St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 36, The Apprenticeship.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The mission of the Apostles) Part 2.  

Christ is traveling throughout the villages and towns, preaching the gospel of the kingdom.  The disciples are in their apprenticeship, learning first hand how Christ preaches and teaches.  They  are able to take in his every word, his every deed, all the small details that are not written by St Matthew in this gospel.  They are the next generation who must come after the work of Christ is finished on earth.

Everywhere Christ goes he draws a crowd.  The people have heard of his miracles and as soon as the word comes that he is in their village, or their town, a crowd gathers.  They are waiting to see him they are waiting to be near him.  They are waiting to hear his words, to touch him, to be healed.  They have no one else to lead them.  No one else to guide them.  No one else to teach them.  They are like lost sheep, wondering in the wilderness.  Christ sees the crowds gathered to see him.  He is moved with compassion for them because he sees that they are bewildered and dejected like sheep without a shepherd.

Christ has come to lead.  He has come to show the way.  He has come to lift the hearts of the people, to give them hope.  For their current situation is hopeless.  They are downtrodden.  They are dejected.  They are lost.  They are in need of direction and Christ is the way, the truth, and the light.  This was the message to his disciples, to his apprentices.  See the masses of people.  See the hearts of those who have no hope.  See the crowds that gather that are dejected.  See the great need for leadership.  See your mission.

Today as in times past, we live in a world that is cold, a world that is without care and without compassion.  We are filled with ideas of happiness and joy and love through our media outlets.  We come to believe that if we have the right job, the right car, the right clothes, the right amount of money in the bank, then we will be alright.  We reach those goals, live a life of party, enjoy our pleasures, and come to find that there is something missing in our lives.  We want more so that we can do more.  We want more money.  We want more clothes.  We want more cars.  We want more women or men in our lives.  We want more fame.  We want more honor.  We want more, and more and more.  Yet the desire for more only leads us down the road of destruction.  Some are able to continue others burn out along the way.  And then comes the dejection, the heartache, the pain, the suffering, the longing, and the depression.  The field is then ripe for the planting of evil in our hearts.

Christ came to uplift.  Christ came to give life.  Christ came to shed light in the darkness.  Christ came to give hope.  We do not have to live on the merry-go-round of life's ups and downs.  We can get off and live a life with Christ.  We can have hope.  We can have joy.  We can have peace.  We can have everlasting life.  Christ saw the needs of the people and he came to satisfy that need.   He came to heal.  He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly.   If you are dejected and bewildered, will you allow the compassion of Christ to lift you up?

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 35, The Apprenticeship.

Our paragraph topic is: (The mission of the Apostles) Part 1.  

Christ leaves the area and travels throughout the towns and villages teaching and preaching.  He preaches in the villages.  He teaches in the synagogues.  He teaches in the market places.  He teaches in the fields.  He teaches the good news of the kingdom of heaven.  And all the people where he preaches bring to him the infirmed.  They bring to him the lame.  They bring to him the sick.  They bring to him the cripple.  And he cures them all.   

The disciples walk with Christ.  They are at his side.  They hear the gospel of the good news.  They learn the messages of the preachings.  They explain to others the meanings of the lessons.  They are Christ's helpers.  They are his apprentices.  Did they know what they were in training for?  Did they understand the reason that they were there?  Did they accept their role in the the spread of the kingdom of heaven?  This was their apprenticeship.  This was their training period.  This was their time to practice the teachings that they heard Christ preaching to the people.  This was their time to learn from him the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom.  For the time would come when the master would no longer be among them.  The time would come when they would be tested.  The time would come for them to stand or fall upon what was being given to them by Christ.  This was their apprenticeship.

Christ calls today to those who hear his voice.  Christ calls for workers.  Christ calls for preachers, teachers, laborers, lawyers, doctors, moms and dads, children, and lay people,  administrators, and presidents, ceo's and secretaries, garbage workers and sanitation workers,  assemblymen and street walkers, pimps, and hustlers, murderers and thieves, and all the children of God who seek forgiveness and a new way of life.  He washes anew.  He cleanses the body and the soul and gives a new heart.   He wants testimonies.  He wants soldiers.  He wants believers.  He wants souls filled with his light to carry that light throughout the world so that all may see his goodness.

Come my brothers and sisters.  Let us seek the Lord.  Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit that he may teach us the ways of the Lord.  Let us become new creatures in Christ and live by the precepts that he has given us. 

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verses: 34, The Dumb Speak.

Our paragraph topic is:  (A dumb demoniac) Part 2. 

Christ has cast out the devil in the dumb man who was then able to speak.  He did not speak before.  But the removal of the demon gave him his speech.  Many of the onlookers were in awe.  Many did not know what to make, of what they saw.  Never before has this been told of in all of Israel.  Never before has such a miracle been seen.  But then there are the wise Pharisees who are learned in the scriptures.   But then there are the Pharisees who had an explanation for this miracle.  They said,  "By the prince of devils he casts out devils."  

