Matthew 9:4-5
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
Do you ever hold a grudge or ill thoughts about someone or some event? Most of us probably do. Something in the past wounded us deeply and affected the outlook on a situation or on your relationship with a person or group of people. Such a wound can have an impact on you that unfairly judges everything that person does in the future. You always look at them with distain, doubt, ulterior motives. Whatever they do is not right in your eyes. Sometimes we hide in those thoughts to justify our own inadequacies or shortcomings. Sometimes we feel threatened that our authority or knowledge might be challenged.
Today Jesus sees the paralytic and is going to heal him. Matthew's gospel says that Jesus knew what the scribes were thinking. Thoughts of the authorities might have been, "Who does he think he is?" or "how can he claim to heal?" or "only we, the temple scribes, can say who can heal and who can't!" or "Watch him make a fool of himself!". Jesus knew what was up. Instead of being encouraging and open, they were being negative.
Lord Jesus, help us to put aside our petty thought and jealous motives against others. Help us to be open to new ideas and kind to those who express opinion that might differ from our own. Guide us toward charity and love.
