In Mark 2:1-12 there is one of numerous accounts of Jesus confronting the false thinking of religious leaders of His day. Jesus has just returned to Capernaum. When He returns, He is met by huge crowds of mostly curious people with a few religious leaders sprinkled in the group. Jesus, as He typically did, taught the Word of God to them.

While teaching four men tried to bring a paralytic to Jesus for healing. The crowds prevented them from getting their friend—the paralytic—to Jesus. So with undaunted determination they went up to the flat roofed house, cut a hole large enough and in the precise place to lower the paralytic right in front of Jesus. Then in v.5 Jesus granted the most important thing any person needs from God: forgiveness of sin! He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

This forgiveness is, first of all, primary and necessary for all men. If any man is to go to heaven he or she must have every sin forgiven. Secondly, this forgiveness is conditional on saving faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Thirdly, forgiveness is instant, not progressive over time. The truth of the gospel is that any person can have the instant forgiveness of their sins. Fourthly, it was complete. All this man’s sins were forgiven. All means past, present, and future sins were forgiven. Fifthly, it was divine. This is something only God can grant. No man can grant forgiveness. Forgiveness comes from God alone. And lastly, it is free. Forgiveness is not worked for; there are no “religious hoops” for us to jump through in order to obtain forgiveness. Forgiveness is based on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Jesus died for the sins of men. Forgiveness of sin is the heart of the gospel.

But the religious leaders who heard what Jesus said were shocked. The religious leaders always opposed Jesus. In v.6 the religious leaders “were sitting there reasoning in their hearts…” Jesus, the all-knowing God, knew their hearts (v.8). He could read their mail without opening the envelope! The religious leaders with great contempt in their hearts considered Jesus to a blasphemer deserving of death. Rightly they asked, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” They were right, only God can forgive sins.

Jesus then asked a penetrating question: “Which is easier, to say…’your sins are forgiven you’ or to say ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?” It’s one thing to say “your sins are forgiven you”. It is entirely another matter to say “take up your bed and walk”. Only God can say both! Only God can forgive sins. Only God can tell a paralytic to stand and walk.

Friend, have you received the forgiveness of sins that can come from only Christ alone? If you were to die, and God were to say to you, “Why should I let you into heaven?” What would you say?