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7 June, 2026Pastor John Strelan

Last week I had surgery to remove a cataract in my right eye. A cataract is when the normally clear lens in the eye becomes cloudy. Often this happens so gradually that people don’t notice the deterioration until it’s really bad. They may not even know they have a vision problem until diagnosed by a professional! But, once the lens is replaced they are amazed at what they can see.

 

The text from Matthew’s Gospel this week acts as a kind of spiritual ophthalmologist for us, diagnosing, treating and repairing our vision impairments.

 

Thankfully, my cataract surgery went well, and while I wasn’t ‘amazed’ by what I could see afterwards, I can certainly see more clearly. As you come on Sunday for your appointment with the Great Physician, may it be so for you too.  


~ Pastor John Strelan


Click here for a link to our new spotify podcast containing the latest sermon recordings.

If you are unable to access spotify, 2026 sermon recordings can be found here

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Jesus calls Matthew, heals a woman, and raises a child

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10 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?’

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. 13 But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’

18 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.

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’

22 Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and the people playing pipes, 24 he said, ‘Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.

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