Immediate Healing
“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:11-12
In this account, a paralyzed man was physically carried to Jesus and lowered down through a roof by his friends, just for a chance at being healed by Jesus. Yet, His words to him were unexpected: “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” (5) Before addressing the physical condition, Jesus deals with his spiritual need.
His divine nature immediately saw the thoughts of the skeptical scribes: But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? (8-9)
Many people want their visible problems dealt with. Jesus fixes the real problem. It’s easier to say, “forgiven” than to say, “arise and walk”. It’s easier because we don’t see the physical evidence. By proving what is harder to say, He also proves what is “easier” to say, but much harder to do: to forgive us our sins.
Forgiveness of sins is easier to say, but much harder to accomplish. It involved Him living perfectly and carrying our sins to the cross. He did what we never could. Are you still carrying around that guilt that Jesus already addressed? Lay it down. He will pick it up and get rid of it. When He says, “Your sins are forgiven you”, you know it has been done. Through faith in His forgiving, authoritative, and immediate Word, those who once were paralyzed by sin and doubt now have eternal healing and comfort.
Thee we own a perfect Savior,
Only Source of all that's good.
Every grace and every favor
Comes to us through Jesus' blood.
Jesus gives us true repentance
By His Spirit sent from heaven;
Whispers this transporting sentence,
"Son, thy sins are all forgiven."
The Lutheran Hymnal 358:2-3