A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Your sins are forgiven”, Part 38
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional
“Your sins are forgiven”
“And getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own city. 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.”
And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.”
The Words of Jesus, Matthew 9:1-7.
The paralytic in this account is a real man, lying on a real bed. He is representative of “every man” and “every woman”, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Ours beds are the beds of sickness, disease, infirmity, lack, want and death that come from our sin.
Jesus is speaking words of healing, health and life to you, this very moment. It does not matter how simple or how dreadful your condition. No matter the desperation of your situation, no matter how far you may have fallen, how remote your rescue and restoration may seem or how impossible your circumstances appear, your salvation is now at hand.
If you are willing, you will be made well, made whole, made safe and made healthy. It begins, as the Bible says, ‘in a twinkling of an eye’ and you will continue to improve over your lifetime. You will be saved.
You will become well, whole, safe and healthy in your relationships.
You will become well, whole, safe and healthy in your family, with your spouse and your children.
You will become well, whole, safe and healthy in your career, with your employment and co-workers.
You will become well, whole, safe and healthy in your finances and all your wealth.
You will become well, whole, safe and healthy in your mind, will, emotions, body and spirit.
Take in these Words of Jesus and of the Bible and make them your own. They are the flesh and blood of Christ. ‘Eat them’ by taking them into your heart, your soul and your mind, ‘chew on them’, meditate on them, absorb them into your spirit, and become whole!
First, please don’t overlook the significance of these few words: “When Jesus saw their faith”. Jesus was moved and spoke Creative words, Causative words, Prophetic words and Instructional words when He saw their faith.
Let me say it again: faith moves God to speak. Jesus was moved by their faith, and He spoke prophetic, creative, causative and instructional words into the life of this paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus will be moved by your faith.
Secondly, it is important to understand the true meaning and definition of ‘sin’. From the Greek word, ‘hamartía’, meaning ‘not taking a part in or a share of’ creating a loss or a forfeiture because of not hitting the target; missing the mark. This comes from self-willed behavior.
Interestingly, in old England, during archery competition, when an archer would miss the target completely, the judge would shout, “SIN”, because the archer missed the target. Likewise, when we miss the target of God’s Righteousness and of God’s standards, we sin, and we miss out, we suffer loss of God’s presence and provision by forfeiture.
In the foregoing illustration, the archer has no recourse except to ‘suffer the loss’, sharpen his or her aim and try again.
In our case, however, as Christians, we have recourse. We can call on our advocate, Jesus Christ, by confessing our ‘sins’ and by pleading our case to Him, our loss is reversed. Jesus suffers our loss as His own, and we are given a renewed life. We are restored and ‘shoot our arrows again toward the heart of the target’.
Hebrew 11:1-3, correctly instructs us that the“Faith (which restores us) is the assurance, (the absolute certainty, the title deed, a rock-solid confirmation) of things hoped for, (of things anticipated and expected by divine guarantee; this faith is proof-positive evidence) of things not (yet seen and the conviction of their reality; the comprehension as fact of what cannot be first experienced by the physical senses.) For by this (kind of) faith the men of old gained divine approval.”
“It is by (the) faith (that comes from an inherent trust, an enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God), that we understand that the worlds, (the universe, the cosmos of all the ages) were framed, (formed, created, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what is now visible was not made out of things which are visible.”
This is the faith has no conclusion and no end. It is building and growing and enduring through all the ages until the end of time.
Thirdly, the outcome of this kind of faith is visible. It brings both amazement and fear to the hearts and minds of men and women, and it brings glory to God. “When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.”
“Do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary.” (Isaiah 8:12-13)
Finally, it is by this kind of faith that God grants authority to men and women; not to do works by and of themselves, but as living sacrifices, living instruments through which and by which God does His Works.
This faith is the reason God is saying to you, this day, “Take heart, my son (or daughter); your sins are forgiven.”
And behold, even in our day and time, some of our ‘scribes’, men and women, say “this man (Jesus) is blaspheming by the way they stand in judgment on His Works and His Words”.
They call themselves interpreters, theologians, and teachers, educated in religious laws and doctrines, and in the sacred writings of the Bible, posturing with their lineage, educational degrees given by men.
Just like the Scribes of Jesus’ day, these modern day ‘Scribes’ say they examine the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; but they add to the law opinions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, to the detriment of The Gospel.
But Jesus, knows their thoughts, and He said then, and He continues to say today,
“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”.
Jesus is saying to you, this day and at this moment: “Take heart, my son (your name here) or my daughter (your name here) ; your sins are forgiven.” Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
Let’s humbly submit to God and live!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PREVIOUS: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Oh, you of little faith”, Part 37
NEXT: (coming soon) A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”, Part 39
(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).
Whitestone Fellowship 