“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2:9-11).
What proof could Jesus give the religious leaders that the paralyzed man’s sins were forgiven? Jesus knew exactly what proof to give them. He said, “When I finish here, you’ll know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.”
Jesus wasn’t just speaking to the man on the stretcher; He was talking to the whole group. Then He told the paralyzed man, “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed” (vv. 11-12).
Jesus said, “I’ll prove to you that I have the power to forgive sins: I’ll tell this man to get up and walk, and he will do it!” He did, and they were all shocked!
If the religious leaders had been as knowledgeable about the Scriptures as they were about their traditions, they would have jumped up and exclaimed, “Jesus is the Messiah! He is the One we are looking for!”
Remember, these were the Old Testament scholars – Pharisees and doctors of the law. They should have known that every time God gave them a picture of the Messiah’s crucifixion in the Old Testament, two things happened: People were forgiven of their sins and healed of their diseases.
How does that help us? Well, we know forgiveness and healing were always given together under the old covenant. That assures us that as children of God under the new covenant, physical healing automatically belongs to us!
Under the old covenant, healing and forgiveness were connected. I live under a better covenant based on better promises, so forgiveness and healing are still available
to me. I am both healed and forgiven!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.