Resource Detail

2025 Study of Matthew’s Gospel #9

JESUS HAS COME TO CALL SINNERS

Matthew 9:1-13

Key Verse 9:13

1. What might the paralyzed man’s being brought on a mat indicate about his physical, emotional, and social condition? (2a)? What does Jesus’ recognition of their faith reveal about the nature of true faith (2b)? Why do you think Jesus addresses the paralyzed man’s sin before his physical condition (2c)?
2. What issue is Jesus addressing in his question to the teachers of the law (4-5)? What are the implications of the statement, ‘Jesus has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ for understanding his identity (6)? In what ways does the healing of the paralyzed man serve as a visible confirmation of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins (7-8)?
3. How does Matthew’s background as a tax collector help our understanding of his character, social status, and spiritual condition (9a)? What significance do you see in Jesus’ simple but powerful invitation, “Follow me” (9b)? What does Matthew’s immediate response teach us about the nature of true discipleship (9c)?
4. Why might the Pharisees have reacted negatively to Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners (10-11)? How does Jesus’ analogy of the healthy and the sick reveal his perspective on sinners (12)?
5. What does the statement “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” reveal about God’s character (13a, Hosea 6:6)? How does Jesus’ statement, ‘I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners,’ reveal about the focus of his ministry (13b)?

2025 Matthew’s Gospel June 7, 2025

TAKE HEART, SON; YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN

Matthew 9:1-8

Key Verse 9:2

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.”

As we studied Matthew chapter 8 during the last two weeks, we learned about Jesus’ authority to heal our sicknesses. We also learned about His authority over nature when He calmed the violent storm. And we saw His authority over the spiritual sphere when He healed the demon-possessed men. Today, we will learn about Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. All of us have urgent problems that we want to solve. For those who are sick, healing may be the most urgent need. For those with family issues, resolving those problems may feel most urgent. For someone who lost their job, finding work may be the top priority. And for students, passing exams and completing their degree may feel the most urgent. However, there is one issue that is even more urgent and important than all of these: receiving the forgiveness of sins from Jesus and restoring our relationship with God. This issue of sin must be dealt with first because it often becomes the foundation for solving other problems in our lives. It is also the key to living a fruitful and successful life. Through today’s worship, may we come to Jesus with faith, hear His voice of forgiveness, and be spiritually restored.

Please look at verse 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.’” This event took place in Capernaum, the main center of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Early in his ministry, Jesus lived in Capernaum, preached the gospel, and called his disciples there. After preaching the kingdom of God throughout Galilee, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and news spread quickly that he had come back. Many people gathered at the house where Jesus was staying. Among them were Pharisees and teachers of the law, too. They had come to investigate Jesus. With such a large crowd coming to hear Jesus’ teaching and be healed, there was no room left in the house.

At that time, some men brought to Jesus a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. Matthew doesn’t give the full details of the event, but we can learn more from Mark and Luke. The “some men” were likely the paralyzed man’s family or friends. According to Mark, there were four of them. That is, four family members or friends carried the mat, each holding a corner, and brought him to Jesus. But because of the crowd, they could not get to Jesus. So what did they do? Did they give up and say, “Friend, today we’re unlucky. Let’s try again next time”? No! They went up on the roof, made an opening, and lowered the paralyzed man right in front of Jesus. Wait—was that even possible? We have several questions about this.

First, how did they get the paralyzed man onto the roof? Was there a ladder? It must have been difficult. Second, how did they open the roof? Did they use an electric hammer? To understand this situation well, we must not imagine a modern concrete house. At that time, houses in Judea were usually single-story with flat, mud-plastered roofs. There were exterior stairs, so people could go up the roof easily. People used the roof for prayer or evening rest. So, getting the paralyzed man up there wasn’t too difficult. The roofs were made of mud and branches, sometimes with stones or tiles on top. So, it was relatively easy to make an opening without heavy tools.

But was it easy to think of and carry out such an idea? Absolutely not! Just thinking about something like that was totally unrealistic. Who thinks of breaking someone else’s roof? That’s property damage and a criminal act. If the homeowner reported them, they could have been jailed. What about the views of others? Many sick people were waiting outside in line to be healed by Jesus. They should’ve waited their turn or come back early the next day. Their actions could be perceived as rude and disrespectful.

Then why did they do something so rude, illegal, and socially unacceptable? It was because of their love for their paralyzed friend. We don’t know how or when the man became paralyzed. Maybe he was healthy in his twenties. Perhaps he was a soccer star like Messi in Galilee. He might have been someone with a warm heart who looked for friends who needed help and gave them support. But one day, while helping a friend build a house, he fell from a roof and became paralyzed. It’s just my imagination. Surely, he had a tragic story, and his friends’ hearts were broken seeing him like that—begging to survive.

Then they heard about Jesus—how he healed many people from their illnesses. That gave them faith. They believed Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend. So, as soon as they heard Jesus had returned to Capernaum, they rushed to him carrying their paralyzed friend. But the house was packed. They could’ve gone home and come back the next day, but Jesus might not have been there. They didn’t want to miss the opportunity. So, they were determined to bring their friend to Jesus, no matter what. They believed firmly that if they brought him to Jesus, he would be healed. Without that faith, they wouldn’t have acted so boldly. When we have love and faith, we find ways even in impossible situations. And God opens a way for us. If we have friends like them, it would be a great blessing. And if we can be that kind of friend to someone else, God will surely bless our faith.

