Jesus, Worthy of Faith - Matthew 9:18-38 - July 30, 2017

Scripture Reading

Prayer

Review

Introduction

Matthew is going to continue giving evidence that Jesus is the King by demonstrating Jesus’ power through miracles.

Today we are going to work our way through these miracles and then make 3 observations that Matthew was trying to communicate through them. Then we will work through vss. 35-38 and see a major transition point in the overall progress of the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 9:18–26 ESV

18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

Matthew 9:27–31 ESV

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Son of David - clearly confesses Jesus as Mesiah

Messianic expectation

Isaiah 35:5–6 ESV

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

Waited to go inside

Told them sternly not to report

The crowds were growing so big that they were getting in the way of the mission

Matthew 9:32–34 ESV

32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

Three Observations:

I. Jesus has authority over life and death and is worthy of our faith(18-26)

II. Faith is essential to receive what Jesus has to offer, whether physical healing or spiritual (27-31)

III. Jesus’ mission is bigger than meeting physical needs, so ours is too (18-34)

Matthew 9:26 ESV

And the report of this went through all that district.

Matthew 9:30–31 ESV

And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Matthew 9:33 ESV

And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”

Matthew 9:35–38 ESV

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

IV. Jesus sends out harvesters because of His compassion, so we should participate in the harvest because of compassion for the lost (35-38