Matthew 9:18-19

Matthew 9:18-19

While He said these things to them, behold!  One ruler was bowing down to worship  Him after coming while saying that, “My daughter just now came to her end.  But after coming, place your hand upon her and she will live.”  And after being raised up, Jesus and His disciples followed him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Let’s make sure that we understand this passage is context.  This man – the other Gospels call this man Jairus – is a ruler.  He is an important figure.  He likely rubs elbows with the religious leaders who are starting to chafe against Jesus.  This shows us the man’s desperation.  He’s not afraid to cross party lines – as it were.  Desperation brings him into the presence of Jesus.  In truth, desperation brings us all into the presence of Jesus.  The question that remains is whether or not we will pay attention to what we see in our moments of desperation.

Are you a desperate person?  When has God been there for you in a desperate moment?

Second Thought:

I love the way that the man talks about his daughter’s death.  Well, in truth, I don’t like it at all in reality.  The man says, “My child came to her end.”  This is a Greek euphemism for death – one that translates well into English.  I don’t like this because I personally believe that we should call death what it is: death.  Part of the mourning process begins by naming what has happened.  However, as a story-telling device, I think Matthew is telling a brilliant story here.  He daughter came to an end.  But the ruler doesn’t see the end as “The End.”  His daughter is dead, but the man can see past the present into a future where she will live once more.  What a great perspective to have in life!

How good are you at seeing past the present – especially in the dark moments of life?  How readily do you see Jesus Christ as a person who can turn what we think of as an ending into a new beginning?

Third Thought:

In a corresponding thought to my first thought, notice that Jesus gets up and follows.  Here is a desperate man.  Here is a desperate man who likely rubs elbows with the same people who are contemplating His death.  Yet Jesus doesn’t hold a grudge.  Jesus doesn’t judge.  Jesus sees the desperation of the man and sees it for the opening that it truly is.  He gets up to follow.  He gets up to put God’s power on display.  Jesus’ first thought is obedience to God without regard to the people that God brings into His life.

Do you ever judge God’s call based on the people to whom He is calling you?    Why is this just not a good option?  Why is it better to follow the example of Christ who just gets up to follow?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 9:20-22