Which Is Easier?

“Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home! Matthew 9:5-7

WHEN THE FRIENDS of the paralytic brought him to Jesus, they came in faith that he could and would deal with what they saw as the man’s most significant problem —his inability to walk. When Jesus’ first words to their friend were, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven,” they must have looked at one another in confusion, thinking that Jesus had not truly grasped the situation. But in reality Jesus could see through the physical paralysis to a much more fundamental problem —a paralysis of the soul caused by sin. Jesus knew that while restoring this man’s health might save him from years of suffering, restoring his soul would save him from an eternity of suffering.

When we look at the lives of our children, we tend to focus our concern and effort on what we see as the most significant problem. We see the learning disability, the lack of or the wrong sort of friends, the ongoing health issue, the rebellious attitude, or the relentless perfectionism. Perhaps we don’t see and don’t often feel desperate for Jesus to address the most profound need our children have, the most profound need we all have —our need for forgiveness of sin.

Lord, forgive us for taking your forgiveness for granted. Your grace toward us addresses our most critical need, even though it might not always be so obvious to us. As we bring the many other needs our family has before you, give us proper perspective —that it is your healing work being accomplished in the soul of ________ that matters most now and into eternity.