Matthew 9:18-26 A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah evidenced by his ability to heal (Is. 53:4-5). In this snapshot we have a vivid portrayal of Jesus’ powerful healing ministry. The ruler, named Jairus (Luke 8:41), refers to the person in charge of the synagogue and the city - some kind of city manager. It is very significant to see a man of his stature come and kneel before Jesus to plead for the life of his daughter. Such a display of humility! Not only that, but he comes asking Jesus to give life because she was already dead. And Jesus responds immediately to his plea by following him home. Such a display of faith!

Now, on the way to Jairus’ home, a woman suffering from a discharge of blood for twelve years comes behind Jesus and touches the fringe of his garment thinking that she can be healed that way. People suffering from bodily discharges were declared unclean and could not participate of social functions and religious gatherings. Her condition was private and she probably did not want to make it public. She was probably fearful of touching Jesus not wanting to make him unclean and humbly lowers herself to touch the fringe of his garment. All in all, she does not go unnoticed. Jesus perceived her humility and faith and addressed her directly as “daughter” declaring her healed and well. We again have great humility and faith meeting up with great compassion and power to heal.

Once at Jairus’ home, Jesus meets the mourner’s crowd. Mourners in those days were hired to play music (the flute) and wail before the body. It was an important part of the culture. The wailing is loud (shrieks and screams) causing a commotion. When Jesus declares to them that the girl is not dead, but sleeping they all laugh at Jesus. I find it ironic that the wailing crowd, payed to mourn, laughs at Jesus, the only hope of life. Their arrogance and unbelief is in stark contrast with Jairus’ humility and faith. After getting rid of the crowd, Jesus takes the girl by the hand and gives her life. This deed was reported through all that district.

To follow Jesus is to come in humility and faith believing he is able to do what is impossible for us.

Father, grant me a humble spirit to recognize my frailty and need. Fill me with faith that beleives your Son is not just a prophet, but God in the flesh who is able to do what is impossible for me.

Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Some friends of a paralytic brought him before Jesus lying on a mat. The buzz about Jesus’ healing powers must’ve reached them and they thought the least they could do for their friend was to carry him to Jesus. It is obvious that they had faith that Jesus could heal him and Jesus himself “saw their faith.” Now, instead of performing a healing right there and then, Jesus puzzles everyone (including myself as a reader of the story) by forgiving the sins of the paralytic.  What? Forgiveness of sins? Isn’t that something only God can do? The accusation of blasphemy began to spread in the minds of those who heard his words. Blasphemy is to intentionally speak in a way that is irreverent towards God. Jesus’ forgiveness of sins was taken as blasphemy because he was making himself equal to God. This was one of the reasons they wanted to kill him (Jn.5:18).

Jesus categorized their thoughts of blasphemy as evil. While they had good intentions of defending the glory and reputation of God, they failed to notice that God was standing before them in the flesh. In order to prove to them that he was the Son of Man, the Messiah “with authority on earth to forgive sins,” he tells the paralytic: “rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he does! The reaction of the crowd is fear mixed with awe of God who granted Jesus such authority. To follow Jesus is to believe he is the Son of Man with authority to forgive sins.

Father, grow and strengthen my faith in Jesus’ forgiveness of my sins. Thank you for sending your Son into the world to take upon himself our sins.

Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus Calms a Storm

Jesus’ disciples were no strangers to the sea. Many of them were fishermen. I am certain they had their share of experiences with storms  at sea. This storm must’ve been strong enough to get them concerned about their safety. “The boat was being swamped by the waves” and they thought they were perishing. In such a dangerous situation, Jesus is asleep. They decide, in their desperation, to wake him up and ask for help. Their plea is for Jesus to rescue them from the dangerous situation. It seems they had enough faith to believe that Jesus was able to get them out of trouble. Nonetheless, when Jesus is awakened, he attributes their fear to their “little faith.” Why is the faith little? It is enough to ask for help in danger, but not enought to be confident (not threatened) in the face of danger. Jesus then rebukes the winds and the sea producing calm and causing the men to marvel at his control over nature.

