Jesus cures with forgiveness.

 

Sermon for Trinity 19, October 4, 2020

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Amen.

Matthew 9:1–8  Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town.  ²There people brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a stretcher.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, son!  Your sins are forgiven.”  ³Then some of the experts in the law said among themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”  ⁴Since Jesus knew their thoughts, he said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?  ⁵Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  ⁶But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” he then said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”  ⁷The man got up and went home.  ⁸When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (EHV)

Jesus cures with forgiveness.

Dear fellow redeemed,

            Imagine for a moment that this account ended with Jesus’ words, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Would that paralyzed man have had a worse life if he never heard Jesus say, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”?  Conversely, what would be the case if that man only heard this command and not the encouraging word first offered?  The answer lies in recognizing the truth that our greatest problem is sin, and our greatest need is for a Savior from sin.  Regardless of this world’s troubles, joy comes graciously to everyone who learns that Jesus cures with forgiveness.

We see a number of parallels to our lives in this account.  Like that paralyzed man, we too are sinners.  Actually, sin paralyzed our ability to save ourselves, or even to come to Jesus on our own.  Likewise, too, there are many obstacles that get in the way of those who need to be brought to Jesus for healing and life.  Finally, we too have been granted the authority to forgive sins in Jesus’ name.

So, to begin, would that man’s life have been drastically worse if he hadn’t been healed of his paralysis?  From an earthly standpoint, it seems obvious to see that as a horrible outcome.  No one would want to remain paralyzed if there were some possibility of a cure.  Yet, we need to bear in mind the reality that our time on earth is very short in relation to forever.  Therefore, no matter the hardships or the ease with which God blesses us here, the truly important thing for our eternal welfare is that we receive forgiveness of our sins through the faith God’s Word gives.

St. Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content in any circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)  Paul wasn’t content with his life because it was always sunshine and roses for him.  He had, in fact, suffered more abuse than most men for his faith in Jesus.  Rather, he learned contentment through the Good News of a Savior who had taken away his sins and opened Paradise to all who believe.  Thus, for the paralytic, the healing of his paralysis was indeed a great miracle and blessing, but the greatest benefit was that he received Jesus’ forgiveness and everlasting life through faith.  Furthermore,  it showed the world that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins on earth.

Now, many in the crowd that day, and many people since that time, hope to gain heaven in some other way.  Some look to their own obedience of law as a means to satisfy God’s judgment.  The scribes who questioned Jesus’ right to forgive certainly fell into that category.  They were sure that only God can forgive, but worse, they didn’t feel the need even for that because they were confident in themselves.  Still, the Scriptures are clear, “No one will be declared righteous in [God’s] sight by works of the law, for through the law we become aware of sin.” (Romans 3:19)  Indeed, it says, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked when you followed the ways of this present world.” (Ephesians 2:1-2)  Dead man cannot save themselves or even try.

In their gospel accounts, Mark and Luke show us the difficulty that man’s friends had in getting their disabled friend to the Healer.  When Jesus returned to his hometown, crowds of people came to hear Him.  The house was full.  Even the doorways were so jammed no one could enter.  It wasn’t just those who trusted Jesus, but many of His enemies were also there hoping to catch Jesus in something they could use against Him.  The friends had to innovate.  They carried their friend to the roof on his stretcher, dug through the tiles and rafters, and lowered the man into Jesus’ presence.  They were committed to bringing their hurting friend to the One they trusted could heal him.

This is a picture for us, too.  This year, we have seen many obstacles to bringing people to Jesus.  Churches have been forcibly shut down in some cases.  Governments have at times banned assemblies of believers.  So, we had to find other ways to meet with Jesus.  Yet, there is a reward of grace for our commitment of time and energy.  Some who might not otherwise hear the Gospel, may get the chance because of the expanded use of technology.  Perhaps, others have benefitted by a friend or neighbor opening the Scriptures to a friend in need.  Regardless, we trust the Holy Spirit’s assurance “that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  Certainly, we recognize that it has always been a struggle to bring people to Jesus in this world beset by spiritual forces of darkness opposed to God’s love and mercy.

