Daily Writing

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. Matthew 9:9

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And Jesus, passing thence, He saw a man sitting upon the tax-booth, being called Matthew. And He says to him, ‘You follow Me.’ And, having arisen, he followed Him” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that the multitudes marveled and glorified God who had given such power to men as to heal the paralytic. As noted, the healing was both physical and spiritual. Jesus had said that the man’s sins were forgiven. The fact that He healed the man physically substantiated His words concerning forgiveness. Thus, the crowds marveled. Next, it says, “And Jesus, passing thence.”

A new word is found here, “paragó.” It is derived from para, beside, and agó, to lead, bring, carry, etc. Therefore, it signifies “to lead near.” Strong’s Lexicon says –

“The verb ‘paragó’ is used in the New Testament to describe the action of leading or bringing something or someone alongside or past a certain point. It can imply a physical movement or a metaphorical passage, such as the passing of time or events.”

To understand the metaphorical meaning, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:31, “For the form of this world is passing away [paragó].”

Looking at the eight literal uses of the word in the gospels, each gives the sense of passing near a person or persons who become a part of the ongoing narrative. Such is the case here where Matthew next records, “He saw a man sitting upon the tax-booth.”

Here is another new word, telónion. It is derived from telónés, the dreaded tax collector who seems to pop up in every society. In this case, the word telónion refers to his place of business. Today, we might say “tax office.” In the case of Israel at the time, it was probably a booth or a table where taxes were collected. Of this person, a typical dreaded and disdained publican, it next says, “being called Matthew.”

In Mark, the name is Levi the son of Alphaeus. Luke simply calls him Levi. They are the same person, but Matthew anticipates his designated apostolic name at this time. In the selection of the apostles, both Mark and Luke will call him Matthew. Of him, he next records, “And He says to him, ‘You follow Me.’”

Although it is only speculation, it is possible that this calling actually comes after some sort of previous interaction. It may be that Matthew has heard Jesus speak, or they may have personally conversed about some matter or another.

Whatever is the case, Jesus knew that this person was ready to leave his duties as a tax collector and take on a completely different pursuit. And so, it next says, “And, having arisen, he followed Him.”

Matthew made the wisest decision he could possibly have made. He may not have even realized it at the time. Or it may be that in hearing that this man could forgive sins (based on the previous passage), he may have thought, “This is what I need. I’m a reprobate to my society and a sinful man.” Whatever prompted him, he heard the call and responded.

Life application: There is a calling to come to Jesus to be saved. If you have responded to that through belief, you are saved. But there may be an additional calling upon you. You may have the inner desire prompting you to become a missionary, tell others about the word, become a preacher, or plaster your car with Jesus bumper stickers.

Whatever you are prompted to do, if it is glorifying of God and not contrary to the Bible, don’t quench it. Rather, respond in a manner that will get the ball rolling and then continue to do what is necessary to keep it going. Fan the flames of the passion within you.

Matthew was asked to follow, and He did. You may have been designed by God in your makeup, time, position, etc., to follow Him in a particular way. So, get up and go!

As a bonus concerning tax collectors and what Matthew was brought out of, take time today to listen to Taxman by the Beatles. A couple thousand years after Matthew was brought out of his life of taxing others, people still write about what they think about this profession. If a taxman can be called by Jesus to do other, greater things, so can you.

Lord God, You have called sinners to come unto You through the precious shed blood of Christ. I’m a sinner! I responded on that glorious day. Now, help me to continue to follow closely beside You all my days. To Your glory, I pray. Amen.

Monday, 7 April 2025

Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men. Matthew 9:8

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And the crowds having seen, they marveled, and they glorified God, the ‘having given such authority’ to men” (CG).

In the previous verse, the healed paralytic arose and departed to his house. With his healing and ability to arise and depart, Matthew next records, “And the crowds having seen, they marveled.”

This wasn’t something done in a corner. Rather, there were many witnesses including the scribes. Because of this, it could not later be denied that it took place. And more, because all three synoptic gospels record the event, there is a reliable, historical witness to the fact in the pages of the Bible.

But for the immediate time, what the crowds saw stunned them. As it was in a city, it would have been known that this man was a paralytic. It wasn’t as if it could have been faked by shipping him in from another town. Rather, he went to his house, meaning he was a local. Because of the obvious miracle that took place, it next says, “and they glorified God.”

This is the reason why God does what He does. He did not need to create, but He did. He did not need to create sentient life, but He did. When man fell, God was under no obligation to bring him back to a state of restoration. Despite Israel’s constant and continuous rejection of Him, God has maintained them as a people, just as He said He would when He covenanted with them.

