In this chapter we have the healing of a paralysed man, lowered into a room through the roof where Jesus was preaching. His calling of Matthew (formerly known as Levi) who was a tax collector, and His sharing a meal with him and his fellow tax collectors and others who were all considered sinners, and in so doing explains why. He also explains why his disciples are not fasting and it was okay for them to pick the ears of corn on the Sabbath.

When Jesus healed the paralysed man, He stated it was the man’s faith that healed him. There must have been a huge temptation to give up his quest for healing, when the man and his bearers saw the large crowd and how impossible it was to reach Jesus. But as we know they used their initiative and went about getting to Jesus by other, quite unusual means. If you are struggling to see or hear Jesus, maybe think about approaching Him from a different perspective.

When Jesus calked Levi, who became Matthew, He was criticised by those who witnessed it. But the Saviour of the world didn’t need to heal the healthy, it was the sick and sinful people who needed Him most. We should acknowledge that as Christians we are not all sorted, quite the opposite. We should, however, be all the more aware when we sin that we damage the very image of God that lives in us and need to repent of our sin. Hopefully it also enables us to see Gods’ image in others, including those who are yet to acknowledge Jesus as saviour. Thereby helping them to that discovery and life changing point.

In the last parts of this chapter Jesus was asked why His disciples were not fasting and why they were picking ears of corn on the Sabbath. His replies again putting the needs of His people to the fore rather than the laws and rituals the Pharisees. This demonstrates that it is what is in our hearts and our motives for doing the things we do, are what’s important both then and now.

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Thought:

How do you approach Jesus? Is it always the same way or do you have different ways depending on how you feel or where you are. Is there a right or wrong way to approach Him?

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus Thankyou that you meet me wherever and whenever we are. Renew in me my strength of faith in You and help me to live with your love and mercy flowing into all that I say and do. Amen.