ResponsiveReiding

rom Matthew 10:40-42 – An Apostolic Primer Part 5

These last 3 verses close out Jesus’ preparation of His Apostles for their mission to the lost sheep of Israel, proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers and casting out demons. (vss. 6-8) It is a profoundly singular mission. Later, when He sends out the 72, Jesus’ gives a nearly identical set of instruction in preparing them. In both cases, the mission is short term and localized. But they both serve to give us insight today in what is left to us in our places and age and what we can expect to experience as we carry His message to the World.

Note then that while Jesus has given us the authority to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom in His name, we do not see the same commission in terms of healing and miracles repeated for the greater Church. And it is not that God does not still graciously heal and defy demonic powers; He still can and still does. It is rather that bringing the change from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, especially to the Jewish nation, required dramatic proof of epic and unprecedented proportions. Given their heritage of the Mosaic/Joshua, and the Elisha/Elijah eras of the miraculous, at the most pivotal points in Israel’s history – Jesus’ ministry had to arrive and be seen on the same level. Indeed, to supersede both. So in John 9 we’ll hear the people testify: “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.” Neither previous era had seen what Jesus had done.

God was visiting His people in a way that would not be as necessary to those of us without that heritage. God incarnate was among them. We were born under the age of the New Covenant, they were undergoing a cataclysmic change. So Jesus can say to Thomas in John 20 “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We do not experience immediate manifestations of the risen Christ as they did after His resurrection. But we are called to believe their witness. In the proclamation of the Gospel without proofs (above the miracle of the new birth) we are brought back to the Garden to live by faith – by simply believing what God has said is true, and ordering our lives accordingly. Believers today participate in reversing Adam’s unbelief. What an amazing gift!

Note then in this closing text of Ch. 10, the repetition of the word “because.” It is most important.

Those who hear the and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached, as that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached – receive the blessing of the Gospel: forgiveness of sin, salvation from the wrath of God, the infilling of The Spirit, the fellowship of the saints, the open door to the Father’s throne in prayer, the promise of the resurrection, eternal life, and eternal union with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We’ll read an echo of this later in Paul’s letter to the Galatians when he says: you “received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.”

Whenever, wherever men and women receive the Gospel as sent from God, as cosmic, eternal truth, they will receive the rewards due faithful prophets, righteous God fearers and true disciples. Grace upon grace upon grace. Not just mercy – bounty and blessing and glory.

If you do not know Him today – hear the words of this Gospel: Jesus Christ, God incarnate in human flesh, died for OUR sins, and this, in accordance with what the Scriptures always taught by types, shadows and prophecies. He truly died and was buried. But He also rose from the dead on the 3rd day, as the Scriptures also testified would happen. He appeared to those who had been with Him during His earthly ministry, so that there could be no mistake it was really Him. And He appeared to masses of men, not just one or two, corroborating the Disciples’ testimony. Then He commissioned all who believe in Him as our substitute on the Cross bearing God’s wrath upon human sin – to preach this Gospel yo you, that you may believe, be baptized as His disciple too, and obey Him as Lord. Come.

From Matthew 10:34-39 – An Apostolic Primer Part 4

Perhaps one of the most startling statements by Jesus, and set in direct opposition to the assumptions of many – is vs. 34: “Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

There are two things to note here right off: 1 – How foreign this language is to the many who have never really read their Bibles, even though they may call themselves by the name “Christian.” 2 – How different this warfare that Jesus mentions is from the misconceptions of so many.

So we are left with 2 questions: 1 – What is the sword Jesus said He came to bring. 2 – What is the peace He came to destroy with it? The answers come in the following verses.

I am afraid that this element of Gospel understanding and preaching seems to be virtually absent from our pulpits and popular Christian literature today. But we must make no mistake, the Gospel divides. It separates. It instigates and prosecutes a vicious war.

