Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Nisbet Commentary - Matthew 9:2 - 9:2
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
‘And behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be for-given thee.’
Mat_9:2
I. A ‘death in life.’—Paralysis has been aptly called ‘a death in life,’ ‘a living death’; and may we not trace its exact counterpart in man’s spiritual being? Are there not tens of thousands among ourselves who, from various causes, not always faults of their own, from ignorance or bad training, from corrupt environment and bad associates, quite as much as from innate indifference and love of vice, are spiritually ‘past feeling,’ impervious to the finer sense, and the higher life, of temperance, purity, and holiness? There are others in as bad a plight, and, alas! with far less excuse. There are among the educated, the wealthy, and the so-called ‘refined’ of the world, not simply a growing spirit of indifference to religion and a laxer view of morals, but an increase of those grosser forms of self-indulgence of which it is a shame even to speak. What is this but a tendency to be useless and unprofitable—paralytics in the sight of God? Or are there not many who profess to love and serve God, and, indeed, have done so for many a year, but who are conscious as they near mid-life of a sense of disappointment? These are dangerous signs indeed; they are signs of that spiritual ‘creeping paralysis,’ ‘the growing weary in well-doing.’ Truly did Dean Stanley say, ‘When the best men give up trying, the world falls back like lead.’
II. Religious co-operation.—Now, how shall we deal with those who are wholly or partly spiritually paralysed? We find the answer in the conduct of this poor paralytic’s friends. In one word, it is ‘co-operation,’ religious co-operation—the ‘working together of Christian men and women, in town or country village, for the glory of God and the good of their fellows, is the very superstructure of Christian effort. But for it to be of real and lasting use, internals must not be neglected or forgotten. Christian men of all degrees may and must unite to rescue their fellows who have fallen helpless, through sin, on life’s highway. Such co-operation must and will have its reward; it will invoke a double blessing—a blessing on him who gives, and on him who, perhaps involuntarily, takes.
—
The Rev. E. F. Cavalier.
Illustration‘Two neighbours, one blind and the other lame, were called to a place at a great distance. What was to be done? The blind man could not see, and the lame man could not walk! Why, the blind man carried the lame one; the former assisted by his legs, the other by his eyes. Say to none, then, “I can do without you,” but be ready to help those who ask your aid, and then, when it is needed, you may ask theirs.’
HEALING FOR BODY AND SOUL
We may take this narrative to illustrate—
II. Man’s greatest joy.—(1) Deliverance from sin. (2) Deliverance from disease—the latter signifying a perfect restoration to spiritual health, and a power to walk in God’s righteous ways.
III. Man’s greatest duty.—‘The multitude glorified God.’ Praise is our noblest privilege, and our most pressing duty.
‘Be of good cheer.’
Mat_9:2
I. Because of sins forgiven.—‘Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee’ (St. Mat_9:2). These words were spoken to a man ill in soul and body. But our Saviour saw that his soul needed healing first.
II. Because faith has saved.—‘Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole’ (St. Mat_9:22, R.V.). Ill for twelve long years. She knew Christ could heal. Despairing of all other help, she hastened towards Him, and joined the mighty multitude which all down the ages have touched Him.
III. Because of Christ’s presence.—‘Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid’ (St. Mat_14:27). The disciples are tossed on the sea. The wind was contrary. ‘The darkness deepens.’ Then in the fourth watch of the night, just before the dawn ‘Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.’ Do not we too know what it is to be tossed on a dark sea of sorrow and doubt?
IV. Because Christ has overcome.—‘Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (St. Joh_16:33). In the world, we are to have tribulation; we have found that true. In Christ, Peace; may we find that true also. But we are to ‘Be of good cheer’ because Christ has overcome the world, and He can cheer us when our hearts are breaking and the world is reeling under our feet.
V. Therefore:—
(a) Look to Christ for your joy.
(b) Share with others the gift He bestows.
The Rev. F. Harper.
Illustrations(1) ‘Latimer repeated the Saviour’s words at the stake in Oxford: “Be of good cheer, Master Ridley! We shall this day by the grace of God light such a candle in England as shall never be put out.” ’
(2) ‘Frances Ridley Havergal’s dying message was, “The world needs bright Christians.” ’
(3) ‘A devout Christian woman adopted the habit of writing down, daily, a record of the mercies and good gifts which crowned the life of each day. On the opposite side of the page she wrote an account of her daily crosses and sorrows, and at the end of the year she confessed that the benedictions so outnumbered the calamities that her life seemed like an unbroken golden chain, and every hour was a link that lengthened this chain of blessings.’
(4) ‘Talking about his life in a great Northern city, a well-known man said that whenever he felt put out, or worried, or cross, or vexed, or depressed, because things had not being going on as he wished, he went into one or other of the great hospitals, and what he saw there always sent him home calm, refreshed, and contented.’