Demons and Pigs
Read Matthew 8: 28 – 34

Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men who were living in tombs.  In other gospel accounts of this story, one of the men was so violent, he broke free from iron chains meant to contain him.  People living in the area knew to stay away due to these men.  

When Jesus spoke to the men, it was the demons that answered.  Notice that the demons were actually scared of Jesus. They understood His power and authority as the Son of God.  With one word, Jesus could send them to Hell, a place the demons didn’t want to go. The legion of demons begged Jesus not to torture them before their appointed time.  

So Jesus commanded the demons to leave the men.  And the demons immediately fled finding their next target to torture, a herd of pigs. What a shock it must have been to the townspeople to see these formerly crazy and violent men now in their right minds.  They were at peace and free from the internal prisons that had kept them in bondage for so long.

Questions:

1. How did the demon-possessed man act before Jesus healed him?
2. Did you notice the demons kept speaking for the man?  What does that tell you about the possessed man’s mind?
3. What did you learn about Jesus’ authority to heal in this passage?

Paralytic on a Mat
Read Matthew 9: 1 – 8

Jesus had returned to Capernaum, a sea-side village on the Sea of Galilee.  He preached in a home when his talk was interrupted by four guys bringing their paralytic friend or loved one through the roof of the house.  

Matthew focuses his attention on Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.  The first thing He says to the paralytic man is, “Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.”  At that point, the teachers of the law thought to themselves that Jesus’ words were blasphemous.  But He knew exactly what they were thinking. Notice how He associates evil thoughts with the state of their hearts.

Only Jesus can forgive sins.  Jesus was more concerned with this man’s spiritual condition than physical. 

Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus put an emphasis on the forgiveness of sins?
2. It says Jesus knew the thoughts of the teachers of the law.  What do you think of that?
3. To “forgive” literally means “to cast-away”.  Once “cast-away”, the forgiven sin no longer exists, nor should any remainder of guilt associated with it.  Faith in Jesus includes acceptance of His authority to cast-away any sin confessed and repented of, as well as removing the guilt of it from our souls.  Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins? Do you still carry guilt around from past sins? If you haven’t asked for His forgiveness of your sins and freedom from guilt, what are you waiting for?

Two Healings
Read Matthew 9: 18 – 26

Today’s passage had two healings.  First was Jairus, a synagogue ruler who knelt before Jesus as a desperate dad seeking help for his daughter.  Jairus said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Can you imagine having a loved one die, yet still believing this man Jesus could bring them back?  Jairus’ faith was so strong that he believed Jesus could bring his daughter back to life.

While this is going on, a woman who had been suffering with bleeding for 12 years scrambled to touch Jesus in a large crowd.  She believed that if she just touched his cloak, she’d be healed. So inching her way into the crowd, she touched him and at that very moment she was healed.  

But here’s the interesting part of the story.  Jesus was walking and surrounded by people crowding up on him and pushing against him, yet he noticed the faith-filled touch of this one woman on his cloak. The woman was reaching for a very important part of Jesus’ clothing.  Scripture tells us that she touched the hem of his garment. This was a significant part of Jesus’ cloak where a tassel or “tzitzit” hangs, and represented God’s authority and reminder of His commandments. 

Although many people were crowding around him and touching him, it was when the woman touched him, that Jesus actually felt his power released.  There was something different about her touch. Her desperate act of faith is what caught his attention. He said to her, “Your faith has healed you.”

Both the woman and Jairus were desperate for healings.  Their situations both seemed hopeless, yet they still sought out Jesus as the only one who could change their fates.  And Jesus saw their great faith and granted their individual requests. The scripture reading ends with Jesus bringing Jairus’ daughter back to life.  

Questions:

1. Are you in a desperate situation for healing?   
2. What did you learn from Jairus or the bleeding woman as they sought Jesus ?
3. What did you learn about Jesus from this story?

Healing the Blind Men
Read Matthew 9: 27 – 31

Cover your eyes for a second and experience darkness.  Now imagine how that must feel if you can’t see your surroundings.  You are dependent on others for help and using your other senses. These two blind men must have heard the amazing stories of those healed by Jesus.  Imagine them hearing the grateful cries of someone who was touched by him and healed. So when they heard he was in town, they followed the voices and cried out for mercy.  And Jesus heard them.

Look what He said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  And their reply showed their reverence for his authority and ability. “Yes, Lord.”  And Jesus answered by touching their eyes and saying, “According to your faith will it be done.”  And their sight was restored immediately.

Questions:

1. Why do you think they asked Jesus to have mercy on them?
2. What role do you think their faith played in being receptive to Jesus’ power to heal?
3. Do you believe Jesus is able to heal you or your loved one?

Healing the Mute
Read Matthew 9: 32 – 34

Think about someone you know that you’ve seen daily for years.  Now imagine if that person was mute and had never spoken in your presence.  If one day that person was able to speak to you, it would be a miracle and you wouldn’t forget it.

People brought a demon-possessed man to Jesus to be healed.  The demon caused this man to not speak. Jesus cast the demon out and his voice was restored.

Now imagine what he must have said for the first time!  I’m sure he had a lifetime of things to say in that moment.  It must have been a sight. The crowd said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

Questions:

1. What do you think about the fact that a demon caused him to be mute?
2. It says the man was brought to Jesus for healing, meaning he couldn’t seek Jesus for himself.  Are there people today in similar situations?
3. We know that not all cases of infirmity are the result of demonic possession or oppression.  What does this passage reveal to you about Jesus’ power in every need for healing and deliverance?