Questions for Jesus

 

    We all have questions for God.  Jesus knew this.  He knew the questions before they were asked.  That is why He went ahead and addressed many of the questions before they were even asked.  However, some things will just stay a mystery possibly forever.

    Jesus was a healer.  He healed peoples bodies, but he wants to heal souls.  The body being healed makes life better here and now, but a healed soul has eternity.  He healed based on faith and compassion.  He came to heal sin.

    It is easier to believe who Jesus is today with the Birdseye view that we have.  Back then, some people were too close, to proud, or too stubborn to see Jesus for who he is.  Some people just could not believe that this man had the authority to forgive sin.  Jesus's miracles led others to believe in him.  It grew quickly and the news spread even quicker.  Most that were healed were healed by courageous faith:  willing to do what seems impossible to be healed.   

    Matthew was a tax collector.  His name means gift of Yahweh.  That means he fit into the stereotype of thief, liar, manipulator.  He was not liked outside of the people like him.  He was known, but not in a positive way.  This gave him a tough skin.  He did not wear his heart on his sleeve.  

    When Jesus came along Matthew dropped everything to follow him.  He was ready for a new beginning and did not ask questions.  He just responded to Jesus seeking him out.  We have to be brave enough to do the same.  We can't worry about what other people think, our lifestyle, or anything else that could cause you to hold back.  When Jesus has plans for you, then you can't let anyone or anything stop you from obeying.

    That was only the beginning of Matthews story.  Jesus went home with Matthew. Jesus did the unspeakable.  He had lunch with a known sinner.  It is because Jesus forgives sin.  He understands that He has to go to where they are.  He can't expect them to always seek him out.  Life has beaten too many people down for that to happen.  Matthew's very name is a reminder of the conversion from sinner to saint is a gift from God.  He takes what was unclean and makes it clean.

    Jesus has the power over life and death.  He can bring back the physically dead, but they will die again one day.  His main goal is to bring back to life the spiritually dead because the soul is eternal one way or another.  You can call out to him anytime.  Do you reach out when thing are good or only when they are bad?  The answer to that question defines on if your soul needs to be awoken.  

    John the Baptist's disciples came to Jesus.  They had followed John faithfully, but John did not have all the answers.  Now that John was dead, they sought out Jesus for answers.  They asked Jesus about fasting.  Jesus explains the purpose and need for fasting in a manner that they would understand.  

    Jesus is the teacher of good news.  He is the teacher of how to live.  Amy real teacher enjoys questions.  It means that their student is engaged, so go to Jesus with all your questions.  There is so much to be done in this world.  Questioning what you need to do can be a good thing.  Just don't question who Jesus is Messiah.

Matthew 9