PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 9:1-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Matthew 9:2)
Is Jesus doing the forgiving, or is He announcing God’s forgiveness?
I believe that Jesus is acting as God’s representative.
As the Son of Man (Adam), He has been entrusted with God’s authority.
But remember, we were also entrusted with this authority.
We were made to represent God on earth (Genesis 1:26-28), to lead on His behalf.
According to John 20:22-23, we have the Spirit of Jesus to forgive sins.
As God’s children restored through Jesus, we also have this authority entrusted to us.
The fact is, God has forgiven the sins of the world, through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Our task is to announce this, to let people know the good news, to spread the word.
The healing of this man is a lesser work, a sign to support the main task.
God may or may not perform a sign through us, but He always forgives through us.
If only we would realize Who Jesus is, and who He restores us to be.
Like Jesus, we do not forgive by ourselves, but as sons and daughters ‘of man’.
God is not against people, He is for them and wants to help them; we need to let them know!
PRAYER
Lord, I praise You that You have given this authority to me. Help me to feel the weight and wonder of this responsibility, and use it for Your glory!
When I read this passage – I keep thinking about the paralytic man – he was defective and so was rejected – in their culture/religion they felt he sinned or his parents sinned and that is why he is paralytic. The paralysis was because of sin – so the first thing Jesus says to him is the most important – “Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.” Love the language – take heart, son. What a relief to be told all your life that you are a reject, a sinner – and then to be told your sins are forgiven – that he is clean. The healing of his connection with God – thinking that God had rejected him – was the first and prominent healing – the healing of his paralysis – was secondary. I’m thinking in relationships – forgiveness is the important step – and it often needs to be followed up by genuine action – to right the wrong, or to move forward in a new pattern. And so, yes, I too am called to forgive others – after all Jesus forgave me first!
Faithful. That is what the friends were. They were showing love and compassion to their friend.
Judgemental. That is what the scribes were. They were the judges – judging others, desiring to lord it over others, being in control.
I need to be helpful showing the love of Christ. Forgive me Lord for the times that I too was judgemental, blinded. Help me daily to walk in Your ‘SonShine’.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
What strikes me in this passage is Jesus’ love. He has compassion and love for the paralytic and his friends. Jesus sees their motivation, their faith, and offers forgiveness. Knowing the thoughts of the scribes and their skepticism, Jesus demonstrates his love and compassion to the rest of the audience and offers physical healing to the paralytic, as well. Jesus’ love brings inner & physical healing.
Lord Jesus, help me to love others, as you do. Help me to forgive, as you do. Amen.
Lord Jesus, the Perfect Adam, you have obtained the forgiveness of the sins of the world by the shedding of your blood on the cross at Calvary. As your follower Jesus you are calling me to be an agent of your forgiveness–to declare your forgiveness to everyone . Holy Spirit strengthen and empower me to be bold and courageous and not be paralyzed by the idea of political correctness.