Matthew shared how the people of the city where the demon possessed men were delivered by Jesus both “met” Jesus and “asked him to leave their coasts”, and afterward, “he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 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; your sins be forgiven you. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes.” In chapter nine and verse four of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus asked, “wherefore think you evil in your hearts?” where we read:
And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think you evil in your hearts?
The verse reads, “And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and Jesus” or “the One whose name means Jehovah is Salvation, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “knowing their thoughts” which means “perceiving, noticing, discerning and discovering the scribes' thinking and deliberation” “said” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Matthew shared how Jesus knew the “thoughts” of the “scribes” who were near Him.
The verse continues, “... Wherefore think you evil in your hearts?” Matthew added the word, “wherefore” or “for what purpose and reason” “think you” which means “do the scribes bring to mind, ponder and deliberate” “evil” or “annoyances, hardships, toils, perils, wickedness and bad” “in your hearts” which means “the scribes' souls or minds as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”. Matthew shared how Jesus asked the “scribes” why they had “wicked” thoughts in their “souls”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was perceptive concerning the “scribes” real thinking. They were judging Him incorrectly, but they had intentions to act against Jesus with their “thoughts”. Pride was abundant, and humility was no where to be found in these critics. God desires a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and this occurs when a person humbly yields their life to Him in “trust and faith”. May all who read these words humble themselves, put away their “wicked thoughts” and receive Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus asked the scribes which is easier to say, “your sins be forgiven” or “arise and walk”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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