Carried to Jesus

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 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.”

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 he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

Matthew 9:1-8

Who are some authority figures in your life? Maybe you’d think about your parents, teachers, police officers, government officials, your boss, and your pastors. Authority is synonymous with power. Some of those authority figures in our lives have used that power to be a blessing, and some have used that power to cause harm. Jesus has the ultimate authority. Let’s take a look at how He uses it. 

In Matthew 9, Jesus’ public ministry was still relatively new to the scene, but His reputation was starting to spread throughout the region. After just returning from calming a storm on the sea and casting out a demon from a man, Jesus arrives back in his own town of Capernaum. Some men carried a paraplegic to Jesus in the hopes that He would heal their friend. Jesus’ reaction was probably way more than what they were expecting! “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven,” Jesus said. Wait, what? They were asking for healing not forgiveness.

Now, the teachers of the law were the ones who carried the authority in Jesus’ day. They enjoyed being in charge and were responsible for teaching the Jews the law and keeping the peace among them.  When Jesus proclaimed forgiveness of this man’s sins, the teachers were threatened, and claimed blasphemy because only God has the power to forgive sins. They questioned Jesus’ authority, not to his face, but amongst themselves. 

But, Jesus’ ultimate authority and proof of Jesus’ deity is evident in these verses. Very plainly, Jesus healed the man, so he demonstrated his power over the physical body. Supernaturally, Jesus forgave the man’s sins, so he demonstrated His power in the spiritual realm. Shockingly, Jesus reacted to the thoughts and whispers of the teachers of the law, demonstrating His power over the mind. All of these are impossible for man, but possible for God. All of these demonstrate that Jesus is God.

And what was the reaction of the people? Not a riot, as the teachers might have expected. The people stood in awe. They praised God. They thanked Him for giving such authority to Jesus. Jesus, who saw the faith of this paraplegic and these friends who carried him, uses His authority for good. Jesus heals. Jesus saves. Jesus restores.

In a few years from this encounter, Jesus’ death and resurrection would make true healing and salvation available to all of us today. Those of us who receive that healing and salvation are subject to His authority, which Jesus still uses for good. While other authority figures in our lives may have not set a great example and may have caused us harm, Jesus will not. We can have faith that Jesus’ character and nature has not changed. He still heals. He still saves. He still restores.

PAUSE: It was a bold move to carry this man to Jesus. Who can you “carry” to Jesus? As we see from this story, Jesus responds to even a bit of faith. 

PRACTICE: Write a list of people you can pray for and make it the lock screen or your phone, or hang it somewhere that you see often. Remember to carry them to Jesus in prayer!

PRAY: Thank You Jesus for Your authority. I know that You are God. I know that You are good. Thank You that You have healed me and saved me. There are many people who need healing and salvation in my life. Remind me to carry them to You, and even when I forget, You don’t and You are still able to heal and save. Thank You for Your power, and may I respond to Your authority with faith and confidence in who You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen