Friday, April 04, 2025
Called to Faith in the Messiah
Matthew 9:18-19 NASB95 - While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live." 19 Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples.
Matthew 9:20-34 NASB95 - And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; 21 for she was saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I will get well." 22 But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well.
23 When Jesus came into the official's house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24 He said, "Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep." And they began laughing at Him. 25 But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 This news spread throughout all that land.
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith." 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: "See that no one knows about this!" 31 But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout all that land.
32 As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him. 33 After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees were saying, "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons."
Maybe the emphasis is on the Faith issue in these last few miracles.
The miracles are Messianic Miracles.
Therefore because Jesus is already proven to be the Messiah by the miracles we ought to trust Him in His Messiahship. He is the "Son of David" 27 and throughout Matthew's gospel. The Davidic covenant is very much in sight here. Therefore the Davidic Messiah demands you (anyone) should put their faith, their trust in Him.
The focus of these last three miracles is the word "faith". Jesus responds to jairus' faith.
Jesus affirms the woman's faith.
Jesus heals the girl in spite of mockery of others in their unbelief.
Jesus asks the blind men about their faith.
Carson challenges us:
Jesus is trustworthy in the despair of death.
(This brings it into the experience of our hearers).
Oh the despair we all feel when someone close dies.
Jesus is trustworthy in the degrading mocking of doubt.
Though others mock … the funeralers.
Though others do not believe I will still believe.
Jesus is trustworthy in the anger of alienation The unclean woman. For so many years! Enduring alienation Does Jesus care ?
Jesus is trustworthy and demands our trust 9:29.
It is not the amount of faith. It is not faith in faith. It is faith in the Messiah. The son of David. He wasn't saying "have this much faith gets this much proportionate reward". He was asking if they truly believed in Him.
Jesus is trustworthy
Faith is not some mere abstract feeling. It is focussed on Jesus. It is Who faith rightly apprehends. Jesus is trustworthy because He fulfills the Mission the Father has given Him.
So the appeal to our congregation then is … Will you truly have faith ? Will you really recognise Jesus is trustworthy in your needs?
3 people I know were embittered with Jesus in the loss of a child. One was 87 before she recognised it and recognised her spiritual need (75 years of bitterness). Another is now 86 and is going to talk to me about his bitteness with God in the death of his sister accidentally at his hand when she was three.
The third was our neighbour for the last 15 years. A few times he has told me of his atheism in the loss of his daughter while his wife is still a somewhat practicing Catholic.
I would conclude "Don't waste your life!" Whatever the bitter need now is the time to turn to the Messiah and find Him for yourself. He is trustworthy. He will not turn you away"
He demands your trust in Him as your Messiah.
No matter what stands in your way: despair, alienation, isolation, bitterness, step over it and set your faith on Jesus as your Messiah. He has proved it already. Trust Him!
# posted by Groseys messages @ 10:38 PM 