Jesus is the Son of David, Son of Abraham, Son of Man, Son of God who has sovereign control even over nature. He is the Lord of Creation. To follow him is to trust he is in control of all things at all times. He expects us to trust he is able to rescue us from trouble, but he also wants us to trust that he is in control of all circumstances of life without fretting.

Jesus, increase my faith to trust in you. May I learn to trust you can rescue me in my hour of trouble, but also that I may confidently trust without fear that you are in control of all circumstances while I am going through the trouble.

Matthew 8:5-13 The Faith of a Centurion

To follow Jesus means to have faith in him; faith like the centurion's. Jesus commended the faith of the centurion. It is worth noting that the centurion is a Gentile and Jesus comments that he had not seen such faith in Israel. This faith is independent of ethnicity. While the centurion was a Gentile, he was able to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah promised. His faith took him to trust in Jesus for the healing of his servant.

The centurion’s faith moved him to see Jesus’ authority and power and to humbly submit to it. The fact that he had authority and power allowed him to understand that just like he could command others, Jesus could command the healing by his word. It is a fact that any Jew who would walk into a Gentile home would become unclean and the centurion spares Jesus the trouble of going to his home.

Jesus points out that the faith of the centurion will get him to enjoy the final banquet in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Unfortunately, many Israelites will suffer a different fate: to be thrown into the outer darkness because they did not recognize him as the Messiah, had no faith.

Father, may I have faith like the centurion. A faith that transcends ethnicity, recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, and willingly submits to his power and authority.

Psalm 27 Whom Shall I Fear?

The just shall live by his faith, not by his fear. There are many things in life that can be a source of fear. It can be financial, social, even political. But whether enemies surround my life, or I lose everything I own, or   people persecute me for whatever reasons, I can trust in the Lord all the days of my life. Let's examine some of the things David says about God that should move me to trust him.

The Lord is my light... In the darkest hours of persecution, ridicule, slander, etc. God remains as the source of light for my life. It is a light that shines within. It is not external. I may look down the tunnel of life, filled with darkness, with no light in sight, but I have a God who promises to be with me and provide the light I need. The light at the end of the tunnel may help me see the path, but the Lord illuminates one step at a time. Faith is not to fret because I can't see the path. It is to overcome the paralysis and take one step at a time with the light God provides.

The Lord is my salvation... If my life had been all safe and secure, I would have no need of saving. But the truth is that my life is in danger. I was lost, in sin, estranged from God. But God rescued me and continues to rescue me day by day. The perils of life cannot take my confidence in God away because he saves me. Many times I think that this rescue is from the dangers against my physical life, but the truth is that there are many more threats against my soul. God saves me from losing my faith in him.

The Lord is the stronghold of my life... When enemies assail me, I can run to the arms of my God. He is my refuge. A stronghold is a place that has been fortified to resist enemy attacks. When I am bombarded by ungodly thoughts, I can run to God's presence. When temptation seems to overcome my will, I can seek God's face. It is not necessarily a physical place. It is a soul place. It is to engage the mind, the emotions, and the will to connect with God through all the resources he has given us: his word, prayer, etc.

The one thing David asked God was to dwell in his house all the days of his life. That prayer has been answered through Jesus Christ. Through the Spirit of God, I can enjoy God's presence every day without having to visit a building made by human hands. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit thanks to the work of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He fills my life with his light. He rescues me day by day from the perils of life that assail my faith. He becomes a stronghold for me when I need to take refuge from the attacks of the enemy.

Father, help me live by faith and not by fear. Fill my heart with your light. Rescue me from the world, self, and sin. May I run to you when I feel faint under the attacks of life. Amen.

Acts 14:8-18 Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

Signs and wonders continue to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. It is very interesting to see how Paul worked in the supernatural realm. The Holy Spirit would enable him to look at someone and "see" if they had faith to be healed. This was the case with a man crippled from birth and Paul commanded him to stand up straight. Paul was in tune with the Holy Spirit. I yearn to walk with the Spirit like Paul; to receive guidance and direction according to God's will every day.

