How does Matthew 9:8 demonstrate God's authority given to Jesus? Setting the Scene • Jesus had just told a paralyzed man, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2). • To prove His right to forgive sin, He healed the man on the spot, and the man walked out in full view of everyone. • The crowd’s reaction is captured in our key verse. Key Verse (Matthew 9:8) “When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” What the Crowd Recognized • Awe: Their wonder wasn’t mere surprise; it was reverent fear, realizing they had witnessed divine power at work. • Glorified God: They instinctively traced the miracle back to God as its source. • Authority Given: They understood that the power operating through Jesus came directly from God Himself. Three Aspects of Authority on Display 1. Authority to Forgive • Only God can pardon sin (Isaiah 43:25). • By forgiving the paralytic, Jesus exercised a prerogative belonging to God alone, proving His unique commission. 2. Authority to Heal • A spoken word instantly restored broken nerves and muscles—authority over the physical realm. 3. Authority to Reveal the Father • The miracle showed the Father’s intention to work through His Son, offering both healing and forgiveness in one act. Why God Received the Glory • The crowd recognized that the power didn’t originate from human skill but from God. • Their praise confirmed heaven’s endorsement of Jesus’ ministry; God was authenticating His Son (Acts 2:22). Delegated Yet Divine • Matthew speaks of authority “given” to Jesus, highlighting His submission to the Father’s plan (John 5:19). • Yet the scope of that authority is total: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18). • The Father grants; the Son exercises; both act in perfect unity (John 5:22–23, 27). Scripture Connections • John 5:26–27 —“The Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself… to execute judgment.” • Colossians 2:9–10 —Jesus is “head over every power and authority.” • Philippians 2:9–11 —Every knee will bow because God has “highly exalted Him.” • Hebrews 2:4 —God bore witness through signs and wonders, confirming Jesus’ message. Takeaways for Today • Forgiveness and healing flow from the same divine authority vested in Christ. • Glorifying God is the right response whenever His power is displayed through Jesus. • Because all authority rests on Jesus, trusting Him is never misplaced; His word still carries heaven’s full backing. |
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