MATTHEW 9:1-7 – And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 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.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 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.”
One of the most spiritually painful and paralyzing tactics of the devil is to tempt God’s people to doubt His willing heart to forgive us. Even as Christians who still sin, the devil will use this lie to rob us of our joy, assurance, and effectiveness for Jesus. Did he not use doubt as his first tactic against Eve – “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). Yet here is where we fight accusations and doubts with the certainty of the Lord’s heart and His pleasure in forgiving sin.
In today’s scripture, we have the riveting account of Jesus healing a paralytic. Not only is there the act of physical healing but two other profound instructions for us. The first is the example of true friends. Their friend was incurable from a human standpoint, but they must have heard of Jesus. So, what do they do? They take their friend to the Healer with hope he may walk. That is what true friends do. They see a need. They meet a need, and if they can’t, they do what is necessary to get help to meet a need.
The other lesson is the theme of today’s nugget. Notice the order Jesus gives healing on the paralyzed man. The physical is second. Forgiveness is first. Why? It was the most important of the healing, and Jesus took the initiative. Why? He delights in forgiving sinners. It is why He came, and don’t listen to any other voice but His. And a good way to be reminded of His gracious heart is from Psalm 130. Here it is in its entirety. Ponder it and be blessed over God’s pleasure in forgiving sin.
A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities (Psalm 130).
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I listen to the devil’s lies tempting me to question Your forgiveness.”
QUOTE: “Forgiveness of our sins was not our idea or desire. It was God’s and He proves it daily.”