Jesus forgives sins
Mat 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
He came to Capernaum. The gospel of Mark tells us more of the story.
Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Mat 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
He saw their faith, the faith of the afflicted man and the faith of all who interceded for the sick man. The faith of those who pray and persevere is rewarded by God. This is the first indication that Jesus could forgive sins. This was before he secured our salvation through his blood sacrifice. Jesus was and is eternally God the Son, and faith in Jesus, before and after the cross, is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Mat 9:3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
The scribes were responsible for copying the word, making correct and accurate copies of the holy scripture. For a man to say, your sins are forgiven, normally would be blaspheme, speaking or doing things in disrespect, mocking God. Their law counted this as worthy of death.
But, this was no normal person. This is Jesus, the Son of God, the savior. These scribes had no faith in Jesus. Often those who think they have all the answers, think evil of someone who does not fit their beliefs.
Mat 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
Mat 9:5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Mat 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Mat 9:7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
Mat 9:8 But when the multitude saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Jesus had shown that he can forgive sins, he healed the sick, he had power over the forces of nature and he drove out demons by his word. In truth, he is the Son of God. On the Internet in a chat, I witnessed to a lady, very early in the morning. With all the truth of the gospel, she would not receive. She said, I need tangible evidence. Here is your tangible evidence. The scribes like many are full of their own wisdom and proud of their understanding. They missed God. Will you receive Jesus as your Lord and the one who saves you from your sins? Good, learn of him and share the life giving message with others.
God's Mercy
Mat 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
This is how Matthew was called, he was a tax collector. In collecting taxes for the Romans, the collector asked for more then was due. This is how they were paid. The people hated tax collectors or publicans because of their greed.
Mat 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
Jesus and his disciples, set for dinner in Matthew's house with other publicans and sinners.
Mat 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
The Pharisees, always appearing as if they were righteous, were quick to judge Jesus for associating with sinners. Jesus knew what he was doing.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Mat 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus disregarded their manmade social customs and reminded them of God's word.
1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I (Paul) am chief.
1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
If we have received mercy from God, we should show others the mercy and grace of God. Jesus came as a lowly servant, we should be humble servants, not proud and religious. Show others Jesus and forgiveness of sins, through him. The unforgiven need mercy and forgiveness. This is God's love to us.
Why no fasting?
Mat 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
A fast, was to go without food for a time, to dedicate your heart to the Lord, seeking him in prayer and meditation. Sometimes fasts were for speaking and listening to God's will. It is a time of denying the flesh, and focusing on the Spirit, communing with God.
The disciples of John the Baptist, were only told to repent and seek the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God was now at hand, Jesus himself was the kingdom come down to man, being the Spiritual Son of God, eternal in existence; the Spirit that came to dwell in a human, the Spirit man, Jesus.
The Pharisees, often would fast to appear righteous before men. Jesus spoke against this kind of religious fast. It was for show, appearing as righteous. The Pharisees loved the praise and admiration of the people.
Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
If we ask anything of the Father, God the Father, he will hear and give us an answer. We are rewarded in this way. A fast is to commune with God, not for outward show.
Mat 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Jesus, spoke a parable of the custom of the bridegroom coming for his bride, which was followed by a feast and a time of celebration. Jesus, is the Bridegroom, the church, is the bride. The church refers to all believers who have trusted in Jesus to be saved from their sins. These are the people of the kingdom of God, from the Old Testament with Israel and the New Covenant, through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation from our sins is through faith in Jesus.
When Jesus is removed, then we may fast and seek God through the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God was promised to us, always being with the believers of Christ Jesus. He is the one who comes along side us, our comforter, we are never alone. The comforter is the Spirit of Jesus, He is our peace as we dwell on earth.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
We are not alone, Jesus has come to dwell in our hearts, now and forever more. Rejoice in your fast. It is hard to be sad, knowing God is with us always. Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.
New replaces the Old
Mat 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
Jesus uses more parables, a natural story with a spiritual meaning. A new cloth unshrunk, cannot be placed on an old garment as a patch, or it will shrink and tear the old. What is the new and what is the old in the spiritual application?
The Old is the Old Covenant, the New Covenant was not sent to patch up the old, It is meant to replace it. In it, is grace through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for sins. The old ceremonial sacrifice laws are done away with. The emphasis is not on the law, but a relationship to God through the Holy Spirit. The laws are written on our hearts.
2 Cor 3:2 Ye are our epistle (letter) written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.
Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Again, the old wineskin refers to the old covenant, the new, the new covenant. The new replaces the old. Yet Jesus fulfilled the old, in him is completeness.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Being under God's grace, does not mean we break God's laws.
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The new covenant is new life to the believer in Christ Jesus.
Healing through faith in Jesus
Mat 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
While he spoke of the new, replacing the old, another man, a ruler came in faith, asking him to raise his daughter from the dead. Jesus was very busy meeting the needs of all who came to him in faith. He is still busy meeting the needs of all who call upon him in faith. Jesus is eternally Lord.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Mat 9:19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
Jesus willingly followed the ruler to touch the young lady, so that she may live again. He was a servant and his disciples followed him. How do we follow Jesus today? By meeting the needs of those who call upon Jesus in faith. His power is available today to make a new life, to forgive sins and to heal physical and emotional needs. Jesus can give appetites back, he can release us from all bondage's. We receive according to our faith. Don't give up, he has work for you to do.
