October 12, 2026
Be of Good Cheer - Part 1
Matthew 9:1
10/12/2026
1 And getting into a boat [Jesus] crossed over and
came to his own city. (ESV)
Our prayer this week reminds us that God protects us from
all that would cause us eternal harm. We are free to respond to
His love and mercy by serving our neighbors.
Almighty and merciful God, of Your bountiful goodness
keep from us all things that may hurt us that we, being
ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish
whatever You would have us to do; through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
In this week's Gospel lesson, we will see friends of a
paralytic man who had faith that Jesus could heal all diseases.
We will see in action the results of the preaching of God's
kingdom.
Jesus had been traveling around Galilee teaching and healing
the sick. Saint Matthew records: ``And getting into a boat
[Jesus] crossed over and came to his own city.'' He was about to
show the meaning of His teaching. The message of Jesus was the
same that John the Baptizer proclaimed, ``Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand.''[1]
What is the kingdom of heaven? It is the undisputed reign
of Jesus over sin, death, and the power of the devil. It is the
application of the Gospel, ``For God so loved the world that He
gave His only-begotten Son.'' Thus the message is simple,
``Acknowledge your sins for Jesus died to pay the price of your
guilt.''
May our Lord richly bless us this week as we see this truth
as recorded in the Bible. Amen.
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1. Matthew 4:17