The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 9 Part 1 God Searches Our Hearts And Knows Our Thoughts

Jesus left the area where He healed the man possessed by a legion.

Matthew 9:1  And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 

After he tumultuous and wonderful work of casting out a legion of demons and saving a man so he could walk in newness of life, Jesus sailed back to Capernaum with His disciples.

Jesus taught the multitude and a palsied man was brought to Him for healing.

Matthew 9:2  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. 

Luke 5:17-19  And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18)  And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19)  And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 

Luke was a physician and was interested in helping people recover from illness or injury.

As a doctor, Luke had an eye for detail that is evident in his gospel record and the Book of Acts.

Luke's account adds detail that Matthew did not include.

Matthew's gospel is straightforward telling us that they brought a man to Jesus who was afflicted with a palsy, that he might be healed.

Matthew's gospel also indicates that as soon as Jesus returned to Capernaum many sick and afflicted people came to Him for healing.

However, Luke tells us that Jesus was teaching in the presence of scribes and Pharisees before He healed this man of his palsy.

Psalm 107:19-22  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20)  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21)  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22)  And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 

The Son of God was teaching and explaining the scriptures to all the people gathered to listen before any healing was accomplished.

Scribes, Pharisees and men who interpreted and applied the law to the Jewish people, came from Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem.

Luke also tells us that the power of God in Christ was present and ready to heal the sick and afflicted.

The man afflicted with palsy was on a bed carried by his friends or family members.

So many people crowded around Jesus seeking His help, that they could not find a way to bring this man to Jesus.

Their solution? They climbed up on the roof of the home where Jesus was and opened up the roof above Jesus to let the sick man down into Christ's view.

When Jesus saw what they did and their faith that He could heal him of his palsy, He was moved with compassion.

Jesus said, "Son, be of good cheer" which means having confidence, hope, courage and being comforted.

Jesus' words were meant to let the afflicted man know that he would receive help from Christ.

Next, Jesus said "Thy sins be forgiven thee" and His words prompted an evil reaction among the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus could forgive sins and heal the afflicted man because He is deity.

Matthew 9:3  And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 

Luke 5:21  And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 

Scribes and Pharisees immediately accused Jesus of blasphemy in their thoughts.

Luke's gospel tells us that they thought "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

The right answer to that question is that only God can forgive sins and only God can do mighty works like Jesus did.

The logical conclusion would be that Jesus mighty works showed that He was Christ, the Messiah, Emmanuel, God with us.

As Paul said, Jesus is God manifest in the flesh (See 1 Timothy 3:16).

Instead of rejoicing that God was working among them, they were thinking evil thoughts and Jesus exposed their corrupt hearts.

Scribes and Pharisees harbored evil thoughts but Jesus knew what they were thinking.

Matthew 9:4-6  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 saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 

Jesus knew their thoughts and He confronted them for thinking evil in their hearts.

In telling them what the unspoken thoughts of their hearts were, Jesus gave them full proof of His power to forgive sins.

Only God can forgive sins, and only God can search and know the heart. 

Jesus pronounced the man’s sins forgiven and gave full proof of His power to do so, by telling them what their thoughts were.

The scribes and Pharisees should have been overwhelmed at the mercy and compassion of Jesus toward sinners.

Luke 5:22-24  But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23)  Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24)  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 

Luke added that Jesus "perceived their thoughts" which means He knew their thoughts with perfect accuracy and thoroughness.

"For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?"  

Both are equally easy, and equally difficult for both require unlimited power to produce them. 

All things are equally easy when the omnipotent power of God resided in Jesus.

Only God can forgive sins and only God can speak a word and people are healed. 

Proof that Jesus the Son of God and Son of man had power to forgive sins was that He commanded the afflicted man to arise, take up his bed and walk to his home.

Jesus instantly healed the man suffering from palsy and the only possible explanation was that Christ is Messiah, Emmanuel, God with us.

That also meant He had power to forgive sins.

An afflicted man was healed and forgiven and the multitude glorified God.

Matthew 9:7-8  And he arose, and departed to his house. 8)  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. 

Matthew's gospel tells us that the man arose immediately, fully cured and restored.

He walked to his home carrying his bedding.

The multitude that was following Jesus saw what happened and they "marvelled" being filled with awe, wonder and astonishment.

The people were moved to give God glory for what Jesus did.

The word translated "glorified" is the word "doxology which is offering hymns of praise and thanksgiving extolling the glory and person of God.

They magnified God for the power He gave to His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thus, there was immediate praise and giving God glory for healing the palsied man.

Instantaneous healing and instantaneous praise.

Luke 5:25-26  And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26)  And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. 

Jesus instructed the man whom He healed to take up his bed and return to his home.

Luke adds an important detail as he often does.

He tells us that the healed man went to his home glorifying God all the way for the blessing of healing that Christ did for him.

The multitude was amazed which means seeing something that throws your mind completely off.

What they witnessed Jesus do and say was not a  normal experience for the Jewish people.

They were filled with fear. 

Remember, until Jesus' birth there were 400 silent years where there was no word from God, no prophet of God, a period of darkness for the nation.

Now, they heard Jesus preach His Sermon on the Mount and they heard how He cleansed a leper and the demon possessed man of Gadara.

Now, they gathered to see Jesus heal many afflicted people followed by the wonderful healing of the palsied man.

Only God can do the things that Jesus did and only God could speak the truth like Jesus did.

Psalm 111:6-10  He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7)  The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8)  They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9)  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name. 10)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. 

Fear of God is a good blessing in any culture for the nations with the least fear of God often do the most reprehensible acts.

The Psalmist's word in this text could easily be applied to Jesus healing a palsied man and forgiving his sins.

God showed His power to His people through the Lord Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son.

Seeing Christ at work reminded the people that God is holy and just and that He will judge sin.

Yet, He sent redemption to His people, in the person of Jesus Christ.

The Jews were reminded that the very name of God is holy and to be revered among men.

The fear (reverence, respect) of the LORD is good for us.

It teaches us to know Him and to obey His commands for this is best for us.

God was glorified when Jesus healed the palsied man and praises to God rang out from the people.

Psalm 139:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2)  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3)  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4)  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 

One major indication that Jesus was both man and God, was that He knew their thoughts, even though they never spoke what they thought about Jesus forgiving sins.

Notice what David, the sweet psalmist of Israel declared about Jehovah.

God searches our hearts and knows our actions because He is infinite in His knowledge.

God knows our thoughts and He knows the words that will come out of our mouths before we say them.

This is what Jesus clearly demonstrated to all the people of that day. 

Remember, Jesus' name means Jehovah saves!

Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, and He came to save us from our sins.

If I were more aware that my thoughts and motives are not hidden from God, would I not cry out to Him for a new heart and a renewed mind?

I hope that each of us rejoice in the gospel record that tells us who Jesus is and what He did when He ministered to people on earth.

I pray that we are all humbled and have a reverence and right fear of God that will shape our thoughts, words and actions.

Bob