Not About The Man, But About The Faith

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”  [Matthew 8.23-27]

Jesus illustrated a very bold fact here: 

It's not about the man, but about the faith.

However, the disciples did not get it. Instead, they were amazed, "Who is this man?"

People today still look at Jesus the same way. Even though He constantly referred to Himself as the Son of Man, they still ogled over Him as the Son of God. They missed the point. They were looking at the tree and not the forest represented by the tree. They failed to understand that they were also trees belonging to that same forest.

Any one of the disciples could have spoken to the wind and waves bringing about calm and peace. But instead, they were afraid. Jesus only did what any one of them could have done. Otherwise, His scolding of them, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” was completely unjustified.

If we can see it, the disciples trusted the man-made boat more than God. As sturdy as the boat built by man may have been, it was no match for the wind and waves over which God's Kingdom rules.

While, at first this illustration may seem to justify man's idols of finance, insurance, medicine and technology as "the boat," a more complete look at Jesus' life and ministry in another boating incident reveals otherwise:

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. [Matthew 14.24-33]

Leave it to Peter to "test the waters," Peter whose faith became foundational to the Church! Why did Peter want out of the boat? Was the boat not sufficient? Was the boat certainly not better than nothing? Peter did not think so! So, he asked Jesus if he might come to Him. And, what did Jesus say? "Yes, come." For at least a moment, Peter understood that "if Jesus does it, I can do it." And, Peter concluded further that he should do what Jesus was doing intentionally leaving the boat.

And here is where we are today. We are experiencing the strong winds of life in our man-made idol-industry "boats" of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. God's Word is revealing Jesus to us on every page of the Bible. But instead of desiring to get out of the boat to follow Jesus, we insist that Jesus should get in the boat with us where it's 'safe.'

I suppose Jesus 'met the disciples where they were' when He got back into the boat with Peter. The disciples only witnessed Him again as the Son of God, but only Peter, and only for a moment, witnessed Jesus as the Son of Man when he (Peter) got out of the boat in faith as a man and walked on the water too.

Were the wind and waves real? Of course they were. But Jesus did not need the boat to deal with them.

So, again, why did Peter want out of the boat? Because he just wanted to be where Jesus was doing what Jesus did. He wanted to follow Jesus. The 'security' of the boat, for at least a moment, lost all meaning. Peter took "following Jesus" literally (until he didn't).

The question prevails then, "Do we want to follow Jesus?" Or, do we want instead to just stay in the boat? Getting out of the boat is Kingdom faith. Staying in the boat is ...well, idolatry (trusting something instead of, or in addition to, God).

It should be understood that Peter did not want out of the boat to prove a point as a man in human pride. Peter wanted out of the boat to follow Jesus as a man in Christ-like faith.

There is a scripture that speaks directly to this end:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Imagine that!

Father, I want to follow Jesus. I don't want to sit in the boat any more. May I be found more like Peter, reckless as he was, than those who stayed in the boat never understanding that everything Jesus did as the Son of Man, we are called and empowered to do in faith. May I genuinely give up my own way, take up my cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

Blasphemy Against The Holy Spirit

“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. [Matthew 12.31]

This verse scares a lot of people ...as it should.

I and many others have wondered what this verse really means. I believe I am finally beginning to understand exactly what Jesus was talking about and, even though it still scares me, I would like to share it here...

Context is everything in understanding what Matthew 12.31 means. Jesus gave this response in the context of just having been accused of casting out Satan by the power of Satan.

First we must understand that the Holy Spirit is the power of God. Jesus did not deny the strength of Satan's deception, but very much recognized the power of the Holy Spirit as stronger:

For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. [Matthew 12.29]

Notice that Jesus was not speaking of Himself as being stronger. This must be understood. "Someone even stronger" is the Holy Spirit. All of God's power is manifest in the Holy Spirit. All of God's power is the Holy Spirit.

With this established, we can refer to the 3rd Commandment:

“You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.7]

Even though Jesus is Immanuel (God with us) in the flesh, it must be remembered that, in order to effectively accomplish redemption for mankind (John 3.16), He had to become a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2.9). In this position, it was actually necessary that man could speak against Him. But, not so with the Holy Spirit (and likewise not so with God the Father).

Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. [Matthew 12.32]

When Jesus cast out evil spirits, He did so by the power of the Holy Spirit - a privilege afforded every believer in the Name of God (John 14.12). Jesus even pointed out that the Pharisees had indeed operated in this same legitimate power. It was not their own power, but the power of God - the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit was never made a little lower than the angels, it is an unforgivable affront to the Name of God Himself to speak falsely against the Holy Spirit.

It should be recognized then that confusing God's power, His good Name, with evil is what the 3rd Commandment is all about. So we are all good, right? Not so fast...

In today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, we also find Jesus speaking of identifying a tree by its fruit - in the very same context of Matthew 12.31!

