«Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you’ (Matthew 9:2)
The tension experienced in recent years has affected Gracia’s health to the point of having her whole body compromised. Intense pains affected her limbs, and a series of lumps appeared in different parts of her body. Her pain was worsened by remorse because she considered her afflictions a result of her past mistakes. She never dared to reach out to the church because she was treated with mistrust and coldness. The need for relief from the physical and mental suffering was insignificant compared to the need of divine acceptance and forgiveness. If she only listened to heaven’s approval! She was craving for the peace of forgiveness.
ThesamenecessitywasexperiencedbytheparalyticfromCapernaumwhen he wasbroughtbyhisfriendstotheSavior. In those times, illnesswasconsideredproofof divine punishment for the sins, thus the sick people were»abandoned to the wrath of God. » Such cruel beliefs expressed by some people!!
And what a contradiction to the Son of God!
Itisinterestingto note thattheparalyticwantedtogettothe place whereJesuswas, butsomepeoplestoppedhimfromdoing so. Fortunately, withthehelpof somefriends, he waslowereddownthroughtheroof of ahouse in a stretcher. And like a sublime music, he heardthesweetvoice, «Son, be of goodcheer; yoursinsare forgivenyou.»
«The One who knows the deepest thoughts reads the sufferer’s heart and brings him hope through forgiveness. He also reads the thoughts of those who interpreted such offer of forgiveness as blasphemy. Then to help them overcome their concerns, He later gave evidence of His healing power. And He said, » ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—then He said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house’. And he arose and departed to his house» (vv. 4-7).
Spiritual healing from sin is a necessity that involves all mankind: the ones who suffer the most are not the most sinful; the clergy does not have the authority to forgive. The One who reads the hearts of them both wishes to encourage everyone to seek forgiveness. Without showing favoritism and with compassion and *race, He will repeat the same words, «Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”