Which Is Easier?

Luke 6:17-26You may have heard of the story of some men who tried to have their paralytic friend healed by Jesus.They were unable to carry him intoa crowdedhouse where Jesus was, so they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right at the feet of Jesus.

Jesus was moved by their diligent efforts and faith and said to the man, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

This created quite a stir in the audience as many wondered, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Immediately, Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or say, 'Get up and walk?'

Children will probably give the answer that God can do anything- forgive sins or heal. No problem. I confess that I have had the same thoughts: it would be no problem for God to forgive or to heal.

But to forgive is a very difficult thing. Think of all the people in your life that have wronged you in various ways. Many times one finds it hard not to hold a grudge when someone has crossed the line with you. Your car was damaged inadvertently, someone stole your wallet, your friend was murdered, your partner left, you were fired, your parents or children hate you. The list goes on and on and it becomes easier to add up all the injuries played against you.

Of course,we have not even considered the wrongs that we have done to others, or to God our Creator. When we were young, it would have been quite easy forGod to love us, since we did not have too much baggage committed against Him. We were cute and innocent then. Now that we are older, it would make total sense to think that God is not any happier with us now that the list of wrongs committed against Him has become very long. It makes you almost want to hang your head down in shame, since God is totally perfect and divine. But along comes this story of thesecomrades laying their paralyzed friend down at the feet of Jesus who says, "Your sins are forgiven." He must have committed many sins, just like you and I have.Yet, Jesus pardons the man and then heals him of paralysis! It is ironic that there is a God out there who can forgive and heal with ease, even though we, as humans, can carry so much baggage and a sense of injustice against those who have wronged us.

The beauty of thisstory is that we are all a bit like this paralyzed man, unable to really walk and run as our Creator has designed us to.God says that He will forgive our sins and heal us so that we can become the creatures He has fashioned and molded us to be. We at Daily Wisdom are your friends who lay our readers at the feet of Jesus, asking Him to forgive your sins and heal you of the paralysis in your life. Will you not consider giving your shriveled hand to Him and allowing Him to change your life? You could be going home and praising God just like the man in the story. It is just as easy.

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Contributed by George Prins. You may email George at this address:gprins@becon.org or visit his Web site to read more of his writing:www.people.becon.org/~gprins/