ONEFAMILY Outreach

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Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Matthew 9:9-13
(9) As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.

(10) Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples

(11) When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” (12) But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. (13) “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:18-26
(18) While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.” (19) Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples.

(20) And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; (21) for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” (22) But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.

(23) When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, (24) He said, “Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him.

(25) But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. (26) This news spread throughout all that land.

Matthew 9:9
(9) As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.

The man who could not sleep at night
Matthew, unlike the other disciples, stood up from a table at which he could never sit at again. The others could always return to fishing—but Matthew’s decision immediately separated his future from his past.

Matthew’s decision would also change his position in life. From powerful and rich to dependent and unemployed. His life would fully count on Christ’s mercy to provide his every need.

We mustn’t think Matthew was without associates. Those who prey upon the poor always seem to join in unholy union. Yet, living according to the law of the jungle also means that the weakest gets eaten as soon as they turn their back. Though Matthew would have conniving lackeys—we can’t imagine that they gave him any less sense of vulnerability in his life. In fact, we can imagine that the longer Matthew lived—the exposed and vulnerable he would feel.

The Messiah would be incredibly attractive to the man who could not sleep at night.

The Wasted Life
Finally, we might presume that the presence of Jesus would leave Matthew exposed to his deepest short-coming: The wasted life. Matthew had taken the exclusive gifts of being able to read and write and used them to betray his own people. A meaningless life is never so exposed as in the presence of a man enflamed by a vision. How empty and exposed Matthew must have felt in the face of Christ’s overwhelming purpose. Every silver piece on his table must have looked like a link in a chain the fettered Matthew’s soul. Like a dying man finding diamonds in the desert—the irony of his wasted life (in the light of Jesus’ call) must have been simply overwhelming.

Why hold back?
On that very day, Matthew did what we all have a chance to do before this life is over. Accept Jesus as savior or face our judgment alone. Matthew must have simultaneously felt a deep, desirous love and yet, a dark, impending fear: The desire for the Savior who called him by name—the fear of continuing to live an empty, ruinous life.

Matthew chose to become completely dependent on our Savior that day. Not just spiritually dependent; checking in weekly to “practice his faith.” He became completely reliant in an instant. Spiritually dependent, yes... but, also financially, physically and socially.

The beautiful aspect of the story is that also “at that very moment,” eternity [ouranos] became available to him! He left behind a table covered with coins—but gained a different abundance. The abundance of having life’s purpose fulfilled! His talents were not forgotten—they were put to God’s use. Matthew, the acute observer and account keeper became chronicler of the Savior’s life.

The abundance of Christ’s love can reach any part of our life that we dare give Him! Why hold any part back?

Matthew 9:10-12
(10) Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples

WWJB: Where would Jesus Be?
In order to have a relationship with someone—you must first spend time with him or her. Jesus would be hard to spend time with because he was always moving. Jesus did not keep regular office hours, to know him—you had to find him—and to find him meant looking among the outcast.

He is still among the alienated today and to know him means following him to the very places where they live. For it is impossible to answer the question, “what would Jesus do?” if we don’t go where Jesus would go.

I Came For Sinners
Hallelujah! Jesus came for the rest of us. When we are weary of earthly solutions—we are ready for him to start his work. Blessed is the one who comes to this incredible abundance before wasting their hope on frivolous solutions that don’t rely on the cross. There is a hidden meaning to this warning designed for the Pharisees. For as long we think we can save ourselves on our own—he leaves us to our hubris. Jesus starts working when we choose humility and live by faith.

Matthew 9:13
(13) “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Hosea and The Whore
This is one of the greatest truths of the bible, which Jesus quotes from Hosea [Ho 6:6] “I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE.”

Many might call Hosea the book of undeserved love. As a sign of his mercy, God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute. Again and again she is unfaithful. Again and again God tells Hosea to bring her back?

What did she deserve? Death by the law. What did she receive? Mercy from the Lord.

What do I deserve by the law? Death. What does Jesus offer me? Mercy.

The Lord’s Desire
What is it the Lord desires? Not the perfection and falsehoods of the law that the Pharisees falsely practiced. Their mimicry of perfectionism only sealed the leaks on their tombs. Their ritual practices and sacrifices led to an exclusive country club—but little did they know that it rested just below the lip of a volcano.

To God, being perfect meant being compassionate and driving the root of our compassion must always be the remembrance of his mercy for me—while I was yet a sinner! When we stand before the cross to witness the passion of Jesus for each of us. Only one response makes sense: Gratitude. It is that gratitude that should empower me to love everyone I see with the mercy he had for me.

However, if I choose the path of judgment that path will judge me as well.

Matthew 9:18-19
(18) While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.”

(19) Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples.

