MATTHEW LESSON 19

     We will begin this lesson in Matthew 9:1 "And he entered into a
ship, and passed over, and came into his own city."  Matthew 9:2 "And,
behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed:
and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be
of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."

     Now remember, in our last lesson, Jesus had been asked to leave
when He delivered the demoniac man. He didn't argue with the people.
He just got in a boat and came back across the Sea of Galilee to more
familiar territory. Many have seen His miracles and heard his
teachings on the Mount of Beatitudes. When He arrived back, it seems
some people were waiting. We discussed before that palsy is a disease 
similar to a short circuit in the brain and nervous system. This palsy had
advanced so that this man was unable to walk. Not only did the man
have faith that Jesus could heal him, but his friends had faith, as
well (the ones who brought him). As we have said before, not all
illness is associated with sin, but some is.

     Matthew 9:3 "And, behold, certain of the scribes said within
themselves, This [man] blasphemeth."

     As we have said so many times in these lessons, they did not
recognize Jesus for who He really was. They were familiar with the law
and knew that it taught that only God can forgive sins. The reason
they thought that Jesus blasphemed, was that they saw Him as a man. To
impersonate God is blasphemy, but He was not an impersonator. He was,
is, and always will be God.

     Matthew 9:4 "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore
think ye evil in your hearts?" Matthew 9:5 "For whether is easier, to
say, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?"
Matthew 9:6 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on
earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,)
Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."

     You see from the above Scriptures, that the scribes did not just
come right out and accuse Jesus out loud. They were afraid the mobs
whom Jesus had healed, would attack them, if they said anything
to Him. These accusations were just thoughts in their hearts. Jesus
knew their thoughts and their hearts, and spoke to the doubt there.
This act was evidence of who He is and, also, of His power. When this
power commands, it happens, as we see in verse 7.

     Matthew 9:7 "And he arose, and departed to his house."  Matthew
9:8  "But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified
God, which had given such power unto men."

     Again here, we see the fact that these people related Jesus to
all the other prophets. They did not really know who He was. They did
have the right idea. "they glorified God". This man had such a
dramatic healing, that he walked home for everybody to see. Jesus had
come from a childhood of obscurity to a time of popularity because of
His miracles.

     Matthew 9:9  "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a
man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith
unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him."

     Tax collectors were hated by the people. Matthew, we will learn
later, was, also, called Levi. He was, probably, a man of means. He was
surely a publican himself. Very little was written in the Scriptures
about Matthew. It is accepted that this was the same Matthew that wrote
the book of Matthew. Jesus was, probably, already acquainted with
Matthew. At any rate, Matthew did not question when Jesus told him to
follow him. He just obeyed. This call was even harder than most, because
Matthew had to give up the opportunity to make even more money than he
already had.  He would lose his position of authority, as well. This
shows that nothing is more important than following Jesus. If
necessary, we too, should be willing to give up all, and follow Him.

     Matthew 9:10 "And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the
house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him
and his disciples." Matthew 9:11 "And when the Pharisees saw [it],
they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans
and sinners?"

     Here, we see Jesus associating with these hated Roman tax
collectors and people who knew none of the Jewish law. Even if
they did, they would not have practised the law; because they were
idolaters. To the Pharisees, they would have been unclean spiritually.
A Pharisee would have nothing at all to do with them. I believe these
Pharisees were afraid of Jesus, so they asked the disciples. Jesus knew
in His heart their evil intentions, and instead of letting the disciples 
answer this accusation, He answered for Himself.

     Matthew 9:12 "But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them,
They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."
Matthew 9:13  "But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have
mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance."

     Righteous people are already saved. They do not need to be saved.
If you are not sick, you do not need to go to the doctor. Jesus did
not come to change the law, He came to fulfill the law. Self righteous
is different from righteous. To be righteous, we must be in right
standing with God.  Jesus brought the message of hope to a dying and
sinful world. He provided the way out for those who were lost.  His
message is a message of good news (gospel).  When He said He would
have mercy and not sacrifice, I believe it meant, He provided the
sacrifice for us. He is the perfect Lamb sacrifice. Through His mercy
and grace, we receive it.  Not of ourselves that we might boast, but
through faith in Him.

     Matthew 9:14 "Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why
do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?"

