For you to forgive someone of their sins is as far-fetched as you saying ‘Get up and walk’ to a paraplegic.  You do not have the authority or power to do either one.

  But Jesus did, and does.  He has the authority and the power to forgive sins.  He is the living Lord Jesus Christ Who died on a cross and was resurrected…His sacrificial death on the cross, followed by His resurrection, proved God’s acceptance of His work of redeeming you.  God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice in behalf of all who turn to Him and receive Him as their Savior…have you?

(NASB) Luke 5:22-24 “But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, ‘Why are you reasoning in your hearts?
23 ‘Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
24 ‘But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’–He said to the paralytic–‘I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.’”

1- What did Jesus know? The reasonings of the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees.
What does Jesus know about you?  Perhaps you are like the scribes and Pharisees, quick to accuse and condemn without all the facts available.

2- How did Jesus prove that He had the authority to forgive sins?  By healing the paralyzed man by His word.
What do you believe about Jesus’ authority to forgive you of your sins and to heal you?  Perhaps you are like the paralytic, needing God’s forgiveness and to be healed from what is paralyzing you – whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

3- When did the paralyzed man act on Jesus’ words?  Immediately!  He did what Jesus said to do.
How do you now respond to Jesus’ forgiveness of your sins and healing you from the paralysis of fear (whatever those are)?

4- Who did the man praise and glorify?  God!
When you recognize you have been forgiven and healed, how do you now respond?

How are you Responding to Jesus?