The Pharisees were not like the ordinary.  They were educated.  They had learning.  They were above the people.  They ruled the people.  They handed down the laws to the people.  So their statement about how Christ performed this miracle was a statement of knowledge.  It was a statement of insight.  It was a statement of understanding.  This statement assumed that there was a relationship between Christ and the prince of devils.  It implies that Christ obtained  his
power from the prince of devils and that the prince gave him the authority to cast out devils.  

The Pharisees saw what had happened with the man possessed by the demon.  They understood within themselves that Jesus had power to cast out demons but they could not accept that the 
authority came from God.  This was their reasoning.  If that power did come from God then this Christ could place himself above them.  If this power that Christ possessed did come from God then the people would no longer believe in them.  The people would no longer follow them.  The people would no longer provide for them as they had in the past. 

Christ had just previously spoken to the Pharisees and told them to learn about mercy instead of sacrifice.  He had just publicly spoken to the scribes and told them about the evil that was in their hearts.  He had indicated to the followers of John the Baptist that his disciples were different and did not follow the same precepts as they and the Pharisees.  So on three public occasions Christ had rebuked the Pharisees and the Scribes.  They were beginning to find him irritating.  So their explanation of this miracle stated that Christ had a relationship with the devil who gave him the power to cast out demons.  They could not accept him as the Messiah.  They could not believe that he was sent by God.  They could not allow the people to believe that they knew who he was.  So they conceived of this statement so that others would believe in them and follow their explanation.  They provided a basis to preserve their authority.  They decided to mislead the people with a statement of falsehood.

St Matthew gives us this statement here to show us how the separation began.  He demonstrates to us that a rift is taking place and the devil is working on the people around Christ.  The crowd is amazed at his miracles and the demons are finding ways to undermine those miracles.  There is a need for a physician to help the injured.  There is a need for a physician to heal the sick.  There is a need for a physician to cure the ills of society, and the demons are retaliating.  They are deceiving the minds of the Pharisees.  They are bringing about strife.  They are causing false statements to be spoken.  The battle has begun.  The sides are being drawn.  And the players are taking position.  Which side will you take, the side of Christ or the side of the Pharisees and the prince of the devils?

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verses:32-33, The Dumb Speak.

Our paragraph topic is:  (A dumb demoniac) Part 1.  

Christ has just now finished opening the eyes of the two blind men.  He gave them instructions to see, that no one knows of this.  But no one found out about the miracle and the two blind men did not follow the instructions they were given.  They did not see, even though they had sight. 

As they are leaving the house where Jesus stayed, there was brought to him another man possessed by a devil.  Now this man was dumb.  He could not here or speak, but he was possessed by a devil.  He was taken up by an evil spirit.  His friends knew that he was possessed.  His family knew that he was possessed.  Everyone knew that he was possessed even though he could not tell them so.  And, after Christ had cast out the devil, he spoke.  After the devil had left him, he opened his mouth and words came out.  After the demon was gone, he was able to hear himself speak.  

The crowd marvelled at his words.  They were in awe that he spoke.  They were stunned that he spoke, for, they expected the demon to be cast out, but they did not expect him to speak.  Shouts and praises went up.  Joy and gladness filled the room.  And all were filled with the spirit of amazement as the looked upon Christ.  They had not seen such miracles before.  They had not known such a person before.  They had not experienced a presences such as his before.  They did not know how to respond around him.  For he was the anointed one.  He was the miracle worker.  He was the blessed one.  He was the Messiah.

Some said,  "Never has the like been seen in Israel."   For they knew not what to make of what they had seen.  The knew not how to accept what their senses had perceived.  They knew not how to rationalize, within themselves, this man called Jesus.  He speaks to demons and they obey him.  He touches the eyes of the blind and they see.  He forgives the sins of the lame and they walk.  What manner of man is this?  What will he do to us, they wondered?  With such powers, who can be against him.  With such powers, what is his purpose?  With such powers, we are afraid of him.  They marvelled at what they had seen, and their minds wondered.

Many still wonder today about  Christ.  They still do not know what to make of him.  All his history has been written in the Gospel by St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke, and St John, but many still do not know, how to accept Christ.  Many have turned away.  Many refuse to accept.  Many deny he existed.  Many blaspheme against him.  There minds will not allow them to accept.  Reason tries to become the basis of their beliefs.  Denial is the foundation of their actions.  Hatred comes forth from their hearts.  Doubt pervades their being blinding them to the truth.  To support their positions then, attacks take place upon those who do accept.  And logic is the yardstick by which is measured the intelligence of oneself.  Yet still, Christ existed.  Christ lived on this earth.  Christ walked among us.  Christ performed miracles.  Christ taught us how to live.  Christ died for us.  Christ saved us from damnation.  Christ gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us on this earth.  And Christ lives today in heaven.  Why do you marvel at the things that Christ did?  Why do you not believe?