First, it sets a person at odds with the sin they once loved. The Gospel opens our eyes to the heinousness of our sin when we see what it looked like to have God’s wrath poured out upon Jesus in the crucifixion. The Cross was no cosmic slap on the wrist or a gentle rebuke. The savagery of the Cross shows us what God’s wrath looks like. How He hates sin. And it calls us to hate sin too. And to hate it above all – in ourselves. It calls us to see what our sin cost the Savior. And so it means we can never be at peace with our sin ever again – but that we will be in constant conflict with its indwelling remnants.

The Gospel of trusting Christ’s atoning sacrifice alone for our reconciliation to the Father sends the sword against our human pride. It slashes to pieces the self-deluded peace of our being good enough in ourselves, of our not being THAT bad. The man or woman who comes to Christ still arrogant about their own righteousness, no matter how slight, is still at peace with the flesh and devil, and at war with God. And He aims to disrupt any remaining peace with the flesh and the devil.

Coming to the Gospel, coming to Christ as Lord of all invites the sword to sever any love that would claim loyalty or supremacy over Christ. No, it does not mean we stop loving parents, spouses or children. We’re commanded to love even our enemies. But the Gospel wars against an idolatrous love of friends and family, or anything else which – when push comes to shove – we choose over obeying and following Christ.

The Gospel refuses to let us live at peace with the values of The World. We war against the ever vacillating and plummeting morality of the culture. We fight against taking on those views and opinions which drive the fallen world around us and instead insist in shining the light of God’s Word to illuminate the path we are to walk. We cannot be at peace with sexual perversion, political corruption, worship of the individual and vain philosophies but clearly while lovingly declare the truth about sin – calling sin, sin – especially in ourselves – and proclaiming Christ in all of His mediatorial glory. We do not war against sinners themselves, but against the chains of sin that hold them captives.

The Gospel will not let us make peace with false Gospels. We must call them out for what they are. We bring the sword of Biblical truth bear in examining and destroying false notions of God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, The Bible, and especially the demand of Scripture to repent of sin and turn to faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. We cannot be at peace with so-called gospels that have no cross in them – either Christ’s in His substitutionary atonement, nor ours in following Him, and being marginalized or cast out from the world because of the exclusivity of proclaiming the necessity of Christ as Lord, repentance from sin, and that we hold THE Truth in Jesus.

Such a battle is costly. But look at Jesus’ assurance – it is true, whoever finds their life in living for themselves and this world, will in the end – actually lose their lives .Eternally. But those who turn their backs on peace with this world, sin and falsehood to follow Christ – will find true, everlasting and glorious life in Him.

Flee to Him today. Jesus saves sinners. I know. I’m the worst. And He saved me.

From Matthew 10:26-33 – An Apostolic Primer Part 3

From vs 5 of this chapter through the end, Jesus is giving a set of instructions to His Apostles as He sends them out on their first mission. He gives them a charge to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons. He impresses upon them the weight of their message, and they are to leave no one with the idea that this Gospel can be safely dismissed. Then He gives them basic instructions on how to conduct themselves, and a series of warnings, for serving Christ, is not for the faint of heart. There are dangers and opposition to be faced. Jesus will not have them venture into this battle ground assuming it will be all joy and victory. They are marching to war.

Note then in this section something of grave importance, and of vital application to the Church today. When all around us are ministries and books and seminars that say they are imparting new and necessary secrets of the Kingdom and of the Christian life – beware, they lie.

Those who seek position and power in the Church, often go about it with a form of Gnosticism which must be rejected out of hand. The Gospel is open and plain. What was told to them by Jesus out of the public eye, was to be proclaimed openly, and I might add, not peddled like some secret commodity. The message of the Kingdom is not in secret code or given only to some pretended spiritual elite. “Proclaim it on the housetops” is Jesus command. Not, package it and market it to the few who can afford it.

Note too how they were to not give their opposition more credit than they deserve. Yes, there are opposers. Yes, they will employ tactics to silence or obscure the Gospel. But they will not win. We are to fear only our Christ and King in service, and not the fierce faces of defeated enemies. The most they can do is kill us. Christ has already overcome death and the grave.

