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Day 3: Chapters 9 - 12

Chapter 9 - Jesus continues to heal

Some notes:

• Jesus continues to demonstrate the power of the Kingdom through several healings
• Jesus mentions how faith plays a part in His healing work
• He continues to rub the pharisees the wrong way by forgiving sins and by socializing with “sinners”
• Jesus states his intentions to call not the righteous but sinners
• Note in verse 8 how the people acknowledge Jesus’ humanity

Questions to ponder:

• Re-read verses 10-13. Why did the Pharisees question Jesus’ choice of company? How might we apply what we learn here to ourselves as Jesus followers?
• Why do you make of Jesus’ quote of Hosea 6:6 - “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”?

Chapter 10 - Rules for the Road

Some notes:

• This begins the second teaching discourse
• Jesus gives his 12 disciples the mission and what to expect along the way
• The 12 disciples are named as Apostles - meaning they are valid representatives of Jesus as he sends them out

Questions to ponder:

• Jesus sent the disciples out 2 by 2. Why do you think Jesus did this?
• Verses 34 - 39 present quite a challenge. How do you interpret these words?

Chapter 11 - Praises and Woes

Some notes:

• Jesus gives praise to John the Baptist as a true prophet
• Woes to cities that did not “repent” as a result of Jesus ministry - note here the importance of repentance
• Jesus offers his “easy yoke” to those that are weary

Questions to ponder:

• Read verses 28 - 30. What about Jesus’ yoke makes it easy?

Chapter 12 - Sabbath & Jesus’ true family

Some notes:

• Jesus repeats the phrase “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”
• the “tree and it’s fruit” teaching mentioned again

So what have you learned so far in reading Matthew 1 - 12? How do you plan to apply what you have learned to your life?