Bill Link - Class 1: The Master's Hands

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   This is day one of the 2017 Idaho Bible School. Our third period teacher is Brother Bill Link. His general topic is Portraits of the Master. Today's topic is The Master's Hands. Brother Bill. Good morning, brothers and sisters. These classes are about knowing Jesus. Not just knowing about him, but knowing him, knowing him personally.

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   It's something that I've given some thought to in recent years. I think maybe in avoiding evangelical excesses, which I don't have to name, that I might have worshipped around Jesus. Jesus might have been an intellectual concept. Rather than a person. And I've been thinking about it a lot. And I want to know Jesus. I want to recognize him.

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   He said, this is life eternal. To know thee the only true God in Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. And you remember when he talks about his sheep hear his voice and they know his voice. And they won't follow someone else's voice because they don't recognize him. We've got to recognize Jesus' voice and follow him.

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   We want to know him that well. I was thinking about that and knowing Jesus. And I got to thinking about my dad. Who, dad died eight years ago.

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   And I knew my dad so well. Particularly his hands. He had the big thick hands of a craftsman. And I can still see them. I wonder if that's the way for you. With some of you who maybe lost your father or mother. If you can still see their hands. A guy at work told me that he could still feel the weight of his father's hand on his shoulder.

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   Dad, I remember as a kid sitting in his workshop. And he had a way of cutting wood that he'd push the thing towards the blade. And at the last minute he'd lift his thumbs up. And he had shaky hands. And it used to always scare the life out of me. But I can remember my dad's hands so well.

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   Dad was a simple man and uncomplicated. I don't know if many of you would have known him. He was generally a man of few words. But he had a great way of torturing sayings.

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   One time after a business meeting. He stepped outside to me and he says. That brother really gets under my goat. Or he'd say. That's all water over the bridge. And at one time. He had a pet goldfish. That he said was on its last legs.

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   And then my favorite I think. He said. Never look a gift horse in the eye. I don't know what the danger of that is. But apparently you shouldn't do that.

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    Like I said. My dad always had a bit of a tremor in his hands too. And I can still see that. When I'm nervous speaking. He would be nervous. The tremor got worse. He said it started when he was. A conscientious objector in World War II. And was given alternative service. Of working in a violent ward of a mental institution.

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    Anyway. I had a dream about my dad. Not too awful long ago. I was out front of the house in my dream. Split in wood. And here comes my dad walking up the driveway. And I said. You're back. And he just looked at me with that big. Gentle smile of his. And he said I'm back.

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    And I woke up. I could almost imagine that might be what. That could even be what happens. Because it says. That the. Lord will send his angels. His messengers. And Paul tells us in Timothy. That the dead in Christ shall rise first. So if my dad did come up. Walk up the driveway.

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    I would know the resurrection would happen. And I would recognize my dad. And I'd recognize those great big gentle hands of his. Jesus. I want to know the Lord Jesus. That well. I think we all do. And it's not just knowing about him. But having a sense of him. As a real person.

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    And not only a real person who lived. Or will live. But as. A man who is alive. And aware. And active in our lives now. So my goal this week. Is to encourage us to think about. What it means to know Jesus. And to recognize his voice. And to know what's not his voice.

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    I want to encourage meditation. On the person. Of the Lord Jesus. And will be guided by some portraits of the master. That are given in the gospels. So. Just a good starting point. Even though it's familiar to us. Philippians chapter 3. Paul wrote Philippians. From a Roman jail. All of the events. Of the book of Acts.

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    Are behind him. And it's thought that 2nd Corinthians. Is behind him. So that. That list of things. We mentioned in chapter 11. Of 2nd Corinthians. Where. All he had been through. As an apostle. And you come to Philippians chapter 3. And Paul talks about how earnestly. He wants to know Jesus. And you could think.

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    You could think surely at this point in his life. Paul could claim to know Jesus. He'd seen Jesus. In that marvelous vision. Right. But. He said. It was his desire. The thing he was pressing toward. To know Jesus. Philippians chapter 3.

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    He's speaking about having confidence in the flesh. And it's very intriguing to read what the things. He counts as confidence in the flesh. Are. It's not. The big bank account. You know. It's not. A big house. And all possessions. And things like that. That. If we were saying. Having confidence in the flesh.

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    That might be what we'd think about. But instead. The things that he calls. Confidence in the flesh. Is sort of the. The religious trappings. That people would respect you for. The outward show of religion. He says. Verse 4. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man think that he hath whereof.