And note that He does not call them to face these opponents as though their arrows will not pierce and wound woefully. He does not treat the pains of spiritual opposition as if they are not truly painful. But what He does do is help them put their coming suffering into context. These opposers can do nothing to harm the soul. And in comparison and due time, the earthly woes will seem like nothing. He numbers even the hairs on the heads of His saints. Nothing concerning us gets by Him. And in the final judgment, these who deny Christ His rightful place will be denied by Him. And those rejected by the World because of Christ, will be shown to be His cosmic treasures in the final day.

All in all – Jesus gives all who serve Him great reasons to face any and all things we might suffer for His name – reason to remain steadfast, courageous and bold. For He loves us to the highest degree.

The world may lie about us, misrepresent us, obscure our message – but vindication day will come. Do not faint.

And when it comes to communicating the truths of the Kingdom, hide nothing. We do not trade in secret knowledge. We are not trying to build a secret society or club – we are introducing the Kingdom of God, and it is a universally public thing.

Do you want to know what it is have real value as a human being? To stand before the throne of God on the final day, and have Jesus stand beside you and say to the Father “This one is MINE!”

From Matthew 10:16-24 – An Apostolic Primer Part 2

It is interesting to see where Jesus moves in His instructions to the Disciples here. In fact, none of these would happen on their present tour, nor when He sent out the seventy later. These words are looking forward to the time after He is gone. It is in this context then that we understand verse 23. It is a simple announcement that neither they nor their descendents will be able to exhaust their mission before He returns. There is never a time when the Church can say: “We’ve gathered in all that are ever to come, we can stop evangelizing now.”

But, Jesus says, they must be aware that this will not always be the case – i.e. the way you will be received now. It won’t last. These persecutions WILL come in time. You will heal and bless them now and their first response will be to rejoice. Later, they will turn. Know this ahead of time so that you aren’t shocked or dismayed when it happens.

Note then vss.16 & 17 this warning not to step into trouble unnecessarily. We are to be bold, but not pugnacious. Unflinching in proclaiming the truth, but not argumentative and obstreperous. Sometimes that is a hard line to maintain. We’re not adept at turning the other cheek. It is as if He is saying – don’t stick your chin out and dare them to slug you. Walk discreetly. Let the offense be the Gospel itself, not your behavior. Give them no cause to persecute on your own account – but only because of the Gospel itself.

We can easily forget that the freedom Christianity has enjoyed in America these past years is an historical anomaly, and that we have some sort of right to such freedom and lack of persecution. It has not been so for most of our brothers and sisters the past 2 millennia and in their various contexts. So we can begin to think we are owed what we’ve enjoyed in some way, when Jesus’ words indicate exactly the opposite. And if we feel we deserve favored or at least unbothered treatment, we must be prepared to reject that notion and look for the honor which comes from being persecuted for His name’s sake.

Note also His counsel to flee from town to town when persecuted. There is no need to dig in our heels and stand on principle on every little thing. We are not required to invite persecution if we can reasonably avoid it. And again, we will not have harvested or gathered in all there are to be gathered in before the time. We cannot exhaust your mission. So if we have to shift fields of labor, we are not to worry about it. He have many people in many places to be brought in.

Lastly, note in vs. 25 how unseemly it is then for Christians to cry and complain of ill words from the world in our day. Why should we be above our Master? Why should expect respect and acceptance He never had? Is it not enough of an honor for us to be named with Him? Why do we imagine we deserve better that Him, when we are granted the high privilege to suffer in and for His name? How worldly our opinions have become. How other-worldly it is to live like the Peter and John in Acts 5 who after facing an angry Sanhedrin we read: “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Where is that Spirit among us today when we weep and moan that Hollywood never seems to paint a sympathetic or favorable picture of a Christian? Why do we not count it higher to be linked with Him in His shame than it is to be thought well of in the eyes of the World?

He did not count it shame to be linked with us in our sin – let us count it the highest honor to be linked with Him in redeeming glory.

