Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
The fact that Jesus saw their faith spoke to Jesus. God moves in faith; even in your movement, he responds to your faith. The perseverance people had to get to Jesus, no matter how many people were in the press speaks volumes. They made a way out to no way to get to the One who makes a way out of no way. People will walk over people’s heads just to get into a concert just to get to the best seat in the house. Its the same concept with the Lord. They weren’t phased at all, they were going to get their healing.
The gifts of the Spirit are at work in Jesus. He is performing miracles and healing others and has a word of knowledge about the thoughts of the scribes when they thought Jesus couldn’t forgive sins. Also, the connection between sin and sickness. Jesus addressed the sin first in the paralyzed man before healing the man. When the scribes objected Him, He used their unbelief to prove a point and didn’t allow what they said to discourage Him.
Jesus Calls Levi to Follow Him
Jesus links sickness to repentance. Repentance is the antidote to sickness and sin. Its not what goes into a man through food that defiles him, but what comes out of a man that defiles him: jealously, pride, debauchery, lying, envy. Jesus calls you to go to those who are in need. Go to those who are sick, not well. We need to have wisdom and discernment to come to those whom God has led us to. We also need not to be so “caught up in God’s work,” to the point where we’re judgmental toward others instead of being loving toward them. People can sense when you are holier-than-thou and they want no part of a hypocritical, judgmental, hypercritical person.
Jesus said to Levi (Matthew) simply to follow Him. We want others to follow us as we follow Jesus. It isn’t easy, however, it is God that draws the hearts and Holy Ghost that convicts the soul, not us.
Jesus Questioned About Fasting
Jesus equates Himself to be the bridegroom when asked about His disciples who did not fast like those of the Pharisees. When the Bridegroom who makes the heart glad is gone, then there will be time for fasting because the heart is broken in longing for Him. But the time of fasting is like a time of refining for the heart, testing the love we have for the Bridegroom. At the end our fast we find we made new because of testing has produced patience and character in us that joins us even closer in relationship to the Bridegroom. There is bridal language throughout the scriptures that allude to our eternal union with Him in the culmination when time wraps us.
The Pharisees thought that fasting was a means by which they could obtain holiness, righteousness and good standing with God. This type of mindset is the old garment and old wine-skin which is worn out. The Bridegroom is the one who brings us holiness, righteousness and good standing with God. He is the new garment and new wine-skin. Fasting is only as good as the heart posture of the one fasting and is a means through which we find Him. We cannot make ourselves righteous no matter how much we fast, but fasting draws us closer to the Bridegroom who can.
Summary
- Don’t question God’s will for you
- Be ready for opposition
- While Christ is away, saints must fast and pray v. 19-22
- Don’t let the sins of your past paralyze you. Arise. v. 11-12
- Persevere through the press v. 4-5
- Your faith will speak for you v. 5
- Let your healing be a testimony v. 12-13