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    He might trust. In the flesh. I more. Circumcised the eighth day. Of the stock of Israel. Of the tribe of Benjamin. And Hebrew of the Hebrews. As touching the law of Pharisee. Concerning zeal. Persecuting the ecclesia. He could. He had all the bona fides. That people could look at Paul and say. That is a very religious man.

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    He's scrupulously religious. He's a righteous man. And Paul says. This is having confidence in the flesh. Verse 7. But what things were gained to me. Those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless. And I count all things but loss. For the excellency. Of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things.

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    And do count them but done. That I may win Christ. And be found in him. Not having mine own righteousness. Which is of the law. But that which is through the faith of Christ. The righteousness which is of God. By faith. That I may know him. And the power of his resurrection. And the fellowship of his sufferings.

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    Being made conformable unto his death. You know. We think about Romans chapter 6. That we always have read at our baptisms. And we talk about a burial with Christ. And a raising to a new life. That as Christ. In his resurrection. Was now free from sin. The power of his resurrection. Paul says.

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    I want to be made conformable to his death. I want to know him. And so that's what we want to do. Now. I started off. With some recollections of my dad. That were prompted by the. The clarity of the mental image. I have of my dad. My dad's hands. It's interesting. We spent the other night.

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    At Joyce and Richard's house. And they had pictures. Of old brother Paggie. Making nachi. And they were all. It was a collage of pictures. With his hands. And I bet you. A lot of you can remember. Those hands.

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    We don't know. What Jesus hands looked like. But our attention is drawn to them. Repeatedly in the gospels. And interestingly. Most especially. In the gospel of Matthew. I'm going to point out. Some passages today. Where Matthew. For some reason. Particularly draws our attention. To Jesus hands. So let's start off. In Matthew chapter 8.

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    By the way. Do many of you have. The east word. Available to you. For bible study. Marvelous. Marvelous. Resource. It's free. Electronic bible. That you can put on your computer. Or your ipad. If you have it. I really recommend it. One of the nice things it has. Is it has a harmony of the gospels.

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    That you can. You can open up. And look at the harmony of the gospels. And when you lay them out. Side by side. It is remarkable. To see. The differences. As you go through a series of events. In the different gospels. How they're reported. Just slightly differently. And like I said. In preparing these classes.

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    It really caught my eye. That it's Matthew. Who says things about Jesus hands. And they're kind of incidental things. That maybe you. Wouldn't need. For the story to be complete. So Matthew 8. Verses 1 to 3. Jesus is coming down from the. From the sermon on the mount. And great multitudes follow him.

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    And behold. There came a leper. And worshipped him. Saying. Lord. If thou wilt. Thou canst make me clean. We're going to talk more about this episode. Later on in the week. But just. To get the sense. There are a crowd of people. So many times. Jesus. We see him in a crowd of people.

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    And there's a leper. Who doesn't belong there. He's come in. You know. He's supposed to be saying. Unclean. Unclean. Covering his lip. And staying away. But he has come to Jesus. And he. He says. If you want. You can make me clean. Lord. If thou wilt. Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus.

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    Put forth his hand. And touched him. Saying. I will. I do want to. Be thou clean. And immediately. His leprosy was cleansed. And you can't help but think to yourself. I wonder how long it had been. Since anybody of sound body. Had touched. This man. With this horrible. Disfiguring disease. And Jesus touched him.

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    And we. You know. You might ask yourself. So why is that detail included? Come over. Chapter 8. Come down to. Verse 14. Peter's mother-in-law is. Sick. And. It's interesting. You know. You look at the. Harmony of the Gospels. The different accounts. Luke. You know. Luke the physician. He says. She had a great fever.

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    The other Gospels say. She had a fever. Luke says. She had a great fever. And. So I guess. In my mind's eye. I see Jesus. Approaching her. And Luke says. That he stood over her. Here's. Here's what we have in Matthew. Verse 8. Verse 14. Of chapter 8. When Jesus was coming. To Peter's house.

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    He saw his wife's mother. Laid. And sick. Of a fever. And he touched her hand. And the fever left her. And she arose. And ministered unto them. And once again. You say. Why did he touch her hand? And. And why is the detail included? Remarkably. In between these two. Healings. Where Jesus. Reaches out.

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    And touches the person. Is. The. Centurion. With this. With the. Servant. Who's sick of the palsy. In verse 5. When Jesus was entered. Into Capernaum. There came unto him. A centurion. Beseeching him. And saying. Lord. My servant. Lieth at home. Sick of the palsy. Grievously tormented. And Jesus. Says. I will come and heal him.

