But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Matthew 9:11-12 NLT
Read Matthew 9
My heart weeps with the compassion and kindness that Jesus demonstrated throughout this chapter. We can all relate to somebody here. Maybe we have been the paralyzed man who was completely immobile and hopeless in his sin and sickness until Jesus touched him. Jesus did not pass him by or turn up his nose. Jesus didn’t shake his head in frustration at the man’s helplessness. Rather, he looked at the man and said, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Of course, Jesus knew that would stir the wagging tongues and pious attitudes of the Pharisees. Perhaps we can relate here as well. They couldn’t accept what Jesus was doing because it wasn’t how it had always been done. They tried so hard to be flagrantly holy on the outside, but they were like white washed tombs full of dead men’s bones on the inside. You will see that they jump all over Jesus throughout this chapter, but Jesus isn’t intimidated in the least by these religious big wigs.
To prove that He has the authority to forgive sins, Jesus tells the paralytic to pick up his mat and go home. Immediately, the man jumps up and starts his swagger home. Chalk one up for Jesus!
On another note, we may find some common ground with Matthew, the tax collector. In Jesus’ day, the tax collectors were the lowest scum. They were crooked and represented the worst of sinners. While we may not relate to the scum part, many of us know what it is like to be the least likely to be chosen. Or, we may have felt the sting of judgment from self-righteous bigots. What a blessing to read that Jesus is not afraid to not only choose us, but to identify with us, to dine with us, and to invite us to join Him. Matthew ended up becoming one of the strongest apostles of the Christian faith! Just one touch from Jesus, and your future is brighter than you can imagine too!
Soon after, we read of four people who chased after Jesus in their desperation for His healing touch. Most of us have been in one of these places as well, and we can learn something about their faith and their effort to reach out to Him.
- The ruler who ran to Jesus to come heal his daughter…
- The woman with the blood disease who had exhausted all her resources to be healed, but to no avail. She knew that if she would just reach out and touch the edge of Jesus’ robe, she would be made whole…
- The two blind men who followed after Jesus shouting for Him to show them mercy. Jesus had only one question, “Do you believe I can make you see?” It was their faith that prompted His healing touch.
Of course, the self-righteous Pharisees were right back at it again and refuted everything Jesus did. The Pharisees shrugged, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”
Wow, something else we may be able to relate to. Have you ever been accused of having evil intentions when you knew in your heart you were doing the right thing? Jesus sure knows what that is like! He can relate to and understand our feelings.
Or, perhaps you are like one of the few above who chased after Jesus out of a desperate need for His loving touch. Don’t hold back. Reach out to Him in faith, and He will surely meet you there!
Lastly, Matthew concludes this chapter by expressing the kindness and love Jesus showed everywhere he went. He taught in the synagogues and healed all their diseases. His heart was moved with compassion for the crowds who were so lost, as sheep without a shepherd. His final word on the subject was that the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Let us pray for the Lord to send more workers into the fields. That would be us!
