Jesus posed an intriguing question in today’s passage: “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’?” We’re presented with quite a few crises in this story: a man suffering from paralysis was carried into Jesus’ presence by his friends, the house was too crowded to allow new guests, and the Jewish leaders watched it all unfold with cynical hearts. It appeared to be a lose-lose situation from every angle. As Jesus kept teaching, the men devised a plan to get their friend to the Healer while the scribes and Pharisees continued to cry blasphemy in their hearts.
Yet Jesus was demonstrating this truth to every person involved: He alone has the power to forgive sin. In this scriptural account, we see Jesus’ authority—His power, ability, and willingness to intervene in the lives of God’s people through their faith. Though the religious leaders in the crowd were unable to see the state of the paralyzed man’s heart, they could witness Christ’s power to physically heal.
When Jesus saw the friends’ desperate, inventive, and faith-fueled means of bringing their friend to Him, He extended forgiveness to the man. However, Jesus’ forgiveness was viewed as an overstepping of authority. After all, the Jews knew that only God has the right to forgive sins. The scribes and Pharisees believed it would be more difficult for Jesus to forgive the man than to heal him. To prove His power to accomplish both, Jesus extended forgiveness and physical healing to the man in need.
Jesus meets the needs of the humble and lowly. He recognized the faith of the men who took such a great risk to deliver their friend at His feet. They believed they could boldly approach the one with the power to heal.
Lead the boys and girls in your class this week to see that the Jesus in this story is the same Lord who desires to forgive their sins today! Ask the Lord to go before you as you bring little children to Him by teaching them His Word. May they trust in Him by faith, believing in His authority and desire to heal and save them also.
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Every week, members of The Gospel Project for Kids team offer guidance to help you as you prepare to teach every session to preschoolers and kids.
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