Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Verses 1-8

Jesus left Nazareth and came to Capernaum which was his city. Some people brought to him a paralytic man lying on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and forgave the sins of the man. Jesus saw that this man’s greatest need was spiritual healing. Spiritual health is much more important than physical health.

The accusation of blasphemy from the scribes prompted Jesus to ask them a question. They rightly understood that Jesus was claiming to be God, and if He was not God, they would have been right in charging him with the sin of blasphemy. The thoughts of the scribes were only evil. They failed to recognise the divinity of Jesus. Jesus proved His authority and divinity by healing the man’s legs. Not only did Jesus have the authority to forgive sins, but he also had the power to heal. Fear set in the hearts of the people that witnessed the great power of Christ. This caused them to give glory to God. It is clear from the text that this is the main reason for what Jesus did that day.

Jesus Eats with Sinners
Verses 9-13

Here we learn that when Jesus called Matthew he promptly obeyed him. Matthew was called to be a follower of Christ when he was going about his daily business as a tax collector. The tax collector was a figure of distaste in Israel. The role of Matthew would have been to collect money for Rome. Jesus and his disciples sat with Matthew and other tax collectors and sinners in his house. It was not customary for Jews to associate with those who supported Rome. Jesus was showing mercy and grace to those rejected by society. Jesus had come to call sinners to repentance. So, ministering to the people we find in the passage are those whom He had come to reach.

We must take a lesson from the text. Jesus visited these people to do them good. He did not visit them to partake in their sinful deeds. This passage of Scripture does not justify us keeping company with bad people. We ought to have compassion for the lost, but not join in with the unrighteous company.

Questions About Fasting
Verses 14-17

The disciples of John asked Jesus a question regarding fasting. They wanted to know why they and the Pharisees fasted often, and the disciples of Christ did not. John’s disciples fasted as a sign of mourning for sin. The coming of Christ was like a wedding feast. A wedding is a time of joy not mourning. The disciples of Christ rejoiced in his presence, as they had the Messiah with them.

Jesus Heals a Bleeding Woman
Verses 18-26

A Jewish ruler came to Jesus and worshipped him. The ruler was in great distress as his daughter had just died. The ruler wanted Jesus to perform a miracle and cause the girl to live. Suddenly a woman who was suffering bleeding, perhaps a menstrual condition for twelve years touched the garment of Jesus. She believed that even touching the clothing of Christ was enough to make her whole. Jesus declared that her faith had made her well.

When Jesus arrived at the house of the ruler, he saw a crowd in great distress. Jesus declared that the girl was not dead, but merely asleep. This caused the crowd to mock Jesus. When the girl arose the healing power of Jesus was told around the land.

Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute
Verses 27-34

When Jesus left two blind men followed him and cried out, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” The title of Son of David was an acknowledgement of Jesus being the Messiah. Jesus asked them if they believed that he was able to have mercy on them. They replied, “Yes, Lord.” As a result of their faith, Jesus healed their blindness and they were able to see. They were told not to tell others about the miracle that had just taken place. They were so overjoyed by what Christ had just done that they spread the news about Jesus.

Even when Jesus heals people it does not cause the witnesses to glorify God. When he healed a dumb demon-possessed man, the Pharisees said that he did so by the ruler of demons. As many marvelled at the great miracle of Jesus others sought to find fault.

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Labours Few
Verses 35-38

Jesus went about the cities and villages teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. He also healed many sicknesses and diseases. The miracles of Jesus were evidence that the long-awaited Messiah had finally come. God needs faithful workers who can help people in need. Jesus came as a Shepherd to his sheep. The children of Israel are vast and spread around the world. Jesus viewed the crowd like a field ripe for harvest. Jesus teaches us to pray that many will be sent to point people to the Saviour. Israel was sick because they had no shepherd to lead them. The teachers of Israel misled them and caused them to drift away from the true teaching and application of the law.