Day 10: Matthew 9:1-17
Today's evening devotion is Matthew 9:1-17, which captures the teachings of Jesus immediately upon his return to Capternaum from the country of the Gadarenes.
Even though the people couldn't seem to understand, Jesus explained pretty clearly through a rhetorical question that forgiving sins is infinitely more difficult than healing physical ailments.
In today's context, I can think of an easy example where forgiving sin is much easier than physical repairs. Imagine a criminal shoots a hostage during a bank robbery. Is it easier to save the life of the hostage? Or to forgive the criminal for his sin?
One of my favorite lines in the Bible is when Jesus explains why he reclines with sinners and unsavory characters (i.e., tax collectors).
If each of us are doctors or benefactors with wealth (a little or a lot) and/or talents, everyone should make an effort to reach beyond his or her comfort zone to help those who have much less.
Jesus follows the physician analogy with a more direct explanation for what he desires, and by extension what God desires.
The Jews are righteous because the sacrifice at the altar of the temple, but what Jesus actually wants is mercy for the other sinners, or more simply put, for the others.
When addressing the issue of not fasting, Jesus uses a patchwork analogy.
What exactly does this analogy mean? Maybe I need to understand first why Jews fast.
Forgiving sin is more difficult than healing paralysis
Even though the people couldn't seem to understand, Jesus explained pretty clearly through a rhetorical question that forgiving sins is infinitely more difficult than healing physical ailments.
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (Matthew 9:5-6 ESV)
In today's context, I can think of an easy example where forgiving sin is much easier than physical repairs. Imagine a criminal shoots a hostage during a bank robbery. Is it easier to save the life of the hostage? Or to forgive the criminal for his sin?
A doctor heals the sick, not the healthy
One of my favorite lines in the Bible is when Jesus explains why he reclines with sinners and unsavory characters (i.e., tax collectors).
But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (Matthew 9:12 ESV)
If each of us are doctors or benefactors with wealth (a little or a lot) and/or talents, everyone should make an effort to reach beyond his or her comfort zone to help those who have much less.
"I desire mercy, and not sacrifice."
Jesus follows the physician analogy with a more direct explanation for what he desires, and by extension what God desires.
Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13 ESV)
The Jews are righteous because the sacrifice at the altar of the temple, but what Jesus actually wants is mercy for the other sinners, or more simply put, for the others.
Of unshrunk cloths on old garments
When addressing the issue of not fasting, Jesus uses a patchwork analogy.
No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. (Matthew 9:16 ESV)
What exactly does this analogy mean? Maybe I need to understand first why Jews fast.
Of new wines in old wineskins
Jesus also uses a wineskin analogy when talking about fasting or not fasting.
Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:17 ESV)
And I don't get this analogy either.