The Authority to Forgive
Curt Whitfield
Matthew: The King & His Upside Down Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Up to this point in Matthew’s gospel, we find that Jesus has authority to speak for God, teach new laws, heal, and cast out demons. Chapter 9 shows us that Jesus also has the authority to forgive sins and he loves the sinners we hate.
Understand
Understand
And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
His own city = Capernaum
Luke 5:17 tells us that Jesus is teaching a large crowd that included Pharisees and teachers of the law from every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem.
Saw their faith = Luke 5:17-20 tells us they lowered this man through the roof because they couldn’t get through the crowd.
Their faith was so strong that they were willing to interrupt Jesus’ teaching, tear off the roof of someone’s house, and were not concerned about the crowd’s reaction.
Take heart = θαρσέω tharsĕō - be of good cheer (comfort), to have courage
My son = τέκνον tĕknŏn - little boy (child) - this was a term of endearment, used to describe close relationship
Your sins are forgiven = Why would Jesus say this? Because for Jesus, forgiveness is the more important issue.
Your sins are forgiven = ἁμαρτία hamartia (offenses, miss the target) ἀφίημι aphiēmi (to leave, abandon, send away) - notice this is past tense, it’s already done
Question: What do we mean when we say “forgiven”?
What Jesus means by “forgiven” is that our record of sins has been sent away (erased) forever. It is finished.
And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Said to themselves = not out loud, but in their minds/hearts
This man is blaspheming = βλασφημέω blasphēmĕō - to revile or slander God - in this context, taking God’s place/authority
Luke 5:21 explains that the Pharisees and scribes also asked “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Therefore, this was blasphemy because Jesus is claiming to do God’s job.
Why do you think evil = why are you questioning, arguing, accusing me in your head
The Process of Forgiveness in Jesus’ Day: When you sinned it was a requirement to go to the temple and offer a sacrifice. You would stand in line with your animal, publically confess what you did, and then watch the priest kill and burn your animal. Then the priest would declare atonement and forgiveness.
Jesus bypassed this process, stood in the place of the priest and temple, and declared the paralytic forgiven.
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.”
Which is easier = Since there was no way to prove that the man’s sins were forgiven, that would be an easy claim compared to telling him to get up and walk.
That you may know = that you may understand with clarity
Son of Man = Jesus is claiming to be the Son of Man from Dan. 7
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Authority on earth to forgive = This physical healing was visible proof of an invisible authority for spiritual healing.
And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
They were afraid = φοβέω phŏbĕō - exceedingly fearful
Glorified God = δοξάζω dŏxazō - to exalt, praise
Given such authority to men = they still see Jesus as a human representative of God
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
Jesus passed on from there = Mark 5:13 says Jesus went out beside the sea with a large crowd following and listening
Tax booth = Since Matthew’s tax booth was beside the sea, it is likely that he would have collected taxes from the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James, and John.
Follow Me = This is an invitation to leave your current lifestyle.
He rose and followed him = Luke 5:28 says, “And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.”
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
Jesus reclined at table = Luke 5:29 tells us that Matthew/Levi held a great feast in his home for Jesus and invited a large company of tax collectors and others.
Tax collectors and sinners = Tax collectors were traitors who enriched themselves by ripping off their own people. Sinners were people whose sin was public.
Reclining at the table was seen as an intimate and accepting action. Jesus is showing that he is compassionate and comfortable with the worst sinners.
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Pharisees, and Jews in general, would not dare even to be seen with tax collectors and public sinners. They are appalled that Jesus is there and enjoying their company.
But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Those who are well = ἰσχύω ischuō - lit. means to have force - those who are strong, able - Jesus is using this as a metaphor for people who think they are righteous
Those who are sick = κακῶς kakōs - lit. means badly - those who are miserably evil or diseased - Jesus is using this is a metaphor for people who know they are unrighteous
Translation: Those who are “well” don’t think they need help and don’t think those who are sick deserve help.
Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Go and learn what this means = This was an insult to Pharisees who were known as experts in the OT.
Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 to say that God desires love and mercy, not judgmental religion.
Application
Application
A forgiven child of God has no reason to be afraid of condemnation or judgment from God.
A forgiven child of God should desire all people to experience the same grace and forgiveness they have received.
Love, mercy, and forgiveness are the governing principles of God’s kingdom, not religion, judgment, or condemnation.