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Day 18 Matthew 9 Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 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. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. What makes you sit up and take notice? Isn’t it something different, something you never heard before? Jesus was someone they had never seen before, not that he was different in appearance, he looked like any other man, yet he was different in what he did. He forgave sin. According to the Law of Moses only God could forgive sin, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The high priest would go into the holy of holies with the yearly sin sacrifice, first for himself, and then for the people, so they would be forgiven of the sins they committed the previous year. When Jesus forgave the man his sins, it was something that had not been done by a regular person before. They didn’t see Jesus as the Son of God, yet that is who he told them he was when he told them he was the Son of man. Every person knew to whom he referred, but it was the scribes who called him a blasphemer, because only God could forgive sin. Not only did Jesus forgive the man’s sins, he healed him and told him to go home, and the man did to the amazement of everyone present. As Christians, you know Jesus is your High Priest. He is also the atoning sacrifice for sin. He took all your sins and nailed them to the cross and declared you forgiven and healed. Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (KJV) Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV) Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Jesus declared to the people who he was, and they marveled. You know who he is, and it should not be a surprise that he could forgive your sin and heal your body. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus, who forgave me of my sin, and heals my body of all sickness and disease. Help me believe and accept, and not marvel at what he can do for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 6 May 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay