Matthew 9:1 NLT Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.
Home is often also a place where we have a great deal of work to do.
Matthew 9:2 NLT 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.”
Jesus saw their faith.
How often do we know we need a miracle, but we “stop at the door.”
Matthew 9:3-4 NLT But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?
Matthew 9:5 NLT Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?
Jesus, like everyone in the crowded room, could see the man physically paralyzed, but unlike anyone else, Jesus saw his spiritual paralysis.
What in your life could Jesus be trying to help you get past?
Matthew 9:6-7 NLT So I will prove to you that the Son of Man 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!
He now carries the mat he was carried on in the PAST as a sign of God’s grace to everyone he would walk PAST.
What the man now carries is what he was once confined to.
Matthew 9:8 NLT Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority.
Miracles follow forgiveness.
Faith -> Forgiveness -> Freedom -> Faithfulness
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