THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

Chapter 9: Yeshua again got into the boat, crossed over the lake and came back to His own city. Some men brought to Him a man lying on a stretcher, paralyzed. When Yeshua perceived their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, have courage. Your sins are forgiven.” Some of the scribes then said to themselves, ‘This man is a blasphemer.’ But Yeshua knew their thoughts, and said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Now, which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? Buy in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority here on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the paralytic, “Get up! Take your pallet and go back home!” And he got up and went home. As the crowds saw this happen, they were awe-stricken, and praised Elohei Who had given men such power.

Yeshua heals paralytic

Pharisees call Yeshua a blasphemer

As Yeshua went further along, He noticed a man sitting at the tax office, Mattityahu (Matthew) by name, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. Then, while Yeshua sat at table in Mattityahu’s home, many tax-collectors and notorious sinners came and sat down with Yeshua and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your rabbi (teacher) eat with tax-collectors and men of bad repute?’ Yeshua overheard it, and replied, “People who are well don’t need rofe (healer), but those who are sick. Go then, and try to understand this saying, ‘What I delight in is mercy, not sacrifice’. And I have not come to call the guiltless to repentance, but the sinful.”

Yeshua eats with Mattityahu

The disciples of Yochanan (John the Baptist) came to Yeshua and asked, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast at all?’ Yeshua answered, “Can a wedding party be in mourning as long as the bridegroom is present? No! But there will come a day when the bridegroom will have been taken from them. Then they will fast. Also, no one sews a piece of new cloth onto an old garment, for the patch may tear the garment and a worse rent is made. Nor does anyone put new wine into old wineskins, for the skins may burst and the wine run out, and the wine-skins be made unfit. New wine is out into new wineskins; thus both are reserved.”

Pharisees question Yeshua

While he was yet talking to them, a ruler came up to Him, prostrated himself, and said, ‘My daughter has just now died. Won’t You come and lay Your hand on her, so she will come back to life?’ Yeshua got up and followed him, and so did His disciples. At this, a woman who has suffered 12 years from a hemorrhage approached Him from behind and touched the edge of Hs robe. For she said to herself, ‘If I can only touch His garment, I shall be healed’. Then, Yeshua, turning, saw her and spoke to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer! Your faith has made you well.” And from that very hour, the woman was well. When Yeshua came to the ruler’s home, He saw the flute players and the crowd making an uproar. He spoke to them, “Go! Leave! For the girl is not dead, but is sleeping.” They just laughed at Him. Then, after he had sent the people out, He went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. And this news spread out into all the land.

Yeshua heals ruler's daughter

As Yeshua was passing along from there, He was followed by 2 blind men who kept crying and saying, ‘Take pity on us, O Son of David!’ But He went into the house and the blind men followed Him. Then Yeshua said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They answered Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then he touched their eyes and said, “Be to you according to your faith!” Then their eyes were opened. Yeshua ordered them sternly not to let anyone know about it. But when they left Him, they made it known throughout the whole countryside.

Yeshua heals two blind men

Hardly had they left Him when there was brought to Him a man who was controlled by a demon and unable to speak. As soon as the demon was driven out of him, the man talked. And the people were astonished, and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel’. The Pharisees, however, said, ‘He casts out devils with the help of the prince of demons’.

Yeshua heals a mute man

Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with the devil

Thereafter Yeshua went on into the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and bodily weakness. As Yeshua looked upon the crowds that came, He was filled with compassion for them because they were distressed and needy, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples, “The harvest is truly great, but the workmen are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He send out workmen into His harvest.”

Yeshua teaching in their synagogues

Crowd mentality = "fitting in"

A good Shepherd protects his flock ... "laying down his life" for those in his care.

SHEEP INFORMATION: http://www.sheep101.info/201/behavior.html

There is a very good reason that Yeshua referred to sheep when sorrowing after mankind. This article is a good description of sheep behavior … and it parallels the behavior patterns of human beings too. So ask yourself: are you a disciple of Yeshua – or a religious sheeple following anything and anyone who comes down the pike to tickle your ears and suit your fancy? The days are getting shorter; it’s time to decide.

**Matthew 8: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/12/thursday-bible-study-matthew-8.html