Matthew 9:1-13 ~ And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold

Matthew 9:1-13

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. 

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 

3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 

4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 

7 And he rose and went home. 

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 

11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus was eating a meal. And we know this house probably had a man-sized sky light.


But if someone needed Jesus... then.

If Jesus had been called from the house, in need. He was known to do that. Jesus was interrupted constantly. And His Ministry called Jesus to go.

Imagine, not even eating a meal.



Colossians 3:14
Love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus put His own life down all the time. For an example, coming down from the Mountain - seeing Peter and John meet Moses and Elijah. The return from this was not pleasant - Jesus met the Disciples squabbling. Needs were unmet. And Jesus dealt with this perfectly. As God.





Jesus saw this in Himself with His people:

1 Peter 4:8
Above all. Keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.



And this is what Jesus displayed:

1 John 4:18
No fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear



Who was this, the Jesus crowd?

Matthew, the ill, and .... sinners. God always works with sinners. Alleluia.



Why would Jesus do this? What is the motivation of God?

God sees us fully. And His reaction is to Give Life, Joy and Love of Relationship into Eternity... Where Jesus is - there is Joy.

Father God,

Jesus is our Savior, and has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of Your beloved Son.

Because of Jesus we have redemption, forgiveness of sins.

The warmth and heart of Jesus - the Joy and Kindness of Jesus is the image of the invisible God,

Jesus is before all things, and in Jesus all things hold together. Jesus is preeminent.

For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

Jesus is the Ministry of Reconciliation. To reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.

Because of Your Son Jesus we are able to be presented as holy and blameless and above reproach before God.

In Father God, indeed we will continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the Gospel.

Jesus our Steadfast God. Alleluia. Thank You, Father God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †