Sins Are Forgiven
Brought to Jesus, Made Whole
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 2:5 (NKJV) - When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
OBSERVATION:
In this part of Mark chapter 2, we meet a paralyzed man and his four friends. Hearing that Jesus was in town, his friends took him to see Jesus, just as any good friends would. When they arrived, they couldn't get inside. Undeterred, they persisted until their friend was brought before Jesus. The story continues with the man being lowered through a hole in the roof before Jesus, who then speaks.
Mark 2:5 (NKJV) - When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
Our faith greatly influences others. Our consistent prayer and our bringing them to Jesus will yield the same outcome this man experienced—sins are forgiven! Often, we mirror the Scribes, harboring a similarly critical attitude.
Mark 2:7 (NKJV) - "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
The truth is, we can only tell others they are forgiven—only Jesus has the power to cleanse them from sin. Our privilege is to lead them to the Savior, who has the authority to forgive. Jesus would later reveal the Scribes' true hearts.
Mark 2:8-11 (NKJV) - 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'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic, I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."
The question remains relevant today: which is easier to declare—"Your sins are forgiven" or "Rise and walk"? Naturally, the simpler statement is “Your sins are forgiven," since the other requires a supernatural act of God. When Jesus speaks of forgiving sins, He isn’t merely claiming the power to heal physically; He’s also emphasizing His authority to provide complete healing and cleansing from sin—covering the past, present, and future.
APPLICATION:
What is the sin in your life that holds you back? Does it feel impossible to overcome? Do you doubt like the Scribes or trust like the four men? Let Jesus handle what only He can do... Son, your sins are forgiven!
1 John 1:8-10 (NKJV)- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
May today be the day we triumph over sin through Jesus Christ, our Savior! Rise and walk—you and I no longer need to remain in that place. Also, emulate the four men by bringing your friends to Jesus. Don’t lose heart if results aren't immediate—keep being persistent.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving and cleansing me of my sins. Please keep helping me overcome them, especially when I start to resemble the Scribes. The challenges I see as impossible to conquer, You can handle. Wash me anew and purify me. All the glory be to You, for only You can forgive sins!
Mark 2:5 (NKJV) - When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
OBSERVATION:
In this part of Mark chapter 2, we meet a paralyzed man and his four friends. Hearing that Jesus was in town, his friends took him to see Jesus, just as any good friends would. When they arrived, they couldn't get inside. Undeterred, they persisted until their friend was brought before Jesus. The story continues with the man being lowered through a hole in the roof before Jesus, who then speaks.
Mark 2:5 (NKJV) - When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
Our faith greatly influences others. Our consistent prayer and our bringing them to Jesus will yield the same outcome this man experienced—sins are forgiven! Often, we mirror the Scribes, harboring a similarly critical attitude.
Mark 2:7 (NKJV) - "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
The truth is, we can only tell others they are forgiven—only Jesus has the power to cleanse them from sin. Our privilege is to lead them to the Savior, who has the authority to forgive. Jesus would later reveal the Scribes' true hearts.
Mark 2:8-11 (NKJV) - 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'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic, I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."
The question remains relevant today: which is easier to declare—"Your sins are forgiven" or "Rise and walk"? Naturally, the simpler statement is “Your sins are forgiven," since the other requires a supernatural act of God. When Jesus speaks of forgiving sins, He isn’t merely claiming the power to heal physically; He’s also emphasizing His authority to provide complete healing and cleansing from sin—covering the past, present, and future.
APPLICATION:
What is the sin in your life that holds you back? Does it feel impossible to overcome? Do you doubt like the Scribes or trust like the four men? Let Jesus handle what only He can do... Son, your sins are forgiven!
1 John 1:8-10 (NKJV)- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
May today be the day we triumph over sin through Jesus Christ, our Savior! Rise and walk—you and I no longer need to remain in that place. Also, emulate the four men by bringing your friends to Jesus. Don’t lose heart if results aren't immediate—keep being persistent.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving and cleansing me of my sins. Please keep helping me overcome them, especially when I start to resemble the Scribes. The challenges I see as impossible to conquer, You can handle. Wash me anew and purify me. All the glory be to You, for only You can forgive sins!
Bring others to Jesus in faith—only He can forgive, cleanse, and raise us again.
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