Scripture: Matthew 9:1-17

I. Jesus came to forgive sin and change sinners.

A. This was Jesus’ mission. Jesus says something totally unexpected in vs. 2: “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” Yes, the man needed healing. But sin is always our greatest problem, and therefore forgiveness is always our greatest need. The scribes thought Jesus was claiming to do what only God can do in forgiving sin. See Isaiah 43:25, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

B. Jesus makes an argument from the more difficult to the easier (vs. 5-6). If I have the authority to heal this man and make him walk, then I also have the authority to forgive his sins. So, by healing the paralytic Jesus reveals He can also forgive sins. And what was the response of the crowd in vs. 8: “They were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” They feared Jesus in the way that we human beings are supposed to fear God.

II. Jesus came to call the despised and disgusting of society.

A. Who does Jesus call to follow Him in vs. 9? Matthew, a tax collector. Most tax collectors were thieves. And they were despised because they worked for the Romans, the foreign occupiers of Israel. They were traitors. But Jesus brings the despised Matthew to faith. All things are possible for Jesus. Jesus can redeem the irredeemable. He can forgive the unforgiveable.

B. After Jesus forgave Matthew, he goes to a dinner party at Matthew’s house (vs. 10). And who does Matthew invite to this party? Other despised and disgusting people (vs. 11). Jesus came for sinners (vs. 13). He came to forgive sin. He did not come for the righteous. The mission of Jesus then is one of pure grace. He came to show God’s favor to the undeserving, the despised and disgusting. If you feel good enough for Jesus, Jesus does not want you in His kingdom.

III. Jesus came to set up a new structure and a new covenant.

A. Jesus gives a remarkable answer to the question He is asked about fasting in vs. 15: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus says to John’s disciples, “Be happy for I am here.” The bridegroom is God. Isaiah 54:5: “For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” And the bridegroom is God’s Son, the Messiah King of Israel. In Matthew 22:2 Jesus told a story with this opening: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” Jesus changes everything.

Application:
Sin is your greatest problem. Ask for Christ’s forgiveness and for Him to change you.

Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by D.A. Carson, J.C. Ryle, and Charles Quarles

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. Why did the scribes think Jesus was blaspheming? What did Jesus do to show that He had the authority to forgive sins?
2. What made Matthew despised and disgusting to the Jewish people? What kind of people has Jesus come for? Who has Jesus not come for?
3. In what ways has Jesus changed the structure of the Jewish religion? Why couldn’t religious Jews just add Jesus to the existing practice of their religion?