Read Matthew Chapter 9:1-8
“Can I get a witness?”
Once again Jesus crosses over in a boat, but this time to his own city. It seems wherever Jesus goes he sees it as a Ministry opportunity. May that be our heart as well.
This time a paralytic is lowered through the roof of a place where Jesus is speaking. When Jesus saw the faith of those who lowered him, he said to the paralytic, “Take courage my son, your sins are forgiven.” I love this response by Jesus:
1. He called the man his son. As Christians, when we come to the Lord in prayer and Brokenness, he speaks with love and endearment. He calls us his son or his daughter. He loves us. He wants to work in our lives.
2. Jesus also says, ” Take courage!” Why? Because God is able to intervene in our difficult situations. Plus Jesus isn’t just concerned just about our physical situation but he is also concerned about our spiritual well-being. He said to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus wants to intervene in our lives but he wants to cleanse us and transform us into wholeness and newness.
Jesus showed his authority to the doubting religious leaders when he healed the man spiritually and physically.
All who saw this miracle were filled with awe and glorified God. What a great testimony that others got to see. Can you imagine the testimony this became to others who saw the paralytic as a healed man throughout the coming days?
Jesus wants to use us to bring a testimony of his power and authority. Jesus wants to bring wholeness and newness in our lives spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
What are you going through? Are your circumstances seemingly impossible? Have you ever said, “I can’t do this!” Good, you’re right, you can’t do it. But God can. He has the power and the authority. May we rely on him and trust him through the process so that it can be a testimony of his power and authority.