God’s glory and the recognition of it is the purpose of all such things. But it is not a selfish glory that demands it to be given. Rather, free will is associated with man’s ability to glorify or reject God. For those who glorify God, they share in the goodness of what God has done. Thus, it is not a one-sided thing that takes place. Understanding this, the reason for their glorifying God is next stated, saying He is “the ‘having given such authority’ to men.”

A new word, toioutos, is introduced here. It is a demonstrative pronoun translated as “such.” It is derived from toi, the, and houtos, this.  As such, it signifies “truly this,” and thus, “of this sort.” It denotes character or individuality.

In other words, God made Himself and His power evident through a particular Man. Thus, He has brought glory to Himself in this manner. At this point, it was still not known what sort of Man Jesus is. Instead, they assumed that God was working through a man who could have been any man.

Eventually, those who continued to follow and experience the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus would learn the full details of who Jesus is.

What may be the more relevant issue that is being dealt with here, however, is not the physical healing of the paralytic. Jesus has already been recorded as having done that. He has also healed many others in a similar manner.

The more important issue is that He had just said that the man’s sins were forgiven. This is what got the scribes upset, accusing Him of blasphemy. Jesus prodded them concerning which was easier. The implication was that His words concerning forgiveness were.

Therefore, in healing the man, it is implied that the forgiveness Jesus spoke of previously was granted as well. This would then lead to the marveling of the crowds. What authority God has given to Man. Indeed!

Life application: The Bible is the written record of what has occurred in redemptive history. It details God’s workings in and through Christ in order to reconcile us to Himself. Is it reliable? If you are unsure, it is incumbent upon you to verify it in your own mind. Or, if you are challenged by someone as to why you believe it, can you defend your faith? Even if you cannot, if someone challenges you, the onus is on that person to make his claims for or against the word.

This was the case with Simon Greenleaf. He was a non-believer, but he was one of the greatest legal minds in history. He was a principal founder of Harvard law school. At one point, he was challenged by a student to look at the gospels from a legal standpoint.

As an intellectually honest person, he took the challenge, setting aside any presuppositions or biases. In doing so, he concluded that the gospels hold the topmost weight of legal accuracy. His basis for this was that “Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine, and devolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise.”

His conclusion was that the gospels bore this stamp of authenticity and were, in fact, what they claimed to be. As such, he states –

“The foundation of our belief is a basis of fact – the fact of the birth, ministry, miracles, death, resurrection by the Evangelists as having actually occurred, within their own personal knowledge it was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually rose from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact.”

Simon Greenleaf surrendered his life to Christ, knowing that no legal case could suitably challenge the Bible’s genuineness.

Be sure of your faith by being sure of what the basis for your faith is. Read this word, study this word, and cherish this word. Be ready to defend it and also be ready to challenge those who dismiss it. Implore them to be as intellectually honest as Simon Greenleaf and to do their own evaluation of it – to the glory of God.

Lord God, we know Your word is true, but we also need to know how to defend what we believe. Help us in this endeavor. Remind us of the things we know, and help us to build upon that knowledge from day to day so that when we are challenged, we can respond in a manner that glorifies You. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Sunday, 6 April 2025

And he arose and departed to his house. Matthew 9:7

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And, having arisen, he departed to his house” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus instructed the paralytic to arise, take up his bed, and go to his house. In response to that, it now says, “And, having arisen, he departed to his house.”

With the healing accomplished, the man was fully compliant with the directive given. Matthew focuses on the healing and obedience to the exclusion of all else. Mark provides a note that the man did this immediately, something quite common in his epistle. Luke provides the most detail, saying, “Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”

The three accounts complement each other, providing a sound witness that the event took place just as recorded. The man, returning to his house, would have completely surprised those who knew him. He left being carried on a bed, and he returned carrying that same bed.

The victory over his paralysis was immediate and it was complete. He needed no extended rehab in order to adjust back to normal life.

Life application: This physical healing mirrors the greater spiritual healing that Jesus provides. When a person whose life is marked with sin comes to Christ through faith in Him and His finished work, he is spiritually healed from that moment. Paul gives details of this process –

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14

The moment we believe, we are saved and sealed with a promise, and which is a guarantee. The guarantee belongs to the believer. Saying that it is until the redemption of the purchased possession signifies that the salvation is eternal. It will not be taken away from the one who believes. To say otherwise is to say that God’s word is untrue.

