The tight crowd made it impossible to get even to the doorway of where Jesus was teaching. The men had to think of another way to get their friend before Jesus. According to the stories heard all over the region, He would be able to heal him. The roof! They made an opening in it and lowered their paralyzed friend in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Physically and Spiritually
The fact that God forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases is the first reason the Psalmist gives us for praising Him. According to the Hebrew translation, diseases in verse 3 refers to spiritual diseases.
In our story today, Jesus forgave the paralyzed man of his sins. I’m pretty sure that isn’t why he went, but Jesus knew his needs. He needed both physical and spiritual healing, and in these two passages, diseases and sin mean the same thing.
When our sins are forgiven, our human nature tendencies and sickness of the soul begin to heal in the process. Through redemption, He wraps us in His righteousness, and we become very different than when we are first saved by God’s grace.
Infinitely
When God forgives, He removes our sin entirely. Verse 12 illustrates this for us, as far as the east is from the west. Have you stopped to think just how far that is? It is infinite. If you travel in an eastward direction, you will never hit a spot where you begin going west. They never touch. This means our confessed sin can never hinder our relationship with God.
When His pardoning takes place, mercy releases us from experiencing eternal condemnation and removes the barrier that prevents us from receiving the good things from God.
So, my friend, praise His Name!
Be Blessed. Clean by Natalie Grant
