Matthew 9:18–34

Introduction

Matthew 9:18–34: Jesus heals the daughter of a Jewish official and a woman who had suffered for twelve years with severe bleeding. He restores sight to two blind men and drives out a demon from a man who could not talk.

Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 9:22 GNT

Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment, the woman became well.

Read

¹⁸ While Jesus was saying this, a Jewish official came to him, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.”

¹⁹ So Jesus got up and followed him, and his disciples went along with him.

²⁰ A woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If only I touch his cloak, I will get well.”

²² Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment the woman became well.

²³ Then Jesus went into the official’s house. When he saw the musicians for the funeral and the people all stirred up, ²⁴ he said, “Get out, everybody! The little girl is not dead—she is only sleeping!” Then they all started making fun of him. ²⁵ But as soon as the people had been put out, Jesus went into the girl’s room and took hold of her hand, and she got up. ²⁶ The news about this spread all over that part of the country.

²⁷ Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, two blind men started following him. “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” they shouted.

²⁸ When Jesus had gone indoors, the two blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I can heal you?”

“Yes, sir!” they answered.

²⁹ Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Let it happen, then, just as you believe!”— ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus spoke sternly to them, “Don’t tell this to anyone!”

³¹ But they left and spread the news about Jesus all over that part of the country.

³² As the men were leaving, some people brought to Jesus a man who could not talk because he had a demon. ³³ But as soon as the demon was driven out, the man started talking, and everyone was amazed. “We have never seen anything like this in Israel!” they exclaimed.

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “It is the chief of the demons who gives Jesus the power to drive out demons.”

Reflect

In today’s reading, as Jesus is about to go to the home of the Jewish official, he is interrupted by a woman who seeks healing (verses 20–21). Jesus tells her that her faith has made her well. What did she do to indicate she had faith in Jesus? When Jesus arrived at the home of the Jewish official, what did he say to the people, and what was their reaction (verse 24)? What might their reaction have been after the girl had gotten up? Over the past few days, we have been reading about Jesus’s healing ministry as recorded in chapters 4, 8, and 9 of Matthew’s Gospel. Which of these stories did you find to be most moving? Why? What did these stories teach you about Jesus?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you are the Great Physician and Chief Shepherd. Heal my wounds, both physical and spiritual, and be present with all who need your healing today. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

And now, join us in praying for the people in West Africa. Gracious God, people in West Africa still need Bibles, and thanks to faithful support of Bible-A-Month Partners, the people will soon be receiving them. We pray, Lord God, that the youth of West Africa can be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ found in Scripture. Please protect those who may experience persecution for following Jesus. We pray this in your holy name, Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Matthew 12:22–32: The religious leaders continue to challenge Jesus’s authority.