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.

Acts 14:19-28 Paul Stoned at Lystra and Return

Paul's missionary journey was filled with opposition along the way. He stayed in the towns for as long as he could before moving onto the next one. Unfortunately, Jews from the previous two cities (Antioch - of Pisidia, not of Syria; and Iconium) came to Lystra to rally the people against Paul. They stoned him and dragged him out of the city presuming he was dead, but he wasn't. The fact that he got up and walked on his own strength is an indication that God intervened miraculously to heal him. It is not reasonable to think that after a stoning you can just walk. I truly believe that God healed Paul in response to the brothers gathering around him to pray.

God is good and he comes to aid his people. I also admire Paul's resilience. Would I get up after a stoning to go into yet another city to preach? I think many people would call it quits under the same circumstances. At least, many would have taken a break to recover before moving onto the next destination. Not Paul! Paul's resilience speaks volumes of his conviction and commitment to the Gospel and his calling. I wish I had half of his resilience to overcome the many setbacks one experiences in the kingdom.

Moving onto Derbe, they preached the Gospel there until they had made many disciples. Here is an amazing fact: Paul returns to the cities of Lystra, Antioch, and Iconium. These are the very cities that mobilized people all the way to Lystra to get him stoned! Why? Paul wanted to go back to those cities to present himself as a living testimony of God's goodness to encourage the brethren to persevere even under persecution. The story of his stoning spread like fire in the surrounding towns and it was important for him to show his face and give testimony of God's grace. I am sure many were shocked to learn he was still alive!

Here is a true act of humility. Paul did not think of himself, but he thought of the welfare of the brethren and was willing to take risks to ensure their growth was not stunted by what happened to him. He strengthened, encouraged, and taught them that tribulations is the entryway to the kingdom of God. Here is a very unpopular teaching: "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." It is a narrow path; it is the road less taken; it is a difficult journey. Why do I think that my walk of faith should be easy and without obstacles or opposition? The Church will be subject to tribulation until the return of our Lord.

Can't miss out on the strategy that Paul has established in this missionary journey. First, he teams up with workers who complement him in giftedness. Second, he targets a people who can identify with him (Jews in the synagogue) to become an audience for the Gospel. Third, new believers are strengthened, encouraged, and taught the Scriptures to remain strong in their faith. Next,  he appoints elders at each location in fasting and prayer. The elders are the ones to take on the reigns of the planted church in each city. Fifth, he returns to the sending church to give reports and rest.

Father, help me to be resilient in the midst of the tribulations of life. Teach me to love the brethren with a passion willing to humble myself to ensure their welfare. Move me to strategize to advance your kingdom. Amen.

Matthew 23:1-12 Woes to Scribes and Pharisees

Here is an accusation I definitely don't want to hear for as long as I live: that I preach, but do not practice. Ouch! But this is not the only accusation Jesus has lined up for the Scribes and Pharisees. There is more. They were accused of burdening people with nuances of the Law that they themselves did not observe. Legalism is the spirit that takes God's Law and converts it into a bunch of do's and don'ts that people can't keep. Am I placing burdens on people I am not willing to carry?

Here is another one. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. Phylacteries were small leather boxes containing Hebrew texts on vellum (a parchment made from animal skin) worn by Jewish men, either on the left arm or on the forehead, during morning prayer as a reminder to keep the Law. It seems they loved to make them big enough for others to notice. They made them a display of their piety. The fringes were tassels on the edge of men's clothing to remind them to obey the Law. It seems they loved to make them long for people to take notice.

If they went to a party, they loved the place of honor. At the synagogue they expected the best seats. In the marketplace, they expected everyone to greet them and call them by title. Jesus prohibits the use of titles like rabbi, father, and instructor among the disciples as a means to gain recognition and authority over each other pumping their selfish pride. There is nothing wrong with the proper use of titles. Titles describe one's job responsibilities and position within an organization. The misuse of titles to feed one's ego and pride is wrong.

It is easy to fall prey to these traps: to preach and not practice; to become legalistic in the practice of my faith; to burden people beyond God's Word; to seek public recognition; to seek places of honor; to expect people to respect me and call me by my title. I must walk humbly the ministry path lest I fall into one of these pits.

Lord, test my heart and mind. Purify my thoughts and desires. Don't abandon me to my sinful nature. Rescue me from my selfish pride. May I walk in humility before you and others.

Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry

Jesus finally arrives to the city of Jerusalem. To make an entry according to the Scriptures (Zech.9:9), he asks two of his disciples to bring him a colt of a donkey. They place some cloaks over it and Jesus rides it into the city. By this act, he is proclaiming to all his identity. So many times he asked people to keep it a secret, but now it is out in the open. This is the Son of David, the Lord, the Messiah, the King of Israel, the prophet to come. The crowd is stirred up in a frenzy as they welcome him into the city with much rejoicing.

The donkey was an animal used by ordinary people for cargo and transportation. It was used by royalty in the days of king David and eventually it became a symbol of humility and peace. As Jesus rides into the city, he not only proclaims his identity as the Son of David, but he also proclaims that he comes in humility and peace. Unfortunately, despite the frenzy, the people then did not understand who Jesus really was. 

Would I have known who Jesus really was then? Or would I have been one more in the crowd who expected Jesus to overturn Roman rule and reign immediately? Do I know who he is today? Is he just a good man to me? Is he just a great healer of the past to me? Or is he my Savior? My Lord? My King? Do I live my life like I truly believe it? Or am I like the crowd, in a frenzy for the moment, but when the "rubber meets the road," I cry "Crucify him!"? When given a choice between Jesus and any other revolutionary cause, do I choose Jesus?

Despite his riding into the city in humility and peace, he was condemned like a thief to one of the most violent of deaths - death on a cross. The humble one suffered in the hands of an arrogant people who did not recognize him. The peaceful one was violently mocked, spat on, and nailed to a tree. In a divine act of irony, his suffering in the hands of the arrogant humbles my heart as I believe in him. And the violence he experienced up to his death results in peace for my mind when I turn to him in my turmoil.

Father, thanks for sending your Son, Jesus Christ upon the earth. Grow my faith to believe he is my Savior, Lord, and King. May I live my life like I truly believe it. May humility and peace fill my life forever.