Your sins are forgiven

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

¹Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. ²Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

³At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"

⁴Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? ⁶But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." ⁷And the man got up and went home. ⁸When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

The Calling of Matthew

⁹As 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.

¹⁰While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

¹²On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'^[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

9:1耶穌上船，渡過了湖，回到他自己的城。9:2有人抬著一個躺在床上 的癱瘓病人到他面前來。耶穌看出他們的信心，就對癱瘓病人說：「孩子，放心吧，你 的罪蒙赦免了！」9:3 有幾個經學教師心裏想：「這個人說了狂妄的話！」9:4耶穌知道他們在想些甚麼，就問：「你 們為甚麼懷著邪惡的念頭呢？9:5對這個人說『你的罪蒙赦免』容易，或是說『起來走』容易 呢？9:6我要向你們證明，人子在地上有赦罪的權。」於是他對癱瘓病人說：「起來，拿起你 的床，回家去吧！」9:7那個人就起來，回家去了。9:8看見的人都驚奇害怕；他們頌讚上帝， 因為他把這樣的權賜給人。 9:9耶穌離開那裏再往前走，看見了一個收稅的，名叫馬太，坐在稅關上。耶穌對他說： 「來跟從我！」馬太就起來，跟從了他。9:10耶穌在馬太家裏吃飯的時候，許多稅棍和壞人 也來了，跟耶穌和他的門徒一起吃飯。9:11有些法利賽人看見了，就對耶穌的門徒說：「為甚 麼你們的老師跟稅棍和壞人一起吃飯呢？」9:12耶穌聽見了這話就說：「健康的人用不著醫生 ，有病的人才用得著。9:13聖經說：『我要的是仁慈，不是牲祭。』你們去研究這句話的意思 吧！因為我來的目的不是要召好人，而是要召壞人。」

一、中心內容：

內容：
1>主耶穌搭船回到自己的城（迦百農），並醫治一個癱瘓的病人。（v1-2）Jesus returned to His own town by boat and healed a paralytic. (v1-2)
2>幾個經學教師看見這件事，就暗中在心裏議論主耶穌。（v3）The teachers of the law murmured against Jesus. (v3)
3>主耶穌看透經學教師不懷好意，就先為自己所擁有的權柄略作說明，然後醫治了那癱瘓的病人。（v4-7） Jesus knew of their malicious motive, He explained the authority that was given to Him and healed the paralytic. (V4-7)
4>凡看見的人都感到驚奇，同時頌讚上帝。（v8）Everyone who saw it was amazed and praised God. (v8)
5>主耶穌呼召稅吏馬太來跟從祂。（v9）Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him. (v9)
6>主耶穌應邀到馬太家裏，並與其他稅吏一同坐席。（v10）Jesus was invited to Matthew’s house and ate with other tax collectors. (v10)
7>主耶穌因與稅吏一同坐席，導致引起法利賽人的批評。（v11）Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees because of eating with the tax collectors. ( v11)
8>主耶穌針對法利賽人的批評作解釋。（v13）Jesus gave an explanation in response to their criticism. (v13)

主題：
1>人子的權柄。The authority of the Son of Man
2>你的罪赦了！Your sins are forgiven.
3>起來，拿你的床回家吧！Get up, pick up your mat and go home!
4>來，跟從我！Come, follow Me!
5>愛的呼召。The Call of Love

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>與人認同（與一般人過生活）的耶穌基督。（v1、v10）Jesus identified Himself as a human. He lived like a human being. (v1, 10)
2>看透人心的耶穌基督。（v2、v4）Jesus knows the thoughts of man. (v2,4)
3>擁有赦罪權柄的耶穌基督。（v2、v6）Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. (v2,6)
4>擁有醫治權柄的耶穌基督。（v6-7）Jesus has the power to heal. (v6-7)
5>配得頌讚的上帝。（v8）God is worthy of praise. (v8)
6>賜下赦罪與醫治權柄的上帝。（v8）God bestows the authority to forgive sin and to heal the sick. (v8)
7>呼召門徒的耶穌基督。（v9）Jesus Christ called out the disciples.(v9)
8>為召（贖回）罪人而降世的耶穌基督。（v13）Jesus was born to redeem sinners. (v13)

