You can believe God forgives.
That feels easier to accept.
But when it comes to healing, something tightens.
Like forgiveness is spiritual… and healing is different.
But what if they’re not as separate as you think?
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
“And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
And he arose, and departed to his house.
But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”
Matthew 9:1–8 (KJV)
“Jesus Seeing Their Faith”
Start there.
He saw something.
Not just the man on the bed.
Their faith.
The people who brought him.
The man who came.
Faith was visible in action.
They didn’t just believe quietly.
They moved him to Jesus.
Do you see that?
Faith showed up before anything changed.
“Thy Sins Be Forgiven Thee”
This is unexpected.
The man came needing healing.
Jesus speaks forgiveness first.
Why?
Because He’s dealing with something deeper.
Not just the body.
The whole person.
That’s not what people expected, is it?
They wanted immediate physical change.
Jesus addressed the root first.
“Whether Is Easier?”
Jesus asks a question.
Which is easier?
To say sins are forgiven… or to say rise and walk?
From a human perspective, forgiveness is invisible.
Healing is visible.
So healing becomes the proof.
Do you see what He’s doing?
He’s showing they’re connected.
Not separate.
“Arise, Take Up Thy Bed”
Then it happens.
No delay.
No process.
The same man who was carried… gets up and walks.
The visible confirms the invisible.
Authority in both areas.
Sin and sickness.
That’s not a small claim.
That’s complete authority.
What Was Happening Here?
Jesus had just returned to His city.
Crowds knew Him.
Religious leaders were watching closely.
And instead of just healing…
He openly forgives sins.
That’s what triggers the reaction.
They thought He crossed a line.
But that context matters.
Because Jesus wasn’t just healing bodies.
He was revealing who He is.
Scripture Connects These Together
Psalm 103:3 says,
“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”
Again, both are spoken together.
Not separated.
Isaiah 53:5 says,
“And with his stripes we are healed.”
That points forward to what He would carry.
So this moment isn’t isolated.
It’s part of a bigger picture.
The Internal Struggle You Might Feel
You might accept forgiveness.
But still question healing.
You might think, “God has dealt with my sin… but this is different.”
So you separate what Jesus didn’t separate.
And that creates tension.
Because now you’re confident in one area…
And unsure in another.
Is that where you’ve been?
Do you trust Him for forgiveness… but hesitate when it comes to healing?
What This Is Calling You Toward
Jesus didn’t present two different sources.
One for sin.
One for sickness.
It’s the same authority.
The same person.
The same response.
So the direction is simple.
Come to Him fully.
Not dividing what He has already joined.
Acts 3:16 says,
“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong…”
It comes back to Him.
Not a method.
Not a formula.
Him.
So what would it look like to trust Him the same way in both areas?
One Truth To Stay With
Jesus proved something here.
The power to forgive… and the power to heal… come from the same place.
And He demonstrated both.
So here’s the question that stays with you…
If you trust Him with what you can’t see, why hesitate to trust Him with what you can?
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
