Thy sins are forgiven thee.

[spencel]

“20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.” Luke 5

This story stood out to me this week. I was so used to the words that I did not give it much thought before. Jesus asked those around, what difference did it make whether he said, “rise up” or “your sins are forgiven.” It meant more to me realizing all he did was purposeful and that his words were different for each situation.  He did not say what was popular or perhaps what others wanted to hear. This Christ love was a rebuke to the negative old theology thinking of the Pharisees and instead of a simple “rise up” he spoke of forgiveness. Their condemnation was felt by the ill man and those around and was keeping them in bondage to sin, fear, sickness, and guilt. Jesus addressed their thoughts and taught us by his words and actions how to heal the heart and body.

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