Matthew 9:14-26

Let us mark the gracious name by which the Lord Jesus speaks of Himself: "the bridegroom."
Let us mark what a wise principle the Lord Jesus lays down for the treatment of young disciples.
Let us mark what encouragement our Lord gives to the humblest faith.
Let us mark in this passage our Lord's almighty power.

"What the bridegroom is to the bride, the Lord Jesus is to the souls of all who believe in Him. He loves them with a deep and everlasting love."

"We must not be in a hurry to require a minute conformity to one rigid rule in 'things indifferent', until the first principles of repentance and faith have been thoroughly learned. To guide us in this matter, we have great need to pray for grace, and Christian common sense."

"Our faith may be feeble. Our courage may be small. Our grasp of the Gospel, and its promises, may be weak and trembling. But, after all, the grand question is, do we really trust in Christ alone? Do we look to Jesus, and only to Jesus, for pardon and peace? If this be so, it is well."

Questions:

Jesus calls himself 'the bridegroom' and Ryle highlights what that means. As I read it again, try and pick one that stands out to you and ask why. "What the bridegroom is to the bride, the Lord Jesus is to the souls of all who believe in Him. He loves them with a deep and everlasting love. He takes them into union with Himself. They are "one with Christ and Christ in them." He pays all their debts to God. He supplies all their daily need. He sympathizes with them in all their troubles. He bears with all their infirmities, and does not reject them for a few weaknesses. He regards them as part of Himself. Those that persecute and injure them are persecuting Him. The glory that He has received from His Father they will one day share with Him, and where He is, there shall they be."
We see a woman with touch the edge of Jesus' cloak and is healed because of her faith. Ryle draws great encouragement regarding the strength or weakness of our faith. He says, "Our faith may be feeble. Our courage may be small. Our grasp of the Gospel, and its promises, may be weak and trembling. But, after all, the grand question is, do we really trust in Christ alone? Do we look to Jesus, and only to Jesus, for pardon and peace? If this be so, it is well." We need to ask ourselves, do we really trust in Christ alone for pardon and peace? Am I seeking to grow in the grace of faith so that I may have more joy in this journey to heaven?