Jesus Forgives and Heals

Jesus Forgives and Heals (Matthew 9; Mark 2; Luke 5)

Dear families,

Jesus posed an intriguing question in today’s passage: “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’?” We’re presented with quite a few crises in this story: a man suffering from paralysis was carried into Jesus’ presence by his friends, the house was too crowded to allow new guests, and the Jewish leaders watched it all unfold with cynical hearts. It appeared to be a lose-lose situation from every angle.

As Jesus kept teaching, the men devised a plan to get their friend to the Healer while the scribes and Pharisees continued to cry blasphemy in their hearts.

Yet Jesus was demonstrating this truth to every person involved: He alone has the power to forgive sin. In this scriptural account, we see Jesus’ authority—His power, ability, and willingness to intervene in the lives of God’s people through their faith. Though the religious leaders in the crowd were unable to see the state of the paralyzed man’s heart, they could witness Christ’s power to physically heal.

When Jesus saw the friends’ desperate, inventive, and faith-fueled means of bringing their friend to Him, He extended forgiveness to the man. However, Jesus’ forgiveness was viewed as an overstepping of authority. After all, the Jews knew that only God has the right to forgive sins. The scribes and Pharisees believed it would be more difficult for Jesus to forgive the man than to heal him. To prove His power to accomplish both, Jesus extended forgiveness and physical healing to the man in need.

Jesus meets the needs of the humble and lowly. He recognized the faith of the men who took such a great risk to deliver their friend at His feet. They believed they could boldly approach the one with the power to heal.

This week, lead your children to see that the Jesus in this story is the same Lord who desires to forgive their sins today! Ask the Lord to go before you as you bring your children to Him by teaching them His Word. May they trust in Him by faith, believing in His authority and desire to heal and save them also.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

STORY POINT

This is the main point to emphasize from today’s Bible story.

• Preschool: Jesus showed His power by forgiving sin. 
• Kids: Jesus showed His power by forgiving sin.

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus can forgive sins and heal people because Jesus is God. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus helped a man who could not walk. Jesus also forgave the man’s sins. Jesus can do this because Jesus is God.
• Older Preschool: Jesus showed His power by forgiving sin and healing the man who could not walk. Jesus can forgive sins and heal people because Jesus is God.
• Kids: By forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus revealed that He is God. Jesus has power to heal and forgive. Only through faith in Jesus can people be saved from their sins.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Younger Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom.
• Older Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom.
• Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Babies & Toddlers: Shine your light so others see your good works and give glory to God. Matthew 5:16
• Younger Preschool: Shine your light before others so they see your good works and give glory to God. Matthew 5:16
• Older Preschool: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
• Kids: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

** Next week: John Chose Disciples (Mark 2-3; Luke 6)