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Mark 2:6-7 
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

When four friends cut a hole in a roof and lowered their paralytic friend in front of Jesus, He recognized amazing faith. Based on that faith, Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Those words did not sit well with the teachers of the law. They accused Jesus of blasphemy. “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Jesus addressed their charge with a simple question, “Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” Then, to show them His authority, He healed the paralytic who “got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.”

While the healing was an outward sign, the forgiveness displayed the real power. The healing lasted for the rest of the man’s life; forgiveness lasts for eternity. The temptation for us is to be more amazed by physical healing than salvation. However, in this story we are reminded of the most important healing — the healing of the heart brought about by forgiveness from Jesus. That’s where eternity begins.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to heal my heart from the inside out. Thank You for the eternal life that comes from His work alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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