The Secret Codes in Matthew: Examining Israel’s Messiah, Part 7: Matthew 8 – 11:5, by Kevin M. Williams
But what of our expectations? What about the list? In chapter nine, we resume our checklist as Yeshua heals the lame.
And behold, they were bringing to Him a paralytic, lying on a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, and walk’? “But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic—“Rise, take up your bed, and go home.” And he rose, and went home. But when the multitudes saw this, they were filled with awe, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:2-8).
The literal application of this verse is quite clear. The remetz, however, seems to be the concern of the Scribes (remember, they were not on the boat when Yeshua calmed the storm). Again, this was a golden opportunity to bring Yeshua up on charges of blasphemy and have him cut-off. But Yeshua was not yet ready to fulfill that part of his mission. He calmly—but shrewdly—addresses their concerns.
In His day, the term “son of man” was both common and divine. It could as easily mean an average Joe or it could mean “the Messiah.” Yeshua was, in a very cunning fashion, leaving that decision up to them. The evidence, if you will, said He was the Messiah, and the multitudes agreed. Apparently the Scribes decided that that was not the time to challenge that perception. Regardless, they did not have enough of a case to bring Him to trial.
By now, Yeshua was likely creating quite a stir. His next move, to call the tax collector Matthew into His fold baffled the religious leaders as well. In Matthew 9:11 we read, “And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘Why is your Teacher eating with the tax-gatherers and sinners?’” Our modern view is to think that the Pharisees were already challenging Yeshua. I propose that they were simply trying to figure out His theology.
In verse 14 we read, “Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?’” yet no one accuses them of being judgmental or accusatory. Asking questions is how Jewish people then—and now—learn. It is how they sort out ideas and sift for the truth. In these early chapters, no one was yet challenging Yeshua’s claims because so far—He has made no direct claims.
And behold, a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I shall get well.” But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” And at once the woman was made well (Matthew 9:20-22).
Again, Yeshua should have been proclaimed unclean. According to the custom, He had been contaminated—and by a woman no less! Yet as before, the evidence evaporates. Under the laws of contamination, He should have been forbidden to go to the ruler of the synagogue’s house, he should have been leaving the city! But His manifest purity overcame and translated the woman’s impurity.
Category: Biblical Studies, Fall 2002, Pneuma Review
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