“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!”
He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””
What an amazing situation!
As Jesus returns to Capernaum, a crowd gathers so tightly that no one else can get in. Four men bring their paralyzed friend, but instead of turning away, they go up to the roof, open it, and lower him down in front of Jesus.
It’s a striking scene. Determined friends. A desperate need. And then Jesus responds—but not in the way anyone expects.
He says,
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Before addressing the man’s physical condition, Jesus goes deeper. He speaks to the man’s greatest need, even if it wasn’t the most visible one. That tells us something important about Jesus. He is not only concerned with what we can see. He deals with what lies beneath it.
That statement immediately creates tension. The scribes begin to question Him. In their minds, they are right about one thing: only God can forgive sins.
And that is exactly the point.
Jesus responds by healing the man, but He makes clear why He is doing it:
“that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
The healing is visible proof of something invisible. Jesus is not just a healer. He has divine authority to forgive. What belongs to God alone, He does.
Then the scene shifts.
Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Levi leaves everything behind and does just that. Soon after, Jesus is eating in a house surrounded by tax collectors and sinners.
Again, people question Him. Why would He associate with people like this?
Jesus answers plainly:
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This is another window into His mission. Jesus does not wait for people to clean themselves up before coming to Him. He moves toward those who know they are broken.
In this passage, we see two things clearly.
Jesus has authority to forgive sins. And He willingly draws near to sinners.
That is good news.
Because it means that forgiveness is not something we earn or fix for ourselves. It is something Jesus gives. And it means that coming to Him as we are is not a problem—it is the point.
Let’s pray…
Lord Jesus,
You have authority to forgive sins, and You come near to those who need You. Help me to trust in Your forgiveness and not hide my sin from You. Draw me to follow You with a willing heart.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Meeting Address:
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