Lessons from Matthew 9: Bring Others to Christ
In Matthew 9:1, we find that Jesus stepped into a boat and left at the request of the townspeople. He then crossed over to the town of Capernaum, a town now called His own.
Capernaum was situated on the Sea of Galilee in a densely populated area. It housed the Roman defense force that kept peace in the region. The city was a melting pot, greatly influenced by Greek and Roman manners, dress, architecture, and politics. It was a wealthy city due to its fishing and trade and it became a great place for Jesus to establish His “base of operations.”
Bring Others to Christ
Mark 2:1 tells us that, “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.” And it appears that where Jesus was staying, so many people had gathered around to see and hear Him that there was no room left. Mark 2:2 continues by stating, “…no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.”
Verse 3 of Mark 2 tells us that, “Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.” Since they could not get their friend in to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus. After digging through it, they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man.
Houses in Bible times were built of stone, and they had flat roofs that were made of mud mixed with straw. There were often outside stairs that led to the roofs. So it appears that this man’s friends, when they saw the crowds around the house, carried their friend to the stairway and went up on the roof. They then made a way to lower their friend in to see Jesus.
At that moment, Jesus stopped His teaching. I’m sure everyone around waited with baited breath to see and hear how Jesus would respond.
When Jesus saw their faith (Matthew 9:2), He said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
What a dramatic moment!
It appears this friend may have suffered from this paralysis due to a life of sin and the guilt had tortured him and caused him to be unable to move and approach Jesus on his own. These friends recognized that Jesus had the power and authority over sins. Their faith in Him moved them to have compassion on their friend and bring Him into Jesus’s presence.
And Jesus proved their faith true. He forgave the man’s sins publicly before the crowds.
What a reminder that Christians are to bring others to Christ!
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach