WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.540 Please turn in me with your Bibles to Matthew 9, verses 1-8. 00:00:09.540 --> 00:00:11.339 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.880 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:38.899 This fellow is blaspheming. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:42.420 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:48.560 Which is easier, to say, 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:51.060 Your sins are forgiven, or to say, 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:58.700 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. 00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:01.220 So he said to the paralyzed man, 00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:04.520 Get up, take your mat, and go home. 00:01:05.540 --> 00:01:07.640 Then the man got up and went home. 00:01:08.579 --> 00:01:11.320 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe, 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:15.439 and they praised God who had given such authority to man. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:17.620 This is God's Word. 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:19.500 Let me pray quickly. 00:01:20.600 --> 00:01:23.780 Dear Lord, bless us today with your Word and the lessons from it. 00:01:23.939 --> 00:01:24.700 Bless me to preach, 00:01:25.100 --> 00:01:27.480 and help us all to receive in our hearts the wisdom 00:01:27.480 --> 00:01:28.859 which we have read. 00:01:30.660 --> 00:01:31.920 To bring us up to speed, 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:33.880 so far in this series, 00:01:33.880 --> 00:01:36.600 we have seen the authoritative power of the Messiah 00:01:36.600 --> 00:01:38.880 and his kingdom power demonstrated. 00:01:39.960 --> 00:01:42.960 Jesus has shown himself to be the Messiah in word, 00:01:43.460 --> 00:01:44.420 through his teachings, 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:46.520 and by performing many miracles. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:49.520 Now, a new stage unfolds. 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:52.060 He proves he is the Messiah in action, 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:55.480 demonstrating power over all Satan's strongholds. 00:01:56.200 --> 00:01:58.840 This shows the kingdom of God has truly arrived, 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:02.900 and highlights Jesus' unique authority to forgive sins. 00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:05.920 Following these demonstrations, 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:07.780 Jesus stepped into a boat, 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:08.800 crossed over, 00:02:08.920 --> 00:02:09.980 and came to his own town. 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:12.080 Once again, 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:14.099 Christ passes over the water 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:15.180 on his messianic, 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:16.539 kingdom-hearkening mission, 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:20.500 arriving in his own town, 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:21.340 likely Capernaum. 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:23.799 Upon his arrival, 00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:24.919 there's a hustle and bustle. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:27.180 A familiar scene unfolds. 00:02:27.859 --> 00:02:28.919 People are being healed, 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:30.659 scribes are watching, 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:32.560 and big crowds are full of expectation. 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:34.799 Amidst the crowd, 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:35.840 a group of mates, 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:38.659 no doubt having heard of Jesus' miraculous powers, 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:39.180 approaches. 00:02:40.519 --> 00:02:41.979 Jesus had cured paralytics, 00:02:42.599 --> 00:02:44.199 and performed many miracles, 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:45.459 healing the sick, 00:02:46.079 --> 00:02:46.919 casting out demons, 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:48.219 and cleansing a leper. 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:50.560 Motivated by this, 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:52.419 they come expectantly, 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:54.719 demonstrating an act of faith. 00:02:55.859 --> 00:02:57.299 What we are about to see 00:02:57.299 --> 00:02:59.659 is Jesus doing something astonishing. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:02.099 By forgiving sins, 00:03:02.339 --> 00:03:03.500 he claims the authority 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:05.259 that only God possesses. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:08.199 Let's look at how this is, 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:09.799 and what we can learn from the response. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:12.579 When Jesus saw their faith, 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:13.819 he said to the man, 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:15.379 take heart, son, 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:16.939 your sins are forgiven. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:20.739 And Jesus responds to this act of faith 00:03:20.739 --> 00:03:21.259 for healing 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:23.639 by forgiving the man's sins. 00:03:24.679 --> 00:03:25.539 At first, 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:27.639 it seems Jesus is promising the paralytic 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:29.179 something other than what he asked for. 00:03:30.359 --> 00:03:31.139 There is perhaps 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:33.819 a link between sin and sickness in this case. 00:03:34.239 --> 00:03:35.859 As Matthew describes in other passages, 00:03:36.459 --> 00:03:37.379 individual sin 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:39.179 is not always the direct cause 00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:40.799 of a person's disease or illness. 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:42.380 nonetheless, 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:43.320 ultimately, 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:44.500 all corruption and death 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:46.719 result from the entrance of sin 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:47.300 into the world. 00:03:48.260 --> 00:03:49.219 But either way, 00:03:49.980 --> 00:03:51.360 this man has come for healing. 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:54.500 Although Jesus seems to address 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:56.340 something different from the man's request, 00:03:57.020 --> 00:03:58.360 he highlights the main issue. 00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:01.660 Sin is the fundamental human problem. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:03.979 By forgiving sins, 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:05.780 Jesus reveals his authority 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:07.680 and clarifies the true nature 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:08.900 of the Messiah's mission. 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:12.919 Forgiveness for us is an expected result. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:15.180 But what does it mean for this man? 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:18.019 Indeed, what does it mean for everybody there? 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:21.180 It's more than an unexpected result. 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:23.579 Remember that Jesus 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:25.180 is on a kingdom-hearkening mission. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:26.779 What have we learned 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:28.319 about the kingdom of heaven so far? 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:29.919 There is healing, 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:32.180 blessing for the poor in spirit, 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:33.819 and power over evil. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:35.959 Even repentance. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:37.279 Repent, 00:04:37.379 --> 00:04:38.839 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:40.919 This is John the Baptist's call. 00:04:42.039 --> 00:04:43.879 People confess their sins 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:45.979 and are baptized by him in the Jordan 00:04:45.979 --> 00:04:46.959 as a sign of repentance. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:47.959 Repent, 00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:50.479 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, 00:04:50.799 --> 00:04:51.680 is what Jesus says 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:52.699 to launch his ministry. 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:56.039 In the mind of the crowd, 00:04:56.659 --> 00:04:58.419 to repent is to turn from sin 00:04:58.419 --> 00:04:59.479 and to seek God's mercy, 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:00.959 to return to covenant faithfulness. 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:04.000 So what on earth is forgiveness? 00:05:05.419 --> 00:05:06.679 Often tied to atonement, 00:05:07.539 --> 00:05:07.819 death, 00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:08.560 and sacrifice, 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:11.199 forgiveness is God's exclusive act. 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:14.399 Human actors might facilitate forgiveness, 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:16.139 as in the case of priests 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:17.199 sacrificing animals. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:19.099 Even then, 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:19.860 the text describes 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:21.159 how to do this process. 00:05:21.719 --> 00:05:22.680 And they simply say, 00:05:23.019 --> 00:05:24.300 and their sins shall be forgiven. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:26.500 There is no declaration 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:27.459 from the priest. