THE FAITH OF FRIENDS

WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?

Read Luke 5:17–26

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Luke 5:20 NIV

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     In this story, some determined men brought their friend to Jesus to be healed. They removed some tiles from the roof of the house and lowered him right in front of the Lord. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." (5:20)

     The Pharisees thought to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (5:21) and because Jesus was God, he knew what they were thinking. So He said, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?"(5:22)

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     There is nothing that we can say or think in our hearts of which Jesus is not aware–He knows our every thought. Lord, I want to pray, as David did, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NKJV)

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     Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
Luke 5:22–23 NIV