“JESUS CHRIST - A MAN APPROVED OF GOD (Acts 2:22)”
  Miracle #7-   “PALSIED MAN THROUGH THE ROOF”

(Matthew 9:1-4,5-8; Mark 2:1-4,5-8,9-12; Luke 5:17-20,21-24,25-26)

The creator Christ brings amazement, glory and fear in some and in others … not!

A LITTLE HISTORY:
In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments, generally speaking, addressed the outward sins of Israel … stealing, lying, honouring Mum and Dad and so on … and were told to love their neighbour as themselves (Leviticus 19:18). The law is found in the two commandments of love the Lord thy God and your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:36-39,40).

 Now with the arrival of Christ on earth, he puts his finger on the inward sins as outlined in the Sermon on the Mount … You must be pure in heart to see God (Matthew 5:8); Lusting after women is adultery and equal to the act (Matthew 5:27-28); Pluck your eye out if necessary if it causes you to sin (Matthew 5:30) ; You have to be perfect like God (Matthew 5:48); Give alms in secret (Matthew 6:1-4); Pray in secret (Matthew 6:5-8); Forgive others or God won’t forgive you (Matthew 6:14-15); Fast in secret (Matthew 6:16-18); No worrying about food and drink (Matthew 6:25-28,29-32,33); Take no thought about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34); No hypocrisy (Matthew 7:1-4,5) and so on.

Soon after the Sermon on the Mount, Christ in forgiving the sins of a palsied man, uncovers the evil thoughts of the pharisees and scribes … no amazement, no glory or fear (Luke 5:26).

FOUR LEARNINGS:
1. Today, we get saved by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and it is Christ’s faith that saves us (Ephesians 2:8) … to believe is to be fully persuaded (Romans 4:20-22). In the Old Testament and while Christ was on earth, a man’s belief, and therefore his faith, would save him, not Christ’s. Hence they only had temporary salvation … be based on human faith. Christ saw their faith, based on their full belief. They were determined.

2. Knowing men’s inner thoughts, Christ knew that this palsied man’s condition was the result of sin. Needed first was forgiveness of sin and his physical healing followed.

3. Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7), angering the scribes and pharisees as here was Christ calling himself God … which he was (1 Timothy 3:16).

4. Which is easier to say … “Walk” or “Your sins are forgiven”? As Christ is the Word … he first speaks words and the physical heavens and earth then manifest (Genesis 1:1).

Here, Christ speaks first, the forgiveness of sins, and physical healing then appears.

As night follows day, the manifestation of Christ’s words is 100% guaranteed.

 APPLICATION:
“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear…” (Luke 5:26) … except the scribes and the pharisees.

Question: Dear Reader, why aren’t there more people getting saved today?

Answer: People are not amazed at Christ’s creation, they do not glorify Christ and they are not filled with fear as the scriptures say …
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen … even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: … when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful … there is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 1:19-21; Romans 3:18).

Dear Reader, these are the unsaved, self-righteous religious church-goers of today.

 
Harley Hitchcock
April 2023

www.
AustralianBibleMinistries
.com

“JESUS CHRIST - A MAN APPROVED OF GOD (Acts 2:22)”

  Miracle #8-   “A 38 YEAR IMPOTENT MAN AT BETHESDA POOL”
(John 5:1-4,5-8,9-12,13-16)

 A ‘re-enactment’ of the healing for the great impotent and helpless multitude of Israel … languishing 38 years in the desert

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