Creating Problems with Jewish Officials
Today's reading describes some more of Jesus' miracles and ministry. However, these incidents suggest the foundation of the opposition to Jesus that arose among Jewish leaders. He heals a paralyzed man by saying that his sins are forgiven -- though no human has authority to forgive sins. He converts and dines with tax collectors and other sinners, he teaches his followers not to fast, he heals women and girls -- all of these are problematic actions for a man according to Jewish law.
So when he heals two blind men and a man possessed by a demon that rendered him mute, the Pharisees began to whisper among themselves that these were not the actions of a faithful man of God, but of an unfaithful heretic.
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