Matthew 10:21-36 "Stand Firm"

Read Matthew 10:21-36.

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." NIV

This is not a concept that we particularly think about when we receive Jesus as our Savior. We see Him as as the one to forgive ours sins and that we will do things His way instead of our own. But do we really count the cost we will pay from those around us? Do we hear the insults and disdain that we may confront -- even from those who are closest to us but don't understand nor have received the Truth?

I think some people do, but not many. Most of us walk into Christianity because we have finally heard the Holy Spirit's call to our hearts; we've messed our life up enough on our own and need a salvation from the path we have taken. But to anticipate opposition -- I believe very few people contemplate the consequences of walking the believer's life.

Jesus' warnings as written here are extreme and dangerous. It sounds like we are walking into a war zone rather than accepting a lifestyle of quiet reverence and piety. But Jesus is placing the reality in front of our eyes -- worse for some than for others -- but the truth none the less.

Whether on a small scale of insults to persecution by death, we will all face some opposition to the choice we have made to follow Christ. And we must decide beforehand what we will do in those situations. Jesus says first in vs. 22 to "stand firm to the end." He also says in vs. 23 that if "you are being persecuted in one place, flee to another. We aren't required to stand and take the punishment if there is a way to leave it. "Stand" in vs 22 refers to enduring by abiding with Christ no matter what.

The idea of facing persecution is not one that any of us want to contemplate. But a healthy view hinges on the right perspective. We see this laid out in verses 28-31. True life is not about these 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that we live here in a flesh and blood existence. True life is what is still to come. This is just a temporary stop. Too often we want to make the life we live now the end all, and it just simply isn't. There is so much more living we have to do and that will be in eternity with our Lord -- either after the resurrection or through physical death.

If we can look at life in the temporal as we should, then death is nothing to fear. Perfect healing comes with the perfect body we will have in heaven. So anyone can do anything to me here on this earth -- physically, psychologically, or emotionally -- but they cannot touch my soul. I am a child of the King, and I have the promise of an inheritance that goes far beyond anything this world can give me. The only fear I should experience is in reverent fear before the Almighty. If I do not follow Him and declare Him as Lord, He will disown me. He is a jealous God and will not abide competition for my affections. He is to be the one and only Lord.

I have already experienced the separation that can occur in relationships because I have chosen this path -- to belong to Christ. It is not easy; in fact, it's very painful. Only through prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit have I been able to stand. But stand I will to the end. My Lord is great and no one nor anything will separate me from my Father's love nor my love from Him.

Further Thoughts:

1. Joseph was persecuted multiple times -- even by family. But what does he say to his brothers in the end? Read Genesis 50:20.
2. Are we required to forgive the ones who persecute us? Read Matthew 6:14-15 and related post, and Luke 23:33-34.
3. Here is another post on persecution.
4. Persecution can be really difficult to come to grips with while in the midst of it. But we have promises to hold on to. Read Romans 8:28, Psalm 37:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:-12, 2 Timothy 1:11-12, 1 Peter 3:13-14 and STAND.

Matthew 9:27-34 "The Doubt That Blinds"

Read Matthew 9:27-34.

"Do you believe that I am able to do this?" NIV

How many times through the circumstances of my life has God asked me this question? Too many to even name. And I'm ashamed to say that there have been many times that I have said, "No." Oh, not necessarily with my intellect; I know God is able to do anything. But my heart and my actions spoke volumes of doubt. And it's not like God has never done anything for me. If I wrote down all the miracles He has performed in my life - known and unknown - I could fill volumes. So why do I allow the doubts to creep in? Why does the enemy get that foothold in my heart to sway me away from that which I know to be absolutely true?

So often we allow the circumstances of the moment to drive out the faith of our history. Not that He's required to prove anything to me, but He has over and over - in my life, in the lives of others around me, and in His Word through the lives of history. But in those crucial moments of decision when I can choose to stand by faith or turn an ear to doubt, I allow my eyes to be blinded to the Truth - That He is Lord, and He is able to do ANYTHIING.

Fortunately, for these two blind men, at the crucial moment their spiritual eyes were open. They saw Jesus for who He was -- the Messiah -- and had no doubt that they would be healed by the Lord. How ironic that the ones who couldn't see all the miracles in life happening around them, could "see" the Son of God standing in front of them. And because of their belief, they received the touch of Christ.