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. [Matthew 12.33]

Do we dare associate the Holy Spirit with self-centric life? Do we dare associate the Holy Spirit with homosexuality? Do we dare associate the Holy Spirit with transgenderism? Do we dare associate the Holy Spirit with God-less living?

Do we? 

Before saying "absolutely not!" consider the following: God's people alarmingly declare man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology to be "gifts from God" - inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit to meet the needs of man without paying attention to the advertisements of these industries depicting as normal all manner of lifestyles forbidden by God's Word? A tree is identified by its fruit (Jesus' words, not mine)!

It is misuse of (blasphemy against) the Name of God - the power of God - the Holy Spirit to declare God-less industries as "gifts from God."

God placed the 3rd Commandment about misuse of His Name immediately following the 2nd Commandment about idolatry for good reason: because it would forever be man's tendency to justify his idolatry by calling it the work of God. 

Matthew 12.31 should indeed scare the idolatrous hell out of God's people. The fear of God should constrain His people to reject any and all association with bad-fruit-bearing idol industries of man's making. Refer to Commandment #1:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.2-3]

The conclusions drawn here are not resultant to the Word-less and prayerless life of those who show up at church every weekend destitute of God's Word and prayer in their preceding week. As I have intentionally read the Bible, responded to what I have read (in writing), and prayed with regularity, my eyes see and my ears hear differently. My life is proof-positive that God's Word and prayer changes the way I see God's Word and prayer! I do not say this in pride (as I am far from where I need to be), but in persuasion (that this direction is real) - we all need God's Word and prayer in our lives if we are ever to distinguish what is the power of the Holy Spirit and what instead is idolatry - Matthew 12.31 gives sufficient reason to do so!

Idol industries are the way of man - not of God. Their "power" is not the Holy Spirit, but instead  deceptive self-sufficiency. Jesus was clear about the way of man:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

When the Bible is read "as a whole," Matthew 16.24 best sums up the entire story.

Father, I ask that every reader of this article see for themselves what Your Word has been saying all along. May this article point people to Your Word. May we all be found giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it.

Matthew 11 Is Amazing!

John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ [Matthew 11.10] 

Matthew 11 is amazing!

Regardless what may be said otherwise, there is simply no way to fully comprehend the life and ministry of Jesus Christ without first understanding the life and ministry of John the Baptist.

In the context of Matthew 11, Jesus provided great insight:

For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. [Matthew 11.13]

The prophets and the law of Moses went hand in hand. The law revealed man's sin, and the prophets called for repentance of that sin. This is precisely what John the Baptist re-emphasized in preparation for Jesus. However, instead of following through with prescribed sacrifices, John baptized people. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance.

Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” [Acts 19.4]

Repentance is the preparation for Jesus. It might also be accurately concluded that if Jesus then is not "seen" then repentance has not taken place, giving paramount importance to repentance.

What sin is being talked about here?

The prophets and the law of Moses dealt directly with man's sin problem. Specifically, and as might be expected by the arrangement of the law of Moses, the sin problem of man can be understood as idolatry. The first three Commandments are the first three Commandments for a very good reason! John the Baptist's baptism of repentance dealt primarily with man's violation of the first three Commandments.

John's message and baptism of repentance for violation of the first three Commandments (regarding idolatry) was the perfect segue into (preparation for) a new understanding of the 4th Commandment about the Sabbath - about the rest God wrote into the Ten Commandments long before anyone really understood why. John's call to repentance prepared the way to embrace the rest found in Jesus Christ, The Sabbath Rest. Matthew 11 also includes this important information from Jesus, the Sabbath Rest:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” [Matthew 11.28-30]

If however, people failed to repent for the Godward sin of idolatry, then they would fail to comprehend Jesus as the Sabbath Rest, and then they would have no basis to understand the remaining six manward Commandments.

While, for years, I have felt that John the Baptist was having a weak and doubtful moment in prison, I now see instead that John was actually brilliantly doing his job of "preparing the way" for Jesus when he sent his disciples to Him with a question that would intentionally unveil amazing truth.

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” [Matthew 11.2-3]

I now don't think that John was having doubts. Instead, John crafted the perfect question for his disciples to ask Jesus so that they might understand for themselves what and who John had indeed been "preparing the way" for in calling for the baptism of repentance. And what did John lead them to learn?

Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” [Matthew 11.4-5]

Jesus sent John's disciples right back to John with powerful confirmation of John's accomplished task of "preparing the way." Repentance for idolatry had been re-established and miracles were the result. What a leaning moment for John's disciples! And what a confirmation for John in what would be his final days!

Religion and religious people refuse to acknowledge this. In Luke's account of the same Matthew 11 discussion about John the Baptist, we find this damning statement:

But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. [Luke 7.30]

Later, Jesus would reveal the consequences for those who rejected both John's baptism of repentance and Jesus' message of the Good News: miracles as the result of repentance.

