The Day Death Was Told to Step Aside

[David]

Matthew 9:18-38

Matthew 9 strips away false assurance. Crowds followed Jesus, mourners filled the house, and religious leaders watched closely, yet belief was not assumed. When Jesus said, “The maid is not dead, but sleepeth,” they laughed Him to scorn ~Matthew 9:24. Proximity to Christ did not equal trust. Noise and familiarity did not produce faith.

Jesus pressed the issue plainly with the blind men: “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” ~Matthew 9:28. Their healing did not flow from the act itself, but from faith placed in Him. “According to your faith be it unto you” ~Matthew 9:29. At the same time, the Pharisees saw undeniable deliverance and still said, “He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils” ~Matthew 9:34. Exposure to truth did not soften them. It revealed hardened unbelief.

The passage ends with Christ looking at weary, scattered people and stating the reality without sentiment: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” ~Matthew 9:37. Compassion does not cancel obedience. Prayer does not replace submission. Those who see His authority are accountable for how they respond to it.

Do you believe that Jesus is able, or are you close enough to hear Him while still refusing to trust and follow Him?

Full study: Know the Bible

Question: Do you believe that Jesus is able to do what only God can do?