WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.339 This morning as we come to God's Word, we're continuing the story of Jesus as told by Luke. 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:10.400 We are in chapter 5, so if you have your Bible, you're welcome to turn there. 00:00:11.540 --> 00:00:18.320 And this morning we come to one of my favorite accounts of the great signs that Jesus performed. 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:26.900 We're still looking at Jesus' early ministry, and a couple weeks ago we heard about how Jesus began to call his first disciples, 00:00:26.899 --> 00:00:32.500 and we heard about how he healed a man with a severe skin disease. 00:00:33.259 --> 00:00:38.780 This morning we're going to hear about how Jesus healed a paralyzed man. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:44.439 And we're reading together from Luke chapter 5, verse 17. 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:53.840 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:01:00.680 They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. 00:01:01.620 --> 00:01:05.640 And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:16.900 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:20.100 So Luke sets the scene for us. 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:22.980 Jesus is in the house, and he's teaching. 00:01:23.540 --> 00:01:26.400 And the house is jam-packed with people. 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:33.800 Luke mentions that a good number of Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there listening to Jesus. 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:35.960 Who were the Pharisees? 00:01:36.520 --> 00:01:43.080 They were a highly influential religious party, or some would call them a movement, among the Jews. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:46.780 And they were especially influential among the common people. 00:01:47.819 --> 00:01:52.439 Some of them held positions in the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish ruling council, 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:56.560 though that was largely controlled actually by the Sadducees. 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:03.480 The Pharisees were known for their strict observance and adherence to the law of Moses. 00:02:03.480 --> 00:02:13.360 And along with that, they also had their own oral tradition, which they saw as authoritative and necessary in order to interpret and imply the scriptures correctly. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:18.300 So they played a significant role in the religious life of the Jews. 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:25.580 They were often ones teaching in the synagogues and giving interpretations of the law. 00:02:25.580 --> 00:02:30.360 The others, Luke says, were there were the teachers of the law. 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:34.780 Not all teachers of the law were Pharisees. 00:02:35.760 --> 00:02:38.840 Being a Pharisee was like having a religious affiliation. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:42.000 But a teacher of the law was a profession. 00:02:43.260 --> 00:02:50.020 These guys were kind of like lawyers or judges who specialized in matters of religion. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:51.200 They were scholars. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:57.299 They were considered religious experts and authorities on the law. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:58.539 They taught the law. 00:02:58.799 --> 00:03:04.939 They gave rulings and judgments about the meaning of the law of Moses and about compliance with it. 00:03:06.019 --> 00:03:10.299 So Luke wants us to know that these guys were there as Jesus was teaching. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:17.239 Not only that, but Luke wants us to know that this wasn't just a couple Pharisees and a couple teachers of the law from town. 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:22.420 These Pharisees and teachers of the law had come from all over the country. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:26.780 From every village of Galilee. 00:03:27.260 --> 00:03:29.800 Galilee was the whole northern region of Israel. 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:33.920 And from the southern region of Israel, Judea. 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:40.060 And they came from Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel as well. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:41.900 So this is no small detail. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:43.100 Jesus is teaching. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:46.980 There's a huge crowd from the religious establishment there. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:52.020 And so you can already imagine the tension that would have been in the room. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:04:02.040 To them, who is this guy, Jesus, going around teaching town to town, synagogue to synagogue? 00:04:02.760 --> 00:04:04.360 Who does he align with? 00:04:05.420 --> 00:04:08.640 What authority does he claim to be doing this? 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:12.339 So we've got the Pharisees. 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:13.879 We've got the teachers of the law there. 00:04:14.339 --> 00:04:18.259 Luke mentions that Jesus has the power of God to heal present. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:25.560 And up to this house walk four men carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:28.120 Now Luke doesn't specify the number of men. 00:04:28.599 --> 00:04:30.539 But Mark in his gospel does. 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:31.500 It was four men. 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:36.879 And they are carrying their friend on a mat. 00:04:37.140 --> 00:04:38.300 Literally a bed. 00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:41.620 We don't know exactly what kind of bed this was. 00:04:42.140 --> 00:04:45.820 Many translations today seem to be moving more towards stretcher. 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:50.920 But it wouldn't obviously be the medical kind that we're used to seeing today. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:53.379 It probably would have been something simple. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:57.500 Maybe a board wrapped in cloth with some handles cut into it. 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:04.139 And they're carrying this man who Luke says was paralyzed. 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:08.159 No other details are given about the man's condition. 00:05:08.579 --> 00:05:12.019 We don't know how long it's been like this for this man. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:16.519 We don't know what was the cause of his paralysis. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:21.219 At the least it means that he's unable to walk. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:24.899 He's lost the use of his legs. 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:31.479 Luke says they tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 00:05:31.479 --> 00:05:34.000 Literally they were seeking to bring him in. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:40.259 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd. 00:05:41.159 --> 00:05:42.759 They went up on the roof. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:46.879 And lowered him on his mat through the tiles. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:48.839 Into the middle of the crowd. 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:51.439 Right in front of Jesus. 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:56.659 So they made a fair effort to get this man into the house. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:58.419 They were seeking to bring him in. 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:01.860 They did not find a way to bring him in through the crowd. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:07.439 You can imagine them trying to get by people like, excuse me, can we come in? 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:09.199 Can you let us through? 00:06:09.580 --> 00:06:12.920 Perhaps even trying to nudge or push their way in. 00:06:13.660 --> 00:06:15.139 But they just couldn't get in. 00:06:15.520 --> 00:06:16.819 Too many people in the way. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:20.759 Perhaps even some were telling them, you know, wait your turn. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:23.100 We've traveled a long way to be here. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:27.320 As a way of reflecting on this, think about your own home. 00:06:28.900 --> 00:06:35.960 How many people could you pack into your house before it would become physically impossible for any more to get in? 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:43.439 You can kind of imagine the bodies of people jammed in so tightly that nobody can even move. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:48.860 Somewhere in the house, they could hear Jesus teaching. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.480 But getting in was impossible. 00:06:52.579 --> 00:06:55.740 So finally they gave up and they started looking for another way in. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:59.100 Luke says they carried him up to the roof. