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Jesus kept showing His authority—this time not just to heal, but also to forgive sins. When a paralyzed man was brought to Him, Jesus first told him, “Your sins are forgiven” (v. 2). That made the religious leaders angry, but Jesus showed He had the power to forgive by also healing the man (vv. 5–7). Then He called Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him (v. 9). When Jesus ate with Matthew and other “sinners,” He explained that He came not for those who thought they were good enough, but for those who knew they needed mercy (vv. 10–13). Jesus reminded the people that He hadn’t come to patch up the old ways but to bring something totally new—like new wine in new wineskins (vv. 16–17).
More miracles followed: a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years was healed when she touched Jesus’s clothes (vv. 20–22), and Jesus raised a young girl from the dead (vv. 23–25). Two blind men were healed because they believed Jesus could do it (vv. 27–30), and a mute man spoke after Jesus cast out a demon (vv. 32–33). Still, some of the Pharisees rejected Him and claimed His power came from demons (v. 34). But Jesus kept going, teaching, healing, and preaching the gospel everywhere He went (v. 35).
🌀 Reflection:
Do I see people the way Jesus does—with compassion and a heart to help them know God?
💬 Mission Challenge:
Pray that God would raise up more people to share the gospel—maybe even you (v. 38)!
Just Keith Harris 
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