Come Unto Jesus: Week 3

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Opening Prayer

Introduction

Over the last few weeks we have been looking at Scriptural accounts of people who came to Jesus.

Christ came in the flesh so that He could call us to come to Him in the spirit.

This is the entire crux of Christmas.

Martin Luther said it this way...

If Christ had arrived with trumpets and lain in a cradle of gold, his birth would have been a splendid affair. But it would not be a comfort to me. He was rather to lie in the lap of a poor maiden and be though of little significance in the eyes of the world. Now I can come to Him. Now He reveals Himself to the miserable in order not to give any impression that He arrives with great power, splendor, wisdom, and aristocratic manners.

- Martin Luther

Two weeks ago we saw the religious Nicodemus come to Jesus in John chapter 3.

He comes in the middle of the night with a mound of questions.

Jesus responded by graciously talking with him.

In a conversational, not condescending, way.

We are given no details offered of immediate change.

Yet he defended Christ 4 chapters later as the Sanhedrin were rallying around their hatred and looking for ways to condemn Him.

He joined Joseph of Arimathea (another influential, religious voice in Jewish culture) in burying the body of Christ after His crucifixion.

Nicodemus came to Jesus and was changed.

Then, last week, we considered the account of the prostitute who anointed Jesus’ feet with sweet smelling perfume that cost about a year’s wages (300 denarii; or around $55,000 by today’s standards)

This sinful woman came in broken humility and lavished Jesus with her best.

And Jesus responded with tender affection, recognizing and exemplifying her thoughtful sacrifice.

So we’ve seen the juxtaposition of the religious elite and the bottom of the barrel sinner coming to Jesus.

Today, we are going to look at Luke 5:17-26 and compare it to the parallel account in Matthew 9:1-8 as we consider how the helpless are called to come as well.

While you are turning there, what makes you feel helpless? Or what do you think of when you hear the word “helpless”?

This account found here is told in 3 of the 4 gospels (Matthew 9, Mark 2, and Luke 5).

Matthew gives the least amount of detail.

Mark offers slightly more.

And Luke tops them all presenting more words and details given than the other 2.

Now, this is not to say that Matthew and Mark do not have any perspective to add.

As we walk through Luke’s account, we will drop these nuggets in place where especially helpful.

Would someone please read Luke 5:17-26 for us?

Luke 5:17–26 ESV

On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Matthew 9:1–8 (ESV)

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.” 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? 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.” 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.

Mark 2:1–12 (ESV)

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Exposition

Our passage opens with Jesus returning to Capernaum after being out for some time doing ministry (cleansing lepers, casting out demons, teaching in synagogues)

This was His home-base for ministry in Galilee.

Christ is referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth”, because that’s where he grew up in the home of Mary and Joseph, but Capernaum was where Christ called home after launching His earthly ministry.

The last time he stopped through Nazareth, the people there tried to kill him.

Matthew’s account of this (Matthew 9) calls Capernaum “His own city” (verse 1)

Mark 2 specifically says, “it was reported that He was at home.” (verse 1)

This was His home away from home. The place He came to rest.

In this passage there are 3 groups of people that came to Jesus. Who are they?

The crowd gathered around Him. (Looking at parallel passages, not all were Pharisees.)

The scribes and Pharisees came from near and far (those from Jerusalem traveled 125 miles!).

The paralytic and his friends.

Now let’s dig into each of these groups who gathered around Jesus. What were their motivations?

The crowd?

They were there to see what all the talk was about.

Remember, Jesus had been out teaching and healing all over the region before rolling back into town.

They wanted to see and hear for themselves!

The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law?

Doubtless, some of them were drawn by the same spectacle as the crowd.

But they also wanted to hear this teaching and act as the theology police (we see that in their actions and response further into our passage).

They wanted to make sure that Jesus was playing out of the same playbook.

They were watching tape of the opposition.

The group of friends with the paralytic?

Their motivation was simply to see their friend walk.

There was nothing besides faith that drove them to carry their buddy to Jesus on his mat.

They had seen this man suffer and wanted to do something about it in light of all that Jesus had been doing!

Now, let’s talk about how each of these groups came. What was their action and posture?

The crowd came expectantly and with curiosity.

The Pharisees surely came with curiosity as well, but the overall depiction of their interaction paints their hearts in a critical light.

