978B: Who Can Forgive Sins?
A paralytic man is lowered from the roof of a house right in front of Jesus. What will Jesus do? He said to the paralytic, “Take courage young man, your sins are forgiven you.” The scribes and Pharisees among them began to murmur, “Who can forgive sins but God?’ Had Jesus simply said “Rise up and walk”, they would have been satisfied, but only God can forgive sins. Which is more important? The miracle of forgiveness is much more powerful than the miracle of healing. Only God can forgive sin.