I DESIRE MERCY

Passage: Matthew 9:1-13

Key verse: 13

NIV

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man(A)

9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.(B) 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,(C) lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith,(D) he said to the man, “Take heart,(E) son; your sins are forgiven.”(F)

3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”(G)

4 Knowing their thoughts,(H) 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(I) 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,(J) who had given such authority to man.

The Calling of Matthew(K)

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,”(L) he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”(M)

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a](N) For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”(O)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 9:13 Hosea 6:6
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to (A)his own city. 2 (B)And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus (C)saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, (D)“Take heart, my son; (E)your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, (F)“This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, (G)knowing[a] their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, (H)they were afraid, and (I)they glorified God, who had (J)given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

9 (K)As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called (L)Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

10 And as Jesus[b] reclined at table in the house, behold, many (M)tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, (N)“Why does your teacher eat with (O)tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn (P)what this means: (Q)‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For (R)I came not to call the righteous, (S)but sinners.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 9:4 Some manuscripts perceiving
  2. Matthew 9:10 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Your sins are forgiven (1-8)

When some men brought a paralytic to Jesus, he said to the man, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.' This was a bold and strange thing to say to a paralytic. Even though the man couldn't move, what really enslaved him was the sense of shame and powerlessness that sin brings. Jesus had mercy on him. With Jesus' mercy, we can receive forgiveness and find the ability to move and live with hope and true freedom.

2. Follow me (9-13)

Matthew was a tax collector. He was considered a public sinner, taking poor people's money for the Roman Empire, and for himself as well. He was despised and rejected. Jesus invited such a man to follow him. If God cannot hope for the worst in humanity, he cannot have hope for me. But Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous. God came to restore our humanity by his tender love and mercy.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins and having hope for me.

One Word: Desire mercy