One Sermon Correction, Still to the Point!
In Sunday’s sermon, we considered Jesus’s words in the Last Supper when he says that the cup “is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mat. 26:28) By those words alone, Jesus makes it clear that a critical aspect of his earthly life was to secure the forgiveness of sins. This is sometimes overlooked by those who want to paint Jesus as only a moral teacher who gave us the Golden Rule (do unto others...).
To further demonstrate that Jesus clearly came for more than mere moral instruction, I referenced a couple verses from the gospels . When I was putting together my sermon, I had assumed that the verse I pulled from Luke 1:77 was from Simeon’s prophetic word over Jesus when he was brought to the Temple as a baby. Simeon’s name slipped my mind when I was preaching, so I went back afterwards to look at it and realized I had confused a couple babies!
While Jesus was in Mary’s womb at the time of Luke 1:77, this passage refers to John the Baptist in a prophecy spoken by his father Zechariah:
[76] And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, [77] to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, [78] because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high [79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
- Luke 1:76-79
As far as the mistaken identity goes, this was a humbling reminder to slow down and not be overconfident in assuming what a verse is referring to when using those ever-so-helpful bible search engines (I like to use blueletterbible). As far as Jesus being sent to secure our forgiveness, this verse still applies! John’s introduction of Jesus will give the “knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.” John the Baptist makes this clear when upon seeing Jesus he says, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'” (John 1:29-30)
While I still have you, there is (at least) one more passage I’d like to point out that hints that Jesus came for more than healings and moral teachings. If you’ve been with us as we’ve been going through the Gospel of Matthew you might recall the occasion when a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus for healing. Check out what Jesus says:
[2] And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." [3] And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." [4] But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? [5] For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? [6] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he then said to the paralytic--"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." [7] And he rose and went home.
- Matthew 9:2-7
It is striking that Jesus forgives the man first. We don’t see him do this elsewhere - he seems to be making a point. Jesus’s forgiveness of this man’s sins indicates that he’s claiming to be God (this is why the scribes think he’s being blasphemous). There’s something else here as well. Everyone thinks paralysis is this man’s biggest problem, but Jesus sees that sin is in fact his biggest problem. The healing of his paralysis serves as a sign of Jesus’s power to forgive sins. If Jesus was a mere moral teacher he would not claim this (how could he?) and if he only offered physical healing this would be beyond his powers. Dealing with sin is Jesus’s top priority and the forgiveness he gives this man is something only he can offer. Jesus is the only one (being fully God and fully Human) who can offer himself as a perfect sacrifice for human sin. He is the only one who can ransom us; he is the only one who can restore your relationship with God.
Let’s not underplay the true miracle of our forgiveness and the spiritual healing that we experience in our lives and see in others’ lives. It is more powerful than being healed of paralysis. It is why Jesus went to the cross.
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Rev. Tom Loghry
Tom Loghry is the senior pastor of Rockland Community Church in North, Scituate, RI. He is a graduate of the Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies, Toccoa Falls College (B.S. Pastoral Ministry), and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.A. Theology). He is continuing his graduate studies in the area of “Ethics & Society” at GCTS.