Matthew 9:1-8
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Loading ...Matthew 9:1-8
In this chapter, Matthew will present six more miracles of Jesus in two groups of three. However, we will also see that that opposition arises to challenge Jesus because of His popularity. There is first a challenge of who He is, then a challenge to His purpose and mission, and finally a challenge concerning the character of His disciples.The text before us presents a unique way in which Jesus healed a paralyzed man. Instead of simply raising him up, Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven.” Put yourself in the position of those who were listening. Such a proclamation would catch the attention of any man. When Jesus pronounces a man’s sins as forgiven, He at the same time issues a challenge to every person to make a choice concerning Him. He is either God with the power to forgive sins or He is delusional. There is no middle ground. One cannot say that He is just a good person who did wonderful things, but not the Son of God. If He was not the Son of God, He was crazy!
Obviously, the scribes immediately understood the implications of Jesus’ claim to be able to forgive sins. Jesus’ answer is, “Which is easier to say…?” The easier thing to say was, “Your sins are forgiven,” since it was not something that needed visual proof. The more difficult statement would be to say, “Arise and walk,” because then if the man did not get up, Jesus was proven a fraud. Therefore, Jesus proved He had to power to forgive sins by telling the man to arise and walk. It is amazing that the Jewish leaders still question Him as to who He was and where He got His authority. This incident makes it obvious. Jesus pronounced a man’s sins forgiven and then healed his paralysis. He is God. He could not be anyone else.
What is your choice? Is Jesus of Nazareth delusional, or is He the Son of God?
Berry Kercheville