Suddenly…
These three stories of healing are filled with urgency. The “immediately” of Matthew following Jesus. He just “got up” leaving behind a table laden with money. There is also the “suddenly” of Jesus following the ruler, Jairus and the “behold” of the woman stricken with constant bleeding.

This should help us understand something very important about our Savior.

The press of the crowd that was always upon him.
The “availability” that Jesus had for those in pain.
The depth of the well from which Jesus ministered.

Few people have such a reserve to call upon in their life in which they are “immediately” and “suddenly” available to anyone in need. Jesus could be interrupted at any time without frustration or reproach. His response to pain was always consistent—his heart went out to the wounded and he offered healing.

Is there anything that we feel we need to withhold from the Lord? If he could be that present in human form—imagine the presence and availability of our Savior through the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the image of God in human form. His constant and complete availability models to us the characteristics of our King. Let nothing prevent you from calling upon the Lord God Almighty in your times of trouble!

The Love without boundaries
Not only was Christ’s love available at all times—it was available to all people.

First, there is Matthew, the tax collector and traitor to his own people. Jesus is available to the worst of sinners.

Then, while he is being jeered by religious leaders—the primary religious leader of the community comes to Jesus in desperation. Jairus led the synagogue, he was among the elite of the local Jews. The very people condemning Jesus would no doubt be associates of this man.

This was an act of absolute desperation. He waited until the last possible minute (and even that moment had past). The girl breathed her last as Jairus ran for Jesus’ help. When he saw that ritual could not save her, religion could not save her, he turned to the last resort—could Jesus save her?

How like us! Turning everywhere in our trials except to Jesus—the God of last resort. Yet, does Jesus begrudge Jairus for his dalliance? Here is Jesus, dining with sinners, chided by the religious leaders yet, he jumps to his feet at the father’s desperate request. Without hesitation, Jesus is on the move again.

Jesus does not act toward Jairus in the same way the religious leaders are treating our Lord. Would Jesus be outside his boundaries to say; “It’s my meal time—leave me alone!” Does he have the right to treat Jairus as he is being treated by Jairus’ friends? Of course! Would he be justified leaving Jairus to the caustic cynicism of his pious associates? Undoubtedly. Yet, without hesitation, our Lord jumps to his feet and follows the man pleading for help.

Isn’t that an awesome truth? Jesus does not treat us as we deserve instead, he gives us all that love can offer. Not only are we called to follow Jesus, but here we witness how the awesome Son of God will follow us to the depths of our despair! All we must do is cry; “Help me, Lord.”

Jesus’ love knew no boundaries. He was never too busy for the person in need. He was never too righteous for the cry of help. He helped the worst of sinners, the haughtiest of men and the most alienated woman—- all in the space of one meal!

Third, the unclean woman. We will read more about her—yet, suffice it to say that this woman had been an “untouchable” for twelve years. Were the crowd aware of her presence she would have been stoned! How many of us think we are the hidden sinner? If the crowd knew our true character, would we experience rejection, hatred—loathing?

This is the very soul for whom Jesus stops his march. He lays aside his mission for this interruption. Heaven stops for the sinner who tried to sneak into the back of church!

Matthew 9:20-22
(20) And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; (21) for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” (22) But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.

The untouchable woman
The Law of Moses stated that a woman was “untouchable” during her menstrual cycle. She had to separate herself from the rest of the people and stay in a special tent away from the community. During that time, she was no different than a leper. If anyone came near her, she would have to shout, “unclean,” so, that they could avoid her.

What then, do we know about this woman?

She was a social outcast
For twelve years, she had been alienated, “unclean.” She would not be allowed near her family or anyone in her community. She was horribly lonely.

She was desperate
We find her in the middle of a crowd. If they knew of her plight—they would have killed her. Her very presence would make all those around her “unclean” as well. How desperate for human association she must have been to risk death in order to seek our Savior’s touch.

She had incredible faith
Each of these stories shows us how deeply faith can be planted in the shadows of despair. Her despair did not lead her to self-pity, it led her to Jesus. God did not enter sin into this world—we did. The consequences of sin are death, illness, hatred, addictions—the list is endless.

Here are three stories of desperation turned into faith. In shame—- run to God! In meaninglessness—- run to God. In utter despair—- run to God. No one was rejected who cried out; “Help me, Lord.”

The response of Jesus to the “reviled woman”
This story would cause revulsion to the Jewish high priests and to Jairus. Imagine his anger as the Lord—his one hope—was stopped by an unclean woman on the way to his dying daughter! These leader’s would not allow themselves in any situation that might lead them to be touched by someone who was “unclean.” This was exemplified by Jesus in the story of the Good Samaritan. Here a priest and a Levite cross to the other side of the road to avoid the injured (unclean) man.

Am I like that? Afraid to stand up for the unclean? To plead mercy for their cause?

Yet, look at the words of our Savior; “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.”

