. When we seek with Jesus with such passion and desperation, it is inevitable things will happen. Let us learn to be passionate in our prayer.

Prayer:

Praise You, Father Lord, for Your generosity and love towards us. Praise You, Lord Jesus for Your compassion, for those who are lost, for those who are sick. Just as You healed the woman with the issue of blood, and You raised Jairus’ daughter so long ago, heal today O Lord. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Teach us O Lord to pray with passion, with desperation. Let us see Your power come in deep reality into our lives. May Your name be praised always, precious Lord! In Jesus name, Amen

New wine for new wineskins

New wine for new wineskins

Scripture:

Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:14-17

Observation:

In this passage, Matthew records for us the incident of John the Baptist’s disciples coming to the Lord and asking him why his disciples do not fast. The Lord replies by picturing Himself as the bridegroom and His disciples as His guests. Logically, it would not be an appropriate time to fast. However, the Lord further reveals to them how He will be taken away from His disciples, and it is in that time of mourning when they will really fast because of their sorrow.

Our Lord then goes on to speak of sewing and wineskins. On sewing, he remarks how when there is a tear, no one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away, making the tear worst. On wineskins, He remarks how pouring new wine into old wineskins will only cause the skins to burst, ruining it, while the wine runs out. What was Jesus trying to say?

In fact, Jesus was likening the teachings and traditions of the Pharisees brought down along the ages as the old garment and the old wineskins. Garments are often illustrated in Scripture as the acts of a person. In Isaiah, our righteous acts are akin to filthy rags. Under the old covenant, righteousness was obtained by strict observance of the Torah and man failed because they were unable in their own strength to overcome their sinful nature. However, that’s why through Jesus, God brought in the prophesied New Covenant, that we might be made righteous through faith in God through Jesus Christ, not by works, so that no one can boast. If we try to mix works with salvation, it is like putting in new wine into old wineskins ruining both.

Basically, Jesus was telling the disciples of John that it was time to put away their old ways of thinking and instead follow Him and His teachings – to embrace the new, and do away with the old.

Application:

Remember that Jesus is the bridegroom of the church, who consists of us, the body of Believers regardless of denominations, and we are invited to the wedding. He has gone back to Heaven for now and is at the right hand of the Father, but our Lord is coming back again soon, when He will make all things new!

Meditate on the old cloth and the old wineskins. Are there old traditions or ways of thinking that we are still adhering to that is holding us back? Ask the Lord for a new heart, and a new perspective that we may grow by leaps and bounds in Him. Remember and be thankful that our salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and there is nothing we can or have to do to add to it. Having said that, we need to know too that true faith in Him will lead to desire to follow Jesus and His teachings, and as we seek Him, He will teach us and give us the grace to obey and serve Him in loving God and loving others.

Prayer:

We praise You, Lord Jesus, that You are the Bridegroom and You are coming again soon for Your bride, the Church! We thank You, Lord that we are invited to the great Wedding in Heaven. We look forward to that wondrous day O Lord. Keep us safe and secure in You always, O Lord till that faithful day comes. Give us a new heart we pray, O Lord, that seeks You and Your Holy Spirit, who gives us all truth and leads us to follow and obey You. Let the old in us pass away, but let the new man in us dwell from strength to strength. Praise You, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Not the healthy, but the sick

Not the healthy, but the sick

Scripture:

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:9-13

Observation:

In this passage, which was very personal to the author Matthew, he tells us how the Lord first called him, where he was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. The Lord said “Follow me”, and Matthew just got up and followed him. It was the same with the fishermen, and now with Matthew. They heard the calling and answered it, following Jesus. They didn’t know where Jesus would lead them, or what they would have to do, but they just trusted in Jesus.

Later, Jesus went to Matthew’s house to have dinner with him, and there were many tax collectors and sinners among them. The indignant Pharisees were quick to condemn Jesus asking his disciples how his master could eat with tax collectors and sinners. Tax collectors were considered as traitors by the Jewish people, and they had a habit of enriching themselves by collecting more than they should from the people, causing general society to disdain them utterly.

