Easy For You to Say

Remember the puzzling question Jesus asked the scribes after he told the paralytic his sins were forgiven? The man had been brought to him for healing, but instead Jesus had forgiven him of his sins (see Matt. 9:5) This sent the scribes to murmuring, "Whom does he think he is? Only God can forgive sins?" Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he asked them this question: "Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk?'"

For years I wondered why he asked that question. Clearly it was no more difficult to speak six words instead of four. So the difficulty couldn't be about the words. For him it was not any harder to forgive sins than heal the man. I was perplexed.

Well, I realized recently that the answer to the question is, "It is easier to say, 'your sins are forgiven.'" Why? Because there's no visible proof anything has taken place. Anybody can say, "Your sins are forgiven," because you can't disprove it. That's why Jesus went on to say, "But in order 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, arise, take up your stretcher and go home.'" The healing was visible evidence he really did forgive the man's sins. So that we could all believe him when he said he had that authority from God.

I believe this is an encouraging word for us today. Because one of the cries of the church for so long has been to walk in the authority that the Bible says Jesus gave to his body. To not only do the miracles of healing and deliverance Jesus did, but also the greater miracles he said we would do someday. Nevertheless, except for a few individual ministries who always seem to be in far off corners of the world, this demonstration of God's authority on earth has been noticeably lacking.

Well, get ready. I believe the Lord's power is about to wash over the body of Christ like a tsunami. Believers have been telling folks for 2000 years that Jesus was the son of God who atoned for our sins. They have heard the message over and over and over again. Many have believed, but most have remained skeptical, even cynical. So in order that they may know "that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," he will soon be empowering his body to say - "Arise, pick up your stretcher and go home." And they will!

Pretty soon, His weak and battered body of believers will arise with a new confidence in who we are and the authority we have in Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of God. Like the Continental Army following a defeated winter in Valley Forge, we will come forth as the Army of God. "For the Lord says to my Lord, sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" (Ps. 110:1) We are His feet! That's why Paul told us, that at the right time, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Rom 16:20).