Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins

Introduction: From the very first sentence of the Book of Matthew, it becomes abundantly clear what Matthew's goal is in writing this book: to convince his audience that Jesus is the ultimate King with ultimate authority.

Matthew 1:1 NKJV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

The very first thing Matthew does is establish Jesus’ authoritative right as king, but he doesn't stop there. He continues to allude to Old Testament prophecies and points to Jesus as their fulfillment in chapters 1-4. He then emphasizes Jesus’ authoritative words in the Sermon on the Mount and concludes that section with the statement that Jesus taught with authority and not as the scribes.

So, Jesus came with authority, and He taught with authority.

While Matthew's goal is to establish Jesus as the promised Messianic king, it is not his only objective. His main aim is to convince his audience that this very same promised Messianic king is not only sent from God but is God Himself.

As Matthew continues to build this case, he makes it abundantly clear throughout chapters 8 and 9 that there is no other alternative. The authority that Jesus displays in these chapters draws a definitive line in the sand - you must either believe He is God or condemn Him as a blasphemer.

We have already witnessed Jesus' authority to heal a leper with the touch of His hand, to heal a centurion's servant without even seeing them, and to restore Peter's mother-in-law from severe illness. Clearly, Jesus has the authority to heal diseases.

Moreover, He demonstrated authority beyond physical ailments by casting out demons from many (8:16) with just a word, and even casting out a legion of demons from two possessed men - showing His dominion over the spiritual realm.

Furthermore, we have observed His authority over natural forces as He calmed the storm on Galilee with just a word.

Yet all of those authoritative displays were leading Jesus' audience to this ultimate revelation of His authority. Throughout history, figures like Moses and other Old Testament prophets were sent from God and performed signs and wonders, but none of them could accomplish what we are about to witness Jesus do. None of them could address humanity's deepest need because only Jesus possesses the authority to forgive sins.

This morning, as we look into the scriptures, we will witness the unwavering faith of the paralytic man, which welcomed forgiveness from Jesus. This act of forgiveness caused the failure of the religious leaders and instilled fear in the hearts of the people.

Read Matthew 9:1-8

The Faith of the Paralytic Man

His own city

Mark 2:1 “And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.”

They brought to him a paralytic on a bed

Luke 5:17-19 “Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.”

Job 4:7 ““Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?”

John 9:1-3 “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”

Luke 13:1-5 “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

The Forgiveness of Jesus

Be of good cheer

Talk about the two types of courage

One seeks to avoid thinking about the thing that makes you fearful

One is courageous because he knows the source of his fear is gone

Your sins are forgiven (have left you)

Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Micah 7:19 “He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.”

“Forgiveness is God’s greatest gift because it meets man’s greatest need.” - John McArthur

The Failure of the Religious Leaders

Read Matthew 9:3-7

They rightly believed that only God could forgive sins, but they refused to believe that Jesus was God

They did not believe that you could be forgiven by asking for it, but instead they believed you needed to earn it.

They believed it could be earned

They believed they did not need it

Why do you think evil in your hearts?

1 Samuel 16:7 “. . . for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Which is easier to say?

The Fear of the People

Read Matthew 9:8

The word fear used here is only ever used in reference to the feeling in a person’s heart when he is confronted with divine power.

Matthew 14:26 “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.”

Luke 8:37 “Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.”

Acts 2:43 “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

Conclusion: What is your response to the authority of Jesus?