What prompted Jesus to tell the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven? Matthew 9:2-8

It was when Jesus saw the faith of the paralyzed man and the people who were with him.

Did this mean the man was paralyzed because he sinned? Why or why not? How does this fit with John 9:2-3?

It is possible that this man being paralyzed was a result of some sin that he committed, but we cannot be sure. This does not mean that all disease and sickness is a result of personal sin. the blind man of John 9 makes that very point. The man born blind was born blind in order to show the glory of God.

Why did the scribes think Jesus was blaspheming? What is Blasphemy?

The scribes knew that when Jesus said “take heart, your sins are forgiven”, they knew that no one could forgive sin but God alone. In this they were right. What they failed to grasp was the fact that God the Son had become incarnate and that they were looking at their messiah, the Lord Jesus. Jesus can forgive sin because he is God. They knew that Jesus was claiming to be divine. Make no mistake. Blasphemy would have been the charge of Jesus making himself equal to God.

Which is easier, to forgive sin or to say take up your mat and go home?

It’s easier to say “take heart, your sins are forgiven”; it is harder to tell a paralyzed man to get up and walk home. Jesus did the second miracle in order to show that he has the authority to do the first one.

How does this story show us more of who Jesus is?

This story shows us that Jesus has power over the natural realm. This shows us he has power over the supernatural realm. This shows us that he has the power to control and show his sovereignty over all. He is the divine Son of God. He is God in the flesh. He is the one who has come to free us from the curse of sin and the curse of death. He is the one who will free us from bondage to Satan and service to him, just like he delivered the demon-possessed men. Praise God that he delivers us from the domain of darkness into his Kingdom.

What does this miracle teach us about Jesus and who he is?

It teaches us that through the miracle, Jesus confirms that he is the Son of Man. He is the one through whom the whole fullness of deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). He is the one that can forgive sins because he is God. He is the God of Israel and he is their King. He is the one who doesn’t cast out the blind and the lame (2 Samuel 5), but the one who welcomes them to his table (2 Samuel 9).

How should we respond to Jesus authority and power?

We should be in awe of the wonderful works of God. It should lead us to know that Jesus can heal and redeem and restore us. Whether we have suffered because of our sin or just because we were born into a broken world with a sin nature from Adam, God will restore us. He will forgive us, he will save us from our sin, its punishment, and its consequences.