April 17, 2012
The people asked Jesus to leave, so He left. He went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought a man who was paralyzed to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith He said, "Be encouraged, young man. Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9:2) Jesus had a reason for forgiving him spiritually without healing his physical body. There was a lesson He wanted to teach those who were witnessing this encounter, and there is also an important truth for us to learn. The most important healing is our spiritual healing and not our physical healing. Not only is it the most important, but often it is the most difficult as well.
The Pharisees (teachers of the law) who prided themselves on knowing and following the letter of the law were outraged. How dare Jesus! How dare He say to someone that their sins were forgiven. There were rules and protocol to follow! How dare He break them! How dare Jesus act as if He is God! They felt Jesus' actions brought shame to the "law" and therefore to God. Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them, "Why are you thinking evil thoughts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'stand up and walk?' " (Matthew 9:4-5) It is easier to "say" your sins are forgiven because it is an inward action.
Obviously the forgiveness of our sins required the very costly death of Christ. I am not discounting that in any way. But, it is easier to "say" something that is unseen that to say and do what is visible to the human eye. So Jesus said, "I'm going to do what you can see so that you will believe I can do what you cannot see and only what God can do. Young man—stand up, pick up your mat, and go home." And the people were amazed.
Next Entry: Matthew 9:1–38 (Continued)
The people asked Jesus to leave, so He left. He went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought a man who was paralyzed to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith He said, "Be encouraged, young man. Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9:2) Jesus had a reason for forgiving him spiritually without healing his physical body. There was a lesson He wanted to teach those who were witnessing this encounter, and there is also an important truth for us to learn. The most important healing is our spiritual healing and not our physical healing. Not only is it the most important, but often it is the most difficult as well.
The Pharisees (teachers of the law) who prided themselves on knowing and following the letter of the law were outraged. How dare Jesus! How dare He say to someone that their sins were forgiven. There were rules and protocol to follow! How dare He break them! How dare Jesus act as if He is God! They felt Jesus' actions brought shame to the "law" and therefore to God. Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them, "Why are you thinking evil thoughts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'stand up and walk?' " (Matthew 9:4-5) It is easier to "say" your sins are forgiven because it is an inward action.
Obviously the forgiveness of our sins required the very costly death of Christ. I am not discounting that in any way. But, it is easier to "say" something that is unseen that to say and do what is visible to the human eye. So Jesus said, "I'm going to do what you can see so that you will believe I can do what you cannot see and only what God can do. Young man—stand up, pick up your mat, and go home." And the people were amazed.
Next Entry: Matthew 9:1–38 (Continued)
No comments:
Post a Comment