Thursday 2 July

Gospel Matthew 9: 1 – 8

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

¹ Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. ² Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

³ At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"

⁴ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? ⁶ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home." ⁷ Then the man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to human beings.

Sermon

Marcion – 2C – two Gods – OT and NT. Heresy goes against fundamental teaching – “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” Deut 6.

Reading this account of Abraham – heresy understandable – abhorrence of thought that God might require human sacrifice of first born and only son. Fact that Abraham was able to pull back does not lessen horror of this command.

On other hand, Christ himself suffered and died – and some Christians believe his sacrifice was necessary for our redemption. Did God require the death of his only son, without which we could not be saved? Or was his death the result of human sin which then became a self-sacrifice which reveals to us a suffering God and opens to us the way of salvation?

Behind the story of Isaac may be human sacrifice – practised by Canaanites but abhorred by Israel after invasion of Palestine.

Story may simply be a test of obedience – if so, a pretty sick one. Brilliantly told narrative – subject of much interpretation, theories, and works of art down the ages.

If it was a test, rather than a horrible misinterpretation on the part of Abraham, then there cannot have been a more dramatic one. Abraham forced to choose between obedience to incomprehensible and abhorrent command, and love for his child, for whom he had waited so long, and in whom rested the entire future of his people.

Clearly if that is the explanation, he passed with flying colours. As for us, we pray every time we recite the Lord’s Prayer not to be brought to the time of trial – and our God is loving, full of grace, and forgiving.

So we can believe Abraham was sadly misled in his understanding of what this God required of him, and that Isaac’s life was saved at the very last minute, which leaves this story as a model of obedience and grace rather than a more sinister test almost beyond the understanding and endurance of anyone, regardless of their faith.