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 30-31, The Blind believe

Our paragraph topic is:  (Two blind men) Part 4.  

Jesus touches the eyes of the two blind men and immediately they gain their sight.  They have persevered for success.  They were persistent for their reward.  They believed for the transformation.  Christ healed them.  Jesus then gives them strict instructions saying,  "See that no one knows of this!"   Christ gave them sight and he gave them instructions.  The instructions were to see.  He had just given sight to two blind men who badly wanted to see.  He had caused their eyes to be opened that they may experience the world as others.  He had given them joy that they could now walk upright without the assistance of others.  He had given them sight so that now they did not have to depend upon the words of others but could see and believe for themselves.  And he told them to SEE!  

He told them to SEE that no one knows of this.  And so they left with those instructions to see that no one knows.  But they did not see no one.  They did not know no one.  So they did not heed his instructions and told no one.  And no one told someone.  And someone told someone else.  And someone else told another someone.  And another someone told another, and another, and another and before it was all over they had become celebrities.  They had become like anchormen in the field telling the story of how Christ gave them sight.  They told their story of how they heard about him.  They gave detailed information on how they got to meet Christ.  They talked about the journey that they had to make with him before he saw them.  They also repeated phrase for phrase the words that he said to them to make the drama more exciting and the capture the attention of the public that listened to their story.  They spread the fame of Christ throughout all the district, contrary to what he had instructed them to do.  And no one made them someone.  And no one made sure that all knew of this Christ.  They were blind and Christ told them to see that no one knows of this.

No one wants to be someone.  No one wants to have fame.  No one wants to be popular.  No one wants to have success.  No one wants people to know him.  No one wants people to like him and to he wants to be in the spot light.  And Christ told them to see.  Yet they were blind and did not see.  For no one took their hand and led them.  No one led them down the wide path of destruction.  They did not have to follow.  They did not have to see.  They could have not seen no one and kept the miracle to themselves.  They could have not spoken to no one and not spread the news.  They could have not told someone and been wise as Christ had instructed them.  But no one compelled them to act.  No one opened the door for them to speak.  No one brought them forth before the people and moved them to tell someone.  And they were blind and could not see.

It seems insane to not want to be known, to not want fame and fortune.  Today in our society no one want to be unknown.  No one wants to be not liked.  No one wants to be loved by many.  No one wants to not be popular.  No one wants to not have money.  No one wants to not have fame and fortune.  And no one will not do anything to get it.  So in our societal structure no one will tell lies to get to the top.  No one will deceive to get to the top.  No one will steal to get where they want to go.  No one will kill to get money.  No one will destroy to get what it wants.  No one will manipulate.  No one will lust and use sexual gratitude to seduce what it wants.  No one will forsake values and morals to get to the top.  NO ONE will do anything to succeed in this societal structure.  And Christ told the two blind men to SEE that NO ONE knows.  All they had to do was to not tell no one.  If Christ gave you a miracle today would you tell no one? 

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 28-29, The Blind believe

Our paragraph topic is:  (Two blind men) Part 3.  

Christ has reached his destination.  The two blind men have followed.  They have approached Christ asking that they receive their sight.  Jesus questions them saying "Do you believe that I can do this to you?"   Without having any hesitation the two answered, "Yes, Lord.”   They wanted their sight.  They believed that Christ could provide it to them.  After the long years of darkness, they heard of the miracles.  They heard of the things that Christ was doing with the lame, the sick, the possessed, and the ill.  They thought that if he could do these things with those people then maybe he could help them to see.   They were ready.  They believed.

The two had heard much about Christ.  The words had travel throughout the district about his miracles.  He was well known and the two blind men had hope.  Their hope became joy when they heard that Christ was coming their way.  And their joy spurred them to action when he passed their way.  Their action compelled them to follow him.  They pleaded for pity.  They asked for favor, but nothing happened.  They were persistent.  They did not give up.  And when the journey ended and Christ reached the house, their opportunity was at hand.  They came before Christ asking that they might see.  At the moment of truth, they searched themselves and found belief.  So Jesus touched their eyes and said,  “Let it be done to you according to your faith.”   And so it was.  They received their sight from that moment and were able to see. 

The blind believed.  Somewhere in their darkest need they found belief within themselves that allowed them to be healed.  And those with sight, did they believe?  The sighted saw.  The sighted were witness to what Christ performed.  The sighted had visual experience to his miracles.  The sighted had the foundation for belief.  They knew that what they saw was real.  They witnessed the paralytic get up from his bed.  They witnessed the leper being cleansed before their eyes.  They saw the results of the possessed being relieved of demons.  They knew with their own eyes.  And they praised God that such power had been given to men.

How is it then that the blind gained faith?  They did not see the miracles.  They did not have the visual memory to base their beliefs upon.  They did not know if what was spoken was real.  They only heard of the miracles.  Yet they wanted to believe.  They wanted to know.  They wanted to have faith in him who performed miracles.  And that want opened the door for the truth to come into their lives and bring about a transformation that opened their eyes.  That want opened the door and allowed the miracle to take place.  How do we believe today?  How do we open the door to the power of Christ and allow him to perform miracles in our lives?  How do we bring forth the power of faith into our lives?  Is it through being blind or through being sighted? 

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 28, The Blind believe.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Two blind men) Part 2.  

Christ has continued on his journey until he reached his destination.  The two blind men have followed, continuing to cry out to him to have pity on them.  They are determined.  They are persistent.  They persevere.  They desire their sight.  The two blind men have heard the news of the miracles of Jesus.  They want to be a miracle also.  They want Christ to open their eyes and give them sight.  So they continue to follow him , crying out, "Son of David have pity on us."

Christ arrives at his destination and rests in the house.  The two blind men follow.  They finally come to Christ seeking a way to find their sight.  Christ asks them, "Do you believe that I can do this to you?"   Christ questions their belief in him.   He wants to know if they are certain of their belief.  He wants to know if they have no doubts within themselves.  He wants to know if they have no fear that will cause them to disbelieve in what they desire.   They have followed him during the journey.  They have continued to ask for pity.  They have persevered.  They have been persistent. 

The two blind men did not know Christ.  They had only heard of the things that he had done.  They had heard of the miracle he performed with the leper.  They had heard of the miracle that he had performed with the paralytic.  They had heard of the many things that he had done by way of what the people were saying about this man called Jesus.  They knew that he was that man because they had heard, through the people talking, that he was coming.  They had heard, through the talk of the people, that he was on their road.  They had heard the crowds that followed him.  They had heard the calling of his name by the people who were in the crowd.  They did not know him.  They had only heard of him.  They could not see the things that he had done even if they were present when they were accomplished.  They could only hear of them. 

They had no sight to see.  They had only hearing to hear.  Did they believe?  Did they know that he was the one?  Were they certain of his power?  How were they to know?  How were they to believe?  How were they to be certain?  Somewhere within themselves, they found hope, again.  Somewhere within themselves they found a ray of belief.  Somewhere within themselves they found the possibility of joy.  Somewhere within their deepest darkest world they found a desire that sparked their belief in a possibility of having sight. 

They had not heard of sight being restored before.  They knew of no one who had the power to give sight.  There were no doctors.  There were no healers.  There were no medicine men who could help them.  They lived in a dark world of acceptance.  This was their fate, to live without sight.  And then the word spread.  And then they heard of miracles.  And then they began to wonder.  And then they began to talk among themselves.  Could this be?  Could this happen?  Can our world change from darkness to light?  Is it possible that we can be given sight?  Nothing that they had known before gave them belief.  Nothing that they knew of led them to believe that there may be some hope.  No one that they knew could help them before.  And yet there was the word spreading throughout the village of this man called Christ.

Where do you find belief when there is none?  Where do you find hope when all you have heard is without hope?  Where do you find possibility when no one knows of anything possible?  We live within the world of the blind men, without any reason or understanding of change.  We accept the current condition and live without the belief of having something that would bring us joy.  There is no hope.  There is no possibility.  There is no change.  And then the word comes.  Christ asks,"Do you believe."   He wants to know if you have belief.  He wants to know if you still have what was given you from birth.  He wants to know if the spark of life is still within you.  He wants to know if you are still whole or if you are empty.  He wants to know, if, out of the darkness of your life, there is still a ray, a glimmer of hope that is hidden in your closet, forgotten, that he can call upon.  Do you recognize the hope that is within you or do you close the closet door and deny that it exists? 

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 27, The Blind believe.

Our paragraph topic is: (Two blind men) Part 1.  

Now Jesus has just raised the ruler's daughter from the dead.  Having finished this miracle St Matthew tells us that he travels on from there to other destinations.  And following him are two blind men.  They are crying out, "Have pity on us, Son of David!"   Christ does not respond to them as he travels to his destination.  They are crying for pity.  They are crying for his sympathy.  They are crying for his emotional response as they follow along with the rest of the party that is following Christ. 

Two blind men following Christ.  They wanted to see.  They wanted to be made whole like others that they heard talking.  They wanted to perceive the sunset.  They wanted to enjoy the radiance of the moon.  They wanted the things that others took for granted, their sight.  For they walked in darkness.  They stumbled day and night.  They depended upon the world for their guidance.  They knew not who they were.   And then the word came, about a man who did great things.  The word came, to their ears, that there was a man who cured a leper.  The word came, that there was a man called Jesus who cast out demons.  They heard others talking about how Jesus cured a paralytic who had never walked.  They heard the word.

And it came to pass that the word became exciting.  It came to pass that more people were talking about Jesus.  It came to pass that Jesus was in that district.  It came to pass that it was heard that Jesus was coming to their town.  And it came to pass that it was heard that Jesus was traveling on their road to another destination.  The two blind men were excited.  The two blind men thought about what they would do.  The two blind men waited with anticipation of the crowd passing by.  The two blind men were ready to meet Jesus.

