Matthew 9: 1-8  Jesus showed His authority in His teaching.  He showed it in healing the leper, the centurions servant, and Peter's mother-in-law.  He revealed His authority over the wind and the waves and over the legion of demons in the Gadarenes. Now.. back in Capernaum.. Jesus showed His authority to forgive sin . 

The paralytic was brought to Jesus "lying on a bed". It was the faith of the friends who brought him to Jesus that led Him to say, "Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven."   

"Take courage".. take comfort or cheer..  The friends of this man had courage.. they were willing to do whatever it took to bring their friend to Jesus. It is Mark who tells us about the 4 men who removed the roof of the house to let down the pallet that they had carried their paralyzed friend on.  But, the one who Jesus addressed is the one who need courage. Courage to believe.  

Perhaps this is why Jesus addressed the greatest need of this young man.. forgiveness of his sins... before He addressed the physical need.  If sin .. if unbelief.. remained.. would healing help? We don't know what had happened in this man's life.  We don't know the cause of his paralysis.. What we do know is that he was a sinner and he needed forgiveness.  Jesus had the authority to grant it.   And He did so willingly. 

The scribes were watching carefully.  They were ready to pounce on any indication that Jesus was a false teacher. They didn't want to acknowledge that He had any authority at all.. let alone the authority to forgive sin.  Jesus knew their greatest need too.  "But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins - then He said to the paralytic - Rise, take up your bed, and go home." 

The man got up, picked up his bed and left.  Leaving all those who saw this "filled with awe" and giving glory to God "who had given such authority to men." 

The word used here for "authority"  also is used to mean power, privilege, capacity, freedom, mastery, jurisdiction, and right.  Jesus alone has this authority.  Hebrews 1-2 tell us that Jesus is the "heir of all things".. that "He uphold all things by the word of His power"..and that "all things" are subjected to Him. 

Today is Good Friday.. the day we set aside to remember that the One who is the Supreme authority over all the earth, laid down that authority... so that He was nailed to a cross... to bleed and die.. so that all of us can be forgiven of our sins.  Oh may we believe and rejoice in this great salvation!  And oh how we rejoice that He rose again on the third day! Showing that His authority is complete.. conquering sin and death and hell. Praise the Lord !

Father in heaven, how thankful we are for Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior forever!  Let the earth rejoice in the great salvation that You have provided through the Lamb of God, who gave His life so that we might be set free from sin and healed by His Word. Amen and amen!