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    And the centurion. Says. Ah. I'm not worthy. For you to come into my house. Yeah. I'm a man under authority. I. I. I use your commands. And they're taken care of.

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    Implication. Being. That he knew. That Jesus. Word. Was enough. And Jesus. Says. I haven't seen. Such an. Incredible. Faith. Verse 13. He says. To the centurion. Go thy way. And as thou hast believed. So be it done unto thee. And his servant. Was healed. In the selfsame hour. You imagine. The centurion. Goes home.

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    And. There's his servant. He's been. He's been paralyzed. Now he's up and about. Looks fine. He's not grievously tormented. And. And you can imagine him saying. So. When did it happen? And he'd say. Well. It was about. It was about two hours ago. And. And he would know. It was. Right when Jesus.

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    Had spoken the word. That the man was healed. Now isn't it interesting. That that. Is sandwiched. Right in between. These two cases. Where Jesus. Touches. The person. Who he's healing. It's almost as though. To say. It. It was not necessary. For Jesus. To touch. That leper. It wasn't necessary. For him to touch.

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    Peter's. Mother's. Peter's wife's mother. Sorry. To be careful with these relations. They get me in trouble. Peter's mother-in-law. It wasn't. It wasn't necessary. For him to. For him to touch her. But. In both cases. Jesus. The hand. Of Jesus. Is involved. And you ask why. And it's not complicated. One. Measure. I think it's the touch.

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    Of the divine. It's coming in contact. With the divine. But there's also something. About Jesus. Compassion. It's interesting. That. So many. Expressions. Of compassion. Have to do. With being touched. So we think of. In Hebrews. Chapter 4. When it talks about. Our compassionate. High priest. Who's touched. With the feelings. Of our infirmities.

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    We don't have a high priest. The writer said. We don't have a high priest. Who's. So out there. Separate from us. So perfect. And unapproachable. We have one who's. Touched with the feeling. Of our infirmities. Come over with me. To Hebrews. Chapter 4.

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    Seeing then. Hebrews 4. Verse 14. Seeing then. That we have. A great high priest. That is passed. Into the heavens. Jesus. The son of God. Let us hold fast. Our profession. For we have. Not an high priest. Which cannot be touched. With the feeling. Of our infirmities. But was in all points. Tempted like as we are.

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    Yet without sin. Let us therefore. Come boldly. Unto the throne. Of grace. That we may obtain mercy. And find grace. To help in time of need. The reality. Of our Lord Jesus. Is what's being spoken of here. And I. You know. I know. It's. It's wonderful. That we can. Have passages like this.

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    That we can use. To explain to people. That the doctrine of the Trinity. Is not a biblical idea. You know. We can say. Look. Jesus was tempted. In all points. Like as we are. Without sin. Jesus was tempted. We know God can't be tempted. So we know. Therefore. That Jesus isn't God. And we might even.

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    See this. That might be the way. We use this passage. More than anything else. But I'm not sure. That that was what it was written for. It was written to tell us. That when we feel tempted.

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    That we can go with confidence. To the throne of grace. When we've sinned. We shouldn't pray. Blanket sin. The blanket prayers of. Forgive me of all my sins. In fact. Verse 13 says that. That everything's. Naked and open. Before the eyes of him. With whom we have to deal. I mean Jesus knows.

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    And when we. We feel defiled. We feel ashamed. And yet. We can come. With confidence. Because he's a merciful. And compassionate. High priest. And I think that's. What's in evidence. In these. Healings. Where he actually. Reaches out. And touches. The leper. Touches. Peter's mother. In law. Well. Let's come back to Matthew.

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    Matthew chapter 9. Here we have. In verses 18 to 25. Two episodes. Of folks. Coming in physical contact. With Jesus. Start off with Jairus. In verses 18 and 19. Matthew 9. Verse 18. While he spake these things unto them. Behold. There came a certain ruler. And worshipped him. Saying. My daughter is even now dead.

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    But come and lay thy hand upon her. And she shall live. And Jesus arose. And followed him. And so did his disciples. Now by the way. Jesus didn't say. Wait a minute. Haven't you heard about. That centurion. I don't need to come to your house. Where's your faith? He didn't say that. Right.