From Matthew 10:5-15 / An Apostolic Primer

Jesus has just ordained His 12, and now He is sending them out on their first mission. His instructions are interesting, precise and useful even today.

Note first the urgency of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and demonstrating its power to the Jews first. These are God’s covenant people. As Paul will later say: “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” (Rom. 9:4-5) Christ was promised to them and it is only fitting that they receive the good news first. In Romans 1 Paul also observes that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes – to the Jew first! Though as a nation they were in a most dreadful spiritual state, God had not forgotten them. His mercy and grace are beyond compare. He comes to them and pleads with them and gives them demonstrations that were unequaled in history. And how they still need to hear the Gospel today.

Note secondly the powerful signs that are given here. But they are not so in the abstract. Healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers and casting out demons are tokens of how God overcomes all of the effects of sin in Christ Jesus. Sin infects the whole being. Sin, has killed us, separating us from the spiritual life we were created with in Adam. Sin incurably defiles us. Sin leaves us slaves to the influence of Satan and this world. The Gospel is God’s declaration of the healing, life restoring, cleansing, liberating work of Jesus at Calvary – and is free to all who believe. And as Jesus was wont to tell His apostles not to be stingy with it, we need to be of the same generous mind in giving the Gospel today.

Note thirdly, Jesus’ warning not to turn ministry into a profit making venture. This is not to deny needed sustenance. But it is to deny turning it into a money making machine. And can this admonition be any more timely for us today? How many in pop-Evangelicalism function on the platform of greed? And not only greed for themselves, but preaching and teaching in such a way as to foment greed in the hearts of their hearers. It is an abomination. It is true that the ox is not to be muzzled while treading out the grain. It is also true that the ox is not to take the grain and set up a roadside stand to make himself rich by means of it. The laborer is worthy of his hire. But no one is to enter ministry as a means to acquisition in this life. Such is a cursed thing. And so far from the Spirit and example of Christ Himself.

Note fourthly that it is part of our responsibility in evangelism to make it clear that to reject the Gospel is not something indifferent. This is not some mere option. There is something genuinely of an ultimatum in the Gospel call. We cannot leave people with the impression that each is “free” to believe whatever they wish, and that there are no certain consequences. When Paul addressed the Areopogites in Acts 17, he left this without question. “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” God now commands all men everywhere to repent. To fail to repent from sin and believe the Gospel is to defy God’s command. It is not some matter of mere preference.

Note lastly, just how serious that last point is. Jesus says that to hear and reject the Gospel, is to put one in a worse position on judgment day, than even those previously destroyed in Sodom and Gomorrah. America, listen! Who has heard the Gospel more than you? And now you scoff at it as never before. Your judgment will be worse than the proverbial worst of the worst.

And yet, today is still a day of grace. Final judgement has not yet come even though we are experiencing its first tremors even now. The Gospel is still being preached. The call to come to Christ and confess your sin, turning from it to Him – ending your rebellion against His right to rule you in every way as Lord and King – if you are reading this right now, by His grace it is not too late. But tomorrow may be. Come to Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. Come for cleansing in His blood. Claim Him as your substitute on the Cross. Be reconciled to God by faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on Calvary. Mercy is to be had.

Oh Father, send revival!

From Matthew 10:1-4 – 12 Ordinary Men.

Luke tells us that this appointment of the 12 happened on the heels of Jesus spending all night in prayer. That gives us something of the momentous nature of this event. He did this with no others. It is a singular event. The closest thing we have to it later is Saul/Paul’s calling on the road to Damascus. And it establishes the unique nature of their apostolic office. That being the case, we ought to discount out of hand the claims of so many today who run about calling themselves and one another “apostles.” They are nothing of the sort, especially if by it, they infer something of the same authority and place as these. This was a once-for-all occurrence. Jesus never repeated it during His incarnation and we’ve no reason from the teaching of the Apostles to expect anything else of the like. If you hear them refer to themselves by the name of apostle, you may discount them out of hand. They are at best deceived, and at worst, outright liars.

Note first then that the Disciple’s “power” was not some innate or imparted ability but was located in the permission to act in His name, and on His behalf. They were given authority, not power or ability to exercise at will. They were to act as His agents doing His will when and where He wanted. They were not free agents wielding magical abilities. Confusion here has given rise to much misunderstanding in some branches of the Church. Not a few are like Simon the Magician in Acts 8 who thought this authority could be had upon request. And the Apostle’s denial of it came with severe consequences. In fact, his seeking it in this way demonstrated his condition as still in bondage to iniquity.

Note secondly, and with reference to the first, that they did not seek this appointment. Christ Jesus was the initiator. Men seeking power and authority are always problematic. When people do so, they show already their misapprehension of what it means to serve Christ and His people. In the earliest records of the Church, it was the custom to choose only those who humbly refused the office of elder or deacon at first. Lust for power is a wicked evil that must be guarded against continually. Be careful when people are quick to put themselves forward for offices, and not for service.

Note thirdly, that there is nothing of a special quality in any of the 12 that would make them stand out above others. And so it is with all those whom Christ uses. For our usefulness is in our submission to Him as Lord, not in our native gifts or talents. It is not that He will not co-opt our gifts for His purposes, but it is that our gifts are not what qualify us. A submissive heart to His will, to seek and serve Him as Lord is what is most needed. And then, in His call itself will be all the equipping we need. These were available and willing. Are we? If so, He will use us.

You may think yourself without much to bring to Him so as to serve Him. But dear Christian, if you are His by the washing and regeneration of the Spirit – you are His. And having called you to Himself, He has equipped you to live life before Him, and to be salt and light in the world. His call is sufficient in and of itself.

Note fourth that even a Judas may be used to cast our spirits and heal the sick. Because he could do so in Jesus name, said nothing about him personally. Do not be led astray to listen to any and every teacher or preacher because they may have been used by God to do something spectacular. Many (Jesus will tell us later) will say to Him on judgment day that they did all kinds of wonders in His name. And He will nevertheless cast them into Hell as lost unbelievers.

It is incumbent on us as everyday Believers to measure the teachings of all by the standard of God’s Word. And if it does not pass the muster of sound doctrine already received by the Church, reject them. Apparently, Judas too did all these things. And he, proved at last to be the “son of perdition.” We know from later record that he was already secretly robbing from Jesus’ coffer. And at last his sin found him out. A liar, deceiver, filled with greed and serving self above Christ.

Note lastly, that even though there may be Judas’ in the ranks of the Church, God in His sovereign goodness uses even their wickednesses to fulfill His ultimate plans. They cannot destroy His Church. They cannot overturn the cause of Christ even if they throw the putrid mud of their wickedness upon it. Jesus said that even the very gates of Hell cannot resist the ultimate victory of the Church He is building. When Judases are revealed, we groan and grieve. But we do not despair. Christ is victor over all.

From Matthew 9:35-38 / The Shepherd at Work.

Note first, that what Jesus was preaching – the Gospel of The Kingdom – is still our message too; The King is coming, and with Him, the fullness of His kingdom. This kingdom, sees sin and all of its effects – destroyed. And as Jesus demonstrated the wonder of the coming Kingdom by proclaiming it, and healing every disease and affliction, it ought to make us so anxious for the day of His return. If we only grasped what we’ve begun to enter into, and what its fullness will be like, John’s prayer “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” would constantly be upon our lips.

Note secondly how it is our God is never, NEVER dispassionate toward the condition and sufferings of those made in His image. Here, He looked on the masses in the cites and villages He was preaching and healing in, not just Believers. And He saw them harassed, helpless and without any to care for their souls. His compassion is the fountain of all blessing and salvation. Compassion on the results of the sin we brought upon ourselves. Oh what a compassionate Christ He is! All mercy and grace toward us. If you do not know Him today, run to Him! He is compassionate toward the guilty and unclean. He knows what your sin has done to you. And still He calls.

