Abiding in Easterనమూనా

ABIDING IN EASTER - LENT DEVOTIONAL by BRYAN CRAIG

DAY 11

And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

Matthew 9:2-6 ESV

I love this story, as someone who believes Jesus still heals people today through the power of His Spirit. He is making a strong point that this life is temporary, even our health. All those whom Jesus healed eventually died. We must turn our eyes off the temporary and begin to look at eternity. Jesus came so that our sins could be forgiven, and we could go to Heaven. Yet, so often, we have our requests we want to make of Him. We want Him to fix our problems now. Perhaps we should always start our prayers by thanking Him for forgiving our sins. And He is so gracious, He wants to help us also with everything else.

APPLICATION:

Do you need something from Jesus today? First, have you asked Him to forgive your sins? Spend some time with that thought and what it means before you ask Him for anything else.