Matthew Study 10: 9:9-9:38

Dear Student of the Word,

I am delighted to send this week's installment from Nigeria, where I ministering for the first time. I am in Kaduna, in north Nigeria, where I am working with the Assemblies of God churches and leaders. I teach every morning this week from 9 to noon on leadership subjects, and I am honored to be part of the work here. It is hot, but it is a privilege to teach from God's Word any place and at any time.

This week, we study quite a few instances of Jesus' healing ministry. I make the following statement about the great things that Jesus did in abundance:

v. 32 – No Jew reading Matthew’s account could possibly deny Jesus’ divinity. There was no one who had ever done what Jesus did, and done so much of it. He healed every kind of infirmity with which He was confronted. He often knew the sources of the people’s problems; in this case it was a man mute due to demonic presence. Only someone with divine perspective could know that. Jesus raised the dead, healed blind men whether they came alone or in pairs, and had healing power flow from Him, as evidenced by the woman with the issue of blood.

Matthew wasn’t just providing a picture that Jesus was a good man. Matthew was making a case that Jesus was (and is) God! There was no doubt in Matthew’s mind that these great works could be performed not by a good man or a prophet. These things were all evidence that Jesus was the Son of God!

These powerful deeds set Jesus apart from every other notable religious leader. Mohammed, Buddha, the Dalai Lama, and millions of Hindu gods never, ever did anything close to the deeds that Jesus did. No religious leader ever matched His power or authority. Jesus isn’t just one of the great religious leaders; He is the greatest, because He is God! Therefore, Jesus cannot just be one way to God, for He is infinitely superior to the any other ways. Not only was Jesus a superior teacher to any of His “rivals,” He was also performed superior acts of mercy and power.

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study. And if you can contribute toward my faith trip here to Nigeria, please go to my website and take care of that today! Thank you.

Download this week's study: Matthew Study 10.doc