When was the last time this woman was spoken to in love? When did she last hear the words; “Daughter?” When was the last time she was called “family?”

She must have expected to be rebuked. Even beaten—perhaps stoned. Yet, the full force of what could have been religious hatred—was exchanged for the full force of Jesus’ love. His words: “Daughter,” “Comfort,” and “Whole.”

Only Jesus makes the outcast family.

Only Jesus offers us true comfort—not just from our disease—but even deeper, from our rejection.

Only Jesus offers wholeness—an embrace that surpasses the weakness of our bodies with the vigor of his love.

The interruption
Yet, even more… This was not a planned press opportunity. This “reviled woman” not only made Jesus ceremonially unclean by her touch—she also interrupted Jesus’ mission to raise the dead—in the family of a very important religious authority! Was she worthy of that touch? Apparently, Jesus thought so!

Are we too dirty for the Lord? Are we too unclean? Too sinful?

Never! This is the story of unbelievable love. This story should tell us more about our God and Jesus than any book of theology. That—on the way to the house of a religious ruler—our Savior stopped for the most alienated of persons.

What greater illustration of the character of Jesus could we possibly find?

Matthew 9:23-26
(23) When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, (24) He said, “Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him.

(25) But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. (26) This news spread throughout all that land.

The Scornful Crowd
Jesus walked into a mess. Surrounding the house were professional mourners who were hired to weep loudly for the dead. This was a customary expense for the upper class that could afford such services.

Jesus’ confrontation with them put their professional pride on the line—not to mention their fee. They not only laughed at Jesus—but they laughed to the point of embarrassing the entire household!

They had little feeling for the household. No grace in front of the crowd and certainly no humility before the Lord.

Yet, the valuable lesson is this… their cynicism could not hold back the movement of God’s love. Christ continued unabated by their embarrassing behavior.

Do not let skeptics hold back your faith. Do not let mockers mitigate your compassion. Do not let cynicism dissuade you from testifying to your love of Jesus. For the louder their laughter at the Lord—the greater their shame following his healing. In the end, their derisive behavior only added credence to God’s majesty.

Despite their mocking, Jesus went forward. We must rely on faith in the same manner. The disbelief of others will only add to the glory of God when it is revealed.

The shadow of Death
“The maid is not dead, but sleepeth.”

Some theologians interpret that this phrase means that the girl was in a coma, a sort of sleeping sickness that was not uncommon at the time. There is evidence of people buried alive who appeared dead by all human standards but were only in a comatose state when they were laid to rest.

It doesn’t matter to us if she was completely dead—or just “mostly” dead. Either way, we know that God can break through the greatest barrier. That barrier already began to collapse when Jesus charged through the mocking crowd. It continued when our Lord reached into the shadow of death and brought a little girl back to her parents.

Psalm 23 tells us about the “Shadow of Death.” That death is really a falsehood. To the believer, death is but a shadow to break through into the abundant light of our God’s love.

Mostly Dead
Still, many people believe that shadows are reality. I have counseled many men with the DT’s who thought shadows were alive and that creatures were there trying to claw at them and pull them into a netherworld. Perhaps they were simple experiencing a drug-induced state or perhaps they were seeing the world in amazing spiritual clarity….

Regardless, I know many people—in and outside—of jails who are “mostly dead.” Living in the “shadows” of life!

This is what Jesus longs to break through! The shadows that keep us bound in fear from experiencing faith to it’s fullest. This included the skeptics who blocked Jesus from the door to the girl’s house. Who are those people in your life? Who desires that you feel powerless or stupid?

The Master is knocking. Ask him in. Let him break through the mask of death and into the joy of abundant life!

About the Author

Jerry Goebel is a community organizer who started ONEFamily Outreach in response to gang violence and youth alienation in a rural community in Southeastern Washington. Since that time, Jerry has worked with communities around the globe to break the systemic hold of poverty by enhancing the strengths of the poor.

A primary philosophy of ONEFamily Outreach is to teach; “poverty is a lack of healthy relationships.” And, a primary focus of ONEFamily Outreach has been to break down the barriers of poverty through creating “cultures of intentional courtesy.”

As well as having developed ongoing mentoring outreaches in his own community, Jerry travels extensively to work with church leaders, community governments, and educators.

Jerry has received five popular music awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, a Best Educational Video Award from the National Catholic Education Association, and a lifetime achievement award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry for living Gospel Values.

To contact or book Jerry for a presentation in your area write or call:

Jerry Goebel
ONEFamily Outreach
jerry@onefamilyoutreach.com
http://onefamilyoutreach.com
(509) 525-0709

Copyright Notice

Scripture Quotations noted from NASB are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION of the bible. Copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

The New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer’s and Smith’s Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the “Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.” These files are public domain.

The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon is Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius Lexicon; this is keyed to the “Theological Word Book of the Old Testament.” These files are considered public domain.