April 9, 2014
When Jesus met a lame man, he knew that the man’s real need was greater than physical healing. As Alistair Begg explains in this sermon, Jesus not only healed the man’s physical body but also restored him to a right relationship with God through the forgiveness of his sins. In light of this example, we should remember to show mercy to those in need even as we bear in mind that their greatest need can only be met through the work of Christ.
32That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or zoppressed by demons. 33And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34aAnd he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And bhe would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35cAnd rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and dthere he prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37and they found him and said to him, e“Everyone is looking for you.” 38And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for fthat is why I came out.” 39gAnd hhe went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
1And when he returned to tCapernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3uAnd they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, vthey removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5And when Jesus wsaw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, xyour sins are forgiven.” 6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak like that? yHe is blaspheming! zWho can forgive sins but God alone?” 8And immediately Jesus, aperceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10But that you may know that bthe Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and cglorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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