Hey Guys!

Did you get to read through the discussion yesterday? This is an awesome group... I'm so encouraged by how honest you are, and by how much you care about learning to follow our Savior!!! Have you had some time in prayer today? If not, please do, and grab your Bible. (A large mug of coffee wouldn't hurt either. Mine is large. Very... very... large...)

Please open your Bible up to where we left off in Simon's journey, Matthew 8:28.

We're going to do an overview of some events today. So I hope you followers are ready to do some traveling with me! :) I'd like us to think through what the disciples saw [what knowledge they collected] as they followed Jesus. Ready?

In Matthew 8:28-34 we read about the healing of two demon-possessed men. These men... immediately knew just who they were talking to (v.29). Isn't it strange how the presence of God is so obvious, even and especially when it enters into the midst of evil? After freeing these men from bondage, Jesus was asked to leave. He made the people uncomfortable.. apparently. The demons had taken a huge herd of pigs (a great deal of income) over a cliff. Now surely, this was a devastating loss. But what a shame that this is what they chose to base their actions on. They suffered a loss, a trial. And that became their focus. The disciples watched.

If only the townspeople had asked Jesus to stay. Just think of what they must have missed...

So he got into a boat. Again. (Matthew 9:1) where some friends brought a paralyzed man before Jesus. Jesus saw their faith (v. 2), they'd done the work of belief, no matter what anyone else thought. And their friend was saved from an impossible illness. The disciples watched.

In Matthew 9:9-13 We meet a new disciple Matthew. Check out verse 9. Sound familiar? And once again, because of a man's action and obedience, Jesus followed Matthew into his home to “eat with tax collectors and sinners.” What a stark contrast to the town with the demon possessed men! Jesus was criticized for his fellowship with these men. But really, Matthew was following Jesus. And as a result Jesus was able to share with his friends as well. And the disciples watched.

In Matthew 9:14-18 Jesus is asked a question about circumstance. He responded with focus and perspective on the character and on God. The disciples watched.

In Matthew 9:18-26 A ruler makes the bold, risky, and shocking statement that he KNOWS that though his daughter has died, Jesus could raise her back to life. And He did. Belief first. A woman who'd suffered all of her life fought her way banging against the disciples to see Jesus... she knew a touch from Him would save her. And it did. And the disciples watched.

In Matthew 9:27-34 Jesus heals two blind men... “According to your faith it will be done to you!” (V. 28) … and the disciples watched. A demon possessed man who could not talk came to Jesus. He was set free. The disciples watched.

Finally. Please read all of Matthew 9:35-38. Jesus didn't stop moving and His compassion was limitless. And the disciples watched. And the disciples experienced it. Have you ever stopped to think about His passion for you, His persistence after you,and His unbelievable compassion? Are you watching Him? Or are you watching the circumstances? The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. So. Who are the harvest and who are the workers? The harvest is still in plain sight. It can “observe” a master and much can happen in the midst of it. Are you just watching? Or are you working?

“And the work is... to believe.”

Matthew believed. Immediately. He became a worker. But not because He left Jesus and found “Tax collectors and sinners.” But because He followed Jesus, and Jesus filled His home. Wow. A father did the work. He believed. And His daughter came to life. Not because the father worked hard, or did a miracle. But because He believed... in that which our eyes cannot see, our hands cannot do, and our minds cannot fathom. Do you believe? Isn't it interesting that His disciples weren't doing the work through these scenarios, nor were they specifically being used. The tax collector was. The blind men were. Jesus led them forward. He did the miracle. The work was to believe, and to follow.

For discussion: Following these passages and the call for workers, Jesus was preparing to send the disciples out to live what they'd been collecting knowledge of. So. What knowledge do you have? PERSONALLY? Can you think of an event you've observed... that made Christ more real to you? It can be as simple as a person really worshiping. It can be answered prayer. It can be God in the details. I know God did ____________. And so I know God is____________. And praise the Lord!