Tag: friends faith
Jesus Responds to Faith
Scripture reading for October 21: Matthew 9:1-6 “And getting into a boat He crossed over and came to His own city. And behold, 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.” And behold, 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? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–He said to the paralytic–“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
In this story of a paralytic brought by friends to Jesus, Jesus took note of the faith of the friends who had taken the time and effort to carry this man on a stretcher to Jesus. They were persistent and willing to endure hardship to get their friend healing help. Jesus responded by speaking to the paralytic tenderly, as His son. He told him that his sins were forgiven.
Some religious scribes were observing Jesus and when He spoke with authority to forgive the man’s sins, they accused Jesus of blasphemy, a serious sin of taking God’s Name and authority as His own. But Jesus confronted them with a question: “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” A follow-up question concerned which might be easier for Him to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Rise and walk.” As we think about these questions, it is equally easy to say either one. What is difficult is to actually be able to forgive sins and to actually command a paralytic to rise and walk. Only God can do either one!
When it comes to helping those who are sick find healing, a determination we must make is are we sick because of sin or disobedience present in our life? We must also be careful not to doubt Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus demonstrated that He was God in both forgiving this man’s sins and then in restoring his ability to walk and function. It is faith that Jesus is looking for in those helping the hurting.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for coming to earth to show us Your heart as a Good Father to forgive us our sins, saving us from eternal damnation. Thank You for healing those who are hopeless apart from Your powerful Word. Amen.