Dear saints, this morning’s Gospel lesson brings two great miracles. At its beginning, Jesus has returned to His hometown after healing the demoniac in the country of the Gadarenes. That miraculous healing scared those in the city so much that they begged Jesus to leave them and their region. There is a lot in just that sentence, but not for today.
This morning’s account from Matthew does not contain details that Sts. Mark and Luke provide. In them we learn that Jesus is teaching in a home and a great crowd has gathered. In fact, there was no room for more to enter. When the paralyzed man in the lesson is brought to the home, those bearing his burden could not get him to Jesus. Undeterred, they climbed with him to the roof and began moving the ceiling tiles. Imagine being in that house. Suddenly, dust and debris start floating around a crowded house. But none of the Evangelists mention that. Nor do they do not state that there was noise above the room or concern in the room.
The roof is removed, and the man is lowered to where Jesus is sitting and teaching. We see a great trust here. The man trusted his friends to carry him to Jesus. Trusted them to get him safely on the roof. And he trusted them to safely lower him to the Lord. And all the men involved trusted that Jesus was good and would have mercy on the man.
Jesus does have mercy. He knows the faith of all the men involved. He looks at the paralyzed man and says, “Have courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” Notice this is not a general proclamation of repentance. It is directed at the paralytic. And this declaration infuriates the scribes and Pharisees present. They say to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”
Mark says Jesus perceives their thoughts. He responds: “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.”
From the perspective of the Pharisees, it was easier to say, “Rise and walk,” for only God can forgive sins. In a sense, they are right. For Jesus to say, “Rise and walk,” and the man gets up and walks, is easier. And Jesus shows that He has the authority to forgive sins by performing the lesser miracle. If Jesus were blaspheming as the scribes asserted, His words, “Rise and walk,” would not have been effective.
But the man does get up and walk. The greater miracle is that the man’s sins are forgiven. The forgiveness of this man’s sins is the reason our Lord came to earth. The man had a physical malady, but the man also recognized his greater malady: his sins. Jesus did not merely see the man’s physical handicap but recognized the man’s faith in Him and anguish over his sin. The man sought comfort from his Lord and the pardon on his sin above and beyond the healing of his physical body. Jesus sees this. It is why we hear Jesus say, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
These are the same words that Jesus has for you today. They are the words that you need to hear. They are the words that put your Lord on the cross. They are the more difficult words because they meant suffering, pain, and death for Jesus. Suffering, pain, and death that is due to your sin against your God.
The heart of the Christian faith is forgiveness. It is why Christ Jesus gives us the Gospel. In the broad sense, the gospel is the account of Jesus and His life found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the narrow sense, it is the wonderful proclamation that, on account of Christ and his atoning death on the cross for you and all mankind, your forgiveness is won. That you may believe that it is true, for Jesus is raised on the Third Day, just as He promised.
But your Lord does not stop there. He establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry and gives the apostles and those He calls to be pastors the authority to proclaim the Gospel to all. That forgiveness of sins and eternal life is not attained by your good works or suffering, but by the blood of Christ.
Jesus gives you also baptism. He commands that the apostles go into all the world teaching all He commanded, baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. A command which is now given to those called into the Holy Ministry. You know your sins and shortcomings. And so, He takes simple water and attaches His promise and command to it. Now when you are burdened with your sin, you recall what God did to you and for you in your baptism. You are free to make the sign of the cross, as it was made over your forehead and your heart, that you may be certain that His suffering at Calvary is applied to you.
Your Lord gives you still another sign. He institutes His Holy Supper that your faith may be constantly renewed and you be reminded of His pledge to forgive your sins. In the Sacrament, you are given strong support for your faith. For there, He gives you the very Body nailed to the cross and very Blood shed upon the cross. And he does this so you may have no doubt that you are reconciled to Him and that your sins are forgiven. That He remembers you and His work for you.
With all these great gifts, Christ Jesus is still not done. When hearing the words of our lesson, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven,” you may know that they are for you. For Jesus has taken these words and given them to His church. He gives His ministers the authority to forgive sins. Easy words for me to proclaim to you because it is not me, but Jesus giving you the forgiveness. Forgiveness that needs no more suffering. Forgiveness that is accomplished. Amen.
Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD
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