Matthew 9:1-8
Who would interrupt Jesus as He is teaching? Typically, an interruption is rude. But to interrupt the Son of God as He is speaking God’s Word seems like the act of a very unbelieving person. Or perhaps, it’s the opposite.
Prior to our passage in Matthew 9:1-8, we’ve been learning about the authority of Jesus as the Son of God. With His word, He heals a distant servant (8:1-13), calms the sea and winds (8:23-27), and casts out demons (8:28-34). Jesus speaks with power and authority! The capstone of what Matthew is presenting is that Jesus also has the authority to forgive sins!
#1. Because of the Compassion Of Jesus, I can be forgiven of my sins (v. 1-2)
Jesus is in his own city, which Mark 2:1 specifies as Capernaum. He is teaching in a home; there’s a large crowd gathered to hear him. I imagine it was standing room only.
And to this home and to Jesus comes a paralytic. He could not walk or use his legs. Imagine yourself as this paralyzed man. You have a debilitating and uncurable injury. Society in general thinks that you are to blame for some sin you have done. You are totally dependent on others to help you, whether to move or to have food to eat.
So this paralyzed man, with the help of his friends, interrupts Jesus’ teaching in the home. According to Luke 5:19, this wasn’t a gentle interruption. After being unable to come into the house through the front door, the friends of the paralyzed man make a hole in the roof and lower the paralyzed man in front of Jesus.
Can you imagine the scene? What an interruption! All attention would have been focused on this man being lowered by a mat through the roof! What will Jesus say in response?
Jesus speaks with great compassion. He recognizes their faith; not just the faith of the paralyzed man, but also the friends. His first words are those of comfort, “Take courage, son.” Any fear or doubt is removed. And then Jesus says what was astounding for all, “Your sins are forgiven!”
#2. Because of the Authority Of Jesus, I can be forgiven of my sins (v. 3-7)
In Matthew 9:3, we learn that some scribes were in attendance. These were experts in God’s Law, as their primary job was to copy by hand God’s Word. They should have been the first to recognize Jesus as God’s Son. Instead, they think to themselves how Jesus is blaspheming. That is, they know that only God can forgive sins, but they conclude that Jesus is not God.
Jesus rebukes them in v. 4, because He knows what they are thinking! The scribes were secret in their opposition to Jesus, but Jesus brings it out into the open. He first challenges them with a question, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?”
Then comes a second question in verse 5, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?” Only God can do either of these, but only one of these can easily be seen.
So, having set them up, Jesus displays His authority to forgive sins by the same authority He has to heal the paralyzed man. Interesting, Jesus’ words to the paralyzed man aren’t words of healing, but words that assume he is already healed, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home!” I imagine the paralyzed man, having been carried by his friends on a mat, was thrilled to walk home carrying his own mat!
#3. Because my sins are forgiven, I can Worship Jesus (v. 8)
The crowds are amazed at this. They are filled with fear and awe, knowing that they have been in the presence of the Almighty God. So they worship and glorify God. The scribes didn’t see Jesus as God, but the crowds do. Jesus has incredible authority and power than can only come from God!
Have you turned to Jesus Christ to be rescued from your sin? Have you trusted in Him as your Lord and Savior? Come to Jesus, and trust Him both to have compassion and authority for your sins.
Once you are forgiven of your sin, then worship Jesus. Give glory to God! Tell others of what great things God has done in your life!
Discussion Questions:
- What is one thing you learned about Jesus?
- Imagine yourself as one of the friends of the paralyzed man. What would you have been thinking as you lowered your friend through the roof? And as you heard what Jesus says?
- How does the paralyzed man help us understand the truth that we come to Jesus in weakness to be forgiven of our sins?
- Our story focused on how Jesus had compassion on the paralyzed man. But how did Jesus also have compassion towards the scribes?