MATTHEW 9: 1-8 [THE MESSIAH REVEALED SERIES]
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
[Psalm 103:1-14 / Mk. 2:3-12, Lk. 5:18-26]
The third miracle in the 2nd triplet of miracles is the healing of the paralytic. This triad demonstrates that Jesus is the peace-bringer in three different spheres. 1st, He gives a word of power over the physical order - the sea; 2nd- a word over the supernatural order - demons; & 3rd, a word of power over the fallen order - sin. Jesus’ word has power over the invisible powers of nature, demons & sin.
Unforgiven sin is Satan’s best friend & man’s chief enemy. It is a problem all have. This section proves that our Great Physician is ruler over the moral realm also. While ridding a man of physical illness, He also wields the power to deliver him from sin, the root of all the world’s evils.
I. THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN, 1-2.
II. A SIDE EFFECT OF FORGIVENESS, 3-7.
III. THE GREATER MIRACLE, 8.
After being rejected by the folk on the other side (Gadara), Jesus travels back across the lake to His own town in verse 1. “Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city.”
The men of Gad-a-renes had plainly indicated that they did not want Jesus to minister health and healing among them, Jesus does not linger long where He is not wanted. A legion of demons were powerless to keep Him out but humans that do not desire His holiness, authority, and power keep Him out of their lives, homes, churches, and communities.
So Jesus returned to His own city, Capernaum (Mk. 2:1, Mt .4:13). Capernaum was a good choice for Jesus' base of operations. It was a wealthy city due to fishing and trade. Situated on the Sea of Galilee in a densely populated area, Capernaum housed the Roman garrison that kept peace in the region The city was a cultural melting pot, greatly influenced by Greek and Roman manners, dress, architecture, and politics.
When the people discovered Jesus was there they came to take advantage of His compassion. Upon seeing a broken paralytic in verse 2 Jesus intentionally stressed His authority to forgive sins. “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.”
Mark and Luke explain that they actually climbed to the roof, removed the tiles, and dug through the structure to create a hole large enough to lower their friend on his pallet right in front of Jesus. This reveals that these people in general were unconcerned with the paralytic for they would not make a way for him to be carried in and that his friends were determined to get him to Jesus. Each of us need friends like these men. Friends determined to get us to Jesus no matter how the unconcerned try to keep us away. Are you such a friend? Do you have such friends?
Jesus saw their faith in their determination to overcome obstacles to get to Him. The first words Jesus says are, “Take courage, child.” Jesus ministers to the paralytic's deep mental depression, encouraging him to cheer up [tharses], something good is about to happen. Our low times are often the result of a negative attitude toward life. Jesus would encourage us if we would but listen.
The boy's body was paralyzed, but so was his soul, because he did not know Jesus. The man’s spiritual state was Jesus’ first and greatest concern. Thus Jesus spoke the incredible words, in the present not future tense, "your sins are forgiven.” Jesus' bold statement declared that He has power to forgive sin. The forgiveness of sin is possible only by God. Everyone was shocked.
Far too often we concentrate on the powerful giving, healing hand of Jesus, but first and foremost He is a Savior. He has power to forgive spiritual sickness in the form of sin, Jesus saw in this paralyzed man a need greater than physical health; this man needed spiritual health.
So, too, I suggest to you that there are people today who are not walking in the Spirit because they are paralyzed by guilt over a sin or a series of sins that were previously committed. And although they can walk physically, they cannot walk with the Lord in good cheer or courage because they think, I’ve gone too far. I’ve sinned too greatly. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson's Application Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003, S. 64]
[If God does not heal us or someone we love, remember that physical healing is not Jesus' only concern. He offers emotional healing and spiritual healing for those who listen to Him and come to know Him personally. For all those who are saved by His grace, complete healing of body, mind, soul and spirit is only a matter of time. [See Surgeon, Charles. Repentance. Baker Book. Grand Rapids, MI. p 79. For additional source.]
The people around would have declared the man's greatest was healing from paralysis but Christ went to the very root cause of every disease and sickness that has come upon this fallen world. How can one be joyful in his heart if coiled within there is the reality of evil and alienation from God. [Jesus here gives indication of the new covenant, that past errors need not doom that those who come to Jesus can find pardon and be forgiven, finding cleansing of heart and conscience so that they may live life anew.]
II. A SIDE EFFECT OF FORGIVENESS, 3-7.
Jesus declaration of forgiveness brings out the charge of blasphemy from the scribes present in verse 3. “And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This (fellow) blasphemes.”
“The scribes” began to talk among themselves [Luke includes Pharisees as well] and challenge Jesus' right to proclaim the forgiveness of sin. Scribes were scholars in the Mosaic Law. They were exegetes of the Law and were held in great honor. Edersheim offers an excellent description of their class and position: “His order constitutes the ultimate authority on all questions of faith and practice.” Scribes and Pharisees were often seen together [seventeen times in the Synoptic Gospels] and many scribes were Pharisees, though not all of them. These influential teachers concluded that He was blaspheming by pronouncing forgiveness of sin" [Glasscock, Ed. Moody Gospel Commentary. Matthew. 1997. Chicago: Moody Press. p. 201.]
By claiming the right to forgive sin, Jesus was claiming a privilege that belongs to God alone. The scribes were correct in realizing this statement as potential blasphemy and Him as a potential blasphemer [one who defames, slanders, or reviles God], but they would not allow themselves to come to the logical fork in the road of thought. Either Jesus had the right because He is God or He blasphemes because He unjustly claims the attributes and prerogatives of deity.
Obviously in verse 4 the Biblical scholars refused to entertain the possibility that Jesus had the right to forgive sin. "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?”
As Jesus had read the mental state of the paralytic, so He now looks upon the thoughts of the scribes [Mt 12:25; Luke 6:8; 9:47]. This reader of hearts and thoughts could distinguish between noble jealousy for God's honor and ill-will for Jesus whom they regarded as dangerous to their authority and position.
[The heart is seen in Scripture as the seat or fountain of thought and the mind as the intelligent, organized processing of thoughts. His question, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? states His evaluation of their motives. They were judging Jesus based on evil motives, not based on the facts. They judged Jesus out of prejudice instead of on the evidence. Therefore, they revealed the evil motives behind their thinking. ]
Jesus courageously confronted their sin. He would not compromise with sin just to be nice or civil. He would not dilute truth just to get along or be more likeable.
It seems the Scribes were thinking that Jesus vainly pronounced forgiveness because he was unable to heal the broken body of the paralytic. Jesus parallels the impossibly of healing the paralytic in verse 5 to another impossibility with man, the forgiveness of sin. “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
Jesus’ rhetorical question was to provoke or challenge their reasoning. He makes the point that He was displaying supernatural power consistent with the anticipated Messiah, who would not only heal physical infirmities but spiritual disease as well.
The question, “Which is easier to say?” was to draw a comparison between the difficulty of saying without proving and saying what is immediately proved or disproved. Certainly anyone can say the words “Your sins are forgiven,” and there would be no way to prove whether any action took place. If one says, "Rise, take lip your bed and go home,” the power and authority behind that statement can be verified or denied by watching whether or not the person is able to get up and walk.
Jesus' authority to forgive was being inwardly challenged by His critics. His words, even after the multiple healings and miracles that displayed God’s power were not sufficient to convince these skeptics. Therefore, now that He had their attention, He gave the second command, which is certainly more difficult, "Rise, and walk.” Carson points to the heart of the matter" "If Jesus had blasphemed in pronouncing forgiveness, how could He now perform a miracle?" [Glasscock, p. 202.] God does not listen to sinners, does He (John 9:31)? Asked the man born blind.
He did not make them wait long for God's verification. In response, Jesus healed the man in verse 6 to demonstrate his authority to forgive man’s sin. “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.”
Jesus accepts the challenge in the thoughts of the scribes. If the man remained paralyzed on his mat, it would be clear Jesus was not who He claimed to be. His declared purpose (hina clause) in this impossible healing was to let them know that He has the power to forgive sin. He appeals to His miracles to establish the truth of His teachings. From this test of power He proves Himself the Messiah with the authority to forgive sin. [Murray Andrew. Divine Healing. 1982 Whitaker House. Pittsburgh, PA. Pp. 78-9.] [The Son of Man, as God manifest in man’s flesh, has on earth that power, which has God in heaven as its source and essence.]
After explaining His purpose He turns to the paralytic and says "Rise, take up your bed and go home.” All three actions, rising, lifting, and walking were impossible for the paralytic and conclusive evidence of the power to restore to health and wholeness. The healing of the paralyzed man extends the authority of Jesus to its most crucial aspect, the forgiveness of sins.
Verse 7 simply states the result of Jesus’ word to the paralytic as, “And he got up and went home.”
It was a moment of suspense and evaluation for all the beholders. Some hoping and some fearing that the man would indeed get up and walk and prove Jesus’ power. Which side are you on? Do you want Jesus to display His power by moving powerfully in His church or would you prefer His Spirit would not move because it would upset your world if you had to bow to His reality and power in the reprioritizing of your life?
It was no sooner authorized than it was accomplished. It was a most convincing argument. Who would dispute the authority or right to forgive sin to One who could accomplish such an impossible thing or persist in the charge of blasphemy against Him? He who by a word could heal the severest sickness could also be granted by God the power to forgive sin.
III. THE GREATER MIRACLE, 8.
Verse 8 records the typical impact for Jesus working a miracle, the people who saw it glorified the Father. “But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.”
The crowds’ reaction was to praise God for the healing There was no mistake that Jesus’ authority came from God. They praised God that He had given such authority to men. “To men” indicates they thought Jesus one of the prophets, like Elijah or Elisha. They had not yet conceded that He was unique, the Messiah, the very Son of God who, as God, had the power to forgive sin. If they had, great repentance leading to salvation would have been granted that day. Why is it that we are more impressed with healing miracles than the miracle of forgiveness?
They glorified God because He had physically, visually demonstrated Himself. They praised Him for so revealing His nature and character to them in this healing act. The crowd had not seen anything like this healing. They were awed with respect over the phenomenal power and authority displayed before their eyes.
In CLOSING
People still seek & applaud Jesus’ miracles but refuse to heed what His miracles prove. Jesus performed miracles to prove His love & divine power were sufficient for man’s greatest need, His need of forgiveness & cleansing. Far too many seek & applaud Him for the physical instead of the spiritual.
In reality the granting of forgiveness of sin is far, far more costly than physical healing. It required the rejection and scorn endured in His earthy pilgrimage, climaxing in the bloody sweat of Gethsemane’s surrender; the painful scourging of the whips and the crushing of His death on the cross.
Are you presently or frequently depressed? Be of good cheer. Lay hold, by faith, of the spiritual health and well-being Christ has for you. Don’t be so concerned with rectifying the symptom, get to the source of your problem, sin. Seek Him concerning the source of your problem, your fallen sin nature, then you to can hear Him say, Rise up and walk in the way and will of the Lord for your sin has been forgiven. Then you too can enjoy the good cheer that forgiveness of sin brings.