This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not  understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ [Matthew 13.14-15]

Religion and religious people always have and always will reject the notion that they are idolatrous, and therefore need to repent, so that when they do, they will enjoy God's miraculous power. Stiff necked, unrepentant people, like the religious ones who opposed Jesus, must have religion to excuse their powerless existence. They simply cannot accept the the truth of Jesus Christ plainly recorded in the Gospels - but must instead "explain away" most everything Jesus said.

And yet, Jesus' demand in Matthew 16.24 reveals the idolatry that must be given up and the cross that must be taken up in order to follow Him:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Repentance for sin is much deeper than being sorry for stealing a cookie. Every sin of man is traceable back to idolatry - starting with the idolatry to "self" - placing our own will over the will of God (the original sin in the Garden of Eden). 

Until we understand John's message of repentance (in perfect harmony with the prophets and the law of Moses), we can never understand Jesus or enjoy the power of God.

Father, I feel like I have stumbled through these thoughts here in amazement but also in accuracy. May I constantly see the depth of Jesus' call to give up my own way (turn away from idolatry - repent), take up my cross (the power of God, 1 Corinthians 1.18), and follow Him. So be it!

How Do YOU See It?

“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! [Matthew 6.22-23] 

Okay, so, I have reviewed this passage before... 

Why is this discussion about "the eye" right in the midst of Jesus' discussion about material things, life, and God's provision? Well, we might rightly conclude many things, but something I personally have not discussed before now regarding this passage is the fact that the eye has much to do with the topic of idolatry.

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8 bold added]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18 bold added]

Actually, only until we understand the role of the eye in idolatry, do we fully comprehend the fact that Matthew 6-16-34 is all about trusting in God alone for everything. The opposite of trusting God alone is idolatry - trusting in anything other than or in addition to God.

It is not ironic that Jesus also used the role of "the eye" elsewhere in a discussion about us being healed:

For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ [Matthew 13.15 bold added]

We have control of what we see. We can look upon the world's life-solutions (idols) or we can intentionally look to God. The problem with looking to the world's idols is that, in time, and, much akin to snow blindness, we cannot see anything else. Consequently then, we cannot "see" and therefore, cannot enjoy, the miraculous blessings of God.

What is said here is true because it is what God's Word teaches ...if only we will to see it. If we do not make it our will to see God as our Provider for everything, He will provide nothing and we are left to the methods and conventions of man (idols). And, that is where we are today. And, that is why the Church today is quite literally a "joke" to the world when it comes to the indisputable power of God.

The sad truth that we see today however is that the Church is quite content in its powerless state. Oh sure, there is much "talk" about the power of God however, it is always in abstract terms like those the apostle Paul warned of:

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3.5]

In fact, in the context of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters five through seven, we also find these less-than-settling words:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

In light of all this, is it any wonder that Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with these words about how we "see" ourselves?

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. [Matthew 5.3] 

We simply must have the will to see our present condition - our inherent need for God. Idols blind us to this fact - the more we look to them, the less we see God.

How do YOU "see it"?

Father, You have NEVER been vague regarding what we "see." You have NEVER been unclear about where we place our trust. You have been nothing less than demanding that we trust ONLY You. May we be found giving up our own way (all the man-made things we trust in), taking up our cross (giving up our own way to the point of reckless abandon), and following Jesus so closely that our lives are one with His. So be it.

Don't Misunderstand!

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. [Matthew 5.17-19]

What is the purpose of God's law and the prophets?

Watch this...

The purpose of God's law and the prophets was, is, and ever will be, to reveal Jesus. God's law and the prophets revealed Jesus in those who anticipated His walk earth. God's law and the prophets revealed Jesus as He walked the earth in person. God's law and the prophets reveal Jesus as He walks the earth in us today.

Use of God's law and the prophets for any other purpose is false religion.

So, what is required of those who walk in Jesus? Everything the law and prophets said. 

First, God's Commandments - God's law must be kept: namely not only keep God first, but keep God only, no idols whatsoever - no allowances, no excuses, no misuse of God's name to save face for idolatry, honoring Jesus (the Sabbath) in everything, and treating others as we wish to be treated. Jesus is central to it all.

Secondly, God's prophets - God's word concerning failure to keep His law. This one is summed up in one word: repent.

Unironically, Jesus summed all this up in one carefully-crafted statement:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Because the purpose of the law and the prophets is Jesus, any attempt to downplay or lessen their role is nothing less than the work of Satan. It is indeed false religion deceptively hiding behind a cloak of "grace" never intended. To ignore the law and the prophets calling it "grace" is to ignore Jesus missing the point entirely.