     We must remember that Jesus is the Groom of the bride of Christ.
There is no mourning and sadness preparing for a wedding. John the Baptist
preached repentance and people who are repentant weep and mourn. You
can easily see why John's disciples would fast. They were repenting,
seeking for the Saviour. The Pharisees remind me of some religions
today. They believe you have to do specific things to be saved
(penance). The followers of Jesus were rejoicing and happy, because
the salvation that Jesus offered was a free gift. As long as the gift was
there, it was hard to be sorrowful.

     Matthew 9:15 "And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the
bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the
days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then
shall they fast."

     You see, when Jesus is not here with us physically, we will be as
John's disciples. It will be necessary to fast for strength and power
from God. We are all in a state of mourning now, waiting for that
great day when the Groom will come for His bride.

     Matthew 9:16 "No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old
garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the
garment, and the rent is made worse."  Matthew 9:17  "Neither do men
put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine
runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new
bottles, and both are preserved."

     This was a very profound statement, that we will, probably, never be
able to fully understand, until the Lord returns. My best understanding
is that Jewish people did not accept the teachings of Jesus, because
they were so full of the law, there were no room for the Spirit. To me
"putting new wine into new bottles" was speaking of the Christians
being filled with the Holy Spirit (wine) and being saved.  This putting
the material together, new and old, could be speaking of how hard it
is for the Jews and Gentiles to worship together. If a group of new
Christians try witnessing to Jewish people, they will listen, if you
call Jesus the Messiah. We, Christians, are looking for our Saviour; the
Jews are looking for their King. The same, but just two different
views of Him.

     Matthew 9:18 "While he spake these things unto them, behold,
there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is
even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall
live." Matthew 9:19  "And Jesus arose, and followed him, and [so did]
his disciples."

     The man who came was of some importance in the community. They
called him a "ruler". He had great faith. Even though his daughter
had been pronounced dead, he knew Jesus could raise her from the dead.

     Jesus did not answer him. He just went with the man and took the
disciples with Him. Great faith brings great results.

     Matthew 9:20 "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an
issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of
his garment:"  Matthew 9:21 "For she said within herself, If I may but
touch his garment, I shall be whole."  Matthew 9:22 "But Jesus turned
him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort;
thy faith hath made thee whole.  And the woman was made whole from
that hour."

     Even though Jesus was headed to restore the little girl, He was
still interested in helping others along the way. This woman's belief
was great, and she was not disappointed.  Even touching the hem of His
garment could totally restore, as it did for her. Other accounts of this
story tell us she had spent everything she had, on worldly physicians.
Just one touch of Jesus' garment, and she was whole. Aside from this,
there is one thing we need to note here. Some people think that women
are children of Satan. Jesus called her "daughter", showing that she,
like all other Christian women, are children of God.

     Matthew 9:23 "And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw
the minstrels and the people making a noise,"  Matthew 9:24 "He said
unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And
they laughed him to scorn." Matthew 9:25 "But when the people were put
forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose."
Matthew 9:26  "And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land."

     These "minstrels" were paid mourners. Jesus was about to stop
their wages. No paid mourners would be necessary. They laughed; but
Jesus had the last laugh. This dead girl arose. Jesus is the
resurrection and the life. He raises every one of us from the dead and
gives us life. The fame would spread rapidly. Who was this, that He
could raise the dead? Notice Jesus put the doubters out before He
raised her.

      We will begin next lesson with verse 27.





















                    Matthew Questions 19

1.  What did Jesus say to the man sick of the palsy?
2.  What did the scribes say within themselves about Jesus?
3.  What did Jesus say of the scribes?
4.  What was Jesus showing them that He had power on earth to do?
5.  What instruction did Jesus give the sick of the palsy?
6.  What did the multitude do, when they saw this miracle?
7.  What did Matthew have before Jesus called him?
8.  Who ate with Matthew and Jesus?
9.  Who did Jesus say needed a physician?
10. What did Jesus say He would have in place of sacrifice?
11. Who has Jesus called to repentance?
12. Why did the disciples of Jesus not fast?
13. Tell your opinion of what putting new wine in old bottles mean?
14. Tell your opinion of what putting a piece of new cloth in an old
    garment means?
15. Why did the ruler come to Jesus and worship him?
16. How long had the woman had the issue of blood?
17. What had the woman said within herself.
18. What did Jesus tell the woman had made her whole?
19. What were minstrels doing in the ruler's home?
20. What did Jesus tell them to do? Why?
21. What happened to the girl?
22. What were the results?