Lesson 5107

 (Lesson 5107)(01-25-26) Matthew 9:18-26 

   “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.” 

 

   In today’s lesson, Jesus again demonstrated his authority over both sickness and death by healing a woman who had suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years and subsequently raising a ruler’s daughter from the dead. ~ 

Lesson 5106

 (Lesson 5106)(01-24-26) Matthew 9:14-17 

   “Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” 

 

    Using the metaphors of unshrunk cloth and new wine, Jesus explained that the new covenant of faith cannot be patched onto, or contained within, the old laws of the Jews, as the transformative power of the new would destroy the rigid structures of the old, rendering both meaningless. Sadly, the effort to blend both doctrines continues in full force yet today. Many “Christian” denominations still erroneously try to teach Old Testament laws as a part of new Christian doctrine. The laws of the Old Testament were “fulfilled” when Jesus completed His divine mission to provide a means for eternal salvation through faith alone. ~ 

Lesson 5105

 (Lesson 5105)(01-23-26) Matthew 9:9-13 

   “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus demonstrated that his mission is not to affirm the self-righteous, but to call "sinners to repentance," illustrating that true spiritual transformation begins, not with heretage (being a Jew), but rather, true spiritual transformation begins within the heart. ~ 

Lesson 5104

 (Lesson 5104)(01-22-26) Matthew 9:1- 

  “And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” 

 

  In today’s quote, Jesus healed a paralyzed man, forgiving his sins and demonstrating, again, His divine authority to forgive sins on earth, which caused those present to recognize His divine authority and to glorify God. ~