Sep. 03, 2023

JESUS’ POWER TO FORGIVE SIN

Matthew 9:1-8

Pastor DeWayne F. Davis Sr. 9-3-23

SIN! It is an unholy action or thought that goes against God’s 10 Commandments. He is holy and righteous and holds every person accountable to Him to be punished for it. We need forgiveness. Romans 3:23. Mark and Luke expand the context of the narrative. Mark 2:1-2; Luke 5:17-19.

1. JESUS’ POWER OVER A SICK SINNER – v. 2

This man was HELPLESS; paralyzed from the neck down. He was HOPELESS, no cure for his paralysis. It was the consequences of sin. His 4 friends exercised faith and took him to Jesus. Faith activates the power of God!

Jesus forgave this man “on credit” knowing soon He would bear up on the cross everything this man had done. Psalm 103:12;Jer. 31:34b; Isaiah 43:25.

2. JESUS’ POWER IS SCORNED! – v. 3-5

The scribes and Pharisees watched Jesus to see if they can trap Him!

a) Jesus Is Accused of Blasphemy – v. 3; Mark 2:6-7; Luke 5:21.

Blaspheme = to insult God’s name and honor by laying claim to an attribute or action that could only be attributed to God alone. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 42:8; Exodus 34:14. Only the Messiah will be qualified to stake that claim. John 1:11; 10:31-33. Only God can forgive sins.

b) Jesus Asked To Be Proved – v. 4 Jesus knowing their thoughts should’ve given them a hint that He was God, because only God knows man’s thoughts. It’s easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” (no proof). But if you say, “Get up and walk” to a paralyzed man, that is so hard to do if you are just a human saying it, because if it doesn’t happen everyone will know you are a fraud!

3. JESUS’ POWER IS SEALED! – v. 6-7

Jesus is talking to the religious leaders, giving them an invitation to believe that He is God. Luke 5:25. So, Jesus does have the power to forgive and to heal because He is God! 

4. JESUS’ POWER IS SPECTACULAR! – v. 8

Jesus display of power was so spectacular folk went out of their minds with astonishment and glorified God! Mark 12:12; Luke 5:26. They knew without a doubt THIS was the hand of God! 

Palsy represents our inability to help our spiritual paralysis and move towards God. Romans 5:6; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 6:2.