Matthew 9:2-8

Posted by DJL on Jun 25, 2014 in Daily Bread | 1 comment

And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk?’ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

Here we get to the central narrative tension driving Matthew’s story and, indeed, the central dynamic of the gospel itself.

Everything hinges on this one question: why blasphemy? Why, that is, do some of the scribes describe Jesus’ pronouncement of forgiveness as blasphemy?

Answer: only God can forgive sins. Only God, that is, has the power to release us from the captivity of sin, restore to us our identity as beloved children of God, and promise redemption and forgiveness. And so when Jesus says those simple words, “your sins are forgiven,” the scribes hear him claim authority that they ascribe to God alone.

Except it’s not that simple. Because the one who has the authority to forgive sins also has the authority to assign guilt, that is, to declare the need for forgiveness. And so the scribes fear that if Jesus goes around forgiving the sins or paralytics and lepers and tax collectors and criminals, he might in time extend that same forgiveness to them, and the extension of forgiveness implies the need for it. And so while forgiveness is one of those things that sounds great in theory, when it’s offered to you it implies your need for forgiveness and lays you bare to your own brokenness. If we know we are in need – like a paralytic, a leper, someone possessed by a demon, a woman bedridden by illness, or a centurion afraid for a loved one – then this is only good news. But if we are content with our own righteousness, then the offer of forgiveness is a perilous and threatening thing indeed.

And so they call it blasphemy.

Jesus won’t stop, of course. This is the heart of his mission: declaring the double-edged Word of the kingdom that, first, we are beautiful and broken people in need of grace and, second and ultimately, nothing gladdens the heart of God more than to offer grace, mercy, and forgiveness to God’s beloved children.

But will we admit our need and receive God’s mercy…or will we arm ourselves in our own righteousness and call it blasphemy. That is the persistent question.

Prayer: Dear God, grant us the courage to admit our need, to accept your grace, and to share your love with those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.