So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. (Matthew 9:1)
His own city refers to Capernaum (Matthew 4:13)
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you. (Matthew 9:2)
They brought to Him (Jesus) a paralytic lying on a bed
This is a picture of intercession. Bringing a person to Jesus is a picture of an intercessor. Notice they were not looking for their own benefit but the benefit of the one they brought. True intercession is selfless.
When Jesus saw their faith
The eyes of Jesus are always on the intercessors. The interesting thing is that Jesus did not see the paralytic man’s faith but the faith of those who brought the man to Him.
Faith Can be Seen
How can faith be seen?
1.By our actions
Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. (Mark 2:3)
Any person that needs four men to carry him must certainly be a heavy man. It was not easy for them to bring that man to Jesus. I know of many people that don’t come to prayer meetings because it is a little inconvenient for them. They often say, “there are no buses, no auto-rickshaws, I have to walk, I have to climb two floors etc”
Faith is seen by our actions.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ (Matthew 9:13)
Jesus was quoting the prophet Hosea 6:6, who, centuries earlier, had condemned the Jews for attempting to excuse their idolatry and their oppression of the poor by offering the prescribed animal sacrifices.
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