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    Because. He was a merciful and compassionate high priest. And he went. He could have spared himself. And the disciples. A long walk. He could have spared them. The mockery. Of the hired. Lamenters. When they got to the house. And they laughed. Jesus to scorn. When he said. She's just asleep. He could have avoided all that.

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    Just by. Healing from afar. But instead. Verse 19. Jesus arose. And followed him. And so did his disciples. Along the way. A woman comes. Who's had a terrible disease. And for 12 years. Has had an issue of blood. Just like the leper. She's. Crowded her way. Into a place. That she probably isn't supposed to be.

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    Because she's. Ritually unclean. This poor woman. Had been sick. For all those years. 12 years. And. And she would have been. Ritually unclean. She was physically. Weakened by it. She'd tried. Every remedy. That. People could offer.

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    Edersheim's. Life and Times. If you don't have that one. That's one. A great book. On the life of Jesus. He's not a Christian dolphin. But. And he's. You know. He's off on some things. But. A great resource. About the times. And. The. The. The work of. The Lord Jesus. He says. That one leaf.

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    Of the Talmud. Contains. Not less than. Eleven different remedies. For this ailment. Of which. At most. Only six. Can possibly. Be regarded. As having any medical value. While the rest. Are merely the outcome. Of superstition. To which resort. Is had. In the absence. Of knowledge.

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    So she'd been. To all these different physicians. And. It says. She had suffered. Many things. Of many physicians. And the remedies. They'd offered. Had been expensive. False hopes. She'd spent. All that she had. And was nothing better. But rather. Got worse. So. Having heard. Of Jesus. Healing power. She desired. The merest contact.

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    Even if it was. Just his clothes. Even. Just the border. Of his garment. Come over with me. To Mark. For the. The Mark accounts. A little bit more detailed. Than Matthew. Mark five. Verse 28. She said. If I may touch. But his clothes. I shall be whole. And straightway. The fountain of her blood.

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    Was dried up. And she felt. In her body. That she was healed. Of that plague. And Jesus. Immediately. Knowing in himself. That virtue. Had gone out of him. Turned him about. In the press. And said. Who touched. My clothes.

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    What were you to make of this. That Jesus. Perceived. That power. Had proceeded from him. And yet. Apparently. Didn't know. Who it was. Who had touched him. It's intriguing. That in the previous verse. It says. She felt. In her body. That she was healed. Of that plague. It says. There was. Some sensation.

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    In the woman's body. And there was. A corresponding. Physical sensation. Some sense. Of energy. Drained. Some feeling. Of depletion. In the Lord. And he had to ask the question twice. Who touched me? And it says. That she came. Fearing and trembling. Verse 33. Knowing what was done in her. And she came. And fell down before him.

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    And told him all the truth. And he said. Under her. Daughter. Thy faith. Hath made thee whole. Go in peace. And be whole. Of thy plague. Such kindness. That the Lord. What a kind man. And that kindness. Is extended to us. As well. I was struck with something. Brother Phil said. In first class.

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    This morning. About. When we love Jesus. And I'm paraphrasing. But when we love Jesus. We love him so much. That. To disappoint him. To not avail ourselves. Of opportunities. That he's presented us with. Well. It's a good motivation. Love is. We want to be motivated. By the love of Christ. The love of Christ.

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    Constrains us. Think of the compassion. Of our Lord. Now. Meanwhile. While all this is going on. You have Jairus there. And Jairus is saying. To himself. Come on. My daughter. She's at death's door. Let's go. Maybe this woman. Wasn't even. Somebody who'd been in the synagogue. And you know. She was unclean. Ruler of the synagogue.

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    Was probably getting impatient. And then just as Jesus. Finished. Addressing the woman. Word comes. That the little girls died. Verse 35. While he yet spake. There came from the ruler. Of the synagogue's house. Certain which said. Thy daughter is dead. Why trouble thou the master. Any longer.

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    But Luke's account says. That when Jesus heard this. He said. Fear not. Believe only. And she'll be made whole. And so the whole procession. Makes its way to Jairus house. And there. They're confronted. By the tumult. Of the professional mourners. Verse 38. He comes to the house. Of the ruler. Of the synagogue.

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    And seeth the tumult. And them that wept. And wailed greatly. And when he was come in. He saith unto them. Why make ye this ado. And weep. The damsel's not dead. But sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he put them all out. He taketh the father. And the mother of the damsel.

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    And them that were with him. And entereth in where the damsel was laying. And he took the damsel. By the hand. I wonder if at this point. That lifeless hand. Had gotten cold. He took the damsel. By the hand. And said unto her. Talitha kumai. Which is being interpreted. Damsel I say unto thee arise.

