Daily Walk Through the New Testament

April 11

Read Matthew 8:28-9:17

Continuing to emphasize that Jesus is the Messiah, Matthew reveals that Christ has the authority to drive out demons and cure physical infirmities. A new theme emerges, however, when Jesus forgives the paralytic before healing him. Here, we discover that the purpose of these miracles is spiritual rather than physical. The signs and wonders of Jesus’ ministry were never meant to distract from His identity, but to confirm it. Miraculous activity compels us to worship Jesus so that we will cling to Him for the forgiveness of sins. Celebrating what God does without acknowledging who He is will ultimately not meet our greatest need. The call of Matthew illustrates that while physical miracles are not always available to everyone, the supernatural work of forgiveness is! The worst of sinners can be forgiven through repentance and faith. Put your faith in the One who forgives and saves!