Lord, forgive me for my moments of doubt. Help me in my unbelief to see you as the one and only Messiah that can do anything. Give me an unshakable faith. Open my eyes to Your Truth and power in my life.

Further Thoughts:

1. Why does calling Jesus, "Son of David" demonstrate that these men recognized Jesus as the Messiah?
2. When we doubt, we will not only continue walking in blindness, but there can be severe consequences to our doubt. What if Abraham had doubted God when he took Isaac up to Mount Moriah? Read Genesis 22:1-18. How is faith and obedience tied together?
3. Click on "faith" label to read other posts on this subject.
4. Have you been allowing your eyes to be blinded to the Messiah's true power? Has the enemy placed so many doubts in front of you that you can no longer see by faith? Repent of your doubt and see by faith with eyes that are healed.

Matthew 9:18-26 "The Touch of Faith"

Read Matthew 9:18-26.

"She said to herself, 'If only I could touch his cloak, I will be healed." NIV

Like the story of the centurion in 8:5, this passage tells of two more tremendous acts of faith. And they were both rewarded with healing. But I have always been partial to the story of the woman. She had been sick for so long -- what could ever change that? But she knows if she just touches Jesus' garment, that's all she needs to be healed.

Did this act come out of desperation? After 12 years, was she willing to try anything. Whether or not she had reached her last straw, she obviously had faith in Jesus because He notes her faith. And she was instantly healed.

How often do I want to simply touch the hem of Jesus' cloak. I often forget that this simple act brings such healing. Caught up in busyness, frustrations, to do lists, fatigue, unending jobs, pain, and even good things like ministry and time with family and friends, knocked out of our thinking like water pouring through a sieve is that we just need to touch His hem.

I need to touch it with praise - declaring Him as my King, Savior, Lord, and Master -- the Lover of my soul. I need to touch His hem with my thanks -- reciting the amazing gifts He has given me in family, friends, salvation, needs provided, joys shared. I need to touch His hem to hear His words of strength and power reminding me I am His and His Spirit lives within me. And after all that, I need to touch His hem to wipe the tears from my eyes. Tears sometimes from self-pity and pain, but also from a deep abiding love for One who loves me so passionately.

If I don't touch His hem by faith every day, my soul shrivels within me and my spirit becomes trapped in the tangled strings that attach me to this world. They hold me down from reaching the heights to which He wants to take me. I'm held bound to the mundane, when I could be living in the miraculous.

But if I will only touch His hem in faith, I will be healed and can "take heart." His comfort penetrates the layers of the world in which I have wrapped myself and restores me from the inside out. I'm bleeding no more, but am alive and well in Him.

Further Thoughts:

1. Research what "take heart" means. Find that phrase in other Scripture passages. That's also a promise for you.
2. If you didn't read it before, look again at my posts on the centurion from Matthew 8:5-13 and the storm in Matthew 8:23-27.
3. Even in the midst of the jostling of the crowd (Mark 5:24), Jesus felt the woman touch His cloak because her faith was so powerful. Has Jesus felt your touch of faith lately? If no, why not? What is standing in the way of your faith. If yes, celebrate again with thanksgiving.
4. Figure out what your method of worship is. Different people worship in different ways, and it is in those times of worship that we are more likely to touch His hem. A great book on different ways to worship is Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas.

Matthew 9:1-8 "A Healing Now and Forever"

Read Matthew 9:1-8 and Mark 2:1-12.

“When Jesus saw their faith….” NIV

This passage was a little confusing to me until I read it in the other gospels and the study notes. That’s why I referenced Mark above. The question here, is Jesus equating the healing of the paralytic to the forgiveness of sins. If so, doesn’t that mean that the man was paralyzed because of his sin? So are all illnesses due to sin?

The answer is no. Jesus does not teach that illness is due to sin in his life. Illness may result from sin, but it is not brought on by sin. Sin is a matter of the heart, where illness is possible because of the fall, but a by-product of our frail bodies.

So what is Jesus’ purpose here? Again it seems He is proving His deity to the Pharisees. First of all, the paralytic and his friends demonstrate a faith in Jesus by going to such lengths to get to Him. Christ knew their hearts, so he met the man’s most important, basic need first – the forgiveness of His sins. By doing so, He enraged the religious teachers because they didn’t believe even the Messiah could forgive sins. Only deity had that power. When Jesus asks, “Which is easier?” He is basically saying to the Pharisees, “See, I have the power to forgive and to heal. Both are equally difficult and can only be done through the divine. I am deity.”

