Gospel of Matthew Series: Chapter 9

Just like in chapter 8, chapter 9 contains a number of stories about healing. However, although these healing stories are important, since they demonstrate the faith of the person desiring healing, chapter 9 seems also to be expressing the lack of faith of the pharisees. It seems that it did not matter what healing was performed by Jesus, whether it be a curing of a paralytic or  the woman suffering a hemorrhage for 12 years or a dumb demoniac, the pharisees had a reason not to believe.

 We too can be like the pharisees at times. We desire to be healed physically, emotionally or spiritually, but we do not truly believe that Jesus will heal us. We ask in prayer in earnest,  but doubt that it will happen either to us personally or for someone we love from whom we are interceding. Perhaps at times we are just like the crowd who laughed at Him.

Another aspect of this chapter, although expressed in passing is the matter of confidentiality.  Jesus asks the blind man not to tell anyone about it, but he ignores the command and tells everyone.  What do we do when someone asks us to keep a confidence?  Do we end up spreading it to others whom have no right to the information? Have you been on the receiving end when your confidence has been broken by the other party involved?


ACTION PLAN FOR CHAPTER 9.
his week as we reflect on chapter 9, we may wish to:

•  Consider our present level of faith and how we might strengthen it
• Consider our ability to maintain a confidence and its impact when it does not occur from both angles of doing and receiving.
• Consider discussing with a spiritual director/confessor your steps towards increasing your faith in a specific circumstance in your life at the moment.
• Consider how we can bring the ministry of healing to others whether through intercessory prayer and/or through the gift of healing that we may possess. How can we continue the healing mission of Jesus?

How does our action plan compare with Jesus?  May Chapter 9 inspire us to consider how we are continuing the ministry of Jesus. Let us pray that we will have faith strong enough to move mountains.