Your Sins Be Forgiven or Arise and Walk? Matthew 9:5

Matthew shared how the people of the city where the demon possessed men were delivered by Jesus both “met” Jesus and “asked him to leave their coasts”, and afterward, “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; your sins be forgiven you. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think you evil in your hearts?” In chapter nine and verse five of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus asked the scribes which is, “easier to say, your sins be forgiven you” or “arise, and walk?” where we read:

For whether is easier, to say, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and walk?

The verse reads, “For whether is easier, to say, Your sins be forgiven you;” Matthew began with the words, “for whether” or “indeed, verily, no doubt, seeing then what or which thing” “is easier” which means “is better for toil, more facile and with easy labor”, “to say” which means “to utter, declare and proclaim”, “your sins” which refers to “people's missing the marks, erring, mistakes and wandering from the law of God” “be forgiven you” or “be sent forth, bid gone away or departed from the sinners”. Matthew shared how Jesus questioned the “scribes” concerning which of two choices is more simple to declare. The first was “your sins be forgiven you”.

The verse continues, “... or to say, Arise, and walk?” Matthew added the words, “or to say” or “or to utter, declare and proclaim”, “arise” which means “arouse, raise up, produce and cause to appear”, “and walk” or “and make one's progress, live, make due use of opportunities and conduct one's self”. Matthew shared the second of Jesus' option which was one to say “arise and walk”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus managed those who “thought evil in their hearts”. He questioned them as to which of two options was easier to say, “your sins are forgiven” or “arise and walk”. Because neither of these would be easy for anyone to declare, never-mind the scribes, Jesus knew this would challenge those who were judging Him. God Almighty has the ability to do both of Jesus' suggestions, and through His Son Jesus He has offered “salvation” to everyone who receives Him as “Savior and Lord”. Those who are wise shall recognize Jesus' power over both “spiritual and physical needs” in their lives.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus demonstrated His power over “spiritual and physical needs” as he told the man sick of the palsy, “arise, take up your bed, and go to your house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.