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This chapter emphasizes that what matters is the acceptance or rejection of Jesus. Jesus heals the servant of a non-Jew, so whether or not one is Jewish doesn’t matter. Jesus raises someone from the dead, so the severity of the problem also doesn’t matter. Further, he forgives a sinful woman, so how sinful someone is doesn’t matter. In fact, he says that more sin makes a person more thankful. Finally, he responds to John the Baptist’s questions, so it is important even for a great prophet to accept Jesus. The same is true today. Our acceptance of Jesus is the starting point of a relationship with God. Nothing in our background can prevent us from entering a relationship with God through trusting Jesus, and nothing can allow us to have a relationship with God in any other way.

Prayer