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？
1>病得醫治的因素 Factors of being healed
當主耶穌回到迦百農之後，有人抬著一個躺在床上癱瘓的病人，來到主耶穌的面前。主耶穌看出他們的信心，就對癱瘓的病人說：「孩子，放 心吧，你的罪蒙赦免了！」隔一會兒，又對那癱瘓的病人說：「起來，拿起你的床，回家去吧！」那個人就起來，回家去了。

¹Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. ²Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home. (v1, 6b)

根據這段經文的記載，我們看到這個癱子的病，已經得醫治了。但是我們若深入探討這癱子病得醫治的因素，大概有下列三方面：

According to these verses, the paralytic was healed. If we probe deeper, we can identify three factors of this man’s healing:
a.對主的信心：經文明明記載，主耶穌看出他們的信心，就對癱瘓病人說：「孩子，放心吧，你的罪蒙赦免了！」顯然，他們（癱子以及扛 抬的友人）的信心，是促成病得醫治的因素之一。

1. Faith in the Lord: the verse clearly recorded that Jesus saw their (the paralytic and his friends) faith. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." It is obvious that their faith led to his healing.
   b. 朋友的扶持：這癱子無法自行走路，能夠來到主耶穌面前，需 要靠朋友的扶持。因此，朋友的愛心與扶持，也是促成病得醫治的因素。
2. Friends’ support: He could not walk on his own. He needed his friends’ help and support to be near Jesus. The support and love of his friends was one of the factors.

3. 耶穌的憐憫：主耶穌不僅擁有醫治的權柄，更重要的是憐憫這個人。因 此，主耶穌的憐憫、主耶穌的意願，也是促成病得醫治的因素。

c. Compassion of Jesus: Jesus had the authority to heal, but more importantly, He felt compassion for the paralytic. Thus, He healed the man.
反省：今天醫治神蹟依然繼續發生，包括：肉體與心靈（蒙恩得救）雙重醫治。我對主耶穌醫治的權柄，是否依然充滿信心？在醫治的神蹟當 中，我扮演什麼角色？是否扮演扶持者的角色？就是扶持心靈創傷、心靈破碎的人，將他們帶到主耶穌的面前？
Reflection: Healing miracles, both physical and spiritual (salvation), continue to happen today. Am I fully confident in Jesus’ healing authority? What role do I play in such a healing miracle? Am I supportive to the broken-hearted and do I bring them before Jesus?

2>疾病與罪的關係 The correlation between sickness and sin
當主耶穌回到迦百農之後，有人抬著一個躺在床上的癱瘓病人，來到主耶穌的面前。主耶穌看出他們的信心，就對癱瘓病人說：「孩子，放心 吧，你的罪蒙赦免了！」於是他對癱瘓病人說：「起來，拿起你的床，回家去吧！」那個人就起來，回家去了。

根 據這段聖經的記載，我們發現一件奇特的現象，就是這個人所罹 患的，明明是癱瘓的病，但是主耶穌醫治的方式，卻宣告說：你的罪赦免了！罪跟疾病怎麼扯得上關 係呢？然而，事實證明，當主耶穌宣告「罪得赦免」之後，這個人的疾病竟然得了醫治。顯然，某些疾病，事實上不是真病，而是罪所引起 的。因此，只要罪的問題 處理了，病自然就痊癒了。主耶穌到世上來，擔當了人類的罪，也除去了人間許多的疾苦。

See verse 1 and 6.

According to these verses, instead of healing the paralytic, Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven. What is the relationship between sickness and sin? However, he was healed after Jesus claimed that his sins were forgiven. It is obvious that some illnesses are not merely illnesses by themselves; it has something to do with sin. If the sin has been dealt with, the sickness will be healed. The Lord came to this world to bear human’s sin, He also took away many of the sufferings of this world.
反省：當我生病的時候，我都如何處置？是否先行禱告，甚至作認罪的禱告，就是求上帝憐憫、求上帝赦免、求上帝醫治。如果病依然沒有 好，再行吃藥，或看醫生？
Reflection: What do I do when I am sick? Do I pray first, even to the point of confessing my sin and ask for God’s mercy, forgiveness and healing? Do I visit a doctor and take medicine if the condition does not improve?
3>看透內心的耶穌 Jesus who knows people’s thoughts
當主耶穌因著他們的信心，對癱瘓的病人說：「孩子，放心吧，你的罪蒙赦免了！」之後，有幾個經學教師心裏想說：「這個人說了狂妄的 話！」主耶穌知道他們心裏在想些甚麼，就問他們說：「你們為甚麼懷著邪惡的念頭呢？」

