Matthew 9:18-34
18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
Reflection
Once again, wherever Jesus goes, God’s gracious and merciful kingdom goes with him. He gives life to the dead, heals the sick, restores the disabled, and drives out demonic powers.
Despite the wonders of Jesus’ ministry, Matthew tells us that the religious leaders are actually opposed to the work Jesus is doing (Matt. 9:34; see also vv. 3, 11). This is a sobering reminder that living a religious lifestyle is not what makes someone a follower of Jesus. A person can carefully keep religious and moral rules, and yet strongly resist Jesus and his call to repent and believe. The stone-hearted Pharisees demonstrate that the roots of human sin run deep, and that even the most devout people are not exempt from its destructive power.
Romans 7:21-25
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Reflection
Paul continues to describe the moral and spiritual struggle created by sin. The drive to do evil lurks alongside the desire “to do right” even when there is some form of delight in God’s law (Rom. 7:21–22). This is not a pleasant state, and it arouses a cry for deliverance (v. 24). Paul gives thanks to God, whose work in Christ is the answer to our dilemma (v. 25), time and time again.
Psalm 25:16-18
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
We cannot heal the problem of our own sin, but God has provided the solution in Jesus Christ. Ask him to strengthen you to trust Christ for your failures, to battle daily against sin in your life, and to believe the promise that someday the war will be completely over!