And it happened, the day and the time came and the two blind men heard him coming.  They did not know who he was.  They had never heard his voice before, but they heard others calling his name.  They did not know where he was going.  They did not know who he was with.  They did not know how to reach him, but they had a plan.  They knew what they would do.  They knew how they would act.  They knew that they had to follow.  They cried out in a loud voice,  "Have pity on us, Son of David!"  

They followed and cried out.  They followed and cried out.  They asked for pity.  They asked for understanding.  They asked for sympathy.  St Matthew tells us in this verse that Christ did not recognize them.  He tells us that Christ did not stop for them.  He tells us that Christ continued on his journey.  Yet the two blind men did not stop their cries.  The two blind men did not stop their following.  The two blind men did not give up.  They persevered.  They continued with their plea.  They were persistent.  They were motivated.  They were strong.  They reached out for their goal, to have sight.  It was in their reach.  It was close.  It was nearby.  For all the time they had waited, planned, wanted, expected, believed and desired, the dream had come to pass right before their blind eyes.

Christ is passing by us today.  He is within our reach.  He is walking past our jobs, walking past our homes, walking past out schools, walking past our shopping areas, walking past our clubs and bars, walking past our gyms and stadiums and ball fields.  Will you cry out for help?  Will you ask Christ for pity?  Will you plead for your dream to come true after wanting for so long?  Will you persevere?  Will you be strong?  Will you be persistent?  Christ is walking past you today, what will you do?     

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verses:24-26, Christ restores Life.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ raises the ruler's daughter to life) Part 2.  

Christ has arrived at the house of the ruler to see his daughter.  When he arrives he finds mourners and flute players and a din of noise by the crowds that has gathered in preparation for the burial of the child.  He speaks, first to death, saying, "Begone," then to the people, saying, the girl is sleeping and not dead.  The crowd scorns him and ridicules him with their laughter.  But all are cleared from the house and the house becomes quiet.  Christ now enters the house and takes the hand of the girl.  With his simple touch she awakes and arises from the dead.

St Matthew tells us this miracle in such a quiet way to show the simplicity of how it was done.  First Christ comes to the scene and notices the crowds that had gathered.  The word had spread about Christ and many knew of the miracles that he had performed.  Here was a young girl that had died and the crowd knew that fact.  But Christ comes and makes the announcement that the girl is not dead but simply sleeping.  What does he do?  He dispels the rumors that will spread as a result of his performing this miracle.  He gives the crowd an explanation as to what seems like a simple process that is easily understood by the people.  The girl is just sleeping.  He dispels the idea that she is dead and he is there to bring her back from the dead.  Such words would have created a great panic and fear throughout the country that a man could restore life to the dead.  In making this statement the anxiety in the crowd is eased even to the point of laughter.  

The dead girl came to life and the rumors spread.  The word of this miracle spread throughout the district and one can only imagine what spin was placed on this word that caught every ear that heard it.  Christ was the talk of the town.  People from far and wide heard of him.  Rulers, kings, administrators, generals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, everyone would have heard the news of his miracles and the things that he performed.  Christ did not seek fame.  Christ did not seek fortune.  Yet they followed him.  Christ only sought to do the will of his father in heaven.

St Matthew tells us this simple story to show the humility of Christ.  No fanfare, no press, no flashing lights did he desire.  He went about doing the will of God.  Many scoffed and laughed.  Many doubted and scorned him.  Many doubted his words and still do today.  If Christ reached out his hand to touch you today, will you allow him to restore you to life? 

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verses:23-24, Christ restores Life.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ raises the ruler's daughter to life) Part 1. 

Christ now arrives at the rulers house.  He has seen the woman with the hemorrhage and cured her.  The ruler has asked Christ to come to his house.  In the previous verses the ruler told Christ that his daughter has just died.  He asks Christ to come to his house saying,  "But come and lay thy hand upon her, and she will return to life."    St Matthew writes nothing about the faith of the father.  He tells us nothing about how the father came to the conclusion that Christ could restore life.  He only tells us that the ruler came to Christ, made this statement, and Christ decided to follow the ruler to his house.  

Now up to this point in the Gospel of Matthew, Christ has not performed such a miracle as restoring life to a person that is dead.  He has healed the sick,  cleansed the leper, cured a paralytic, made whole a woman with issues of blood, cast out demons, and various other miracles.  But he has not, up to this point, brought someone back to life that has been declared dead.  So the fact that the ruler makes a statement of belief is noticeable.  The ruler tells Christ that if he would lay his hand upon his daughter he knows that she will return to life.  This statement is not stated with doubt.  It is not stated with fear.  It is stated with certainty, the knowledge of certain outcome without disbelief.  So Christ went with him.  And strangely enough his disciples went also, as Matthew relates to us.  They, knowing what miracles Christ had performed, wanted to see this one.  They wanted to know that he could give life to the dead.  They wanted to see what would happen.

