Matthew 9-10

Chapter 9

Shows the power of faith, countless people with unquestionable faith that they are going to be healed.

9:18

"A man with a dead daughter saying "my daughter just died but just come and lay your hands on her and she will live."

9:20

"A woman who has had a hemorrhage and has had chronic bleeding for 12 years, States "if I only touched his cloak I will be healed."

9:27-29

"2 blind men asked Jesus for mercy on them. Jesus asked "do you believe I can do this?"

they replied "yes, Lord"

So Jesus touched their Eyes and said "according to your faith let it be done to you."

This really challenges our faith. What can God do in our Lives and through our lives for the sake of us, our families, and those around us or that we encounter in day-to-day life. When we believe that he can heal, and that he is willing to heal through our faith.

Jesus tells the Pharisees when they asked why he's hanging out with sinners and tax collectors (tax collectors in the time we're unanimously disliked by all. Jesus tells the pharisees 9:12-13

"it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means, I desire mercy not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the Righteous, but sinners.

The Pharisees, Sadducees and High priests were a group of self-righteous people who read the laws to others and made a point to be known. they were the first to condemn people who have done wrong and were always looking for people to put down to show their ""power"" in their positions. They rather disliked Jesus because He had authority and instead of joining them in their power. He spent his time with Tax collectors, and sinners, and fisherman, Those who were the lowest in the kingdom in the eyes of the self righteous, and Jesus did not condemn them but called them to Turn from their sinful ways, live a life of purpose and to be pleasing to God but not to flash around ""good deeds"" and teachings of the law for attention but with a heart that wants to turn people to God.

Same conviction at the start of the chapter Jesus heals a paralyzed man

9:1-2

some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat, Jesus saw their faith he said to the man, "take heart your sins are forgiven."

Some teachers of the law called this blasphemy and it says in vs 4 "Jesus, knowing their thoughts"

He knows our thoughts. He knows what we are going through and he challenges us now through our convictions and those around us he may put in place.

He askes them 9:4

"why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?"

why do we entertain evil thoughts in our hearts? how do we live in the spirit and focus on the log in our eye instead of dwelling on (he said, she said, can you believe that.... gossip" or worry about the spec of saw dust in our eyes

how do we learn to be joyful in our hearts through the Holy spirit and the forgiveness, healing, provisions, he offers when we take faith.

Chapter 10

calling to teach and heal, and provisions

10:5-11

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions:

"do not go among the gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel"

Gentiles are non-Jewish people, or people who do not believe in God

vs 9-10

"Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts -- no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.

He is saying all they are allowed to bring is the clothes on their Back and they will be provided for in every town they visit. this goes back to Matthew chapter 6 where we are told God knows everything we need before we need it, or ask.

10:16-20

Jesus goes on to tell them I am sending you out like sheep amongst wolves, you WILL be turned in and you WILL be Flogged in the synagogues.

"... But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say, or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of the Father speaking through you.

When we are persecuted, we are not to come up with reasons or defend ourselves for the Spirit of the Lord is with us and will guide us in what to say on his behalf.

your family

Brothers, sisters, fathers, mother, will turn each other in to their death for serving the Lord.

10:28

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell.

as we saw the most recent example of Mr. Charlie Kirk lived this out. He is being rewarded in heaven for those who couldn't stand to hear the truth Killed his body. But his Soul is now with the Lord because he did not fear those who could kill his body he feared and taught against the one who can kill the soul in hell and he taught against the ways of satan every day to his death.

we are to be bold in our faith as Jesus taught, As the disciples, and in modern days Charlie modeled. I have gone on in life if the door was opened in a conversation I would take it but traditionally wouldn't go out of my way to start that conversation. Jesus calls us to Speak out. Bring him up. Share the word of God even if it leads to our death.

If they rebuke you, harm you, or push you away, they are doing these actions to God himself. and they will be punished for these actions on Judgement Day, unless they repent.

10:37-38

"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

when we live for ourselves, we lose our life. When we live for Christ, we will be given life of abundance, for some this may start here on earth, for others this may start when you are welcomed into Heaven, but the wage of sin is death, and we are all sinners who fall short of the Glory of God When we die to ourself and follow Jesus our Life is found in Him as he leads us in our place.