Grace: The Way of Grace
Matthew 8:1-4
1When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
Matthew 9:20-22
20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Questions for Reflection:
- In both of these passages, Jesus is on his way somewhere, yet He stops to heal these individuals. If God is all-powerful, He didn’t really need to stop. The woman in Matthew 9 even references this. In light of this, why do you think Jesus chose to stop?
- Everything that Jesus did was intentional. Why do you think He healed the leper in the manner that He did? Why touch him?
- When Jesus heals the woman in Matthew 9, He refers to her as “daughter” and urges her to “take heart.” How do you see grace in this response?
- What are some moments that you have seen the intimate and intentional ways of grace in your life?
