IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Friend, Your Sins Are Forgiven

Date: Dec. 18, 2019

Passage

Luke 5:17-26

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

17 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. 18 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, 19 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. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 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.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Luke 5:24a

24 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.”

1. Jesus healed a paralyzed man (17-20)

Jesus was teaching where there were many Jewish leaders gathered. Maybe they came to spy on him and on his teaching. All of a sudden there was a commotion, as some men cut through the roof and lowered a paralyzed man on his mat right in front of them all. Jesus commended their faith, which overcame all obstacles to come to Jesus. But when Jesus saw their faith, he did not heal the man; instead he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Jesus knew the man's most desperate need.

2. Authority to forgive sins (21-26)

The Jewish leaders were not as surprised at the miracle as they were at the words of Jesus. To them Jesus was a blasphemer. Their hearts did not recognize God who bears sin on himself. Jesus wanted them to know the reality of the forgiveness of sins. The same authority he had to heal a paralytic, he also had to forgive sins. Jesus healed the paralyzed man and made everyone there to praise God.

Prayer: Lord, heal my hardened heart. Help me to know the depth of Jesus, his love and his authority to forgive sins.

One Word: Jesus has authority to forgive sins

Daily Bread

The Lord Judges the Proud

Psalm 75:1-10

Key Verse: 75:2

“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.

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