Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Forgiving Christ
Mark 2: 1-12
“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up, take your stretcher, and walk?” (V. 9)
This passage teaches us meaningful lessons and reveals more about the nature of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We see our Lord’s compassion for all those who come to Him in faith and His healing powers proves He is God.   
Faith
The men who brought the paralyzed man had strong faith and their willingness to open up the roof of someone’s house showed love, determination, and willingness to take risk for the hope of healing their friend.
Forgiveness
When Jesus saw their faith, even before he healed the man, Jesus said to him, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  In order for us to be physically healed or even for our prayers to be heard, we must first repent of our sins to restore fellowship with God.
 Lord has authority to forgive sins and heal
Anyone can say that your sins are forgiven; however, Jesus had to die for our sins, a sacrifice out of pure love for His creation. His mere words and touch have the power to heal and prove that he truly is God and has authority to forgive sins and the power to heal.
We too face ailments that require our Lord’s healing touch; whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual.    Our physical body is temporary and will perish, and so it is more important for our soul be healed from sins.  We can have the assurance that our merciful Lord will forgive our sins IF we come to Him in faith with a contrite and repentant heart.  Our unrepentant sins block our relationship with God and our fellow man and may even stand in the way of our physical healing as well.  Our faith shall lead us to repentance and others to Christ. 
Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the Mercy you showered upon us by forgiving our sins. Help us to discern our sins to lead us to repentance so that You can restore the fellowship with you.
Thought for the Day: Christ's cleansing power  can remove our sin and His healing touch can transform our deformed situation .

Jothy S. Varughese, Christos MTC, Philadelphia

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