The Lord’s divine reply holds a deep lesson for all of us. It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He came not to call the “righteous” but sinners. Human nature is such that we tend to easily condemn others. However, the truth is that we are all sinners alike, regardless of degree. Jesus came to save even the worst of sinners, and only those who are humble and recognize their need for salvation from sin can be saved by Him.

Application:

Recognize that God came to save everyone, even the worst sinners, even the pariahs of society. His arms are open to all, and we too, need to learn to open our arms to others, regardless of race or religion, regardless of status in society. All need His salvation. All need the Lord. God desires mercy, not sacrifice. We need to check our hearts, the root of all we do. Do we just do deeds out of rote and obligation. The Lord wants us to serve Him from our hearts. When we serve others, pray for God to let us serve from our heart, from the compassion only He can give us. 

Prayer:

Thank You, Heavenly Lord Jesus, that You came to seek and save the lost, even the worst of us, even those whom no one else cares about. Thank You for Your great compassion O Lord. Teach us to be like You, to have a heart of true mercy, looking to seek and save the lost. Forgive our lack of compassion and imperviousness to those around us. Give us hope and peace O Lord, we pray. In Jesus name, Amen.

He saw their faith

He saw their faith

Scripture:

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. Matthew 9:1-8

Observation:

In this passage, Matthew records the incident of Jesus healing a paralyzed man who was bedridden such that he had to lie on a mat and have friends carry him. This incident happened in the Lord’s own town, and His first words upon seeing the man caused a huge uproar among the teachers of the law for He said to the man “Your sins are forgiven”. It is interesting to note that the Lord said this upon seeing “their faith” referring to the men who had brought their paralyzed friend. Can our faith bring about healing and salvation for others who may not have faith? This incident certainly shows us that there is great power in the faith of intercessors who bring loved ones or friends to God.

Why did Jesus focus on having the man’s sin’s forgiven first before healing him? No doubt, the forgiveness of one’s sins is far more important than healing. However, in this case, it seems that the man’s paralysis was tied in deeply with particular sins, which once forgiven, freed the man to be healed, and Jesus completed the healing by asking Him to get up, take his mat and go home. Quite possible, the man’s healing had already occurred at the point of having his sins forgiven, but he only realized it when following Jesus’ instructions to get up.

Now, on observing the teachers of the law, we see that they were quick to pounce on the perceived blasphemy while failing to see the great good that Jesus was doing everywhere He went. Prophecy was fulfilled before their eyes, yet they missed it because of their own jealousy and pride.

Application:

Praise the Lord that our sins are forgiven. This is the most important thing that our Lord has given us. It is only because our sins are forgiven that we have access to our Heavenly Father, to seek Him and commune with Him, and ultimately be with Him forever one day after this earth passes away. Pray to the Lord for increased faith. Realize the power we hold in faith and prayer that can greatly influence and even save and heal our loved ones and friends. Set time aside to spend in prayer for our loved ones, especially those unsaved or sick. Thank God that our faith has great impact, and pray for more faith even as we intercede for them. Pray to God for a humble, teachable heart, that would not be judgmental of others.

Prayer:

We praise thee O Lord, for You O Lord came that our sins may be forgiven. You died on the cross that we might have life and complete forgiveness from our sins. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the faith and power You give us in our prayer. Strengthen us and quicken our spirits to understand more and more how to pray in faith, how to believe and intercede for our loved ones and friends. Show us O Lord, the right ways to pray. Give us humble and teachable hearts that will seek You. Let us not be judgmental of others, but to learn to live and discern more and more by Your Spirit day by day, in all humility and love. Bless You, Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Precious Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.

