Today's Scripture
True Healing: Matthew 9:1-8
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Matthew 9-10 (CEB)
Boarding a boat, Jesus crossed to the other side of the lake and went to his own city. 2 People brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a cot. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man who was paralyzed, “Be encouraged, my child, your sins are forgiven.”
3 Some legal experts said among themselves, “This man is insulting God.”
4 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you fill your minds with evil things? 5 Which is easier—to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so you will know that the Human One[a] has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“Get up, take your cot, and go home.” 7 The man got up and went home. 8 When the crowds saw what had happened, they were afraid and praised God, who had given such authority to human beings.
What does this passage mean to me/us
When we see the accounts of Jesus’ healing, it is interesting how often Jesus does something before the actual healing.
For an example, he might ask the one who wants to be healed, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ or even put mud or spit.
In this passage, Jesus says “Be encouraged, my child, your sins are forgiven” (v. 2).
Not only did it spark questions in the ‘legal expert’s’ minds, but it might have caught the people who wanted to see God’s healing off guard.
They traveled all the way to meet Jesus for healing.
Instead, Jesus proclaims cleansing of their sin.
Jesus reminds us what is really important.
We might not be in the state of needing a healing of our body, but we might need healing of our spirit.
We might not be able to see it, being caught up with all the other problems we are trying to deal with.
So Jesus might have to heal our spirit before anything else.
Prayer
Lord, heals our spirit for us to see you more working in our lives. In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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