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Bi-Weekly Bible Study & Newsletter Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church in North America M G S O S A
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Bible Study May 21at 2006 |
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Mathew Ch. 9 written by Dn. Zacharia Varghese What a sensational portion of holy writ! Imagine if you were reading the Gospels for the first time and seeking deep understanding. One might be tempted to exclaim in concert with the Jews of verse 33 - “Nothing like this has been seen in {America}!”
Matthew Chapter 9 is both action oriented and instructive. Jesus is portrayed as the Supreme Commander, beginning from the way he leads his followers across the sea (vs.1), to healing the sick, to even raising a sick young girl who had died. His fame was spreading despite strict instructions to conceal certain works (vs. 29). His teaching invigorated a people long beaten by the toils of life, Roman oppression, and a hypocritical religious elite.
As the chapter testifies, Jesus liked to mix it up with these “elites.” He finds them whispering against Him as He dines with sinners. These murmurers could not even leave Jesus alone at the dinner table. They sensed He was blessed and had power. They were concerned, as elitists often are, about their own position and prerogatives in Jesus’ presence. Thus, despite the clear signs of godly mission Jesus displayed, the ruling elite try to rip Jesus, callously making the charge – “He eats with sinners!” I can imagine Jesus responding, “So do you!” - referring to the personal faults of His accusers.
The record shows that Jesus delivered a more compelling response. Paraphrasing, Jesus says that He, the “soul physician,” came to rescue those sick with sin and not to minister to those already healthy. If those rulers only new that their ills ran deep, they too might have sought the elixir of grace which Christ freely offered, purchased through His own crucifixion.
Jesus took His role as Messiah very seriously and made restoration and communion with God the central elements of His mission. We see this clearly from the text’s first and last sections.
Jesus looks through the physical need of the paralytic and addresses the heart of His spiritual ailment: “Your sins are forgiven,” He proclaims. What audacity! This Man takes on a role only God can take, because God is the only true Judge and Justice! He asks the infirm person to “take heart.” Can you imagine “taking heart” while bed-ridden? What about sick with cancer or chronic illness? How about finding oneself in harm’s way, or in some emotional distress? |
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Ponderous ideas |
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