“When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  (Matthew 9:11)

Why does Jesus do what He does?  Jesus is God in the flesh.  Who are we to ask anything?  Jesus showed up as a man, which meant He was hanging out with sinners.  Who are we to say where the line is drawn?  Sinners are sinners, for none are righteous, no, not one.  Thank You, Jesus, for coming and showing up for all of us.  My friends, do not repeat what the Pharisees did.  Jesus has come to hang out with us sinners.

Lord, there are so many in this world who think they are better than others.  We need what only You can do.  We do not invite You; You have come to invite us.  Let me recognize that as the truth of how I should view others.  I do not invite them, You do.  We are all  invited to give up this life of sin and walk with You into the everlasting life where sin has been forever banished.  Lead me, Lord, onto that way.

Lord Jesus, You know where I have been guilty of segregating myself so that I think myself superior.  Guide me in Your goodness to walk humbly with You always in the life You have given me from the cross.  May I now and always humbly follow wherever You lead, doing those things which are pleasing in Your sight.  Thank You, my Savior, for the goodness You have given me.  Amen.

“And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples” (Matthew 9:10).

In other words, we earthlings showed up.  So many think of themselves as better than “those people.”  We love to segregate.  But God has created every human in His image.  We are all image bearers.  Whether it’s a sex worker or a socialite, we’re all in need of salvation.  Behavior is one thing and who we are because of sin is an issue we all have.  Of course, Jesus sat down with sinners, otherwise He would have been eating alone.

Father in heaven, why do I want to set myself apart because of another’s occupation, status, origin, or any other difference?  I think I am afraid that this other disdained person is just really like me and I do not want to be like that person.  You have created each one of us to be who we are.  You have put into each of us the gifts You have given us.  Lead me away from judging by my own standards to living by Yours.

Lord Jesus, You came to save us all.  Guide me this day to live the way You would have me live.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to know that in You I have hope and a future.  You sat down with us sinners.  This sinner thanks You for being willing to come to my level.  Lift me up to live at Your level.  I am Your servant and I will do as You direct me to do.  Make me one of Your disciples.  Amen.

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).

Who are you?  Do you think yourself unreachable?  Amongst the lowest of the low was a tax collector in Jesus day.  No one, I repeat, no one is beyond the love of Christ.  He has come to save sinners.  The reality of Jesus is beyond what this world thinks.  We all are called into the amazing love of God which has been lavished upon us by Christ.  Come into His presence and purpose and learn how to really live.

Lord, I have my days when I am in doubt and do not believe anything good.  Help me to move beyond my selfishness and live as You created me to live.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I understand that, yes, You have called me too.  It does not matter where I am, what I have done, or what I can or am not able to do, You call all to come unto You and learn how to live life more abundantly.

Lord Jesus, there are many things in my secret room that only You know.  You know where I doubt and feel that I am beyond Your help.  Save me from all despair and guide me into the goodness of Your grace and mercy.  Guide me all the days of my life humbly and simply to follow You.  Savior of my soul , You know all that is needed.  Lead me this day in the grace You purchased for my redemption.  Amen.

“And he stood up and went to his home.  When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings” (Matthew 9:7-8).

Why is it, in a moment that amazes, that so quickly afterwards we go on to the next thing?  Yes, some of those in the crowd that day probably did follow Jesus, but so many just moved on.  Remember this when you hear, “If only I could see it.”  We want signs.  Jesus is the One through whom all things are made.  What do you need to move from life on your own to living as the author of life designed it to be lived? What more do we need than the sign of the Cross?

Lord, I am guilty of wanting to see things the way I want to see them.  I have exciting moments and then immediately forget about them.  I waver in this world of constant storms.  Turn my heart from being constantly tossed about to realize that You are the One in whom all authority is exercised.  Teach me to have awe for You as I have awe for so many things around me.  Help me learn how to live in Your amazing grace.

Lord Jesus, author of life, lead me in the way life is meant to be lived.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You there is hope and a future.  Lead me today so that I may see  things around me and be amazed.  Then help me to look to You and give praise and thanksgiving for the goodness You give all the time.  Help me live so that my life reveals the glory of Your creation and redemption.  Amen.

“But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralytic – “Stand up, take your bed and go to your home” (Matthew 9:6).

Who can heal another with a word?  Even when a miraculous healing takes place through one of the faithful so gifted, it is still the word of the Lord.  The One through whom all things have their being grants power through His word.  He who made all things is more than able to heal.  From the cross He said, “Father forgive them.”  And thus are we forgiven.  All who trust and believe that our Savior has accomplished this are in His salvation.

Lord, it is so simple, but I make it so complex.  I love being one of those saved, but then I turn on my brothers and sisters and judge them by my own internal standard.  You have given me the words of eternal life.  Let me not use them as a sword to wound, but let Your word come through me to heal.  Remove the things I see too often amongst those who say they follow You that I might live a life according to Your word.

Come Holy Spirit and work on my innermost parts.  Where I do evil, bring me to repentance.  Where I speak, let it be Your gracious word of forgiveness.  Guide me in the way I need to live as one who lives in forgiveness.  Guide me by Your goodness to do those things today which You give me to do.  Through all things, continue to minister to my heart so that I may always be guided by You.  Amen.

