Jesus is Greater | Matthew 9:18-26

Scripture

• Matthew 9:18–26

About this sermon

Introduction: We come today to a very curious section of Matthew’s narrative of the gospel of Christ. It is curious for more multiple reasons. It is interesting that Matthew tells us of two miracles in a way that the telling of the one is sandwiched in the midst of the account of the other. That would not be interesting if Matthew always told his story in chronological fashion — but he doesn’t. If Matthew had wanted, he has already demonstrated that he can tell us about these events one at a time. But here, he begins to tell us about one, tells us about the second that happened when Jesus was on the way to accomplish the first, then tells us how Jesus accomplished the original request. He sandwiches one between the beginning and ending of the other. I think this indicates that in some way we are to see what connects the two. It is interesting, also, that Matthew leaves out (isn’t interested in) some of the more compelling details that Mark and Luke communicate about the same miracles. For example, Matthew gives us what was true of the daughter from the very outset. He presents her death at the beginning. Mark and Luke tell us that when the father first arrived, his daughter was still living. The father will later be told, as Jesus is on the way, that his daughter has died. The father already knew that she was near death, but the finality of it was not realized until Jesus was on His way. ESV Mark 5:22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live." ESV Mark 5:35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" Luke tells us the same. Matthew’s words are not inaccurate, however. He communicates that the father knew that death was as good as certain when he first met with Jesus, and the faith that he expressed in the ability of Jesus took that into account. He was looking to Jesus to bring his girl to life knowing that she would certainly die. D.A. Carson — “The daughter “has just died.” Mark (5:22) has “is dying”; Luke (8:42) has “was dying.” Matthew, having eliminated the messengers as extraneous to his purposes, condenses “so as to present at the outset what was actually true before Jesus reached the house” (Broadus). Such is Matthew’s condensed style elsewhere (see comments at 8:5).” Matthew also excludes the name of this synagogue leader, which Mark and Luke both include. Jairus was the man’s name. He excludes the age of the daughter. We learn from the other accounts that she was 12 years old. Matthew also excludes details about the second miracle. He doesn’t tell us some of the things that we know about the woman whom Jesus heals from her discharge of blood. He doesn’t tell us that she had exhausted all her resources in a vain attempt to find healing. He doesn’t tell us about the helpless physicians who tried to heal her. ESV Mark 5:25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. ESV Luke 8:43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. Nor does Matthew tell us how Jesus required a confession from her, after her healing, before the watching crowd. Matthew doesn’t tell us any of this because he is focused on something else. WHAT MATTHEW WANTS US TO SEE IS SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD — THE IDENTITY OF JESUS ON DISPLAY IN THE SUFFICIENCY OF JESUS. In each of the three parts of this section, THERE IS SOMETHING MISSING. What cries out at us, what fills us with hope, is that these people, these circumstances, CANNOT EXPLAIN WHAT JESUS DOES. What is on display in Matthew’s account is the fact that the mercy of Christ, the compassion of Christ, the power of Christ, the willingness of Christ IS GREATER THAN ALL THAT IS AGAINST US — INCLUDING OURSELVES. IN OUR PANIC — JESUS IS GREATER IN OUR PAIN — JESUS IS GREATER IN OUR PRIDEFUL DIMISSAL OF HIS ABILITIES — JESUS IS GREATER HE IS MAJESTIC, AND CALM, AND MERCIFUL — LACKING NO ABILITY. HE IS GREATER THAN ALL THE WAYS THAT WOULD SEEM TO LIMIT HIM. If our deliverance required favorable circumstances, we are finished. If our deliverance required a perfect approach on our part, we are finished. SALVATION IS NOTHING LESS THAN SALVATION. DELIVERANCE IS NOTHING LESS THAN DELIVERANCE.

Topics

• Jesus Christ