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had power on earth to forgive sins, and the signs and wonders were His credentials. He
will however demonstrate His commission and authority yet once more. The reasoning
of the Lord is invincible. It is certainly easier to SAY, "Thy sins be forgiven thee", than
to SAY, "Arise and walk", for while none can test the fulfillment or otherwise of the first
statement, all can witness the second. There are many to-day who pronounce the
forgiveness of sins and wield a tremendous power over the ignorant and the superstitious,
who could not abide this challenge. So the Lord of glory stooped again in long-suffering
gentleness:--
"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins
(then saith He to the sick of the palsy), `Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.'
And he arose, and departed to his house."
The result according to Matthew was, "When the multitude saw it they marveled, and
glorified God, which had given such authority unto men". Mark says, "they were all
amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion". Luke's record is,
"They were all amazed and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We
have seen strange things to-day".
Each Gospel records the calling of Matthew, immediately after this miracle. Each
records that at the feast that followed the Lord said, "They that be whole need not a
physician but they that are sick, for I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance". Thus, as in the miracle, the physical shadows forth the spiritual.
#4. The Third Group.
The Culmination of Israel's Rejection (Matt. 9:).
pp. 105 - 109
This group contains four miracles. Two are wrought upon women and two upon men.
The domain of ceremonial LAW had been entered when the Saviour, in spite of the
law of Moses, touched the leper. National exclusiveness had received a shock when the
Gentile Centurion's prayer was heard, and his faith recognized as greater than any
exhibited in Israel. The unnatural despising of woman in the estimation of the orthodox
Jew received a rebuff when the Lord deigned unasked to cure Peter's wife's mother.
The domain of SIN was entered and spirit forces compelled to recognize their Master
in the second set.
The third series brings the Lord face to face with DEATH. A ruler comes and
worshipping Him says, "My daughter is even now dead, but come and lay Thy hand upon
her, and she shall live". What a stupendous request! yet see how naturally the Lord
receives it. "And Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples." He even
allows Himself to be intercepted on the way to heal another sufferer. The woman who