Note thirdly the enlistment of the Disciples in His mission; an enlistment which always begins in prayer.

What a high privilege to become co-laborers with God. And this isn’t busy-work, prayer is front line action.

I am not certain that Jesus’ point here is that the people are the harvest, and we need more workers to gather in a “ripe” people. Though this is the most common interpretation. It may also be that the “harvest” is simply the bountiful blessings of God’s provision, and the sad reality is, we have far too few people who will by faith, lay hold of the multitude of blessings He has made ready for us. That we ought to be praying for many multiplied millions to be gathering in His wonderful and abundant blessings to satisfy our souls.

Then too, given the context that Jesus’ concern is a dearth of “shepherds” – the call for laborers is a call for those who will lead, feed and protect the sheep. And truly, there are so very few who will do that as unto Christ’s flock.

Father, make me such a laborer.

From Matthew 9:31-34 / Demonically Mute – It is interesting to note how many times muteness and deafness are associated with one being demon-oppressed in Scripture. We cannot make the false logical leap that the deaf and mute are in every or even in most cases demonized. But we can infer the inverse – that the demonized are often deaf and mute.

Why? Scripture never gives a stated answer to that question. But there are somethings we can nevertheless know.

First we know (in the case of the deaf) that Satan and his minions use all means at their disposal to prevent humankind from hearing and believing the Gospel. Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. In a time when sign language and the such we not yet invented, and communication with the deaf was dreadfully inadequate, it is no wonder – especially when Jesus was about preaching and teaching – that the demonic forces would focus on this means of prevention. A means Jesus confronts and defeats. The most diabolical and cruel means that all the satanic powers can muster are no match for our Redeemer. He delivers His own from every power in the universe in bringing them to salvation. None can ultimately resist His power.

Second, while the word “mute” used in our text can refer either to deafness, the inability to speak or both together (for they often do go together) – we can see how the Enemy of our souls seeks to rob us of our birthright as made in the image of God – and uniquely created to offer up praise. No other creature in our realm is so equipped. Human beings above all others are given the privilege of being able to behold His glory, comprehend something of that glory – and declare that glory. So again, Satan longs to keep us from our privilege and call. But once again Jesus overcomes.

But we must not ignore the fact that the demon powers till work to these same ends today. They block our ears to the Word and bind our tongues from declaring Christ’s praises by distraction, discouragement, distress, disillusionment, and especially disinformation.

How can our ears be filled with the Words of Christ when we are too busy, too drawn off after all sorts of other things – legitimate and illegitimate? When due to all manner of external and internal distractions, we have no time to sit and read and mediate on His Word and hear His voice in it? Or when all other pursuits keep us from gathered worship to sing His praises together and glorify His name with our lips in testimony and song? When we are so wrapped up in the news and our troubles, that nary a word of thanks and praise passes our lips because we are fretting, complaining and declaring all that is going on in the World, but not what Christ has done for us, the surety of His promises and the glories revealed in His Word?

The demons are no less about their business because they do not do it as directly in an individual soul, but have shifted to broader platforms.

But praise God, our Christ overcomes even here. For Christians still take the time to read, study and take in His Word – freed by His grace. And many still lift up the name of Christ in gathered and private worship – delivered from the distracting power of our enemies by the presence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

Christ overcomes all the works and machinations of the Devil. Are you demonically mute today? Flee to Jesus. What a deliverer He remains today!

O for a thousand tongues to sing, my Great Redeemer’s praise

The glories my God and King, the triumphs of His grace

From Matthew 9:27-31 – Two Blind Men / Some believed because they saw His works. These, as blind, could only hear of His works. And yet, for them, that was enough. They believed having only heard. And so according to even that faith, a very slight, but still relying faith – they were healed. Note that v. 27 says they were following Him. They could only hear, and yet they followed.

Oh that just hearing would always be enough for me.

When Thomas finally confessed Jesus as his Lord and God, Jesus said to him – Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

It is not great faith that is needed. It is faith in a great Christ that is needed.

Now note here again how it is faith works. Jesus says “according to your faith be it done to you.” Now if they had faith (the way we tend to think of it) then why weren’t they healed before Jesus touched them? It is because faith is not an independent power we can wield.

As we’ve already noted several times before, what faith does is bring us to Christ – to trust Him. It doesn’t operate on its own as some sort of cosmic force we can use at will.

Their faith brought them to seek out Christ to meet their need. This is what faith always does – it insists on finding Christ. And in finding Him, we will find the fullness of what we need. Faith, as faith, didn’t heal them. Jesus did. Faith, as faith, won’t save us. Jesus must. Faith leads us to put our trust in Him. Faith believes Him – who and what He is and what He can do. And He responds.

Note too how it is that a cry for mercy is a cry that denotes no sense of deserving or right. It looks to the benefactor to act only according to their own largess. And it is this recognition for mercy which is so essential to our right understanding of salvation. Jesus owes us nothing. We deserve only wrath. But recognizing He has both the power and the prerogative to show mercy, we appeal to Him only on that basis. And He is ever faithful to respond in kind.

What a great Savior He is!

From Matthew 9:18-26 – Part 2 / Prayer of Faith – As noted before, Matthew arranges this small section so that the account of the woman with the issue of blood, and that of raising the Ruler’s daughter form the dead are interwoven. Matthew’s account is briefer than both Mark’s and Luke’s, but all tell us much about faith.

Note first then in Matthew’s brevity how he carefully he removes any foundation for any sort of magical notion that Jesus’ garment was the means by which she was healed. There is nothing here that could carry over into a theology of holy relics or objects. The woman was healed, when Jesus pronounced it so in vs. 22. “Take heart daughter; your faith has made you well. And instantly the woman was made well.” His robe wasn’t the means. Nor was it faith in the abstract. It was faith in Him. Otherwise, seeking Him out would have been superfluous. If faith can do something on its own, she didn’t need to go to Him. But faith, genuine faith, always brings us to Christ – to set our hopes on Him.

Like the woman, this man’s faith did not come about in a vacuum.

The other Gospels tell us his name was Jairus, his daughter was only about 12 years old, and that he was a ruler – a man of standing and influence in the local synagogue. Remember, all of these things are taking place in Jesus’ home town of Capernaum. Jairus would have been present when Jesus attended, taught and healed in that synagogue. He had already delivered a demonized man in that very same synagogue, and taught there many times. Jairus’ faith was predicated upon the works and words of Christ already. And once again, he did not just have some form of un-directed, generic belief. He came to Jesus. Faith always leads to Christ, not to just have faith in faith.

Note then how even when Jairus’ says his daughter was already dead, he still believed Jesus was able even to reverse death itself. Genuine faith in Christ assumes that nothing is impossible to Him. Jairus is convinced that if Jesus acted, even his dead daughter would live.

Note how Jesus responded. No hesitation, no discussion – He just rises to go. And how we must trust Him to act with the same alacrity every time we as His redeemed ones pray. We may not always have the answer we seek in the manner we seek it. His wisdom and love may override our concept of what ought to be done – as it did with the raising of Lazarus. But we must never doubt that our earnest pleas are met with an immediate response. When you cry out Believer, Christ Jesus rises.

The short delay in stopping to deal with the woman with the issue of blood must have seemed excruciating and unnecessary to Jairus. He may well meet the needs of others on the way to meet ours, but we need not worry. His grace is sufficient for all.

Note lastly how undaunted Jesus is by the great unbelief and even scorn of others. So the unbelievers laughed at Him? So what? His grace is not dependent on others. Though all the world reject and scorn Him, He cannot be stopped. Though Heaven and earth pass away, His Word will never pass away. Our confidence in Him ought to be entirely unshaken by the way we hear unbelievers ridicule, laugh, scorn or otherwise reject Him. Jesus Christ is Lord. Of all. And we can trust with all, in all. Praise His name forever!