In the Gospels, Jesus often refers to himself as the “Son of Man.” The phrase most likely comes from Daniel 7:13 where Daniel says that he saw in a vision someone “like the son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.” Jesus used this title as a self-reference because it had only vague messianic connotations. He avoided the title Messiah because most people expected a powerful Messiah who would bring political liberation from Roman domination. The designation “Son of Man” affirms the humanity of Jesus, His identification with humanity and His self-sacrifice.
Faith and the Power of God
Jesus‘s act of healing and forgiveness is connected to faith. In this case, it is the faith of the paralyzed man’s friends. Their faith was shown in the fact that they went to collect the paralyzed man and overcame, in a very clever, determined way, any obstacles which prevented them from bringing their friend to Jesus. Both these acts testify to their deep conviction that Jesus could and would heal the man.
The faith demonstrated here is confident, believing trust. Faith is an indispensable ingredient in a working relationship with God. Faith in God is a disposition of trust towards Him that trusts Him to do for them whatever He wishes to do. The word “faith” is explicitly used in various occasions and implied in others. Of the friends of the paralyzed man, it says “When Jesus saw their faith.” To the woman with chronic bleeding He says,
“Your faith has healed you.” (9:22) and to the two blind men, He says “According to your faith it will be done to you.”(9:29). The idea is implicit in the statement of the leper who said, “If you are willing you can make me clean.” (8:2) and the father of a girl who died
“My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her and she will live.” (9:18).
Sometimes, faith is not mentioned at all when it comes to healing (8:15). On the other hand, a lack of faith is said to make healing impossible. For example, when Jesus returns
to His hometown of Nazareth, He heals few (Mk 6:1-6). Jesus, hence, comments on the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth (Mk 6:6).
Faith is, thus, an attitude of trust that allows God to do whatever He may choose to do, by whatever means He may choose to do it. This helps us to realize that our faith or lack of faith has an impact upon the lives of others.
We are all pencils in the hands of a writing God, who is sending love letters to the world.
…. Mother Teresa
Victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by “sucking out a sin” but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.
… D L Moody
Compassion is not just feeling with someone, but seeking to change the situation.
… Desmond Tutu
APPENDIX 9
SAMPLE OF LEADER’S GUIDE
STUDY 1 - JESUS THE HEALER (Mt 9:1-8) ANSWERS
Question 1
Jesus’ words to the paralytic were surprising as they expected the words to have something to do with the man’s physical healing. Instead, He started by talking about the man’s spiritual healing. The teachers of the law were shocked and offended. In claiming to do what only God could do, Jesus was in their opinion, blaspheming. He was laying claim to an attribute or action that could be attributed to God alone.
Question 2
The passage shows Jesus has authority over all sickness and disease as well as authority to forgive sins. The visible healing would verify the invisible forgiveness. Physical healing is easier to authenticate than spiritual healing, because physical healing happens in the physical realm. Spiritual healing occurs in the invisible spirit realm. If Jesus could prove that he had authority to heal physically, he could also prove that He had authority to heal spiritually, namely to forgive sins. By healing the paralyzed man, He validated His claim that He had such authority.
Question 3
The crowd’s reaction was one of awe and praise to God. However, what they gave praise to God for was that he “had given such authority to man.” The crowd apparently saw Jesus as a God-ordained prophet like Elijah or Elisha. They had heard the human side of the “Son of Man” but they had not recognized His deity.
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