By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph. D.
Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile
MERCY EXTENDED
Matthew 9:10–19, 23–26
Jesus’ Mission (10–13)
Jesus invited Matthew to follow Him, just as He had called Simon and Andrew and James and John. But Matthew — other Gospels call him Levi (Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27) — was a tax collector in a community of tax collectors and sinners. For the religious elite, Matthew’s connections were a detriment to Jesus being taken seriously. For Jesus, He was right where He needed to be — the Savior among sinners. After all, His mission was to call sinners to Himself, not the self-righteous.
In some Christian circles, the doctrine of secondary separation holds that born-again Christians should avoid close fellowship with the lost, with those who hold to conflicting doctrine and with those who don’t separate from those false teachers. While the intent of this practice is holiness, unified doctrine and regenerate membership in the congregation, it can be used as an excuse to withdraw fellowship from anyone who does not agree with a certain group.
What if we looked forward to our daily interactions with lost people as opportunities to tell them about Jesus rather than as some sort of leper colony or minefield to be avoided at all costs? What if we approached lifestyle evangelism as an opportunity we get to have rather than as an obligation we have to do? Jesus has called us to be on mission so let’s follow His lead.
Jesus’ Work (14–17)
“Jesus, why don’t your disciples fast? John’s disciples fast and so do the Pharisees.” Jesus addressed fasting in His Sermon on the Mount. His disciples were focused on the presence of the Master and learning from His work. Now was not the time for fasting. That time would come after His work was done.
Jesus’ Compassion (18–19)
Matthew does not mention the synagogue ruler’s name, but Luke refers to him as Jairus. The leader’s daughter needed Jesus to raise her up. While on the way to Jairus’ house, they were interrupted by a crowd.
We cannot avoid this interruption (vv. 20–22). A woman in the crowd had suffered for 12 years, and she needed Jesus. She trusted that Jesus would heal her, and He did. While He was heading somewhere else, Jesus showed compassion to this woman of faith. What appears to be an interruption in the narrative was actually a God-ordained intervention.
Jesus’ Power (23–26)
Neighbors were already mourning the death of Jairus’ girl. When Jesus said that she was only sleeping, they laughed at Him. Jesus sent them away so only her mom and dad were in the room with Jesus and Peter, James and John. (See Luke 8:51.)
Once again, we learn more about the story by harmonizing Matthew 9 with Mark and Luke. “Talitha koum” — translated “little girl, I say to you, get up” — were the Aramaic words Jesus spoke to the daughter (Mark 5:41). Luke simply wrote in Greek, which is translated as “child, get up” (Luke 8:54). Matthew did not record the words of Jesus here, but His account corresponds with the others that Jesus manifested His power to return life to the dead.
Only a few returned from physical death by the power of Jesus (Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter and the son of the widow of Nain). All who are saved by the grace of God through the crucified and risen Christ have been raised from spiritual death to life (Eph. 2:1–5). Thanks be to God for His grace that raises the dead!
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