Bible Teaching

Matthew 9: 8-17 Calling of Matthew and Meaning of Fasting

Welcome Brothers and sisters continuing on Matthew for Bible Teachings, here we continue to see Jesus at work and how he has change the lives around him. The first part we are told about the Disciple named Matthew who is also a Tax Collector, now to first state back then being a Tax Collector wasn't anyone's favorite friend or pal you wanted to hang around. In fact labelling others is very common because of their actions, deeds or certain activities they did. I'm sure all of us have a hidden name for someone we either like, dislike or someone we just label.

Yet here in Matthew 9:9, we see Jesus calling him out as one of his disciples, only saying follow me. For us it would take some explanation, reasoning or something to convince us why we should go anywhere or why we should do things. But Matthew did this without question, like the others who did this without questioning Jesus. For while he is man among humanity, he was still God. Something in them knew that Jesus is Son of God, not many of us know who God is or how he speaks to us. Sometimes we tend not to know how we should live our life or what is our purpose. Here Matthew is called out and immediately knew his purpose to God through Christ Jesus. Know that one of the ways to know God's words is through the Bible, and any that either translate them without changing, adding, or subtracting the words. I want to encourage everyone to be careful how some would try and tell you that the Bible is man inspired, for the bible is inspired by Holy men of God, only he can speak truth and righteous through people and their words. If we try to understand God in our own minds or men alone then we are foolish as those we call fools(in words that is mocking or insulting others). For all men are filled with sin and it's sin that hinders us from hearing God or taking his words seriously.

From Matthew 9:10-11, Christ Jesus is staying at Matthew's house for dinner. Many more Tax collectors and sinners arrive to this dinner, but when the Pharisees saw this they asked Jesus Disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with Tax Collectors and sinners?". Again labeling was very common and sadly still is common just not in ways we see or expect of others. Sometimes we tend to look at others and see them for only their deeds, some we find displeasing or wrong in our minds. This tends to lead many to believe their own actions are more righteous then those who have done them. Know that all people are born sinners and have committed sin over the years, for there are many if not equally many sins that God found displeasing with you. How would you feel if God had said something about your wrong deeds every second of your life and that you couldn't do anything right. But God is patient and willing to forgive those who seek him and repent for their sins, he knows of our weakness and knows our strength cause he made us this way. If we talk about others in ways that judges them for their wrongs, we need to reexamine ourselves for our wrongs instead of those around us.

In Matthew 9:12-13, Jesus heard of the Pharisees that asked and said to them, "It is not the healthy who needs a Doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what that means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the Righteous, but sinners." Here we see what Jesus declares and states his reasoning for being on this earth. For Christ Jesus didn't need to help those that are already or those claim to be righteous, he came for those that have sinned and wants to offer forgiveness to those that seek him. Repentance is the most important step everyone that first time believes and wants to seek God, as we need to constantly pray for his guidance and wisdom in our lives. Many who are offered this will reject this gift, but those who truly seek God will receive this with humility and willingness to seek the Lord.

At Matthew 9:14, here one of John's Disciples asked Jesus, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" First we must understand that some names were very common, for some of us we try and give people who have two same names a nickname or some other name for any of us to understand. Here we have two Johns that lived in Jesus time, the first is John the Baptist who baptize Jesus when his time came as God intended. Another is John the Apostle who was one of the twelve Disciples of Jesus and later the apostle in his name around the world. Then for those curious about fasting, it's very common practice that has been forgotten over the years, especially in the modern times. It's a practice that allows us to focus on God by discipline our bodies by giving God more time in our lives. I have done this last year before and I will tell you now, it's not simple. For how you must Fasten is something that takes willingness to seek God first and allow him to speak to us as we listen to his voice. Fasting and Praying is a requirement that can't be done in our own strength or will. This takes something of the spiritual realm, doing this is a direct way to seek God but must be done for both right reasons and discipline to focus on him instead of our lives problems or desires.

Jesus then answers the question in Matthew 9:15-17, "How can the guest of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and they will fast. No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on a old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skin will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskin will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." What most of this means, since Jesus is here they don't have to fast for themselves but when he leaves they will fast once more. For once that time came for Jesus, did the disciples fast knowing that the time will one day come of his second coming. We still have the time and we need to make the time for our Lord and allow him to speak to us through the words of God and hear him. Fasting is hard, but if your willing and pray towards God, can we begin to draw closer to God.