In Matthew 10:16-23, Jesus gives his disciples a warning about the troubles to come as they continue on mission with him. In this passage we see that in Jesus pain has a purpose and it comes with a promise. By Noel Piepgrass
In Matthew 9:35-10:4, Jesus begins a sermon on Mission. This first section focuses on the compassion with which Jesus saw the crowds, his prayer for workers to gather the immense harvest, the authority he gives his disciples, and the community of apostles he formed to carry out his work. By Noel Piepgrass
In Matthew 9:27-34 Jesus heals two blind men and a deaf-mute man under demon possession. In this story we see the importance of not just faith, but our response to Jesus. By Noel Piepgrass
In Matthew 9:18-26 Jesus raises to life the daughter of a synagogue leader and heals a desperate woman of her hemorrhaging disorder. In these healings we see that Jesus responds to faith by bringing freedom from sickness AND death. We also see in this story Jesus willingness to touch women, an often marginalized group, particularly in that ancient context.
In Matthew 9:1-8 a paralyzed man is brought by his friends to Jesus. Jesus forgives the man’s sins thus angering the religious leaders nearby. Not only does Jesus engage them in this controversy, he heals the man’s paralysis and sends him on his way.