The shaming of a precious woman

In Matthew 9:20-22, Jesus who has just been asked to come with a synagogue ruler and heal his sick daughter is interrupted. A desperate woman reaches out to touch him and is healed. We are told that she has an issue, or haemorrhage of blood.  It is possible that this was something along the lines… Continue reading The shaming of a precious woman

Why does Jesus heal, forgive and call? (What’s the common theme in Matthew 9)

What is Matthew 9 all about? There’s a lot going on in the chapter.  We have a number of healings including: a paralysed man, a daughter raised from the dead, a woman with an issue of blood, two blind men and a demon possessed man who is unable to speak. Is the passage primarily about… Continue reading Why does Jesus heal, forgive and call? (What’s the common theme in Matthew 9)

Comparing notes -which Gospel came first?

The synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) all tell the account of Jesus being asked to come to a synagogue ruler’s house to heal/raise his daughter, along the way, Jesus is interrupted by a woman who reaches out to touch him and be healed from severe bleeding that had lasted for twelve years. The basic… Continue reading Comparing notes -which Gospel came first?

New (Matthew 9:14-17)

The music is playing loudly, people are dancing, laughing, chatting and drinking. Then someone comes into the room, switches the lights on, turns the music down, looks around scowling and says “please tone it down.” Then the best man goes across to them and says “excuse me but you’ve just interrupted a wedding.” You walk… Continue reading New (Matthew 9:14-17)

On wishing politicians dead

On wishing someone else dead “We should rejoice that this dictator is dead” said the preacher, to audible gasps from the congregation.  “My daughter prayed that he would die at our family prayer time yesterday, and it has happened.”  He then went on to explain his reasoning. The dictator could either die to himself and… Continue reading On wishing politicians dead

When you want to prevent others from receiving forgiveness

It only really struck me with force when I was actually preaching on Sunday. I guess it was because I was preaching specifically on this incident for the first time from Matthew’s Gospel, I’ve spoken on it many times from Luke’s Gospel but not from here. Matthew really brings out the hard hearted merciless ways… Continue reading When you want to prevent others from receiving forgiveness

Forgiven (Matthew 9:1-13)

It’s one of the most wonderful words you can hear isn’t it? You’ve well and truly messed up this time.  You’ve allowed something to catch fire in the microwave and whilst attending to that, you’ve allowed the sink upstairs to overflow so that water has rained through the ceiling into your front room. Then in… Continue reading Forgiven (Matthew 9:1-13)

Facing your fears

In Sunday’s sermon I said that having peace with God means that we can face our fears.  In this article, I want to talk through the practicalities of doing that.  The first step of course is to recognise exactly what it is that we are afraid of.  This also helps us to properly assess the… Continue reading Facing your fears

Peace (Matthew 8:23-33)

“I just wish things could get back to normal.” Have you heard other people saying that? Have you found yourself saying it too?  If I were to take you back to February and March, how did you feel then? Perhaps you were anxious but there was also the adrenalin of being in this together too… Continue reading Peace (Matthew 8:23-33)