The Good News

January 17, 2010

Lesson: Matthew 9:27–31; 11:1–6

Key Verse: Matthew 11:5

Introduction

Jesus traveled through the cities and villages, “teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (9:35). We must never dismiss the preaching of the “gospel of the kingdom” from the compassion of Christ toward those whom he healed. True compassion comes not from the appointment of committees or from human efforts, but from the heart that has been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, whose soul has been made new by the Holy Comforter. At the time of the Swiss Reformation, a man by the name of Stapfer asked of Zwingle “I know not how to satisfy my own hunger and the hunger of my poor children.” Zwingle knew the difference between the good works as a means of obtaining salvation, and the practice of good works that glorify God. Zwingle gave “liberally to Stapfer. ‘It is God,’ said he, anxious not to take any glory to himself—‘It is God who begets charity in the believer, and gives him at once the thought, the resolution, and the work itself. Whatever good a righteous man does, it is God who does it by His own power.’ Stapher remained attached to him through life; and, four years after, when he had become secretary of state, and felt wants of a higher kind, he turned towards Zwingle, and said to him with noble candour: ‘Since you provided for my temporal wants, how much more may I now expect from you wherewith to appease the hunger of my soul!’” (D’Aubigne, History of the Reformation).

Without Christ, there is no everlasting hope for body and soul. It is the kingdom of God within the heart, and the kingdom of God established both in heaven and earth, that claims hope for those who believe, those for whom Christ came to save. The Gospel proclaims the good news of the Christ, Savior and King, who has prepared an eternal place in the household of God. When Christ saw the multitude of people, He was moved with compassion. They were those who “fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (9:36). His kingdom is at hand, salvation has come!—“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The promised Good Shepherd has come, saying, “Behold I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. …and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:11–12; 1 Peter 2:24–25).

Discussion: In what ways do we show the Gospel in our everyday living?

Two Blind Men: Matthew 9:27–31

Two blind men come to Jesus to be healed. Jesus speaks to them, saying, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” They answer, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus touches their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Suddenly their eyes were opened. Charged by Jesus, not to speak of this matter, “they spread abroad his fame in all that country.” When these blind men came to Jesus, they addressed him, saying, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.” They had a measure of understanding of who Jesus was. If Christ was truly the Messiah, then he can deliver us. This is our statement of faith, that Christ is the Son of God, sent by the Father. Again, it is Christ, as the object of our faith; the person of Christ alone saves us, gives us our daily needs and delivers us from evil. “Faith embraces the mercy and fatherly love of God along with his power, and the generous design of Christ along with his ability to save” (Calvin).

These blind men, most likely helped by friends, came to Jesus, followed him home, and would not give up until they heard his voice and felt his hand. Our faith is always tested in one way or another. Are we persistent in our faith, in our prayer, in our hope in Christ? There are many times when we go to the Word of God to hear his voice, and are burdened by the silence. However, in faith, we never give up. We persist in prayer and meditation upon his Word. He will never disappoint us. He will answer. And in that answer we will rejoice and give him all the praise and glory. We pray, “Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to Thy word” (Psalm 119:41).

Discussion: What does it mean to have faith in Christ Jesus?

The Blind See: Matthew 11:1–6

Jesus began his ministry of teaching and “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14), in Galilee at the time of John’s imprisonment. John was confined in the fortress of Macherus. During this time, John kept in contact with his disciples and was brought news of the activities of Christ.

Jesus went about Galilee preaching and teaching. John sent two of his disciples to Jesus. The disciples came to Jesus asking, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” This is a question which brings assurance to all of God’s people. John is the one who knew that Jesus was the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. He was the forerunner who preached repentance which brought about confession of sins. Yet he must be reassured, as any Christian should as they follow Christ. We continually examine the Scriptures that our faith may be stronger tomorrow than it is today.

Jesus gave words of encouragement to be carried back to John: “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” We are tempted to doubt; but the Christian who abides in the word of God will have sufficient truth to sustain and strengthen the faith given to us by the grace of God.

Jesus adds these words of encouragement: “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Many are offended by the gospel of Jesus Christ today. They speak in religious terms in public but at the expense of the name of Christ. They are offended by the cross which speaks both of judgment and forgiveness, as if sin does not exist except in the minds of the foolish. For unto us who believe Christ is precious; unto the disobedient he is a rock of offense. “But ye are a chosen generation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:6–9).

Discussion: How and why are we sustained in our faith in Christ as our Savior?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.