Following Jesus: The Sin Forgiver
Passage: Matthew 9:1-8 Preacher: Mark Kingston
You’ve probably noticed the pattern by now. Jesus doesn’t just talk about the Kingdom of God. He embodies it: healing lepers, calming storms and confronting evil. Every act is a sign: the Kingdom of God is breaking in. And it's happening because Jesus has the authority to bring it.
Matthew then shifts our attention to a house in Capernaum, overflowing with people who've come to see Jesus. A series of unexpected events then start to happen.
First, a group of friends lower a paralyzed man through the roof down to Jesus feet, hoping for healing. But instead of healing his legs, Jesus says, “Take heart, dear one, your sins are forgiven.” Wait...no healing? No dramatic sign?
Oh, but this is the miracle. Because Jesus sees the deeper need. This man isn’t just held back by paralysis. He's weighed down by sin, shame, and guilt. And that burden is keeping him from living fully in God's presence, God's freedom, God's best.
So Jesus goes straight to the root. Before anything else, He speaks the words the man most needs to hear: “Your sins are forgiven.”
And the way He does it? Radically simple. No temple. No priest. No sacrifice. Just four words, from Jesus, in a living room. Grace is extended, right there on the floorboards. It’s bold. It’s beautiful. Forgiveness offered not through a system but through Jesus. This is another powerful sign that God's Kingdom breaking through.
The authorities are scandalized. This act offends their theology and undermines their power base. Jesus response: to heal the man's legs too and send him on his way, healed inside and out.
So, where are you in the story? On the mat? On the roof? On the sidelines? Because wherever you are, Jesus sees you. He welcomes you. And He still speaks healing. He still extends peace. And He still offers forgiveness and a fresh start.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What was it about Jesus that drew such crowds - so many people that friends had to tear through a roof just to get close? What kind of hunger were they carrying? What kind of expectation did they have of Jesus?
If Jesus is still alive and changing lives, shouldn’t we expect to see people be lining up to meet Him in churches? And if they’re not… why not? What’s getting in the way?
This man couldn’t get to Jesus on his own. He needed his friends to carry him. Who has carried you in your faith? And who might need you to carry them to Jesus right now?
Jesus offers forgiveness as deep healing - restoring what shame, regret, and sin has broken. What part of you needs that kind of restoration?
When the Kingdom breaks out, offering grace to those who least deserve it - it can upset the status quo. And it tends to offend the religious, especially those who think God’s favour is something to be earned. So here’s the question: will we follow Jesus into that messy work of the Kingdom - extending grace and healing to the least, the last and the lost, or would we rather keep the peace and protect what’s familiar?