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“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’ And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, ‘Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Arise, take up your bed and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’ —He said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all…” (Mark 2.5-12).

True Reasoning

Jesus asked a legitimate question, the answer to which would have solved the problem had the scribes been ready to receive it. Indeed, which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Arise, take up your bed and walk”? The question Jesus asked was not about the difficulty (or ease) with which the respective words could be uttered; His question had to do with executing the commands. In other words, “Is it easier for God to heal or to forgive sins”? Of course, anyone of average intelligence knows that with God, it is not a question of ease or difficulty. God is able to do whatever pleases Him without expending or depleting one iota of His omnipotent strength! So, the question is not one of strength, but of authority.

Indeed, which task requires more authority; healing a human infirmity, or forgiving sins? Correct reasoning would lead one to understand that only God is capable of either of these feats! So, the authority is equal! Only God has such authority. Just here someone might object that people have been healed at various times by prophets of God. However, even in those cases, the power/authority was still of God and God alone. Furthermore, miraculous healing was a sign given to confirm the authority of God behind true prophets. The reasoning of Jesus can be framed as an informal syllogism as follows: If I demonstrate the ability to heal and I also command sins to be forgiven, then the same power that heals also forgives sins.

This is one reason (among others) that Jesus healed in this case, i.e. “…that you [the scribes] may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” The fact of miraculous healing vouchsafed the forgiveness of sins. After all one could see the healing, but there was no outward sign of God’s forgiveness; it took place in heaven without human involvement or participation! If the healing occurred, then so did forgiveness. And, if forgives occurred, then Jesus was God! There simply can be no legitimate argument raised against such logic. His reasoning was sound then and it is still sound today.

An observation is hereby made! Those who claim to heal miraculously today are either God’s messengers, or they are Satan’s messengers; there is no middle ground. If their word does not correspond with God’s revealed truth (the Bible), they are not of God and neither are their "healings" legitimate! Correct reasoning demands such a conclusion. For those who object that reasoning and faith are in some way contrary to one another, God says NOT SO! Jesus proved (as did scores of other prophets) that reason is a part of faith; not its enemy!

Questions:

1. Does God require true/correct reasoning in order to be saved? Why or why not?

2. Why did Jesus say that He was going to heal the paralytic?

3. How did His healing of the paralytic man prove that He had power on earth to forgive sins?

4. If a teacher speaks contrary to the Bible today, can his/her “healings” be legitimate?

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

The Importance of Prayer