Day: October 15, 2023

Sunday, October 15, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Let us read today’s Scripture in its context: “[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…. [23] And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. [24] And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”

Another verse helpful in this regard is Luke 8:1: “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,….” The Lord’s earthly ministry involved the preaching of a kingdom, God’s kingdom—the Gospel (“Good News”) of the Kingdom. In addition to a verbal message or a proclamation of words (“the kingdom of heaven is at hand;” Matthew 4:17), there was a physical or visual confirmation of the message. If God’s kingdom were really near—“at hand,” or within Israel’s grasp—there would be not just words but sights to see and sounds to hear.

“For the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22). What could signify, or serve as a sign, to Israel’s people that their long-promised Messiah or Saviour had come to reign and fulfill the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-17 and Isaiah 9:6,7? How could Jesus “shew” (cause to be seen, demonstrate) the Glad Tidings (Good News or Gospel) of the Kingdom? What credentials could He offer to validate His identity and work? Why, His miracle-working would serve this purpose, and His curing of palsy would impart Father God’s revelation to Israel….