Your Sins are Forgiven!

February 27, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 9:2 ESV: “Some people brought to Jesus a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.’”

Jesus never put on a show. He ministered to the humble needs of humble people. Other Gospels report that this man and his mat were lowered through the roof, landing right in front of Jesus! Those who carried the man had abundant faith in the healing power of Jesus, but they had not yet identified him as the Son of God.

We know that only God can forgive sins, so Jesus saying, “Your sins are forgiven,” allows us only two choices. 1–Jesus is pretending to be God and should be prosecuted for blasphemy. Or 2–Jesus actually IS God, the Son of God. Jesus’ ability to heal and forgive sins was heaven-sent!

As he ministered, Jesus would address a person’s greatest need. As bad as it would be to be paralyzed, it is infinitely worse to be lost in sin. The most important thing Jesus came to do was to deal with mankind’s sin.

What started out as a lesson in faith and healing became one of identifying the Son of God. Jesus eventually told the man, “Rise, pick up your mat and go home,” and he did just that! This convinced the gathered crowd that Jesus at least spoke for God, and they praised the Lord for the healing. But now they were afraid. Had they actually been in the presence of the Lord?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship