Monday; October 6, 2008; Matthew 9:2-7

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 And behold, some people brought to [Jesus] 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.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 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.” And he rose and went home. (Matthew 9:2-7, ESV)

I’m not sure about you but I think I might have been a bit disappointed. The friends of this paralytic made the effort to get him to Jesus. After all their trouble Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven.” Don’t you think they had something else in mind? Jesus enemies didn’t like Jesus’ Words either. “He’s blaspheming, playing God.” Jesus responds with a question. “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Rise and walk’?” The answer seems easy. Say “your sins are forgiven” and it doesn’t mean anything because you can’t see forgiveness. “Be healed” requires action. Jesus shows that he is God. He can heal and he does forgive. Now back to the question “Which is easier?” Think about it. Jesus heals with a word but what did he do to say, “Your sins are forgiven.” For that he endured the wrath of God on the cross, paying the punishment for all your sin. What Jesus says happens. He says to you, “son, daughter, your sins are forgiven.”

Let us pray: Dearest Jesus thank you for the forgiveness you won for me on the cross. Amen.