Unfortunately, walking in the Spirit does not prevent people from misunderstanding. Spiritual success comes with its own liabilities. The people from Lystra interpreted the healing as a demonstration of Paul and Barnabas' deity and they called them gods - Hermes and Zeus respectively. And worst of all, they set out to offer sacrifices in worship to them. How do I handle spiritual success? When the Holy Spirit manifests himself through my life, the enemy is ready to attack with pride using people to place me on a pedestal for just being an obedient instrument in his hand.

The Apostles counter with the preaching of the Gospel. They stated that they were human, of like nature with them and called them to turn away from idolatry to the living God who deserves to be worshiped for he is the Creator of all things. They explain that God gave them a witness of himself in his provision of rain and crops for their sustenance. He is the only one that deserves to be worshiped and adored. When people set out to place me on a pedestal, it is an opportunity to share the Gospel. It is an opportunity to exalt my God.

It is important to notice that not all the people understood the message and many continued to worship Paul and Barnabas thinking of them as gods. Paul and Barnabas continued to preach the Gospel and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in people's lives. But they had to endure the attacks of the enemy. Spiritual success brings about much pain. Success in the kingdom calls for more humility before our God and more dependence upon our God. Otherwise, I can spiral out of control by the enemy's whispers that somehow I have anything to do with God's work in people's lives. God is the author and I am a mere instrument in his hands. I must keep that perspective.

Father, teach me to walk by the Spirit day by day. Fill me to overflowing that you may be able to use me as an instrument in your hands. Teach me to overcome the attacks of the enemy that come out of the successes you grant to your servant. Help me to stay humble and dependent on you. Amen.

Acts 12 James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

Even though Saul had converted to Christianity, the Church was still experiencing persecution. Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great who attempted to take Jesus' life as a child, killed James, the brother of John, one of the apostles, and imprisoned Peter. Peter was placed in "death row" until after the Passover to bring him out to the people to judge him and very probably, to sentence him to death. "But earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church." The Church was constantly depending on the Spirit for boldness, courage, guidance, and protection.  Am I depending on the Spirit on a daily basis for boldness, guidance, and protection?

The Church was offering "earnest" prayer for Peter. The word has a sense of stretching to the limit; prayers were offered with sincere and intense conviction to the max, fervently! Is my prayer life practiced in earnest? Or is my prayer life boring, lacking intensity, even faith? It is not how long, but how intense. It is not how loud, but how fervent. It is not the form, but the sincerity of heart that defines the conviction behind the prayer. The Church is called to depend on the Holy Spirit and the best declaration of dependence is prayer, earnest prayer.

Peter's escape from prison was a supernatural event thanks to the prayers of the Church. He was guarded heavily, probably due to the report that the Apostles had escaped prison before (Acts 5). But no guard in the world can stop the angels of the Lord from acting on our behalf. As a believer, I have in the angels great allies who minister to me in times of need. They are servants of the Lord whom God sends on missions to accomplish his will, and many of those missions are on my behalf. Do I believe in the angels? Do I believe that God can intervene in time and space on my behalf through his angels? Persecution will bring death to many Christians on this earth and that does not mean that God loves them any less. But if God has plans with my life, no one can take it until he grants permission.

After a miraculous escape, Peter went to Mary's house where many were gathered and praying. When Peter knocked on the door, Rhoda, a servant girl recognized him, but out of joy ran to the people inside and left Peter outside. The believers could not believe her report, but kept saying it was his angel. This is what most people call today a guardian angel. It was believed that the appearance of the angel was that of the person he guarded. There is no Scriptural basis for this belief, but there is basis to believe in guardian angels or angels as messengers on behalf of God's people. Prayer unleashes the angels of God to act on our behalf. Do I pray believing that God will answer? or like these people, I can't believe when God acts? Why am I surprised when God acts on my behalf answering my prayers?

