When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
-he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
I've always wondered: why is Jesus looking for the easy way? Did Jesus not anticipate the scribes would consider what He did blasphemy?
Why is it easier to say "your sins are forgiven" rather than "rise, pick u
your mat and walk?" I'm thinking it is easier, or more convenient to say something as abstract as 'your sins are forgiven' because there is no expectation for the paralytic to walk by the guests. So if the paralytic fails to walk, no failed promise.
But it seemed so superficial. I wouldn't like to think that Jesus just 'afraid' of making announcements that fail. Because he will never fail. So what does he actually mean by "easier"?
Perhaps it is in the context of "ease of understanding" his message. His message has always been that of forgiveness and of redemption. He heals wounds and affliction caused by sin. The healing comes from forgiveness and repentance. The crowd, seeing someone forgiven and healed, would understand what they would need to do to be healed, too. They would understand that their sins caused their pain and affliction. And by asking forgiveness from the Lord, they will be healed.
But healing this paralytic by just commanding the affliction to disappear will not bring his message of forgiveness to the crowd. All they will know and remember was that the man was healed.
So this is how I am able to finally make sense of the gospel. And it just reaffirms how much wiser He is. And how important it is to always contemplate on His Word.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
3 comments:
I agree. Good reflections...
oh my. i imagined you telling this post verbally.
I think I have to listen more at the preachings. Happy weekend!
Jesus Christ knew very well that the scribes were there to find fault at anything that the Messiah would do.
Jesus can read people's hearts.
He did not say "Pick up your mat" because He knows that it is the Sabbath and it is prohibited for Jews to do anything on a Sabbath (continue reading the succeeding verses). But instead he showed everyone (or was compelled to show) that He is the Lord of the Sabbath and he can do anything (both heal and forgive) so he said to the paralytic "get up and pick up your mat".
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