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October 16th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 9,10.

“Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭

But before we go with Jesus to the “other side” let‘s review his ministry in Capernaum. Jesus had taught the Kingdom of God from his house in Capernaum to overflowing crowds. Those people were mainly Jews who loved the law and the prophets from Moses’ time until then. They loved to hear it and discuss it. Jesus sought to help them understand that “he” was the fulfillment of the law’s purpose and the fulfillment of the prophet’s predictions concerning the Messiah.

That same day in his home Jesus healed a paralyzed man. The next day in Capernaum Jesus healed the paralyzed servant of a Roman centurion. That same day in Capernaum Jesus healed Peter’s dying mother in law from sickness.

Jesus was teaching and serving his own community as a part of his mission. That’s a lesson that we should all learn, friends in Christ.

Then Jesus told his twelve...”Let us go over to the other side...to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

What was on the other side? The ten cities of the Roman Decapolis was on the other side. Jesus was going from a place where the Kingdom of God was recognized and submitted to. The other side was a place that recognized Ceasar as King...and submitted to the Kingdom of Ceasar.

Wow, Jesus was taking his disciples to a place where no other rabbi would go. And why would Jesus do this? He did it in order to be a doer of his own words...”The message of the kingdom of God was powerful. Enough to change the whole world...including the kingdom of Ceasar. That’s why he went to the other side.

Would we be willing to go to the other side with Jesus? Lord help us!

Jesus ministered to the demon-possessed on the other side...a scary man of the tombs. Jesus healed his mind and body, but mainly he healed and saved his soul. That man wanted to go to Capernaum with Jesus. Jesus gave him another mission...”Go home and tell your family and friends what has happened to you this day.” And he did...and the gospel of Jesus spread on the other side. Halleluiah!

“And getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came back to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:1-2‬ ‭

What a momentous day the disciples experienced with Jesus on the other side.

“Surely, when we get home we will have some time to rest and process all that we have seen and heard.”

But that didn't happen for Jesus and his band of disciples that day. Some people were waiting on the shore near Capernaum for Jesus to return. They brought a paralyzed man to him for healing. Jesus healed the man and told him to rise and walk. And he did.

That was awesome. But there were two other things that happened that caught my attention.

Jesus forgave the man’s sin. It’s one thing to heal a body, it’s a far greater thing that Jesus healed his soul forever!

But let us not miss this...Jesus called the man, “son”. Jesus did not call anyone else, son. Only this sin-sick sinner.

Oh, the tenderness of Christ to sin and misery. That is our Savior God too. Praise his name...Jesus!

Have a great day