It was not Peter's time, but it was James' time. Only God knows when our time is up. To protect Peter, and the Church, God took care of the soldiers, and even Herod himself and the word of God increased and multiplied. My time will come and God is the only one who knows when. In the meantime, I resolve to do my best to serve my King upon this earth. I want to live every moment to the glory of my King.

Father, teach me to pray. May my prayer life be earnest. Increase my faith to believe that you send your angels to minister on my behalf when needed. Grant me faith to expect your answers and believe them when they happen. May I depend on you for everything every day. Amen.

Acts 5:12-16 Many Signs and Wonders Done

A sign is an event that points to the reality, presence, and power of God especially as it is related to the Gospel. A wonder is an unexpected, remarkable event that causes admiration in those who witness it. So when the Scripture speaks of signs and wonders, it is speaking of supernatural events that clearly testify to the reality of God and his kingdom causing admiration in those who either experience or witness them. Signs and wonders were never a goal or achievement to pursue. Signs and wonders are the means to preach the Gospel to an unbelieving world. It is a means to convince them of the reality of God and his Son Jesus as the one who died and was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven. Signs and wonders are not human accomplishments, but they are manifestations of God's power in the name of Jesus.

The impressive part of all this is that signs and wonders were "regularly done" by the apostles. I somehow thought that signs and wonders were supposed to be a rare occurrence, but it was not during the days of the apostles. It was a regular and common experience among them. Have I settled for a Gospel that lacks signs and wonders? Am I supposed to believe that signs and wonders were reserved for the Apostolic era and not for the rest of Church history? Why is my expectation so low when it comes to the move of the Spirit among God's people? Isn't the same Spirit who filled the Apostles living in us today?

The phrase "none of the rest dared join them" is not describing the fears of the other believers who were not apostles. It is describing the fears of the people who would not dare join lest they truly believed. The testimony of the Book of Acts as a whole teaches us that the power to perform signs and wonders was not just on the Apostles, it was operative in the disciples as well. The Apostles may have been the center of attention for signs and wonders, but it was not exclusively upon them. My preconceived notions of signs and wonders get in the way. I must set them aside and open my mind and heart to the reality of God working among unbelievers. But I must believe! It begins with me. If I think it is a thing of the past, how can I minister to those who are in need?

Wow! Peter's shadow was used as a means for the Spirit to heal people. That is amazing! I believe God moves according to need and according to faith. These people were coming out in faith seeking a healing. You don't see that today. Maybe there is the issue of why there isn't healing today like in the days of the Apostles. God has not changed, but the Church has and also the unbelieving masses of today. In those days, due to need, people had no other options for healthcare and therefore, were more open to the healing ministry of the Church. But also, I have to admit that the Church's expectations concerning healing have changed. We don't pray as much for healing anymore.

Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help my unbelief. May I open my heart to what you can do among the unbelieving people of this world. May I make myself available to be a conduit of your power to operate in people's lives to promote your kingdom. Amen.

Acts 3:11-26 Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

People were astounded by the healing of the lame beggar and they gathered around Peter and John. Peter addressed the crowd to let them know that the miracle was not performed by their power or piety, but by Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead. Peter accuses them of his death because they delivered him to Pilate and declares the miracle a work of his hand by faith in his name. Faith requires an object. It cannot be faith for the sake of believing something. For it to be genuine faith, it must be in Jesus. Jesus is the object of our faith, trust, and obedience.

Christianity boils down to who I believe Jesus to be. Is he the son of a carpenter and a good man? Is he a prophet with powers to heal? Is he a peaceful martyr willing to give his life to appease the political powers of the day? Is he a political figure who promised better days? Is he a prophet willing to denounce the Scribes and Pharisees? Is he a wise teacher who understands the Law like no one else? All these things may be true, but they don't make him the object of my faith. Peter calls him the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the resurrected and glorified Son of God. Do I believe this?

