Scripture reading – Matthew 7; Matthew 9
Today’s Bible study is taken from Mathew 7 and Matthew 9. Matthew 7 concluded Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Moving beyond the spiritual character and attitudes of the followers of Christ (Matthew 5-6), chapter 7 presents us with a spiritual portrait of a believer’s relationship with others in contrast with the Pharisees’ pride. Matthew 7:1-5 is the focus of the devotional.
Matthew 7
A Call for Righteous Judgment (Matthew 7:1-5)
The mantra of the 21st-century heralds, “Don’t judge me!” Under the guise of inclusivism and political correctness, society demands tolerance and acceptance of deviant practices and behavior. Some quote Matthew 7:1 to support their assertion to be above judgments. Yet, what judgment was Jesus condemning when He said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged?” (Matthew 7:1)
Jesus was not condemning all judgments, nor was He condemning all Pharisees. However, there were some Pharisees upon whom He reserved some of His harshest judgments. For example, in Matthew 23:13-36, He pronounced eight condemnations of the Pharisees, calling them “hypocrites…false prophets…wolves in sheep’s clothing…and blind men.” Matthew 7:1-5, however, was not a condemnation of all judgments but an appeal to not be a hypocrite like the Pharisees when judging.
The Pharisees were guilty of passing judgment upon others without first examining themselves. Jesus asked, “And why beholdest [stare; point out] thou the mote [speck; splinter] that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam [timber] that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:3) The Pharisees were also guilty of glossing over their sins and being critical of others. The LORD questioned them, “How wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote [speck] out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [of timber] is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:4)
How can believers make moral judgments and avoid being like the Pharisees?
The answer is twofold: First, we should understand the consequences of harboring a critical spirit, lest we face harsh criticisms from others. Jesus warned, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete [criticize], it shall be measured [dealt] to you again” (Matthew 7:2).
A second principle is an appeal for self-examination. Before being critical of others, we should examine ourselves. Jesus admonished, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). In his letter to the Corinthian church Paul encouraged believers, “let a man examine himself…For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:28a, 31).
Closing thought –
By first judging ourselves, we recognize our sinfulness. Such self-examination will give cause for humility and meekness when we criticize others. In other words, the goal of our criticism should fulfill Galatians 6:1, that “if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Questions to ponder –
1) What must a disciple do before he judges another? (Matthew 7:5)
2) Why should we be cautious before passing judgment? (Matthew 7:2)
Matthew 9
A Miracle of Healing and Forgiveness (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:2-12; Luke 5:17-26)
Like Mark and Luke, Matthew recorded the account of Jesus forgiving a paralytic man for his sins and raising him from his bed (Matthew 9:1-8). Matthew took notice of how the scribes whispered among themselves, saying, “This man blasphemeth” (Matthew 9:3). Jesus, exercising His divine omniscience, knew “their thoughts” and asked, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4)
What a bold rebuke of those proud, religious experts in the Law! Jesus proposed to them a question and asked: “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?” (Matthew 9:5) To prove His divine authority to forgive sins, Jesus commanded the paralytic to do what no other man could: “Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house” (Matthew 9:6). Jesus not only stated the man’s sins were forgiven, He proved He had authority over sickness and disease to make the man’s body whole. The paralytic obeyed Jesus’ command, rose from his bed, and walked home (Matthew 9:7). What an incredible moment! All who witnessed the miracle “marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men” (Matthew 9:8).
A Friend of Sinners (Matthew 9:9-13)
Matthew recorded the day Jesus invited him to be a disciple (the same was recorded in Mark 2:14 and Luke 4:27-28). That same evening, Matthew hosted supper in his home and invited his fellow publicans and sinners to dine with Jesus (Matthew 9:10). “When the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11)
Why eat with publicans and sinners? (Matthew 9:11-13)
The answer lay in the obvious. Just as the sick need a physician, sinners need a Savior (Matthew 9:12). Men who are too blind to see their sin are too proud to see their spiritual need. Jesus came into the world to save sinners and not to persuade the self-righteous to repent. The LORD, therefore, had compassion for sinners who were humbled under the weight of their sins and willing to repent (Matthew 9:13).
Closing thoughts –
In addition to the paralytic whom He healed (Matthew 9:2-7), Jesus raised from the dead the daughter of a leader of the synagogue (Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25), healed a woman that had “an issue of blood” (Matthew 9:20-22), gave sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:27-30), delivered a man from a demon (Matthew 9:32-33), and healed “every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35).
With multitudes following Him, Jesus was “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36-38), for He saw they were weary, scattered, and like “sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). He saw the potential (for “the harvest…[was] plenteous”, Matthew 9:37a). He saw the need, for “the labouers are few” (Matthew 9:37b). He called upon believers to “pray…that He [would] send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).
In the words of Paul, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Questions to ponder –
1) How did the people respond when they saw the cripple man take up his bed and walk? (Matthew 9:7-8)
2) What did the Pharisees question when they saw Jesus at Matthew’s house? (Matthew 9:10-11)
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
* Please subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals by entering your name and email address at the bottom of today’s devotion.
The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Heart of A Shepherd Inc as a 501c3 public charitable organization. Your donation is welcome and supports the worldwide ministry outreach of www.HeartofAShepherd.com.
Heart of A Shepherd Inc.
7853 Gunn Highway
#131
Tampa, Florida 33626-1611