When Christ arrived at the house of the ruler, he found mourners and flute players proclaiming the death of the child.  He found the funeral directors ready to take her away.  He found the family and friends of the child weeping because of her death.  He found Death and his minions present at the site.  They, knowing the physical signs of death knew that she was dead.  But the giver of life arrived and he wanted them gone.  So Christ says to them, "Begone."   He spoke to the demons of Death first, casting them away from the bedside of the child.  Then he speaks to the mourners saying,  "The girl is asleep, not dead."

For those who do not understand his words, he spoke as if the girl was not dead.  Christ spoke as if she was merely taking a nap.  And in his view she was doing just that.  He spoke to Death and told it to begone.  He spoke to Death and told it to leave the girl untouched.  He spoke to Death and banished it from taking the soul of the girl.  He spoke to the crowd and told them that the girl was sleeping.  He spoke to the ways of the people and told them that they did not understand.  He spoke to the possessed hearts of the people and told them to take their unbelief and leave.  The people in the crowd were blind to what was about to happen.  The word had spread about Christ and the miracles that he performed, but they were blind.  The crowd did not know him.  So when he spoke to their unbelieving blinded hearts, they laughed.  They ridiculed him.  They scoffed at him.  They made fun of him.  They spoke as though he was crazy.  Yet they did not know the giver of life was among them.

Christ wants to come to us today to restore life.  He wants to come to us today to bring anew that which has been taken away.  He wants to speak to death and say, "Begone."   Yet we do not believe.  Yet we do not know him.  Yet we laugh at him.  Yet we doubt him.  Yet we scoff and ridicule his name.  Many have said that he does not exist.  Many believe in no God at all, calling themselves atheist.  Many use science as a means to explain away and rationalize that there is no God.  Many laugh and proclaim that those who do believe are fools and idiots.  Yet he came to restore life.   Yet he came to give life to those who are asleep.  What reason do you have for not accepting the life that Christ gives? 

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse:22, The tassel of his cloak.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The woman with a hemorrhage) Part 2.  

The woman with the issue of blood has just touched the tassel of Jesus' cloak.  She is fearful.  She is doubtful.  She is afraid.  She believes that she will be healed but she is unsure.  She has taken a bold step to come forward and touch his garment.  Now that the act is completed Christ turns and looks at her.  He says to her, " Take courage, daughter; thy faith has saved thee."   

She looks in his eyes and knows that she is healed.  She looks at Christ and immediately her heart is filled with joy.  She looks at Jesus and she is at peace from the fear that gripped her from her actions.  St Matthew tells us that, from that moment she was restored to health.   From that moment she was healed.  From that moment she was made whole again.  From that moment her flow of blood stopped.

Like the paralytic, Christ told the women to take courage.  He told her to not open the door to fear but to open the door to courage.  It was her belief that moved her to take action.  It was her faith that led her to believe that she could be healed.  Her was the news of Christ coming to her village that gave her hope.  It was the good news of his miracles that gave birth to the possibility that her time had come to be healed.  Having believed, she took action.  Having believed, she dressed herself and went out to seek the one who could complete her healing.  Having believed, she boldly walked among the crowd, not discerning who she touched, or who touched her, because she knew that this was her time to be healed.  She took action.  She acted upon her faith.  She trusted in the word that came to her about Christ and what he could do for her.

The people who carried the paralytic to Christ did the same thing.  They heard the good news.  They heard that Christ was coming to their town. They heard that he was in their village.  They heard that he was staying at the house where they took the paralytic.  They knew that somehow they had to get him to Christ.  Despite all of the crowds they persevered.  Despite all the people they found a way.  Despite all the obstacles that climbed the rooftops.  Despite all the challenges they tore away the roof of the house.  Despite all the cost they lowered the paralytic to Christ for him to be cured.  And there the paralytic lay, looking at Christ wondering if he would be cured.  And there the paralytic lay, looking up at Christ with doubt and fear in his heart, not knowing if his friends had done something wrong to get him to Christ.  And there the paralytic lay, looking at Christ wondering if he would be forgiven of his sins that led him to become paralyzed.    And Christ said, " Take courage son; thy sins are forgiven thee."  

St Matthew has given us a model of faith to follow.  Christ has told us to take courage when we are in despair.  Christ has told us to take courage when we are in doubt.  Christ has told us to take courage when we come to him for forgiveness.  He has told us to take courage when we come to him believing that we will be healed.  Why do we doubt?  Why do we fear?  We do not know that we will be healed.  We do not know that we will be forgiven.  We do not know what Christ will do for us when we seek his help.  But here, in these verses, he tells the paralytic and the woman with the hemorrhage to take courage.  He tells us today to take courage.  Do not be afraid.  Do not fear.  For he is a loving God and wants to heal us.  He is a loving God and wants to make us whole.  He is a loving God and wants to help us in our hour of need.  So come, to the throne f grace with courage, knowing that he will provide for us in our needs.  Can you take courage today and stand up for Christ?  Can you take courage today and walk in the knowledge that Christ will heal you?  Can you take courage today and not let fear come into your heart no matter what situation you face today? 
      

