This is part of a year-long series. Learn more about this series here.

Matthew 9:1-2 ESV

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. ² 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.”

Is there a more hopeful statement than “your sins are forgiven”? The words are simple, but their meaning is powerful enough to make one pause even after reading them a thousand times.

Almost a year through the gospels (and much more than a year since I originally did this reading plan 7 years ago), and I was struck by the simplicity and sincerity of our Lord’s words to the paralytic. I think their affect on me was so strong because I understand the depth of the gospel more at this point in my life than I ever have. It is an understanding I feel within me. It is a powerful reminder of the promise and reality of God’s salvation through His Messiah.

The man was brought to Jesus to be physically healed, but he left being holistically healed — body and spirit. This is the promise of the gospel, the uninterrupted and uncompromisable restoration to shalom. Jesus’ ability to physically heal flows out of His ability (and authority) is spiritually heal — to forgive sins. Jesus’ healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9 illustrates what Isaiah meant when he said “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 35:4-6). Jesus is Israel’s God who incarnationally met them, offered them holistic healing according to His redemptive plan, and then invited everyone from east and west to receive that healing through faith as well. That is the invitation and promise behind Jesus’ words “your sins are forgiven.”