911, What’s Your Medical Emergency? – Part 1:The Paralytic

911 Medical Emergency

The Paralytic

In this story you will see the connection between forgiveness of sins and healing/restoration

MAIN TEXT: MATTHEW 9:1-34 (AMP)

Key Thoughts From This Situation

1. A problem outside of their ability to fix
2. A call had to be made- 911 doesn't call you, you must call them
3. The ability to speak through your issue
4. Faith had to be present

Matthew 9:1-34 (AMP)

1 And Jesus, getting into a boat, crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to [Capernaum] His own city.

A. Imagine getting off a boat and you are confronted with a medical emergency

1st Emergency

2 They brought to Him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a stretcher. Seeing their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], Jesus said to the paralytic, "Do not be afraid, son; your sins are forgiven [the penalty is paid, the guilt removed, and you are declared to be in right standing with God]."

A. What does it mean to see their faith?

B. Faith must have a corresponding action, meaning them bringing him was a demonstration of their faith

C. Remember, faith moves

D. The declaration "your sins are forgiven" is significant, as it prioritizes spiritual healing over physical healing.

E. By forgiving sins, Jesus asserts His divine authority

3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]!" 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 and the penalty paid,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? [Both are possible for God; both are impossible for man.]

A. Notice both are possible

B. It's a part of my benefit package

C. Today we believe that God can and will forgive all sin, but don't teach that He still can and will heal all diseases

D. God's ability to heal is unquestioned, but his willingness is

6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority and the power on earth to forgive sins"—then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home."

A. Again we see a direct correlation between sin and sickness

7 And he got up and went home [healed and forgiven]. 8 When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God and praised Him, who had given such authority and power to men.

9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew (Levi) sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk]." And Matthew got up and followed Him.

10 Then as Jesus was reclining at the table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] came and ate with Him and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, "Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but [only] those who are sick.

B. The imagery of a doctor is significant, as it portrays Jesus as a healer, not just of physical ailments but of spiritual brokenness.

13 Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: 'I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,' for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness]."

2nd Emergency

Miracles of Healing | Matthew 9:18 (AMP)

18 While He was saying these things to them, a ruler (synagogue official) entered [the house] and kneeled down and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just now died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live."

Key Thoughts From This Situation

1. A problem outside of their ability to fix
2. A call had to be made
3. The ability to speak through your issue
4. Faith had to be present

Mark 5:22-23 (AMP)

22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up; and seeing Him, fell at His feet 23 and begged anxiously with Him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death; [please] come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live."

4 Things Jairus Did

1. Come to Jesus personally
2. Fell down before Him- Mark 5:22
3. Besought Him greatly-Mark 5:23
4. Exercise absolute faith

4 Kinds of Faith

1. NOW FAITH – HEBREWS 11:1 (NKJV)

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2. EVEN THOUGH – PSALMS 23:4 (AMP)

4 Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

3. EVEN NOW FAITH | MARY SPEAKING OF LAZARUS – John 11:21-22 (AMP)

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give to You."

4. EVEN IF FAITH – DANIEL 3:18 (AMP)

18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!"

Matthew 9:19-20 (AMP)

19 Jesus got up and began to accompany the ruler, with His disciples.

A. Jesus could have healed the girl from a distance, as He did in B. Prayer is not limited by proximity C. There is no proximity in the realm of the spirit

3rd Emergency

20 Then a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the [tassel] fringe of His outer robe;

Key Thoughts From This Situation

1. A problem outside of their ability to fix
2. A call had to be made
3. The ability to speak through your issue
4. Faith had to be present

Leviticus 15:25-27 (NLT)

25 "If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is unrelated to her menstrual period, or if the blood continues beyond the normal period, she is ceremonially unclean. As during her menstrual period, the woman will be unclean as long as the discharge continues. 26 Any bed she lies on and any object she sits on during that time will be unclean, just as during her normal menstrual period. 27 If any of you touch these things, you will be ceremonially unclean. You must wash your clothes and bathe yourself in water, and you will remain unclean until evening.

Mark 5:25-34 (AMP)

25 A woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years, 26 and had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. 27 She had heard [reports] about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His outer robe.

A. How does faith come? Romans 10:17

28 For she thought, "If I just touch His clothing, I will get well." 29 Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body [and knew without any doubt] that she was healed of her suffering. 30 Immediately Jesus, recognizing in Himself that power had gone out from Him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched My clothes?"

James 5:16 (AMP)

Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Hebrews 11:3 (AMP)

By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

31 His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing in around You [from all sides], and You ask, 'Who touched Me?'" 32 Still He kept looking around to see the woman who had done it. 33 And the woman, though she was afraid and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 Then He said to her, "Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering."

Affirmation of Relationship, Public Restoration, Assurance of Acceptance

1) Affirmation of Relationship:

By calling her "daughter," Jesus is claiming her as part of God's family. It's personal and relational — He isn't just healing her body; He's restoring her identity and dignity as a beloved child of God.

2) Public Restoration:

The woman had been ritually unclean for 12 years under Jewish law (Leviticus 15:25–27), meaning she would have been isolated from worship and community life. By publicly calling her "daughter," Jesus not only healed her physically but also reinstated her into society spiritually and socially.-Who God blesses, no man can curse

3) Assurance of Acceptance:

"Daughter" communicates safety, acceptance, and love. She might have approached Him trembling and unsure if she had the right to touch Him, but Jesus reassures her she is fully welcomed — not a burden or an intruder.

In Short:

• When Jesus calls her "daughter," He's saying you are loved, you are accepted, you belong, you are healed, and you are seen. • Would you like me to also show how this moment connects to broader biblical themes, like adoption into God's family? • He could discern all diseases and who had them, because he had all the gifts of the spirit

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean that "faith must have a corresponding action"? How did the friends of the paralytic demonstrate active faith, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives?
2. Why do you think Jesus prioritized saying "your sins are forgiven" before healing the paralytic? What does this reveal about the connection between spiritual and physical healing?
3. The notes state that "God's ability to heal is unquestioned, but his willingness is." Do you agree with this statement? What shapes our beliefs about God's willingness to heal today?
4. Compare and contrast the four kinds of faith presented (Now Faith, Even Though, Even Now, and Even If). Which type of faith do you find most challenging, and why?
5. What are the four common elements present in all three emergency situations? How do these elements relate to our own approach to bringing our needs before God?
6. The woman with the issue of blood had been ceremonially unclean for twelve years. How did her condition affect her spiritually, socially, and emotionally? What risks did she take by touching Jesus?
7. Why is it significant that Jesus publicly called the woman "daughter"? How does this moment demonstrate restoration beyond just physical healing?
8. Jesus said, "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." What does this tell us about who Jesus came to help, and how should this shape the mission of the church today?
9. The notes mention that "prayer is not limited by proximity" and "there is no proximity in the realm of the spirit." How does this truth impact the way we pray for others?
10. In each emergency, someone had to "make the call" to Jesus. What barriers (physical, social, spiritual, or emotional) might prevent people today from bringing their emergencies to Jesus, and how can we help remove those barriers?

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