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verses:20-21, The tassel of his cloak

Our paragraph topic is:  (The woman with a hemorrhage) Part 1.  

Christ has just been asked by the ruler to come to his house to raise his daughter from the dead.  On his way he is touched by someone.  He is touched by a woman who had a problem with the flow of blood during menstruation.  St Matthew tells us in these verses that the woman had suffered for twelve years with this problem.  She had found no cure for what was wrong with her.  She had gone to all of the local healers.  She had spent all of her time, effort, energy, and money in trying to find a cure for her problem with no success.  Then the word of mouth came about the miracles of Christ.  It was told about how he cured the leper.  It was told about how he made the paralytic walk.  It was told about how he cast out the demons.  It was told about the many things that he did for the people who were sick, ill, lame, possessed, crippled, depressed, down hearted, without faith, and lost to hope.

The woman with the issue of blood heard about Christ.  She heard all the things that he was doing.  She heard about the miracles that he had performed.  She heard about the hope that people had in him.  She felt for the first time in years that there might just be hope for her.  She had been ostracized from society.  She had been cast out from her friends.  She had been left alone because of her problem of blood.  The rules in her time required that she remain alone away from any contact for seven days to purify herself after menstruation.  Her menstruation continued.  Her menstruation had not end.  Her menstruation meant she would not be purified.  She was not to be touched.  She was not to touch anyone lest they were made unclean.  Anyone who touched her had to wash their garments, bath in water, and were unclean until evening. 

So this woman with the problem of blood was isolated from everyone and everything for 12 years.  Then she heard that Christ was coming.  She heard that Christ was in her village.  She heard that Christ was coming near her home.  She believed that if he could do all these things that people were talking about that he could cure her.  She believed that she could be made whole.  She believed and hoped that if she could just get close enough that she may just be able to touch him and be healed.  She made her plans.  She thought about what she would do.  She waited until the crowds came.  She hid herself so that no one would know her.  She wanted to be healed.  She believed.  She hoped.

Then Christ came by.  She followed the crowds.  She anxiously waited for her opportunity.  She had hopes of being cured.  She believed deep within her heart that she would be healed.  The opportunity presented itself and she reached out and touched his garment.  She took the opportunity to be healed knowing that to touch meant that the other person would be unclean.  Yet she dared to believe that Christ was holy. She dared to believe that he would not be made unclean.  She dared to reason that he was pure and would not be tainted by her uncleanness.  She dared to believe that his cleanness would transfer to her and make her clean.  She dared to believe that she would be cured and made whole.  She told herself, "If I touch but his cloak I shall be saved."  

If Christ came to your town today, would you risk all just to be near?  If Christ came to your city today, would you risk all just to touch his garment?   

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verses: 18-19, The Ruler's Request for His Daughter.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The ruler asks Christ to raise his daughter).  

Now Jesus is just finishing his talk with the disciples of John.  He has told them that in order to save the new wine, it must be put into new wine skins.  He has told them that his disciples are different and the new wine of life must be put into new disciples in order to save the wine of life and to not damage the old wine skins.  While he is talking to them a ruler comes up and worships him.  The ruler says to Christ, "My daughter has just now died."  

St Matthew does not provide any additional information as to what Christ said after the ruler made this statement.  St Matthew has provided us with the teachings of Christ up to this point.  He has written about the new interpretations of the principles of Life as given in the Sermon on the Mount.  He has written about the journey across the sea and the lack of faith of the disciples.  He has written about the leper, the centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, the paralytic of Capharnaum, and told us how Christ cure many, cast out demons, and healed the sick and lame.  He has not, up to this point, given us any indication of Christ raising anyone from the dead.  The centurion's servant was near death but there was nothing to say that he was dead.  So in thinking about this request from the ruler, there must have been some curiosity, some doubt, some fear and some challenge as to the authority of Christ to raise the dead.

Reviving the dead had not been done before.  But then, the word of Christ and the miracles spread through out the land and who knows what embellishments were added to the stories that were being spoken about him.  So the ruler says that his daughter has just died and he continues with,  "But come, and lay thy hand upon her, and she will return to life."   Christ does not hesitate, does not speak, does not question, he follows.  And the disciples do the same.  They follow him, without any hesitation, without question, without asking how he would raise the dead.

St Matthew tells us in this account how the ruler approached Christ.  The ruler said, but come.  He said besides all the questions, doubts, and fears, but come and lay thy hand upon her.  He said, when you lay your hand upon her she will return to life.  He did not say maybe she will return to life.  He did not say he thinks that Christ can return her to life.  He did not say come and speak to her.  He did not say I don't know if you can help me to bring back my daughter.  The ruler said, come, lay thy hand upon her and she will return to life.  The ruler, according to St Matthew, spoke confidence.  The ruler spoke faith.  The ruler spoke trust in what he had heard of Christ and his miracles.

