Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic
So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house.
Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.”
Jesus has just left the mob scene of ungrateful Gadarenes and has returned to Capernaum, home of Peter and Andrew and several other disciples. Although Jesus is originally from Nazareth, Capernaum has become a second home for him. Jesus has scarcely gotten out of the boat when some men bring a paralyzed man to him. Let’s call this man Isaac. Perhaps Isaac is an old polio victim or has been injured in a terrible accident. Whatever the cause, as a paralytic, Isaac can only enter the outer courts of the temple, not the inner courts or the sanctuary. (Leviticus 21:18) Isaac might be the most faithful worshiper imaginable but he is barred from accompanying his friends. Day after day, year after year, others carry Isaac as far as the outer courts, leave him, and then enter the inner courts along with all the other able-bodied men, leaving Isaac to wonder if God has truly forgiven him or is angry at him.
We don’t know the location of this incident; however it might take place in the outer courts of the temple because there are lots of scribes witnessing Jesus’ actions. Word has already made it across the Sea of Galilee about Jesus freeing men from demons, and the scribes are both furious and jealous. The scribes have scrupulously observed every bit of the Law, even the tiniest of inflections, since their youths; yet, they have never had power over a single demon. Who is this upstart carpenter anyway? Why is God favoring him and not the scribes?
Now Isaac’s friends bring him to Jesus. Notice that when Jesus sees the faith of Isaac’s friends, he tells the man, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” As Jesus utters this statement, Isaac begins to weep for joy as he lies on his pallet. In all the years Isaac has attended temple, NOBODY has ever given him such hope. This is the assurance for which Isaac has longed and for which he has begged God. While the scribes may be quibbling over Jesus’ authority to forgive, Isaac has no such problems. Isaac KNOWS he is forgiven, and now it matters little whether he ever walks again or not. But Jesus knows Isaac and loves Isaac and now has something even more in store for Isaac.
As Jesus tells Isaac that his sins are forgiven, the scribes are muttering into their beards, “This Man blasphemes!” Jesus only smiles, for he has anticipated this reaction. Professional religious people always think they have a lock on God, little realizing that their merciless attitudes show them to be far from God or anything remotely resembling His work.
“But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house.”
Now the scribes are really fuming! Not only does this man claim to have authority to forgive sins, but he tops that off by healing Isaac so that Isaac can pick up his pallet and go home. How terrible! Why hasn’t God allowed THEM to be the stars of this healing? Has all their faithful service all these years counted for nothing? These men are sure that Isaac must have done something horrible to have become paralyzed in the first place. Left to them, Isaac would still be on his pallet, groveling at their feet, where he ought to be. The idea that God has allowed Isaac’s paralysis so that He can get glory is unthinkable for these men.
Meanwhile, Jesus has moved on away from the crowd, leaving the crowd to react. “Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t stick around for everybody to admire him, pat him on the back, shake his hand, or congratulate him in any way. Jesus wants people to know about his Heavenly Father and give glory to Him, not to Jesus. Jesus knows God has called him and empowered him and that is enough. Jesus knows Who has called him and the mission for which he has been called.
These days, advertising is everything. In Ghana, every bare surface in a city might be plastered with posters advertising an upcoming crusade. These posters always have photos of the featured speakers and promise miracles, healings, etc. Frequently, such posters also mention the Holy Spirit. But who is getting the glory in these crusades? God or the featured speakers? Sadly, many times these men and women behave as if God is their pet on a leash and they can call Him whenever they want Him to perform. In the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan, the lion, is the Messianic figure. At several points, the statement is made that “Aslan is not a tame lion.” Jesus, the Lion of Judah, is not a tame lion, nor can you demand he perform on your commands.
One of the most effective miracle-working men of God we have ever met is a humble pastor from a small northern village in Ghana. We have been privileged to have this man pray for us, and he has no need of posters or social media announcements. This pastor prays simple prayers and people get healed and delivered from demons. Those involved in witchcraft burn their equipment and leave freed. But this man always makes sure people know that it is God who is working and not him. Again, this man knows God has called him and the mission for which he has been called.
Do you aspire to do miracles or participate in someone’s healing? Ask God to give you the Holy Spirit, that Spirit that glorifies Jesus and God the Father. The members of the Holy Trinity never work separately but always in unity. God does not call everyone to work miracles all the time, but if you will make yourself available, God may use you.
Years ago, I cared for a poor lady who had had uterine cancer along with a number of horrific side effects. This woman had received all the chemotherapy, all the radiation therapy, and every other kind of medical care possible. Her right leg was swollen to nearly three times the size of the left, and when I anointed her with skin lotion and we prayed together, all we thought we were asking for was for the pain in her leg to abate. The lady went home to die. Two years later, I was making pre-op rounds and came to see a woman with an incisional hernia who would be operated the next day. The lady looked at me and said, “You don’t remember me, do you?” I had to admit that I certainly did not. IT WAS THE LADY WITH THE CANCER!!! GOD HAD HEALED HER!!! Her legs were both normal size and she was fine. The only reason this lady had returned to the hospital was to have a minor operation to repair an incisional hernia. We had a prayer and praise meeting right there in her room!
Did I have faith for this lady’s healing? Absolutely not! Did I anticipate what God would do for her? Absolutely not! But God can use anybody, and that time He used me. Did this incident launch me into a healing ministry? No. I pray over every patient I operate and sometimes God heals them while other times He does not heal physically. But I tell this story to illustrate the fact that God is sovereign and He works as He pleases. We should never hesitate to ask God for miracles, as long as we are willing to make certain He gets all the credit.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to always be available and to always give You credit for the marvelous things You do. In the mighty and matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment