Authority to Forgive Sins

"Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "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 2:10-12

this story is mostly told from the viewpoint of the deep faith of this paralytic's friends who dug a hole in the roof and lowered this man down. and it's a touching story, but did you noticed that first Jesus forgave this man... so Jesus was condemning him of being a sinner, but forgave him. i can't imagine the man went to Jesus to be forgiving, but instead he went to be healed by the great Physician. i wonder if this story would have made it into the parables if Jesus would have only forgiven the man, and not healed him of this debilatating illness. just a thought.

but Jesus did both, forgave and healed him. so the man went away, clean both inside and out. oh, to know Jesus and the power He possesses. it is good to be in His family and to know that He is my brother and Savior.

Jesus,
thanks for forgiving me. i love the way You love me. thanks for the faith of these men who came to You to be healed, and received cleansing. Your love and compassion are great. be praised for giving of Yourself to us sinners. may Your forgiveness which we've experienced also be passed on to those who sin against us. may You, Holy Spirit, impart in us the power of Jesus to forgive, and to love the way You love. help us look into the hearts of others, and not get hung up on the outward appearance. may You give us eyes to see the need of the heart before the physical needs. i am so glad to be Your child.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Ashley *Leslie *Mike