Good news
9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Matthew 9:1-7
I got some good news today. A good friend had recently found a lump where there shouldn’t be a lump. But the tests came back today and it wasn’t cancer. An answer to prayer and I was very stoked for her.
But this isn’t the best news she or I could receive today.
Because we do have cancer. That’s what sin is like. It’s foreign. It shouldn’t be there. But it is. And it’s killing us. Will kill us eventually.
And for Israel there is only one cure and only a temporary one. It takes God’s promise and perfect sacrifice.
Jesus can forgive sins because He has God’s authority to promise and because He will be a perfect sacrifice. He is better news than even hearing we are cancer free. He is our cure for sin and our certain hope of eternal life.
So let’s be thankful today. Let’s be stoked. This is good news we carry with us always.
Today:
Pray:
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Matthew 9:1-7
I got some good news today. A good friend had recently found a lump where there shouldn’t be a lump. But the tests came back today and it wasn’t cancer. An answer to prayer and I was very stoked for her.
But this isn’t the best news she or I could receive today.
Because we do have cancer. That’s what sin is like. It’s foreign. It shouldn’t be there. But it is. And it’s killing us. Will kill us eventually.
And for Israel there is only one cure and only a temporary one. It takes God’s promise and perfect sacrifice.
Jesus can forgive sins because He has God’s authority to promise and because He will be a perfect sacrifice. He is better news than even hearing we are cancer free. He is our cure for sin and our certain hope of eternal life.
So let’s be thankful today. Let’s be stoked. This is good news we carry with us always.
Today:
- What’s a piece of good news you have received recently?
- Do you see Jesus as your cure for sin?
- How could you be joyful about that today?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for giving authority to the Son to forgive sins.
- Give thanks for the Son who is our perfect sacrifice for sin.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you rejoice in the forgiveness of sins.
Posted in Matthew
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