Compassion forgave and healed a paralyzed man. Matthew 9:1-8 : When the Gadarenes asked Jesus to leave He took them at their word. (Matthew 8:34) He got into a boat and went to Capernaum. Capernaum is called, "His own city." Christ will not stay where He is not welcomed. This section shows (a) the faith of some friends -- "behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed" (Matthew 9:2), (b) the forgiveness of the Savior -- "Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9:2), and (c) the failures of those that watched -- "behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth." (Matthew 9:3) Jesus wanted these people to know that he had power to forgive sins.

The paralyzed man felt the touch of Jesus' compassion. "When the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men." (Matthew 9:8) Jesus' compassion made possible the forgiveness of sins. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5)

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