Peter explains that God foretold by the mouth of the prophets Christ's suffering and death. But the crowd's ignorance is no excuse - they stand guilty! He calls them to repentance so that they may receive forgiveness, refreshment, and the future restoration of all things. God is sovereign because he foretold what needed to take place, but human responsibility is not excused at all. Repentance is the remedy for such a rebellion. I can't forget that the reason Christ came into the world was to offer himself as a sacrifice for my sins. His death is upon me as much as it is upon the Romans and Jews of the day. God is sovereign, but I must repent!

Peter points out that this Jesus is the one Moses, and Samuel and all the prophets spoke about. He particularly reminds the people of the covenant God cut with Abraham with the promise: "In your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Jesus is that offspring and God began to bless the families of the earth by sending Jesus to the Jews first, and then the rest of the world. The blessing, Peter explains, is turning you from your wickedness. My wickedness is my desire to live my life my way turning my back on God and his ways. God calls me to repentance so that I may turn to him and live by his commands.

Father, enable me to make your Son the object of my faith. May I never hide behind your sovereignty as an excuse to evade my responsibility. Give me a repentant heart and a strong belief in your word spoken by the prophets.

Acts 3:1-10 The Lame Beggar Healed

Judaism had three hours of prayer a day. The first one was at the third hour of the day or from 8:00-9:00am. The second was at the sixth hour of the day or from 11:00-noon. And the third was at the ninth hour of the day or from 2:00-3:00pm. The Jews counted the hours starting at 6:00am instead of midnight like we do (the Roman system). The disciples continued to pray according to this schedule. In our day, we have watered down our devotion through prayer. Many Christians don't practice a devotional life at all. I must fight to keep a meaningful devotional life every day.

During this hour of prayer, many Jews would make their way to the temple. Beggars came to take their place at the different gates that lead to the temple to ask for alms - beg for money. This was the only way that the handicapped poor could survive since they could not work. In the case of this lame beggar, probably family and friends would carry him to the gate to a place where he could be seen to receive some alms. Poverty is a difficult social issue that I wish I didn't have to deal with. But Jesus told us that we would have the poor with us. My responsibility is to ensure I have a benevolent heart to help those who are in need. It starts in my home, my church, and my community. My Christian faith demands that I "direct my gaze" at the poor and not away from them.

Interestingly enough, Peter and John are not in a position to give any money because they didn't have any to give. But the fact that they didn't have money did not deter them from interacting with the beggar. Actually, they had something to offer that was more precious than money - Jesus Christ! With authority, Peter calls on Jesus on behalf of the beggar for healing and the beggar is healed! I must understand that Christ is more important than money. The opportunity to pray for God's intervention in someone's life, including the outcast of our society should not be passed up. Sometimes, I focus on the material things I can offer people and don't stop to consider that a prayer may be as needed. Of course, I don't want to become one who just offers a prayer and does nothing to relieve the physical need. But I don't want to think that all I have to offer is material because Jesus Christ can do things in a life that nothing and no one else can do.

The results of offering a prayer on behalf of people and their needs are in the hands of God for sure. But I cannot enjoy testimonies of wonder and amazement unless I take that step of faith. The Gospel is proclaimed by the testimonies of people whom God touches through his body - the Church. I am part of that body. I am the hands of Jesus to touch those who are in need. I am the mouth of Jesus to say a prayer for those who are oppressed. I am the feet of Jesus to carry the Good News wherever I go. The poor and the oppressed need me to direct my gaze at them and offer them what I have - physically and spiritually. I will offer relief for the body as God enables me, but I will also offer relief for the soul in the name of Jesus Christ. I will offer my prayers on their behalf. I will intercede to my heavenly Father for them to receive a healing touch. For some it may be physical, but the real healing begins with the soul.

Father, help me be a man of prayer. May I seek you day by day with all my heart. Fill my heart with compassion so that I may be benevolent towards the poor and the oppressed. Give me courage to offer what I have to those in need. Amen.

Matthew 17:14-20 Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

A man kneels before Jesus pleading for his epileptic son who often falls in water and fire because the disciples were not able to heal him. Jesus is disappointed with the disciples and asks the man to bring the child to him. Jesus rebuked the demon and when it came out, the boy was healed. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The boy was demonized making his condition even worse and the Lord heals him by exorcizing the demon.

