Over the last few weeks, I’ve been rereading and reflecting on chapters eight and nine of the gospel attributed to Matthew. These are an action-packed couple of chapters and I could probably spend an entire year writing about these verses. I’m sure others have. However, I must move on soon if I am to get through this entire gospel by the end of the year (which is the aspiration of this current series of writings). Another reflection though on this stretch of the gospel:
Sometimes what sticks out in the gospel narratives is not what Jesus does, and instead, what Jesus does not do. Here we have several examples of Jesus choosing to do nothing, when most of us, if we had the same power and authority, would respond much more vindictively.
When Jesus reclines and dines with what the gospel writer calls “tax collectors and sinners” there is no strong condemnation made by Jesus to these folks; the Lord simply continues to spend authentic time with them. (Indeed, the harsher response is to those who criticize this behavior.) When Jesus heals two blind men and charges them to tell no one, they in turn go and tell the everyone they can. Jesus does not make them blind again or seek them out to scold them. In fact, for a vast majority of the healing Jesus does there is no “loyalty test” requirement. The healings are a great many and the chastisements are much fewer. And, when the crowds of everyday people mock and laugh at Jesus, or even run the Lord out of town, our humble Savior often continues ministering nonetheless or leaving the region quietly—there is no wrath of God that descends immediately upon them all.
When the disciples display a lack of faith, Jesus steps in to solve the situation miraculously quite often. Seas are calmed and Jesus responds to the followers’ doubts with pointed questions. However, what is frequently missing in these passages is strong condemnation. The strongest condemnation language is found in the several lengthy sermons sprinkled throughout Matthew. In these segments where Jesus practices the preaching, we find that forgiveness and blessings abound much more plentifully.
Chapter nine ends with a statement that really summarizes this perhaps better and more concisely than any writer has since: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (ESV) When Jesus sends out the apostles in the subsequent chapter, it is in the context of this statement and all that they (and we through this reading) have just witnessed Jesus do, and how our Lord and Savior has gone about the work at hand.
Jesus has the earthly and heavenly authority to choose retribution against those who flaunt their flimsy, faux authority. This has been made clear from the very beginning of Matthew’s narrative. Yet, Jesus persistently lives out a life of merciful and compassionate love. It is a lifestyle that the gospel writers present primarily in the “action” segments of the gospels. If we focus too much on the sometimes diatribe language found in the theological sermons of Jesus, we can come to miss this. We must be vigilant to remember that while the sermons challenge the followers of Christ, the followers of Christ are meant to do the actions of Christ. This means living a life of endless compassionate love for all that heals our world and brings about the Eternal Kingdom of God.
Relevant Reformation 