1. Your sins are forgiven (1-8)

When some men brought a paralytic to Jesus, he said to the man, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.' This was a bold and strange thing to say to a paralytic. Even though the man couldn't move, what really enslaved him was the sense of shame and powerlessness that sin brings. Jesus had mercy on him. With Jesus' mercy, we can receive forgiveness and find the ability to move and live with hope and true freedom.

2. Follow me (9-13)

Matthew was a tax collector. He was considered a public sinner, taking poor people's money for the Roman Empire, and for himself as well. He was despised and rejected. Jesus invited such a man to follow him. If God cannot hope for the worst in humanity, he cannot have hope for me. But Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous. God came to restore our humanity by his tender love and mercy.


Application: Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins and having hope for me.
One Word: Desire mercy