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:29.680 So understand 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.519 just what an incredible break 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:33.379 from normal life 00:05:33.379 --> 00:05:34.360 these people experience 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:35.560 when they hear this teacher 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:36.599 and miracle worker 00:05:36.599 --> 00:05:38.060 personally and directly 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.079 declare the forgiveness 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:40.459 of the paralytic sins 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:42.039 beyond the day of atonement 00:05:42.039 --> 00:05:43.199 and temple sacrifice. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:45.479 Sacrifices, sorry. 00:05:47.219 --> 00:05:48.739 No man before Christ 00:05:48.739 --> 00:05:49.959 has personally declared 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:51.560 the forgiveness of someone's sins. 00:05:52.339 --> 00:05:53.719 Only God from heaven. 00:05:54.899 --> 00:05:56.159 Even Christ has not done so 00:05:56.159 --> 00:05:56.759 before this. 00:05:57.560 --> 00:05:58.759 This event marks 00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:00.359 a significant escalation 00:06:00.359 --> 00:06:01.799 in the unveiling 00:06:01.799 --> 00:06:02.519 of the nature 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:03.620 of the incoming kingdom. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:05.679 Sins are forgiven. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:07.939 At this, 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:08.759 some of the teachers 00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:09.259 of the law 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:10.120 said to themselves, 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:12.120 this fellow is blaspheming. 00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:14.459 Highly respected 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:15.120 Jewish scholars 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:16.300 and religious authorities 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:17.240 who were experts 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:17.840 in the Torah, 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:19.139 the law of Moses, 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:20.939 the teachers of the law 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:21.740 or scribes, 00:06:21.780 --> 00:06:22.740 as they are often called, 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:24.519 are expertly applying 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:24.960 the law 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:26.079 to the wrong person, 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:27.600 accusing Jesus 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:28.740 of slandering 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:29.780 and dishonoring God 00:06:29.780 --> 00:06:30.840 by usurping 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:31.800 his unique role. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.360 A priest in the temple 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:35.379 can look at a stranger 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:36.879 and conceivably say, 00:06:37.280 --> 00:06:38.000 your sins are forgiven. 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:40.160 But here it's Capernaum. 00:06:41.020 --> 00:06:42.040 Jesus is not a priest 00:06:42.040 --> 00:06:42.960 in their understanding 00:06:42.960 --> 00:06:44.120 and the sick man 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.080 has brought no offering, 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:47.139 scapegoat 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:47.840 or guilt offering. 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:50.819 So because the scribes 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:51.460 don't hold Jesus 00:06:51.460 --> 00:06:52.040 to be God, 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:53.800 they hear only blasphemy 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:55.060 in what he says. 00:06:56.580 --> 00:06:57.720 They are not wrong 00:06:57.720 --> 00:06:58.920 that Jesus has just claimed 00:06:58.920 --> 00:06:59.800 divine authority, 00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:01.939 but what does Jesus 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.340 tell us about their response? 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:05.460 Knowing their thoughts, 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:06.699 Jesus said, 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:08.280 why do you entertain 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:09.160 evil thoughts 00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:09.920 in your hearts? 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:12.060 What's so evil 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:13.620 about a little skepticism? 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:16.300 The scribes' eagerness 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:17.080 to slander 00:07:17.080 --> 00:07:18.400 led them to reach 00:07:18.400 --> 00:07:18.980 a conclusion 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.620 without investigation. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.040 They had every right 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:23.980 to question the grounds 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:24.639 on which Jesus 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:25.160 was claiming 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:26.139 this kind of authority, 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:28.420 but instead of inquiring 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:29.139 or giving him 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:30.139 a chance to explain, 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:31.659 they jumped to the conclusion 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:33.159 that he was nothing more 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:34.199 than a regular person 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:35.620 and rushed to pronounce 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:36.159 him guilty. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:38.860 Jesus' miracles 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:40.060 and teachings so far 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:40.719 should be evidence 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:41.779 enough of his authority. 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:43.740 Remember, 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:44.779 in previous weeks, 00:07:45.039 --> 00:07:45.659 when hearing about 00:07:45.659 --> 00:07:46.579 the nature of the 00:07:46.579 --> 00:07:47.579 coming kingdom of heaven, 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:49.240 Jesus has been there 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.259 when people have been healed. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:52.060 Jesus has been there 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.439 as storms are stilled. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:55.060 Jesus has been there 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:55.620 when demons 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:56.620 have been cast out. 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:59.720 more than just being there, 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:00.000 though, 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:02.079 Jesus also, 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:03.720 in a never-before-seen way, 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:05.740 has personally 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:06.720 and directly 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:07.319 healed, 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:08.300 calmed, 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:09.199 and cast out 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:10.379 by his own word. 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:12.980 Jesus has already 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:13.720 exercised 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:14.519 divine authority 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.240 over nature 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:15.920 and the demonic. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:19.000 To understand 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:19.920 the scribes' guilt, 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.100 we must understand 00:08:21.100 --> 00:08:22.160 how these are also 00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:23.160 God's prerogatives. 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:25.320 Only God heals. 00:08:25.700 --> 00:08:26.580 Even as we heard 00:08:26.580 --> 00:08:27.560 of Elijah's involvement 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:28.340 in healings 00:08:28.340 --> 00:08:28.900 as evidence 00:08:28.900 --> 00:08:29.660 of his authority 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:30.200 as a prophet, 00:08:30.760 --> 00:08:31.860 he prescribes actions 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.180 and routines 00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:33.879 to facilitate 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:34.720 God's healings. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:36.399 Do this 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.340 and God will heal you 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:37.840 is how he can 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:38.480 think about it. 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:40.620 Always, 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:41.680 only God heals. 00:08:42.620 --> 00:08:43.019 And yet, 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:44.060 this Messiah heals. 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:45.460 Always, 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:46.519 only God 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:47.120 has mastery 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:47.720 over nature. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:48.860 And yet, 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:49.540 this Messiah 00:08:49.540 --> 00:08:50.259 has mastery 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:50.940 over nature. 