God Gives Authority to the Man
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
Summary:
Sermon Text & Introduction
"Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.
The words that will serve as the basis of our meditation this morning have been caused by the Holy Spirit to be written by the evangelist, the Apostle Matthew: '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.'" Thus far our text."
Bringing the Paralytic to Jesus
Jesus sinners doth receive. They were bringing a paralytic to see Jesus, knowing he was the miracle worker who had cleansed lepers, healed servants of centurions, calmed storms, and cast out demons—a legion of them. The wind and the waves obeyed him and were subject to his word. They knew that this man was the one who could make their friend walk again.
These men were concerned for their friend as they picked him up and carried him to the Lord of life. In Mark's gospel, we learn that they climbed up on the roof, made a hole in the tiles, and lowered their paralytic friend down so that he lay on the floor before Jesus. Their faith pushed them; they knew the promise, Jesus's authority, and the task at hand. They laid their friend before Jesus, putting him in the hands of the living God.
The flesh often wants God to repurpose the world for its own plans, much like the disciples asking about restoring the kingdom of Israel or the prodigal son planning his own terms. But these friends trusted Jesus as the one sent from God to heal and restore.
Jesus Looks Into the Heart
When Jesus was confronted with the paralytic, he saw not merely outward appearances, but the friends' faith. Just as God reminded Samuel when seeking a king among Jesse's sons, God does not look at external appearances, but looks directly into the heart.
When Jesus looked at those men, he saw faith and was moved by compassion (splagchnizomai). When he is merciful and realizes something needs to be done, he does it. Out of his heart flows love and mercy for you, for me, and for this paralytic.
"Begin to be Courageous"
Before Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven," he told the paralytic to "take heart" or "be of good cheer". In the original Greek, there is a deeper sense of courage—Jesus bids this man to be transformed in the face of sure and certain attack. The tense of the verb acts as a push: begin to be courageous now, because what is about to happen will jar you to your very core. You came here to walk, but Jesus is going to do something far greater, going all the way down into the roots.
To be laid in the hands of Jesus is to be like him—an enemy of the world, targeted by the devil's constant attacks, deceit, and temptations toward unbelief, despair, and shame. Jesus knows faith in him will be hard, so he promises to be with his child, placing him in his church and in his army. He forgives this man his sins, restores him, and calls him technon ("child"), placing him at the Father's right hand with all rights and privileges.
The Greatest Priority: Forgiveness of Sins
While the friends brought the man so that he would walk, Jesus established the true priority: the forgiveness of sins. The Holy Spirit draws believers into the church through the Word proclaimed and Sacraments given. He bestows honor and position, equipping believers with armor, sword, and shield for spiritual warfare.
Even as we gather, evil still plagues human hearts, and the old Adam rears his head daily. God does not judge by external metrics like height, muscle, or career success, but reaches down to the very depths of the heart.
Authority on Earth to Forgive Sins
Jesus saw the evil thoughts in the scribes' hearts and responded. He is not a God who leaves us in the ditch or in the clutches of the devil, but the God who comes down to deliver, open hearts, destroy evil, and grant life.
Jesus asked, "Which is easier to say: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?" Saying "Rise and walk" requires immediate physical proof, whereas forgiving sins takes place inwardly. Yet faith realizes that forgiving sins is the harder and deeper work—it is the eternal gift requiring divine authority on earth and leading straight to the cross.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. This question brings us directly to the baptismal font, the pulpit, and the altar where Christ bestows his body and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.
Living as Courageous Stewards
Faith created and nourished by the Holy Spirit transforms believers into stewards, evangelists, missionaries, and lovers of God and neighbor. God has redirected our hearts to the needs of the ministry and the world, giving us talents, time, and resources to serve in the middle of the battlefield. He puts his word upon our lips to bring peace and good news to those in need.
Be courageous without fear, because Christ fights alongside you, swings the sword against your enemies, and has already won the victory.
The Eternal Call Home & Sacramental Strength
One day, you will hear his call with the archangel's trumpet: "Pick up your bed and come home". We are going home, all the way to the top.
Until then, Christ provides heavenly gifts through Word and Sacrament—water, bread, and wine—giving us sustenance, righteousness as armor, and the Holy Spirit as the generator of courage for the fight. Your sins are forgiven; you have nothing to lose, and everything is gained in Jesus. Amen.
Votum
"The peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until life everlasting. Amen."