Religious Leaders Ask Jesus About Fasting

Matthew 9:14-17, "John's followers came and asked Jesus, 'How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?' "

(The disciples' fasting was a sign of mourning for sin and to prepare for the Messiah's coming. They didn't need to fast for Jesus WAS the Messiah.)

"Jesus answered, 'How can guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?'"

(The arrival of the kingdom of heaven is like a wedding feast with Jesus as the Bridegroom, therefore the disciples were filled with joy!)

"This time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast."

(When Christ died on the cross for mankind's sins, the disciples realized this.)

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment making the tear worse."

(Jesus did not come to patch up the old religious system with its rules and regulations. He brought something new though it had been prophesied for centuries. That being Jesus reconciling man to GOD through His sacrifice on the Cross for mankind's sins. We must be prepared to live the new life in Christ.)

"Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined. No, new wine is poured into new wine skins and both will be preserved." 

When you accept Christ as your Savior you are admitting He paid the penalty for your sin and you become a NEW person. You are preserved in His Holy Spirit to do good works bringing others to His saving grace.

Jesus Eats With Sinners

Matthew 9:9-13, "Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him and Matthew got up and followed Him. 

"While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and 'sinners' came and ate with Him and His disciples.

"When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?

"On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (to repentance)."

When Jesus called you, did you abandon your sinful past and begin a new life in Him? We should not be afraid to reach out to the lost and guide them to Salvation in Jesus Christ. For He is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. (John 14:6)

Get Up and Walk

Matthew 9:1-8, "Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to His own town. Some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat.

"When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.' At this some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, 'This Man is blaspheming!' 

"Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven or get up and walk? So that you may know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...' He then said to the paralytic, 'Get up, take your mat, and go home.' The man got up and went home!

"When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and praised GOD Who had given such authority to men."

You may also know the power of Jesus Christ in the salvation He offers to all people! Have you received His Holy Spirit upon repenting of your sins and asking Jesus to be LORD of your life? Know GOD in this manner, trust Him and His miracles in your life will be seen!

Animals Pay for Man's Sins Again

Matthew 8:28-34, "When Jesus came to Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met Him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 'What do You want with us, Son of GOD?' they shouted. 'Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?' Some distance away from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.

"The demons begged Jesus, 'If you drive us out, send us into the pigs.' Jesus said to them, 'GO!' So the demons went out and into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died.

"Those tending the pigs ran off and went into town reporting all of this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.

When they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to LEAVE their region."

Commentary: "Why did the people ask Jesus to leave? UNLIKE their own pagan gods, Jesus could NOT be controlled by them. They feared Jesus' supernatural power, a power they had never before witnessed. They were upset of losing a herd of pigs more than they were glad about the deliverance of the demon-possessed men! Are you more concerned about property than people? Men are created by GOD to have eternal value. How foolish many are concerning possessions, investments, and even animals above human life. Would you rather have Jesus leave you than finish His work in you?

Jesus Calms the Storm

Matthew 8:23-27, (Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25), "Then He (Jesus) got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without warning a furious storm came upon the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat!

"But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him saying, 'LORD, save us! We're going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves and it was completely calm.

"The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of Man is this that even the wind and waves obey Him!"

TRUST: do you trust Jesus for Who He is? This event in the lives of His disciples who were WITH Him, they saw and believed. GOD's Word tells us: John 20:29, "Jesus said unto them, 'Because you have seen Me you believe, blessed are they who have not seen Me yet believe!' " By believing in our Savior, we have eternal life in Him!  John 17:3, "This is eternal life that they should know the only true GOD and He that sent Him, even Jesus Christ." BELIEVE and RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE!

He Has Risen Indeed!

We too shall know this resurrection for in II Corinthians 5:8 His Word tells us, "We are of good courage and are willing rather to be absent from the body and be at home with the LORD." Whether at death or in the Rapture, we shall forever be with our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD! Christ Jesus made this possible because of taking our sins upon Him on the Cross! Accept His forgiveness of your sins and enjoy the season of celebrating His Resurrection! Happy Easter to you!

The Cost of Following Jesus

Matthew 8:18-22, "When Jesus saw the crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to Him and said, 'Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.' Jesus replied,

"Foxes have holes and...

"...birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.'

"Another disciple said to Him, 'LORD, first let me go and bury my father.' But Jesus told him, 'Follow me and let the dead bury their own dead.' "

Commentary: "Following Jesus is not always easy or comfortable. It often means cost and sacrifice, with no earthly rewards or security. You may find that following Christ costs you popularity, friendships, leisure time, or treasured habits. But while the cost of following Christ  is high, the value of being Christ's  follower is even higher! Discipleship is an investment that lasts for ETERNITY and yields incredible rewards!" As is said, "This life is but the blink of an eye" compared to eternity with our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD! Will you spend it with Him forever or will you be separated forever paying for your sin in the darkness of an eternal Lake of Fire and Brimstone? GOD gives you the choice to choose Christ Jesus' sacrifice for your sin on the Cross spending eternity with Him or you can deny it and spend eternity in agony paying the price for your own sin forevermore! 
For His Word tells us, "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of GOD. (Romans 3:23)" This gift of eternal salvation is from Almighty GOD. "You may know you have eternal life, even to you who believe on the Name of the Son of GOD (Jesus Christ). (1 John 5:13)." The choice is yours.