00:08:50.940 --> 00:08:52.420 always, 00:08:52.900 --> 00:08:53.580 only God 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:54.120 has control 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:54.680 over demons. 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:55.880 And yet, 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:56.560 this Messiah 00:08:56.560 --> 00:08:57.500 has control 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.520 over demons. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:00.820 Jesus has already 00:09:00.820 --> 00:09:01.380 exercised 00:09:01.380 --> 00:09:02.180 divine authority 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.040 over nature 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:03.740 and the demonic. 00:09:04.520 --> 00:09:05.020 And miracles 00:09:05.020 --> 00:09:05.860 are evidence 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:06.500 of authority. 00:09:08.160 --> 00:09:09.040 The evil 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:09.880 lies in rejecting 00:09:09.880 --> 00:09:10.840 the clear evidence 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:11.340 of Jesus' 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:12.400 divine authority. 00:09:13.760 --> 00:09:14.140 It stems 00:09:14.140 --> 00:09:14.780 from pride, 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:15.860 envy, 00:09:16.280 --> 00:09:17.200 or hardened unbelief 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:18.080 plotting against 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:18.620 the obvious 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:19.800 manifestation of God 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.000 rather than 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:21.939 humbly accepting 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:22.219 it. 00:09:23.819 --> 00:09:24.659 The scribes 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:25.139 here illustrate 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:25.839 one of the main 00:09:25.839 --> 00:09:26.240 takeaways 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:27.479 from this passage. 00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:29.559 Hardened unbelief 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:30.120 and pride, 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:31.039 especially religious 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:31.639 pride, 00:09:32.339 --> 00:09:32.819 can blind 00:09:32.819 --> 00:09:33.500 even knowledgeable 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.039 people 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:35.500 to clear evidence 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.159 of who Jesus 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:36.519 is. 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:38.679 False religion 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:40.240 or self-righteous 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:40.859 skepticism 00:09:40.859 --> 00:09:41.939 is one of the 00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:43.179 biggest obstacles 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:43.819 to truly 00:09:43.819 --> 00:09:44.839 encountering Christ. 00:09:46.079 --> 00:09:46.659 The scribes 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:46.919 should have 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:47.439 turned away 00:09:47.439 --> 00:09:48.599 from their ways 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:49.279 and believed. 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:50.500 Or since 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:51.060 coming to 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:51.680 repentance 00:09:51.680 --> 00:09:52.159 can take 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:52.560 time, 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:53.960 they should 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:54.399 have questioned 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:54.860 themselves 00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:55.320 enough 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:56.200 to start 00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:56.500 moving 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:57.120 towards real 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:57.500 faith. 00:09:59.220 --> 00:09:59.779 Today's 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:00.340 skeptic may 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:00.659 be very 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:00.980 different 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:01.440 from the 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:01.840 scribes 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:02.200 in most 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:02.600 ways, 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.560 but everyone 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:05.040 should stay 00:10:05.040 --> 00:10:05.560 open to the 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.100 evidence of 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:06.320 Jesus' 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:06.980 godhood, 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:07.680 authority, 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:08.240 and grace, 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:09.740 and all 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:10.379 should repent 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.019 and believe. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:12.800 If you're 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:13.360 wrestling with 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:13.940 who Jesus 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:14.500 really is, 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:15.340 don't harden 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:15.940 your heart. 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:17.500 Look at the 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.120 evidence he's 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:18.700 already given 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:19.240 in scripture 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.100 and in the 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:20.820 changed lives 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:21.379 of the people 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:21.899 around you. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:23.860 We should 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:24.320 take a hard 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:24.759 look at our 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:25.240 own hearts 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:25.620 for evil 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:26.039 thoughts, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.000 like the 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:27.399 ones the 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:27.700 scribes 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:27.960 had, 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:29.240 judging ahead 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:29.919 without proof, 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:31.259 refusing to 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:31.620 check the 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.019 evidence, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.019 or holding 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:33.620 tight to our 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.159 own ways 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:34.759 and ideas 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:35.559 instead of 00:10:35.559 --> 00:10:36.059 bowing to 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:36.340 Jesus' 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:36.980 word. 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:38.840 After all, 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:39.419 he speaks 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:39.679 with the 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:40.820 authority which 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:41.480 only God 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.340 possesses. 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:45.600 But Jesus 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.120 doesn't leave 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.660 the claim to 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:46.940 God's 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:47.360 authority 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:47.720 hanging. 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:49.300 He knows 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:49.740 the scribes' 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:50.300 thoughts and 00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:51.019 confronts them. 00:10:52.300 --> 00:10:53.019 Rather than 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:53.680 destroy them, 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.379 he graciously 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.240 offers proof. 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:57.220 Jesus proves 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:57.879 his authority 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:58.940 with visible 00:10:58.940 --> 00:10:59.460 power. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:02.300 Jesus provides 00:11:02.300 --> 00:11:02.800 this proof 00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:03.580 clearly and 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:04.720 deliberately to 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.460 unveil his 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.040 godly nature 00:11:06.040 --> 00:11:06.580 to us, 00:11:07.160 --> 00:11:07.440 and we'll 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:07.900 explore what 00:11:07.900 --> 00:11:08.340 that means 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.320 and consider 00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:10.100 some implications 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:11.139 of healing 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:11.560 the man 00:11:11.560 --> 00:11:11.940 second. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:14.399 Describe the 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.160 scribes' 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:15.460 evil, 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:16.500 Christ deals 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.180 graciously with 00:11:17.180 --> 00:11:17.320 them, 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:17.660 saying, 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:18.700 which is 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:19.040 easier, 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.379 to say 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:20.840 your sins 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:21.340 are forgiven 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:22.139 or to 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:22.580 say get 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:22.960 up and 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.280 walk? 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:25.639 He asks 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:26.180 a rhetorical 00:11:26.180 --> 00:11:26.620 question, 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:27.560 one which 00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:27.960 is far 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:28.560 gentler than 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:29.180 the rhetorical 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:29.740 rebukes we 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:30.220 see earlier 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:30.720 in Scripture. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.519 When Job 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:33.300 doubts God's 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:33.780 justice, 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:34.800 he is asked, 00:11:35.160 --> 00:11:35.519 where were 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.040 you when I 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:36.360 laid the 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:37.000 foundation of 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:37.420 the earth? 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.360 Tell me if 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:38.720 you have 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:39.320 understanding. 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:40.879 It's a 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:41.200 completely 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:41.759 legitimate 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.580 response, 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.480 but Christ 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.059 now simply 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:44.539 asks, 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:45.500 which is 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:45.939 easier? 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:47.360 An opportunity 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.080 for the scribes 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:48.539 to reflect, 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:48.980 perhaps? 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:50.439 Let us 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.120 reflect together. 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:52.639 Well, 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:53.000 which is 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.460 easier to 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:53.700 do? 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:54.960 And what 00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:55.240 would it 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:55.519 mean? 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:58.019 For us, 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:58.819 neither is 00:11:58.819 --> 00:11:59.460 really easier. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:00.840 Achieving 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:01.580 either is an 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.220 impossibility. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:03.659 For Christ, 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.240 both are 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:04.980 declared easily. 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.200 He has the 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:06.600 authority. 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:07.600 forgiveness. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.259 But for 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.580 which is 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.019 easier to 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.399 say, 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.180 for Christ 00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:10.440 under 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:10.879 scrutiny, 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.220 the scribes 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:12.820 can easily 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:13.500 deny that 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:13.860 forgiveness 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.399 has happened. 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:15.980 They can't 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:17.180 deny that a 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:17.580 man with 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:18.100 no use of 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.639 his limbs 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.740 gets up 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.480 and walks 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:21.000 before their 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.740 very eyes. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:23.540 Therefore, 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.379 the implication 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.680 is saying 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:26.259 your sins 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:26.840 are forgiven 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:27.800 is easier. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:29.759 If the 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:30.220 man's sins 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:30.680 are forgiven, 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:31.680 then there 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:32.519 is no 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.340 usurpation 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:33.940 or blasphemy. 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:35.940 Likewise, 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:36.480 if the 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:36.860 man gets 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.160 up and 00:12:37.160 --> 00:12:38.320 walks when 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:38.760 told, 00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:40.100 Jesus is 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.400 the one 00:12:40.400 --> 00:12:40.720 who did 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:40.920 it. 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:43.040 The healing 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:43.760 miracle is 00:12:43.760 --> 00:12:44.360 proof of 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:44.740 Christ's 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.320 authority to 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.040 forgive sins. 00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:48.540 What we 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.300 don't get is 00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:49.780 a technical 00:12:49.780 --> 00:12:50.700 analysis of 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.560 precisely which 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:52.660 mechanism enables 00:12:52.660 --> 00:12:53.080 what. 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:54.740 That's why, 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.460 at first glance, 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:56.360 Jesus' argument 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:56.860 might be 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.320 confusing. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.560 After all, 00:12:58.920 --> 00:12:59.320 since the 00:12:59.320 --> 00:12:59.840 soul is more 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.500 mysterious than 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:00.860 the body, 00:13:01.900 --> 00:13:02.700 forgiving sins 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.920 should make 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:04.299 maybe or 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:04.919 obviously be 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:05.279 a bigger, 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:05.939 more impressive 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:07.319 miracle than 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:08.019 healing someone's 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:08.240 body. 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:09.319 Sorry, 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:09.959 forgiving sins 00:13:09.959 --> 00:13:10.759 should be a 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:11.240 bigger, 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:11.779 more impressive 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.419 miracle than 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.000 healing someone's 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:13.219 body. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.240 But here's the 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:16.019 simple explanation. 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:18.099 Jesus is 00:13:18.099 --> 00:13:18.659 meeting them 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.419 right where 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:19.799 they are. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.519 These people 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.419 were so focused 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.219 on physical, 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.599 visible things 00:13:24.599 --> 00:13:26.079 that a tangible 00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:26.959 miracle like 00:13:26.959 --> 00:13:27.899 healing hit them 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.480 much harder 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.659 and felt more 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.620 real than the 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.539 deeper spiritual 00:13:31.539 --> 00:13:32.399 work of 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:32.980 forgiveness 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.019 and eternal 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:34.560 salvation. 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.519 And this 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.080 stooping down 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:38.379 to their 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.720 level is our 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.740 first hint that 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.620 Jesus cares to 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.580 show himself to 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:44.560 us, uncovering 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:45.379 his true nature. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.620 He continues to 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.480 do so plainly. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.600 To the scribes 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.320 he continues to 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:50.960 speak, saying, 00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:52.320 but I want you 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:53.500 to know that 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.340 the Son of Man 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:55.259 has authority on 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.200 earth to forgive 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:56.800 sins. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.200 Very clearly 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.080 here, Christ 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:00.659 states his 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.159 intention. 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.459 He is about 00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:02.980 to show his 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.860 power and 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.299 right to 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.959 forgive sins. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:06.839 He will give 00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:07.539 everything, this 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.240 is no simple 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:08.639 claim. 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:10.120 Son of Man 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.079 is a messianic 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:12.240 title, the 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.779 one who comes 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.279 to redeem 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:13.939 God's people. 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:16.480 But even with 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.179 all the intense 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:18.219 implications that 00:14:18.219 --> 00:14:18.839 come with it, 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.279 the claim to the 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.139 authority to 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:21.959 forgive sins on 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:23.360 earth is a new 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.259 development from 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.980 the point of view 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.839 of the scribes. 00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:28.100 Indeed, the 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:28.839 Messiah might 00:14:28.839 --> 00:14:29.919 intercede for 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:31.000 forgiveness or 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.639 atone via 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.659 temple rituals or 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.039 end-time 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.639 restoration. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.079 But not like 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:35.459 this. 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.319 It's not just 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:38.000 new, it's 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.299 shocking. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.099 And it's 00:14:39.099 --> 00:14:39.759 shocking for a 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.379 reason that we 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:40.919 as Christians 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.519 ought to take 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.199 great comfort 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:42.459 in. 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:44.019 Because it 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.620 claimed for a 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.219 human figure, 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:46.559 the Son of 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.620 Man, what 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.120 belonged to 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.779 God alone. 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:50.839 And it 00:14:50.839 --> 00:14:51.459 bypassed the 00:14:51.459 --> 00:14:51.860 temple's 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.259 sacrificial 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.099 systems as 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:53.659 the scribes 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:54.339 understood it. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.059 Jesus shows 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:57.559 that there is 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.159 no higher 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.879 court to appeal 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.320 to you. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:00.840 No extra 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.500 step needed. 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.399 No room for 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:03.679 doubt. 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:04.860 When Jesus 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.740 says your 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.360 sins are 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.259 forgiven, it 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.799 carries the 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.580 full weight of 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.220 God's own 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:09.559 pardon. 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.500 You can have 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.139 full assurance 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:12.700 of forgiveness, 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.779 not based on 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.419 how you feel, 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:15.220 what you've 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:15.939 done, or 00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:16.220 what any 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:16.919 temple priest 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:18.539 says, but 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:19.120 on the sure 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:19.840 word of the 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:20.439 Son of Man, 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.679 who proves he 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:22.179 has the right 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:22.779 to say it. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.240 Be encouraged 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.240 because Jesus 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.039 is fully God 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.439 and fully 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:27.759 man. 00:15:28.719 --> 00:15:29.399 He perfectly 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:29.980 bridges the 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.699 gap that sin 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:31.240 made between 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.639 God and 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:31.939 us. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.699 That means we 00:15:33.699 --> 00:15:34.459 can draw near 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:35.019 with confidence 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.699 to the throne 00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.839 of grace without 00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:37.699 any fear of 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.120 being turned 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.839 away, without 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.879 needing go-betweens 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.379 or special 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:41.799 rights. 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:43.360 His work as 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.219 our go-between, 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.779 our middleman, 00:15:46.339 --> 00:15:47.219 gives us bold, 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:48.860 close prayer and 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.559 true fellowship 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.339 with the Father. 