Lent day 27 [4.4.2025] / Restoring Priorities

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26 / 마태복음 9:1-8, 마가복음 2:1-12, 누가복음 5:17-26

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Overview:

This story is paralleled in the gospel of Mark and Luke, providing a detailed account of this interaction. Jesus again entered Capernaum (which would serve as Jesus’ second home and ministry base) after some time and upon hearing of His return, a large crowd had gathered from every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. Some men had come carrying a paralyzed man on a mat, and when they saw that it would be impossible to get to Jesus through the large crowd, they dug an opening through the roof and lowered their friend before Jesus. In all accounts, the authors record that Jesus saw their faith. Not only was the paralyzed man on the mat desperate and hopeful for healing, but the friends were also as eager and willing.

However, instead of healing the man of his paralysis, Jesus first tells him, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven (Matthew 9:2).” Think for a moment what a great disappointment this would have been for the paralytic man and his friends. They went through all of that to see this man walk again, but instead of receiving healing, they had received forgiveness. Not only this, but this created an uproar amongst the people, especially the religious leaders who claimed blasphemy (act of offense, speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things) upon Jesus. Why? According to religious law, the only one who could forgive sin in all righteousness and absolute justice is God. For Jesus to claim that this man’s sins are forgiven would be to declare that He had that absolute right because He Himself is God.

Why did Jesus declare this man’s sin forgiven before healing him? The answer is found in Leviticus 24:16, which declares that whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be put to death by stoning according to the command of God. If Jesus had spoken falsely against God with contempt, how could He have still healed the paralyzed man? The leaders of the law would take this question to Matthew 12 and accuse Jesus of driving out demons and performing miracles using demonic powers; however, Jesus replies that it would be illogical to argue that satan is responsible for thwarting the activity of his own demons because he would be divided against himself (Matthew 12:26). Jesus would further explain that every kind of slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:31). So by who’s power and authority does Jesus forgive sins and heal the sick? By His own authority as the Son of God and the Son of Man (Matthew 9:6).

The Greatest Miracle:

Jesus asks us today the same question He had proposed to the Pharisees:

“Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” – Matthew 9:5

We know that Jesus is referring to the cost of saying one over the other. Healing the man of his physical illness would pale in comparison to the cost of forgiving his sins. Jesus would exercise power over the former but would have to die for the latter. As believers, we often forget in our prayers, hopes, and desires that the greatest miracle that we could ever ask for has already been given to us. Often, we seek after the gifts more than the giver, the signs and miracles, more than Jesus Christ Himself. We even press and test Jesus in providing for us the things we believe we so desperately need, but what we truly need more than anything is salvation. If Jesus were to heal this man without forgiving his sins, this man would simply walk himself into death rather than crawl into it. God permits physical sickness, hardships, and struggles not in spite, but as a deep reminder of our spiritual condition and our absolute need for His grace and forgiveness. Therefore, the blessings He provides in healing, signs, and miracles are a deep reminder of the true gift of the cross that saves our souls. The greatest miracles is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Reflection:

1. Have we forgotten to thank and praise God for the greatest miracle of salvation that grants eternal life?

2. Are you or anyone close to you in need of healing? Pray for true healing of the soul and body in Jesus Name: He has the authority to forgive, to save, and to heal.

   
   

Prayer:

1. God, thank you for teaching me about how my priorities should reflect my destination in Heaven.

2. Jesus, thank you for the gift of salvation and the sacrifice you made for my forgiveness.

3. Holy Spirit, help me to live in the restorative and healing power of Jesus Christ each and every day of my life.

   
   

개요:

이 이야기는 마가복음과 누가복음에도 평행하여 이 만남에 대한 자세한 기록을 제공합니다. 예수님께서 얼마 후에 다시 가버나움(예수님의 제2의 고향이자 사역 본부가 될 곳)에 들어오시자, 그분이 돌아오셨다는 소식을 듣고 갈릴리, 유대, 예루살렘의 모든 마을에서 많은 사람들이 모였습니다. 몇몇 사람들이 들것에 누운 한 중풍병자를 데리고 왔는데, 군중 때문에 예수님께 접근할 수 없음을 깨닫고 지붕을 뜯어내어 친구를 예수님 앞에 내렸습니다. 모든 복음서에 기록된 공통점은 예수님께서 그들의 믿음을 보셨다는 것입니다. 들것에 누운 중풍병자뿐 아니라 친구들 또한 치유에 대한 간절함과 열망이 있었습니다.

