From my reading this morning…

Matthew 9:1-17

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. ² 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.”

³ At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

⁴ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ 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.” ⁷ Then the man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

Knowing their thoughts – an interesting observation by the writer. He knew their thoughts, that is the conclusion that Matthew came to. How did he come to that conclusion? Matthew was called by Jesus and perhaps even in that conversation Matthew was aware that Jesus knew things about him that gave him that impression. Perhaps it was because of the interactions he witnessed between Jesus and others. Whatever the reason Matthew had come to that conclusion.

Secondly, I noted that the teachers of the law had an eye for what was wrong rather than an eye to see the beautiful act of the paralyzed man’s friends and his faith. Nothing is recorded of the conversation between this man and his friends. Did he learn Jesus was in the area and asked them to carry him? Or did the friends come to him with an offer to bring him to Jesus. We don’t know but Jesus is moved by their action.

Faith is often revealed in action – isn’t it? When we trust we act. When we act we grow our faith. Our own experience has been to learn that when we’ve trusted God has not disappointed us and with that our faith has grown to trust more.

The man was healed and his sins were forgiven. Eventually, that man’s body would age and illness would again visit his body. We are not built to last. But the forgiveness of sins remains. And to be forgiven is such a wonderful feeling. To be released from guilt, regret and fear tops the list of things that come with simply asking God for forgiveness.

So maybe if you want to be free of guilt, regret and fear you will consider simply approaching Jesus.

By the way – He knows your thoughts too.