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:52.980 Be encouraged 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.980 because with 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.639 these words, 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.580 Jesus makes 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.139 it clear that 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:56.659 he's not just 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.559 a messenger or 00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:58.139 a witness to 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.659 this grace, 00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.679 he's the very 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.399 source of it. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.399 But why does 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:03.919 he add on 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.259 earth? 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.259 What good would 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:05.939 it do us to 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:06.500 get forgiveness 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.000 here if it's 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:07.480 not backed up 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:07.799 in heaven? 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.179 Is this what 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:09.699 this means? 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.080 No, rather 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.580 the opposite. 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:14.519 His point is 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.600 simple, we don't 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.319 have to look far 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:17.059 off for forgiveness 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:19.059 of sins, he 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:19.679 holds it right 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.299 there in his 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.620 own person, as 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.139 if it's in his 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.100 hands for us to 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:23.360 take. 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.539 Jesus came 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.319 down to earth 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:27.879 to show us 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.319 that God's 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:29.600 grace is right 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.419 here among us, 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.399 present and 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:31.659 real. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.019 That's why we 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.539 talk about him 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.220 forgiving sins 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:37.059 visibly, because 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:37.840 in him and 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:39.240 through him, God's 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.100 true will was 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.879 laid open for 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.539 all to see. 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.480 Before that, to 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.439 our fleshy eyes, 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.419 it had always 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.639 seen hidden, far 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.399 above the clouds. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.980 There is so much 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.860 grace and blessing 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.659 for us here. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:54.039 And beyond 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.500 the grace, 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:55.620 essentially Jesus 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.500 affirms that he 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.179 does claim 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.639 Godhood. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.319 He has forgiven 00:16:59.319 --> 00:17:00.159 the man's sins. 00:17:01.199 --> 00:17:01.819 He claims it 00:17:01.819 --> 00:17:02.659 is his right as 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.579 the son of man, 00:17:04.639 --> 00:17:05.740 a title formulated 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.700 in a way which 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.819 incidentally is 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.539 very formal. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.500 Son, in this 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.379 sense, shows 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:12.659 identity and is 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:13.159 similar to the 00:17:13.159 --> 00:17:13.740 concept of an 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.619 heir, which is a 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.379 legal identity, 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.279 much different from 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.940 how he has just 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.799 addressed the poor 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.619 but faithful 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.899 paralytic, calling 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:23.159 him my son, my 00:17:23.159 --> 00:17:24.819 child, tenderly. 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.759 Let us see now how 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.539 he deals tenderly 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:28.940 with him. 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:32.180 From the scribes, he 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:33.119 then turns back to 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.019 the man lying on the 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.319 floor. 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:35.940 There is the grace 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.159 of God before their 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:37.839 very eyes. 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.539 Then the man got up 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.220 and went home. 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:43.619 The healing is 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.079 complete. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.180 And the man shows 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.419 total obedience to 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.860 the command, carrying 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:49.680 that which carried 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:49.920 him. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.380 The less easy thing 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.340 to say is verified 00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:54.700 quickly, giving 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.519 assurance of his 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:55.880 forgiveness. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.980 A man destitute of 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.660 all the use of his 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:02.240 limbs, lying on a 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.720 bed and lowered by 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:05.320 cords, suddenly rises 00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:07.080 again in health, 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.220 vigor, and agility. 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.320 The scribes are 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:10.800 silenced. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.500 The man has been 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.560 faithful and obedient. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.400 And remember that he 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.420 was forgiven first, 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:19.820 with what felt, to me, 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.860 like a lot of suspense 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.380 in between. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.860 By healing him 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:25.759 physically last, Jesus 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.940 gently reminds the man 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.580 where his trouble 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:29.440 really came from, and 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.200 how he should shape 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.700 his prayers. 00:18:32.600 --> 00:18:33.560 Most of us don't 00:18:33.560 --> 00:18:34.580 stop to think that the 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:35.220 hardships and 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.480 illnesses we suffer are 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.780 ultimately due to sin. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.800 Shown in earlier 00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:40.680 narratives is moved 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:42.040 with a feeling of sorrow 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:43.140 and compassion in the 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.860 face of suffering. 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:47.619 But sometimes we ask 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.579 for nothing more than 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.659 some relief in the body 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:51.719 while staying completely 00:18:51.719 --> 00:18:53.559 unconcerned about our 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:53.919 sins. 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:56.240 Like a sick person who 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.019 ignores the actual 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.379 disease after it has 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.539 been clearly diagnosed 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.119 for him. