Devotions
Rev Gav
Boom!
Matthew 9.1–8
And after getting into a boat he crossed the water and came to his own town.
And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
Reflect
There is this pernicious idea, one held by religious people (including Christians) that our misfortunes are tied up with our sinfulness — i.e. that if we endure illness or suffering, it must be of our own making.
There is a word we use, in the United Kingdom for this kind of thinking — excuse the language — “Bollocks.”
Our fortunes, whether positive or negative, have absolutely nothing to do with the reality of our status with God. Why? Because we stand forgiven, accepted, and welcomed by God — and God never wavers or changes stance! As we read in the Book of Revelation, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”
Jesus tackles this idea head on by approaching the paralytic on the bed — a man who was defined by his paralysis (being called ‘a paralysed man’). Firstly, note how Jesus does not ignore the paralytic boy by talking to the carers in front of him! No, he talks directly to the boy — a wonderful example of pastoral work. Secondly, note how he calls the man ‘son’ showing compassion and affection and affirming his status as a beloved child of God. Thirdly, Jesus directly challenges the prevailing narrative (which, no doubt the man would have heard many times) that his illness was somehow due to some unconfessed sin in his life.
If you have not got the gist of what I am saying, let me write this plainly. There is nothing more sick and twisted than telling someone that their illness or life situation is due to some unconfessed sin, yet, on more than one occasion I have heard Christians say this to people! Just, no!
Jesus said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven,” and what a wonderful thing to hear! A rabbi — and the famous rabbi Jesus, no less — told him that his illness was not due to sin!
Of course, the scribes (law teachers and copywriters) complained that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. Why? Because only God can forgive sins! Jesus, knowing what they were thinking, took the whole scene to another level by giving a brief commentary before telling the man to get up and carry his bed home!
Can you imagine the scene? Matthew writes, “When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God.” Talk about an understatement! There would have been a huge celebration with whooping and cheering and excited shouts and chatter — a holy uproar! Boom!
Today, wherever you are or whatever opinion you have of yourself, hear the words of Jesus, “Take heart, my child, your sins are forgiven!” and know that God wants the very best for you.
Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash
Pray
Holy God
How difficult
it is for me
to accept your
unconditional love!
Thank you that I stand
forgiven, accepted,
and welcomed by you.
This day and forever.
and then