Gospel of Matthew Matthew 9:1-13

Transcription

1 Gospel of Matthew Matthew 9:1-13 The King s Authority Christ s Power and Desire to Forgive Sin Matthew s gospel presents Jesus as King of the Jews and the Messiah. The text reveals the power of Christ s teaching in chapters 5-7, His power over sickness in 8:1-15, His power over the storm in 8:23-27, and His power over Satan in 8: In Matthew 9:1-8, Christ demonstrates His power over sin. He has authority over the natural world and over the supernatural. Christ s power over sin is the main truth of the Christian faith. The words of Christ in Matthew 9:2 are the words that every person needs and longs to hear: Thy sins are forgiven thee. The events of Matthew 9 took place when Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee and came to his own city, which was Capernaum, the home base of His ministry. Jesus drew a crowd so large that the house was full (Mk. 2:2; Lk. 5:19). Some were probably curious bystanders. Some were perhaps casual listeners, while others were committed followers. 1. Christ and the paralyzed man (vs. 1-8) This event is also recorded in Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5: A. Jesus saw their faith Genuine faith can be seen in action. Faith without works is dead. The paralyzed man was carried by four men on a pallet. Because the house was crowded and they couldn t get to Jesus by going through the door, they improvised and lowered this man through the roof. This was a literal breakthrough in ministry. This was a case of doing whatever it takes to bring a man to Christ. Note the qualities exemplified by their act of kindness: Compassion They truly cared about this man. Cooperation All four men worked together to carry out the mission. Commitment They would not be denied. Creativity They had to think outside the box. Luke 5:18 says they sought means to bring him in and lay him before Christ. Courage What would the owner of the house say? Confidence They believed that Jesus could heal him. B. Jesus offered forgiveness Jesus made a statement of fact. He met this man s deepest need first. He forgave his sins and then healed his body. To forgive sins means to remove sin s guilt and shame from the sinner. God s forgiveness is complete. God removes our sins as far as the east from the west (Ps. 103:12), He casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Mic. 7:19), and He remembers our sins no more (Jer. 31:34). The Old Testament does not fully explain how a holy God can forgive guilty sinners, but it is always on the basis of the character of God and the provision of blood atonement (Lev. 17:11;

2 Isa. 53:6). The New Testament reveals that Christ s sacrifice is the basis of God s forgiveness (Eph. 1:7). Christ took our place as a substitute and suffered the punishment for our sins. C. Jesus uncovered evil thoughts Jesus must have startled the scribes with His question: Why do you think evil in your hearts? The scribes were right and wrong at the same time. They were correct in thinking that only God can forgive sins, but they were wrong because they didn t realize Jesus was God and had authority to forgive sins. The rejection of the Jewish leaders eventually developed into full blown opposition and a plot to kill Him. D. Jesus demonstrated His authority to forgive He proved His authority to forgive sins by healing the paralyzed man. It would have been easier to say this man s sins were forgiven because there was no way to validate that. Christ s power was proven by the visible miracle of healing. Multitudes saw it and glorified God for such power. 2. Christ and Matthew the tax collector (vs. 9-13) Jesus has just forgiven a paralyzed man s sin and made him walk. Jesus not only demonstrated His power over sin, He also demonstrated His attitude toward sinners. In forgiving the paralyzed man, Jesus proved His love for the down and out. In forgiving Matthew and calling him to be a follower, Christ proved His love for the up and out. All people need forgiveness, and all can be forgiven except those who will not admit their sin. A. Jesus called Matthew to be His disciple Jesus saw Matthew working at a toll booth doing his job of collecting taxes from the people. Tax collectors were not liked then or now. In New Testament times they were despised by the Jews and considered the lowest of the low (Mt. 5:46-47; 11:19; 18:17; 21:31-32). A man became a tax collector by bidding for the job. He was hired and backed by the authority of the Roman government. Tax collectors had a reputation for being dishonest, greedy, and ruthless. All Jews looked upon tax collectors as traitors who worked for the enemy. Christ said, Follow me. This was both a command and also an invitation. A disciple is a follower, a learner who is committed to follow the Teacher and learn by His teachings and example. Matthew immediately got up and followed Jesus, leaving behind his lucrative business. Of all the twelve apostles, Matthew gave up more financially than anyone else. The next scene is in Matthew s house (according to Mark and Luke). He invited many of his friends and associates to eat a meal together with Jesus, his new Master. Birds of a feather flock together and they also feed together. B. Jesus called out the Pharisees for their self-righteousness The Pharisees lacked courage to ask Jesus personally, so they asked His disciples a question. They did not ask to gain information. They asked to vent their frustration. Jesus had not eaten a meal with them and fellowshipped with them. Why was He hanging out with the riffraff? Their question also revealed a lack of compassion. They were unconcerned about tax collectors and sinners. They tried to stay away for fear they might be contaminated. The word Pharisee means separated one. In their warped theology they regarded anyone as a sinner who didn t follow their prescribed rules and rituals. They were concerned about the external, but neglected internal matters of the heart. The Pharisees didn t sense their need of

