Matthew 9. 11.13.25
SCRIPTURE
“Some men brought to Jesus a paralyzed man, lying on a mat.
When Jesus saw their Faith—
HE said to the man, “Take Heart. Son; your sins are forgiven.”
At this—some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
KNOWING—their thoughts—Jesus said, “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’?
But—I want you to know that the Son of Man—has authority—on earth to forgive sins.”
So—Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Get up—take your mat—and—Go Home.”
Then—the man—got up—and went home.
When the crowds SAW this—they were filled with (fear) and awe; and they Praised God, who had given such authority to a man.”
OBSERVATION
Some men brought their friend who needed Jesus’ help.
The friend was paralyzed so they carried him—possibly some distance—lying on a mat—to see Jesus.
When they arrived at the house where Jesus was teaching there was a crowd gathered at the entrance—so the friends had no way to enter into the house. The friends were desperate to get their friend to Jesus. Right here is where I begin to feel convicted. How desperate am I to get any of my friends or loved ones to Jesus? Desperate enough to carry them a long way on a mat through town? Desperate enough to carry that mat up to the roof when I couldn’t make it through the doorway?
These friends somehow managed to carry their friend up to the roof.
I’m guessing this made some noise. I’m thinking it took awhile to make a large enough opening for their friend to fit through. In Luke’s account we learn that Pharisees and Teachers of the Law had traveled from Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem to hear Jesus Teaching. This was a large gathering with many influential Jewish Leadership included.
They must have all paused to look up—wondering what was going on—especially when the tiles began to come off. Then all of a sudden like something out of cirque to soliel---the paralyzed man drops down out of the newly created “sunroof” right in front of Jesus. There must have been a moment of shock and awe.
Jesus goes right to the heart—literally!
“Take Heart, son—your sins are forgiven”
APPLICATION
Take Heart—Your sins are Forgiven
Jesus is still offering the Same Forgiveness Today that HE offered that Young man.
Only God can forgive sins, so Jesus was claiming to be God. HE backed up His claims through the many miracles HE performed, His Teachings, and His death on the cross and His resurrection.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name but Jesus under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that HE purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:7)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
YOU are Holy—All knowing, ALL merciful, ALL powerful, ALL Worthy to be praised. You are not slow as some consider slow..YOU are giving every opportunity to bring people into Your kingdom and the saving knowledge of Your goodness and mercy. But there will come a day when there will be no more time.
Help me Heavenly Father to wake up to greater urgency for those things that burden Your heart. Give me the desperation to be like these friends who carried their friend on a mat and stopped at nothing to get him in front of YOU. People are lost and hurting and broken. Like I was once, they don’t know what they don’t know. Open the eyes of their heart. May I be one to always share my Love for YOU. YOU gave everything for me.
In Jesus Name. amen.
Tina L Kudelka