“Take heart, my child; your sins are forgiven.”

Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the theme “Take heart, my child, your sins are forgiven”. We read this in Mat 9.2. We note that the various illnesses that the Lord encounters and heals are all aspects of the sad condition in which he found his creature: leprosy emphasizes the defilement of sin; fever, on the incessant agitation of the man of this world; and the demonic who is under the direct power of the devil, while the deaf, the blind and the dumb have their senses closed to the calls of the Lord and do not know how to pray to him.

Finally, the paralyzed man brought here to Jesus demonstrates the total incapacity of man to make the slightest movement towards God. He says nothing, he waits, and he hopes. And the divine Doctor knows that a serious illness eats away at the soul of this paralyzed man and He begins by delivering him from it by saying: “Your sins are forgiven”. What should we be most concerned about in ourselves and in others? From sickness or sin?

Here again we see that the Lord Jesus responds to faith. In this case, it is that of those who bring the paralytic. In Mark 2.3-4, we note the energy of this faith which overcomes all the difficulties in placing the poor patient in the presence of the Lord. Because this story contains a lesson that we all need to learn from, young and old. And we said that paralysis is a figure of man’s inability, through sin, to do anything to have life. So those who have new life must help those who are still deprived of it, as did those who, by bringing the paralytic to the Lord, had faith for his healing.

Everyone can therefore do something to put a sinner in contact with the healing power, either by speaking of the Lord on occasion, or by presenting him in prayer, or by urging him to come and hear the preaching of the Lord. ‘Gospel, distributing treaties, taking advantage of all the opportunities available to attract souls to the Savior. This is why there are many conversions produced by means of young preachers who were thus carriers of paralytics. Since we cannot convert by ourselves, we can point out the way of salvation, bring those who are outside to enter the wedding hall (Luke 14:23). This is precisely the teaching given to us by the faith of the people who brought the paralytic to the Lord Jesus!

Now scribes, hearing the Lord say to this man, “Your sins are forgiven you”, accuse him of blasphemy; but the Lord Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Why do you think bad thoughts in your hearts? For which is easier, to say: Your sins are forgiven, or to say: Arise and walk? Now, that you may know that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins on earth, so he said to the paralytic,  “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

These scribes did not recognize in Jesus the Lord who visited his people, thus fulfilling what is said in Psalm 103: 3: “It is He who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases”. And whoever had this power was, on earth, the Son of man, the title that the rejected Savior always takes. For it was as easy for him to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” as to say, “Arise and walk.”

Indeed, under the government of God in the midst of his people, he who was afflicted with an infirmity was so because of certain sins that he had committed, so that to cure such a man was to forgive him his sins, those sins that had caused his infirmity. But it was only God who could do this. Furthermore, in the person of Jesus, God was there to heal all of Israel, if he had wanted to receive him. Seeing this, the crowds were overcome with fear and glorified God who had given such power to men. They saw it, but that doesn’t mean they believed that this Son of man was the Lord, Emmanuel, God with us. This observation comes from the fact that men are more quickly struck by the power of God than attracted by his love. But the feelings produced by the sight of miracles do not save; So there has to be faith in the person of the Lord and His Word.

Thus, the Savior having performed these acts of power in Israel, so that the people recognized them with admiration, the Pharisees, for their part, attribute this power to the prince of demons. This is the effect of the presence of the Lord on the heads of the people, jealous of his glory thus manifested in the midst of those over whom they exercised their influence. But that in no way interrupts the Lord Jesus in his charitable career. Because he can still bear witness among the people, since despite the Pharisees his patient kindness still finds practice. And he continues to preach and heal. He has compassion for the people who were like sheep who have no shepherd and morally abandoned to themselves. Above all, he still sees that the harvest is great and that there are few workers. That is to say, he still sees all the doors open to address the people; and he passes over the wickedness of the Pharisees. As long as the Lord God gives him access to the people, the Lord continues his work of love.

The various verses compiled below will further edify you on this important subject and are gathered to facilitate your understanding.

• Blessings are proportional to faith

Mat 8.13:Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.   

Mat 9.29-30 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”

Mat 17.20  He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mat 21.21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

Mark 9.23  “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

• Forgiven sins

2 Sam 12.13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.”

Psa 78.38  Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

Psa 85.3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

Mark 2.5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Col 2.13  When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

• Immediate healings

Mat 8.3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Mat 20.34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Mark 1.31  So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

Mark 5.29, 42  Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 42  Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

Mark 7.35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

John 4.53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

• Glorify God

1 Ch 29.11  Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

Isa 6.3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Mat 15.31  The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

Act 4.21  After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.

Rev 4.11  “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Rev 7.10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Rev 15.4  Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Rev 19.1  After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

• Divine encouragement

Exo 14.13  Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

Isa 41.13  For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Mat 9.2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

Mat 14.27  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Mat 17.7  But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

Act 23.11  The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Act 27.22  But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

Now I urge you to take heart; for none of you will perish, and there will be no loss but that of the ship.

From all of the above, we find here grace developed in Israel: First, healing and forgiving grace, as in Psalm 103. Second, grace come to call sinners, not the righteous; indeed, the husband was there, and the grace in power could not be put in the Jewish and Pharisees wineskins; because it was new even with regard to John the Baptist. This is why Christ Jesus actually came to give life to the dead, not just to heal, but whoever touched him by faith was healed immediately. Like the Son of David, he opened his eyes to be seen, and he opened the mute mouth of the one the devil held in his power. And everything is blasphemously rejected by the Pharisees. But grace saw the crowd as having no shepherd; and while the porter keeps the door open, he keeps looking for and helping the sheep that we are. Our prayers are with you all in your efforts to follow in the footsteps of the Savior.

PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS ​​CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR

I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :

Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.

I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.

I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!

I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the theme “It is not those who are doing well who need a doctor, but the sick.”

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.

David Feze, Servant of the Lord Almighty.