They pleaded with him to leave

They pleaded with him to leave

Scripture:

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. Matthew 8:28-34

Observation:

Right after the incident of the storm, Matthew now focuses our attention on the Lord’s encounter with two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes. Curiously, this incident is also narrated in the gospels of Mark and Luke, but both the other gospels only mention one demon-possessed man while Matthew mentions too. Bible scholars are of the opinion, that of the two demon-possessed man, one more vocal and prominent and thus, Mark and Luke focused only on him, disregarding the less prominent demon-possessed man. However, Matthew, who was probably there when it happened, saw fit to mention two for his particular audience, namely the Jews, who would have noted the significance of the number 2, as in their culture, the authenticity of important matters are to be established by the presence of 2 or 3 witnesses.

The demons in the men recognized Jesus as the Son of God, and feared that He had come to torture them before the appointed time. It is interesting to note that the demons know there is an appointed time when they will be subject to judgment. Knowing that Jesus would drive them out, they begged Him to allow them to go into a herd of pigs. Jesus consented, and to the disciple’s amazement, the legion of demons in the men ran out and entered the pigs, proceeding to drown them. The pig-tenders quickly ran off to the town and told them what had happened.

The townspeople, greatly alarmed, quickly went to Jesus to ask Him to leave. No doubt, foremost in their minds was the possibility of further economic loss as the pigs would have cost the owners a fair sum. Some of them too, were perhaps too frightened to contemplate the supernatural, that a man could have the authority to cast out demons at will. These townspeople were too preoccupied with materiality or fear that they failed to recognize the moment of God’s visitation to them.

Application:

Are we too bonded by fear or by materiality to the point that we miss God’s calling for us. There are times when the Lord may call us to overcome our fear and step out into the deep water. There are times when the Lord may call us to set aside preoccupation with material things, but instead trust God. May we not be like the townspeople who failed to realize the moment of God’s visitation to them.

Prayer:

Praise thee, Heavenly Father, for You hold all things in Your hands. You set seasons and times in place, all that happens does so according to Your will. Free me O Lord from fear and from the love of money and possessions. Give me instead a fresh new vision that seeks You, that desires to follow Your will. In Jesus name, Amen.

He who quiets the storm

He who quiets the storm

Scripture:

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27

Observation:

Having already reported the Lord’s dominion over demons, over disease, now Matthew shows us an incident where our Lord showed His complete power even over nature.

While on the lake of Galilee, a furious storm came and was so strong that even experienced fishermen like the disciples were frightened. Interestingly, the Lord was sleeping calmly in the midst of the storm, and his disciples had to wake him, screaming that they were going to drown. We should note too that though the disciples did not know how Jesus could save them, they looked to Him for their salvation from drowning.

Our Lord, in all calmness, questioned why they should be so afraid, and proceeded to rebuke the winds and the waves which obeyed Him and became calm. His disciples were so greatly amazed that they wondered if the Lord was really a man at all, that He should have authority over even the wind and the waves.

Application:

At one time or another, we too face our furious storms in life. Storms may come that are so furious that we think we are going to drown. Like the disciples, we need to cry out to our Lord Jesus “Lord, save us”. We may not know how God will deliver. That is His prerogative. Our part is to trust that He will deliver us, according to His power and His wisdom.

The model of our Lord Jesus addressing the winds and the waves is also applicable to us in our daily living. In Jesus name, we have the authority to speak to any mountain or obstacle before us “go throw yourself in the sea”, and it will do so. There are times when such problems may disappear immediately, while there are times, when it remains for a time. Our part is to carry on in faith in speaking to the problem with authority and belief to depart from us. As the Lord promised, in His name and in His power, we are destined to do even greater things than He did.

Prayer:

Praise thee, Heavenly Father, for You hold all things in Your hands. Every storm, every wave, every mountain is there by Your will and by Your power. Save us, O Lord, in the midst of mighty storms. We trust in You for salvation O Lord, according to Your wisdom, according to Your purpose. Let there be calmness and peace we pray, deep in our lives, no matter what happens, no matter what we face. We thank You, Lord, for the authority You give us, over winds and waves, over mountains and powers. Teach us, O Lord, to use this authority according to Your wisdom. Give us more of Your Holy Spirit O Lord, to guide us, and show us what we need to do. Bless You, Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen. 

