545. MAT 9:1-8. THE RESTORING OF THE PARALYTIC

Mat_9:1-8. The Restoring of the Paralytic

"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," &c.’97Mat_9:1-8.

The whole of the circumstances connected with this miracle are truly interesting. The history of it is comprehended in a short paragraph, but it is replete with valuable thoughts and instructive ideas. Jesus had just left the coasts of the Gergesenes, who, on account of their sordid love of the swine which had perished, had besought that Christ would depart from them. He then entered into a ship and came into his own city, Capernaum, where at that time he resided. No sooner is his arrival known, than the diseased paralytic is brought to him, and the cure wrought recorded in the text. Observe,

I. The condition of the sufferer.

II. The faith of the people.

III. The cure wrought by the Saviour.

IV. The prejudice of the scribes. And,

V. The homage of the multitude. Observe,

I. The condition of the sufferer. His disease was the palsy, Mat_9:2’97a disease which incapacitated him for labor or enjoyment. A disease rarely if ever cured. In his case it seemed inveterate and confirmed. He was evidently unable to work, confined to his bed, &c. His condition was truly pitiable, deplorable’97and, humanly speaking, hopeless. A fit picture of a diseased soul. A soul weakened,’97enervated by sin. Yielding no service to God,’97incapable of moral action. Without true enjoyment. Beyond the power of human energy to restore. Yet this is the true state of all unregenerate men,’97morally diseased and ready to perish. How desirable that men should know and feel it, and earnestly desire the healing of the Saviour’s gracious power. Notice,

II. The faith of the people. Who they were is not stated. Most likely they were the relatives and friends of the afflicted man. Most likely they had heard of the fame of the Saviour. Had informed the sufferer, and hence the determination of all parties, when Christ drew near, to avail themselves of his restoring power. We see their faith evidenced inasmuch as,

1. They brought him to Jesus. They had confidence in Christ’s power and willingness to heal.

2. They overcame the difficulties which presented themselves. Mark (ii. 1) states, that the house where Christ was, was so surrounded with the multitude, that they could not reach the door. They then ascended and reached the roof of the building, and removed the awning which was spread over the centre court of the house, and let the man down into the very presence of Christ. Here their faith worked a holy resolution, and a determinate mode of action exceedingly worthy of imitation.

3. They exhibited the love and compassion which faith produceth. Faith works by love, and here was a display of generous compassion for a fellow-sufferer. Here selfish indifference was trampled on, and a generous spirit of tender kindliness produced. True faith in the Lord Jesus is forever followed by compassion for perishing sinners around us.

III. The cure wrought by the Saviour "And Jesus seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee," Mat_9:2. Now mark Christ,

1. Removes the malady of the mind. He pardons the guilt of the soul. He removes the malady from within. He does this readily, tenderly, distinctly. It is probable that his affliction had been the direct result of transgression. The Saviour therefore reminded him of that, and removes the moral cause of his suffering. It is not unlikely that the man was in a state of remorse and compunction of soul for his iniquities. Therefore Christ takes away the load of guilt from his soul. Afterwards,

2. He bids him arise. Now circulation has begun,’97strength is felt, and the help less sufferer is enabled to stand up. He stands up, the monument of Christ’s healing power and wondrous grace.

3. He directs him to bear his bed and return to his own dwelling. Not only can the man stand, but he is able to roll up the mattress on which he had been borne, and to carry it, and return to his house. Here was an unquestionable cure, and the evidence such as no unbelief or prejudice could gainsay. But notice,

IV. The prejudice of the scribes. Certain of the scribes "said within themselves, this man blasphemeth." These were the unuttered thoughts of their hearts. Yet Christ was fully conversant of them. As the Omniscient Lord, he knew their thoughts. The miracle Christ had wrought was an evidence of the divinity of his mission, and this they might have reasonably inferred. But no,’97disliking the person of the Saviour, offended with his lowly appearance and his spiritual doctrines, they blindly reason in their hearts that Christ is an evil person, and was a blasphemer against God, in promising forgiveness of sin. How deplorable is the mind and heart under the influence of prejudice. How it perverts the judgment, and vitiates the passions, and corrupts the whole man. It was the great sin, and the cause of the final ruin of the Jewish nation. But mark,

V. The homage of the multitude. "But when the multitude saw it they marvelled, they glorified God," &c., Mat_9:8.

1. They admitted the miracle. They saw it, and believed its reality.

2. They were greatly astonished. Abundant reason had they for marvelling. Who would not have been filled with wonder and amazement?

3. They adored God and gave him the glory. They saw no signs that this was the work of the evil one. They believed it to be what it really was, a display of the great power of God. And in their hearts, and with their voices, they celebrated Jehovah’s praise.

Learn,

1. That sin is the great cause of suffering. All our pains, and diseases, and death itself, are the result of sin.

2. Jesus Christ is the one efficient Saviour.

"He is able,’97he is willing,’97

Doubt no more."

3. It should be our desire to bring men to Christ. Parents, friends, &c., should all labor to do this. Our faith and prayers may be effective of much good.

4. God in Christ must be glorified in all things. Ours is the benefit, but to God in Christ Jesus, all the honor and homage must be paid.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS