[Jessica Jagerson]

MATTHEW 9 – PARDON & POWER

“And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” Matthew 9:2

History has presented many inspirational spiritual leaders. Each one had a significant impact on many world religions that continue even until this day.

For example, Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, emphasized personal, civic, and political morality.

Also, there was Siddhartha Gautama, who was also known as the “the enlightenment one”, who founded Buddhism; teaching asceticism and deep meditation. Buddha taught that through deprivation and mortification of the flesh, man could attain a state of awakening, or as we understand it, Nirvana.

In addition to these religious men, there was Krishna of Hinduism and Mohamed from the Islamic faith. These religions focused on external works and the deprivation of man.  Although their teachings appeared to be profound,  none of their doctrines ever provided a provision for the forgiveness of sins.

Although this was the case, there was one who not only preached the forgiveness of sin but He also had the authority to forgive them. His name is JESUS!

CHALLENGE

There have been thousands of Gods and spiritual leaders throughout the ages but only one has claimed to be God. And not only God but also had the power of God. Do you know Him? His name is Jesus, the Lord, and God of the universe.

[Rodnika Brown]

This passage really shows how unique Jesus is. While so many spiritual leaders throughout history taught about morality or self discipline, Jesus actually has the power to forgive sins. That’s something no one else can do. It makes me think about how important it is to know Him personally, because He’s not just a teacher, He’s God and has the authority to change our lives.

[Eugene Estes]

An important fact regarding the identity and power of Jesus Christ is revealed in the chapter found in Matthew 9. Jesus displayed a special ability that none of the other spiritual leaders in history—including Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius—ever claimed: the capacity to pardon crimes. While many religious traditions place a strong emphasis on discipline, meditation, moral behavior, and spiritual enlightenment, none of them were able to directly absolve people of their sins or take away their guilt. However, by pronouncing the paralyzed man’s sins forgiven, Jesus not only demonstrated his divine authority but also taught forgiveness. This deed demonstrated that He was God in the flesh, not just a teacher or prophet.
Today, we encounter the problem for comprehending this reality on a personal level. Every individual must consider their relationship with Jesus if He is the only one who can fully pardon sin. Faith in His authority necessitates confidence, surrender, and acceptance of His offer of salvation; it is not just an intellectual agreement. We must approach Christ with the conviction that only He can satisfy the most profound needs of the human spirit, just as the paralytic’s friends led him to Jesus with faith.
Jesus continues to stand out in a world full of various ideologies, faiths, and self-help teachings. He does more than just teach people how to live better lives; He changes them by taking away the sin that keeps people from God. As a result, believers are urged to put all of their faith in Jesus, not just for spiritual forgiveness but also for guidance, consolation, and strength in day-to-day living.
The verse ultimately serves as a reminder that genuine hope can only be found in the One who possesses both power and pardon, not in human knowledge. Do we have complete faith in Him as Lord and God?

[Hannah Street]

This devotional talks about how there are a number of different religions that all claim to be the right or the true one. I recently took a class that covered different types of religions including Christianity. I think that by taking this class it allowed me to strengthen my faith because I was able to see outside perspectives and different worldview points. It is important to have a good and solid relationship with Jesus because He is the true savior. God created everything for us and we would not be here without Him. Jesus decided to die on the cross for us so that we could be forgiven for our sins, and this is something that we could never earn. Since Jesus died for us and we are able to have a relationship with Him we can spend eternity with Him. No matter how uncertain life may seem we can know that God is always in control.

[Matthew Beaver]

The text from Matthew 9 highlights a profound moment in Jesus’ ministry, where He demonstrates both compassion and divine authority by forgiving the sins of a paralyzed man. This passage serves as a cornerstone for understanding the unique position of Jesus among historical spiritual leaders and religious figures.

Throughout history, many influential spiritual leaders, such as Confucius, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), Krishna, and Muhammad, have provided ethical teachings or pathways for personal and societal improvement. However, as noted in the text, their teachings often center on moral living or achieving higher states of consciousness but do not offer a mechanism for the forgiveness of sins.

In contrast, Jesus distinguishes Himself by not only teaching about forgiveness but also possessing the authority to grant it. This claim sets a critical foundation for Christian belief, emphasizing a relational aspect to faith where forgiveness is freely given, rather than earned through actions or ascetic practices.

The challenge posed by the text invites one to reflect on the identity of Jesus. Those who believe in His divinity recognize Him as not just a teacher or prophet, but God incarnate—one who actively engages with humanity to heal, forgive, and restore. This concept of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine is central to Christian theology and provides a unique assurance of grace and redemption that is not found in the teachings of other spiritual leaders.

This discussion leads to broader questions about spirituality, forgiveness, and the ways in which different beliefs approach the notion of salvation and moral accountability in the human experience. It encourages exploration of one’s beliefs and the implications they have on personal life and interactions with others. Ultimately, recognizing Jesus in this light can foster deeper understanding and a more profound relationship with both the spiritual and moral dimensions of life.

[Marisa Ross]

In Matthew 9, when Jesus heals the paralyzed man on the bed, He first says, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven,” before healing his body. This moment shows that real healing starts from within. While physical struggles are real, Jesus makes it clear that our greatest need is the spiritual restoration of our hearts through forgiveness. By addressing the man’s spiritual state first, He shows that true peace, hope, and a renewed life come from being reconciled with God. This story reminds us to look beyond fixing outward problems and to trust in God’s power to heal and restore us from the inside out.

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