The Compassion, Courage and Calling

Gospel Light Church

Matthew series #20

August 16th, 2026

“The Compassion, Courage and Calling”

Matthew 9 concludes a remarkable section of Jesus’ ministry. Matthew has been presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah and King. In this passage, we witness four miracles, growing opposition, and finally the compassionate heart of Christ toward a lost world.

The miracles are not merely displays of power—they reveal who Jesus is.

Every miracle points to a greater spiritual reality:

• Jesus gives life to the dead.
• Jesus cleanses the unclean.
• Jesus opens blind eyes.
• Jesus frees those held captive.
• Jesus calls laborers into His harvest.

I. Faith That Reaches for Jesus

Matthew 9:18–26

“While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.'”
(Matthew 9:18)

• Jairus was a synagogue ruler.
• He had status.
• He had influence.

But none of those things could save his daughter.

Sometimes God allows us to reach the end of ourselves before we discover that Christ is enough.

Its important to see Jairus’ posture:

• He worshiped Jesus before he received his miracle.
• True faith bows before it receives.

The Woman with the Issue of Blood

“For she said to herself, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.'”
(Matthew 9:21)

• For twelve years she had suffered.
• She had been ceremonially unclean.
• She had likely been isolated.
• Yet she believed Jesus was enough.

Jesus did not rebuke her. He honored her faith.

“Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well.”
(Matthew 9:22)

*** He called her daughter before speaking of her healing.***

Jesus restored her identity before restoring her health.

David Guzik notes that faith is not a magical force but confidence placed in the right Person. The woman’s healing came not because of the fabric she touched but because Jesus honored genuine faith directed toward Him.

• Faith is not measured by its volume. Faith is measured by its object.

Little faith in a great Savior accomplishes more than great confidence in ourselves.

II. Jesus Has Authority Over Death

Matthew 9:23–26

When Jesus arrived, professional mourners had already declared the situation hopeless.

“The girl is not dead, but sleeping.”
(Matthew 9:24)

They laughed Him to scorn.

• The world always mocks what it cannot understand.

But Jesus entered the room. He took her by the hand. Life returned.

• Death obeyed the Creator.

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” If we truly believe Jesus is Lord over death, then nothing in our lives is beyond His power. A.W Tozer

• Your situation may look impossible.
• It may seem buried.
• But Jesus specializes in resurrection.
• What man calls final, Christ calls temporary.

III. Jesus Opens Blind Eyes

Matthew 9:27–31

“Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
(Matthew 9:27)

These blind men recognized something many religious leaders missed.

Jesus was the Messiah. They called Him: “Son of David.”

• That is a Messianic title.

Jesus asked:

“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
(Matthew 9:28)

Not…

Do you deserve it?

Not…

Have you earned it?

Simply—

Do you believe?

“According to your faith let it be to you.”
(Matthew 9:29)

Faith becomes the channel through which God’s power is received.

John Bevere emphasizes that faith flourishes where surrender exists. When believers trust God’s authority above their own understanding, they position themselves to experience His transforming work.

• Many people today have physical sight but spiritual blindness.
• Jesus still opens eyes.
• He still reveals truth.
• He still changes lives.

IV. Jesus Delivers the Oppressed

Matthew 9:32–34

A demon-possessed man who could not speak was brought to Jesus.

Jesus cast out the demon.

• Immediately— The man spoke.
• Where Satan silences— Jesus restores.

Notice the reactions.

• The crowds marveled.
• The Pharisees criticized.
• Same miracle.
• Different hearts.

Miracles do not soften every heart. Only repentance does.

“That hardened hearts can witness undeniable evidence of God’s work and still refuse to believe because unbelief is ultimately a matter of the heart, not merely the intellect.” – David Guzik

V. The Compassion of Christ

Matthew 9:35–36

Matthew now shifts from miracles to ministry.

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”
(Matthew 9:35)

His ministry:

1. Teaching.
2. Preaching.
3. Healing.

Truth and compassion always walked together.

Then comes one of the most beautiful verses in Scripture.

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
(Matthew 9:36)

The Greek word for compassion describes being deeply moved in one’s innermost being.

Jesus didn’t merely notice people.

He felt their pain.

“God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work.” . A.W Tozer

• Christ never rushed past hurting people. Love always had time.

The Church must see people the way Jesus sees them.

• Not as interruptions.
• Not as projects.
• Not as problems.
• But as sheep without a shepherd.

VI. The Harvest Is Ready

Matthew 9:37–38

“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
(Matthew 9:37)

The problem is not the harvest. The problem is the workers.

Jesus does not first command us to go. He first commands us to pray.

“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
(Matthew 9:38)

• It is His harvest. Not ours.
• We are simply workers in His field.

“God entrusts responsibility to those willing to obey. The harvest advances through believers who respond with surrendered hearts rather than merely good intentions.” John Bevere

*********SO WHAT********

1. Bring impossible situations to Jesus.

Like Jairus, worship before the answer comes.

2. Reach for Christ in faith.

Like the woman with the issue of blood, believe His power is sufficient.

3. Ask Jesus to open your eyes.

Pray for spiritual discernment and renewed vision.

4. Let Christ replace criticism with compassion.

The Pharisees judged; Jesus loved.

5. Pray—and be willing to go.

Every believer has a role in God’s harvest.