In today’s gospel story when the cripple man was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. First of all Jesus forgives the man’s sins. We have to be aware, that to the Jews at the time, a sick man was a man who had sinned; one who was being punished by God. Therefore, the scribes, the legal experts of the law, regarded this as blasphemy, because they understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and free a person from the burden of their guilt, namely, their sickness or infirmity. Jesus claimed an authority, which only God could rightfully give.

Knowing what was in the minds of the scribes, Jesus asked them the question, as to "Whether it was easier to say to this man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’" Any con artist could say, "Your sins are forgiven," because there would be no way of knowing whether or not his words were true. But to say, "Get up and walk," now that was saying something that could be absolutely proved or disproved, there and then, to all present.

So Jesus said in effect: "You say that I have no right to forgive sins. You hold as a matter of belief that if this man is ill, he is a sinner and he cannot be cured until he is forgiven. Very well, then, watch this!" So Jesus spoke the words and the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Jesus, thus, not only proved that his authority came from God, but also, showed the great power of God’s redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple, who was ill not only physically, but spiritually, as well. The Lord Jesus is ever ready to bring us healing of soul, body, and mind. What is that might prevent him from healing us?

The gospel story today reveals to us the whole essence of Jesus’ life, which is that in him we see clearly displayed the attitude of God to men. It is in fact, an attitude which is the reverse of what men had thought God’s attitude to be. It was not an attitude of stern, severe, strict justice, nor an attitude of continual demand. It was and is an attitude of perfect love, of a heart filled with love and eager to forgive.