Matthew 9:1-8
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 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 stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who suffer from depression.
It's so much easier for the world to think of Jesus as "a nice man" or "a great teacher." It's like saying that a Ferrari is an "okay ashtray."
In fact, some people would are fanatics when it comes to their cars. They spend an outrageous amount of money buying nice rims, nice stereo systems, and shelling out tons of cash to get 2 hp more out of their car. It's something that gets them excited.
What about Jesus forgiving your sins? Why doesn't that get the world excited? Why would people rather place Jesus Christ, Fully Human and Fully Divine, in the same vein as some other "nice" historic figure? What is the world afraid of?
Jesus saying to the paralytic, "your sins are forgiven," should never sound ordinary to us. It is something that is truly a miracle... much more than gaining an extra 10 hp from your car. Take care and God Bless.
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