05 October

Bible In 365 Days                       

Matthew 9-10

Matthew 9

The King now exercised His authority in a new way. He pronounced pardon on a sinner, and straightway opposition was aroused. To the questioning and rebellious hearts He vindicated His authority to forgive sins by a different exhibition of power, the power of healing. The effect was instantaneous and remarkable. The multitudes feared and glorified God.

The record of a triumphal progress of the Shepherd King follows. A ruler, a woman ostracized because of her plague, two blind men, a dumb man possessed with a devil, crossed His path, and all their varied needs He met, and with strong, tender words spoke to all some message of peace and courage. Here also the opposition of His foes manifests itself openly, and the long conflict with the forces of false religion begins. The Pharisees, madly jealous of His power, attribute it to Satan.

This section reveals the attitude of the King to the crowds, and the position of His people as intermediary. There is, first, a general statement of His public ministerial work. Then follows a declaration of the effect produced on Him. "He was moved with compassion." This movement of His compassion is consequent on His vision of the true condition of the crowds, "distressed" and "scattered"; and, as the attitude of the Pharisees proves, they are "sheep without a shepherd."

Matthew 10

As a result of this, the King calls, equips, and sends forth His disciples. No work can be done to extend His Kingdom that is not the direct outcome of His compassion. To men in communion with that compassion He first says, "Pray," and then, "Go." This is the perpetual order of the messengers and missionaries of His Kingdom: compassion, prayer, service.

These men are to proclaim the Kingdom, and to accompany the proclamation with signs. The measure of their service is to be the measure of their receiving "freely." The King forewarns them of persecution, and promises them that before governors and kings the Spirit shall give them the word to speak. All the persecution and misunderstanding will bring them into the truest communion with Him, "the disciple as his Master," "the servant as his Lord." This sense of comradeship with Christ in suffering is the certain cure for its smart.

Then follow words concerning God which are full of the most overwhelming terror, and these are linked with other words perhaps more exquisitely tender than any ever spoken concerning Him. "Able to destroy both soul and body in hell." "Not one of them [sparrows] shall fall to the ground without your Father; but the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

With such conceptions of God, who will not dare anything to serve Him?