In Step With Jesus
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Matthew 9:2
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Matthew 9:6 – 9
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Seeing things you’ve never seen before, that’s what is so intriguing about The Lord Jesus. It’s not the miracles, but the experience of a relationship with Jesus that appeals to seekers. Yes, we have problems, and needs, but it’s more than a miracle worker we seek, it’s a life changer. That is what Matthew both saw, and followed after.
I’ve read the Scriptures the majority of my life, and I don’t remember making the connection of these two events before. Yes, I believe Matthew saw love in Jesus’ eyes, but he had first seen it modeled in the forgiveness of the man who had palsy, and watched him transform the man.
Is it possible that Matthew saw his own sins that paralyzed him in his condition, not physically but spiritually? Is it possible that Jesus saw Matthew because Matthew was looking at Jesus? We’ve always assumed, or at least I have, that Jesus made eye contact first, but maybe that’s not the case.
Jesus saw Zacchaeus, after he climbed up the tree, and put himself out on a limb. Perhaps it was Jesus who met Matthew’s gaze, and not the other way around. Of course Jesus knew what was happening, the Bible says this miracle happened in Jesus’ own city. Besides the fact that He is God wrapped in flesh, He knew where Matthew would be sitting, and He knows where we are today.
The Lord knows what we’re facing, just as He did with Matthew. Another word in the Greek for custom is toll. If you’ll pardon the play on words, He knew the toll life had taken on Matthew called Levi, and He knows the same of you and I.
Whatever you’re facing, or whatever you’re sitting behind, leave it and place Jesus in front of you. Matthew didn’t only get out from behind the things that separated him from Jesus, he placed Jesus as His focal point and guide.
Jesus said follow Me, and Matthew did just that, all the way to Glory, but before that, He followed to prison, and according to tradition, to martyrdom. Matthew knew that nothing could separate us from Jesus, not even death itself. For he saw Jesus conquer it first! Matthew called Levi, which means attached, joined himself to The One who could empower you to walk away from the things that bind you, and walk into newness of life.
What is separating you from victory today? I challenge you to leave it behind, and follow Jesus today. Don’t try to figure out everything, only which way The Master is walking. Everything else will fall in line, or in step with Jesus.
