\u00a0<\/p>\n
ANSWER:<\/strong> Mark 2:1\u201312 (NKJV)<\/strong> The first thing Jesus noticed was their faith<\/strong>\u2014not just a desire for healing, but a deeper faith that recognized who Jesus truly is<\/strong> (v. 5). These men didn\u2019t just believe Jesus could heal\u2014they believed He had authority<\/strong>, and that’s what opened the door for both forgiveness and healing.<\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 response, \u201cSon, your sins are forgiven you,\u201d<\/em> shocked the religious leaders (v. 7), because in their view, only God<\/strong> could forgive sins. They were correct theologically\u2014but what they missed is that Jesus is God in the flesh<\/strong>, fully divine and fully human (see John 1:1,14).<\/p>\n By forgiving sins first<\/strong>, Jesus was addressing the man\u2019s greatest need<\/strong>\u2014the condition of his soul. Physical healing, as wonderful as it is, only affects this present life. But forgiveness of sin determines eternal destiny<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Matthew 1:21 (NKJV)<\/strong> Jesus came primarily to save us from sin\u2014not just from sickness or suffering. He declared this again in:<\/p>\n Luke 19:10 (NKJV)<\/strong> When Jesus asked in Mark 2:9<\/strong>, \u201cWhich is easier…?\u201d<\/em>, He was pointing out a spiritual truth: anyone can say<\/strong> \u201cYou are healed,\u201d but only one with true divine authority<\/strong> can say \u201cYou are forgiven\u201d\u2014and it be real.<\/p>\n And He proved that He had that authority by performing the visible miracle after<\/em> declaring the invisible one: forgiveness.<\/p>\n This echoes what Jesus said in:<\/p>\n John 8:24 (NKJV)<\/strong> Forgiveness through faith is essential. Without it, even a healed body is still condemned if the soul remains under sin.<\/p>\n As Christians today, we often emphasize miracles, breakthroughs, and healing\u2014and these are biblical and powerful. But we must never let the pursuit of the miraculous overshadow the message of the gospel<\/strong>, which is about repentance, salvation, and eternal life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Romans 6:23 (NKJV)<\/strong> Yes, Jesus heals, blesses, and delivers\u2014but above all, He forgives. And without forgiveness, no miracle can truly save us.<\/p>\n Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)<\/strong> It\u2019s better to be forgiven and not healed, than to be healed and remain lost in sin. Of course, God’s desire is often to do both<\/strong>\u2014to restore the soul and the body. But we must keep our priorities clear.<\/p>\n When Jesus healed the paralyzed man after<\/em> forgiving him, it wasn\u2019t just to help the man walk\u2014it was to reveal to everyone that He is the only one with power to forgive sins<\/strong>. And that same Jesus is still forgiving and saving today.<\/p>\n So, which is greater: physical healing or forgiveness of sins?<\/p>\n Forgiveness is eternal. Healing is temporary. Let us never exchange what is eternal for what only lasts for a season.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be believers who preach Christ crucified<\/strong>, who share repentance and the forgiveness of sins<\/strong>, and who believe in His power to save and<\/strong> heal.<\/p>\n Acts 3:19 (NKJV)<\/strong> Be blessed and stay rooted in the truth of the gospel.<\/strong><\/p>\n
God bless you, dear sister. To understand this moment clearly, let\u2019s first read the passage:<\/p>\n\n
\u201cAnd again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, \u2018Son, your sins are forgiven you.\u2019
And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, \u2018Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?\u2019
But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, \u2018Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, \u201cYour sins are forgiven you,\u201d or to say, \u201cArise, take up your bed and walk\u201d?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins\u2019\u2014He said to the paralytic, \u2018I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.\u2019
Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, \u2018We never saw anything like this!\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nWhy Did Jesus Begin with Forgiveness?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cAnd she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cFor the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nA Spiritual Priority: Forgiveness Before Healing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cTherefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nWhat Does This Mean for Us Today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cFor what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nConclusion: Which Is Greater?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cRepent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n