When We Need Help, Where Do We Turn?
Every family has stories that get told and retold for years. Usually, those stories involve something that happened to someone, another person denying responsibility, and everyone laughing as the details become more dramatic with each retelling.
One of those stories in our family happened years ago when my wife, Alisha, was pregnant with our daughter Emma.
It was winter in Atlanta, Georgia. We were running late for a doctor’s appointment. I dropped Alisha at the front door and told her to head inside while I parked the minivan and brought in our two young children. Will was about five years old and Gracie was around three.
After parking, I got both kids out of the van and started across the parking lot. It was freezing outside. I was holding Will’s hand and carrying Gracie. We were weaving between parked cars when my feet suddenly hit a patch of black ice.
I never saw it.
Before I knew it, my feet went out from under me. I was trying to protect both children, but somehow Gracie hit her head. Blood was everywhere. Both kids were crying, and I had no idea what to do.
Long story short, we ended up at Children’s Hospital. Gracie was fine, but she needed stitches and a bandage wrapped around her head. Thankfully, she suffered no lasting injury, although she still reminds me of the incident whenever she gets the chance.
When someone is hurt, we usually know where to go. We go to the doctor. We seek help from trained professionals. We are blessed to live in a time when medicine can do remarkable things.
But what happens when there isn’t an easy fix?
What do we do when we face challenges that medicine cannot solve? What about struggles involving finances, relationships, work, grief, fear, anxiety, shame, or regret?
Where do we turn when we don’t know what to do?
A Man Who Had Nowhere Else to Turn
In the first century, there were doctors. Luke, who wrote one of the four Gospels, was a physician. People had access to certain treatments, healing springs, ointments, and remedies.
Yet many conditions had no cure.
When we arrive at Matthew 9, Jesus encounters a man who desperately needs help, healing, and hope.
Matthew writes:
“Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.” (Matthew 9:1)
Jesus has likely returned to Capernaum, which served as His home base during much of His Galilean ministry. After traveling, preaching, teaching, and healing, He was undoubtedly tired.
But as soon as He arrives, a new opportunity for ministry appears.
“Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat.” (Matthew 9:2)
Many of us would have asked them to come back tomorrow.
Jesus doesn’t.
Instead, He immediately responds.
Faith That Carries Others to Jesus
Matthew writes:
“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.'” (Matthew 9:2)
One detail often gets overlooked.
Jesus saw their faith.
Matthew says nothing about the faith of the paralyzed man. The focus is on the faith of his friends.
These friends believed that if they could get their friend into the presence of Jesus, something amazing could happen.
Their faith was active. Their faith moved them to action. Their faith carried someone else into the presence of Christ.
Faith still works that way today.
While only Jesus can save, faith-filled people can help bring others into His presence. We can pray for people. Encourage people. Walk with people. Carry burdens with people. We can introduce others to Jesus.
Sometimes the people around us are paralyzed — not physically, but spiritually and emotionally.
Some are paralyzed by fear. Others by shame. Some by regret. Others by worry.
Many need faithful friends who will help carry them into the presence of Jesus.
Jesus Speaks Words of Encouragement
Before Jesus heals the man, He offers something unexpected.
“Be encouraged, my child!”
“Take heart.”
When people encounter Jesus, they encounter grace.
Certainly, Jesus calls people to repentance. He calls people to holiness. He calls people away from sin.
But He also welcomes the weary, the broken, and the ashamed.
Many people expect judgment when they come before God. Again and again in the Gospels, Jesus meets sinners with grace.
The first words spoken to this man are words of hope.
“Be encouraged.” “Take heart.”
Those same words still resonate today.
The Greater Miracle: Forgiveness
Then Jesus says something completely unexpected:
“Your sins are forgiven.”
The crowd likely expected healing. The friends certainly hoped for healing. The man himself probably wanted healing.
Instead, Jesus addresses something even deeper. He addresses the man’s sin.
At first glance, this seems confusing. Why would Jesus forgive sin when the obvious problem is paralysis?
The answer reveals something profound. Jesus understands that humanity’s greatest problem is not physical brokenness but spiritual brokenness.
Physical suffering is real. Pain is real. Disease is real.
But every person also has a deeper need — a soul that needs forgiveness and restoration.
Jesus goes straight to the root issue.
Does Jesus Think He Is God?
The religious leaders immediately understood the significance of Jesus’ words.
Matthew writes:
“But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, ‘That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?'” (Matthew 9:3)
It was actually a very good question.
The Old Testament repeatedly teaches that God alone forgives sin. In Exodus 34:6–7, God declares Himself to be the One who forgives iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Throughout Scripture, forgiveness belongs to God alone.
The religious leaders understood their Bibles. They understood theology. What they failed to recognize was that God Himself was standing in front of them.
The Son of Man Has Authority
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked:
“Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4)
Then He posed a powerful question:
“Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?” (Matthew 9:5)
The answer is fascinating. Both are impossible for human beings. Both are possible for God.
Jesus continues:
“So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then He turns to the paralyzed man and says: “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (Matthew 9:6)
The title “Son of Man” is deeply significant. It is a messianic title rooted in the Old Testament and used frequently by Jesus.
By using this title and performing this miracle, Jesus is making a bold claim. He possesses divine authority. He has authority to forgive sin because He is more than a teacher, prophet, or miracle worker.
He is the Son of God.
The Man Walks Home
Matthew records the result in one simple sentence:
“And the man jumped up and went home!” (Matthew 9:7)
Immediately. Completely. Miraculously.
Just as his soul was healed when his sins were forgiven, his body was healed when Jesus commanded him to rise.
The crowd was amazed.
“Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority.” (Matthew 9:8)
They were filled with awe. They had witnessed something only God could do.
What Is Paralyzing You?
Many people would have been more impressed by the physical healing than the spiritual healing. We often do the same.
Yet the deeper miracle in this story is forgiveness.
The illnesses and troubles of this world are painful, but they are temporary. The condition of the soul is eternal.
Like the man on the mat, every person has a soul in need of healing. Every person needs forgiveness.
So perhaps the real question is this:
What is paralyzing you?
What fear is holding you back? What shame keeps you trapped? What regret follows you? What anxiety weighs you down? What sin is separating you from the abundant life Jesus offers?
Jesus Is Our Forgiver and Our Healer
That day in the parking lot, when Gracie was injured, I knew exactly where to turn. I knew who could help.
Matthew 9 reminds us where to turn when the deeper wounds of life need healing.
His name is Jesus.
He is the Son of the Living God. He is the Son of Man. He is a Healer and He is a Forgiver.
He is both the Forgiver of sin and the spotless sacrifice for sin. He is both the Victorious King and the perfect Lamb of God. He is the Crucified One, and it is by His stripes that we are healed. He is the Atoning Sacrifice and the Anointed One. He is the Man of Sorrows and the Prince of Peace. He is the Fourth Man in the fire and the Holy One of God. He is the Radiance of God’s glory and the Living Water. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
There is no one like Him and no one beside Him.
He is the Lion of Judah and the Bright Morning Star. He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth. He has the power to forgive sin because He laid down His perfect life for sinners. After His death, He rose again, never to die again, so that all who trust Him might have the hope of Heaven.
Who else has the power to forgive?
Only Jesus.
Jesus is our Forgiver and our Healer. Our hope is in His Name.
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