Sunday sermon on Matthew 9:1-8. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
As the paralyzed man was brought to Christ, St Matthew tells us today, Christ saw their faith, meaning the faith of those who brought him, and He told the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven you.” The bystanders were surprised by these words. They thought, “Who is this Man that He dares to say what only God can do?” Remember that people had no idea Who Christ was. At best they thought He was the next great prophet. Only after He died on the Cross and rose from the dead, were their eyes and hearts opened, and they understood. So they questioned His every move and His every word. When Jesus heard that they were dismayed that He forgave the sins of the paralyzed man, He turned to the people and asked, “What’s easier to say ‘your sins are forgiven’ or ‘stand up and walk’?” |