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DEVOTION
OPENING PRAYER
Loving God, clothe me in yourself and enable me to live and serve after the pattern of Jesus. AMEN
INTRODUCTION
What does the call of Matthew have to do with the healing of two people? All three were considered beyond the reach of God’s healing and mercy by most people in Jesus’ time. Matthew was a despised tax collector and had been rejected by everyone. The woman subject to bleeding was ritually unpure and no one could touch her without also being considered unpure. The dead girl was unpure because she was dead. Jesus restores and heals all three. Let’s read the scriptures.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 NIV
The Calling of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
REFLECTION
Jesus ignores the labels we place on ourselves and that others place on us. Matthew was rejected as a tax collector, the woman bleeding was rejected because of her health condition, and the little girl was ignored because she had died. Matthew never speaks to Jesus or asks for restoration and healing. Jesus simply tells him to “Follow me.” Matthew’s response – to follow demonstrates his faith. The Pharisees are appalled by Jesus’ invitation to Matthew and his associating with him. The woman has faith, but Jesus never hears her ask for healing or mercy. He simply heals her. She receives his healing. The little girl’s father as the synagogue leader has faith and asks for Jesus’ help. Jesus responds over the laugher and ridicule of the gathered mourners and amazes them all.
Jesus knows the needs of each one of us. Jesus can respond to our openness and willingness to receive and respond. Everyone needs Jesus – Jesus brings grace and healing to all. The labels we and others hold or place do not deter Jesus. Hear Jesus’ words, “learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” We are all sinners in need of Jesus’ mercy. Jesus is calling us all. Receive him.
CLOSING PRAYER
Go forth with the calm assurance that the unparalleled love of God surrounds, upholds, and preserves your life. AMEN.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom
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