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“Prejudice,” says the bigot, “is a great timesaver; it keeps me from having to gather the evidence before making judgments about people!” Today’s focus text contains a record of two groups of people. The first group drew conclusions about Jesus prior to examining the evidence. The second group also drew conclusions about Jesus but only after they had examined critical pieces of evidence. Think with me as we examine this historical account and determine to which of the two groups we belong.

“So He [Jesus] got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’ And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, ‘This Man blasphemes!’ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Arise and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’ —then He said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” (Matthew 9.1-8).

Was it possible that someone – anyone – could have the power on earth to forgive sins? Had that not been at least a part of the Messianic hope rooted in the Old Testament? Was the nation of Israel not prepared to receive a virgin-born Son from their own midst who they would recognize as “God with us” (see Isaiah 7.14, Isaiah 9.6, and Matthew 1.23)? Inasmuch as the prophets of old had foretold the coming of just such a one, why were the religious leaders not prepared and anxious to receive one claiming such authority? Yet, it is obvious that the scribes were biased against such a fulfillment. When Jesus said, “You sins are forgiven you,” a prudent person would have at least sought proof of His authority rather than summarily dismissing Him as a blasphemer; yet, that is exactly what they did! He was indicted and found guilty without so much as a cursory review of the evidence that might support His claim.

However, the story was quite different with the multitudes who witnessed the miraculous healing of the paralytic. In fact, this was the express purpose of the healing! Jesus performed the miracle so that they might “…know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” When the paralyzed man was healed he arose from his sick bed and walked away from the house into which he had been carried only a short time earlier. If Jesus was a blasphemer and opposed to God and godliness, would He have possessed the ability to heal? Jesus knew that such signs were intended for the confirmation of truth. The multitudes also knew that miraculous signs were given in order to confirm the claims of God’s prophets. The only people present who did not realize the purpose of signs were the scribes! What a lamentable situation! Those who were in a position to know more than others were blinded to truth by their own prejudices, while the common people readily understood the implications of the miracle.

Truth, from any source, ought to be given a hearing! Even if Jesus had been a blasphemer, there was a need for “due process.” Merely to assert that He was a blasphemer did not make Him one! Neither did His claim to be Messiah stand merely on the merits of the claim; rather, His claim would stand or fall on the strength of the evidence! That is as it should be in any age, with any group of people, and regarding any matter of substance. God made man a rational creature and He expects us to act the part. Racism, sexism, and other forms of bigotry have no place among God’s people!

Questions:

1. Why did Jesus say that He was going to heal the paralytic man?

2. What evidence did the multitudes witness that the scribes did not? Why did the scribes not consider the same evidence?

3. Could/can men who teach religious error perform true miracles? Why or why not?

4. What is bigotry? How does the bigot violate God’s creation principle of rational human beings?

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

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