The evil in our hearts runs deep, and the devil loves nothing better than to stoke our fears about our future.  Maybe you have wondered, at times, whether you could truly be forgiven of all sin.  In the dark recesses of our minds, it is very easy to worry about those things we know we did in our younger days.  Even though we know Jesus has won forgiveness for us, and the Holy Spirit has brought us to faith, maybe we wonder how we can be forgiven when we keep on sinning.  Too often, the devil and the world accuse us of being too guilty for God to love, too guilty for Him to forgive.

Dear friends, when that happens, tell the devil to take a flying leap back into his pit of despair, for the Bible assures us again and again that Jesus died for all sin, for every sin ever, yours and mine included.  St. Paul wrote, “God made Him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)  To the Christians at Galatia, Paul wrote, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.  As it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’” (Galatians 3:13)  In repentance, King David cried to the Lord, “Remove my sin with hyssop, and I will be clean.  Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)  Then, to those who believe in Jesus, the promise of forgiveness comes through, “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

It is likely that this is why the first thing Jesus said to the paralyzed man is, “Take heart, son!  Your sins are forgiven.”  We are not told whether the man had been a cripple from birth, or if he had suffered some terrible accident, but when Jesus saw their faith, He also saw the guilt that hung on that man’s shoulders.  Had the paralytic been wracking his brain wondering what great sin he had committed to be in such sad condition?  How many times was he told that God was punishing him for his guilt? 

It is quite common for people to assume that if you have trouble, or illness, you must have done something to cause it.  We see that very much in evidence right now as guilt is laid heavily on anyone who falls ill with this Covid affliction.  People just assume that if you get sick, you didn’t take the right precautions, or you went where you shouldn’t have gone, or divine forces are paying you back for whatever evil they assume you committed.

Of course, we know there are consequences for sin, but much of the trouble and pain in our world happens simply because this whole world is broken by sin.  The curse of the law lays pain and death at everyone’s doorstep.  Thanks be to God, Jesus cures with forgiveness.

When the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy for announcing that man’s sins forgiven, Jesus gave us the proof that He is who He claims to be, and that He does have the divine authority to forgive sins.  What great joy it gives us that they challenged Jesus, for He answered their rejection with proof.  Since Jesus knew their thoughts, he said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?  Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” he then said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”  The man got up and went home. 

Matthew gives us such a simple statement to hang our hopes on.  “The man got up and went home.”  No one had ever seen anyone cured from paralysis like this.  When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.  The people were shocked and amazed, but let’s not miss the point.  This physical healing was the easy part.  Jesus was living the hard part.  Even if our medical experts someday figure out how to cure paralysis, the only cure possible for sin is Jesus’ holy life and sacrificial death on the cross.  Only Jesus could do this because only Jesus is true God and true Man.  Only Jesus had the Father’s stamp of approval from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love.  I am well pleased with him.” (Matthew 3:17)

This is our confidence: by His life and death, and through the work of the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament, Jesus cures us with forgiveness.  The Holy Son of God came down to earth to rescue us from darkness.  Jesus lived perfection for us.  Jesus died on a cross, beaten bloody, falsely accused of rebellion, but rightly recognized for claiming to be the Son of God, with the weight of the sins of the world on His back.  In our place, Jesus bore His Father’s rejection for the guilt of the world.  But for you and me, Jesus declared, “It is finished.”  Nothing more is needed to make us right with His Father in heaven.  The curse is ended.  Washed in the water of baptism and healed by the power of God’s gracious Word, we are set free from the curse of sin.  

Jesus showed the world that He has the authority to forgive sins.  He won that right with His holy sacrifice.  Now that we have been set free through faith graciously given, Jesus tells us, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you.” (Matthew 28:18-19)  “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you!  Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.’  After saying this, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.’” (John 20:21-23)

Dear children of the heavenly Father, your sins are forgiven.  Rejoice in the forgiveness that is yours by faith in Jesus.  Rest secure in the comfort of Jesus’ promise.  Isaiah wrote, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of a herald, who proclaims peace and preaches good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God is king!’” (Isaiah 52:7)  Share that marvelous peace; tell your loved ones, your friends and neighbors and even your enemies the Good News: Jesus cures with forgiveness.  Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting.  Amen.