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:05.339 And lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd. 00:07:05.339 --> 00:07:12.459 According to New Testament scholar Daryl Bach, the typical house in Palestine back then had two stories. 00:07:13.799 --> 00:07:16.659 The roof was the second story. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:21.979 And steps often went up to the roof right on the outside of the building. 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:23.239 They were easily accessible. 00:07:24.059 --> 00:07:28.219 The roof was usually somewhat flat and about six feet above the ground. 00:07:29.059 --> 00:07:32.599 Wooden beams were laid across the top of the stone or mud walls. 00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:38.300 With a layer of reeds, thorns, and several inches of clay on top of them. 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:41.340 So these men go up on the roof. 00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:45.340 And then they proceed to open a hole in the roof. 00:07:46.460 --> 00:07:50.160 Luke describes the man being lowered through the tiles. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:54.379 This wouldn't be like the suspended ceiling tiles that we're used to seeing today. 00:07:55.080 --> 00:07:58.280 Mark in his gospel actually uses the verb dig. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:01.280 With reference to how they opened the hole. 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:05.339 So probably they were removing a chunk of the section of clay. 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:09.099 So that they could lower him down. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.659 Imagine this from the perspective of the people inside. 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:16.179 Here they are listening to Jesus teach. 00:08:16.859 --> 00:08:19.859 All of a sudden you hear the sound of footsteps on the roof. 00:08:20.299 --> 00:08:21.019 And voices. 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:23.839 And then the sound of digging. 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:30.159 And then you see some material from the roof begin to crumble down. 00:08:32.079 --> 00:08:34.819 We don't know what was happening in all those moments. 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:36.839 Jesus probably just went on teaching. 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:40.720 Until finally a whole section all of a sudden is opened up. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:43.000 And a head appears looking down into the room. 00:08:43.079 --> 00:08:44.199 And the daylight behind. 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:48.040 What were they thinking? 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:50.320 Wow. 00:08:51.160 --> 00:08:53.280 Those guys really want to hear Jesus. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.320 But that's a little extreme. 00:08:57.400 --> 00:08:59.160 They're doing damage to the roof. 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:03.860 And then you can imagine the look on their faces. 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:08.000 As they see this bed being lowered through the hole. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:10.899 With a guy lying on top of it. 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:14.500 They lower him right down in front of Jesus. 00:09:16.079 --> 00:09:17.079 What an entrance. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:22.000 And isn't this the moment that many of the Pharisees. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:24.100 And the teachers of the law have been waiting for. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.439 They want to see Jesus in action. 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:28.880 They want to see a miracle. 00:09:29.880 --> 00:09:31.800 And here's a man who's not just sick. 00:09:31.920 --> 00:09:32.620 But paralyzed. 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:34.020 Just come through the roof. 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:36.320 What's Jesus going to do? 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.920 Will he heal the man? 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:40.180 Right in front of them? 00:09:42.820 --> 00:09:44.860 When Jesus saw their faith. 00:09:46.040 --> 00:09:46.900 He said. 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:47.640 Friend. 00:09:48.520 --> 00:09:50.420 Your sins are forgiven. 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:55.940 Let's not miss what Jesus saw from the men. 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:58.520 Including the paralyzed man himself. 00:09:58.680 --> 00:10:00.800 He saw their faith. 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:05.460 How did he see their faith? 00:10:07.560 --> 00:10:09.820 Jesus saw it in their actions. 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:14.120 They proved that they truly believed. 00:10:15.400 --> 00:10:18.420 That Jesus was able to heal their friend. 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:20.120 By this extreme measure. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:22.120 Of digging through the roof. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.279 And lowering him down. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:24.240 To Jesus. 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:26.659 You wouldn't go to this length. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:28.679 Unless you were certain. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:31.240 Unless you really believe. 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:32.360 The news about Jesus. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:33.259 That's been spreading. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.700 That he has the power. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:35.639 To heal. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:39.480 And this is a health condition. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.700 That's quite serious. 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:42.840 Like inability to walk. 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:47.080 Unable to use his legs. 00:10:48.280 --> 00:10:49.680 Think about all the doctors. 00:10:49.680 --> 00:10:51.620 This man may have seen in his life. 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:54.960 And yet the trouble. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.180 That it took them to get this man to Jesus. 00:10:57.180 --> 00:10:58.540 Shows just how sincerely. 00:10:58.800 --> 00:10:59.440 They believed. 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:00.759 In Jesus. 00:11:02.180 --> 00:11:04.420 When Jesus saw their faith. 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:05.379 He said. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:05.840 Friend. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:05.879 Friend. 00:11:07.040 --> 00:11:08.420 Your sins are forgiven. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.399 I love this. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.280 These are not the words. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:15.860 We're expecting to hear. 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:16.780 Out of Jesus mouth. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.420 In this moment. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:19.980 This man has come. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.100 For physical healing. 00:11:23.280 --> 00:11:24.620 He has real faith. 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.720 That Jesus can do it. 00:11:26.780 --> 00:11:28.040 And Jesus tells him. 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:29.340 That his sins. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.379 Are forgiven. 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:36.019 The Pharisees. 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.980 And the teachers of the law. 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.139 Began thinking to themselves. 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:39.159 Who is this fellow. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.960 Who speaks blasphemy. 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:43.759 Who can forgive sins. 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:45.220 But God alone. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:47.919 So. 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:50.320 That statement of Jesus. 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.899 Bothered the Pharisees. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.600 It bothered the teachers of the law. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:54.659 They're thinking. 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:56.779 Your sins are forgiven. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.899 Who are you. 00:11:59.340 --> 00:11:59.679 Jesus. 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:01.000 To say such a thing. 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.439 Who do you think you are. 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.840 And they're right about one thing. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.120 They're right. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.159 That sins. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.480 By definition. 