He Know What You're Thinking

“Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, ‘Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?’ Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven, or Stand up and walk? ”
Matthew 9:4-5 (NLT)

How often do we think bad thoughts and think nothing of it? As long as we don’t say it out loud it’s ok right?

That’s what the teachers of the law thought until Jesus called them out in front of a crowd.

Let’s rewind. Jesus and the guys had just gotten back from a busy time and still there was a crowd of people around him, including religious leaders. When a paralyzed man enters the scene being carried on a mat by his friends. These are the guys who dug a hole in the roof to get their friend in front of Jesus. Jesus was impressed by their faith and tells the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2b).

This is where this week’s questions come in. The teachers of the law were aghast; how dare he forgive sins; who does he think he is God? Jesus calls them out with his questions and then tells the man on the mat, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home” (Matthew 9:6)!

I find the response from the crowd interesting. The paralyzed man jumped up and went home and then fear swept through the crowd as they watched it all happen. Why was there fear? They had most likely seen Jesus heal others or heard him teach, so that should not have caused them to fear. Were the people afraid because they realized Jesus knew what they were thinking? Maybe. Were they afraid because Jesus had called out the teachers of the law for their evil thoughts? It’s possible. The encounter ends with the people praising God for giving humans such authority (Matthew 9:7-8).

In the times we are living in it can be easy to think evil thoughts. But we should be mindful of Who is listening. Jesus knows us better than anyone, He knows us well enough to know what we are thinking. That should be enough to temper our thoughts with good and not evil. With faith and trust instead of fear.

Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this email – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – let your thoughts be filled with things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise.