Chapters 8-11 record the credentials and proof of Jesus's claim to the throne of David. The King manifests His divine power by signs and wonders. Remember, the Jews seek a sign.
1 Corinthians 1:22
In studying Matthew 9:1-17 today revealed some great doctrinal truths concerning the presentation of the King and the Kingdom. We continued looking into the 12 miracles that revealed the Lord's power over all things on earth.
V.1-8: The man sick of the palsy was healed as a result of the faith displayed by his friends. They were looking for him to be healed, but Jesus took it to another level by declaring his sins forgiven. Jesus declared himself to be the Son of man, an exclusive messianic title not found in any of Paul's writings. Daniel 7:13-14 declares the Son of man to be the one who will establish an everlasting kingdom. He is also declared the everlasting kingdom will destroy all other kingdoms when it is established, in Daniel 2:44.
V.9-13: Matthew is called to follow the Lord and to be on of the 12 disciples. The religious leaders judge the Lord for eating with publicans and sinners in Matthew's house. He rebukes them by reminding them that the sick need to be healed, not the whole. He, of course, is speaking of spiritual sickness, but uses the physical miracles in these chapters as a picture of Israel's true needs.
V.14-17: Jesus is questioned why he and the disciples do not fast, while the disciples of John the Baptist and the religious leaders practiced fasting. This is the first in a series of illustrations concerning Christ being the Bridegroom and Israel being the children / attendants of the bride chamber. Israel / the virgins are not the Bride. In his earthly ministry, Jesus makes no assertion as to who the Bride is, because it was not given to him to know. He did, however, speak about his marriage in Matthew 22:1-10, as well as in Matthew 25:1-13.
The marriage supper of the Lamb is a critical part of the prophetic program in Revelation 19:7-9. This marriage supper must occur before the 2nd advent, which occurs just a couple of verses later with heaven opening, and the Lord descending with the armies / clouds of heaven to end the tribulation and usher in the everlasting kingdom, which will begin with the 1,000 year millennial reign of Messiah King Jesus. These critical chapters of Matthew give us insight into the prophetic program of Israel.