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.840 Are not just the stuff. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:16.299 That we do against one another. 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:17.539 They are the wrongs. 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:18.779 That we do against God. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:22.120 And they are right. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:24.159 That only God. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:25.919 Can forgive sins. 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:28.919 If our sins are against him. 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:29.960 Then only he can. 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:32.400 Grant us forgiveness. 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:33.340 That's true. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.379 They're right about that. 00:12:34.800 --> 00:12:35.759 And ordinarily. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:37.379 If this was anybody else. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.519 Saying this. 00:12:38.660 --> 00:12:39.620 Your sins are forgiven. 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:41.879 They would be right. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:45.240 This would be a blasphemous statement. 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:47.779 We know this. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:49.080 No ordinary man. 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:50.340 Has the authority. 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.820 Or the ability. 00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:54.759 To get people off the hook with God. 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:56.899 For the wrongs that they have done. 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:01.320 They see Jesus as being. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:02.639 An ordinary man. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:05.639 And so in their minds. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.980 They're beginning to charge him. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.299 With blasphemy. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.679 You can't just tell this man. 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:11.799 That his sins are forgiven. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.379 Who do you think you are? 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.399 Only God can do that. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:17.840 Are you claiming to be God? 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:23.100 Jesus knew what they were thinking. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:24.759 And asked. 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:27.620 Why are you thinking these things. 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:29.419 In your hearts. 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.860 Which is easier. 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:34.559 To say. 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:37.100 Your sins are forgiven. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.840 Or to say. 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.240 Get up and walk. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:46.259 So Jesus challenges. 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.039 The very thoughts of their hearts. 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:50.159 And he does it with this question. 00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:51.100 Which is easier. 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:53.480 To say. 00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:54.500 Your sins are forgiven. 00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.800 Or to say. 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.779 Get up. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.259 And walk. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:02.440 Imagine you're one of the people. 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:03.300 Right there in the room. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.600 What's your answer? 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.639 Which one is easier? 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.519 How would you answer the question? 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:22.679 How easy is it to say to someone. 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:24.240 Your sins are forgiven. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.439 Well actually. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:28.199 It's pretty easy to say it to someone. 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:31.159 Anybody could say it. 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.500 But to say it. 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:35.000 And have it be true. 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.179 That's a whole nother matter. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:40.899 Anybody. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:41.579 Could say. 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.679 Your sins are forgiven. 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:45.739 But only God. 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:46.739 Can actually. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.739 Grant forgiveness. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.839 Or truly. 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.159 Declare someone's sins. 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.759 Forgiven. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.539 What about the second one? 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.659 How easy is it to say. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.620 Get up and walk. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:57.939 Well. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.699 As with the first. 00:14:58.839 --> 00:14:59.059 I mean. 00:14:59.359 --> 00:14:59.839 Again. 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:00.759 Anybody. 00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:01.559 Could say it. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.219 But the words. 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.279 Would be pretty empty. 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.539 And worthless. 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.799 Unless the one. 00:15:06.959 --> 00:15:08.120 Speaking those words. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.339 Actually had the power. 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:09.859 To heal. 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:09.940 People. 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.820 So both of those things. 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.720 Are easy to say. 00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:17.279 But neither of these things. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.800 Can actually be done. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:20.759 By anybody. 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:21.360 But God. 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:24.919 And I think this is the first thing. 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:26.419 Jesus wants us to see here. 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:28.060 Not just anybody. 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:28.700 Can do. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:30.019 Either of these things. 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.060 These are both things. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.440 Only God can do. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.560 To forgive sins. 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.700 And to heal. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:38.860 This paralyzed man. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.440 But now. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:41.879 Think about. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.019 How you might answer this. 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:44.419 If you were one of the Pharisees. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.580 And you were quite skeptical. 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.259 Of Jesus. 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.000 Which of these is easier? 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.919 You might answer. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.480 Not based on. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:55.039 Which is actually easier. 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.360 Or harder. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.460 But which is easier. 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.259 To fake. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.800 Probably the easier one. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:03.800 From a human standpoint. 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:04.680 Would be to say. 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.639 Your sins are forgiven. