Matthew - Week 20

Built on Sand 

READ 

Matthew 7:26-27 

26 “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” 

Jesus said this after having said the wise person builds his house on bedrock. He warned that all those who do not obey His teaching would be like those building their houses on sand. He warned that those houses would “collapse with a mighty crash.” Would the listeners understand He was referring to a spiritual foundation? 

REFLECT 

Have you built your spiritual foundation on faith in Jesus as your Savior? Do you realize the Bible is the only book God has inspired to be written? 

RESPOND 

Study the book of Matthew with a friend. Talk about the Bible being the only book God has inspired to be written. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21. 

Real Authority 

READ 

Matthew 7:28-29 

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. 

These verses indicate the listeners understood what Jesus said to them. They were astonished by His teaching and realized it was not like they had been hearing from those who were teaching them the religious law from the Jewish scriptures. His words struck home to their hearts even though not all trusted in Him as Savior. 

REFLECT 

Has your heart resonated positively when you have heard the Scriptures explained? 

RESPOND 

After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to two followers on the road to Emmaus. He explained the Scriptures and they invited Him to their home. While there they recognized Him when He broke the bread and gave it to them. Read Luke 24:28-32 to see what they later said to each other.  

If You Are Willing 

READ 

Matthew 8:1-2 

1 Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 

One wonders how the leprous man realized Jesus was able to heal him and make him clean. Perhaps others had told him of the promised Messiah mentioned in Isaiah 35:5-6. Whatever he had heard, he was confident Jesus had the ability to heal him of leprosy, a skin disease that caused infected ones to be outcasts of society. Notice he also recognized that Jesus needed to be willing to heal him. 

REFLECT 

Think of the hope this person had that Jesus might heal him and that he would no longer be rejected by society. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the fact that even though God has the power to heal, He does not always do so. See 2 Corinthians 12:1-8 where Paul is likely referring to himself. See also 2 Timothy 4:20 about the apostle leaving someone sick. Even though everyone yearns for healing, it must be remembered that all healing is temporary because someday everyone will be in eternity.  

Be Healed 

READ 

Matthew 8:3-4 

3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” 

Notice the shocking thing Jesus did—He touched him! People would not touch a leprous person, but Jesus did. Jesus said He was willing to heal the man and he was healed instantly. Jesus told him not to tell anyone but go to the priest to be examined. This man was to follow the instructions given to Moses about skin diseases. By making the necessary offering, this would be a “public testimony” so others would know he had been healed.  

REFLECT 

Think of how significant it was that Jesus touched one considered as untouchable. Some today may think they are beyond hope, but salvation is possible for them also by believing in Jesus. 

RESPOND 

Although Matthew did not record it, Mark added more about this one who was told not to tell anyone. See Mark 1:40-45 that also gives the reason why Jesus could not move around freely among the masses. 

A Roman Officer 

READ 

Matthew 8:5-7 

5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 

Capernaum, on the western shore of the sea of Galilee, served as Jesus’ headquarters. There a Roman officer told Jesus about the condition of a young soldier. Luke’s account in 7:1-10 added more details. Both accounts together give the fuller story. Jesus said He would come and heal him. Matthew recorded only what was necessary to make his point about the miracles of Jesus showing He was qualified to be the Messiah. 

REFLECT 

Think of all the people who wanted Jesus to take care of the physical needs even though Jesus’ main purpose in coming was to care for people’s spiritual needs. 

RESPOND 

Compare the parallel account in Luke 7:1-10 with what Matthew records. The Greek word Luke used in referring to the servant was doulos that means “slave” or “servant.” The word Matthew used was pais that means “child.” This is likely why the translators rendered Matthew’s account as a “young servant.”