St. Matthew

Chapter 9

The discussion of Jesus’ authority continues with the healing of the paralyzed man. This time Jesus’ authority reaches out to forgive sin. In fact, upon approaching this man on the stretcher, Jesus’ first inclination is to forgive his sin. The religious leaders who were present, because “only God can forgive” question Jesus’ authority immediately. The irony is that they were right. Only God can forgive sin. The point, of course, that Matthew is making is that Jesus of Nazareth who was standing before them is God. Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. Jesus displayed his authority then, not only in the forgiveness of the man’s sins, but in the restoration of his hearth as well. The man obeyed the command of Jesus. He took up his bed and he went home.

The theme of forgiveness appears again in vs. 9 and following, in the call of Matthew the tax collector to “follow me,” and again in the Jesus’ visit to Matthew home where he dines with “many tax collectors and sinners.” Once again the Pharisees criticized Jesus for his “unlawful” presence at the dinner with the unclean and once again Jesus points up that God’s law does not reject these people. On the contrary, Jesus makes it clear that they are the reason that he has come. He is the physician who has come to aid the sick, not the righteous (the self-righteous) that is.

Another question of law (Torah) arises around the issue of fasting. It appears that it had come to be known that Jesus’ disciples do not fast the way that John’s disciples do, or the Pharisees do. Jesus teaches them with a parable about a wedding feast. One does not fast while the bridge and groom are still at the party. Jesus likens himself to the groom. While he is present, the celebration is going on. There will be plenty of time for fasting after he is gone. This is yet another reference to his Messianic presence. The coming of the Messiah is a time of great celebration and rejoicing. When the Messiah comes, there will be no fasting. It will be a feast without end. Something new has come about this signal. A new age has dawned with the presence of Jesus and things are different than they were in the old age. Jesus teaches this with the parable of the “wine skins” and “patch of cloth” on the garment. New things are new times. The old has passed away.

The Messianic age is support one more time with a healing. This time the daughter of synagogue leader is sick. The man pleads with him. Mean while, in the background and woman with a long-term menstrual hemorrhage reach out in desperation thinking that if she can only touch his coat she will be healed. This is a bold and danger move for her. The “law” considers her unclean and to touch a man was “illegal.” It would have affected his standing and ability to go into the synagogue. Yet, new things are happening. In the Messianic age, Jesus turns her uncleanliness to cleanliness because of her great faith. Like the leaders daughter who receives healing, and like the paralyzed man, this poor woman is transformed by the presence of Jesus in the new Messianic age that has dawned in him.

In verses, 27-29 another healing is performed upon two blind men. In verses, the authority of Jesus cures 32-34 a demoniac. The Pharisees observed this authority repeatedly played out and attributed Jesus’ power to the devil.

The clash of authority in these chapters demonstrates the clash that often occurs when the authority of beliefs is questioned. In this case, Jesus was challenging the age-old beliefs about the Torah and God’s will, and his approach was so radically different from those established, that the leaders could not believe that it was from God. Jesus addressed this clash with a quotation from Hosea 6:6. He says, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” In this simple approach, Jesus sums up God’s will. It is not contained in laws or rituals, but in the love and compassion shared between people. God’s approach throughout is on of mercy, not legal demands.

The Rev. Dr. Kipp W. Zimmermann

Wednesday, May 3, 2006