Visible Proof of Invisible Authority

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MATTHEW 9:1-8

1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

 
 

The reason the scribes (religious leaders) think that Jesus is blaspheming is because only God is in the position to forgive sins. To demonstrate his authority over something “invisible” like a person’s sins, Jesus then heals the man visibly by word of command.

Jesus wants us to see that physical healing is connected to our relationship with God, a relationship that has been damaged because of our sin. Matthew told us in 1:21 that Jesus came to save his people from their sins, and we see him here bringing both physical and spiritual wholeness to a man in need of it.