The Real Rescue

Continuing in Matthew 9:2,

“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.”

Because of the assurance that their hope was in Him, Jesus told them to take heart or be of good cheer. Good news was coming! But rather than announcing the man’s physical healing, Jesus gave the paralytic the best news of all, “Your sins are forgiven.” Temporary healing is wonderful, but ultimately when this life is said and done, the forgiveness of sins is what we need. In Matthew 1:21, an angel said to Joseph,

“She will bear a son,

and you shall call his name Jesus,

for he will save his people from their sins.”

Apart from holiness, no one will see God; no one will partake of His eternal Kingdom. No human is holy on his or her own, no matter how many good works they do. So sinless Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, and rose again defeating death. Those who know they need a Savior, repent, and trust Christ have their sins forgiven! They have reason to rejoice. Those who reject Christ have no reason for good cheer, because He is the only way to the Father.

What might we be lifting up to God that has us paralyzed? Keep your spiritual eyes and ears on Him for your next steps. How wonderful, even in the worst of times, to remember that we have much to be cheerful about: by trusting Christ as Savior, our sins are forgiven. We are rescued from the wrath of God to live eternally with Him.