Matthew: The Authority of Jesus and Roadblocks of Religion

Listen in as we look at Matthew 9:1-13 and see the authority and ability of Jesus to forgive sin and form followers and how religion sets up roadblocks toward God and others.

Notes/Quotes:

Matthew 9:1-13

Forgiveness of sins is a “coming home” not only to the Creator but to natural life; forgiveness brings about reintegration with the home and the community. Dale Bruner

“By Jewish law a tax-gatherer was debarred from the synagogue; he was included with things and beasts unclean, and Leviticus 20:5 was applied to them; he was forbidden to be a witness in any case; ‘robbers, murderers, and tax-gatherers’ were classed together” H. Merkel, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament

“It seems that holiness begins with the recognition that we are not well”Stanley Hauerwas

Roadblocks begin with a shift from:
Truth to opinion
Loving to critiquing
Learning to arriving
Asking to assuming
Embrace to exclusion
Fear and glory to apathy and comfort
Curiosity to rigidity
Following to observing
Outward to inward

Invitations back to center:
Remember the miracle(s)
Fully place faith and follow
Cast the current cares

How would you live today if you knew all your sins were forgiven, all your days were guided by a God of love, and your future was secure? - Jared Wilson