IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

I Desire Mercy

Date: Apr. 23, 2021

Passage

Matthew 9:1-13

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

9:1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 9:13

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

1. Your sins are forgiven (1-8)

When some men brought a paralytic to Jesus, he said to the man, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.' This was a bold and strange thing to say to a paralytic. Even though the man couldn't move, what really enslaved him was the sense of shame and powerlessness that sin brings. Jesus had mercy on him. With Jesus' mercy, we can receive forgiveness and find the ability to move and live with hope and true freedom.

2. Follow me (9-13)

Matthew was a tax collector. He was considered a public sinner, taking poor people's money for the Roman Empire, and for himself as well. He was despised and rejected. Jesus invited such a man to follow him. If God cannot hope for the worst in humanity, he cannot have hope for me. But Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous. God came to restore our humanity by his tender love and mercy.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins and having hope for me.

One Word: Desire mercy

Daily Bread

We Are Your Sheep, Lord

Psalm 79:1-13

Key Verse: 79:13

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

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