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." (v1a) ³At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" ⁴Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? (v3-4)
顯然，主耶穌不僅看到表面，同時看到人的內心，就是看透人的心思意念。

Jesus not only sees the outward behavior, He also sees the thoughts of men. He knows every man’s heart and mind.
反省：在人面前，或許可以偽裝；在主耶穌面前，絕對無法偽裝。在人面前偽裝慣了，在主耶穌面前，是否也習慣隱藏、習慣偽裝呢？
Reflection: I can maybe pretend before others but not before Jesus. Am I so used to pretending before others that I become like so before Jesus?
4>擁有赦罪的權柄 Jesus has the authority to forgive sin
主 耶穌因為看見他們的信心，對癱瘓的病人說：「孩子，放心吧，你的罪蒙赦免了！」有幾個經學教師心裏想：「這個人說了狂妄的話！」 耶穌知道他們在想些甚麼， 就問：「你們為甚麼懷著邪惡的念頭呢？對這個人說『你的罪蒙赦免』容易，或是說『起來走』容易呢？我要向你們證明，人子在地上有赦罪 的權。」
於是對癱瘓病人說：「起來，拿起你的床，回家去吧！」那個人就起來，回家去了。看見的人都驚奇害怕；他們頌讚上帝，因為上帝把這樣的 權賜給人。

根據以上經文記載，非常明顯：主耶穌擁有上帝所賜「赦罪」的權 柄。

In the beginning of this passage, we read that people were in awe and gave praise to God who had given such authority to men. It is clear to us that Jesus has the authority from God to forgive sin.
反省：我對主耶穌有多少認識？是否得知祂有定罪與赦罪的權柄？所謂赦罪的權柄，就像在法庭上的審判官，可以審判你無罪一樣？我是否尋 求並倚靠主耶穌？
Reflection: How much do I know about Jesus? Do I know that He has the authority to condemn and to forgive sin? Is the authority to forgive sin the same as that of a judge who can let you go free in the courtroom? Am I seeking and relying on Jesus?
5>無知的經學教師 The Ignorant teachers of the law
當聽見主耶穌對癱瘓的人，作出赦罪的宣告之後，有幾個經學教師並不以為然，因此以正義之師自居，在心裏暗中想說：這個人說了狂妄的 話！
這 一群經學教師，表面看起來是道貌岸然、飽覽經書的有識之士。事實上，他們對人缺乏愛，就是對癱子沒有同情心；他們對上帝缺乏真正 的敬畏，以及應有的信心， 他們更缺乏一顆謙卑的心，因為他們以正義之師自居。實際上，他們是一群貧乏又無知的人，因為他們只對律法的字句有興趣，並未真正明白 律法背後「愛人如己」 的精神。

The teachers of the law did not agree with what Jesus did to the paralytic and thought that Jesus was a blasphemer. Outwardly, they looked like righteous and well-educated people. The fact that they did not sympathize with the paralytic was the evidence that they lacked love for others. They lacked true reverence, faith and humility. They were self-righteous people. They were poor and ignorant in spirit, because they studied the word of the law without true understanding of its meaning which is “to love others as you love yourself”.
反省：我的信仰是否落入如同法利賽人或經學教師一樣形式化、樣版化，所謂律法主義。導致失去對上帝的敬畏、對上帝的信心，以及對人的 愛心？
Reflection: Does my faith become legalistic like those of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who have lost their reverence and faith toward God, and the love for people?

6>強烈對比的角色 The stark contrast among three main roles in this passage
針對「主耶穌呼召馬太」這個事件，我們從整個事件發展過程當中，發現有三個角色，就是主耶穌、馬太、法利賽人等。而且這三個角色，分 別有著截然不同的反應。
a.主 耶 穌：作罪人的朋友、呼召罪人為門徒、為罪人遭受議論。
b.馬 太：接待主耶穌、跟從主耶穌、見證主耶穌、分享主恩典。
c.法利賽人：批評主耶穌、批評接待者、以義人自居。

Three characters were involved in the incident of Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector. All acted differently.

