Busy Jesus Matthew 9:14-38

“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Jn 9:4, NASB).

Yesterday I was watching the news on the ABC network. Famous reporter Diane Sawyer is showing exerts of an upcoming program named “Screen Time.” The program is about busy parents too engaged in their own activities to notice that their children need them. One mother fails to hear the calls of her child because she is on her mobile device. Diane reports that many parents today answer their cell phones an average of eighty times per day. As I think about this I am reminded that too often I forget to do something important because I am busy doing other things. Busy, busy, busy, we are all busy. The question is what are we busy doing? What are our priorities? In this article we will notice that Jesus is always busy in His ministry. Matthew 9 gives us just one of several examples in the gospels that show us just how busy Jesus is.

Before we begin with the events that take place in Matthew 9, let us take a peak view at the text at the beginning of this article. These are the words of Jesus as He explains what is taking place when He heals a blind man. The disciples are focused on the reason that the man is blind. Jesus, on the other hand, shifts the focus from the reason that the man is blind to what is the appropriate thing to do in regards to the man’s condition. Jesus does not answer the question of why. Rather, Jesus tells the disciples that His purpose on earth is to do the work that God is doing through Him. The “day” symbolizes the appropriate time, and the opportune time. The day will not last forever. The night is coming and it will be too late to do any work. It is for this reason that in the gospels Jesus is always busy. Now, let us take a closer look at our text in the Gospel of Matthew.

In Matthew 9:14 Jesus is engaged in a conversation with the disciples of John. They notice that Jesus and His disciples do not fast as the Pharisees and they do. In 9:15 Jesus explains that it is not the appropriate time to fast for Him and His disciples. Jesus is still talking to John’s disciples when He is interrupted. “While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live’” (Matt. 9:18, NASB).

Now we could write an entire article about the official’s faith in Jesus. Certainly the Pharisees and scribes are disturbed and angry because Jesus is able to do some things that they are unable to do. Because of His works the Pharisees fear that they are losing their influence and control over the people. However in this article let us remain focused on how busy Jesus is. We do not read that Jesus takes the time to bid farewell to John’s disciples. Matthew does not record any parting words between Jesus and the disciples of John. Instead Matthew writes, “Jesus got up and began to follow him. And so did His disciples” (v. 19).

Joe, the Registered Nurse is approached by one of the Nurse Technicians. The tech tells Joe that the patient in bed #19 wants something for pain. Joe takes the patient pain medication, and he is just beginning to discuss with the patient the new medication that the doctor has prescribed for him. At this time a second nurse tech comes up to Joe and tells him that the patient in bed #30 is having difficulty breathing. Without a word, Joe immediately rushes to see about the man in bed #30. When we are busy it is important that we are able to determine what our priorities are. The patient experiencing pain has received his medication. Joe knows that the man having difficulty breathing is possibly in danger of dying. So, in like manner, Jesus leaves the disciples of John so that He can attend to the needs of the daughter of the synagogue official. “Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples” V. 19).

On His way to the official’s house, Jesus is abruptly interrupted. Matthew writes, “And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak” (v. 20, NASB). Again, we want to think in terms of how busy Jesus is. We want to see that Jesus knows what the priorities are. Jesus is on His way to raise a dead girl. Jesus knows what He will need to do when He gets to the house of the dead girl. Jesus knows that this is the time to meet the immediate needs of a woman that has been suffering for twelve years. She is coming to Jesus to be healed, and Jesus has no reason to delay in meeting the woman’s need. You see Jesus could say to the woman, “I’m busy. I’m in a hurry. You need to get in line and wait your turn.” However, Jesus does not say any of these things. Jesus does not mind being interrupted. Jesus is busy, but He is never too busy to meet our needs. Matthew writes, “but Jesus turning and seeing her said, ‘Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.’ At once the woman was made well” (v. 22).

Jesus goes to the official’s house, and He raises the girl from the dead. The people see what takes place and they begin to spread the word about Jesus and His miracles. Wow! It’s been a busy day. It’s time to take a break; to sit down to relax and have something to eat and drink. However, Jesus has more work to do. “As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, ‘Have mercy on us Son of David!’” (v. 27). Jesus continues His journey. When He gets to the house Jesus heals them because of their faith in Him. Jesus tells them not to tell anyone, but they go out and tell everyone about what Jesus has done for them (vv. 28-31). It’s not over yet. The day is not ended, and Jesus knows that the night is coming. He must continue to work so Jesus does not take a break. The blind men are healed. Just as they are leaving another opportunity for ministry comes Jesus’ way. Mark writes: “As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him” (v.32).

Todd says that he no longer watches pro football ever since they (the football players) started knelling (when the national anthem is played). Todd expresses what a lot of fans express. They do not want to be interrupted by protesters. When they come to the game they come to get away from the political mess. They just want to enjoy the game with their families and friends. Todd and the other fans voice a legitimate concern. Basically, they have been busy, and now is the time to get away from it all and relax. They don’t want to be interrupted. Political concerns and calls for justice are not their priority at this time. Well, that sounds okay. However, Todd is a professing Christian, and I am sure that a lot of the others fans are Christians also. Do they worry about how busy Jesus is listening to their prayers and those of many others? Here are a few questions for people like Todd.