The Book of Matthew - Part 17

The lesson on November 24, 2024 was part 17 of “The Book of Matthew” study. Wayne took some extra time reviewing what was covered in the previous lesson to go deeper with the fact that Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God. This was shown in Matthew 8:20 KJV where the Jesus is responding to a statement indicating his Son of Man status verses the Demons that interact with him seeing that Jesus was the Son of God. We took time to clarify the apparent contradiction across the other books of the Gospel because we learned that there a two occurrences of Jesus interacting with people that are possessed with demons. We looked at the differences between Matthew 8:28 KJV and Mark 5:1-2; Luke 8:26ff KJV. In this lesson we looked at how in the Gospel books, they are generally focused on these perspectives: Matthew–“Behold thy King” (Zech. 9: 9). Mark–“Behold my Servant” (Isa. 42: 1). Luke–“Behold the Man” (Zech. 6: 12). John–“Behold your God” (Isa. 40: 9). The last part of the lesson jumped into Matthew 9 and discussed how it was easier for Jesus to say “your sins are forgiven” instead of to a paralytic person “arise and walk” because the first comment is not visible. It is a transaction in heaven. The second was visible because it cannot be faked. When Jesus healed those around him it was immediate and that caused those around him to listen to his message. Lastly, we looked at the image Ezekiel used to describe the focus of the gospels. Ezekiel 1:10 KJV says “10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. The lion represents the King, the face of a man represents the man, the face of an ox represents the servant, and the face of an Eagle represents God. When you see who Jesus is, you will have no problem following Jesus. John 8:1-59 KJV deals with the identity of Jesus as the Son of Man and also the Son of God. Jesus had the primary focus on forgiving sins. We were encouraged to go read and study this chapter.

The scripture reading was from Matthew 9:1-6 KJV “1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 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. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 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.”