Matthew has been working through several Old Testament prophecies and promises that describe the character and attributes of the coming Messiah. Matthew recorded one experience after the next of how Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled them. He was sovereign over the Law, over disease, or demons, over nature, over super nature.

Continuing his efforts to reveal Jesus' identity as the Jewish Messiah, in the first few verses of chapter nine, Matthew reveals Jesus' power and sovereignty over sin.

"Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Rise and walk.'?"

Frankly, both are quite easy to *say*... anyone can say as much. But doing them is humanly impossible!

Join us today as we meet some friends, a few fakes, hear of forgiveness, and watch crowds fill with fear.

Today's passage:

9:1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 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.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. -Matthew 9.1-8 (esv)

Over the last several sections of Scripture, Matthew has revealed Jesus' supreme authority over the Law, over disease, over distance, over nature.

Last week, after calming the wind and seas, the disciples were left fearful and questioning: "What sort of man is this?" Today they will learn from legions.

Join us today on the shores of the sea of Galilee as Jesus is met by two demoniacs, a herd of pigs, and a lot of rejection.

Today's passage:

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. -Matthew 8.28-34 (esv)

In today's passage, Matthew continues his mission of revealing for his Jewish brethren that Jesus really is their Messiah.

So far, Matthew has shown how Jesus has lived up to all the old prophecies about their coming Messiah: His genealogy; His virgin birth; His birthplace; His message; His power over disease, over distance. But what's next? Nature!

What are we to make of One who speaks with sovereign, controlling power over nature? Could it be that He is the Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all life and matter? Wouldn't it mean that He is God?

Does your faith need help today? I wonder how God will help you as we behold the glory of His Son, sleeping soundly through storms that find us in a fret?

Join us today as we, with the disciples ask, "What sort of Man is this?"

Today's passage:

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” -Matthew 8.23-27 (esv)

Do you want to follow Jesus? On what terms? What are you after? What would it take to get you to make up your mind today, to follow Him forever? What are your reason for putting Him off?

Today in the Gospel according to Matthew, we meet two men, a couple of disciples, following an itinerate preacher in Galilee, proclaiming God's Kingdom. After today's interaction with Jesus, nothing more is heard of either of these supposed followers. While one is too quick to promise, the other is too slow to follow.

Join us today in Matthew 8.18-22 as we consider their expectations and excuses... and perhaps our own.

Today's passage:

18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” -Matthew 8.18-22 (esv)

"He took our illnesses..."? Really? Then why am I still sick? What of the thousands of Christians and non-Christians who will die this year of cancer? Does He not care for them? Is there something wrong with their faith?

Join us in Matthew's testament of the Good News as we explore Biblical answers to these and other difficult questions.

Today's passage:

14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” -Matthew 8.14-17 (esv)

To be salvaged from sin we must see our Savior. May God grant the grace required to do so, that we may have Centurion-like eyes and heart, confident of Christ's identity, submitting everything to His authority and care.

Join us today in Matthew's testimony of the Good News, chapter eight, verses five to thirteen.

Today's passage:

5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. -Matthew 8.5-13 (esv)