3 God s forgiveness and they didn t think tax collectors deserved it. Jesus responded directly to the Pharisees question. His response must have surprised them. He gave a logical response Verse 12 contains a great one-liner. The New Living Translation reads, Healthy people don t need a doctor; sick people do. He gave a scriptural response Go and learn what that means was a common expression of the rabbis to rebuke those who did not know what they should have known. It was like saying, Go back and reread that, and learn what you missed. Jesus quoted the prophet Hosea 6:6. God s Word calls us to be merciful and forgiving, not condemning and judgmental. The fact that He quoted from Hosea made the point even more powerful. Hosea was a living illustration of God s love for Israel. Hosea s wife Gomer was unfaithful, yet he forgave her and was willing to restore her. This was a powerful object lesson of God s faithful, persistent love and forgiveness for Israel. He gave a personal response Jesus described the purpose of His mission on earth. He came to call sinners to repent (turn from sin). To the self-righteous Pharisees Jesus said, I have not come to call you. Because you are self-satisfied and I will leave you to yourselves. Jesus told a story about a Pharisee and a publican who both went into the temple to pray (Lk. 18:10-14). The tax collector went home justified because he admitted he was a sinner and was willing to ask for mercy, while the Pharisee felt no need of forgiveness and therefore received none. Man s greatest need is to understand and feel his need of God s forgiveness.

4 Gospel of Matthew Matthew 9:1-13 The King s Authority Christ s Power and Desire to Forgive Sin Matthew s gospel presents Jesus as King of the Jews and the Messiah. The text reveals the power of Christ s teaching in chapters 5-7, His power over sickness in 8:1-15, His power over the storm in 8:23-27, and His power over Satan in 8: In Matthew 9:1-8, Christ demonstrates His power over sin. He has authority over the natural world and over the supernatural. Christ s power over sin is the main truth of the Christian faith. The words of Christ in Matthew 9:2 are the words that every person needs and longs to hear: Thy sins are forgiven thee. 1. Christ and (vs. 1-8) This event is also recorded in Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5: A. Jesus saw Genuine faith can be seen in action. Faith without works is dead. The paralyzed man was carried by four men on a pallet. Note the qualities exemplified by their act of kindness: B. Jesus offered Jesus made a statement of fact. He met this man s deepest need first. He forgave his sins and then healed his body. To forgive sins means to remove sin s guilt and shame from the sinner. God s forgiveness is complete. God removes our sins as far as the east from the west (Ps. 103:12), He casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Mic. 7:19), and He remembers our sins no more (Jer. 31:34). C. Jesus uncovered Jesus must have startled the scribes with His question: Why do you think evil in your hearts? The scribes were right and wrong at the same time. D. Jesus demonstrated He proved His authority to forgive sins by healing the paralyzed man. It would have been easier to say this man s sins were forgiven because there was no way to validate that. Christ s power was proven by the visible miracle of healing. Multitudes saw it and glorified God for such power.

5 2. Christ and (vs. 9-13) A. Jesus In New Testament times tax collectors were despised by the Jews and considered the lowest of the low (Mt. 5:46-47; 11:19; 18:17; 21:31-32). A man became a tax collector by bidding for the job. He was hired and backed by the authority of the Roman government. Tax collectors had a reputation for being dishonest, greedy, and ruthless. All Jews looked upon tax collectors as traitors who worked for the enemy. Christ said, Follow me. This was both a command and also an invitation. A disciple is a follower, a learner who is committed to follow the Teacher and learn by His teachings and example. Matthew immediately got up and followed Jesus, leaving behind his lucrative business. The next scene is in Matthew s house (according to Mark and Luke). He invited many of his friends and associates to eat a meal together with Jesus, his new Master. Birds of a feather flock together and they also feed together. B. Jesus The Pharisees lacked courage to ask Jesus personally, so they asked His disciples a question. Jesus responded directly to the Pharisees question. His response must have surprised them. The New Living Translation reads, Healthy people don t need a doctor; sick people do. Jesus quoted the prophet Hosea 6:6. God s Word calls us to be merciful and forgiving, not condemning and judgmental. The fact that He quoted from Hosea made the point even more powerful. Hosea was a living illustration of God s love for Israel. Hosea s wife Gomer was unfaithful, yet he forgave her and was willing to restore her. This was a powerful object lesson of God s faithful, persistent love and forgiveness for Israel. Jesus described the purpose of His mission on earth. He came to call sinners to repent (turn from sin). To the self-righteous Pharisees Jesus said, I have not come to call you. Because you are self-satisfied and I will leave you to yourselves. Jesus told a story about a Pharisee and a publican who both went into the temple to pray (Lk. 18:10-14). The tax collector went home justified because he admitted he was a sinner and was willing to ask for mercy, while the Pharisee felt no need of forgiveness and therefore received none. Man s greatest need is to understand and feel his need of God s forgiveness.