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:29, 30

In God’s view, the moment we respond to the calling, we are saved. Upon salvation we stand justified before God. And more, in God’s view, we are glorified at that moment. God’s decrees are eternal in scope. Therefore, in entering the New Covenant through faith in Christ’s work, the deal is done. This is possible because…

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19

In coming to Christ, we are reconciled to God. The separation that existed since Adam fell is ended. But more, in this process of redemption through Christ, no law is given. It is a redemption of grace. Therefore, because the wages of sin is death (meaning spiritual death and separation from God that leads to physical death), and because it is by law that sin is imputed (Romans 5:13), then we can no longer lose our salvation. The salvation is eternal.

One plus one will always equal two in proper theology.

Let us thank God for the full, final, finished, and forever salvation that has been procured for us through the giving of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord God, we thank You for what You have done for us in the giving of Jesus. May we never fail to praise You for Your wonderful kindness in the grace that has been bestowed. Thank You, O God. We praise You now and forever. Amen.

Saturday, 5 April 2025

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.” Matthew 9:6

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And so, you might have known that the Son of Man, He has authority upon the earth to forgive sins… Then He says to the paralytic, ‘Having arisen, you lift your mat, and you go to your house’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus asked the scribes whether it was easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Arise and walk.” Without waiting for a reply, Jesus continues with, “And so, you might have known that the Son of Man.”

This is the second time the term Son of Man is used by Jesus in Matthew. Instead of saying “I have authority,” He highlights the title. This would then be a claim that He is the One referred to in Daniel 7:13, whether they made the connection at this time or not. As for His using this title, the first time was in Matthew 8, also when addressing a scribe –

“And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. ¹⁹ Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.’
²⁰ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’” Matthew 8:18-20

The term is one that speaks of Jesus’ human nature. Thus, it is appropriate to use at this time because He is obviously a man of Israel, and yet He has stated that He can forgive sins, a prerogative that belongs to God alone. Instead of calling Himself the Son of God, He is leaving that to be understood from His actions. Understanding this, it next says, “He has authority upon the earth to forgive sins…”

In other words, He being a man is claiming that God has granted Him an authority no one else possesses. This is the most important authority that could be granted. The reason for this is because the entire sacrificial system that had been set up for the priests of Israel was to deal with sin. God had instituted the Levitical system, chosen priests from that tribe, and given minute instruction in what to do when the people sinned against Him.

The rights and responsibilities of this system fell to the Levitical priests alone, and yet, they did not possess the authority to forgive sin. Rather, they performed the rituals through which the Lord would then provide the forgiveness and restoration. The words “shall be forgiven” are repeated again and again in the book of Leviticus when detailing these rituals. For example –

“The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the Lord for his sin which he has committed. And the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.” Leviticus 19:22

It is the Lord alone who can forgive sin, and this is provided only directly or through the mediatorial work of priests. For Jesus to claim this right means that the Levitical system must be lesser than the forgiveness He could offer because no sacrificial work by the priests was necessary. Thus, it would be comparable to the words of Nathan to David –

“So David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’
And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. ¹⁴ However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.’” 2 Samuel 12:13, 14

After making His astonishing claim, He will now proceed with the more difficult of the two options presented to the scribes in the previous verse, as Matthew notes, “Then He says to the paralytic, ‘Having arisen, you lift your mat, and you go to your house.’”

The words are strikingly similar to the words Jesus spoke to the infirm man in Jerusalem in John 5:8. In fact, in the parallel account in Mark 2:11, they are word for word identical to John 5:8. Those words say, “Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’”

There, Jesus was accused of violating the Sabbath because He told the man to do this on a Sabbath. Jesus is revealing to these scribes that He not only has the power to heal and to forgive, but that His authority also transcends the Sabbath because He is, as He says elsewhere, the Lord of the Sabbath.

With the mere spoken word, the man here in Matthew is told that he will be able to arise. In so doing, he is to lift up his mat and return to his home. Not only does Jesus speak the words, but they are such simple words that it makes the authority in them all the more striking. He doesn’t appeal to the Lord (Yehovah) or to God in general. Rather, His words bear the authority because they are uttered by Him.

Life application: Everything about the encounter between this paralyzed man and Jesus has brought forth the understanding that Jesus is God who is also a Man. The Bible doesn’t give us any other option in what is being conveyed. And yet, Israel denied this. At the time of the Lord’s appearing, they rejected Him, crucified Him, and called for His blood to be upon them and their children.

They got what they asked for and have suffered two thousand years of punishment (so far) for their unbelief. Do you think God is going to treat anyone else any differently? The Jehovah’s witnesses deny Jesus’ deity. The Mormons have twisted the nature of Jesus to deny it as well while still claiming they believe it.