Foxes, birds and priorities

Foxes, birds and priorities

Scripture:

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. Matthew 8:18-22

Observation:

After narrating a few incidences of the Lord at His healing work, Matthew now focuses our attention on the cost of following Jesus.

First, he shows us the incident of a teacher of the law who was so impressed by the Lord’s teaching that he told Jesus “I will follow you wherever you go.” Our Lord, in His usual illustrative speech asks the teacher to consider how even foxes and birds have homes yet He Himself and those who followed Him had no true, permanent home on earth. Indeed, the Lord traveled from city to city across Israel, never settling permanently in one place, teaching, preaching and healing wherever He went.

Considering the expression “the Son of Man” that the Lord loved to use of Himself, we see that even though He is Lord and God, He reminds us that He is also fully human, just like us.

Secondly, Matthew narrates the incident of another disciple coming to Jesus giving the excuse that he needs to go and bury his father before following Him. The Lord tells him to let the dead bury their own dead. It appears, that what the disciple meant is that his father was still living but he was only able to follow Jesus after his dad died. The Lord’s reply “let the dead bury their own dead” is interesting. Presumably, the Lord is inferring that those who do not believe or follow him are already spiritually dead and those who know the truth and follow Jesus have more important tasks at hand. The main lesson here is that we must put Jesus first and follow Him, even above family.

Application:

Not everyone is called to be a missionary, to leave for foreign countries and spending their lives serving God in alien, distant lands. However, everyone who truly follows Jesus is called upon to be available to serve Him, at any given moment, as the Spirit leads. In regard to putting Jesus above our families, many Christians from non-believing families have been thrown out of their homes, and suffered great persecution because they chose to follow Jesus. The true following of Jesus is not an easy thing, but the Lord promises great reward to those who give up for Him.

Prayer:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Praise thee, Heavenly Father, for You graciously provide me with all things that I need. Help me I pray, learn to follow You, Lord Jesus, more easily and courageously. Help me to be sensitive and open to Your Spirit’s leading that I may be able to answer Your call to serve and touch others as You lead me. Let me put You first in my life, Lord Jesus, above everything. In Jesus name, Amen.

He took up our infirmities

He took up our infirmities

Scripture:

When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases. Matthew 8:14-16

Observation:

From the encounters with the leper and then the centurion, Matthew now records our Lord’s personal encounter with Peter’s mother-in-law when He came to His disciple’s house. She was in bed suffering with a fever but Jesus simply touched her hand and the fever left. It is interesting how she immediately got out of bed and waited on him. She was a hospitable host indeed though bedridden with sickness just a few moments before.

Then Matthew records how in the evening that same day, Jesus drove out all the evil spirits and healed all the sick of those brought to Him. Here, Matthew quotes Isaiah’s prophecy about the Christ that He would take up our infirmities and bear our diseases.

Application:

Our Lord’s immediate concern for Peter’s mother-in-law shows us that He cares not only for us, but also for our family members, and especially so for those who are His disciples. If we have family members or relatives who are ill, we can lift them up faithfully in prayer, for we have a Lord who cares dearly for them.

Also, just as Peter’s mother-in-law got up with such eagerness to serve the Lord, we too would do well to have that eagerness. It is truly a privilege to serve our Lord and His church. Ask him to show where we may serve Him most effectively and passionately.

Remember the great verse concerning the Lord that Matthew quoted from Isaiah “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases”. Meditate on this verse and believe it in faith, and its application will be true of us. Sometimes, even when we do not see healing happening physically, it is our part to look beyond,  at the spiritual level, and believe that healing is already in motion.

