Who Can Forgive Sins But God Alone? / だれが罪をゆるすことができますか唯一神のみ？

HE IS A PARALYZED MAN  (中風)  彼は中風の人です。

Have been looking at both the miracles of Jesus and the parables He taught.  Sometimes, the message is only one factor—one teaching. 

This one is, what we would call, the Grand Daddy of them all.  On this the whole teaching hinges. 

Basically, if Jesus is who He says He is, than He can forgive sin. Who Can Forgive Sins But God Alone? だれが罪をゆるすことができますか唯一神のみ？

 Here is the story: One day as He was teaching…Luke 5:17-26

A whole group of Pharisees, Scribes and other Jewish teachers were sitting there.

“AND THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT FOR HIM TO HEAL THE SICK.”

This is the first time to see such a statement.  In some cases, He could do nothing there because of their unbelief.

 Matt 13:58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

 John 12:37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him.

 Heb 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. 

For Jesus to show who He really was, there was some need of having belief be present.  Such was the case here, but it was not the one who was sick but his friends.

            Hey, let’s help our friend out.  We believe Jesus can make a big difference in his life.  In fact, THIS Jesus can heal our friend.  The choice is ours: keep him here and watch our friend die OR take him to Jesus and watch him really live!!

   And how did Jesus receive this? Verse 20 states “When Jesus saw their faith…” A great testimony of God seeking out those He will save… So here is what we can see in this miracle of Jesus.

First, it shows that Jesus' authority extends even to the forgiveness of sins. イエスの権威は罪の赦しにさえ延長

In the past studies, we have seen:

Over nature-storms at sea  Luke 8:21-23

Over illness-skin disease

Over death-Servant  Luke 7

   Some of those who saw these events said: “Just who is this Man?  Even the waves obey Him!”   Who is He, indeed! 

   So many people who fall away from the Faith have one thing in common.  They did not keep their eyes on the One Person who could keep from spiritual separation.  Keeping our eyes on Jesus is critical.  Not at Christianity per say, but at the God/Man, Jesus, the Christ!

   We can see that He did indeed have authority over these elements found in our society.  Bleeding for 12 years—healed.  A man controlled by demonic—set free.  Now, man can see that forgiveness comes from His heart.  More on this later…

Second, the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees and the scribes witness the entire affair. They make an instant theological assessment and recognize that Jesus is making unique claims—イエスはユニークな要求をするclaims that are blasphemous if they are not true. Luke 5:21. ²¹ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 

   This question came out of a hateful heart.  They were intent to destroy Jesus.  But the question is also a right one.  Only God Himself can forgive sins.  They—even these spiteful men who scoffed at the healing of people on the Sabbath—they also knew truth when they saw it.  They just hardened their hearts against the truth and stayed in their narrow stance.  Setting reason and reality aside, they could not justify the realities around them with their small corrupted world.

                                                                                                    

²² Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

What they said was ever so true. 

Only God can forgive sins. 

And we know that God can forgive sin.  And we are so thankfull!

God can give life. 

Jesus gave life. 

Jesus can forgive sins. 

Therefore, Jesus is God.   But, they sais “NO!”

Third Does God help and hear sinners?  神は罪人に耳を傾けますか？This is the first time God vindicates (justifies, supports) Jesus' claims during His ministry.  The miracle ‘happened.’  Later, Judaism would teach that God does not help sinners or liars, so if Jesus was not who He claimed to be, and then this man should not walk away healed. The fact that the paralytic does in fact walk away healed means that some type of transcendent (superior, supreme) power operates through Jesus. Later Luke reveals the debate over what or who that power is (11:14-23). Deals with Jesus and Beelzebub.  Driving out a demon that was mute.  Ends with ²³ “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.  参照 ルカ11:14-23 "わたしの味方でない者はわたしに逆らう者であり、わたしとともに集めない者は散らす者です。“ If this is so, then which are you? Are you active in your support of Christ?  Active-not passive or on the side line.  In word AND deed! 

Fourth, the miracle pictures what Jesus can do for people. イエスは人々のために何ができるかThe paralytic is stationary and totally helpless. 救いようのない男は動かすこともできないBut after his healing, he can walk through life and praise God.

What can He do for you?

At times, we are stationary and totally helpless.  Not able to move or make a decision. 

Once Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed!

Do you need this kind of freedom lever? 

Fulfill the whole duty of Man.  Love Him and serve Him forever.

Finally, the text shows the importance of faith. It is the faith of those who bring the paralytic to Jesus that is highlighted. This detail seems to indicate that God honors us as we seek to lead others to the Lord. The importance of Faith--alone! 信仰の重要性のみ。

Can you see yourself bringing others to Jesus? 誰を私たちは、イエスのもとに導きますか？
あなたが導く者は救いの信仰を持つ必要はなく、あなたがそうする！

Are there tiles to be removed first?  Do you need to climb some stairs to get to them?

Do you have a friend who needs the Touch of Jesus? 

God honors those who take Him at His Word.

God honors those who bring others to Himself.

Our role as worshippers of God is to make disciples for Christ.

How do we do that?   Time to learn   Time to make this a priority.  They are only going to burn for eternity!  We are compelled to share what we know. The Time is NOW.

This was a paralyzed man.  He could not help himself.  But his friends stepped in and gave him a chance of a life-time: to see Jesus.   Who do you know you can bring to Jesus?  The one you bring does not have to have that saving faith, but you do.