The Jesus Pages: Extreme Faith

Matthew 9:18-38

I don't know of any people who ask Jesus to raise their loved ones from the dead. But I understand why the "ruler" tried - it was his daughter. He figured if anyone could do it, that would be Jesus. And He did!

The woman with the bleeding problem? No one for 12 years could heal her. But she knew Jesus could do what the doctors couldn't. All she had to do was touch Jesus - now that's extreme!

Are you blind? Let Jesus touch you. Demon possessed? Only Jesus has the power to cast them out. An extreme physical infirmity requires extreme asking. Notice who they did not ask: the powerless religious leaders. They went to the Power Source. Faith was the switch they threw to access the limitless power.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)

The Jesus Pages: Words Mean Things

Matthew 9:1-17

Our troubles drive us to Jesus. Our faith gets His attention. And then we wait for Him to speak to our need. "Please, Jesus, say something," we cry. That pleases Him because it shows we recognize His power and authority. So, He speaks to our need and takes away that part of it that paralyzes us. We are set free and the feeling is glorious.

Sometimes there are those close to us who mock and scoff: "Stupid you! Who is this Jesus? You're deluding yourself thinking He's going to help you." 

Watch out, because Jesus has words for them, too. The scoffers are deluded themselves, thinking their own words are all they need. They need to take their tired rules and regulations and bury the book and start fresh. Or they will be ruined. Jesus' words don't make sense unless you strip away your tired layers and ask Him to make you new, starting from scratch.

The Jesus Pages is my journey through the New Testament in one year. I invite you to come along, read the Bible passage and leave comments. (If it's nasty or unrelated, I reserve the right to delete it.)

Scripture links are from The Bible Gateway, New International Version.

©2021 Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com)