Matthew 9:1-8 (NKJV)
So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
This is the story about the four friends that bring a paralytic on a bed to see Jesus but the house was so crowded they could not get in so they climb on the roof and lower him through a hole they made. How wonderful to see friends bringing another needy friend to see Jesus. And notice that it was their faith, the friends faith, that Jesus saw.
So picture the scene: The guy being lowered through the roof is probably somewhat embarrassed, But notice how Jesus puts him at ease by saying "Son, be of good cheer." How gracious! But then Jesus says "your sins are forgiven." Now the guy is probably thinking "Gee, that's great, but I really sort of had a healing in mind." But forgiveness of sins is what we all really need more than anything. Now notice the reaction of some of the observers:
Matthew 9:3-8
And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man blasphemes!" But Jesus, knowing their thoughts , said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” (now he turns to the sick man)—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
Jesus is not surprised at the reaction of the scribes observing on the back row—he knew this would upset them. I think He said this to antagonize them because they know only God could forgive sins.
"Knowing their thoughts"—This particular skill that Jesus has ought to be really disconcerting to you and me.
Now the rest of the crowd marveled when Jesus healed the man. They may not have understood all the theology yet since they did not recognize Jesus himself as God (the scribes at least got the implication right on that one), but they realize that something remarkable has just happened and that God was at work.
This is a common rabbinic teaching method, arguing from the lesser to the greater. Jesus basically argued: If I can heal (supposedly the more difficult to do) then could I not also forgive sins? This is why he said “which is easier to say” rather than do. Now, Jesus could not prove the forgiveness of sins, such a thing is so easy to say, anybody could say it. But the reality is that forgiveness of sins is far more difficult to do.
Here in this episode we have Jesus forgiving sins, receiving worship, and knowing men’s thoughts. All things that only God can do. I think I'll use this example with the nice people who come to the door trying to tell me Jesus is not God.
Speaking of knowing men's thoughts, I am reminded of this passage:
Psalm 139:1-4 (NKJV)
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.