Sensationalism will Not convert sinners. God must call a person, opening his mind to His truth.
Matthew 9:8 - Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled
and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
Mark 2:12 - Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went
out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God,
saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Luke 5:26 - And they were all amazed, and they glorified God
and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things
today!" (New King James Version)
"The people were stunned, moved to glorify God, filled with
fear, and confounded. It is no surprise that the witnesses to the miracle were
amazed at the astounding healing. Each of the three gospel writers uses a
different Greek word to express a variation of a state of awe. Nevertheless,
considering the great impact this miracle had on observers, most of them were
not moved to have faith in God. Though filled with awe at His mighty works,
they were not convinced or converted. Faith is not produced through sight (IICorinthians 5:7). Miracles and physical proof do not instill faith. God must
call a person, opening his mind to His truth (John 6:44). Today, people tend to
think that sensationalism will convert sinners, designing their religious
presentations to impress people and increase followers by physical rather than
spiritual quality.
"In addition, the people were moved to glorify God in their
limited way (Matthew 9:8). Yet, their reaction to the healing did not cause a
change of heart in them.
"Luke writes that they were all "filled with fear"
(Luke 5:26). It can be terrifying to be near the power of Almighty God. Paul
states, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God" (Hebrews 10:31). Realizing his own sinfulness in the presence of the
perfection and might of God, Peter knelt in fear at Jesus' knees, saying,
"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). Again,
however, most of the witnesses to the paralytic's healing refused to overcome
their sins and change their lives.
"James notes that even the demons believe and tremble before
God (James 2:19), yet they, of course, have never been converted. This
principle should enlighten us about the professed religion of others. Being
filled with awe, glorifying God, or experiencing fear are not enough in
themselves; they are merely beginnings of understanding and wisdom (Psalm 111:10;
Proverbs 9:10).
"Some witnesses to this miracle said, "We never saw
anything like this!" (Mark 2:12). Others exclaimed, "We have seen
strange things today!" (Luke 5:26). They were confounded. The miracle they
witnessed was one of a kind, different from anything they had ever seen before.
No other "gods" compare with our God the Father and Jesus Christ!
"In Luke's account, the word "strange" is the Greek
word from which the English word "paradox" derives. It suggests true
things that are contrary to all common sense and ordinary experience. The
things of God are beyond the understanding of mere human beings. In this
miracle, we see the incomprehensible sovereignty and glory of God in His
comfort and healing of the sick through His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior."
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