The friends came humbly, faithfully, and expectantly.

They were determined.

They didn’t just see a massive crowd and say, “Oh well, never mind.”)

When they saw that they would not be making it through the tightly packed group, they climbed the steps that led up to the roof and tore a hole clean through.

How did Jesus respond?

He saw their faith and responded in a completely unexpected way.

Jesus showed His authority to heal (both soul and body).

What did He say to them after seeing their faith?

He forgave the man’s sins!

Before even turning an eye to his physical condition, Jesus looked at the faith that it took to get this man here and spoke to his spiritual need.

We saw Him do this last week with the woman who was a sinner and anointed His feet.

What is so baffling and jarring about Jesus saying, “Your sins are forgiven”?

Jesus is claiming to be God

It didn’t just take the Pharisees pointing it out.

Everyone there would have realized what Jesus just implied.

It would have made them all sit up and pay attention.

He even refers to Himself as the “Son of Man” so that these religious heads would immediately spin as He blatantly professed His deity.

This title ties Christ back to Daniel, chapter 7, where the “Son of Man” is given dominion over everything.

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

“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.

The passages don’t offer an answer to Jesus’ seemingly rhetorical questions. So, let’s take a crack at them… Which statement is easier to say? “Your sins are forgiven” or “rise and walk”?

Physically - “Your sins are forgiven” (can be faked)

Theologically - “Rise up and walk” (claim to healing power but no claim to deity)

Only claiming one is pointless...

Jesus has to show that His authority extends over both physical AND spiritual realms.

We see this in Psalm 103.

Would someone please read Psalm 103:1-5 for us?

Psalm 103:1–5 ESV

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

What was the response of each of these groups to Jesus’ pronouncement of forgiveness and healing?

The celebration of the healed man (and friends)

They got what they came for!

They didn’t need to stick around for anything else.

Jesus’ entire command was to stand up, pick up the mat, and go home and the man lost no time in obeying.

Can you imagine the joy?

Can you imagine what the rest of these friends’ day was like?

The Hostility of the Scribes and Pharisees

We’ve already had a picture of a Pharisee painted for us when we looked at Nicodemus a couple weeks ago.

We know of their desire for doctrinal purity.

We know of the strict adherence to the Law that guided their conduct.

We know that they instructed people on how to live according to God’s revealed Word (the OT).

Where are the scribes and Pharisees found? Yes, they are present for Jesus’ teaching, but what is their posture?

They are not sitting at the feet of a teacher gleaning from His wisdom.

They are sitting by, off to the side, ready to critique and condemn.

Even so, Jesus does not simply dismiss the scribes and Pharisees as critics and doubters.

He puts His money where His mouth is.

He backs up His claim of forgiveness with an undeniable display of divine power.

The unbelieving awe of the crowd

Someone read Matthew 9:8 for us. How did the crowd respond?

Everyone joined the man in glorifying God as he leapt up and went home!

They were afraid and they glorified God.

Did they believe Jesus’ claim to divinity?

No! After healing and pardoning a man, they still did not believe!

Application/Implications (Conclusion)

So we’ve talked about these groups that were surrounding Jesus. What did they all have in common?

While there was only 1 man who was helpless in appearance, every single one of them was completely and utterly helpless spiritually.

None of them could find forgiveness on their own.

Not the Pharisees

Not the crowd

Not the paralytic

Nor his friends

None of them could be redeemed on their own.

Each of us are all helplessly sick when it comes to sin.

We are helpless to co-operate in our regeneration as we are to co-operate in the work of Calvary.

Iain Murray

But what does Scripture have to say about it?

Romans 5:6–8 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

We had gone with the flow.

We have pledged our allegiance to God’s enemy (the prince of the power of the air), Satan himself.

But that is where we turn in our helplessness, in our temptation, in our deadness to Christ.

Christ came in the flesh so that we could come unto Him spiritually.

He calls our hearts to Himself because we are unable to pursue God on our own.

Ephesians 2:4–9 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

This is what the hymnist Philip Bliss was expressing when he wrote the words...

Guilty, vile, and helpless, we; / Spotless Lamb of God was He: / Full atonement!—can it be? / Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Philip Paul Bliss (American Hymn Writer and Singer)

This is the point of Christmas.

Christ came so that we could come to Him.

Closing Prayer

Would someone please close us in prayer?