1. Jesus: He was criticized, because He befriended the sinners and called them His disciples.
2. Matthew: He received, followed, witnessed for Jesus and shared the grace of the Lord.
3. The Pharisees: They criticized Jesus and the host. They were self-righteous people.
   

反省：「馬太」與「經學教師」這兩者，我比較像哪一種角色？
Reflection: Do I identify myself with Matthew or the teachers of the law?
7>奇妙無比的呼召 A wonderful calling
馬太的身份是稅吏，自古以來稅吏總是令人討厭的。尤其在當時的猶太社會當中，稅吏係代替統治者羅馬帝國，徵收被殖民同胞的稅捐，所以 這種身份更是令人痛恨。他們認定稅吏沒有一個是好人，他們都是賣國賊，甚至是欺上瞞下、飽中私囊、貪得無厭的人，所以是道道地地的壞 人。

Matthew was a tax collector and tax collectors have been hated since a long time ago. Back then, tax collectors worked for the Roman Empire who ruled over them. They collected tax from their compatriots and they were thought to be traitors. They were greedy and always collected more than they should have and gave back the government less than they should have. They were bad indeed.
因此，在猶太人的心目中，稅吏是與強盜、殺人犯無異，他們不僅拒絕稅吏進入會堂，同時也拒絕稅吏作見證。這就是當時馬太「位高權重、 聲名狼籍」的處境。
如果要呼召門徒，照理說，應該呼召社會公認「外表敬虔、嚴守律法」的法利賽人才對。但是主耶穌竟然呼召了像馬太這樣的人，而且還跟他 一同坐席，甚至還栽培成為門徒。主耶穌的呼召，真是奇妙無比！今天主耶穌呼召你、我，豈不也是如此嗎？

The Jewish put tax collectors, robbers and murderers into the same category. They refused to let them into their synagogues and did not allow them to witness. This was the situation Matthew was facing. Pharisees should have been the right people called to be disciples, since they were recognized as pious people and strict law observers. Yet, Jesus called Matthew, ate with him and trained him to be a disciple. It is incredible! Doesn’t Jesus call you and I the same way?
反省：蒙主呼召的我，自己覺得配得嗎？還是出自主的恩典？是否感到這呼召真奇妙？
Reflection: Am I worthy of the Jesus ‘call? Is it the Lord’s grace? Do I think it is amazing?
8>跟隨主的得與失 The gain and the loss in following Jesus
當主耶穌呼召臨到之後，馬太立刻回應並跟隨。這回應與跟隨，必然有所失、有所得。例如：雖失去職業，卻抓住人生的方向；雖失去豐厚的 收入，卻獲得永生的盼望；雖失去舒適的生活，卻獲得友誼，並獲得心靈的平安與喜樂。

Matthew responded and followed when Jesus called him. In this response, he gained something and lost something. For instance, he lost his job but found the direction in his life; he lost the lucrative income but gained the hope of eternal life; he lost a comfortable life but he gained friendship, peace and joy in his heart.
反省：在我的生命當中，什麼該捨？什麼該得？我是否有判斷的智慧，以及選擇的決心？
Reflection: What should I give and what should I get in my life? Do I have the wisdom to judge and the determination to choose?
9>美妙的福音餐會 A wonderful feast of gospel
當馬太得到主耶穌的呼召之後，不僅設宴款待主耶穌，同時邀請好些稅吏的同事，以及罪人的朋友，一起到他家中來坐席。一方面見證自己的 改變，另一方面介紹主耶穌，讓祂的同事或朋友認識。這是一場道道地地的福音餐會，多麼美！多麼有意義！

Matthew invited Jesus, colleagues and friends to eat together in his house. He testified his life being changed and introduced Jesus to those had come. It was a feast of gospel. How beautiful and meaningful!
反省：當我認識主耶穌之後，是否曾經為主作見證？邀過多少人，前來認識主耶穌？
Reflection: Do I witness for Jesus after I know Him? How many people do I invite to know Jesus?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用