Unlimited: Jesus Forgives Sin
Feb 20, 2024 1985
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralysed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So, he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this” (Mark 2:6–12, NIV).
Jesus has been teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum. The room is so packed that some men wanted to bring their friend to Jesus, but they couldn’t get through. So, they made a hole through the roof and lowered their friend down. Jesus says to the paralysed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus was challenging the teachers of the law in what he said to them. If Jesus forgave sin, then he was claiming to do something only God can do. This statement meant that he was basically saying that he was God. The teachers of the law were happy enough for Jesus to heal the man, but not for him to forgive his sins.
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he publicly confronted them. What he basically said to them was, “Both are just as easy for me to do, both to forgive sins and to heal.” And to prove it, he healed the man as well.
The people were amazed and praised God. But Jesus had made some enemies with his bold actions.
Let’s try to answer the question that Jesus asked in our own lives. Which do you think is easier for Jesus to do for you: to forgive your sins or to heal a health condition?
Often, in our heart of hearts, we think that it’s more difficult for God to forgive us than to heal us. That’s because we feel unworthy of his forgiving mercy.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: The paralysed man received it all. And if you trust in Jesus, you’ll have it all as well. Have you trusted him to remove sin from controlling your life?
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