Matthew 9- Healed or Forgiven?

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And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. Matthew 9:1-3

There are many who say “Jesus never said that He is God” , it’s apparent that those people either don’t know the Bible or they don’t understand the Bible. In our reading today, Jesus makes it very clear He is God in the flesh (John 1:14) So we begin our story, with a paralyzed man being brought to Christ to be healed. Now notice what the scripture says “Jesus seeing their faith” this whole miracle happened with Christ because the people had faith in Christ. Faith is key in our spiritual lives to walk with God

Jesus says “Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven” Now Jesus is demonstrating his deity here. First notice, Jesus said “Your sins are forgiven” So this brings up the question, who can forgive sins? Well the common sense and correct answer is only God can forgive sins. There is no human except Christ who can truly forgive sins, regardless of what man-made religion or tradition may have taught. The religious leaders understood what Jesus was saying that’s why they said “This man is blaspheming” (v3)

 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. Matthew 9:4-8

The Son of Man has the power to forgive sins and heal people! The Son of Man as described by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 7) This is Christ proclaiming He is God in the flesh, if you can’t see how Jesus is proclaiming to be God you are not understanding the scriptures. The religious leaders clearly understood what Christ was saying, that’s why they charged him with blasphemy and wanted him killed. Another thing to notice is, when Jesus heals he doesn’t pray to God and then they are healed. Christ heals them himself, because Christ has the power and authority of God

But when the multitudes saw it they marveled and praised God, Jesus wasn’t doing ordinary things. Christ is Immanuel, God is with us, the power of Heaven has come down to Earth. Another thing to ponder, Jesus forgave the man’s sins and physically healed him. If Jesus just healed the man, his soul could still be dead in sin, however Christ has the power to bring the spiritually dead back to life, that’s why Christ is the true Great Physician

Jesus has the power and authority to forgive sin because Christ is the Lamb of God who paid the debt for our sins, because Jesus Christ is God in the Flesh (John 1:14) Amen!

Matthew 8- Demons Tremble

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And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. Matthew 8:28-31

 When you ask the average Christian, what are your thoughts on demons and angels? Many of them either are skeptical or don’t believe in the supernatural at all. It’s amazes me how anyone can be a Born Again Christian and read the Bible, and not accept the supernatural world is real. Angels and Demons are real, Heaven and Hell are real, you have a soul. My concern with this lack of belief, is not only do you deny scripture, but you are not getting the full picture of the spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) that is going on right now for your soul, and every soul on this Earth

Here in Matthew, we see the Legion story that is in more detail in Luke. Now in Luke he focuses on just one made possessed with multiple demons named Legion. However here we see there is actually multiple people filled with demons, their behavior is violent and blasphemous. But notice when the demons see Jesus they know exactly who he is and the power Christ has over everything! We read yesterday Jesus has power and authority over the winds and the sea, now we see Christ has the power and authority over all the demons and Satan. Remember every knee will bow down to Christ, not just the saved but also the wicked (Philippians 2)

The demons address Jesus as the Son of God, does that mean they are saved? Of course not, because they reject Christ authority as Lord over them. My point is we have a weak gospel nowadays, where anyone who “believes” in Christ is saved, this is not true or Biblical. You must repent of your sin and be Born Again through Christ to be saved, not just believe who He is. Secondly, notice the demons beg Jesus not to “torment” them, what are they talking about? They are talking about Hell, Christ holds the keys to life , death, and Hell (Revelation 1:17-18)

And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. Matthew 8:32-34

Notice again the authority of Christ, the demons begged him to let them enter the pigs and he allowed it. See the demons and Satan are in subjection to Christ. So why are some people possessed with demons then? Because they are not filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6) A Born Again Christians who’s body is the Temple of God can’t be overtaken by demons. However those who reject Christ and open themselves up to demons with worldly sin can easily be overtaken by demons. 

Now I know this article may have made you feel uncomfortable or maybe questioned your beliefs, but that is not a bad thing. It’s best we understand the Spiritual War we are in and make sure we are Born Again in Christ, nobody came come to the Father God except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6) Amen

Matthew 8- The Calm In The Storm

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And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. Matthew 8:23-25

When Moses led the Israelites from Egypt, God parted the Red Sea, I think we can all agree on that. However here we see Jesus is in control of the Sea, the winds and the sea obey him. Jesus is not just another prophet from God, Christ is God in the flesh, all the disciples fully understand this with Jesus actions here

From another practical perspective, Jesus is the calm of the storm in your life also. Question is do you obey him as Lord as the winds and sea do? While the disciples were out in the boat, a great storm came upon them, what was their response? “Lord Save Us, we are perishing” ! While it’s great they called upon The Lord, why are the disciples living life in such fear? We can ask ourselves this question also, during the pandemic we seen who truly had faith and who completely wavered

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! Matthew 8:26-27

Jesus’ response to his disciples “Why are you so fearful?” also “Where is your faith”? Many Christians live like they don’t have any faith at all. Do you truly believe Jesus is your Lord? Do you truly believe Christ has risen from the dead? Then why don’t you live like you believe? This is what Jesus was saying to his disciples, c’mon guys you seen me perform miracles, you seen me raise the dead, why don’t you guys have any faith?

Now I understand we all have our moments of weakness, I know some struggle with anxiety more than others, put your full faith in Jesus Christ! The disciples marveled at Jesus “Even the winds and sea obey Him”! Think about that, the same Lord who died for you on the cross, is the same Lord that created the Heavens and Earth

If your in the storm today, go to the one who can truly calm the storm. Go to the permanent solution not the temporary fix, go to the eternal Son of God Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 8- So You Want To Be A Christian?

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Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Matthew 8:18-20

The world today has a very cheap perspective of Christianity, even most of the Church today does as well. Many claim you just repeat a few lines and magically you get a golden ticket to Heaven. But as Jesus taught us Christianity has a cost, what is the cost? True Christianity will cost you everything, Jesus said “Anyone who wants to save their life, must lose it” (Matthew 16:25) Jesus also said “Deny yourself, carry your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23)

Many want the salvation of Christ but they don’t want to be transformed by Christ. This is an important step, as Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3)Again there is a price to pay to become a Christian, it’s not a cheap grace, it’s eternal life bought by the price of Jesus Christ himself.

The man said “Master I will follow you wherever you go” Really? Are we willing to follow Christ to the cross? Are you willing to let your old self die and let your new self be risen and transformed? Many want paradise but don’t want repentance or obedience to Christ. You are either a slave to sin or a slave to Jesus Christ (Romans 6:20) 

And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. Matthew 8:21-22

Jesus is saying “You really think you want to follow me”? You really think its going to be a glamorous road following Christ? Think of the opposite, if they killed your Master, they will kill you also. They will hate you, they will spit on you, they will curse your name, why? Because the world hates the real Jesus, because the world is ruled by the evil one

So before you identify yourself as a Christian, ask yourself did I really become Born Again? Did I really die at the cross to my sins, and I was baptized by the Holy Spirit and transformed? If you truly want to be a disciple of Christ, deny yourself, carry your cross and follow your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen