Warm up exercise in pairs: Jesus used the example of patching a piece of clothing. No doubt he had seen his mom do that when he was growing up. Name one or more things you remember your mom doing when you were growing up that is a fond memory?
Matthew 9:10-13
- Why did Matthew host a meal? So that his friends and acquaintances could meet Jesus?
- Why is it that the longer we know the Lord it seems we have fewer friends and acquaintances that don’t know the Lord? Unless we are intentional, we simply lost contact. What other reasons can you think of?
- If we have fewer friends and acquaintances after we have known the Lord for a while, how can we impact the world with the Gospel? There are other ways, but are missing out reaching a very large group that perhaps could be more easily reached. People generally respond better to people they have a relationship with.
- How did Jesus respond the question of the Pharisees as to why he and his disciples were eating with tax collectors and sinners? It is not the well who need a doctor but the sick. He also quoted Hosea 6:6. He also said he didn’t come to call the righteous but sinners.
- What is the meaning of Hosea 6:6? Sacrifice refers to worship. Mercy refers to how we deal with other people. The Pharisees were hung up on religious observances and not reaching tax collectors and sinners.
- What is one of the greatest tools for evangelism we have in our homes? See Romans 12:13. A kitchen or dining room table. Our neighbors may have a hard time believing we want them to be in heaven with us when we have never even had them in our home. There are people who may never darken the door of the church who may come to our home for meal or Bible study.
Matthew 9:14-17
- What three examples did Jesus use to explain to John the Baptist’s disciples why his disciples were not fasting? Wedding guests, patching garments, and wineskins.
- Who did the groom and the guests represent? Jesus and his followers. While he was with them, that was no time to fast, but to rejoice.
- How could Jesus have been familiar with fabric, sewing, and mending? He must have seen his mother doing this just as many of us saw our moms doing so when we were growing up.
- As new wine ferments, what happens to old brittle wineskins? They burst.
- What was the point Jesus was making with these three examples? The teachings of Jesus were new and the rituals of the scribes and Pharisees were old. Some were trying to follow both, and they wouldn’t work.
Matthew 9:18-19
- Why would Jesus leave in the midst of his teaching and go with the leader whose daughter just died? People are always more important than our agendas and schedules.
- According to Mark 5:22, who was the synagogue leader? Jarius
- Was Jesus interrupted again on the way to see his daughter? Yes. 9:20-22 tells us that he stopped to help a woman with a long-time bleeding disorder.
- Do divine appointments always come at convenient times? Not always
Matthew 9:23-26
- How did the mourners at the home of Jarius respond when Jesus told them the girl was not dead? They laughed at him. Are we in good company when we are laughed at for our faith? Very good company
- In Matthew 8, we recall how Jesus touched the man with leprosy as he healed him and also touched the hand of Peter’s mother-in-law. What similar thing did Jesus do for Jarius’ daughter? He took her by the hand. Notice how back in 9:18 Jarius asked Jesus to come and lay his hand on his daughter. There is power in human touch, especially the touch of Jesus?