Thursday, June 30, 2016

Matthew 9: 1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
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 then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

“This man is blaspheming.” Why would the scribes say this? Because it was believed that only God could forgive sins. Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven making a clear statement that he is God. Actions speak louder than words. The scribes believe that’s all he did, utter some useless words that no man could fulfill. So Jesus goes further and acts on his words by doing another thing that was believed only God could do. He healed the paralytic man, proving that he indeed could forgive sin.

It was believed in Jesus day that illnesses like paralysis were caused by your sins or the sins of your fathers. The man was paralyzed because of the sin in his life. The only way this paralysis could be cured was if God forgave those sins. In Jesus words he states quite clearly he is God and then he backs it up with action.

Although they were all amazed the people there still did not believe. They gave glory to God, not because they saw Jesus as God but because God chose to work a miracle through a man. Wasn’t this the son of Joseph the carpenter? Why did he warrant such favor that God would choose to work through him? Look everyone; we have a living prophet in our midst that wields the authority of the Father. They saw but they did not understand.

How much are we like these people? God works miracles around us all of the time and yet we do not believe. We have compartmentalized God to one or two hours a week on Sunday. We do not try to change our wills to that of the Father. Far too many only pay lip service to God, hedging their bets in case all this bible stuff has some truth to it. They stand up in church on Sunday and proclaim, “I believe…” without hearing the words that come forth from their mouths, in a rush to get on with their day.

Do I live each day for the Lord? Do I give him the glory, honor, and praise he is due? Of course I don’t. Very, very few of us dedicate our lives to do that to the level it is due. To God is due all glory, honor, and praise, not just what I have time to offer one day a week.