Jesus is a Friend of Sinners. (Matthew 9)

Scripture reading – Matthew 9; Luke 7

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Our chronological study of the New Testament continues with today’s Scripture readings from Matthew 9 and Luke 7. This first of two devotions is based on Matthew 9.

Matthew 9

A Miracle of Healing and Forgiveness (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:2-12; Luke 5:17-26)

Like Mark and Luke, Matthew recorded Jesus forgiving a paralytic man for his sins and raising him from his bed (Matthew 9:1-8). Matthew noted that the scribes said within themselves, “This man blasphemeth” (Matthew 9:3). Jesus, exercising His divine omniscience, knew “their thoughts” and asked, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4).

What a bold rebuke of those proud, religious experts in the Law! Jesus posed a question to them: “For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?” (Matthew 9:5). To prove His divine authority to forgive sins, Jesus commanded the paralytic to do what no other man could: “Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house” (Matthew 9:6). Jesus not only declared the man’s sins forgiven; He also demonstrated His authority over sickness and disease, healing the man’s body. The paralytic obeyed Jesus’ command, rose from his bed, and walked home (Matthew 9:7). What an incredible moment! All who witnessed the miracle “marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men” (Matthew 9:8).

A Friend of Sinners (Matthew 9:9-13)

Matthew recorded the day Jesus invited him to be a disciple (the same event is recorded in Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27-28, where he is called by his other name, Levi). That same evening, Matthew hosted a supper at his home and invited his fellow publicans and sinners to dine with Jesus (Matthew 9:10). “When the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11)

Why eat with publicans and sinners? (Matthew 9:11-13)

The answer lay in the obvious. Just as the sick need a physician, sinners need a Savior (Matthew 9:12). Men too blind to see their sin are too proud to recognize their spiritual need. After all, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” not to persuade the self-righteous to repent (1 Timothy 1:15). Therefore, the LORD had compassion on sinners who were humbled by their sins and willing to repent (Matthew 9:13).

Closing thoughts –

In addition to healing the paralytic (Matthew 9:2-7), Jesus raised the daughter of a leader of the synagogue from the dead (Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25), healed a woman with “an issue of blood” (Matthew 9:20-22), restored sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:27-30), delivered a mute man from a demon (Matthew 9:32-33), and healed “every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35).

With multitudes following Him, Jesus was “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36) because He saw they were weary, scattered, and like “sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). He saw their potential (“the harvest…[was] plenteous,” Matthew 9:37a). He saw their need (“the labourers are few,” Matthew 9:37b). He called upon believers to “pray…that He [would] send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

As Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Questions to ponder –  

1) How did the people respond when they saw the paralytic take up his bed and walk? (Matthew 9:7-8)

2) What did the Pharisees question when they saw Jesus eating at Matthew’s house? (Matthew 9:10-11)

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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