Matthew 9:1-26

Authority over sin and even death

With each experience recounted by Matthew, Jesus exhibits more power and authority with each account. he defeats each enemy greater than the last: sickness, nature, demons, sin and then death.

#1 Why do you think after His expression of forgiveness to the paralytic the scribes began to accuse Jesus of blaspheme?

By proclaiming forgiveness, Jesus is doing something that only God could do.

John the Baptist’s disciples come and realize Jesus is not like John, and came to find out why. What they recieved was an illustration about wineskins. Just like the new wine can’t be put into old wineskins, so to neither can we stuff Jesus or our experience with Him into our old ways of thinking and living. Life as a disciple of Jesus is a new life. He wants to expand our faith, and reshape us into new creations.

John the Baptist was trying to patch up the old system by bringing Jews to repentance, Jesus was leading people out of traditions and the law and bringing them to something new.

#2 What does Jesus call himself? Why?

The term Son of man is used to emphasize Jesus’ full humanity. In Jesus God’s very power entered humanity and in Jesus God’s authority entered humanity. Jesus has the power to heal and to give life. Because of this we humans have hope.

The next few paragraphs involve people that Jesus helps. Each one reaches out to Jesus from a hopeless situation and experiences his extraordinary power to save.

#3 What is the impetus (the stimulus) for the healing of the woman who bled for 12 years and the Ruler’s daughter?

the motivating force was the faith of the individual in Jesus. Each believed Jesus had the power to heal and bring life.