Matthew 9:1-8
And getting into a boat He crossed over and came to his own city.
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.”
And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”
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.”
And he rose and went home.
When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Daniel 2
21 It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. 22 It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up,
just as you are doing.
Isaiah 51:11
So the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Many times, Jesus healed and then asked the person to do something. To lean into the miracle. In this passage, Jesus asks the man to pick up his bed and go home. What would that look like, a pallet or bed? It would depend on the wealth of the person.
A first century family in Galilee had Sleeping Quarters, sometimes located on the second floor and accessed by ladder, had beds made of wooden frames with rope stretched over them. A mat was then laid on each bed. The man asking his friend for bread, and being initially turned down, would have had this sleeping arrangement. He says, "I'm in bed and with my children." Simple mats don't cover this arrangement. A man on a mat isn't going to jostle the other mats.
We know Jesus slept with a cushion in the boat and He saved them from the storm. We know a paralyzed man isn't thrown in a hammock to lower him through the roof. More harm would follow.
So, this could be a mat with straw, simply to roll up like a big, cumbersome pillow. Or this could be a wooden pallet taken by a donkey, not having to carry a fully grown man who is paralyzed. Either way, this Capernaum paralyzed man is going to create a stir to go home on his feet carrying something large enough to gather attention.
Jesus could have said, "Zach, carry Pete's mat." "Zach, go get Pete something to eat." Or Jesus could have said, "Leave the mat for the poor." Instead, Jesus is asking the newly healed man to boldly witness by necessity. Not grandiose aggrandizing. Capernaum had 3,000 people.
The paralyzed man was known.
Now, instead, the man had wind in his sails. Places he could go. Witness of a changed life.
Jesus, Lord of wind. And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from Heaven,
and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Our Father, Who Art in Heaven
Hallowed by Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done on earth
as it is in Heaven.
Give us this Day,
Our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us.
Lead us not into temptation
and deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom,
The Power
and the Glory.
Forever and ever. Amen
Bless us and cover us in
the Name of Jesus. Amen!
May the Lord
Bless us
and
Keep us
Causing His Face to Shine upon us.
And be gracious to us.
May the Lord Lift His Countenance
and Smile Upon us.
Give us Peace
Surround us and Bless us in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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