11/19 Matthew 9:5-6

⁵ For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'or to say, 'Rise and walk'?⁶ 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."

Some men had brought their paralyzed friend to a house where Jesus was teaching but they could not get in because of the crowd. They broke through the roof and lowered the man down to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he told the man that his sins were forgiven. Jesus noticed the reaction from the religious leaders. Only the one who is sinned against can forgive the one that sins. I can't forgive you for something you did to someone else. You must seek forgiveness from the one you offended. We offend others, but all sins are sins against God in the final analysis. That is why the leaders were offended at Jesus claiming the man's sins were forgiven. Who did Jesus think He was?

To help the leaders understand who He was, Jesus asked them a simple question: Is it easier to say to a paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Rise and walk"? They couldn't answer because they couldn't do either. Both are impossible with men. So that they would understand that He has authority to forgive sins, by His command the man was healed.

Jesus has authority to forgive because He is one with the Father. Our sins are sins against Him. Have you gone to the only One who can forgive your sins and asked for His forgiveness? He could forgive us all by His word alone, but so that the Accuser would never have legal grounds to ever bring charges against us in the future, Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins with His own blood upon the cross. If Satan ever questions the justice of forgiving this paralyzed man or you or me, Jesus can point to the payment He made in full for all our sins.

Consider: Now we should get up and live like we are on our way home!