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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 53 : THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Text: Matthew 9:1-8
5 February 2023

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 5 FEBRUARY 2022
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 9:1-8

Subject: THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.
2 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.”
3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
7 And he arose and departed to his house.
8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

Matthew 9:1-8

HIS OWN CITY

1. This is not a reference to:

a) Bethlehem
i) This was where the Lord Jesus was born
ii) So that the prophecy of Micah 5:2 would be fulfilled
b) Nazareth
i) The Lord Jesus was rejected by Nazareth
ii) The people wanted to throw Him down a cliff Mark 6:1-6

2. This was a reference to Capernaum

a) He went there often
b) It was dubbed “His own city”

3. The healing of a paralytic

a) The story in itself is straightforward
b) Four friends brought their paralytic friend to see the Lord Jesus
c) They went to a great deal of trouble to bring their friend to the Lord
d) The paralytic was healed and restored to full health

THE INTENDED LESSONS

1. Lessons about True Friendship

a) Four very good friends
b) They went through a lot to help their friend to be healed
i) They carried the paralytic to see the Lord Jesus
ii) They took down part of the roof to lower their friend to the Lord
iii) They would have to pay for the roof to be repaired

2. Another lesson on having a Faith that makes its presence known

a) “Jesus saw their faith” Matthew 9:2b
b) He responded to their faith
i) They believed that the Lord Jesus could heal their friend
ii) They spared no effort or expense to help their friend
iii) Their faith was evident through concrete expressions

3. Another aspect of the Lord Jesus was revealed

a) He was not just a Miracle Worker
b) He was the Son of Man who was able to forgive sins Matthew 9:6
c) The term “Son of Man”
i) It is a humble title to describe “a mortal” Psalm 8:4
ii) It is also a lofty title to describe the Messiah Daniel 7:13
iii) He was both humble Man and the mighty Son of Man

THE RESPONSE OF THE MULTITUDE

1. “They marvelled” Matthew 9:8a

2. “They glorified God who had given such power to men” Matthew 9:8b

3. They could not go beyond these basic comments

AN EVALUATION OF THESE COMMENTS

1. It was good and right to marvel

2. It was also correct to glorify God

3. But the third comment was incorrect

a) The Lord Jesus was not just another man
b) Nobody else had the power the Lord Jesus displayed
i) To forgive sins
ii) To heal as He did

4. There wasn’t that faith among the multitude

a) In comparison to the four friends
b) Their faith in the Lord Jesus was truly commendable