Matthew 9 Commentary
“Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Verse 2. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” Verse 22. Only a father could address someone as a son or a daughter. Has the Son put himself in the Father’s shoes?
By these statements, yes. But there is more. He does what only God the Father can do, forgive sins. Israelite leaders aren’t happy at all.
“Proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” Verse 35. The term sickness refers to a condition outside the normal functioning or state of the person. Sinfulness is an abnormal condition that requires forgiveness for healing.
“They were like sheep without a shepherd”. Verse 36. Jesus would shepherd them. He would heal the sick among the sheep and lead them to greener pastures. We can reflect on Zechariah’s mention of the shepherd. Saints can know and experience the leadership of the shepherd.
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Chapter 8 is about the sick – different types of sicknesses. The tax collectors and the ‘sinners’ are all sick. It’s them that need a doctor – the Son. Matthew is one of them!
Of course, diseases are physical problems that the Son resolves in many different ways – by contact, mere words, actions by the Healer, or indeed actions by the sick themselves. “How the LORD Jesus Healed,” would be an interesting study!
There could be a long thought process behind seeking healing from Jesus. At the base of it all could be the thought that Jesus is the ultimate authority. Under his word, sicknesses, regardless of type, would submit. In the seeker’s mind, this belief could be so strong that they feel a mere contact with Jesus’ clothes can bring healing! By this time, the seeker is on their way to the palace!
For others, this thought process works in reverse. They detest Jesus. As far as they are concerned, there is no healing or if it is there, Jesus uses powerful demons to heal the seeker. We still hear such voices each time the world elevates the work of satan over the sovereign and ultimate authority and power of Jesus.
Verse 33 is interesting. Demons can cause disabilities! Only God knows what else they can cause! We guess the victim didn’t know! You wonder if we understand that some problems are demonic. Knowledge is key.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 