Bible

Back in the Bible room, we continue today reading the book of Matthew. Here is Session 2, the summaries of chapters 8 through 14. ____________________________________

Matthew

Session 2 of 4

Chapter 8. Healed

Jesus comes down off the hill and crowds continue to follow Him:

• He heals a man of leprosy, tells him to keep it a secret;
• He heals the servant of a centurion from a distance;
• He heals Peter’s mother-in-law;
• He heals many from demon-possession;
• He tells a follower to let the dead bury their own dead;
• Jesus boards a boat in a storm, calms the sea with a word;
• He meets two demon-filled men, removes their demons–
• Sends the demons into a herd of swine, their keepers run;
• They run into the city, tell everyone what happened;
• Frightened, the people beg Jesus to leave the area.

Chapter 9. Shepherd

Jesus says the people are like sheep without a shepherd:

• Jesus crosses the lake in a boat, goes to his own city;
• He heals a bed-ridden paralytic, forgives his sins;
• Tells the crowd He can both heal and forgive sins;
• Jesus calls Matthew, the tax collector, to follow Him;
• Jesus says He came to call sinners to repentance;
• He says there is no need for His disciples to fast;
• He heals a woman who had been sick for twelve years;
• He is laughed at until He brings a dead girl back to life;
• He heals two blind men, tells them to keep it a secret;
• A demon-possessed mute speaks, the demon is removed;
• Jesus teaches in synagogues and heals wherever He goes;
• Jesus tells His disciples to pray for more shepherds.

Chapter 10. Power

Jesus has called the rest of His disciples making a total of twelve:

• He gives them power to heal and to cast out demons;
• Here are the names of the apostles: Simon called Peter;
• His brother Andrew; James, and his brother John;
• Phillip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew;
• James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon; Judas Iscariot;
• Jesus sends out these disciples into ministry;
• They are to preach only to the nation of Israel;
• Do not go to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans;
• Their message: Repent for the kingdom of God is coming;
• When they leave a city that will not hear their message,
• They are to shake the dust from their shoes;
• Judgement day will not be good for that city;
• The disciples are to expect hard times ahead;
• But Jesus encourages them not to be afraid;
• He says their message will bring divisions, even in families;
• But anyone who gives them a cup of water will be rewarded.

Chapter 11. Rest

Jesus says John the Baptist is more than a prophet, he is His messenger:

• Jesus finishes His instructions to His disciples;
• Then He starts preaching in the cities of the region;
• He receives a message from John the Baptist who is in prison;
• John wants to know if Jesus really is the One who is coming;
• He responds to John by listing some of His miracles;
• He tells the people John the Baptist is foretold in prophecy;
• He is the one who is here to prepare the way for Jesus;
• John the Baptist is the greatest of men born to women;
• The cities where Jesus was preaching did not listen to Him;
• He says they will all be judged worse than Sodom;
• Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest;
• He says His yoke is easy, His burden is light.

Chapter 12. Trust

Isaiah, the prophet, had spoken: Gentiles will trust in the name of Jesus:

• Hungry, Jesus and His disciples pick grain on the Sabbath;
• Religious leaders criticize: that is not legal on the Sabbath;
• Jesus says the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath;
• He heals a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath;
• The Pharisees plot to kill Jesus;
• Jesus heals all the sick in a crowd following him;
• He tells them to keep it a secret;
• He heals a blind mute so he could see and speak;
• Religious leaders say Jesus works with Beelzebub to heal;
• Jesus says they are evil, like a brood of vipers;
• They ask for a sign; He says ‘No’; just remember Jonah;
• The men of Nineveh who were saved will judge them;
• Jesus’s mother and brothers come to speak to Him;
• But Jesus says all those who obey God are His family.

Chapter 13. Parables

Jesus gets into a boat by the lake and speaks to the crowd on the shore:

• He speaks in parables and His disciples ask ‘Why parables?’
• He explains to them how little the people know about life;
• With parables, He can show them truths they can understand;
• He says the disciples have been blessed with more knowledge;
• He says when seed is sown it may fall on good and poor soil;
• Likewise, some may hear His words and understand Him;
• Others may hear His words but are not able to understand;
• He tells about good seeds that are sown along with weeds;
• Then He says in heaven the least of men will become great;
• Like the mustard seed, though small, grows into a large tree;
• The disciples want to know more about the seeds and weeds;
• He tells them about hidden treasure, and a valuable pearl;
• He speaks of a dragnet catching all kinds of fish;
• The disciples understand all the things Jesus has said;
• He goes back to his home area and teaches in synagogues;
• The people wonder how He acquired all His knowledge;
• He says a prophet is not honored in his own home;
• Jesus withheld many miracles there due to their unbelief.

Chapter 14. Compassion

Jesus looked at the multitude of people and felt compassion for them:

• John the Baptist had angered King Herod over his adultery;
• That’s when the king had him shackled, put in prison;
• Herod promises his niece anything she might want;
• She wants the head of John the Baptist on a platter;
• So, the head of John the Baptist is delivered on a platter;
• Hearing this news Jesus takes a boat, attempts to be alone;
• But the crowd of people will not let Him be by Himself;
• Having compassion for them He healed all the sick;
• The crowd numbered five thousand men plus their families;
• At evening, Jesus fed them all with five loaves and two fish;
• Twelve baskets of left-overs were gathered afterwards;
• He sends the crowd away, sends the disciples out in a boat;
• So, Jesus is finally by Himself where He can pray alone;
• That night, a strong wind puts the boat in peril on the water;
• He walks on the water to the boat; they think He’s a ghost;
• Jesus invites Peter to walk on the water to Him;
• The disciples then know: Jesus truly is the Son of God;
• Later, at Gennesaret, He heals all who touch His garment.

End of Session 2 of 4 of the book of Matthew.