Can we say the same today?  Can we speak confidently to Christ asking him to perform a miracle in our life?  Can we speak as the ruler spoke to Christ, with solid belief, and unwavering faith, and complete trust?     

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse:17, The Bridegroom, the patch, and the wine.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The question of fasting) Part 3.  

Christ continues his conversation with the disciples of John.  He tells them further about the need for new wine skins verses using old wine skins.  Christ says,  "Nor do people pour new wine into old wine-skins, else the skins burst, the wine is spilt, and the skins are ruined."   In this statement he is telling the disciples of John that a new approach was needed with his disciples.  Christ indicates that the disciples of John were not used as his disciples because of the new wine of life that is being poured into his disciples. 

Christ is telling the disciples of John that the new wine that is being poured into his disciples will not be spilt.  The new wine of life that they are being given cannot be put into old wine skins.  The new wine of life will be lost if it is poured into old wine skins and both the wine skins and the new wine of life will be lost.  Christ is setting a new precedent with these words.  He is demonstrating to the disciples of John  that he has something new to give.  He has something different to present.  He has something that he does not want to be wasted or lost.  Therefore, it is necessary that new disciples are used.  It is necessary for new ideas to come forth.  It is necessary to recruit new people to carry the new wine of life so that it is not lost or spilt.

The disciples of John wanted to know why the disciples of Christ were different.  They wanted to know why they did not follow the norm that was given to them.  They thought that the disciples of Christ should follow the way that was given to them.  They should follow the principles and practices that they were given.   They thought that the disciples of Christ should not receive special treatment.  They and the Pharisees questioned Christ about the different path that his disciples were taking.  They were indignant to the special treatment that the disciples of Christ were given. 

Christ calls us today.  He calls new wine skins today.  He looks for new faces, new people, new vessels to carry the new wine of life.  He does not want to waste the message.  He does not want to ruin the old wine skins.  He does not want to spill the new message of life.  There are the old wine skins that have been used to put the old wine into.  There are the old wine skins that carried the message before.  There is the new wine that needs to be put into new vessels.  There is the new message that Christ seeks to spread.  He wants to give the new message of life by putting it in new vessels.  Are you ready to have the new wine of life poured into you?  Are you ready to become a new wine skin for Christ?  Or do you continue to receive the message of life into old wine skins where the new wine of life bursts the wine skins and the message is lost?  

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse:16, The Bridegroom, the patch, and the wine.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The question of fasting) Part 2.  

The disciples of John the Baptist spoke with Christ about fasting.  They asked him why his disciples did not fast while the Pharisees and they did fast.  Instead of answering their question and telling them that his disciples did not fast because they were in the presence of the Lord, he told them that they did not fast because they could not mourn while the bridegroom was present.  He told them that they could not fast until the bridegroom was taken away and then they would fast.  The disciples of John did not understand that instead of mourning they should be rejoicing.  Instead of being in sorrow they should be festive because they were in the presence of the Lord.  John the Baptist had told them that one was coming that was even greater than he and he was not worthy to tie the straps of his sandals.  The disciples of John did not understand.  They were blinded.  They did not see.

Christ gives them further examples of his presence by telling them another reason for not fasting.  He tells them,  "No one puts a patch of raw cloth on an old garment."  Christ is telling them that this is why they do not understand because they are not his disciples.  They are not his disciples because they are old garments.  They are not his disciples because the old and the new patch will not work.  They are not his disciples because a new garment is needed and not an old one.  Christ lets them know the reason for the need of something new.  He says, the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse rent is made."   

So Christ has given them the explanation to help them understand why his disciples do not fast.  He has told them that a new garment is needed instead of a patch to an old garment.  He has told them that the wedding feast is taking place and his disciples are festive.  His disciples are rejoicing.  His disciples are merry.  Christ gives them these explanations so that they may understand.  Matthew gives us these statements from Christ so that we may understand.  Are we going to be disciples of Christ or disciples of John the Baptist?  Are we going to mourn at the wedding feast or are we going to rejoice?  Are we going to be sorrowful at the wedding feast or are we going to be happy?

Like the disciples of John the Baptist, do we follow the teachings of Christ or the teachings of our leaders?  John was a great prophet and a great teacher.  But he pointed to the one to come.  He admitted to his unworthiness and humbly showed the way to the Greater One.  There are many great religious leaders in the church community today.  John spoke of Christ. They speak of Christ.  John had disciples.  They have disciples.  Christ seeks new garments today, not old ones to put a patch upon.  John spoke of his decrease while Christ must increase.  Our leaders today, who do they point to?  Are you led to Christ through your religious leader today?  Are you being created as a new garment in Christ or are you being patched over?