Matthew 9:1-8 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Soul-searching.

At the request of the Gadarenes Jesus crossed over. He does not obtrude his blessings on the unwilling. We do not read that he ever after visited them. Coming to his own city, Capernaum, where residence gave him citizenship, "they brought to him," etc. ( Matthew 9:2-8 ).

I. JESUS SEES THE FAITH OF THE CONTRITE HEART .

1 . He saw the faith of those who carried the paralytic.

2 . In the paralytic Jesus discerned a deeper faith.

II. JESUS SEARCHES THE THOUGHTS OF THE EVIL HEART .

1 . He read the evil thoughts of the scribes.

(a) Attributing unworthy things to God.

(b) Denying worthy things of God.

(c) Attributing to others or arrogating the attributes of God.

2 . He proved to them his Divinity.

III. THE PRESENCE OF THE HEART - SEARCHER IS FEAR - INSPIRING .

1 . The fear of the forgiven is reverential.

2 . The fear of the sinner is awful.