January 7, 2002

YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN

"Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you" (Matthew 9:2, NKJV).

Often, Jesus healed the sick; paralytics, lepers, the deaf and dumb, and anyone who came to Him with a need, and He also forgave their sins.

Matthew, Mark and Luke all recorded the following story of a paralytic man. "They brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.' And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, 'This Man blasphemes!'

"But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven you," or to say, Arise and walk"? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins'--then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." ' And he arose and departed to his house.

"Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men" (Matthew 9:2-8, see also Mark 2:3-13 and Luke 5:18-26).

An angel of the Lord had appeared to Joseph before Mary became his wife and, referring to the baby that she was carrying, said to him, "He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

"God has exalted Him to His right hand to be Prince and Savior to give repentance and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31).

My Prayer Today: Thank You, Lord, for your tender mercies to us, for healing our sicknesses and forgiving our sins. Amen.