The other religions of the world reject Jesus as their Savior. Those who have no religion have rejected Jesus as well. When Jesus said that He is the one way to be saved, it means that anyone who has not come through Him is… well, he is not saved. God’s wrath has been upon Israel. God’s wrath will remain on all others who do not come to Him.

Be sure to accept the Bible as it is written, accept who Jesus is shown to be, and call on Him as Lord, to the glory of God the Father, and unto your salvation. Don’t put it off!

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

Lord God, there is a world full of people who need to hear about Jesus. Some will reject the message. Others will accept it, if they are given the opportunity to do so. Help us to have pity on the world without Jesus and to get the word out. May we be a part of the solution to the tragic situation in which they currently stand. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Friday, 4 April 2025

For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? Matthew 9:5

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“For which it is easier: To say, ‘Your sins, they are forgiven,’ or ‘You arise, and you walk?’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus knew the thoughts of the scribes and asked them why they thought evil in their hearts. Next, to reveal the evil He is referring to, He begins with, “For which it is easier: To say.”

This is a new word, eukopóteros, translated as easier. It is an adjective which, in this instance, will be used to provide a comparison between two choices. It is derived from eu, good or well, and kopos, a noun signifying a cut, but by analogy it speaks of toil or, figuratively, pain or labor.

Together, they give the sense of “better for toil.” In other words, it speaks of that which is easier. As for what Jesus will ask is easier, He next questions them with the two choices, which are, “‘Your sins, they are forgiven,’ or ‘You arise, and you walk?’”

In His question, Jesus is not speaking of which is easier to utter. Both can be uttered without any difficulty. Rather, He is referring to the effect produced by what is said. In other words, the assumption is that His words will have the intended effect through what is uttered. He has set the two propositions before the scribes, asking them their thoughts.

They have the ability to forgive others who offend them. If one of them does something wrong towards the other, the offended one can easily forgive if harmony has been restored concerning the offense. However, if one of them was a paralytic, could the other say to his friend, “Get up and walk” while having the intended effect? The answer between the two is quite obvious.

Understanding this, Jesus is dealing with two separate but connected issues. The first issue is a spiritual healing, something that – in this case – is between God and man. The latter is physical healing. But physical problems are the result of a fallen world. They ultimately result from sin which has been inherited from our first father, Adam.

Therefore, if Jesus has the ability to heal the paralytic after proclaiming that his sins have been forgiven, then the physical healing would be proof of the spiritual forgiveness. This is not the same as going to a doctor to be cured of a disease or malady. The doctor only has the ability to heal the physical defect, not the spiritual.

As such, if Jesus has the ability to forgive sins, which are an offense against God, and if He confirms that healing through the man’s physical healing, then He validates that He has the authority to forgive the sins as He spoke. Therefore, He is exercising the authority of God. It is another implicit note that He is, in fact, God.

Life application: Understanding that only God has the authority to forgive sin that has been committed against Him, what does that tell us about the Roman Catholic practice of supposedly forgiving sins against God?

They believe that through their confessional, they have the authority as the church to 1) provide forgiveness of sin, 2) reconciliation with God, the church, and others, 3) spiritual healing, and 4) a clearing of the conscience.

The system that has been put in place supposedly allows for mediation between God and man. But the Bible explicitly says in 1 Timothy 2:5 that there is one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus. Reconciliation, therefore, can only be found in the shed blood and mediation of Jesus Christ.

Realizing this, one should run, not walk, from the Roman Catholic Church. The pope is not God’s representative on the earth. The Roman Catholic Church is not the official body where reconciliation between God and man takes place. And more, the Roman Catholic confession cannot provide forgiveness, reconciliation, spiritual healing, or a clearing of the conscience. As for the latter, it can only provide a searing of the conscience.

This is why those in the mafia feel they can do anything they want, including murder, and still be exonerated for their conduct. The conscience becomes so seared through this unholy practice that people are lulled into complacency in their spiritual lives to the point where they feel they only need to worry about the things of this world. At the same time, they allow the church to supposedly take care of the things necessary for their next life.

It is a sad and tragic state to exist in, all because people have failed to check the manual, meaning the Bible.

Lord God, help us to never trust anyone concerning spiritual matters without first checking with Your word. If we hear something about our relationship with You, give us the wisdom to check it out, so that our lives in Your presence will be sound and based on the reality presented in the Bible. Yes, Lord God. Help us in this. Amen.