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When some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, he saw their faith that moved them to act. True faith is not just intellectual assent; it leads to action. Jesus said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” As the teachers of the law thought that he was blaspheming, Jesus proclaimed that he had authority to forgive sins. And by healing the man, he proved his authority to forgive sins. Jesus’ forgiveness may look invisible, but it is the most precious and costly gift we could ever receive. Forgiveness was costly—Jesus purchased our forgiveness with his blood on the cross. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Ro 8:1).
Matthew was a tax collector, despised by his fellow Jews for working with Rome. Jesus called him, the outcast. He saw Matthew’s potential, not his failure. Jesus had a joyful eating fellowship with tax collectors and sinners, despite the Pharisees’ criticism. His fellowship with the outcasts displays that God’s kingdom is for the broken who acknowledge their need. The Pharisees kept rules but lacked God’s heart—mercy. But Jesus desired mercy, not rules and sacrifice. He saw sinners suffering and agonizing in their sin-sickness and healed them. Jesus came as the Great Physician to heal the sick with sin. Jesus came to call sinners.
Apr 23, 2026
JESUS CAME TO CALL SINNERS
Passage: Matthew 9:1-13
Key verse: 13
NIV
chapter 9
1. 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.
9. As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
11. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12. On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
13. But go and learn what this means: ’I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord, I need Jesus, my doctor, who can heal my body, mind and spirit each day.
One Word: Jesus is my doctor