It is important that we understand that there are physiological issues that could be caused by spiritual oppression, even possession. But we should not tag every epilepsy or mental illness with demon possession. Mental illness is tabu in the Church to this day and it shouldn't be. It is my conviction that physical illnesses that weaken the mind create an open door for the enemy to come in and wreak havoc. But a Christian, even with a mental illness, cannot be demon possessed if his/her faith is in Christ and his soul is sealed with the Holy Spirit.

The obvious question from the disciples is: Why couldn't we do it? Jesus' answer is because of your little faith. It is important to distinguish between saving faith and faith to work miracles. It is possible to have one and not the other. I can trust Christ for the salvation of my soul and have a hard time believing that I can be used to pray for someone's healing. Faith of this kind is a gift of the Spirit. Moving a mountain is a common Jewish metaphor for the impossible. Faith is not going to move a mountain, but it will accomplish many impossible things. Christ says that just a little faith (like the grain of a mustard seed) can go a long way.

I find myself battling prejudice against mental illness sufferers. At times, I think everything is  caused by a demon. I have to be wise and ask for discernment to know how to minister to those who suffer it. Ultimately, it comes down to my faith - not the saving kind, but the kind needed to believe that the Lord is compassionate upon those who suffer and can heal them. I must confess that a mustard seed is a mountain next to my faith. 

Lord, help my unbelief. Fill me with your Holy Spirit to be able to discern how to minister to people suffering of mental illness. Grow my faith through your word to believe that you can heal the worst of cases. I need you; without you I can do nothing.

Matthew 15:21-28 The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

The districts of Tyre and Sidon were at the coast of the Mediterranean, far away from the Sea of Galilee. Jesus chooses this region to get away from the crowds and rest. It is important to note that Tyre and Sidon are Gentile regions and God had already pronounced judgment upon these cities for their unbelief. But one Canaanite (non-Jew, pagan Gentile) woman from that region came after Jesus crying and begging him to heal her daughter. Faith doesn't give up.

At first, Jesus does not respond to her cry. Why doesn't he? He clearly states that he came to the lost sheep of Israel. His refusal to serve her need is not lack of compassion, but a sense of purpose. God wants to reach out to Israel first; then the Gentile world later. Besides, you have to consider that he went there to rest and those cities had not displayed faith very well in the past. Faith pursues with persistence.

Getting through the apostles, she kneels down before Jesus and asks for help. Faith overcomes obstacles. Jesus' answer is shocking: "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." The Jews would insult the Gentiles by calling them dogs, but Jesus uses an affectionate term "little dog". He is not trying to insult her; he is trying to make her realize that there is an agenda and her turn was not yet.

The woman's reply: "...even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall..." displays great faith. Faith pushes the limits. The pagan god of healing was about 3 miles from there, but she chooses Jesus. She understands somewhat who Jesus is because she calls him Son of David. And she understands somewhat the promise of blessing to those outside the house of Israel through the promise to Abraham. Faith understands the promises of the kingdom.

My faith is so little. In pursuing the promises of the kingdom, I have given up more than once. I don't pursue with the persistence of true conviction. When obstacles come my way, I paralyze in fear. All because I don't understand well the promises of the kingdom. Oh Lord, help me in my unbelief! Grant me to believe like this Canaanite woman!

Matthew 9:27-31 Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

As Jesus continues his journey, two blind men follow him crying out for mercy. It is interesting to me that Jesus doesn't stop right away and respond to their cry. Ministry is not about running to meet people's immediate needs, as important as that is. It is about understanding your mission and using your resources as best you can to fulfill that mission. Jesus was interested in fulfilling people's greatest need of salvation and time was of the essence. 

Again, the issue of faith comes up again. Jesus wants to see faith before he acts in favor of people's needs. Ministers should take this element seriously. Are people coming to have their belly filled, or do they truly trust God? Resources in ministry are limited. We should consider resource allocation according to the faith we discern from people. Am I throwing pearls to the pigs in the ministry? Am I being a good steward?

