Verses 1–8
The faith of the friends of the paralytic in bringing him to Christ, was a strong faith; they firmly
believed that Jesus Christ both could and would heal him. A strong faith regards no obstacles in
pressing after Christ. It was a humble faith; they brought him to attend on Christ. It was an active
faith. Sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the
sin not pardoned: but if we have the comfort of peace with God, with the comfort of recovery from
sickness, this makes the healing a mercy indeed. This is no encouragement to sin. If thou bring thy
sins to Jesus Christ, as thy malady and misery to be cured of, and delivered from, it is well; but to
come with them, as thy darlings and delight, thinking still to retain them and receive him, is a gross
mistake, a miserable delusion. The great intention of the blessed Jesus in the redemption he wrought,
is to separate our hearts from sin. Our Lord Jesus has perfect knowledge of all that we say within
ourselves. There is a great deal of evil in sinful thoughts, which is very offensive to the Lord Jesus.
Christ designed to show that his great errand to the world was, to save his people from their sins.
He turned from disputing with the scribes, and spake healing to the sick man. Not only he had no
more need to be carried upon his bed, but he had strength to carry it. God must be glorified in all
the power that is given to do good.
Verse 9
Matthew was in his calling, as the rest of those whom Christ called. As Satan comes with his
temptations to the idle, so Christ comes with his calls to those who are employed. We are all naturally
averse from thee, O God; do thou bid us to follow thee; draw us by thy powerful word, and we
shall run after thee. Speak by the word of the Spirit to our hearts, the world cannot hold us down,
Satan cannot stop our way, we shall arise and follow thee. A saving change is wrought in the soul,
by Christ as the author, and his word as the means. Neither Matthew's place, nor his gains by it,
could detain him, when Christ called him. He left it, and though we find the disciples, who were
fishers, occasionally fishing again afterwards, we never more find Matthew at his sinful gain.
Verses 10–13
Some time after his call, Matthew sought to bring his old associates to hear Christ. He knew
by experience what the grace of Christ could do, and would not despair concerning them. Those
who are effectually brought to Christ, cannot but desire that others also may be brought to him.
Those who suppose their souls to be without disease will not welcome the spiritual Physician. This
was the case with the Pharisees; they despised Christ, because they thought themselves whole; but
the poor publicans and sinners felt that they wanted instruction and amendment. It is easy, and too
common, to put the worst constructions upon the best words and actions. It may justly be suspected
that those have not the grace of God themselves, who are not pleased with others' obtaining it.
Christ's conversing with sinners is here called mercy; for to promote the conversion of souls is the
greatest act of mercy. The gospel call is a call to repentance; a call to us to change our minds, and
to change our ways. If the children of men had not been sinners, there had been no need for Christ