Ian Barclay's Thought For The Day

A CHRISTIAN LOOKS AT MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
How Jesus worked
Reading: Matthew 9:35 click to view passage

In this one verse we see the essential work of Jesus during his earthly ministry before the cross. He was (i) a herald “preaching the good news of the Kingdom.” Literally “heralding” the good news of the Kingdom. A herald was a man who brought a message from a king. Jesus brought mankind a message from God. A great headmaster, Geoffrey Heawood, wrote, “The tragedy of our time is we are standing at the crossroad and the signpost has fallen down.” We need to be “heralds” who point the way. Jesus was (ii) a teacher. It is not enough to “herald” the certainties of the spiritual life, we need to show their relevance to the people of our time as Jesus did. Paul hired the hall of Tyrannus in Ephesus and taught there for two years, (Acts 19:9). Jesus was (iii) a healer. Jesus didn’t just talk about the Kingdom of God. He healed the sick, fed the hungry and comforted the burdened. Belief must issue in action. If belief doesn’t affect our behaviour it is not the sort of belief that the New Testament has in mind.

Meditation: How can I be a “herald” signpost that points the way to the Kingdom of God today?

Prayer pointer: I need the sort of belief that transforms itself into action.