Jesus is so amazing. That is what keeps running through my head as I read Matthew 8-10 today. These chapters are full of Jesus' miracles; but much to my surprise, that's not what makes me say that. Yes, the miracles themselves, the healing that is happening is extraordinary. Even more extraordinary, though, is the mercy and grace that Jesus offers us as sinners.
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In these chapters of Matthew, Jesus is redefining, for us, what it means to be faithful now that He is in our lives. Our old rules for living life are being thrown out the window. As I was thinking through all the miracles Jesus does, it hit me. In every single case, the man with leprosy, the centurion and his servant, Peter's mother-in-law with fever, the demon-possessed men, the paralyzed man on the mat, the synagogue leader and his dead daughter, the bleeding woman, the blind man, the demon-possessed mute, all of these people are healed, yes. But, the miracles happen because of their faith or the faith of the ones who come to Jesus on their behalf. Their list of good deeds (or lack there of) and their past has nothing to do with anything Jesus is willing to do for them. It seems to me, He knows all of them as soon as He senses their presence.
Do you know what this means? It means that faith is believing Jesus for the miracles, trusting Him, BEFORE they even happen, despite what our eyes see our mortal minds know. Thank you, Jesus!
A prayer for today-
Dear Lord and Savior,
I thank You for knowing me and loving me completely. I thank you for the miracles of Your mercy and saving grace that I have each day because of Your Son, Jesus. I pray for Your Kingdom to come and Your will to be done. I trust You, Lord, for much needed miracles, despite what my eyes see and my mortal mind knows at this moment. You are amazing and wonderful.
Thanks be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,
Now and forever,
Amen
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