Today’s Scripture Readings:
Psalm 8:1-9
Genesis 26:17 - 27:46
Matthew 9:1-17
Proverbs 3:9-10
Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 9:1-17
"They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up son. I forgive your sins." (Matthew 9:2, The Message)
All
around us are friends in desperate need of an encounter with
Jesus. Two stories in Matthew 9 remind us that we can be used by
God to bring people to Jesus.
First notice the friends of the paraplegic. Did you notice the word, "their" in verse 2? Jesus was impressed by "their" faith. Whose faith? The Paraplegic? No, the text implies that Jesus was impressed by the faith of the men who brough the paraplegic to Jesus.
We don't know about the paraplegic's faith, we only know that Jesus commends his friends for having faith enough to bring the man to Jesus for healing.
It seems to me that this says something very important to us. We, through our prayers and faith, can bring people to Jesus. Our prayers matter. Our faith makes a difference.
Nothing is too difficult for God; no need too big. We all know friends who need the miraculous intervention of God. Will we bring them to Jesus? Will we take their needs to Him in bold belief?
Notice also the story of Matthew. After he comes to Christ, Matthew has a party for all his old friends. Jesus and the disciples show up too. What is Matthew doing? He's bringing his friends to Jesus so that they might have opportunity to experience the new life he himself has just received.
Whether through prayer or witness, we can play an important part in the lives of our friends as we bring them to Jesus.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow’s Scripture Readings:
Psalm 9:1-6
Genesis 28:1 - 29:35
Matthew 9:18-38
Proverbs 3:11-12
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.
First notice the friends of the paraplegic. Did you notice the word, "their" in verse 2? Jesus was impressed by "their" faith. Whose faith? The Paraplegic? No, the text implies that Jesus was impressed by the faith of the men who brough the paraplegic to Jesus.
We don't know about the paraplegic's faith, we only know that Jesus commends his friends for having faith enough to bring the man to Jesus for healing.
It seems to me that this says something very important to us. We, through our prayers and faith, can bring people to Jesus. Our prayers matter. Our faith makes a difference.
Nothing is too difficult for God; no need too big. We all know friends who need the miraculous intervention of God. Will we bring them to Jesus? Will we take their needs to Him in bold belief?
Notice also the story of Matthew. After he comes to Christ, Matthew has a party for all his old friends. Jesus and the disciples show up too. What is Matthew doing? He's bringing his friends to Jesus so that they might have opportunity to experience the new life he himself has just received.
Whether through prayer or witness, we can play an important part in the lives of our friends as we bring them to Jesus.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow’s Scripture Readings:
Psalm 9:1-6
Genesis 28:1 - 29:35
Matthew 9:18-38
Proverbs 3:11-12
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.