Verse of the Day 1/18

Verse of the Day 1/18

Matthew 9:5-6

English Standard Version

5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic—"Rise, pick up your bed and go home."

I'm sure that most of us have had an experience in our lives where we said something and someone responded with "that's easy of you to say", and there are times when we were able to make the preceeding statement because we spoke from experience, and most likely that experience was not easy, in fact may have been one of the most difficult things that we had to deal with in our lives.

In today's passage the Pharisees were looking for anything to bring a claim against Jesus.  As a paralytic was brought to Jesus by some friends, in hope and faith that Jesus would heal thim Jesus responded to their faith by saying their sins were forgiven. Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking and proclaimed it to all who could hear. "which is easier, to say your sins are forgiven or to say to the paralytic, pick up your mat and walk".  Jesus knew that it was not an easy matter for Him to give forgiveness, He already knew what He would have to do.  It would cost Him His life, death on the cross and then be resurrected to show that He did indeed have the power to forgive sins and to heal the man..

When we approach Jesus, do we do so in faith?  Do we put our trust our hope in Him? No matter what anyone else says, He has the power to forgive and to heal.  Call, cry out to Him, or perhaps be like the friends in this passage and bring someone else to Jesus.

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus                                (Cry Out to Jesus - Third Day)

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Matthew 9:1-8

English Standard Version

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, knowing[a]

Matt 9:1-8 ESV - - Bible Gateway

 their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic—"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.