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:04.439 And just wants pain to 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:04.959 ease for now. 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:08.059 Again, it is good to 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.879 hope for relief from 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.199 pain. 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:11.139 But we can ask for 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.440 more. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.520 Jesus ranks forgiveness 00:19:13.520 --> 00:19:14.880 first because the only 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:16.640 real way to be freed from 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:18.840 every kind of evil is to 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:19.960 have God at peace with 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.259 us. 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:23.780 Christian, we must pray 00:19:23.780 --> 00:19:24.720 for forgiveness and 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.880 reconciliation to God 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.900 above all else. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:29.040 And do so with 00:19:29.040 --> 00:19:30.920 confidence because Jesus 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.000 has proven his 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.520 authority with visible 00:19:33.520 --> 00:19:33.960 power. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.860 And because the Holy 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.820 Spirit has given us 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.840 faith and has 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:38.440 witnessed to our 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:41.080 hearts the truth of 00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:42.180 Christ's words when he 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.680 says to us, my 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.460 child, your sins are 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:45.720 forgiven. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.180 There is a right 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.259 response to proven 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.220 authority to forgive 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.160 sins, which is all 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.279 faith and worship. 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.380 If we look at the 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.120 responses from the 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:58.860 people in the passage, 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.000 we can reflect on 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.340 ours. 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:03.220 So the scribes are 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.660 silenced. 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.200 It is they who have 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.360 slandered God after all. 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:08.019 What about everyone 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.399 else? 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.740 When the crowd saw 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.939 this, they were filled 00:20:11.939 --> 00:20:13.399 with awe and they 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.219 praised God who had 00:20:14.219 --> 00:20:15.659 given such authority to 00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:15.939 man. 00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:18.719 The crowds reached the 00:20:18.719 --> 00:20:19.699 realization which the 00:20:19.699 --> 00:20:21.419 scribes had not, of the 00:20:21.419 --> 00:20:22.819 authority of God 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:25.399 vested in man. 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:28.779 The awe and fear are a 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.500 holy, trembling wonder 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.719 at something divine 00:20:31.719 --> 00:20:32.619 breaking into the 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.019 ordinary. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:35.759 Glorifying God is the 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:37.240 right response and is 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.480 almost the opposite of 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.279 the scribes' evil 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:39.740 thoughts. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:42.259 They do all this without 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.660 yet fully grasping his 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.480 divine identity. 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:47.819 We, therefore, who do 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.859 grasp this union of 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.359 godhood and humanity in 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.420 Christ's person should 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.460 glory all the more. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.359 But the crowd who 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.839 glorify God are only 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.680 partly right here. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:00.619 Yes, they saw a man 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.460 standing in front of 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.500 them, but they should 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.319 have sensed in their 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.319 hearts something far 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.819 greater than just a man. 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:08.160 They're spot on that 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.180 human nature was lifted 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.220 high in Christ for the 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:13.519 good of humanity, for 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.220 the good of everyone. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.759 But because they didn't 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.799 yet see that he was God 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:19.620 made flesh, this praise 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.960 still carries a bit of a 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.460 mistake. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:24.720 In short, yes, God 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:26.640 really did give this 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.700 authority to a man. 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.600 But they hadn't yet 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:31.860 grasped how that the full 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:33.640 majesty of God had been 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:35.000 joined to human flesh. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.299 Is this a fair critique of 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.759 the crowds? 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:43.140 Historically, we might not 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:44.480 expect an ordinary crowd 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:46.400 to uncover the full truth 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.940 right away. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.539 But if you read Matthew's 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:51.420 whole gospel as one big 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.720 story with its deeper 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:54.539 teaching in mind, the 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.700 crowds and the scribes 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:57.019 really ought to have seen 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.019 that Jesus wasn't just 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.940 someone with special 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.440 authority. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.220 They ought to have known 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:02.039 from his teaching that 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.759 they're amazed by him, but 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:05.180 they never step into true, 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.220 deep belief. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.940 When Christ was later to be 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.519 innocently crucified, they 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.960 chose to free Barabbas, not 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.220 him. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.779 And the guilty silence of the 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:16.480 scribes as religious leaders 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.480 will grow into doubt, then 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:20.400 open hostility, and finally 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.160 murder. 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.779 I'm going far forward in the 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:26.000 book for a reading, for a 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.240 warning. 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.720 When reading this passage, 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.339 I'm tempted to make the 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.740 scribes in the crowd into a 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:33.599 nicely packaged juxtaposition. 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:36.240 How unlike those hypocritical 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.839 scribes are those jolly 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:39.399 trusting fellows in the 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:39.639 crowd? 