Matthew 8
Outcasts, Outlaws and In laws!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and I am reaching out to you today with a message of faith, hope, and love.
Today is Thursday, March 26
This is the Day the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it.
Have you ever heard my joke about in laws and outlaws? It’ll make you laugh, or grimace: What’s the difference between an in law and an outlaw? The outlaw is wanted! 🙂
Jesus loves with the perfect love of His Father in Heaven. Matthew 8 is a dramatic chapter, on purpose! Because it is the illustration of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Like any good teacher, Jesus demonstrated His teaching with real life illustrations.
Jesus heals a leper, who back in the day was an outcast of society. They were “social-distanced” to the max, but Jesus met His human need by touching and healing him. SCANDAL!
Then you have the Centurion, the Roman oppressors of the Jewish people. Jesus not only heals the Centurion’s servant, but Jesus praises the Roman’s faith. SALT IN THE WOUND OF THE SCANDAL!
Then, Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law… WHAT!?! DOES GOD’S LOVE KNOW NO BOUNDARIES??!!??
It doesn’t! To drive home the illustration: Matthew 8 ends with the healing of Legion, which by the way got Jesus kicked out of town!
God’s love has no boundaries! How about your love?
Seize the Moment: Reach out to an outcast, outlaw, or an in law, today. We all need love! And you never know how one act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life!
I am personally praying for you… Please the number at the bottom of this page if you would like a personal phone call and someone from First Baptist Church will get back to you as soon as possible.