Prayer:

We praise thee Lord Jesus, for You are our great Healer, just as You healed so many long ago. Indeed, O Lord, You took up our infirmities and bore our diseases. Forgive our sins O Lord, make us whole and well, we pray. Our ail family members we lift before You. Heal them O Lord, with Your precious touch. Make them completely well, we pray. In Your service O Lord, give us great purpose and passion, lead us to the right ministries where we may serve You best. Teach us more and grant us more faith in the area of healing. Teach us, Lord to believe even when our eyes see otherwise, even when all looks lost, let our hope continue to be strong in You. Praise You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

A centurion’s faith

A centurion’s faith

Scripture:

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,“Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.  I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. Matthew 8:5-13

Observation:

After the healing of the Leper, Matthew then records Jesus’ encounter with a Roman centurion, a high ranking military official in charge of at least a 100 soldiers. Now the centurion had a problem. His servant, whom he highly valued was paralyzed at home, suffering terribly, and his great desire was to have his servant healed and well again. Our Lord Jesus agreed to come and heal the centurion’s servant, but surprisingly, the centurion humbly stated that he did not deserve to have Jesus come to his house. Then, the centurion showed his great faith by stating that Jesus was able to heal his servant by just stating the word, without physically having to go there. He understood that Jesus had authority over time and space, and that it was not necessary for Jesus to be physically next to a person to heal. Perhaps, the centurion had already realized the divinity of the Lord personally.

Jesus was greatly amazed at the centurion’s faith and prophesied that many would come from the East and the West to take their place at the feast in Heaven with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but that many of God’s chosen people, the Jews would instead be excluded and thrown into the darkness outside Heaven. He went on to tell the centurion to go back, saying that his servant would be healed just as he believed, and indeed, his servant was healed that very moment, as the centurion later confirmed.

Three things stand out about this centurion. Firstly, his compassion. A selfish and ruthless man would have easily thrown out a servant who had become paralyzed and therefore useless to him. Instead, the centurion kept his servant with him and was even distressed at how much suffering he endured.

Secondly, his humility. Although he was a powerful man in the eyes of the world, he was deeply humble before Jesus, acknowledging that Jesus was far superior to him. Finally, his faith. The centurion not only believed that Jesus could heal his servant, but that Jesus had authority to heal his servant by just the word, without having to go physically to him.

Application:

Do we have compassion like the centurion? Are we concerned with the suffering of others – our colleagues, our subordinates or employees, our maids? Are we humble like the centurion was? Do we approach our Lord Jesus with humility, knowing the great and divine Son of God that He is? Do we have faith like the centurion, believing that nothing is impossible with God and that Jesus has authority over all things?

Prayer:

Praise You, Heavenly Father, for the lesson of the centurion that you have taught me this day. Help me learn and grow in this lesson I pray. To be compassionate and care for others who suffer, to be humble always before You, and to have greater faith, knowing Your authority and power in all things. In Jesus name, Amen. 

I am willing, be clean

I am willing, be clean

Scripture:

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.” Matthew 8:1-4

Observation:

After the Lord finished the Sermon of the Mount and came down from the mountainside, large crowds of people followed him. They had never heard anyone teach like Jesus did, and they hung on His every word. In the midst of this, Matthew focuses our attention on one particular incident where a leper comes up to Jesus and kneels before Him, professing his faith that Jesus can make him clean if only He is willing.

In those days, leprosy was the most terrible disease that could afflict a person. They had to move away from society and live as outcasts, having to ring bells and shout “unclean, unclean” until the day they died. In Matthew, this was the first recording of the healing of leprosy specifically and thus was probably the first instance that leprosy was cured in Israel since the healing of the Syrian Naaman long ago during the time of Elisha.

Another thing about lepers was that since they were unclean, anyone who touched them would become ceremonially unclean too and could not go to the temple before undergoing certain cleansing rituals. Therefore, when Jesus reached out and touched him, it must have come as a great surprise to the leper who had probably never been touched by anyone for a long time. Here, instead of becoming unclean himself, Jesus actually made the leper clean, making him completely well.

And the Lord said those great words of compassion “I am willing. Be clean!” Leprosy is the most accurate physical counterpart to reflect the spiritual condition of sin which separates us from God. It is only when our sins are forgiven and cleansed that we can come back and have fellowship with God. For every sinner that comes to Lord Jesus and ask to be made clean, our Lord Jesus says “I am willing, be clean”, and all his sins are cleansed and forgiven that instant.

