Sermon for Sunday, Aug 10th, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church at Unionville, NY (BPC)
Old Testament Reading:
[Psa 32:1-5 ESV] 1 A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
New Testament Reading:
[Eph 4:25-32 ESV] 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Gospel Reading:
[Luk 5:17-26 ESV] 17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the man who was paralyzed–“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
Sermon Text:
[Mat 9:1-8 ESV] 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.
Introduction
I didn’t realize it at first, this is the same story that we find in Mark and Luke of the healing of the paralytic, but here in Matthew we’re missing a very interesting detail. In Mark (2:1-12) and Luke (5:17-26) we learn that the paralytic was “dropped in” on a bed through an opening in the roof of the house! (Probably Peter’s house). Of course the “bed” he was on was much smaller than a bed of today. They didn’t drop a California King through the roof; it was probably more like a fiber mat.
In those accounts from Mark and Luke there is more emphasis on the care and dedication of the paralytic’s friends that they would go through such effort to get the paralytic to Jesus.
In Matthew there is less emphasis, but it is still noted. The friends BROUGHT the paralytic. That is notable. They do the work. And Jesus sees “THEIR faith.” Not just the faith of the paralytic, but of the friends as well.
Everyone was coming to Jesus and asking him for healing, but the paralytic couldn’t get himself to see Jesus, for the man could not walk. But the friend’s take him.
The faith of these men must include a faith that Jesus could and would heal their friend. They wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble to carry him there if they didn’t think Jesus could heal.
And their faith in Jesus recognized their own humble status; they went to him, as we travel to a busy doctor.
And their faith is through all obstacles; going so far as to drop the paralytic in through the roof.
So there is a note on the faith of the men.
But here in Matthew the account is more fully focused on Jesus. This is about Him who forgives the paralytic, and Him who heals the paralytic.
So in this we have another miracle account, but each of these miracle accounts in Matthew —this one included— bring to light specific truths that God is revealing in His Word. These truths are for our benefit, to learn with joy and in praise of God. So we are to see the power of Christ in the miracles, but then also the miracles are opportunities for revelation from God. The miracles confirm His power and testify to the truth of His words.
The text this morning begins when Jesus leaves Gadara, which he does, not so much because the people said so, but because they were not receptive to the Gospel and he had told his disciples “do not give that which is holy to the dogs, and do not cast pears before swine.” How fitting, as the Gadarenes cared more about pigs than people.
I. The Forgiveness and Healing of the Paralytic (v. 1-2, 6-7)
And now Jesus comes to “his own city” where the next miracle will take place.
Which city is “his own city?” It’s not Bethlehem, though he was born there. Its not Jerusalem, though he would died there. Nor is it even Nazareth, though he grew up there. Rather, “his own city” is Capernaum where he and the disciples have been living. And we don’t even have to guess at that answer, because Mark’s account of this episode says explicitly “Capernaum.” So they are back on the side of the lake which they started on; the Jewish side.
Some men bring a paralytic to Jesus had, what does he do? He doesn’t at first heal the paralytic, he says, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
A. My Son (forgiveness)
First, consider what comfort there is in those words “My son.” “My son.” Wow. I’ve heard Christians say “I just want to the Lord to say to me ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’” But here is something even better, Jesus simply saying “my son.” Not “well done” – I don’t deserve that — but “my Son” – I love you anyways. That is striking.
So this is a gracious encouragement. “Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven.” Be of good cheer. Despite all the current problems you are suffering through, despite the effect of sin on this world bringing disease and death, take heart, thy sins are forgiven thee.
But, what is going on here? Is it implied that the man’s sins have made him a paralytic? I don’t think so. Everyone is a sinner. Its just that he can’t get to Jesus on his own for a blessing.
And — here is the big question – why is this forgiveness proclaimed to the paralytic, and not first healing? Isn’t it physical healing that is most needed?
No. Forgiveness is more important than physical healing. The most important thing that could happen to the paralytic is the forgiveness of his sins.
Consider: Psalm 32:1 – Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity.
Not “Blessed is the one who sickness is healed,” but “blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven. This is a big deal. When Jesus says “your sins are forgiven,” that is a big deal.
And then consider the change in the countenance of the paralytic. And he must have been terrified before. Dropping in through the roof when you can’t move your arms and your legs. And then Jesus says “Take heart, my sons, your sins are forgiven.” that must have brought great joy to his heart.
To apply this, consider this fact:
Application: Our sins are forgiven too, and thus we are to have the same great joy.
You most likely have not been healed of paralysis, or demon-possessing, or leprosy, or blindness, but you are forgiven by Christ. Thus this is an account for all of us. Take heart, your sins have been forgiven. That is the very Gospel, the glorious grace of God. What better words could we hear than these “take heart, your sins are forgiven.”
B. Two Ways to Look at this Statement about Faith
So Jesus sees their faith, then forgives the paralytic.
There are two ways to look at the connection here.
The forgiven have faith.
And those who have faith are given forgiveness.
And I think BOTH are correct; that we need to see these two understandings together.
First, Jesus is stating a fact. BECAUSE they have faith, they are OF the forgiven. One commentator says this is “an authoritative proclamation of the man’s pardoned state as a believer.” So IF you have FAITH, you are OF the forgiven, OF the saved.
But there is another important way to look at what Jesus is doing here. He is not only stating a fact — that their sins are forgiving — but he is actually forgiving them. That is certainly the way the Pharisees understood Jesus; that Jesus was himself forgiving sins. Thus they say he is blasphemous, for only God can forgive sins.
C. The Healing
So Jesus next performs the miracle of healing. Only have forgiving 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 bed had borne the man: now the man bore the bed.
Jesus explains a purpose is performing this miracle:
“that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”
You can’t SEE the forgiveness of sins, but you can SEE the paralytic get up and walk. So do not doubt Jesus any more, but have faith like the friends who carried the man to Jesus.
Miracles always have this purpose: to show that the message delivered is divine; from the Lord. What is that message here?
Well, I’ve intentionally skipped some verses in the middle of our passage. In verses 4-5 we have those theological truths revealed which the miracles are there to support. What are those truths? Well, for one, Jesus is a mind reader. And two, the bigger point, this Jesus is God.
II. Jesus the mind reader. (v. 4-5)
So, we have Jesus the mind reader.
Did you see this?, Jesus is reading minds!
The scribes never speak, but Jesus knows what they are THINKING.
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?
He knows their thoughts!
That is a property of God alone. Who can read minds? I can’t. If you can, let me know your secret.
Well, perhaps many people are fearful of the fact that God reads your mind. And fearful of the fact that God sees all. For we sin, in deed and in thought. And if the Lord sees all, and if the Lord knows even my mind, I’m in trouble! So not only your outward sins are known to God, but the sins of thought!
But, fascinatingly, sometimes in Scripture when it says “God knows our thoughts” this is in a POSITIVE light. … In this sense … God knows the desires of my heart. He knows that I long for him. Despite being a sinner, David can focus on that positive:
[Psa 139:1-4 ESV] 1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
So it is encouraging for the Christian to know that God hears even our silent prayers. He even hears your thoughts, your desires, when you aren’t even praying. So be encourage; the Lord listens.
But for the unbelieving scribes, Jesus is solely reading minds so as to confront them with their sin: “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” So it is a warning against sins of thought; a warning sinful thought against others or against God or what he has given to you, like the grumbling of the Egyptians.
Then there is a second truth revealed in this passage. Christ is God.
III. The Divine Christ
Jesus says, in effect, that they are wrong in saying he was blaspheming.
And Jesus now says that He, “the Son of Man,” “has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
How will he prove that?
Through the physical healing miracle. The proof of the healing, shows proof of the forgiving. If he can do the one he can certainly do the other.
And these are things only God can do.
So we have these proofs of the divinity of Christ:
1. He forgives sins.
2. He reads mins.
3. He heals the paralytic.
Christ is God.
So the accusation that he is blaspheming is proven wrong. He can say “I forgive your sins” all he wants, because he is God.
Luke’s version is more explicit: [Luk 5:21 ESV] 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
This accusation that he is blasphemous is the same accusation that later leads to his death. The people recognized that Jesus say himself as God, and they disagreed. They never contended, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses that Jesus didn’t claim to be God. Rather, claiming to be God is exactly what the people most had against Jesus.
This man claims to be God.
[Mat 26:62-65 ESV] 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.
Jesus now self applies the term “Son of Man.”
The demons (and Satan as well) had recognized that he is the “Son of God.” Now he is also the “Son of Man.”
Jesus indeed is both God and Man. But these terms also emphasize that he is the Messiah, the promised one.
Conclusion:
So what are we to conclude?
The truths revealed: Jesus is a mind reader, and Jesus is God. Therefore he is not blaspheming, but as God has the power to forgive sins. As He forgives the believing paralytic and his believing friends, so he forgives all who believe. So be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven.