Go Home

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the  paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to me.  (Matthew 9:1-8)

Jesus asks what is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven” or “Rise and walk.”  Actually, neither, or both.   When we have sinned and realize the damage we have done to someone we know, especially whom we love, we need forgiveness.  However, for many of us asking for forgiveness is difficult because we laid ourselves low and paralyzed ourselves by guilt and sadness caused by what we did.

But when we finally get the courage to ask and then are forgiven, we rise and then walk.  That’s the power of forgiveness enabling us to pick up our stretchers and go home.

Deacon David Pierce