January 29. Matthew 9

A MAN OF DEEP COMPASSION

Again Jesus is showing that the kingdom of God is now coming to earth and conquering every known evil, illness, and ailment. In previous chapters, we saw people marveling at the authority Jesus has from above: authority in preaching (7:29), in word (8:8-9), over nature (8:27), and over demons (8:29). And we saw in that chapter and in this chapter that Jesus is not concerned about their background or status, but only in their level of faith. Do we believe in Jesus’ authority to heal us, regardless of who we are and what we’ve done? 

In chapter 9, we marvel now at the “type” of people he uses his authority to impact: the paralytic (9:1-8), tax collectors and sinners (9:9-13), an unclean, bleeding woman (9:20-22), and the blind and the mute (9:27-34).  These are the type of folks that Jews would have been deeply repulsed by. It would be difficult for Jews to be near these folks, let alone to be in fellowship teaching and healing these folks. This is the type of ministry that even makes us feel uncomfortable when we honestly consider our own fears and prejudices.

What was it that drove Jesus? In v. 13 we hear one reason from Jesus - his mercy on those who are sick. But towards the end of chapter 9, we get a deeper reason from Matthew. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” The term translated as “compassion” is the Greek word “splanchnizomai”, which means to be deeply moved in one’s bowels and kidneys. Jesus was so troubled within because these folks were harassed by sin and evil and were defenseless. They were sheep, but there were no shepherds teaching them and leading them to the kingdom of God. This could have been a rebuke of Israel’s leaders who were too self-absorbed to help sinners. Jesus sees that there is no help. And so he tells his disciples that there are hardly any persons working the harvest field. Go ask God to send out more workers.

This too is what the world needs - brothers and sisters moved with compassion to work and bring lost souls to God, rather than be like the Pharisees who overlooked the needs of the people. We can always wait for the “right” individuals, the “right” circumstances, the “right” moments, but then we are being the “wrong” type of shepherds, not filled with “splanchnos”. If I saw someone being harassed and helpless to defend themselves, it would be a scary risk to get involved, but I know the right thing would be to do whatever it takes. Let us make a decision to use whatever resource, platform, and opportunity we have to teach, preach, and heal those who are harassed by evil. The kingdom of God is the only solution to give them peace and children of the kingdom are the only ones who can lead them there.