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:05.680 Your sins are forgiven. 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:10.500 Because there's no way. 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.359 To verify that. 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.259 Like Jesus. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.199 You could say. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.120 Your sins are forgiven. 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.899 But how do we know. 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.079 That that's actually true? 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.779 How do we know. 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.779 That God has actually. 00:16:24.859 --> 00:16:25.659 Forgiven this man. 00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:26.339 Of his sins? 00:16:27.859 --> 00:16:28.679 What about the need. 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.419 For a sacrifice? 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.099 What about. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:30.959 I mean. 00:16:30.959 --> 00:16:31.799 There's all kinds of things. 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:32.359 They could say. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:34.120 Get up and walk though. 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:34.980 On the other hand. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.100 That would. 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.240 They would be able. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.860 To verify. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.659 So in a sense. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.399 Maybe that would be. 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.100 The harder one. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:41.919 To fake. 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.120 Harder for a mere man. 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.500 To do. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.019 Or at least. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.620 To prove. 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.320 That he did. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.399 It's a truly. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.759 Brilliant question. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.620 That Jesus asked them. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.259 All that day. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.700 Which is easier. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.220 To say. 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.300 Your sins are forgiven. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.200 Or to say. 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.100 Get up and walk. 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:02.720 Most of us. 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.600 Would probably say. 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.980 That telling a paralyzed man. 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.980 To get up and walk. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.279 And it actually happening. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.380 Is harder. 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.680 Or if not. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.700 That at least. 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.319 Both. 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.860 Are equally impossible. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.680 For anybody. 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.360 But God. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.920 Jesus continues. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.559 With this. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.079 Which is easier. 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.460 To say. 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.440 Your sins are forgiven. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:24.019 Or to say. 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:25.200 Get up and walk. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.579 But I want you. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.200 To know. 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.740 That the son of man. 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.660 Has authority. 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.440 On earth. 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:31.240 To forgive. 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.000 Sins. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.000 So he said. 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:36.100 To the paralyzed man. 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:37.240 I tell you. 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:38.380 Get up. 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.180 Take your mat. 00:17:40.540 --> 00:17:41.180 And go home. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.800 Immediately. 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.800 He stood up. 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.420 In front of them. 00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:48.480 Took what he'd been lying. 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.120 On. 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.160 And went home. 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:52.220 Praising God. 00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:55.759 Everyone was amazed. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.279 And gave praise to God. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.720 They were filled with awe. 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.099 And said. 00:17:59.200 --> 00:17:59.960 We have seen. 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.559 Remarkable things today. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.839 So Jesus heals. 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.799 The paralyzed man. 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.799 This is no surprise. 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:10.440 We knew that was coming. 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.039 This is the news. 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.879 That's been traveling. 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.899 Around the whole nation. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.039 Jesus has the power. 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:15.500 To heal. 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.559 And that's. 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.259 Exactly. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.259 What Jesus does. 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.019 Notice. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.920 Just for a second. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:22.019 How he heals. 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.619 The man. 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.539 He commands. 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.719 The paralyzed man. 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:25.519 To get up. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.639 Take his mat. 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.339 And go home. 00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.639 That's it. 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.519 He speaks to him. 00:18:33.439 --> 00:18:34.339 And somewhere between. 00:18:34.459 --> 00:18:35.359 Jesus finishing. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.219 This imperative. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.799 And the man hearing it. 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.599 This man goes from. 00:18:38.719 --> 00:18:39.379 Being crippled. 00:18:40.239 --> 00:18:41.659 To being able to walk. 00:18:43.739 --> 00:18:45.099 That's truly amazing. 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.500 What was causing. 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.159 The paralysis. 00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:50.219 In the man's body. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:52.960 Think about again. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.880 How many doctors. 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.960 This man may have seen. 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.900 About his condition. 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.160 Was there a problem. 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:58.339 In his nervous system. 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:00.000 Had he sustained. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.200 A spinal injury. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.059 Were his legs malformed. 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:03.640 We don't know. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.440 Exactly why. 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.220 He was paralyzed. 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.720 But whatever it was. 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.779 The man went from. 