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:43.500 Again, glorifying God is the 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:45.200 right response, and it is 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.740 almost the opposite of the 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.799 scribes' evil thoughts. 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.240 They recognize something 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.680 special. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.500 But if you are here and you 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.879 do not believe in the God-man 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:56.700 Jesus Christ, even if you 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:58.340 enthusiastically recognize 00:22:58.340 --> 00:23:00.120 something special in Christ, 00:23:00.520 --> 00:23:01.480 something prophet-like, 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.660 somewhat virtuous, somewhat 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:05.460 powerful, quite forgiving, 00:23:05.800 --> 00:23:07.720 even quite loving, you are 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.840 missing something like the 00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:10.060 crowds are missing something. 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:13.000 And you will go on to do as 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.960 the crowds later do. 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:16.480 When push comes to shove, you 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.940 will crucify Christ in your 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.280 heart. 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:21.119 There is nothing somewhat 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.859 goddish about a quite loving 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.299 Messiah. 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.700 There is only an absolutely 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.879 sovereign God-man with a 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:29.720 finished work on the cross and 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.039 a complete forgiveness for 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.079 those who have faith and 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.399 repentance for the forgiveness 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:34.000 of sins. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:39.619 This is the good news, that even 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:41.460 whilst there is enmity between 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.839 God and humanity, God the Father 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:45.420 sends God the Son to take on 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:48.759 flesh and to be like us, the Son 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.180 of Man. 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:51.440 And the Son of Man, as it says 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.720 in Daniel, will be lifted up. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:53.860 How? 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:56.380 By willingly being raised onto a 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:58.700 cross in excruciating pain, 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:01.300 despite being innocent, having 00:24:01.300 --> 00:24:02.840 completely and perfectly kept the 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:04.820 law, the law that we break 00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:05.200 daily. 00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:08.360 And on that cross, he feels in 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:10.180 his humanity the weight and 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.680 wrath the Father has for sin. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:14.440 So excruciating is the pain that 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.660 it is described as God 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.580 forsakenness. 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:20.060 Jesus suffers and dies at the 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:21.080 cost for sin. 00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:25.220 And that great cost pays for the 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.680 sins of anyone who by faith 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.700 believes it is theirs. 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:30.320 Even those who in that moment 00:24:30.320 --> 00:24:32.460 jeer and spit and torture him. 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:36.660 Even we who have jeered and spat on 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.940 and offended Christ in our 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.340 hearts. 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:42.420 Even for you, who still do so by 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:44.759 denying him as the scribes did, can 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.960 see and accept Jesus for who he 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:49.160 has shown himself to be, God and 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.720 Savior, and be forgiven. 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:55.779 Jesus died and rose again, ultimate 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.980 proof of his truthfulness. 00:24:58.420 --> 00:25:00.200 Those who believe, sustained always 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.860 by God the Holy Spirit dwelling in 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:04.680 us, live in fullness of life, and 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:06.420 have a sure place in heaven for all 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:06.860 eternity. 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:10.680 So do not deny the scriptural 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:12.340 evidence of Christ's authority as 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:13.000 the scribes did. 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.059 Learned as they were. 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:18.259 The takeaway is this. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:21.680 Jesus perceives our faith and is 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.940 moved to action by it. 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:27.420 He grants what we need most on 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.799 earth from the kingdom of heaven. 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.319 Forgiveness. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:34.359 Therefore, he is surely a worthy 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:37.259 object of all faith and worship. 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:41.319 To finish, let me end with these 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.079 words of encouragement. 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:46.859 Christian, we must be encouraged by 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.980 this wonderful assurance. 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.659 And in gratefulness and love, worship 00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:52.240 God as often as we can. 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.919 And let us never doubt or be 00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:55.419 discouraged. 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:58.580 This voice of authority from Christ 00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.920 is the voice of God. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:03.259 It speaks creation into existence. 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:05.759 It comes from the cloud, bringing 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.580 God's good law. 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:09.440 And when we fail to keep that law, 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.320 Christ here uses it to bring the 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:12.860 gospel, to forgive. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:16.000 The same voice with the same 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:19.000 authority, though we die, calls us to 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:21.740 newness of life and will raise us up in 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.559 a new creation. 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.779 Jesus personally declares, 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.440 your sins are forgiven. 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:31.240 Martin Luther, in his sermon on the 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.160 same passage, says, 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:35.059 these words show and contain in brief 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.599 what the kingdom of Christ is, 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.660 namely this sweet voice, 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:42.599 these motherly and fatherly words 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.460 penetrating our inmost soul. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:46.600 your sins are forgiven. 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:51.500 God shows himself to us and teaches 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:54.340 us about himself, coming to earth and 00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:56.340 so clearly and beautifully telling us 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.539 he is here to forgive us. 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:01.640 We can indeed draw nigh to God, 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:04.960 but so mighty is our mistrustfulness 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:07.480 that we never risk believing God is 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:10.259 kind to us till he draws nigh to us 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:12.859 and speaks to us as one who is well 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:14.379 known and dear to him, 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.920 saying, my child, 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.759 your sins are forgiven. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.900 Let us pray. 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.900 Amen.