Dear RTB’ers,
Back to Matthew for the next couple of weeks. Jesus has finished His “Sermon on the Mount”; immediately we see Him healing all kinds of infirmities – leprosy, paralysis, a fever, and …many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. (v. 16b) I tend to think that Jesus in Matthew’s gospel has a greater teaching focus than any other the other gospels, but consistent with the other synoptic gospels, Matthew also shows Jesus with a healing ministry and as a miracle worker.
Following Jesus… And a scribe came up and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” (v. 19) When I think of accounts of someone specifically mentioned as one who is following Jesus or asking about following Him, I have in mind His own selection of the twelve, mostly fishermen and other tradesmen. I also think of the “rich young ruler” asking about eternal life (Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 18) and then declining Jesus’ suggestion. But here, early in Jesus’ ministry we have a scribe desiring to follow Him. Scribes are learned Jewish leaders who were responsible for teaching and interpreting Scripture in the Temple and in the synagogues. Later we will learn of other Jewish leaders (e.g., Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea) who also became bold enough to step out. Yes, a scribe following “wherever”… I wonder if he stayed on…?
Blessings!
Fred