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:09.160 Having this major problem. 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:09.819 In his body. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:11.019 To being fully healed. 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:11.940 With muscles. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.259 Strengthened enough. 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:13.839 To walk. 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.880 In an instant. 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.559 Only the power of God. 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.480 Can do this. 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:23.279 Jesus speaks. 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:25.179 With the very power. 00:19:25.179 --> 00:19:25.720 Of God. 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.039 But notice the way. 00:19:29.179 --> 00:19:30.419 That Jesus introduces. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.379 This miraculous healing. 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.220 It's with these. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.119 Words. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.440 But I want you to know. 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.539 That the son of man. 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.259 Has authority on earth. 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:43.960 To forgive sins. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.379 And so he said. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.059 Get up. 00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:47.639 Take your mat. 00:19:47.679 --> 00:19:48.279 And go home. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:50.339 Jesus wants us. 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.000 To understand. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.079 More. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.180 From this miracle. 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.139 The miracle. 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.579 Is done. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.579 To prove something. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.579 Other than just. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.579 The power of God. 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.079 To heal. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.940 It's done. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.519 To prove. 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.180 That Jesus. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.539 The son of man. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.079 Has. 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.599 The very authority. 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.480 Of God. 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.779 To forgive sins. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.420 Think back. 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:14.980 To the question. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.720 Jesus asked. 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.519 Which is easier. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.660 Let's say for a moment. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.299 That our answer. 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:20.319 To that question was. 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:21.880 Well it's easier. 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:22.700 To say your sins. 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.279 Are forgiven. 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.220 Because nobody. 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.240 Can verify that. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.819 Let's say that. 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.640 That was our answer. 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.200 The harder thing. 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:31.759 Then would be. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.120 To say. 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.920 Get up and walk. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.259 And have it actually happen. 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.319 So Jesus. 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:36.019 Then says. 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.420 And does. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.220 The harder thing. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.880 To prove. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.579 That he can do. 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.860 The easier thing. 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:44.000 Or we might see it. 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.659 A different way. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.459 We might see it. 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.719 That both of these things. 00:20:46.719 --> 00:20:47.379 Are equally. 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:48.859 Hard. 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.319 Both are things. 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:51.419 That only God can do. 00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:53.659 Doing the healing. 00:20:54.459 --> 00:20:55.199 That would have. 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:55.939 Very visible. 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.819 And tangible. 00:20:57.439 --> 00:20:57.839 Results. 00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.879 While doing. 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.779 The forgiving. 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.879 Actual forgiving. 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:02.519 Would have. 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.219 Invisible. 00:21:03.719 --> 00:21:04.659 Spiritual results. 00:21:05.939 --> 00:21:06.799 Both are things. 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.899 That only God can do. 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:10.980 Jesus does the visible. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.200 And tangible thing. 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.740 To prove. 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:14.340 That he can do. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.140 The invisible. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.000 Spiritual thing. 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.700 The work of forgiving. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.280 In other words. 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.259 This is a miracle. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:24.840 That comes with a message. 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:27.300 It's like Jesus is saying. 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.200 I am here. 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:30.560 I have come to give you. 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:32.560 What you most deeply. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.680 Need. 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.460 More than physical healing. 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.700 You need forgiveness. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.559 Of your sins. 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.960 And I want you all. 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.360 To know. 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.319 That I have. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:43.940 The authority. 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.720 On earth. 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.000 To do that. 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.819 For you. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.059 As we think. 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.600 Through the many. 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.720 Miracles of Jesus. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.220 Then later. 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.720 The miracles. 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.519 Of the apostles. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.200 We may come. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:57.799 At some point. 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.940 To ask the question. 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.580 Why don't followers. 00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:01.100 Of Jesus. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.620 Routinely. 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.600 Perform miracles. 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.460 Like this today. 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.279 And this is a big question. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.920 We have different denominations. 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.559 Of churches. 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.519 Over this question. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.619 At some point. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:15.000 We have to ask this question. 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.220 And it leads us. 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.119 To that other question. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.740 Of what is the purpose. 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.920 Of the miracles. 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:27.060 That may sound like a strange question. 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:27.500 Perhaps. 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:28.360 You know. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:30.100 We've thought the answer is obvious. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.400 Well these people are sick. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.880 They're injured. 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.820 They're disabled. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.539 They're in need. 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.640 And Jesus is just full of compassion. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.259 And love. 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:37.920 And power. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.320 And so he healed them. 00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:39.539 Right? 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:42.519 Well this is certainly true. 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:45.559 All of Jesus healings. 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.660 Were acts of compassion. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.220 And love. 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.180 But is that it? 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.859 I would suggest to you. 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.940 Based on this passage. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.519 And others. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.099 That in addition to that. 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:56.079 There was a greater. 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.559 Overarching purpose. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.859 To the miracles. 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.680 Jesus did. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.039 Look at John's gospel. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.720 For a moment. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.000 Towards the end. 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:05.119 John chapter 20. 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.639 Verse 30. 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.240 John writes. 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:31.460 John refers to the miracles of Jesus. 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.279 In his account. 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.079 As signs. 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.920 And I find that word so helpful. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.940 What are the purpose of signs? 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.559 Think of a road sign. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.579 A sign is there to tell us. 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:45.779 About something beyond itself. 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:48.819 John in his gospel. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.880 States it pretty clearly. 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:51.380 These signs that I've written. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.740 Here in my account. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.960 I've put them in there. 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.120 So that you may believe. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.839 That you may come to that conclusion. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.220 That Jesus is the Messiah. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.339 The Son of God. 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.920 That's the truth. 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.740 That the signs. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.339 That the miracles of Jesus. 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:06.480 Point to. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.940 Peter will go on. 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.900 To make a similar point. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.900 In his first sermon. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.319 Recorded by Luke. 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.299 In the book of Acts. 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.660 This is Acts chapter 2. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.380 Verse 22. 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.180 Peter will say. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.960 That Jesus was accredited. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.539 By God. 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:21.480 To you. 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.319 By miracles. 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:24.480 Wonders. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.880 And signs. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:27.099 Which God did among you. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.599 Through him. 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.180 In other words. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.860 The miracles. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.539 The things. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.980 Done by God. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.900 Through Jesus. 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.100 Certified. 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.340 And authenticated. 00:24:36.540 --> 00:24:36.980 Jesus. 00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.920 This was God's design. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.640 In the miracles. 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.860 To authenticate. 00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:42.420 His. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.180 Man. 00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:46.000 And so. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.420 We're meant to think this way. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.920 And when Jesus. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.640 Does this miracle. 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:54.400 Healing this man. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.100 Who is paralyzed. 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.259 What does it point to? 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.000 What is it a sign of? 00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:59.120 And here Jesus. 00:24:59.280 --> 00:25:00.580 Couldn't make it any clearer. 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.940 In the way that he approaches. 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.780 This whole thing. 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:03.740 Right off the bat. 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.539 Your sins are forgiven. 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.579 Which is easier. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.079 To say. 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:09.240 To say. 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.200 Your sins are forgiven. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:10.960 Or to heal. 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:15.259 Even the statement he makes. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.200 Linking the two. 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:20.660 I want you to know. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.900 That the son of man. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.099 Has authority on earth. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:24.180 To forgive sins. 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.700 That's the conclusion. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:29.180 That he wants us to come to. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.120 From this miracle. 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:34.239 That's what Jesus wants us to know. 00:25:34.239 --> 00:25:35.359 And understand from it. 00:25:38.719 --> 00:25:39.899 Not just to wonder. 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:41.619 Not just to be in awe. 00:25:42.179 --> 00:25:44.159 That God could heal a paralyzed man. 00:25:44.239 --> 00:25:44.979 But the knowledge. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.919 That forgiveness. 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.000 Of sins. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.799 Can be had. 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.279 Through him. 00:25:50.459 --> 00:25:51.279 Through Jesus. 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.579 Now there's a lot more reflection. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.559 That we could do here. