Matthew 8:23-9:8
Dear RTB’ers,
Yesterday’s STS introduction told us that we would be reading three sets of three miracles each in Matthew’s chapters 8 and 9. Yesterday we saw three healings – leprosy, paralysis, and a fever. Today we see the second of these three sets of miracles – Jesus calming the storm, casting out demons, and healing the paralytic.
I’m probably repeating myself, but I can’t read the incident of Jesus calming the storm without recalling one of the stories from our Avanza Jesus Storybook Bible, where the authors wrote that when Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm (v. 8:26b) that the wind and the sea recalled His voice from when He first created them at the beginning of history. A really nice thought…!
If I had been a bystander when Jesus healed the paralytic, what would I have thought? Would I have the same mind as the scribes, inherently suspicious: And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” (v. 9:3) How would I then have responded to Jesus’ comment, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? (vv. 9:4b-5) Would Jesus have convinced me when the man got up and left? What more would Jesus have to do before I joined Him, like yesterday’s scribe, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever you go.” (v. 8:19b) Which scribe would I tend toward, yesterday’s or today’s? Knowing myself, I probably would have wanted to follow Jesus for a while from a distance until I saw more of Him. I’m a bit slow, cautious that way.
Thankfully, today, I have seen more of Him and He has convinced me. He is my Way, Truth, and Life, and I am forever blessed in Him! Glory!!
Blessings!
Fred