JESUS HEALS A PARALYZED MAN

Passage: Matthew 9:1-8

Key verse: 2b

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.

Read full chapter
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.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Matthew 9:4 Some manuscripts perceiving
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. Take heart, son (1-2)

Some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. This man was living in deep despair and fatalism, and he was burdened by guilt. He depended on others for everything. But the friends who brought him to Jesus refused to give up. They believed in Jesus. Jesus blessed their faith. He loved this ugly, helpless man and called him 'son.' He encouraged him and said, 'Take heart.' Then he said, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Only God can forgive sins. Jesus is God. Fatalism and despair are sins.

2. The Son of Man has authority (3-8)

The teachers of the law were shocked by Jesus' words. They did not believe that he was Christ, the Son of God, so they condemned him for being presumptuous. He demonstrated the authority of God to heal and to forgive sins. He completely changed this man's life. The crowd saw it and praised God, for they saw that Jesus indeed had God's authority to forgive and heal.

Prayer: Lord, forgive my sins and make me whole. Help me to bring my friends to you for healing and forgiveness.

One Word: Jesus has authority to forgive