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:59.000 If you're new to all this. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.519 Or if you haven't heard this before. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.919 You still might be wondering. 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.940 Well how can Jesus. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:03.879 A man. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:06.339 Have the authority to do. 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:08.299 What only God can. 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:10.180 That's a big question. 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:11.240 And we don't have time. 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.779 To fully dig into it. 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.359 This morning. 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.399 The short answer. 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.379 Is that Jesus. 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.619 Isn't just a man. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.859 As we discover. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.480 In the scriptures. 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:23.539 In a mysterious way. 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.960 That's beyond our understanding. 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.319 He is both. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.000 Man. 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.940 And God. 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.919 At the same time. 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.519 God. 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:33.400 And so he does have authority. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:33.960 To do. 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:36.340 What only God can. 00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:38.960 Because he himself. 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.180 Is God. 00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:42.100 Who has come down. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.980 In human flesh. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.519 To live among us. 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.100 Another angle. 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.200 That we could look at this. 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:50.160 In both John's gospel. 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.259 And Luke's gospel. 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.759 There's an emphasis. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.620 On how Jesus. 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:54.560 Is the son. 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.300 Of God. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:58.039 And God is father. 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.060 God is son. 00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:00.419 God is holy spirit. 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.839 Again. 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.579 It's mysterious. 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:04.480 And we don't fully understand it. 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:06.079 But God is three persons. 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.460 And yet. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.440 One God. 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.839 And we see this truth. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.019 Come out in the gospels. 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:14.399 Especially Luke and John. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.299 About how Jesus. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.539 As the son. 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.619 Of the father. 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:22.200 Is the ultimate representative. 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.519 Of his father. 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.440 On earth. 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:25.899 Doing. 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:27.460 What the father wills. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.599 Saying. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.439 The very words. 00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:30.539 That the father has. 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.740 To say to us. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.599 And so. 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.259 This authority. 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.219 To forgive sins. 00:27:37.219 --> 00:27:38.279 Falls in line with that. 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:38.619 Jesus. 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.279 Is the. 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.319 The one and only. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.199 Son of God. 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.119 He is the only one. 00:27:43.219 --> 00:27:44.059 Who has authority. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.139 From his father. 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.619 To grant. 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.500 Forgiveness. 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.719 He can do this. 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.959 Because of his unique. 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.779 Relationship. 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.480 With the father. 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:53.579 Father. 00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:56.680 Maybe you remember those words. 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.200 He said. 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.559 Which John. 00:27:58.779 --> 00:28:00.079 Recorded in his gospel. 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.559 I and the father. 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.680 Are one. 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.559 Said Jesus. 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:06.299 It's good for us. 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.319 To reflect on this. 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.279 That's the effect. 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.920 That the miracle. 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.140 Had on people that day. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.680 It caused them. 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.500 To ask the question. 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.980 Well who is this man then? 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:16.240 Who is he? 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.740 He declares people. 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:19.200 Forgiven of their sins. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.319 And then he. 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:23.180 Exercises the very power. 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.880 Of God. 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.140 To back it up. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.440 This is the conclusion. 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.799 We're meant to come to. 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.579 Through all this. 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.160 Jesus is more. 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.360 Than just a man. 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.380 Who lived long ago. 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.900 He was. 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.740 And is. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.539 God. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.839 He was. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.299 And is. 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.220 The God man. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:42.620 He. 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.220 He was. 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.640 And is. 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.259 The son. 00:28:44.340 --> 00:28:44.960 Of God. 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.600 He was sent. 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.080 From heaven. 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:47.880 To save us. 00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.759 He was sent. 00:28:49.860 --> 00:28:50.340 From heaven. 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.380 To give us something. 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.320 That we desperately. 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:52.980 Needed. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.100 And could not. 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.720 Provide. 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:55.580 For ourselves. 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.740 Forgiveness. 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.840 Of sins. 00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:02.860 There's something. 00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.500 That we need. 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:03.940 More. 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.200 Than just. 00:29:06.300 --> 00:29:07.020 Physical healing. 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.300 Even if the most. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:09.900 Well known. 00:29:10.020 --> 00:29:10.700 Thing about us. 00:29:10.780 --> 00:29:11.100 Was a. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:11.960 Disability. 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.259 Think about this. 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:14.759 There's something. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.740 We need more. 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:18.279 Than physical healing. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.879 We need God's forgiveness. 00:29:21.379 --> 00:29:22.440 For our sins. 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.539 And the good news of Jesus. 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:27.000 Is that we can have that. 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.259 By coming to him. 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.240 With faith. 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:33.180 Just like these men did. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.559 Just like the man on the mat. 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.240 Had. 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.339 God. 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.700 The miracles of Jesus. 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.359 Are great. 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:42.099 But the message of grace. 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.420 Is greater. 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:47.019 And so I want to ask you. 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.359 What about you? 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.099 Have you come. 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:54.839 To faith. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.900 In Jesus. 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.400 Have you. 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.900 Have you. 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.900 Have you. 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:57.900 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:57.900 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.980 Looked to him. 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.860 For that thing. 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.640 That your soul. 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.960 Most desperately needs. 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.400 Forgiveness. 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.940 Of your sins. 00:30:11.040 --> 00:30:11.300 Have you. 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:12.340 Confessed your sins. 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:12.759 To him. 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:16.720 Have you. 00:30:16.800 --> 00:30:17.280 Asked. 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:18.740 For his. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:18.740 For his. 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.340 For his. 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:24.279 If Jesus. 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.179 Had done this miracle. 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:25.659 Today. 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.359 In this very room. 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:29.039 And was standing up here. 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.539 Right now. 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:31.539 Would you come up. 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:32.699 To him. 00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:33.500 And ask. 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.419 For forgiveness. 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.220 Of your sins. 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.019 If you haven't done this. 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.819 I want to urge you. 00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.139 Come to Jesus. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.659 Today. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.519 Confess. 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.500 Your sins. 00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:47.959 Today. 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:49.279 Ask. 00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:50.019 For his forgiveness. 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.640 Today. 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.400 Find. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.519 Life. 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.380 And joy. 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.019 And peace. 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:54.500 With God. 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:54.940 Today. 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.920 There's nothing. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.600 That matters. 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.319 More than this. 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.519 The last chapter. 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.079 Of our world. 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.539 Is coming. 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.480 Time. 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.279 Will soon be up. 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.740 And this is. 00:31:07.860 --> 00:31:08.819 The most important thing. 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.500 Let's pray. 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:14.420 Father in heaven. 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:18.500 Father in heaven. 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.559 Thank you for. 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.720 Allowing us to see. 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.859 What happened that day. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.480 When your son. 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.599 Made that. 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.880 Paralyzed man. 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.720 To walk again. 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:32.059 But I pray that we would see beyond it. 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.480 I pray that we would see. 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:35.079 The greater reality. 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:37.500 That every single one of us. 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.140 In this room. 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.880 Would know. 00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:41.920 That you have authority. 00:31:42.060 --> 00:31:42.360 Jesus. 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:42.980 To forgive. 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:43.960 Us. 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.720 Our sins. 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.820 And I pray that you would work. 00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:47.820 And move in our hearts. 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.740 That we would come. 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:50.880 And receive that gift. 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.560 And ask for that gift. 00:31:52.560 --> 00:31:53.280 If we haven't. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.519 God. 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.480 I pray that you would move. 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.039 In our hearts. 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.619 That we would. 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.480 Share that news. 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.559 With others. 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:07.579 It is the most important thing. 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.379 You've told us. 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.660 Give us courage. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.599 Give us boldness. 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:12.379 We thank you. 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:14.019 For the amazing grace. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.899 That wipes our slate. 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.899 Completely clean. 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:21.039 Every wrong that we've done. 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:24.720 It's awesome. 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.539 Thank you Lord Jesus. 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:28.899 Amen.