Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaborative effort between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. For 9 months in 1997 Mary was sick and too weak to stray far from her bed. During that time, she read the New Testament and took notes on each of the books. In our study of Matthew, we use Mary's notes and Alice offers points of historical and anthropological relevance.
Before you begin, read Matthew chapter 9. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.
Introduction
Jesus' compassion is evident in multiple ways: healings, forgiveness of sins, eating with sinners, raising the dead, and delivering the demon possessed. These actions drew the attention of the Jewish religious leaders who accused Jesus of blasphemy, ritual impurity, and alliance with the Devil. Jesus told the Pharisees to learn mercy.
Jesus speaks of himself as the "Son of Man", a Messianic title. He is addressed by 2 blind men as the "Son of David", another Messianic title.
Wherever Jesus went he spoke about the Kingdom as one who understands true kingly leadership. He had compassion on the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. He was profoundly moved by human suffering, and his actions were motived by compassion.
1. The chapter opens with a report that Jesus came to his own city. To which city does this refer? (See Matthew 8:5.)
2. To what is Jesus referring when he calls himself the "Son of Man"?
2. To what is Jesus referring when he calls himself the "Son of Man"?
3. How did Jesus respond to the Scribes when they accused him of blasphemy?
4. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees when they asked why Jesus ate with sinners?
5. John's disciples wanted to know why Jesus' disciples didn't observe all the rules and times for fasting. Jesus used 3 analogies to answer them. What analogies did he use?
6. The ruler trusted Jesus' ability to raise his daughter by touching her. What does this suggest about the ruler?
7. The woman who had been bleeding for 12 years quietly sought to be healed. What did Jesus say to her before she was healed?
8. At the ruler's house Jesus found a crowd making a tumult. What mourning customs are alluded to in this passage and what was Jesus' response?
9. Rather than heal the two blind men publicly, Jesus healed them inside the house. How was this a compassionate way to heal them?
10. What motivated Jesus to travel throughout the region teaching, preaching and healing?
Answers
1. "His own city" refers to Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum served as a base for Jesus' ministry in Galilee. He lived there for two or three years, and many significant events of his ministry took place in or near Capernaum. This does not refer to Nazareth, Jesus' hometown. Nazareth was a village, not a city.
2. This title "Son of Man" refers to a prophecy in Daniel 7:13–14 which describes a figure "like a son of man" to whom God the Father delivers dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom. Another Messianic title is "Son of David". Both the Old and New Testaments speak of the Messiah as a descendant of David. He was expected to restore Israel's kingdom. The title emphasizes Jesus' royal ancestry and his fulfillment of ancient messianic expectations.
3. When the Scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy because he told the paralytic that his sins were forgiven, Jesus asserted his divine authority on earth. In Matthew 9:4-6 we read: "Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
4. Jesus spoke of how the sick need a physician, and he told the Pharisees to learn mercy. He said that he had come "not to call the righteous, but sinners."
5. The first analogy is about a wedding, a time of joy and celebration when it would be inappropriate to fast. There will be an appropriate time to fast when Jesus is no longer with his disciples. The second analogy is about mending an old garment with a piece of cloth that is new and unshrunk. The patch will wear away, and the garment will be left with a worse tear. The third analogy is about the proper storage of new wine. New wine put into old wineskins causes them to burst. Jesus' message is clear: with his appearing newness of life has dawned.
6. The ruler was a leader of the local synagogue. His trust in Jesus' ability to bring his daughter back from the dead suggests that he believed Jesus to be the Anointed of God, the Messiah. The New Testament records three resurrections performed by Jesus: the raising of Jairus' daughter, the raising of the son of the widow of Nain, and the raising of Lazarus of Bethany. Isaiah 25:8 and Isaiah 26:19 indicate that a sign of Messiah would be his raising the dead.
7. Jesus told her to "take heart" or to be encouraged because she would be healed and the shame of being regarded as ritually unclean would be removed. Her healing meant she would no longer be socially isolated due to her issue of blood. He called her "daughter" out of compassion and in recognition of her faith.
8. The death of a daughter of a synagogue ruler drew family members and many members of the synagogue. Some were professional mourners who made a show of grief by wailing and thrashing about. A common response to the death of a family member was ululation, a high-pitched trilling wail. Jesus told them to stop because the girl was not dead, only sleeping.
9. Healing the two blind men inside a house was more compassionate because it created a private space for a deeper encounter and allowed Jesus to focus on the men's faith without the distractions of a crowd. This allowed the men to make a sincere confession of faith in private.
10. Matthew 9:36 states that when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless. He likened them to sheep who have no guardian to protect them and care for them. Jesus' actions were motivated by his loving-kindness and compassion.
The Jews knew the Scriptures concerning the signs of Messiah as one who gives sight to the bind, makes the lame walk, and raises the dead. However, many chose not to believe.
Next week we will consider Matthew, Chapter 10. Invite your friends to join our study of Matthew's Gospel.
Related reading:
Matthew Chapter 2: The Magi Worship the Christ and Defy Herod
Matthew Chapter 3: Jesus and John Fulfill All Righteousness
Matthew Chapter 4: Jesus Exposes the Devil's Tactics
Matthew Chapter 5: Jesus Teaches with Superior Authority
Matthew Chapter 6: True Kingdom Seekers
Matthew Chapter 7: Entering by the Narrow Gate
Matthew Chapter 8: The Uniqueness of Jesus
Matthew Chapter 10: The Apostles' High Calling
No comments:
Post a Comment