“But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?  For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?” (Matthew 9:4-5).

What is truly the very thing we need?  Is it to be in good health, or to be eternally healed?  We will all die.  Good health is a wonderful thing, but it is temporary.  The real health that Jesus offers is with an eternal reconciliation with the Lord.  Which is more important?  The evil in our hearts is that we think we know when, in fact, we do not.  The Lord, who knows all things, will accomplish our salvation, for salvation is of the Lord.

Look to where evil resides in your heart.  I am not talking about what we often consider wicked things, but those places where you judge circumstances, or even others.  We all judge.  This is blasphemy when we think we’re in the place of knowledge, or judge another’s behavior without knowing what is true.  We too may forgive others and, in fact, are under admonition of doing so when we pray the Lord’s prayer.

Lord Jesus, with great patience You have reached out to heal all who come to You.  We may still have our earthly issues left in place for Your purpose, but we have eternal healing through Your redemption made possible from the cross.  Lead me now and always to grow into the life for which You died.  Guide me today and confront me when evil enters my heart.  Heal me from the inside out, my Savior.  Amen.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming” (Matthew 9:2b-3).

Blaspheme is standing in the place of God.  That is the real meaning of taking the name of the Lord in vain.  The ones accusing Jesus stood as judges.  There is the real blasphemy.  Mind you, if Jesus were not God, saying, “your sins are forgiven” would have meant nothing.  But Jesus is God, so no matter what He says, it shall be done.  The arrogance of judging has been the downfall of many.

Lord, I too stand in Your place and judge things.  I judge You.  Forgive me and open my heart to see that in this struggle between good and evil it is not a matter of power, for all of that belongs to You. Instead, help me to see that we all are tempted to decide what is good and what is evil.  We cannot, for all things are in Your hands and only You know all things.  You speak and it is so.

Lord Jesus, You who have all authority and power, when I stand in the place of judgement, slay my pride and raise me in Your likeness.  Yes Lord, I do not want to speak Your name as a swear word, but more importantly, I do not want to stand in the place where I blaspheme.  You alone are Lord.  Guide me in the goodness of Your grace and mercy to know that in You alone is the power and the glory.  Amen.

“And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.  And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed” (Matthew 9:1-2a).

We can ask the question, “What would Jesus do?”  We often really do not know.  The days of Jesus ministry were filled with problems.  This has not stopped.  The world is filled with pain and need.  Jesus is doing what needs to be done to fulfill His word.  As many as believe are those for whom He died.  He will accomplish all that needs to be done.  Have faith and trust that the Lord of all is still working to this day.

Lord, I am overwhelmed with my life at times.  I cannot imagine constant need coming at You.  But I am not You and that is the place to start.  You are doing what You are doing, and all things are in Your hands.  I need to be led to the place where I see that I too have often fought against the simple truth that You alone are the Lord.  Guide me to live humbly in a right relationship with You and my neighbor.

Lord Jesus, You came that I might live into the eternal life for which I am being prepared.  When I am overwhelmed, help me to rest in Your arms of mercy.  Guide me always in what You would have me do.  Lead me to see that in You alone there is hope.  May I now and always look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, so as to have a clear direction to follow, especially in those times of storms that come in my life.  Amen.

“The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs.  Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood” (Matthew 8:33-24).

Would the reaction be any different in our day?  Probably not.  Many people are skeptical of the spiritual realm.  But what does not belong to the realm of God?  Rather than seeking to be left to your own devices – something that is truly not possible – the answer is to come to the realization that we all are created beings and that the Lord is the Lord of all.  Yes, we fear, but why?  God is always good and He is gracious to those who believe.

Lord, You even showed grace to the demons by allowing them to go into the pigs.  Your common grace is given even to the wicked of this world.  But that is not what You are doing; for You have come so that we may have true life.  You have said that You are making all things new.  Lead my thinking from those places where I do not see the simple truth that You have come to form me into Your image.

Holy Spirit, You know me from the inside out.  Guide me this day according to all that You know needs to happen so that I look to You and not my clouded thinking for direction.  Do not let me run off in fear from those things which I need to do, but instead, embrace whatever challenges this day may bring.  Be my guide today and help me see that You are the One who is leading me.  Amen.

“And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water” (Matthew 8:32).

The demons want life too.  There is something that horrifies even them.  Although we are pestered, led, even directed, by the wickedness of this world, greater still is the One through whom all things have their being.  The Lord of all beckons us to come to Him and no longer be led by the nonsense that comes from wanton sinning.  He Who said, “Go and sin no more,” bids us to live into the life for which we have been created.

Lord, I am often confused, but even in this, I know that you are not the author of confusion.  Lead me away from wanting to wallow in the pig slops of this world.  Guide me to live into the life for which I was created.  Help me in Your goodness and mercy to see that in You alone is all hope.  You have granted us hope through Your promises.  Keep me in that hope to be guided by You always.

Lord Jesus, I need Your help.  I too often want to go to places which will lead to my destruction.  Guide me now and always to look to Your word and to be led by Your promises.  Cast out all doubts and those things which hinder me so that I may be led by You now and forever.  Teach me to humbly walk with You as You lead me in the way You know I need to go.  You are my Savior and You know all that I need.  Lead me today, Lord.  Amen.