Now straight after the healing, Jesus instructed the leper not to tell anyone about this healing but to go show himself to the priests as a testimony to them. In showing the leper’s healing to the priests, it was a declaration to them that a prophet from God like Elisha was here. For the leper, it was also a necessary step to be allowed back into societal living.

Application:

The healing of the leper is a great reflection of our own healing and salvation from our sins by our Lord Jesus. Praise the Lord that He has healed and saved us through His great sacrifice for us. In the process of the leper’s healing, Jesus healed him not just physically but emotionally (by touching him), and socially (by giving him the confidence to show himself to the priests and be readmitted back to society). It is the Lord’s will that our healing be complete, in every way. Now, in this instance, our Lord was clearly willing to heal, but are there instances where the Lord chooses not to heal? Paul’s reference to the thorn in his flesh is often interpreted by Bible commentators to be a particular physical ailment. No doubt, there are times when the Lord may tell us “my grace is sufficient for you”. However, our part, even in our sickness is to keep praying, to keep seeking God for healing, while trusting His wisdom and sovereignty for His timing in all things.

Prayer:

Praise thee, Heavenly Father, for this great miracle of the healing of the leper. I praise thee, Lord Jesus, that just as You healed the leper of his leprosy, You healed me and set me free from my sins. Let my trust always be in You. Even in the times when I am sick, I will trust You and hope in You for healing. You make everything beautiful in its time, O Lord, and I declare my trust in Your sovereignty in all things. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wise and Foolish builders

Wise and Foolish builders

Scripture:

“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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:24-29

Observation:

As our Lord concludes the sermon of the Mount, He gives the well known illustration of the wise and foolish builders which has become a very popular Sunday School song and story. Simply put, the Lord’s instruction is for us to hear His words and put them into practice. Which words is the Lord referring to here? It is all that He has just taught in the Sermon of the Mount. Of course, it will refer to as well to His other teachings which are beautifully recorded for us across the four gospels.

When we hear and obey, we are likened to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rock forms the foundation of the building, and when the foundation is strong, the house built upon it is strong and stable. Now building the foundation into the rock is not easy as the material is hard and strong. Nevertheless, once the hard work is done at the initial stage, the foundation is strong and secure and forms a solid base for the whole load of the building, including the wind load and occupancy load, to bear upon.

In contrast, those who don’t take the trouble to build a foundation on Jesus’ teachings instead end up building a house on a foundation of sand. When trouble and hardship, represented by the rain and wind comes, that house will not stand.

Application:-

Feed upon the teachings of Jesus in the gospels and let it assimilate into our system as we seek to follow our Lord and the conduct of life He expects of His disciples. Now, some Christians tread on dangerous ground by trying to summarize the teachings of Jesus into a set of laws akin to the 10 commandments and trying to obey them by rote like the Jews did of old. The danger here is that some may end up basing their salvation on their ability to keep these set of laws. Our salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus. This fundamental truth must always be first in our minds and hearts. Our deeds, our obedience to our Lord Jesus comes as a result of our salvation. That’s why Paul says, we are saved unto good works. Instead of trying to summarize or make concise Jesus’ teachings, rather just read through the Gospels slowly and regularly, enjoying His wisdom and His teachings and it will naturally become part of our foundational knowledge. Then of course, it is not enough just to know, but to practice what we know. The Holy Spirit, our Teacher, will bring to our remembrance the teachings of Jesus and the Word that applies in any given situation. The more we know and remember of the Word, the more effective this interaction, and the impact of our Christian life.

Prayer:-

Praise thee, Lord Jesus, for the great wisdom You taught us which are beautifully recorded for us in the Gospels and the New Testament. Give us Your wisdom, Your discipline and Your peace even as we seek to build our life’s foundation on Your Words. In You O Lord, we put our trust. Give us the strength and hope to read and assimilate so much of Your Word that we will be strong and stable when hardship and trouble comes. Blessed be Your name O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.