Further Thoughts:

1. Although He is capable of both healing your body and healing your heart, the healing of your heart is always more important to God. The body is temporal; the soul eternal. Read Matthew 10:28, 1 Corinthians 15:50, and Ephesians 6:12. A major example of this is Job. If you haven’t read his story lately, take some time to read it now.
2. Spend some quiet time today asking God to speak to your heart and reveal if there is any sin in your life that needs forgiving.
   
   

Matthew 8:14-17 "With a Word"

Read Matthew 8:14-17.

"When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick." NIV

I am always amazed at the power of the spoken word. It can inspire, praise, destroy, instruct, devastate, or encourage. Words can leave the mouth quickly, but can never return. They begin when we are young and continue till we speak our final words with our last breath. Words can build relationships or divide them forever.

And then there is the power of the words of Christ. They surpass all power that we could ever manufacture with our words. The awesome point, however, is that with Christ living in us, we are given that same power. He even said that we will do greater things than He has done. How is that? It sure doesn't seem like we do. Maybe it's because we are not deliberate with our words. Maybe it's because we are constantly fighting that human nature that wants to use words to our own advantage. Either way, if we submit to the Holy Spirit's guidance, wouldn't our words have a power beyond anything we have ever experienced?

I know I've experienced moments like that -- times where I knew that the Lord was giving me the words to say, and they were having a powerful impact either influencing someone else's life or through healing. Those are amazing experiences and how I would love for them to happen more often. Of course, I'm the only one standing in the way. Once again, we come to surrender, humility, and listening. Humbling myself moment by moment in His presence, opening my "ears" to the Lord's leading and using my words for His glory. Then His power will flow through me for His honor. Lord, let the healing words flow.

Further Thoughts:

1. If Jesus is considered the Word, then doesn't His dwelling in my life change my words? If not, why? (See John 1:1)
2. God gave Moses words to speak that caused amazing things. What were they? What was the irony of Moses using words? If you are feeling that your words are very inadequate, Moses will show you how God can use anyone for His work.
3. Why is humility so important in using words for God's ministry? Read Mark 9:14-29. Why couldn't the disciples cast out the demon?
4. Are your words filled with love, thankfulness, and encouragement, or grumbling and hatefulness? It's a heart issue. (Read Philippians 2:1-16.) Surrender.
5. What is the relationship between thanksgiving and the heart of words we choose to use each day? Support with Scripture.

Matthew 8:1-4 "Faith in His Will"

Read Matthew 8:1-4.

"Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." NIV

This leper reveals so much about what he believes in this one statement. He teaches us how we need to view the Lord every day.

First, he falls down on his knees and calls Jesus "Lord." Now that doesn't necessarily mean that he recognized Jesus as the divine, but he did show Him the respect due one he knew had authority and power.

Next, the man shows deference to Jesus' will. The leper obviously wants to be healed of his disease, but he does not approach Jesus' abilities as if he has a right to them. He humbly is asking according to Jesus' will that he be healed.

And lastly, the leper has faith that Jesus can truly heal him of his disease. His posture, his demeanor, his words all speak of an unwavering faith in the power that the Rabbi possessed.

Each and every day we face trials and difficulties. They come with the territory of fighting a persistent enemy in a fallen world. The question is, do we whine, complain, blame, writhe in our self-pity, and shake our fist in the air? Or do we humbly approach the Master on our knees carrying our pain, blemishes, and needs , with hearts surrendered to His will and with a faith that can move mountains? The leper chose the right path and came away changed forever. The Master touched him, and he was clean.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you truly believe Jesus is Lord of your life? Compare and contrast Jesus as Savior and He as Lord. What difference does that make in our daily walk with Him?
2. Our submission to the Lord's will can be very different if we see Him as Savior or as Lord. How? Support with Scripture.
3. Why can some people have faith in Jesus to save them from their sins, but not have faith in Him to heal, guide, and command their daily life? Where is the hangup and how is it overcome?
4. Many who encountered Jesus "put their faith in Him." Read John 2:11, 7:31, 8:30, 11:45, 12:11. The entire book of Romans speaks on faith.
5. Faith takes a trust in the Master. Stand on the promises of Proverbs 3:5-6. He never fails.