He saw their faith

He saw their faith

Scripture:

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. Matthew 9:1-8

Observation:

In this passage, Matthew records the incident of Jesus healing a paralyzed man who was bedridden such that he had to lie on a mat and have friends carry him. This incident happened in the Lord’s own town, and His first words upon seeing the man caused a huge uproar among the teachers of the law for He said to the man “Your sins are forgiven”. It is interesting to note that the Lord said this upon seeing “their faith” referring to the men who had brought their paralyzed friend. Can our faith bring about healing and salvation for others who may not have faith? This incident certainly shows us that there is great power in the faith of intercessors who bring loved ones or friends to God.

Why did Jesus focus on having the man’s sin’s forgiven first before healing him? No doubt, the forgiveness of one’s sins is far more important than healing. However, in this case, it seems that the man’s paralysis was tied in deeply with particular sins, which once forgiven, freed the man to be healed, and Jesus completed the healing by asking Him to get up, take his mat and go home. Quite possible, the man’s healing had already occurred at the point of having his sins forgiven, but he only realized it when following Jesus’ instructions to get up.

Now, on observing the teachers of the law, we see that they were quick to pounce on the perceived blasphemy while failing to see the great good that Jesus was doing everywhere He went. Prophecy was fulfilled before their eyes, yet they missed it because of their own jealousy and pride.

Application:

Praise the Lord that our sins are forgiven. This is the most important thing that our Lord has given us. It is only because our sins are forgiven that we have access to our Heavenly Father, to seek Him and commune with Him, and ultimately be with Him forever one day after this earth passes away. Pray to the Lord for increased faith. Realize the power we hold in faith and prayer that can greatly influence and even save and heal our loved ones and friends. Set time aside to spend in prayer for our loved ones, especially those unsaved or sick. Thank God that our faith has great impact, and pray for more faith even as we intercede for them. Pray to God for a humble, teachable heart, that would not be judgmental of others.

Prayer:

We praise thee O Lord, for You O Lord came that our sins may be forgiven. You died on the cross that we might have life and complete forgiveness from our sins. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the faith and power You give us in our prayer. Strengthen us and quicken our spirits to understand more and more how to pray in faith, how to believe and intercede for our loved ones and friends. Show us O Lord, the right ways to pray. Give us humble and teachable hearts that will seek You. Let us not be judgmental of others, but to learn to live and discern more and more by Your Spirit day by day, in all humility and love. Bless You, Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Precious Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.