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    And straightway. The damsel arose. And walked. For she was of the age. Of twelve years. And they were astonished. With a great astonishment. And he charged them straightly. That no man should know it. And this is the part I love. He commanded them. That something should be given her to eat. Now what's that in there for?

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    What's that in there for? What's that detail in there for? I mean I can imagine. Any of us who know what mothers are like.

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    She would have been just so eager to do something for this little girl. He commanded her to give something to eat. My mom you know. When Carol's away. My mom just loves to feed me. And I'm a bad advertisement about that. Because I like to eat. But it gives mom's pleasure to do this.

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    It's as though Jesus was saying. Here's something you can do. It was a further act of compassion. What a compassionate and gracious Lord we have. Well you know we could go on. There's examples. Let me give you a couple. Just mention them. Matthew 9. Verses 27 to 30. Right at the end of the chapter here.

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    Right after the raising of Jairus' daughter. Another example of the healing touch. And it's two blind men. And this episode is recorded only in Matthew. Matthew.

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    And it's the healing touch. Matthew 9. Turning back there. Matthew 9 verse 29. He touched their eyes. And said according to your faith. Be it unto you. Matthew chapter 20. A final example of the healing touch. Another two blind men. One of them blind Bartimaeus. The episode is recorded in Mark and Luke.

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    But only Matthew records the touch of the master's hand. And it's not just in healings. That Matthew seems to be bringing our attention to the hands of the Lord. You remember the time when Jesus was in a crowded room. And his family was beginning to think that he was beside himself. And so they came to take him away.

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    You know maybe it's time for him to have a little bit of away from all this stuff. And they say to him. Your mother and your brothers are outside. And Matthew. It's recorded in the other gospels. But Matthew is the only one who has the detail. That with a wave of his hand he says.

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    Behold my mother and my brethren. It's like as if we're being drawn. Our attention is drawn to the hand of the Lord. Third. Another one.

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    When Peter. And I guess we're going to have this in our. Maybe it's Wednesday's class of Brother Phil's. When Peter steps out of the boat. Right. I've always. Don't want to steal from what Brother Phil says. But I've always thought it was pretty amazing that Peter. I would have said yeah it is a ghost.

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    I'm staying in the boat. But Peter says. If it be thou bid me to come. And Jesus says come. And he comes. And he steps out onto the water. And he fears. And that's described in all the. The gospels. But only Matthew says. That when he called to the Lord. That he reached out his hand.

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    And pulled him in. The touch of the master's hand. Matthew is the only one. Who mentions the hands. Dipping in the dish. At the last supper. And it's only Matthew that mentions. The cruelty of the Roman soldiers. Who thrust a reed. Into Jesus' hand.

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    All these are interesting. But there's one particular. Special occasion. That I want to. Bring your attention to. In Matthew 19. Matthew 19. Starting at verse 13. It's. An occasion. When. Little children. Matthew and Mark say. Luke actually says. Infants. Are brought to Jesus. With the hope. That he will touch them. And pray for them.

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    Matthew 19. Starting at verse 13. Then were there brought unto him. Little children. That he should put his hands. On them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said. Suffer little children. And forbid them not. To come unto me. For of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them.

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    And departed thence. Let's have a look at the same episode. In Mark chapter 10. Verse 13. Verse 13. And notice the details. Notice the extra details. That we have here. They brought young children to him. That he should touch them. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it.

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    He was much displeased. And said unto them. Suffer the little children to come unto me. And forbid them not. For such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you. Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child. He shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms.

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    And put his hands upon them. And blessed them. And you notice the. There is the extended detail. About receiving the kingdom. Like little children. In fact it's interesting. The context. He's been dealing with the Pharisees. They're arguing about. They're splitting hairs. About under what circumstances. It is allowable. To divorce one's wife. That's the Pharisees.

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    That's in two of the Gospels. Another one of the Gospels. The immediate contact with the Pharisees. Is Jesus talking about the Pharisee. Who's been praying with himself. And saying oh I thank you Lord. That I'm not like other men. You know. And the contrast. Between these children. And their parents. Wanting to bring the children to Jesus.

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    And you can understand maybe. Why the disciples. Were uneasy about this. I mean first of all. There wasn't anything wrong with the kids. They weren't sick. They didn't need to be healed. Not only that. Jesus was always being crowded. And the disciples probably felt crowded too. They probably were getting burnt out. With service.

