Day 27: Friday, May 1
Matthew 9:18-31
As he was saying these things, a leader came, bowed low before him, and said, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” Jesus and his disciples got up and followed him. But a woman who had been suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. For she kept saying to herself, “If only I touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
But when Jesus turned and saw her he said, “Have courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed from that hour. When Jesus entered the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the disorderly crowd, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but asleep!” And they began making fun of him. But when the crowd had been forced outside, he went in and gently took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the news of this spread throughout that region.
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men began to follow him, shouting, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he went into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about this!” But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region.
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
This passage has three stories of faith. What are the three stories? What were the 3 conditions that Jesus healed?
The ruler who's daughter had died was raised
The woman with a discharge of blood was healed
Two blind men had their sight restored
Notice that after Jesus raised the girl from the dead the news spread through the entire region (Galilee). In the next miracle (the healing of the blind men), Jesus tells them not to tell anyone, but they still spread the news everywhere. Why do you think Jesus wanted to limit all of the news about Him?
Matthew doesn't tell us exactly why Jesus didn't want the news spread around. However, we know that the more fame Jesus drew the more scrutiny He was under. As the crowds grew, so did the opposition from the Jewish leaders. Jesus still had much to teach and to show. If He gained popularity too quickly, He would face danger before the right time.
Prayers
Give thanks that Jesus brought joy and peace to the people He met
Pray that His life will continue to bless those who are hurting today