"Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city.
I invite you to follow along with me as I read to you verses one through eight. Matthew chapter 9, verses 1-8. Let us prepare our hearts for the Spirit of God has to say to each of us.
And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven." And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes." And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—then He *said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." And he got up and went home. But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men."
Here we see yet another demonstration of great faith in Jesus’ power. Notice there is no indication how much time lapses between the end of chapter 8 and chapter 9. Obviously, Matthew isn't as concerned with chronology as he is with specific miracles to fit his narrative that Jesus is the Messiah, as inspired by the Spirit.
We do not have some of the details here, however when we put the information here together with the details in Mark 2 and Luke 5, verses 17 to 26, I believe that we begin to see the whole picture much clearer. Having accomplished whatever He desired to accomplish, verse 1 tells us He got back in a boat and He came into His own city. Many people assume that Nazareth was His city. However, we know from chapter 4, He left there and made Capernaum His home city. Luke chapter 4, verses 30 and 31, tell us that He left Nazareth because they threw Him out. He was a prophet without honor in His own country. And Mark 2 tells us He came back to Capernaum. I believe there's evidence to support that He had taken up residence in Peter's house, where He healed Peter’s mother in-law.
We know that is was common to have a two-story house in those days and they often spent a great deal of time of the roof, so most every house would have had a way from the outside to go up the side and up to the rooftop.
Verse 2 "And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven." In Matthew's gospel he doesn't tell us who "they" are but both Mark and Luke refer to either four men or some men. So they were men who cared about this man who was a paralytic. We're not told how he became paralytic, just know that he was apparently unable to move himself and was lying on a bed, which is kind of like a thick quilt. We know it was something that could be easily rolled up and carried.
The next thing I'd like you to notice what seems to be Jesus' rather odd response, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven."Can you imagine what was going through the paralytics and his friends minds? "Hello, sin isn't the issue here, he can't walk! Didn't you even notice that we carried him?" Jesus knew this man had a spiritual problem, and not just a physical one, He knew that his sins were the bigger problem! He knows he is a sinful man, He tells him "Take courage," there’s nothing to fear. What a great response! That’s the tenderness of Christ. Even though Jesus was offended by his sin, He showed love and compassion to the sinner.
I believe we can all learn something from His example. So many today go about condemning others for their sin, rather than to say I know you're a sinner, but don't be afraid, I know a way you can overcome that. And share Jesus with them, tell them what He has done in and through your life. And comfort them saying "There’s nothing to be afraid of." This man had a broken and a contrite heart. There is no forgiveness of sin of those who do not. Without repentance, there's plenty to fear.
Now, we know from Scripture not all sickness is related to sin. For example, we saw this in the case of Job and the blind man that Jesus healed.
Though there wasn't anything they said to demonstrate their faith, knowing the hearts of men, Jesus knew. I believe the act of bringing their friend to Jesus showed an act that involved faith in Jesus. They obviously believed that Jesus could heal him physically, it was not an ordinary faith. It could not have been easy for them to carry a grown adult man lying limp. Yet they did. Jesus gave to him the greatest gift intended to deal with his greatest need. That is the message of Christianity. The forgiveness of sins is a greater work than simply healing. By the way, Jesus was well aware the Pharisees and scribes wouldn’t like this response, as we see in verses 3 and 4. And He was ready for it.
"And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes." They had concluded that was He’s a blasphemer. They refused to acknowledge their own need for forgiveness. Rather than to draw the conclusion that only God can forgive sin; this man is obviously from God, they determine He is a blasphemer. They were only half right, only God can forgive sin. Instead, they drew a false conclusion which ultimately led them to crucify Christ.
It's the same thing today, you can preach a message on sin and forgiveness, and because people don’t recognize their need, that don't recognize that sin is the problem, they reject the truth of the gospel. Others want to believe that because they've been forgiven, they've obtained a license to continue in habitual sin, a "Get out of Hell Free card. They only grasp hold of half of the message. They believe God doesn't require obedience. Nothing could be further from the truth! Over and over the message is clear, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
Let's go back to Matthew 9, Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?" He goes on to say in verse 5, "Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?" Notice they didn't respond, they gave no answer. to Jesus' question. They knew that both are impossible to men. Actually I imagine that saying "Your sins are forgiven" would be easier, if you think about it that cannot be proven. That's why Jesus does both! Only God can heal and only God can forgive.
I can't help but to imagine that as Jesus forgave this mans sin, and the sins of others that He tasted the bitterness and the agony of the cross, knowing that He would soon bear the pain and punishment for each persons forgiven soul.
Notice what Jesus says in verse 6, "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He *said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." Now, they're stuck, He left them no out but to believe. He proves it with a visible sign. This man's healing was proof of His power to forgive. This man got up, the Pharisees haven’t said a word. Jesus didn’t merely administer a treatment for the symptom, He cured the disease! Sin. Christ offers forgiveness. That's the greatest message we have to give.
Can you imagine the utter shock on the face of the crowds? They've just witnessed this man being lowered through the roof of this house. What a dramatic scene this must've have been, what power they had just witnessed. Still the Pharisees refused to believe the truth.
That brings us to our last verse for today, verse 8. "But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men." People were awestruck because of what Jesus had done. They began to realize just who Jesus was. He is God! As a footnote, in the original Greek, it's the verb "phobéō," which means to terrify, to frighten. It is the same word used for the reaction of the disciples when they saw Jesus walking on the water. The same word used to describe the reaction of the women as they went home after seeing the empty tomb.
In Closing..
I believe that throughout his gospel, Matthew is drawing our attention to these series of events because he wants us understand that Jesus can do it all. He's not just a man, He’s not just a teacher, He’s not just a healer, He’s not just the Messiah, Jesus is God. Who has come to earth to save sinners. A reality that should transform our our lives. If we claim to have had an encounter with Christ in our lives, we should be changed by that encounter. Throughout the synoptic gospels, there is evidence in peoples encounters with Christ. In our text today, the paralytic man was forgiven of his sin, he was physically healed and he got up and walked.
Just as the faith of these men in our text caused them to bring their friend to Jesus for spiritually healing, I believe that we are all called to the same task. Are you sharing Jesus with those who desperately need Him?
I challenge each of us to examine our own lives, ask ourselves what visible evidence, what internal difference has my encounter with Christ had on my life? Then ask ourselves, can anyone else notice the difference? I pray the answer to all of these questions is a resounding "YES" for all of us!
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen