“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” (Luke 5:24)
When a group of friends brought a paralyzed man to Jesus to be healed, they found the house so crowded that they couldn’t get in. So, they lifted the man’s bed up to the roof, tore it open, and lowered him down before Jesus. It was at that moment that Jesus spoke these words. What stands out in this miracle story is that Jesus placed greater importance on the forgiveness of sins than on healing the paralysis.
Was the paralyzed man living in deep distress, believing that he had been abandoned by God? Perhaps Jesus knew that the man had been tormented by guilt over past sins. Jesus understood that the real issue was not just his physical illness but the despair in his heart—his self-condemnation was an even greater burden than his paralysis.
What is the difference between receiving and not receiving the forgiveness of sins? The greatest blessing we can receive when we come to Jesus is the forgiveness of our sins. But what does that truly mean? Forgiveness means being freed from guilt. It is realizing that I am accepted, that I am valuable. When others point out our faults and weaknesses, we may react with immediate defensiveness or anger. But later, when we are alone, we often reflect on their words, feeling discouraged and asking ourselves, “Why am I like this?”—sinking into self-blame.
We are all born as sinners, and if we die in that state without taking any action, we will stand before God’s judgment and be unable to enter His righteous kingdom. That is why God sent His Son to die on the cross in our place. If we accept Him as our Saviour, we receive forgiveness and are made righteous so that we can enter God’s kingdom. This is the gospel. It is a deeply moving story of God’s love, but if heard mechanically, the message of forgiveness can sound like an empty doctrine or a mere mathematical equation. However, the proclamation of forgiveness is actually a declaration of our worth—that we are deeply cherished by God.
I must hold on to the peace and gratitude that come from the assurance of this forgiveness. Moreover, I must help others experience this forgiveness as well. Beyond that, I want to practice forgiveness toward those around me, just as Jesus did. There will be countless moments when I feel hurt by others’ faults and mistakes, but I want to be someone who tells them, “You are valuable.” The teachings of the Sermon on the Mount are filled with this spirit.
The natural human reaction to others’ faults is to judge, condemn, and gossip about them. But Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). Lately, I have been seeing the message of forgiveness in a new light.
“Lord, I want to learn Your forgiveness. Please lead me to become more like You.”
