The animal relationships in our house are a little complicated. We now house a dog, two cats and a leopard gecko. Everything was quiet when we just had a dog and a gecko. Then, a certain cat invited himself inside and has just stayed. Adopted another cat. I’ve told you this before, but what I wish is that I could read their minds. The side eyes. The stare downs. The stance right before the pounce. The warning growl. The complaining yowl when picked up. We often talk for them, lol. On the other hand, I’m super glad those around me can’t hear my thoughts. Can I get an amen?
In Matthew chapter 9, Jesus invites himself back to his hometown. And Jesus does exactly that, he reads the Pharisees’ minds. Something I haven’t paid attention to before, Jesus addresses the paralytic first, to forgive his sins. Not to heal. Not yet. Let’s read.
“So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town. Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the scribes said among themselves, “He’s blaspheming! ” But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — then He told the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” And he got up and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God who had given such authority to men.”
Matthew 9:1-8 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.9.1-8.HCSB
Just noticed this. Jesus enters his hometown and men come bearing a paralytic. He saw their faith. That is beautiful. Just like the centurion, Jesus got right to the heart. I ask myself, where is my heart? Do I have a faith that Jesus recognizes? My morning this morning has been full of complex car Jenga. It has been hard to settle myself, and yet, friend, every time I open the word of God, there is treasure. God shows me who he is and what he is doing.
Jesus engages with the paralytic. He sees him, first, as a human being with thoughts and feelings and worries and the best? Trust. The paralytic trusted Jesus. That just blows my mind. I wish you could see me right now, I’m in the middle of a hot flash and I’m shaking my head in wonder. He saw this man, not as a disease, but as a person, loving Jesus.
That is the appropriate response to the Son of God.
Then, we have…
😉 The scribes have the next response to Jesus. When I read this, I think of that song in “Music Man.” Hope you took a second to watch. They are shocked. They swoon. “He’s blaspheming!” Matthew 9:3 HCSB
And here it is. Jesus has perceived the men and paralytic. And now, he perceives the scribes’ thoughts. And asks a question that we hear no answer. Is their an adequate answer?
Why are you thinking evil things in your heart?
Matthew 9
Notice Jesus calls this behavior what it is..evil. It’s not a little white lie (what is that really?). It’s not an oops, I forgot to…whatever. Jesus calls them out. In this small part of Matthew, he calls out both groups. He asks another question, impossible to answer.
For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
Matthew 9
Jesus then heals, in so doing, continues to walk toward Gethsemane. Next response to Jesus is noticed next. They were “awestruck” and “gave glory to God”. May this be our response. May we be awestruck by the answers to prayer. May we be awestruck by the beauty of creation. May we ask the Lord to help us believe.
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