RADICAL DISCIPLESHIP
Matthew 9-10

Sunday's lesson covers a HUGE amount of ground, and some of it is vital. I think I'm going to do the most important (?) first, and if I have time Saturday, add some more.

By the way, The Message translation or paraphrase has some great quotes this week, so if you have a copy, read these two chapters. If you don't, I mentioned to the class a couple of weeks ago that there's a great website called Bible Hub that will give you several translations as you look for them. And did you know when you remember a verse, but don't know where to find it, you can Google what you remember of the verse, and it will take you to that web site and others for the exact translation and location!

Matthew 9 is full 0f healing stories. The first one reminds us of Mark's man who came down through the roof, but here he is just healed. Jesus first forgives the man of his sins. People asked whether he had that authority, and Jesus proved it by physically healing the man. In so doing He also showed His priorities were spiritual healing before physical. Do your prayers reflect the same values? Do you pray for people's spiritual welfare as much as their physical?

Next Jesus called Matthew right from his tax-collector job.  (Remember He called the first four fishermen off their boats?) Matthew seems to have invited Jesus to his house and invited some of his tax-collector friends. Did you realize that when an adult becomes a Christian, he may know at that point more non-Christians and church people than he ever will again? An often neglected evangelistic tool is helping the new Christian find ways to reach out to his friends.

The critics asked Jesus's followers why He ate with people who were not politically correct. Jesus overheard them and explained – Do you go to the doctor when you are well or when you are sick. He spelled out that He did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. (Compare John 3:17ff.) It's a good idea now and then to check out whether our churches are communicating the same attitude.

Another man, perhaps we'd call him the president of the sunagogue or the chairman of the deacons, came to tell Jesus his daughter was dead. Jesus went with him, pronounced the girl merely asleep, emptied the room, and called her back to life.

On His way to the man's house, a woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years  reached out to touch him. When her fingers brushed His robe, she was well. But what has always impressed me, Jesus noticed! In another gospel He stops and asked, “Who touched me?” His men laughed at Him because He was constantly being jostled by the crowd. “No, I didn't mean that. I felt power leave me.” He was sensitive to someone's purpose in touching Him. Jesus always noticed people: Zaccheus up a tree, children at the back of the crowd, the widow who gave her mite. How many people do I notice? Miss?

Next He heals blind men, and don't miss what He said: According to your faith, let it be done! This is one of those Message translations I love: “Become what you believe!” Matter of fact, we are becoming what we believe. We often maintain we believe the Bible, and we argue about creation and the whale. Did you ever think it is at least as important that we believe the teachings and commands of the Bible, perhaps more important? I believe God created us in His image. More important is whether I seek to live in a way to honor that image! BTW, some of the most serious Bible scholars in recent years have repeatedly said the scriptures call on us to “become what you already are.” You are a believer; become a believer!

At the end of the chapter, Jesus goes on a preaching\teaching tour along with healings. At some point, He surveys the crowds, and His heart breaks. They reminded Him of sheep without a shepherd, confused and wandering. He called the Twelve and pointed out how many were “harassed and helpless.” NOW CATCH THIS! Matthew just kept writing! He did NOT make a chapter division here. The gospel went for a thousand years before a monk split chapters 9 and 10. so what? So this! Jesus went directly from exclaiming over the size of the harvest and the need for workers to say, “I choose you and you and you – through 12” to go begin the harvest.! Don't separate the chapters in your mind. I've long tried to ask my self whenever I see a raging need whether I am to move to help answer that need. And so should you!

Notice Jesus chose 12 out of a much larger group. The two guys who were proposed to replace Judas in Acts were probably there. Women also followed Him, and some supported Him financially! That bunch were likely known as The Twelve, and are so referred to sometimes in the NT.


Note Jesus gave them authority! He was able to pass on to them, doubtless by teaching, but by something else as well, the ability and power to preach, teach, heal, and cast out demons. We probably would do well to study these verses as one source of the origin of the church. Jesus transformed the 12 and sent them out to transform others. Later we would see that He again sent out 70 or  72 followers on mission. Since 12 x 6 = 72, does that mean Jesus helped his men add five men each to form teams of six, led by a disciple?

In case you missed it, that's what He's trying to do with YOU!!!

Scripture lists them by name. Notice He knew their names. He knew their personalities. Out of all the followers He had, He chose them! And YOU!

He told them to begin this mission close to home. Start simply. Go to the nearby villages and share My ministry with them. Preach what I preach. Teach what I teach. Heal as I heal. Don't make a big deal out of it. People will offer you hospitality, a place to stay. Take the first offer and stay there til you move to the next village. He reminded them that they had received without charge, so “pay it forward.” Are you sharing with others what God has given you free?

I absolutely LOVE the Message translation of verse 10: You don't need a lot of equipment. YOU ARE THE EQUIPMENT! Travel light. Made me think of Ephesians 4. Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 teach about spiritual gifts; Paul says everyone has one. But in Ephesians 4, he says EVERYONE IS ONE! YOU are God's gift to the church. Have you found your contribution to make our church stronger?

Jesus continues His instruction by telling them to be polite and do what they are allowed to do. If someone rejects them – even a whole village – shrug it off and go your way. He warns them, btw, that this is a hazardous journey. I believe He was talking to the church down through the years as well. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so be smart, and don't start stuff. People will attack you. They attack Me, and if they attack your boss, they will attack YOU. If they hassle you or arrest you, seize the opportunity to preach! Don't worry about it; just do it. How many of you are hesitant to witness for fear you'll say the wrong thing? Jesus says don't worry about that. Start talking, and the Spirit will help you.



Beginning in verse 21, we meet something strange. Jesus says people will attack you precisely when they recognize you are representing the living God! They prefer an idol or some god they can manipulate. They are aware – at least at some level – that they don't want a living God in their lives whom they cannot control. That's at least one thing the cross tells us. We'll do anything to exclude Christ, God, morality, the narrow way! Listen again to the Message: There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit.

Concluding the instructions in v29-31, He emphasizes that God knows the fall of a bird, and even moreso He knows what is happening with you.

Oh – are you ever tempted to buy into the “prosperity gospel” preachers, the ones who say God wants you rich? Look at what Jesus Himself said: Don't think I've come to make life easy or comfortable. I've come to divide people, make folks choose for me or against me – even withing families.

Finally, stop and reflect on the last words before He sends the 12 out: If you try to save your life, you will lose it. On the other hand if you abandon your life, your plans, for my plans, you'll find a better life than your every dreamed!

There's more in these chapters, and I know I've skipped some of it. But if I dealt with all of it, I wouldn't finish til this time next year.