A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

WHICH WAS THE GREATER MIRACLE?      

Matthew 9:5-6 “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So He said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” (Read Matthew 9:1-8) 

Jesus performed two miracles. The one was obvious. Friends or family of a paralyzed man brought him to Jesus to be healed. Since his paralysis was known, at least to those who brought him, when the man stood up, took his mat, and left, they knew a miracle had occurred.  

What was the second miracle? Actually, it was the first miracle Jesus performed upon the paralyzed man. Verse 2 says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Jesus performed the greater miracle first, didn’t He? No one but Jesus could heal the man’s paralysis, but also no one but Jesus could take away the man’s sins.   

Every time you witness a baptism; a miracle occurs before your very eyes. For Christians, this is so common an occurrence, the miraculous nature of God’s work in the heart and life of the one being baptized is missed. But, a miracle indeed occurs.   

Through simple water being connected to God’s word, the one being baptized has their sins washed away. Who, but Jesus can do this? And, this is why Jesus commands His disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19-20)  

St. Paul describes the miracle that occurs through Holy Baptism in these words he wrote to Titus: “He (God) saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. . .” (Titus 3:5-8) 

Prayer: Grant me Jesus, eyes to see and a heart to believe all the miracles you work each day. In Your holy name. Amen. 

See this wonder in the making:   
God Himself this child is taking  
As a lamb safe in His keeping,  
His to be, awake or sleeping. 

Miracle each time it happens  
As the door to heaven opens  
And the Father beams, “beloved, 
Heir of gifts a king would covet!” 

Far more tender than a mother,  
Far more caring than a father,  
God, into Your arms we place them,
With Your love and peace embrace them

Here we bring a child of nature;  
Home we take a newborn creature,  
Now God’s precious son or daughter,  
Born again by Word and water.  

See This Wonder in the Making // LSB 593