Mateus 9
John Trapp · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 9
Trapp - “A faithful publican was so rare that Rome itself, that one Sabinus, for his honest managing of that office, in an honourable remembrance thereof, had certain images erected with this superscription, For the honest publican.” Sinners (268)(hamartolos from hamartáno = deviate, miss the mark which some lexicons say is from a = negative + meiromai = attain -- not to attain, not to arrive at the goal) is an adjective (e.g., "that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful" - see Ro 7:13+) that is often used as a noun (as in this verse and Ro 5:19+) to describe those who are continually erring from the way, constantly missing God's mark, living in opposition to His good and acceptable and perfect will, missing His holy purpose for their lives. Hodge adds that the "word sinners expresses the idea of moral wickedness and consequent exposure to divine displeasure." (Commentary on Romans) Jesus Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided Oh Jesus, friend of sinners Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers Let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours Yeah Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did Oh Jesus, friend of sinners Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers Let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet 'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever Oh Jesus, friend of sinners Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers Let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours And I was the lost 'cause and I was the outcast Yeah You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet SEPARATISM The Pharisees were noted for their separatism. Today, separatism promotes the idea that Christians should show the world the value of the gospel by being “separate” from the world—that is, don’t mix, don’t adopt the world’s bad habits (smoking, drinking, playing cards, going to movies, and dancing have all been on various churches’ lists of no-no’s). Some churches have expanded the idea of separatism to include keeping apart from anyone (including other Christians) who are not as “separate” as they should be. (For example, in the 1950s some white Protestant churches refused to associate with Billy Graham when Catholic and black church leaders first appeared on the evangelist’s podium.) This story teaches us to be very careful of separatism. True, Christian disciples are called to a different lifestyle. But it’s wrong to think that we witness to Jesus’ gospel when we refuse to associate with people who don’t believe, or believe in ways not quite to our preferences. In fact, the disciple who sits in a tavern with a friend, or goes to the office party, would appear to be more like Jesus than the one who righteously stays away. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who sin; God’s message can change anyone. (Bruce Barton) Cross The Divide As [Jesus] was dining in Levi’s house, . . . many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus. —Mark 2:15 Today's Scripture: Mark 2:13-17 (cf Lk 5:27-32, Mk 2:13-17, Mt 9:9-13) Two young men with mischief on their minds approached a missionary’s outreach bus parked in a downtown area of a German city. The missionaries were there to offer refreshments as a way to open up conversations about Christ. The two visitors, wearing skull-and-crossbones bandannas, were there to offer trouble. But the missionaries didn’t respond to the ruffians as they expected. The Christians welcomed them warmly and engaged them in discussion. Surprised, the guys hung around long enough to hear the gospel. One trusted Jesus that day. The other, the next day. Those two young men and the missionaries who reached them were light-years apart culturally. The guys were German; the missionaries, American. The guys were involved in a culture of darkness and death; the missionaries were shining the light. The cultural divide was crossed with cookies and nonjudgmental love. Cross the divide. Take Christ to the culture— even if it doesn’t look anything like yours. Making Friends Many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples. —Mark 2:15 Today's Scripture:Mark 2:13-17 (cf Lk 5:27-32, Mk 2:13-17, Mt 9:9-13) A letter from a friend described the adjustments that his son and daughter-in-law were facing as young missionaries in a country long resistant to the gospel of Christ. “After some rough early going,” he wrote, “they are getting used to not having modern conveniences and are falling in love with the people.” A photo showed the couple’s 2-year-old-son Wesley and a waiter in a restaurant, both grinning widely as they shared a moment of friendship. My friend commented, “Ever smiling, Wesley makes friends wherever he goes.” That got me to thinking. Making friends and loving people is the key to sharing the gospel wherever we are, because that’s what Jesus did. Some religious leaders were surprised when Jesus openly associated with people they considered undesirable. They said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:16). Yet Jesus was known as the friend of sinners. He said, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mk 2:17). Reflect & Pray To the lost is where Christ went, Revealing grace from God above; To lost sinners we've been sent To be their friends, to share God's love. —Fitzhugh Loving the lost is the first step in leading them to Christ. Gene Brooks applies this verse to our lives: Many Christians have been criticized for the very thing Jesus was attacked for: associating with the wrong kind of people. The problem is that while we are to separate from evil, we are also to call sinners to repentance. Jesus’ way of doing this was not to shout at sinners from a distance, but spend time with them. Because we cannot tell what another person’s motives are, we must not criticize fellow believers just for associating with them. Another myth we believe is that “I will be criticized or embarrassed if people do not respond.” BUT – Levi was so happy about being a follower of Jesus that he had a party and invited everyone, especially those who needed Jesus. AND – He was criticized BUT . . .Jesus was the focus of the party. Sinners confessed their sins and received forgiveness. New believers met others followers of Jesus and were established in their faith. Matthew grew spiritually. The critics were silenced. Is God calling you to do what Levi did, to introduce those with whom you have a relationship to Jesus? Here’s how you can do what Levi did, and invite people to your home: i. Look around and identify your friends, co-workers, neighbors, fellow students, and family who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord. Write their names down. ii. Look up and pray every day for each person you have listed. iii. Look out for opportunities to build your relationship with these people. iv. Look forward to your Party. Invite every person on your list. Prepare your own 3 minute story of how you came to know Jesus as Lord. Have your Party and invite them to follow Jesus! v. Look after those who gave their lives to Jesus Christ. Help them grow in their faith. Invite them to church. Give them a Bible and show them how you talk to God. (Levi's Party) Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick NET Matthew 9:12 When Jesus heard this he said, "Those who are healthy don't need a physician, but those who are sick do. GNT Matthew 9:12 ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας εἶπεν, Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ ἰσχύοντες ἰατροῦ ἀλλ᾽ οἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες. NLT Matthew 9:12 When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-- sick people do." KJV Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. ESV Matthew 9:12 But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. NIV Matthew 9:12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ASV Matthew 9:12 But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. CSB Matthew 9:12 But when He heard this, He said, "Those who are well don't need a doctor, but the sick do. NKJ Matthew 9:12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. NRS Matthew 9:12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. YLT Matthew 9:12 And Jesus having heard, said to them, 'They who are whole have no need of a physician, but they who are ill; NAB Matthew 9:12 He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. NJB Matthew 9:12 When he heard this he replied, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. GWN Matthew 9:12 When Jesus heard that, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor; those who are sick do. BBE Matthew 9:12 But on hearing this he said, Those who are well have no need of a medical man, but those who are ill. those who are healthy - Ps 6:2 Ps 41:4 147:3 Jer 17:14 30:17 33:6 Ho 14:4 Mk 2:17 Lu 5:31 Lu 8:43 Lk 9:11 Lk 18:11-13 Ro 7:9-24 Rev 3:17,18 Parallel Passages Mark 2:17+ And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Luke 5:31+ And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” JESUS THE GREAT PHYSICIAN But when Jesus heard this, He said - Now remember the question was addressed to Jesus' disciples, but now Jesus takes over, probably to the chagrin and unease of the Pharisees! So Jesus now made aware of their question arose to confront the hypocrites and their self-righteousness with His righteous indignation. On this occasion Jesus did not read their minds for they had spoken out loud. Now even though He did not have to read their minds to hear their question, there is little doubt that he did read their minds (cf Mt 9:4+) for the motives behind their question which was to entrap this radical and increasingly popular "upstart" Jewish teacher. Jesus' answer is fascinating, for he addresses the very ones who had knowledge of the Law and should have been taking that knowledge to the "sinners." They simply did not understand the basic principle Jesus now expounds. Sadly they were like physicians who tried to avoid contact with the sick! They wanted to avoid "contamination" at all costs! It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick - As Jesus often did here He "turns the tables" and asks the questioners a question. Those who are well do not seek out a physician; the physician’s waiting room is filled with those who are sick. But the real meaning would make no sense to the Pharisees who did not not have spiritual ears to hear and understand. Only the Holy Spirit can "illuminate" the true meaning of Jesus' statements. Unsaved (deceived and foolish) minds hear this utterly profound truth as if it were utter foolishness! They hear it literally but miss it spiritually. Of course in a literal sense a sick person knows they are sick. Jesus as He often does, uses common experiences to speak spiritual truths. And so the soul who recognizes he or she is spiritually sick (with a 100% deadly virus called "sin") will manifest a humble, open, honest heart, a heart that is willing and ready to repent and rest by grace through faith in the Great Physician, Jesus, our Jehovah Rapha. Jesus' diagnosis of our infection with the "sin virus" is always correct. His cure is the only one for this otherwise fatal "virus". His cure results in complete remission ("forgiveness" Lk 24:47KJV+) and when one accepts His "cure," (salvation) they find that their bill has been "paid in full!" Quite a contrast to modern medicine! The Pharisees did not see themselves as sick, so they would never have sought out the Lord (the Physician). They totally missed the true meaning of Jehovah's declaration in Exodus 15:26 "I, the LORD, am your Healer (rapha/rophe).” Matthew 5:3+ is another way Jesus described those who are "sick" writing “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Those who were proud in spirit saw no need for spiritual healing by Jesus. Or as John
Mateus 9
Trapp comments that "This troubled our Saviour more than their bodily bondage to the Romans, which yet was very grievous." They were distressed (skullo) and dispirited (rhipto) - Both distressed and dispirited are in the perfect tense describing this as their enduring condition, their state.