Mat 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
Mat 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
How long have you suffered with an incurable ailment, a curse? Jesus breaks all curses. He would hang on the cross for our curses.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The lady with an issue of blood suffered for twelve years, doctors had bled her of all her finances.
Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
She had no other hope, but to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Sometimes we come to Jesus as a last resort. Our senior pastor always says, if I am ill, take me to the church for prayer. He had been healed of tuberculosis through the prayers of faith. I was healed of terminal cancer through faith in Jesus and the prayers of the followers of Jesus. Healing is in Jesus, He is our first and last resort.
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
We do not come to a psychic healer, a sorcerer or one reading tarot cards or practicing magic. These things are an abomination to God and they shall be judged. We come to God, through Jesus, the Son of God, the Almighty God. He is the creator and healer, in him is life and healing.
Mat 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
One last note, if you are not healed immediately, do not receive condemnation. He has made you his own, the greatest healing of all. Continue in faith and see the glory of God.
Raising the dead
Mat 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
These people were professional mourners, hired to cry and to mourn and to sing the blues. This must have been offensive to the Spirit of God and the Son of God. Jesus would come up against many phony religious customs. Jesus would speak later of what God requires.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
There was no truth in these hirelings.
Mat 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Jesus coming to the crowd of hired mourners, asks them to let him pass through to the dead girl, the maid is not dead, but she sleeps. Jesus was coming to raise the dead, at the request of the ruler, whose daughter she was. The ruler had faith; who hired the mourners? Perhaps the wife or a relative or the synagogue, wanting to do all things right according to their man made customs.
The crowd was there, not caring a whit for the dead girl, but doing their thing for wages. Lord, spare me from religious people, who have no faith. Their response to Jesus' command was to laugh him to scorn. They ridiculed and mocked the Son of God. People today make jokes and mock the name of Jesus, what was his response?
Mat 9:25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
He put out the mocking mourners. Jesus reached to take the hand of the daughter, through the faith of her father he was sent, and the girl arose. Jesus cannot heal where unbelief is, unbelief must be removed. In order to be healed of sins, unbelief must be replaced by faith. God will not go against your will, unbelief must give way to the healing hand of Jesus. That which was dead, was made alive, through the faith of the father who loved. Before Jesus came to us, we were dead in trespasses and sins. But, the Father loved us, our heavenly Father.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Mat 9:26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
This story was told abroad, unto all of Israel. Jesus raised the dead. The gospel message must be preached to all people, Jesus himself has risen from the dead and offers new life to all who believe. Come to Jesus through faith and receive new eternal life, the Father loves you.
Blind men see
Mat 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
They pleaded with him as a fellow heir of the promises of God, Thou son of David, they were Jews and appealed to Jesus as a fellow person of the covenant promises. The Messiah was sent first to His own people. They knew he was a prophet of God, a teacher, but most did not see him yet as their Messiah. They knew he was from God, who could heal. A Pharisee expressed his observations of Jesus, coming to him in secret.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Mat 9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
So much is said for or against faith healers. But, get this straight. Jesus often asked about faith and said, be it done according to your faith. Faith must come to Jesus, from somewhere, from a person in need, a father, friends, Jesus honors faith in God's ability and willingness to heal, in the name of Jesus.
Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Mat 9:30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
We are to testify of the glory of God, but at this time it was best to keep silent so that Jesus would be free to move around.
Mat 9:31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
They could not keep silent. Jesus heals, even giving sight to the blind. The worst blindness is a blind heart, Jesus can bring sight to a blind heart of unbelief. Nothing is impossible with God. Be it according to your faith, first get the Lord's attention through fervent prayer and he will heal. Do not feel that you are too bad to receive, if you belong to Jesus you are a child of God, connected to the promises and love of God.
Mute man healed
Mat 9:32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
He was a mute man, unable to speak. In this case the cause was a demon, in some it is due to a stroke or even emotional trauma.
Mat 9:33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
The custom of the Rabbi's was to ask the demon it's name, but how can a mute person speak? On the Internet, I have talked by typing with someone who would not speak. This revealed another personality within, perhaps demonic, hiding behind muteness so as to not be discovered.
The Spirit of Jesus is not bound; the people marveled at the miracle.
Mat 9:34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
Quick to judge what they did not understand, the Pharisees accused Jesus of miracles through Satan. He would address them on this issue in Chapter 12.
Mat 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Mat 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
He went about healing every ailment.
Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Jesus loves people. He sees them as sheep scattered, he is the good shepherd who came to care for the sheep and lead them to the promised land. God has given us a purpose to fulfill for his glory. Will you follow Jesus, and fulfill your purpose?
Harvesters Needed
Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
In a harvest of grain or fruit, it is important to bring them in when they are ripe, or they will spoil. Jesus, speaking of a harvest of peoples souls, spoke of the harvest potential as abundant, but few who will go out to harvest them, bringing them into the kingdom of God. I have heard people say, where was God when I cried out to him? He was near, yet the faithful laborers were few, to bring you to him. He does use us, he depends on our willingness to serve as much as the willingness of the soul to receive.
Most children will receive the gospel message, but with age some have been spoiled, the harvest time was too late. They have received hard hearts of unbelief, they have trusted in the wisdom of the world.
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1 Cor 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Pray, God will raise up more witnesses, perhaps you?
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