Matthew 9:18-38

18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Remember, the overarching theme of this 2nd Section of Matthew’s Gospel (4:17-16:20) is the Proclamation of Jesus the Messiah to Israel. Here we have, one after another, examples of Jesus proclaiming his identity by word and deed.

The great prophet Isaiah had foretold that when God came close to his people, wrongs would be righted:

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. -Isaiah 35:5-6a NIV

Here, Jesus is showing Israel who he is. Will they respond with faith?

The Pharisees admit that Jesus is doing remarkable works, but they claim it is because he is using demonic power to do so.

On the other hand, Jesus tells his disciples that many people will in fact respond in faith, that it will be a “plentiful harvest” as long as his disciples will put in the work.

I love the realism of Matthew:

1. On the one hand, the work of the Kingdom always encounters opposition—we should expect it;

2. On the other hand, the power of God is greater than the powers and principalities of the world, and many people will hear the Good News and respond with faith.

Be hopeful. Let’s get to work.