Due to the mission that Jesus was to accomplish: salvation of humanity, he understood that too much fame early on in his ministry would be an obstacle. So he sternly requires them to be silent. It is hard to picture Jesus asking people to be quiet about something that transformed their lives! The fact that they couldn't keep it a secret despite Jesus' stern warnings speaks volumes of how life-changing it was. I don't have to force myself to be a witness. Jesus has done something life-changing for me and that should move me to speak.

Needs, faith, and witnessing - essential elements in ministry. I need to focus on the greatest need of people and not be distracted by the immediate needs. Immediate needs can swamp any ministry; any life. I need to nurture my personal faith and be discerning of faith in people's lives - even potential faith. I want to invest the resources God has given me in lives that will multiply the investment. Witnessing is the natural and inevitable result of seeing God meet my needs when I seek him with faith.

Father, I need you. Help me learn from your ministry. Keep me focused on the main thing: people's salvation; people's greatest need. Grow my faith as I seek you daily. Fuel my testimony as I perceive your work in my life and fire up my desire to tell others of your goodness.

Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus Heals a Paralytic

At the heart of the healing of the paralytic is faith. Faith is assurance and conviction in God. It is to trust and obey him with all your heart. When Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic and his party, he was moved to minister to him. Surprisingly, his first move is not to heal him of his paralysis. He sets out to forgive and encourage him!

Paralysis and most sicknesses, were seen as the judgment of God for sin. This fellow was seen as one suffering under the hand of God for something immoral he did in his life. I try to set myself in the sandals of that paralytic and I tell you, if I thought God was mad at me for my sin, the forgiveness of my sin would be the greatest news for my life. What a relief! God forgives my sin!

I'm convinced that the healing of the paralytic was a ministry to the unbelieving crowd. Christ performed the miracle as proof that he had authority to forgive sin and jump-start the faith of some in the crowd. He was being accused of blaspheming since God is the only one with authority to forgive sin and the miracle would tell them that God was in their midst.

Ministry is to serve the needs of people. At times, we think that their external needs are the ones we must tackle first. Unfortunately, many times we don't go beyond meeting the external ones. Jesus teaches me to look beyond the external and discern the real need: people's relationship with God. Jesus teaches me the reality of sin and how it can estrange people from God. Jesus teaches me to give the good news of forgiveness to those who believe and encourage them.

Father, I thank you for the forgiveness of my sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ your Son. Grow my faith to trust in him day by day. Give me discernment to understand the deepest need of people. Grant me courage to address those needs through the proclamation of the Gospel. 

Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus

Usually, demonstrations carry with them doubt. The one who asks for the demonstration is usually wrestling with doubt. At times, the one who asks for the demonstration does so with the intent to plant some doubt in the mind of the one from whom he asks the demonstration. Maybe it is both! Satan asks Jesus to demonstrate that he is the Son of God.

Satan is opportunistic. He waits for Jesus to be hungry. He takes him up to the top of the temple. He sets him on top of the world. Satan is also very biblical. He quotes the Scriptures and gives it a special twist with a tinge of deceit. Satan is also persistent. Three times he comes to tempt Jesus before he leaves.

Jesus is victorious over temptation because he did not have to demonstrate anything to Satan or himself. His hunger for God's word, his trust in God's promises, and his resolve to serve God alone keep him standing firm in the midst of the battle. He wages war with sword and shield to the end. There is no reason to doubt who he is.

Do I know who I really am in Christ? Why do I constantly test God? Do I hunger for God's word more than food? Do I truly love him with all my mind, heart, strength, and soul? When I try to appease my doubts, I open the gates for Satan to come and ransack my heart. I must live by faith and not in constant doubt.

Lord, grant me enough faith to trust you day by day. Revive my hunger for your word and give me an undivided heart of love for you alone. In the midst of temptation, teach me to stand firm against the enemy's schemes.