SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
Luke 5:16-26
Genesis 18:25

“Shall not the Judge of
all the earth do right?”

FORGIVENESS GIVEN

Palsy was a condition which was probably due to an injury resulting in paralysis of the lower part of the body. There was no chance for the man to go near Jesus but his faith and that of his friends found a way through the rooftop. He was disabled but his friends helped him. So it is the desire of every Christian to bring those who are lost to Christ to be healed and be saved. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Matt 18:11).

When Jesus saw the paralytic man and his friends, His first words were, “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 5:20). Sickness as a whole is brought about because of the curse of sin. Jesus came to save man from sin and all its influences. Born-again Christians have that assurance of the forgiveness of sins and the promise of a perfect, glorified body at the resurrection (1 Cor 15:52-57).

When the man was forgiven, the scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy. These men who were knowledgeable of the Scriptures continued to reject Jesus Christ in spite of the miracles. Many groups calling themselves Christians continue to deny the power of Jesus to forgive sins. They still rely on their own good works, church membership, sacraments and other means rather than on the Son of God who offered the forgiveness of sins to all who put their trust in His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross.

Being God Himself, Jesus has the power to forgive sins. All sins of mankind are also sins committed against the great Lawmaker. Jesus the Son fulfilled all the laws and made Himself receive the curse so that we may be forgiven. He can forgive sins because He has already paid the penalty for sins. “Come now... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” (Isa 1:18).

Unbelieving hearts cannot understand. How about you?

THOUGHT: Am I looking forward to the day of glorification?
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for life eternal in heaven through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.