Father, may the false grace teaching that is so popular today be revealed for what it really is. May the true grace of God's undeserved call to Jesus be seen as the reason we might be chosen when and only when we submit entirely in faith. May we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

Jesus Is The Sabbath Rest

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” [Mark 2.27-28] 

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Church in Colosse, made a statement about the Sabbath that cannot be overlooked:

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. [Colossians 2.16-17]

Paul indicates that Jesus is the reality of the Sabbath. What is that reality? 

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20.28]

With this established, we can look at God's 4th Commandment and understand it in its fullness!

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. [Exodus 20.8-11] 

The 4th Commandment is perhaps one of the most compelling prophecies of Jesus in the Bible! Is it any wonder that the 4th Commandment takes more Bible "real estate" than any of the other Commandments? 

Jesus said:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11.28]

Jesus also said:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Our rest is found in giving up our own effort to save ourselves - to self-preserve - to serve ourselves. Effort to serve ourselves is idolatry (ref. Matthew 20.28 above).

The Cross was Jesus' only reason to come to earth. On His Cross He fulfilled every facet of His earth-purpose - His selfless mission to serve, and not be served. Our cross then, that Jesus demands we take up, fulfills every facet of our earth-purpose - to selflessly serve, and not be served.

Sadly, many today focus on the Sabbath exactly like the religious people in Jesus' day focused on the Sabbath: they completely fail to see Jesus as the Sabbath. We must observe the Sabbath because the Sabbath is Jesus. If we disallow Jesus' rest for us, then we are 'taking care of ourselves' in our own way - we are committing idolatry.

Father, thank You for this reminder today that Jesus is indeed our Sabbath Rest. Help us meditate on this Biblical Truth understanding that our failure to rest entirely in Jesus is idolatry in its basest form. May our meditation on this Truth lead to our freedom from idolatry - our giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it.

Are We Healthy?

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” [Matthew 9.9-13] 

Idols give man a false sense of righteousness. This is the very reason so many refuse to see the truth about idols of our day. Religion has validated modern idols to the point that, few people, if any, see their need to repent for the curses that they can remediate with idols.

The idols of our day are finance, insurance, medicine and technology (to name to main categories). Sadly, religion could be included in this list because it promotes these idols.

To remediate curses (preventative or restorative), people today turn to idols instead of God. They turn to idols for reprieve instead of turning to God in repentance. Again, idols, fueled by false religion, give man a false sense of righteousness - a false sense that all is well.

Every life inconvenience for which man turns to finance, insurance, medicine and technology is a curse. Curses are God's way to confirm that man has disobeyed Him and needs to repent. When man turns to man-made industries for relief from curses declaring those industries as "gifts from God," man effectively denies his spiritual guilt thus falsely declaring himself "healthy" (as Jesus put it) and not in need of a "doctor." Jesus' "call" then (as the doctor) does not even reach the ears of the "healthy" in this regard.

While Jesus' statement, "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices," seems out of place, it actually speaks directly to us today in our time (as if He knew the meaning would mature with society). In contrast to repentance - a plea for mercy, all the idols of man require payment - a costly sacrifice.

In the midst of man's need (for money, protection, health and knowledge), man's corresponding idols make people think they are righteous, while in contrast, God's true people know they are not (recognizing the true source of their curse) and need to repent. Idols offer remedies for curses that are God's call to repentance. But God's call to repentance is not heard by those whose curses are remedied by idols.

To the point of what is said here, today's One Year Chronological Bible reading gives further evidence:

Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” [Matthew 9.5-6]

The man's need in Matthew 9.5-6 was not remedied by a man-made idol, but by coming to Jesus. Jesus dealt with the spiritual problem that had the man bound to a curse (in mercy, forgiving him) and physical healing was the result. Jesus proved that healing is not the result of a costly sacrifice (like the price paid to the then-current religion, or the price paid today to finance, insurance medicine or technology) but the result of God's mercy (when we humbly come to Him in repentance - turning away from every idol and turning only to Jesus).

Idols are man's way to remedy curses. Jesus is God's way to remedy curses.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Do we see ourselves as spiritually "healthy" because we make our sacrifices to finance, insurance, medicine and technology (even religion)? Or, do we see ourselves sick and in need of Jesus? We need the remedy provided by God's mercy, not the remedy provided by our sacrifices to idols.

Father, I can only pray that readers will see this as You have revealed it to me today. Help us to see that our self-declaration of "health" because we make sacrificial payments to finance, insurance, medicine and technology is the plot of Satan to damn us to hell. Help us to see that we only need the "doctor," Jesus, that we might receive Your forgiveness, and therefore, relief from curses. I know our current secular and even spiritual societies don't see curses as a call to repentance... but Your Word is clear. May our pursuit be only of You, as we follow Jesus, giving up our way of "sacrifices" to idols, and taking up our cross of "mercy" denying idols any place in our lives. So be it.