Interruptions are a fact of life.

Interruptions were a real part of the life and ministry of Jesus.

One author I read reports 38 different interruptions that Jesus encounter in his earthly ministry. 

In Matthew 9 Jesus ministered to 17 different people or groups in a single day – a single chapter.

  • Matthew 9:1-2 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

  • 10-11 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

  • 18-19  While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

  • 27  As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

  • Anytime you are ministering to people – anytime your focus is people – anytime you goal is people – you will have interruptions.

  • Matt 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

  • Matt 9:32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.

In ministry we focus on people.

Interruptions are opportunities for God to reveal hurt and need of individuals for us to minister to – needs we never would have known if we had not been interrupted. 

This season of interruption is revealing the reality of need that we never would have seen apart from this interruption.  It is my hope and prayer that the interruptions of 2020 will result in the Mathew Chapter 9 of your life.