Jump Start # 68

Matthew 9:5 “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’”

  Our verse for today is a statement of our Lord. It is presented in the form of a question, actually a multiple choice question. “Which is easier…” We use similar language all the time. “What’s your favorite?,” or, “Which is the best?” are common questions in our everyday conversations. In this chapter, a paralytic is brought to Jesus. He knows why they brought him. They want Jesus to heal him. Seeing their faith, instead of healing the mangled legs, Jesus heals the mangled heart. He says, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” What a wonderful statement. Forgiveness. Freedom. Innocence. Saying things like this would get Jesus in trouble. When the crippled man was lowered through the roof, Jesus forgave sins. When the cured leper turned to thank Jesus, he received something the other nine didn’t, forgiveness. When the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember Him, he was granted forgiveness.

  Forgiveness is something that belongs to God. Until God forgives, nothing else matters. Friends and family may say, “It’s ok, all is forgotten,” yet what we owe God lingers until we have made things right with God. The Jews understood that granting forgiveness was a prerogative of God. Man can’t do that. So, when Jesus forgave, He was doing what only God could do. He could do that because He was God. Most folks back then didn’t get that. Jesus didn’t “seem” like God. And for Him to forgive, well, that was off the charts wrong. They thought not only should He not do this, but He’s in trouble for doing this.

  Jesus knew what they were thinking. So He asks this question, “Which is easier: to say your sins are forgiven or take up your bed and walk?” Now Jesus had much more in mind than simply “saying” these things. To say it, meant to do it. God said let there be light and there was light. Jesus said, Lazarus come forth, and he did. So, to say is to do. Now which is easier?

  First, both are impossible for humans. If we could merely heal people by saying the word, doctors and hospitals would be out of business. It takes the power of God to do a miracle and no one today can do those things. To forgive sins necessitates a price being paid. Jesus is the “propitiation” or satisfaction for sins (1 Jn 2:2) because He was the sinless sacrifice. We aren’t. We can’t “say” sins forgiven. It is beyond us.

  Secondly, seeing a lame man healed is easier than seeing a sinful man forgiven. The evidence of crippled legs being useful is obvious. How does a forgiven person look? Forgiveness deals with the heart. It is spiritual. It involves the relationship with God.

  What is the answer to Jesus’ question? Is one easier than the other? Yes. Other people healed. The apostles healed the sick and lame. But only Jesus could forgive sins. No one else could. And for Jesus to do that, He had to come, live among us, be tempted as we are, never sin, and then be nailed to the cross. His resurrection affirmed that we are forgiven. What a price He had to pay. What a cost to accomplish this. As Jesus extended forgiveness to this lame man He knew what was coming. For this to be fulfilled Jesus had a date with Calvary.

  I wonder if folks would be more interested in “fixed” legs or “fixed” souls? One lasts only so long, the other can last forever! Thank you, Lord.

 Roger