Readings for the next few days:
Saturday, October 5: Matthew 9 – 10

The world’s greatest sandwich. If you read Dagwood, you would know that he is always looking for the perfect sandwich. There has even been a commercial lately, that is asking, this “the perfect sandwich?” All while showing a young girl sitting between two bulldogs. Now you may love Dagwood, peanut butter cracker sandwiches, or sandwiches in general, however I would like to let you know that the most popular sandwich is right here in the 9th chapter of Matthew, and you probably didn’t even know it was a sandwich:

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.
(Matthew 9:18-26)

Did you enjoy the sandwich? We have probably all heard this story before. It’s included in the same manner in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. A leader has a daughter who is ill and he seeks Jesus’ help. Then, right in the middle of the request, Jesus encounters the hemorrhaging woman. The needs/request of the first part of the story are set aside, the bleeding woman is healed, then we get back to the conclusion of the first part of the story. This is why many refer to this as a “sandwich” story. It’s a great literary technique to help build suspense and draw the reading along from one part to the other. Pretty tasty isn’t it?

Well it gets better . . . think of how it must have been to be a part of the world’s greatest sandwich. The dead, find new life . . . The lame, are restore . . . indeed our God is good!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Sunday, October 6: Matthew 11 – 12
Monday, October 7: Matthew 13 – 14
Tuesday, October 8: Matthew 15 – 17
Wednesday, October 9: Matthew 18 – 19