그러나 예수님께서는 그 중풍병자를 치유하시기 전에 먼저 그에게 말씀하셨습니다."안심하라 아들아 네 죄 사함을 받았느니라" (마태복음 9:2)이 말을 들었을 때 중풍병자와 그의 친구들에게 얼마나 큰 실망이었을지 잠시 생각해 보십시오. 그들은 이 사람이 다시 걷게 되기를 바라며 모든 노력을 기울였지만, 치유 대신 용서를 받았습니다. 뿐만 아니라 이 사건은 사람들, 특히 종교 지도자들 사이에 큰 소동을 일으켰습니다. 그들은 예수님을 신성모독(하나님이나 거룩한 것에 대해 모독적으로 말하는 행위)으로 고발했습니다. 왜일까요? 종교법에 따르면 모든 의와 절대적인 정의로 죄를 용서할 수 있는 이는 오직 하나님뿐이기 때문입니다. 예수님께서 이 사람의 죄가 용서받았다고 선언한 것은 곧 자신이 하나님이라는 절대 권리를 주장하는 것이었습니다.

예수님께서 왜 그를 치유하기 전에 죄를 먼저 용서하셨을까요? 그 답은 레위기 24:16에 있습니다. 그 구절은 "여호와의 이름을 모독하는 자는 반드시 죽일지니, 온 회중이 돌로 칠 것이요"라고 명령합니다. 만약 예수님이 하나님을 모욕하고 경멸하며 거짓으로 말했다면, 그분이 어떻게 여전히 중풍병자를 치유할 수 있었겠습니까? 율법학자들은 이 질문을 마태복음 12장으로 가져가서 예수님이 귀신을 쫓아내고 기적을 행하는 것을 마귀의 힘으로 행한다고 비난했지만, 예수님은 사탄이 자기 자신의 귀신들을 무력화하는 것은 논리적으로 불가능하다고 답하셨습니다(마태복음 12:26). 예수님은 또한 모든 종류의 비방은 용서받을 수 있지만 성령을 거스르는 모독은 용서받지 못한다고 설명하셨습니다(마태복음 12:31). 그러므로 예수님은 누구의 권세와 능력으로 죄를 용서하고 병자를 치유하십니까? 그분 자신의 권세로서, 하나님의 아들이자 인자의 권세로서입니다 (마태복음 9:6).

가장 큰 기적:

예수님께서는 오늘날 우리에게도 바리새인들에게 던졌던 같은 질문을 하십니다:"네 죄 사함을 받았느니라" 라고 말하는 것이 쉬우냐, 아니면 "일어나 걸어라" 라고 말하는 것이 쉬우냐? (마태복음 9:5)예수님께서 말씀하신 것은 두 가지 중 하나를 말하는 데 드는 대가를 의미합니다. 신체적 질병을 치유하는 것은 죄를 용서하는 것에 비해 비용이 적습니다. 예수님께서는 전자를 위해 권능을 사용하셨지만, 후자를 위해서는 죽으셔야 했습니다. 믿는 자로서 우리는 기도와 소망, 그리고 바람 속에서 이미 주어진 가장 큰 기적을 종종 잊어버립니다. 우리는 선물보다 주님을, 기적과 표적보다 예수 그리스도 자체를 더 갈망해야 합니다. 우리가 절박하게 필요하다고 믿는 것들을 위해 예수님을 시험하는 대신, 우리가 진정으로 필요한 것은 구원이라는 사실을 기억해야 합니다. 만약 예수님께서 이 사람을 죄 용서 없이 치유하셨다면, 그는 기어서 죽음으로 가지 않고 걸어서 죽음으로 갔을 것입니다.하나님께서 신체적 질병과 고난을 허락하시는 것은 우리 영적 상태와 하나님의 은혜와 용서를 향한 절대적인 필요성을 깊이 상기시키기 위함입니다. 따라서 그분이 주시는 치유와 기적의 축복은 우리의 영혼을 구원하는 십자가의 진정한 선물을 상기시킵니다. 가장 큰 기적은 예수 그리스도의 죽음과 부활입니다.

묵상:

1. 우리가 영생을 주시는 구원의 가장 큰 기적에 대해 하나님께 감사하고 찬양하는 것을 잊고 있지는 않습니까?

2. 당신 또는 가까운 누군가가 치유를 필요로 합니까? 영혼과 육신의 진정한 치유를 위해 예수님의 이름으로 기도하십시오. 그분은 용서하고 구원하며 치유하실 권세가 있습니다.

   
   

기도:

1. 하나님, 내 삶의 우선순위가 천국을 향해 있음을 가르쳐 주셔서 감사합니다.

2. 예수님, 구원의 선물과 나를 용서하시기 위해 희생하신 것에 감사합니다.

3. 성령님, 매일 예수 그리스도의 회복과 치유의 능력 안에서 살도록 도와주세요.