Matthew 9

Posted on Jan 12, 2017 in Bible (NT) in a Year |

Thursday

So we continue to read about all these wonderful things that Jesus has done for the people in the bible, but have you ever sat down and thought about all the wonderful things Jesus has done for you?

As I did this little exercise, I was overwhelmed and overcome by the immense amounts of blessings that I have received. It seems like every time I get into a tizzy over something – when I turn it over to Jesus, He hears and helps me through. I can’t begin to number the times when I thought I’ll never get through all the work that needs done, or this storm that I’m driving through, or this place I have to go… but then I wake up the next day and realize that He did get me through, and now on the other side I wonder what was I so worried about.

Then I thought of my family; my husband, my parents, brothers, and my daughters and grandchildren. Wow, I have been so blessed by my family.

But when I think of what Jesus did for me so that I can live in eternity with Him!!! well, nothing else even comes close. And nothing else matters more than living my life in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Are there hardships – of course, but does the cost of serving Him is insignificant in comparison to what He has done for me, for us.

I hope that as you read these miracles that Jesus performed, you’ll also realize that His message is about forgiveness. The first miracle is directed at this key point. Forgiveness comes as God’s response to our greatest need.  Salvation. When we brought sin into the world and broke our relationship with God, He put His plan into motion for the time when sin would be defeated and restoration would take place.

So we read about Jesus traveling through the towns and villages teaching and empowering his disciples (which means us too) to do as they have seen him do.

On a different note, Matthew is also weaving into his gospel how the anger and jealousy and suspicions of the religious leaders are being aroused. These confrontations that Jesus has with the scribes and Pharisees are the basis of the claims that will be brought before the Jewish Council and Caiaphas.

Blessings for the day

Pastor Kathy