The Lord Jesus Christ had told a... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise, take up your bed and walk?
Mark 2:9.

The Lord Jesus Christ had told a man who was paralysed, "Your sins are forgiven you." (v. 5). This met with contradiction from some scribes. They thought: "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus then responded with the question in today's verse above. The question can be treated from two perspectives. In man's view it is much easier to say "Your sins are forgiven" than to command a paralytic to stand up. We cannot check whether his sins were truly forgiven. But we could easily testify that a lame person could suddenly walk. Nobody would assert his ability to heal lameness. He would soon be unmasked as a deceiver.

Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrated His authority to forgive sins there. How did He do so? He ordered the paralytic to stand up, pick up his portable bed and go home. And the miracle happened: the man's legs were restored to health.

When Jesus Christ was here on earth, He used His divine power to heal the sick He did not do so lightly, but showed great sympathy. He was constantly "moved with compassion" in view of human misery (e.g. ch. 1:41; 6:34; 8:2).

So that our sins could be atoned for, however, more was necessary than a divine command. The Son of God had to endure God's judgment of our sins and die. From this point of view it was much harder for Jesus to say, "Your sins are forgiven" than to say, "Stand up and walk" But the Son of God undertook that burdensome task out of inconceivable love towards us. Everyone who puts his faith in Him can now be assured that "Your sins are forgiven."

Today's reading: Judges 11:23-40 · 2 Corinthians 11:1-15