"Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'" Matthew 9:5
Our Lord performed a double cure on the paralyzed man: He healed his soul by forgiving his sins and He healed the sickness of his body. For Christ, the one was as easy as the other. In fact, He said He would prove His power to forgive by making the paralyzed man walk again. And He did just that.
Apart from demonstrating His divine power, it is evident that Jesus had genuine concern for the sick man. He was concerned about his real trouble: sin. As the Good Physician He remedied the cause by pronouncing forgiveness. Then in compassion He also took care of the bodily illness by doing a miracle. At other times, too, Jesus showed His total concern for total persons, helping them in their spiritual problems, in their bodily ailments, in their mental and emotional distresses.
Our Savior recognizes our problems, even better than we do. He senses what causes our troubles and how it affects us. He is concerned about us altogether. Even when we cannot understand what He says or does, we can trust that it is for our welfare. This trust is rooted in the love He showed us by redeeming us. We show our confidence in His love by coming to Him in every need and by bringing to Him others who need His healing.
PRAYER: Heavenly Physician, Your concern for our good prompts our praise. Help us proclaim Your love to all people. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 30-31 Romans 2
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