Suddenly, dirt fell from the ceiling, and a man on a mat was lowered right in front of Jesus. People were probably shocked and started murmuring among themselves, “What’s going on?” The Pharisees and teachers of the law probably shouted, “Arrest those rude lawbreakers!” But how did Jesus respond? “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’” Jesus didn’t see their rudeness. Jesus saw their faith. He saw their faith that if they could just bring their friend to Jesus, Jesus could heal him. Jesus saw their faith, which overcame all the obstacles to come to Jesus. Jesus saw the paralyzed man’s faith, too. Although the paralyzed man was brought by his friends, he, too, had faith. Without his consent, his friends couldn’t have brought him to Jesus. Jesus cares about our faith.

What did Jesus say when He saw their faith? If we value fairness and order, we probably would have said, “Can’t you see the line? Please go to the back and wait your turn.” But Jesus said, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” The paralyzed man, despite his faith, probably felt anxious and ashamed, thinking, “What if Jesus rejects me?” Jesus understood his anxiety and said to him: “Take heart.” What a warm and loving voice! Jesus also called him “son”—like a loving mother calling her child. When the paralyzed man heard the voice of Jesus, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven,” his frozen heart began to melt. His anxiety faded, and heavenly peace filled his soul. Tears streamed from his eyes.

But why didn’t Jesus say, “Get up” and heal him first? Why did Jesus choose to forgive his sins first, saying, “Your sins are forgiven.” It was because the man’s most urgent need was the forgiveness of his sins. In fact, all of us need the forgiveness of our sins more than anything. What is sin? In Greek, the word for sin is “ἁμαρτία (hamartia),” which means “to miss the mark,” like in archery. In Scripture, this word is used in the context of our relationship with God. In other words, sin refers to the overall condition and actions of a person that fall short of God’s purpose.

God created the heavens, the earth, and all creatures in six days. Finally, God created mankind in His own image. God wanted people to rule over creation and glorify Him. God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and gave them a command so they could live in a right relationship with God. But Adam’s disobedience and rebellion brought sin into the world and broke the relationship with God. Mankind was driven from the garden and started living against God’s purpose. We humans created and worshiped idols. We didn’t love God and our neighbors. Murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and greed have filled the world. People began to live for their own glory instead of God’s glory.

But what are the consequences of sin?

First, separation from God. God is the source of our happiness, and without Him, we live in misery. Everyone wants happiness but doesn’t know how to find it. Some people think happiness comes from making a lot of money and enjoying life. Others think it comes from becoming a famous influencer. Others think it comes from achieving their dreams. But as they chase those things, their lives become unhappy. They fall into pleasure-seeking and emptiness. Why? Because they have forsaken God, the source of happiness. Sin has made humanity miserable.

Second, death. God is the source of life, but sin separates us from Him. This is spiritual death. A person separated from God may look alive, but it’s actually dead—like a flower in a vase. It may seem beautiful for a while, but it’s already been cut off from its source. Before long, it withers, dries up, and shrivels away. As a result of Adam’s sin, God told him, “For dust you are and to dust you will return” (Gen 3:19). Everyone dies. Our beloved parents will die. Each of us will die. That is the consequence of sin.

Third, judgment. Death is not the end. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Revelation 21:8 says, “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” God’s judgment is eternal death.

In this way, all of humanity has come to face a hopeless situation—we are destined to die because of sin. But God didn’t give up on us. He loved us and sent his one and only Son so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Jesus came to the world in obedience to God’s salvation plan.

Jesus understood the pain the paralyzed man carried because of his sins. It was more than physical—it was spiritual. He had been created in God’s image, but he wasn’t able to live according to God’s purpose for his life. The broken relationship with God, the bitterness, and the thought that God didn’t love him only deepened his suffering. So Jesus declared forgiveness: “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” What amazing grace! Complaints turned into gratitude. Resentment into love. Helplessness into a desire to live for the glory of God. If we’re not living according to God’s purpose for our lives, we need to hear the voice of Jesus offering His forgiveness. If we’re suffering because of sin right now, we need to hear the voice of Jesus offering His forgiveness. And if, like the paralyzed man, we’re in a hopeless situation and desire to live a new life for the glory of God, we need to hear this voice of forgiveness from Jesus: “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Then, through the power of Jesus’ forgiveness, we will be restored in our relationship with God and live a happy and fruitful life.

Some teachers of the law couldn’t accept Jesus’ declaration of forgiveness. So they said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” They were partly right—only God can forgive sins. But they didn’t recognize Jesus as God. In fact, they intentionally refused to accept Jesus as God. Jesus knew their thoughts and rebuked them: “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” Which one is easier? Honestly, for us, both are impossible. Even if we say, “Your sins are forgiven,” nothing actually happens. Can any of us confidently say to a paralyzed man, “Get up and walk”? If nothing happens, our lies will be exposed immediately.

But Jesus was different. Let’s read verse 6 together: “‘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.’” Then, what happened? The paralyzed man immediately got up and went home. Praise the Lord! Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God, who has the authority to forgive sins. Jesus suffered and died on the cross, through which He fulfilled God’s redemptive work. Therefore, we can receive forgiveness from Jesus, be restored in our relationship with God, and live a new life for His glory.

Before Jesus’ forgiveness, I was an atheist who argued with my Christian friends, insisting that God didn’t exist. But inside, my heart was dark and miserable because I was living far from God’s purpose for my life. I entered law school with the dream of becoming a judge, but I suffered from the meaninglessness of life. But Jesus came to find me. During a summer retreat in my first year of college, Jesus asked through a message, “What is your name?” He realized that I was a terrible sinner. And I was overwhelmed by fear, as if judgment was coming upon me. Then Jesus spoke to me through another message: “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” Jesus forgave my sins. That was when peace entered my heart, and I discovered the true meaning of life in Jesus. Since then, I’ve been praying and striving to live for the glory of God.

I pray that all of us may come to Jesus just as we are—sinners—and hear His voice of forgiveness so that we may be restored to God’s purpose for our lives and live for His glory. Amen.