SINCERELY YOURS EPISODE #15
In Matthew chapter 9, after having been away from His hometown for a while, Jesus has returned. While the crowd wondered at the stony-face of this unfortunate crippled man, Jesus noticed the lonely bow of his head. As they were openly gawking at his lifeless legs, Jesus was vitally aware of his life-seeking heart. And while the crowd was buzzing about what was to come, Jesus was recognizing the bitter fruit of what had already been. Let’s take a seat on the mat, and visit the scene from what may have been our friend’s point of view.
Based on Matthew 9:1-13 (NIV)
9 Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. 2 Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”
3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”
4 Jesus knew[a] what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man[b] has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
7 And the man jumped up and went home! 8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority.
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[c]”
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[d] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
About the Podcast
Discover the treasures of God’s Word with host Ann Mainse. Every weekday, this five minute devotional podcast opens up the Bible and explores its lessons and how we can apply them to our lives today.
