January 27, 2025 | Be God's Family
Jesus Forgives & Heals a Paralyzed Man
Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8(NIV)
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Devotional
At the start of today’s reading, Jesus had come to his own town. Mark’s account of this story says he had come home, that is, to Capernaum (Mark 2:1). Jesus had been raised forty miles away in the remote village of Nazareth. But many of His disciples were from the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Capernaum was located as a strategic place to reach multitudes of people. So, Jesus made it his new home.
Have you ever moved to a different city, transferred to a different school, or started attending a different church? What was hard about it? What was good? How did it change you?
In Capernaum, Jesus was beginning to get a following. This disturbed the religious authorities. His message of the Kingdom of God didn’t fit with their tightly constructed religious rules and regulations. When Jesus forgave the man’s sins, they accused Him of blasphemy. When He healed his paralysis, they no doubt seethed with anger as the crowd praised God with overwhelming awe.
Think of it from the paralyzed man’s perspective. His friends brought him to Jesus, lying on a mat. Hopeful for healing, Jesus’ first words were, “your sins are forgiven.” Do you think the guy was disappointed? Be honest. What would you rather have – forgiveness for your sins or healing for your terminal illness?
In 1871 Horatio Spafford lost all his fortune in the great Chicago fire. Then, after his four-year-old son died of scarlet fever, he sent his wife and four daughters to England, promising to join them soon. During the journey across the Atlantic, the ship sank. All four of his daughters died, but his wife survived. Spafford then boarded a ship for England to be with his wife. When he crossed the place where his daughters drowned, he penned these familiar words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll—
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.
How about you? Is it well with your soul? If Jesus gave you forgiveness when you were seeking healing, would you say it was well with your soul? When Jesus doesn’t fit your tightly constructed religious rules and regulations, is all well with your soul? How is the Lord calling you to do an attitude check when it comes to the ways of Jesus?
Poem
Paralysis Lost
Psalm 143
My fall to ruin, evil bred
My weakened body, alone in bed
No feeling left
No movement here
By sin encased, all stiffened
Paralysis in spirit now
No one to cool my heated brow
My limbs afire
No movement here
By hopelessness, all ridden
My only hope, some sympathy
By those around, no apathy
But lift me up
And carry me
To only One can heal me
To move again, but more receive
Forgiveness here, full empathy
My foes defeat
My health restored
Full praise released and leaping
What gift of love I have received!
What gift beyond, I now perceive!
My hope too small
God gave me all!
Fully restored to Eden!
