Matthew 9:1-8
“How unfeeling Of Jesus!” some might say. What did that poor man’s need have to do with his personal sins? Probably nothing directly. But Jesus didn’t want people to misunderstand his ministry—which, above all, was to heel souls. The amazing healing of bodies were signs of his purpose to bring full redemption from the power of sin and all its ugly effects. Wouldn’t you agree that healing the root-cause of an illness is more urgent than merely removing its symptoms? But Jesus knew that sin is at the root of all human misery. Jesus conquered sin for you at the cross.
Jesus Heals a Crippled Man
[Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26]
After getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. All at once some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so you will know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Get up, pick up your bed, and go home.” So the man got up and went home.
When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Read The Bible In
One Year: Jer. 4-5
Plus Daily Chapter: Ps. 31
