As Jesus worked miracles, people were curious and amazed. Large crowds started following Him. Among those most interested in the works of Jesus were the Jewish leaders who looked unfavorably upon both the actions of Jesus and the following that He was gaining. Though they were interested, they felt increasingly threatened.
The Pharisees and teachers had gathered to see the power of Jesus for themselves and would later attempt to build a case against Him. But Jesus’ authority to forgive sins served to reveal their hardness of heart and evil intentions.
When Jesus told a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven and then asked these religious men the question, “Which is easier … ?,” the point wasn’t for them to do a scientific assessment to determine which act required greater power. The point was to show them His authority. Therefore, Jesus followed His question with the true answer: “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He commanded the man to get up and walk.
Jesus affirmed His authority to forgive sins by healing the paralyzed man. All of Jesus’ miracles provided the evidence for His teachings and His authority. What’s more, Jesus’ authority is not constrained to only the physical world, but also reaches deep into the spiritual component of every person. While healing the man’s physical condition was a beautiful act of grace, what the man needed most was to have his sins forgiven. And this was the truth the religious leader’s hard hearts failed to understand.
As we reflect on Jesus’ words in this passage, we can ask Him to examine our hearts. Unlike the religious leaders, whose prideful hearts kept them from submitting to Christ’s authority, we can joyfully ask the Lord to reveal any sin. Then by His grace, we can repent and find forgiveness.
Just as Jesus demonstrated His authority to forgive the man’s sins by offering the evidence of healing, so has He also shown us His power to forgive our sins through the cross. Not only can we be confident that He will forgive, but we can rejoice that He has met our greatest need.
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