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    You know we do have to encourage ourselves. Not to grow weary with well doing. It must have been exhausting. For the disciples sometimes. That's why they were asleep in the garden. I think. It was just. They were overcome with it all. And so please don't be bringing your children. I might have been doing that.

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    Saying that myself. Interestingly. Interestingly. This is one of the few occasions. Where anything is said. About Jesus actual feelings. At the moment. It says. He was much displeased. They were really missing the point. This was important. Bring those children. Can you imagine the little kid. Jesus picking them up. Stroking their face.

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    Asking for God's blessings. The Pharisees. Jesus had just been dealt with. Weren't in the business. Of giving kind touches. Whether to the needy. Or to children. He was too busy. Being sanctimonious. Praying with himself. But Matthew says. He laid his hands on them. And Mark says. He took them up in his arms.

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    He took them up in his arms. You do wonder what. Prompted the parents. To thus bring their children to Jesus. I guess that. Having seen things like that woman. Who was healed. From her issue of blood. They saw contact with Jesus. As contact with the divine. And it makes you wonder. Whatever happened to those kids.

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    Doesn't it? You wonder if. 60, 70, 80 years later. They'd be saying to their grandchildren. Did I ever tell you about the time? And they'd say. Yeah. You told us about that time. That I sat on the Lord Jesus lap. And he blessed me.

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    I wonder if these children. Grew up to become disciples. What a contrast. Between those children. And the simple faith of their parents. And the self-righteous. Pharisees. And so Jesus indignation with his disciples. Of such is the kingdom of God. Such a lesson it was for the disciples. And can imagine the parents pleasure.

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    I imagine it left an indelible oppression. Of the kindness and gentleness of our Lord Jesus. On these people. They had a mental picture of the Lord. And that mental picture. Was life altering. And so it is for us. And so it should be for us. With knowing Jesus. We call him Lord. And teacher.

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    And we acknowledge his presence. We know that he ever lives. To make intercession for us. I got to thinking about it one time. And you know. It's good to ask yourself this kind of question. Well.

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    What difference did it make. That Jesus was resurrected. I mean. Why couldn't it have been simply that. You know. Abraham's going to be raised in the last day. Why couldn't Jesus have just. Stayed in the grave. And been raised. What difference does this make. And then the first answer I come up with.

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    Probably the first answer a lot of you come up with. Is well. The grave couldn't hold him. So the fact of Jesus' resurrection. Was a seal of God's approval. On what Jesus had done. And it was a wonderful teaching. And preaching tool. To say Jesus is risen. But then I say to myself.

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    Well wait a minute. What about if there had been some other way. That God could have demonstrated. His approval of Jesus. And some single miracle. That could have absolutely shown. That Jesus was in fact the Messiah. Why wouldn't that have been enough. And then the answer has to come to us. That he ever lives.

99. 37:42

    To make intercession for us. He is the gate of the sheepfold. He's the way we come in. Anybody else climb up and go in another way. You're a thief and robber. We don't want to worship around Christ. Christ.

100. 38:04

     We don't want Christ. To be a hypothetical construct. In our mind. A person who lived. And about whom we can recite facts and figures. We want him to be as real to us. I want him to be as real to me. As my dad. In that dream I had. Because if that happened.

101. 38:23

     And my dad comes walking up the driveway. I'm going to drop that axe. Because I know. Then. And I want to know the Lord Jesus. That well. Also. Touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Tempted in all points. Like us. Though he never succumbed. And in that confidence. We can come boldly to the throne of grace.

102. 38:47

     Now we've got just a few more minutes. And I'm wondering. Complete break with protocol here. But I'm wondering if we could sing a hymn. To conclude. Because there's one hymn. That is just so. Very appropriate. For Matthew's consideration. It's an easy one. And I can play it. If you.

103. 39:09

     I'm sure you play it a lot better. It's hymn 218. 218. And it's almost. You know this is almost a hymn. And it's kind of a Sunday school hymn.

104. 39:22

     Very simple. The words. Loving shepherd. Of thy sheep. Keep thy lambs. In safety. Keep. Nothing can thy power withstand. None can pluck them. From thine hand. Loving savior. Thou didst give. Thine own life. That they may live. And the hands. Outstretched to bless. Bear the cruel nails. Impress. In 2.18.

105. 40:18

     In 2.18. Suffer not their sense to stray From the straight and narrow way.