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efore them。 They marked the interest with which all were watching the scene； and they felt a terrible fear of losing their own influence over the people。
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These dignitaries did not exchange words together； but looking into one another's faces they read the same thought in each； that something must be done to arrest the tide of feeling。 Jesus had declared that the sins of the paralytic were forgiven。 The Pharisees caught at these words as blasphemy； and conceived that they could present this as a sin worthy of death。 They said in their hearts； 〃He blasphemeth： who can forgive sins but One； even God？〃 Mark 2：7； R。 V。
Fixing His glance upon them； beneath which they cowered； and drew back； Jesus said； 〃Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts？ For whether is easier； to say； Thy sins be forgiven thee； or to say； Arise； and walk？ But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins；〃 He said； turning to the paralytic； 〃Arise； take up thy bed； and go unto thine house。〃
Then he who had been borne on a litter to Jesus rises to his feet with the elasticity and strength of youth。 The life…giving blood bounds through his veins。 Every organ of his body springs into sudden activity。 The glow of health succeeds the pallor of approaching death。 〃And immediately he arose； took up the bed； and went forth before them all； insomuch that they were all amazed； and glorified God； saying； We never saw it on this fashion。〃
Oh； wondrous love of Christ； stooping to heal the guilty and the afflicted！ Divinity sorrowing over and soothing the ills of suffering humanity！ Oh； marvelous power thus displayed to the children of men！ Who can doubt the message of salvation？ Who can slight the mercies of a compassionate Redeemer？
It required nothing less than creative power to restore health to that decaying body。 The same voice that spoke life to man created from
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the dust of the earth had spoken life to the dying paralytic。 And the same power that gave life to the body had renewed the heart。 He who at the creation 〃spake； and it was；〃 who 〃commanded； and it stood fast；〃 （Ps。 33：9）； had spoken life to the soul dead in trespasses and sins。 The healing of the body was an evidence of the power that had renewed the heart。 Christ bade the paralytic arise and walk； 〃that ye may know；〃 He said； 〃that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins。〃
The paralytic found in Christ healing for both the soul and the body。 The spiritual healing was followed by physical restoration。 This lesson should not be overlooked。 There are today thousands suffering from physical disease； who； like the paralytic； are longing for the message； 〃Thy sins are forgiven。〃 The burden of sin； with its unrest and unsatisfied desires； is the foundation of their maladies。 They can find no relief until they come to the Healer of the soul。 The peace which He alone can give； would impart vigor to the mind； and health to the body。
Jesus came to 〃destroy the works of the devil。〃 〃In Him was life；〃 and He says； 〃I am come that they might have life； and that they might have it more abundantly。〃 He is 〃a quickening spirit。〃 1 John 3：8； John 1：4； 10：10； 1 Cor。 15：45。 And He still has the same life…giving power as when on earth He healed the sick； and spoke forgiveness to the sinner。 He 〃forgiveth all thine iniquities；〃 He 〃healeth all thy diseases。〃 Ps。 103：3。
The effect produced upon the people by the healing of the paralytic was as if heaven had opened； and revealed the glories of the better world。 As the man who had been cured passed through the multitude； blessing God at every step； and bearing his burden as if it were a feather's weight； the people fell back to give him room； and with awe…stricken faces gazed upon him； whispering softly among themselves； 〃We have seen strange things today。〃
The Pharisees were dumb with amazement and overwhelmed with defeat。 They saw that here was no opportunity for their jealousy to inflame the multitude。 The wonderful work wrought upon the man whom they had given over to the wrath of God had so impressed the people that the rabbis were for the time forgotten。 They saw that Christ possessed a power which they had ascribed to God alone； yet the gentle dignity of His manner was in marked contrast to their own haughty bearing。 They were disconcerted and abashed； recognizing； but not confessing； the presence of a superior being。 The stronger the evidence that Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins； the more firmly
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they entrenched themselves in unbelief。 From the home of Peter； where they had seen the paralytic restored by His word； they went away to invent new schemes for silencing the Son of God。
Physical disease； however malignant and deep…seated； was healed by the power of Christ； but the disease of the soul took a firmer hold upon those who closed their eyes against the light。 Leprosy and palsy were not so terrible as bigotry and unbelief。
In the home of the healed paralytic there was great rejoicing when he returned to his family； carrying with ease the couch upon which he had been slowly borne from their presence but a short time before。 They gathered round with tears of joy； scarcely daring to believe their eyes。 He stood before them in the full vigor of manhood。 Those arms that they had seen lifeless were quick to obey his will。 The flesh that had been shrunken and leaden…hued was now fresh and ruddy。 He walked with a firm； free step。 Joy and hope were written in every lineament of his countenance； and an expression of purity and peace had taken the place of the marks of sin and suffering。 Glad thanksgiving went up from that home； and God was glorified through His Son； who had restored hope to the hopeless； and strength to the stricken one。 This man and his family were ready to lay down their lives for Jesus。 No doubt dimmed their faith； no unbelief marred their fealty to Him who had brought light into their darkened home。
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Chapter 28
Levi…Matthew
Of the Roman officials in Palestine； none were more hated than the publicans。 The fact that the taxes were imposed by a foreign power was a continual irritation to the Jews； being a reminder that their independence had departed。 And the taxgatherers were not merely the instruments of Roman oppression； they were extortioners on their own account； enriching themselves at the expense of the people。 A Jew who accepted this office at the hands of the Romans was looked upon as betraying the honor of his nation。 He was despised as an apostate； and was classed with the vilest of society。
To this class belonged Levi…Matthew； who； after the four disciples at Gennesaret； was the next to be called to Christ's service。 The Pharisees had judged Matthew according to his employment； but Jesus saw in this man a heart open for the reception of truth。 Matthew had listened to the Saviour's teaching。 As the convicting Spirit of God revealed his sinfulness； he longed to seek help from Christ； but he was accustomed to the exclusiveness of the rabbis； and had no thought that this Great Teacher would notice him。
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Sitting at his toll booth one day； the publican saw Jesus approaching。 Great was his astonishment to hear the words addressed to himself； 〃Follow Me。〃
Matthew 〃left all； rose up； and followed Him。〃 There was no hesitation； no questioning； no thought of the lucrative business to be exchanged for poverty and hardship。 It was enough for him that he was to be with Jesus； that he might listen to His words； and unite with Him in His work。
So it was with the disciples previously called。 When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him； immediately they left their boats and nets。 Some of these disciples had friends dependent on them for support； but when they received the Saviour's invitation； they did not hesitate； and inquire； How shall I live； and sustain my family？ They were obedient to the call； and when afterward Jesus asked them； 〃When I sent you without purse； and scrip； and shoes； lacked ye anything？〃 they could answer； 〃Nothing。〃 Luke 22：35。
To Matthew in his wealth； and to Andrew and Peter in their poverty； the same test was brought； the same consecration was made by each。 At the moment of success； when the nets were filled with fish； and the impulses of the old life were strongest； Jesus asked the disciples at the sea to leave all for the work of the gospel。 So every soul is tested as to whether the desire for temporal good or for fellowship with Christ is strongest。
Principle is always exacting。 No man can succeed in the service of God unless his whole heart is in the work and he counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ。 No man who makes any reserve can be the disciple of Christ； much less can he be His colaborer。 When men appreciate the great salvation； the self…sacrifice seen in Christ's life will be seen in theirs。 Wherever He leads the way； they will rejoice to follow。
The calling of Matthew to be one