Mark 2.5-7 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Jesus saw the faith of both the paralytic and of his friends. He saw their faith in Him. But He saw something much deeper than what they came to Him for. They came for a physical need (which Jesus met), but he had a sick soul that needed forgiveness.
Jesus Christ sees through our apparent needs to our deepest need. How we need to remember that. The cry of the urgent often overshadows a much deeper need. Our greatest need is always spiritual. Forgiveness of sin can only come by faith in Christ. “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
The scribes were correct. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake,
and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.”
Nehemiah wrote, “thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” Daniel wrote, “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness.”
We are like this paralytic man in need of forgiveness. We are like his friends who think we know what we need most. Faith in Christ receives what He provides and thanks him for it. If God were only to give us today, the things that we were thankful for yesterday, what would you have, beloved? Thank God for Jesus and all His benefits!
