Matthew - Week 24

That's Blasphemy 

READ 

Matthew 9:3 

3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” 

After Jesus told the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven, this is the reaction of the onlookers. They realized only God could forgive sins, but they didn’t believe Jesus was God. There are also those today—some standing behind pulpits—who think Jesus was only a good example but not God.  

REFLECT 

Do you attend a church that teaches that Jesus, while on earth, was not only fully man but also fully God? That is what the Bible teaches. 

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, read Philippians 2:5-11 to see that Jesus emptied Himself of the privileges of exercising His characteristics as God so He could take on the limitations of human form. Someday, however, even unbelievers will bow before Him.  

Health and Forgiveness 

READ 

Matthew 9:4-6 

4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 

Jesus confronted the religious leaders. He exercised a characteristic of God by knowing what they were thinking. Then He challenged their unbelief by showing He had the power to heal and to forgive sins. He considered His ability to heal was evidence of His ability to forgive sins. 

REFLECT 

Today most who have a healing ministry do not claim to have the power to forgive sins. Jesus claimed both abilities. 

RESPOND 

The Jews were more concerned about someone breaking the Sabbath than about one being healed. John 5:18 reveals it was this as well as Jesus calling God His father that made them want to kill Him. Those who dislike religion have much in common with Jesus; it was the religionists who wanted to put Him to death.  

Walking Home 

READ 

Matthew 9:7-8 

7 And the man jumped up and went home! 8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority. 

To prove He had the power to forgive sins and heal, Jesus told the paralyzed man to pick up his mat and go home. To everyone’s surprise the paralyzed man jumped up and went home. The people “praised God for giving humans such authority,” but there is no indication they thought Jesus was God as well as human.  

REFLECT 

Think how startled onlookers would be today if a paralyzed man jumped up and walked out of their presence.  

RESPOND 

Did the paralyzed man have faith Jesus could heal him? Read Matthew 9:1-2 again to see who had the faith. Some say today if an individual has enough faith, he can be healed. That was not the test for Jesus.  

Introduction to Matthew 

READ 

Matthew 9:9 

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. 

Tax collectors were among the most despised by the Jewish people. These people not only collected taxes for the hated Roman government but also frequently overcharged the Jewish people and made themselves wealthy. Matthew was also known by the name Levi and that is what he is called in Mark 2:14. 

REFLECT 

Do you have a problem with paying taxes? Most are concerned, but what did Jesus say about doing so?  

RESPOND 

Read Luke 20:20-25 that tells of the time when religious leaders tried to trap Jesus in saying something negative about paying taxes to Caesar. Talk with a friend about how this applies today. 

Matthew's Party 

READ 

Matthew 9:10-11 

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” 

Think of this, a despised tax collector inviting Jesus into his home and Jesus being willing to go! There are people today who will support missions in other lands but won’t evangelize their own communities. They are concerned the newcomers to their church might contaminate it. They don’t understand the Savior. He recognized changed lives and was willing to fellowship with such regardless of their recent past. 

REFLECT 

Do you have difficulty fellowshipping with a new convert to Jesus who knows little about the Bible and how Christians are supposed to act? How can you be more welcoming to them? 

RESPOND 

Read about a chief tax collector in Luke 19:1-10. Jesus went to his home as well. Talk to a friend about what lessons you learn from Jesus’ actions at this time.