He is unlike any other

Today's Reading: Matthew 9:1-17 & Genesis 29-30
Key Verses: Matthew 9:2 & Matthew 9:9

What I love most about reading the accounts of Jesus is that fact that He is unlike anyone else. He doesn't act like anyone ever before and anyone since. He is original. Everything he did was so perfect, so right, and freaked just about everyone out. He was so different (and He still is.)

We look at Jesus from here in the future. We know who He is...I am not so certain even those closest to Him really understood who He was (that is until he rose from the dead...talk about different...but we will have more on that later.)

In Matthew 9:2 we see "Some people (bring) to (Jesus) a paralyzed man on a mat." Not an uncommon thing to happen. Jesus was healing many and the news had got around. But check out what Jesus says to the man and his friends.

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” (Matt. 9:2)

Excuse me?!?! Did that just happen?!?! Did he actually just say "Your sins are forgiven"?!?!

I am pretty sure only God himself can do that...in fact some teachers of religious law said as much. The scribes believed Jesus was dishonoring God by taking upon himself the prerogative to forgive sins, which only God can do.

"But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” (Matt. 9:3)

(pause for effect :-)

Yes, He did!!!! (and that's because He is)

And then Jesus, just being Jesus says in so many words "You don't believe me do you? I know what your thinking, this guy says sins are forgiven, but come on...it's easy to say that. He has no proof"

Check out Matthew 9:5 “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

and that is just what the man did. He jumped up and went home. That is so awesome!!!!

That had all the people talking for sure, but then Jesus did something else so very.....well, different. Later he walks up to this guy named Matthew and says "Follow Me and be My disciple." So what's the big deal you ask? Well, Matthew was a tax collector and they were the lowest of the low. The Jewish people hated tax collectors. They were people of no morals. They would sell their mother for a buck if they could (or at least that was the perception.)

and Jesus (and we all should know by now who He is) calls this "scum" to follow Him and be His disciple. Now that's different.

and now go and read Matthew 9:12-13....com'n, Go and do it. I'll wait (picture me waiting)

Jesus is unlike anyone else. He didn't do things the way anyone thought He should...and thank goodness or else we would all be in a world of hurt.

Continue to read with me the accounts of Jesus, the one like no other. We will be reading about Him until June so it's definitely not too late to join the journey...

...and who knows, when it's all said and done we might just be different as well :-)

Tomorrow's Reading:
Genesis 31-32 & Matthew 9:18-38

See ya then...