34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, THE DEEPEST THOUGHTS OF MANY HEARTS WILL BE REVEALED. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2 NLT
Jesus presence still uncovers and reveals the deepest thoughts of many hearts, to this day.
There are two events in Matthew 9 where people’s hearts were spontaneously revealed through being near to Jesus.
The chapter opens with the miraculous healing of a paralysed man.
2 Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus SAW THEIR FAITH, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law SAID TO THEMSELVES, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
Jesus addressed the unspoken thoughts of the legalists by rebuking them for judging Him. He called their thoughts towards Him evil.
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “WHY DO YOU ENTERTAIN EVIL THOUGHTS IN YOUR HEARTS? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home.
Further on in Matthew 9 we read of another miracle, this time involving a lone woman in a large, pressing crowd around Jesus. She too had private thoughts about her own situation and she was desperate for healing.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 SHE SAID TO HERSELF, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed (HER CONFESSION).” Matthew 9
She hadn’t told anyone what she was going to do, but in her heart she also had FAITH that touching Jesus cloak would end her suffering! Hallelujah
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Jesus honoured this woman’s FAITH, He recognised her good heart and told her to ‘Go in peace’. She didn’t ask anything, just touched and believed.
SOMETIMES WHAT’S IN OUR HEARTS WILL TAKE US FURTHER THAN WHAT’S IN OUR MOUTHS!
22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6