Which Is Easier?
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Mark 2:7–9 The Context: A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus for healing. The first thing Jesus did was say He forgave the man’s sin. The religious leaders there accused Jesus of blasphemy because only God can forgive sin. Jesus called their doubts about His real identity “evil” and proved that He really is The God who can forgive sin by immediately doing the seemingly impossible by healing the man. The people were “amazed.”
God Asks Us: “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? (Matt 9:4-5 Luke 5:23)
jne: Jesus still has both detractors and followers. Detractors don’t mind if He does a few miracles, but He better not say they have sin that only He can forgive. But detractors can’t really get away from Him; He can even read their thoughts. In spite of our doubts and opposition God still seeks to capture our attention. If only we would really watch we might learn that we have the easy things and hard things backwards.
Jesus created the world and all in it (and heals us) with a word.
But, Jesus had to die to forgive us. People who know Jesus’ ability to forgive our sin are AMAZED and GLORIFY God.
Mark 2:7–9 The Context: A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus for healing. The first thing Jesus did was say He forgave the man’s sin. The religious leaders there accused Jesus of blasphemy because only God can forgive sin. Jesus called their doubts about His real identity “evil” and proved that He really is The God who can forgive sin by immediately doing the seemingly impossible by healing the man. The people were “amazed.”
God Asks Us: “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? (Matt 9:4-5 Luke 5:23)
jne: Jesus still has both detractors and followers. Detractors don’t mind if He does a few miracles, but He better not say they have sin that only He can forgive. But detractors can’t really get away from Him; He can even read their thoughts. In spite of our doubts and opposition God still seeks to capture our attention. If only we would really watch we might learn that we have the easy things and hard things backwards.
Jesus created the world and all in it (and heals us) with a word.
But, Jesus had to die to forgive us. People who know Jesus’ ability to forgive our sin are AMAZED and GLORIFY God.