The Power To Forgive Sins

 

Matthew 9: 1-8

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic

9 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. ² Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

³ And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

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 you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? ⁶ But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” ⁷ And he arose and departed to his house.

⁸ Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

In this powerful and convincing scenario, Jesus assure us that he has the power to forgive sins. This is truly a "blessed assurance", for the weight of our sins and sinfulness can be crushing. Here, in this simple healing, Jesus demonstrates that as he heals a crippled body, so can he heal a crippled soul. May we not hesitate to seek his healing even before we feel overwhelmed by our sinful thoughts and deeds.This is what he came to do.

Bro. Rene