The Mic Drop Moment | Matthew 9:1-8

Get rekt, scribes

Author

Caleb Lee
February 12, 2024

The community you surround yourself with matters.

Your friends will either lift you up or drag you down.

That’s not to say that your friends’ belief can save you, but having a strong community of believers around you can make your faith journey much easier.

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 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.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 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.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Matthew 9:1-8

What a wonderful picture of love in friendship here. A group of friends bringing their paralytic friend to Jesus, if not to heal him at least to have him hear Christ’s words.

Perhaps the response they get from Jesus isn’t what they were expecting, as He replies, “your sins are forgiven.”

The man who can heal leprosy and cast demons out of men simply praises the friends’ faith and seems to move on.

But it’s all according to plan.

The ultimate mic drop - Jesus forgives the man’s sins, the scribes think to themselves, “blasphemous!” and Jesus responds, “which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?”

It’s written in a way that challenges both the scribes in the story and us, the readers.

I’ll be honest, the first time I read this passage I was a little disappointed with His answer at first. Another example of my sinfulness coming through.

The question remains, which do you think is easier? To say that “your sins are forgiven” or “rise and walk?”

Most of us would say that healing a paralytic man is harder.

But it’s a profound question. In later passages, we read about the apostles healing the sick and lame, casting out demons, and generally doing the miraculous works that Jesus did through the Holy Spirit.

But we never read about them forgiving someone’s sins.

That power and ability is given to only one being in the universe.

God.

And so the Pharisees would be right to call Jesus’ words blasphemous, except for the fact that Jesus is God.

So put your hope in Him.

Even if He doesn’t heal your afflictions this very moment, He’s already done the impossible.

He’s forgiven you.

Have a blessed Monday, friends.