Matthew 9 – Mercy Beats Sacrifice

Chapter 9 continues with a series of miracles. But it also introduces a growing conflict with the religious leaders of His day. One that will eventually take Him to the cross.

Which Is Easier to Say

The chapter begins with Jesus forgiving the sins of a paralyzed man. The religious elite challenge His authority to forgive sins, something that belongs to God alone. Jesus’ response might seem strange. Which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven.” Or “Get up and walk.” We might be tempted to count the words and come up with a tie.

But this is not just about the number of words spoken. It has to do with verification. There is no way to demonstrate that sins have been forgiven. So it is easy to say without contradiction. But you can verify that a person has been healed. There is visible proof standing before you. So saying “Your sins are forgiven” is easier.

But the Jews also believed that physical ailments are the result of sin (John 9:2). So, to heal a person amounts to forgiving their sin. So when Jesus then healed the man, He demonstrated His authority to forgive sin.

Calling Sinners

Following this, we find the call of Matthew the tax collector, the one who tradition says wrote this gospel. Matthew left his tax booth and threw a party for Jesus, inviting all of his friends. Of course, the only friends Matthew would have would be others who were socially undesirable.

The Pharisees took exception to this. If Jesus was a holy man, then He should know better than to associate with unclean people. It would make Him unclean.

But Jesus did not care. He had come for people like that. Those who were oppressed by the religious elite. He had come to show mercy to them. And, in doing so, set an example for those who follow Him. Mercy beats sacrifice or ritual.

New Wine

Fasting was one of the ‘acts of righteousness’ that Jesus referred to in Matthew 6. It was regularly practiced by many of the Jews. But Jesus and His disciples did not. When challenged about it, He responded that there is a time for fasting. But it was not yet time for His disciples, so long as He was with them.

And then He gave them a pair of mini-parables about the foolishness of sewing a new patch on an old garment (the patch would shrink and rip out), or putting new wine into old wineskins (the fermenting wine would burst the skin).

Jesus’ teaching was like new wine. And the old skin of the Pharisees would not be able to contain it. They needed to let go of their ways and follow Jesus instead.

The chapter concludes with some more healings, a claim by the Pharisees that Jesus was driving out demons by the prince of demons (a ridiculous claim), and an expression of compassion for the crowds, who were like sheep without a shepherd.