In Matthew 9:9-13, Jesus called Matthew and said come follow Me. Jesus had looked upon Israel and saw a flock of sheep without a shepherd. He said, I came to seek and to save that which was lost. Matthew followed Jesus. He invited Jesus to supper. When Jesus went, Matthew had gathered his friends, which were publicans and prostitutes, sinners. The scribes and pharisees fused at the disciples that Jesus had entered the house of sinners. Jesus said, the whole don’t need a physician, but those that are sick. And He said, I will have mercy instead of sacrifice. Because with God, mercy triumphs over judgement. As we walk on this earth, God wants us to be merciful. Jesus said, if a person strikes you on your cheek, turn and let him strike the other. Christians have struggled with this not wanting people to take advantage of us. But God wants his mercy seen by others to know that God loves us. And there is hope for a better life. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (Rom.9:15).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Jesus had gone across the sea of Galilee to the people of the tribe of Gad. There were one of the 12 tribes of Israel. They didn’t cross over the Jordan river into the land of promise. Jesus had returned to Capernaum. There was a man sick of the palsy, lying on his pallet. Jesus saw his faith and said to him, thy sins are forgiven. Some scribes and pharisees began to complain about Jesus. Jesus knew what was in their hearts and said to the man with palsy, rise, take up thy pallet and go home. Jesus did this to show them that God have given Him the power to forgive sin. The scribes and pharisees had the same problem as the Gadarenes. They refused to cross over into the Promise Land. Because they refused, they lost their inheritance from God. This is what happens to anyone who refuses to accept Jesus and return to the Land of Promise, heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The children of Israel, after wandering in the wilderness, reached the Jordan river. Two tribes refused to go into the Promised Land, Manasseh and Gad. They saw that the lands on the east side of the Jordan river were good for their cattle. Moses tried to persuade them to go in. Their names and position in the kingdom were lost in time. When Jesus and the disciples entered the ships to cross over the sea of Galilee, He knew where He was going. It was called the land of the Gadarenes. They landed and began to walk toward Gadara. Two men possessed of the devil, came and fell down in front of Jesus. They worshipped Him. Jesus didn’t let them say who He was. The devils asked Jesus to cast them into the herd of swine that was nearby. Jesus said, go. They entered the pigs and the whole herd ran off the cliff into the sea and drowned. The two men were now free and in their right minds. The whole town came out and asked Jesus to leave. God gave us opportunity to enter in and it is up to us to respond. God gave the Gadarenes opportunity twice to enter in and they refused. They were lost to their place in Israel. Entering in is how we will find our place with God. (Matthew 8:28-34).

PS. Jesus sent the two men back to their people to preach the gospel.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

When I began to walk with the Lord, I had the measure of faith, but didn’t know what to do with it. As I prayed, God would show me challenges. I had to use my faith to resolve the issue. At first, they were small. Then they became greater as I grew in the knowledge of the word of God. But I had to use my faith for God to intervene. In Matthew 8:24-27, Jesus and the disciples entered into a ship to cross the sea of Galilee. It’s about 30 miles across, which would take several hours rowing. A storm arose on the sea. It was so violent the the waves lapped over the sides of the ship. Jesus was asleep in the ship. The disciples became afraid and woke Jesus up. They said save us, Lord. Jesus rebuked them and said oh ye of little faith. Then He prayed and storm calmed down. The disciples were dumbfounded. Jesus had been with them for more than 6 months. The storm was not there to destroy, but to teach them faith. They had to us their own faith to stop the storm. How long have you known Jesus? So, what is your excuse? Storms are here to strengthen your faith, but you have to use it.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Jesus was about to be crucified, yet He chose to comfort His disciples. He exhorted, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we can have peace through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to give us complete victory in life. Spend time with God in prayer and His word. All the promises of God are true.

In Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus was walking in Capernaum and a great multitude of people gathered. When teaching, you always begin with the less difficult then work your way up to the most difficult teachings. Jesus used familiar sayings so people would understand. But it take more than familiarity to understand. It takes the Holy Ghost to give us the answer. Disciples were telling Jesus that they will follow Him. In verse 20, Jesus said , but the Son of Man has no place to lay His Head. He had just left Peter’s house. So, He had a place to slept and eat. So, what was he talking about? Jesus was talking about dwelling in our hearts. They didn’t quite understand what He said. Jesus had revealed He was the messiah. Another disciple asked Jesus if could go and bury his father first. His father wasn’t dead. He wanted to go home and stay until he did die. Jesus said let the dead bury the dead. Jesus wasn’t being mean, but He only had a short time on this earth. And Jesus wanted people to put Him first before anything else. Some of Jesus’s sayings are hard, but doable. And without the Holy Ghost you can’t do them at all. Jesus is the Son of Man (Adam).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The first scripture that comes to mind is what He said,I came to seek and save that which was lost. Their are a multitude of scriptures that Jesus fulfilled by coming. In Matthew 8:14-17, Jesus had returned to Capernaum and was headed to Peter’s house. When they arrived, Jesus saw that Peter’s mother in law was sick. Jesus touched her hand and she was healed. She arose and ministered to them. After supper, a multitude of people came, with a multitude of problems. Jesus healed them all. He was fulfilling a prophecy by Isaiah. He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. Each time Jesus did something, He was teaching us what God can do through us. Healing is one the reasons Jesus came to this earth. Each time your read the word of God, asked Him how it applies to you. Because all of the scriptures apply to your life. And it is up to you to find out how.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

When we are born, we are born with rebellion in our hearts. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of children and the rod of discipline shall drive it far from us. All throughout the bible God called his children stiff-necked and obstinate. They were in rebellion to God. God chastens His children because He loves them. God wants us to listen and obey. Not only is obedience a choice, but it is a belief. In Matthew 8:5-13, Jesus was returning to Capernaum after the sermon on the mount. A centurion approached Him. He asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus said I will come. The centurion said I am not worthy that you should enter into my house. Just says the word and servant will be healed. He said I am a man under authority. I have under my authority soldiers and servants to do my bidding. Jesus looked at him with amazement. Jesus turned to his disciples and said, I haven’t found so great a faith, no not in all Israel. To be in authority, you must be under authority. Accepting and believing God’s word and authority. Then you will be under authority.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 8:1-4, Jesus had finished teaching and came down from the mount. The bible says a great multitude followed Jesus. He had taught them the truth of God’s word and feed a multitude. Many believed and followed. On His way, a leper came to him. He said to Jesus, if thou will, thou can make me clean. He believed Jesus could cleanse him. We must go to God for Him to draw near to us. But it is only by faith that God is moved. Jesus saw his faith and said, I will, be thou clean. He further instructed him to go to the priests and offer a gift that Moses had commanded. Jesus followed the law perfectly. But also as testimony to the priests. No one had been healed of leprosy in Israel since Haman the Syrian by Elijah. We are healed by His stripes. But you first must believe that God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. In the midst of every disaster God will keep you. Just like the leper, Jesus said, I will.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

If you have lived in Louisiana since 2016, you know what I’m talking. A perfect hurricane formed over Louisiana and there were no prevailing winds. So the hurricane stayed put for a month and rained. In August of 2016, there were 62 inches of rain. Anything that could flood did. 250.000 homes were under water. Over a million people where displaced. It was the largest disaster in Louisiana since hurricane Katrina. Now there is another disaster, the Corona virus. How many disasters will it take before people will hear Jesus and respond? In Matthew 7:24-28, Jesus talks about people hearing His words and doing them. Then He talks about the people who don’t listen to what He is saying. Jesus said, the rain came and the winds blew and their house fell. And great was the fall of it. Will you wait until you are taken away? Jesus is calling everyone. Those who respond, Jesus said their houses will not fall. Can’t you see the storm that is before you?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com