By Pastor Bob Lawrenz
In the beginning of Matthew 9, Jesus told a paralytic that his sins were forgiven, and that he was to get up and walk. While we don’t fully understand the correlation between sin and illnesses, there appears to be one from First Corinthians 11:30, and sin and illness are directly tied to the reverence and obedience we give to God. From verses 26-29 of that same chapter, we find the link. It is a spiritual issue that all must deal with when it comes to God and His only begotten Son, Jesus.On the cross, Jesus endured something quite physical to accomplish something very spiritual, the forgiveness of sin to make us presentable to His Father and ours. His blood sacrifice as the Lamb of God covered over the knowledge of sin in our lives. The Father Himself set the precedent in Genesis 3:21, the first animal blood sacrifice, with the skins provided to Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness. Innocence was lost to sin, and a sacrifice was required to cover their new-found knowledge of sin. With the skins, they were no longer physically naked and spiritually exposed.
The Lamb of God did the same for us. He gave His life for our sin(s) and when we believe, His sacrifice is our vindication.
This is the New Covenant which was spoken of in Jeremiah 31:31-34. It is a test of faith, much like Abraham was tested when the Lord ask him to sacrifice his only son. Do we believe the promises of God? If we do, then the Spiritual and the physical realm become blended in faith and belief.
But this New (eighth) Covenant is nothing like the first seven. It is a covenant of faith. It will not fit into the parameters of the former covenants. Hence, Jesus’ parable of trying to put new wine into old bottles is a good example of His doctrine of salvation.
His healings continued there in Capernaum for all who put their faith in Him: a woman healed, a daughter raised up, two blind men receive their sight, and a demon cast out. Jesus continued to minister to those in need throughout the region, ignoring the accusation of the Pharisees. Truth can stand alone.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. " Matthew 9:36
Today's Audio Message:
Matthew 9:11-38 - "Sin, Forgiveness, And Healing"
Chapter Summary:
The focal point where the old and new covenants meet is found in Jesus Christ. The old covenant, as a guardian, prepares the way for Him and prepares His people for Him. Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross fulfills the promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him.
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching the Kingdom of God and healing and restoring broken lives. By faith they come, believing that He alone can help and heal them.
Jesus spoke of a spiritual harvest waiting to be reaped. As Jesus traveled, “he saw the multitudes, [and] he was moved with compassion for them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.'" (Matthew 9:36–38). Here, Jesus referred to the many souls needing to be brought to repentance and faith as a harvest waiting to be realized.
