“So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’” Matthew 9:1-2

Faith in Action

This story goes on to reveal that Jesus has the power and the absolute authority to forgive sins. This passage portrays Him as Son of David, Son of Man, and Son of God. But something else caught my eye as I pondered this passage one morning.

Jesus had returned from a journey of ministry and had come to His own city. He had been raised in Nazareth, but He found no faith in Nazareth, so He had moved on and settled in Capernaum. The people of this city listened and saw the wonders of God wrought through Him. Faith lived here.

What arrested my attention is, how did Jesus see their faith? He saw their faith by their actions.

It was not an easy thing to move a paralytic man. He was dead weight. He could not cooperate or help with the process. He assuredly could not walk or make an independent move in any direction. So He was placed in a bed (added weight) and carried by believing friends to Jesus.

They could not help him on their own. Doctors had tried and failed. Day after day he lay helpless until these who bore the weight of his body and his bed brought him to Jesus. This they could do. This was an act of faith. This was a yes and amen to hope. They did what they could—in faith. Jesus did the rest.

Faith is what Jesus saw and acknowledged. He saw their faith in their actions. He saw their faith working itself out in practical application to life’s suffering. Jesus saw their faith.

James has said, “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead” (James 2:20)?

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).

Later on in Matthew, Jesus tells a parable of two sons (Matthew 21). The father had asked them to go work in the vineyard. One said no and yet later he went and did as the father had asked. The other said yes, but he never actually went to the vineyard. The other spoke the right words, appeared to be a good son, made empty promises, but there was no faith or will to do the work. There was no action taken, no move made to perform the will of the father. Faith is works. Works is faith. They are joined together and cannot be separated. It’s not a matter or either/or, but both/and.

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Am I living like that? Have I moved from Nazareth to Capernaum? Have I used muscle and bone to demonstrate my faith in a practical act of mercy and grace? Have I done the work I am called to do by the Spirit of God? Does Jesus see my faith?

Out of this faith came forgiveness of sin, healing, and a revelation of the Son of God. May we so live and act and do, that Jesus would acknowledge our faith and reveal Himself in our city.

Father, I pray for a heart willing to do Your will. Cause my faith to translate to actions and good works for Your glory. Amen.