Matthew 9.  In this chapter, Matthew reveals how much Jesus challenged the status quo as he ministered in Capernaum.  He was not what people expected of the Messiah.  Questions emerged everywhere he went – some out of opposition, but others out of righteous concern.  Jesus spent so much time outside the box. 

1. Some of the scribes were there when Jesus healed that paralytic  — throwing in “your sins are forgiven” for good measure.  They wondered how he could say such a thing. No, it wasn’t blasphemy. He is who he is. Deal with it (1-8).
2. Matthew records his own call to discipleship, and the time he invited a bunch of his out crowd friends to spend time with Jesus.  The Pharisees did not see that coming.  Jesus responded to their complaint by implying that if they think they are worthy of his company, they are not (9-13). The Pharisees also could not explain Jesus’ miracles. They imagined that the devil must be behind them (32-34).
3. John’s disciples thought Jesus and his group should be fasting, not feasting.  Jesus patiently taught them that there was room in the kingdom for some new things (14-17).
4. The professional mourners at a girl’s funeral did not expect Jesus to show up and tell them that she was just sleeping.  They couldn’t help but laugh.  Jesus woke her up. He’s going to wake all the dead some day (18-26).
5. Two blind men had faith for Jesus to heal them, but they didn’t expect him to command them to keep quiet about it.  Jesus wants our faith and our obedience (27-31).  The disciples themselves did not expect Jesus to ask them to pray for more harvesters.  They expected him to be “it.”

LORD,  we know you are going to surprise us. We expect the unexpected.