Which is easier to say?

This story is found in all three synoptic gospels

This story is found in all three synoptic gospels: Matthew 9:1-8/Mark 2:1-12/Luke 5:15-26

Let’s look at Luke 5:15-26

Luke 5:15–26 (NASB95)

15 But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

17 One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.

18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him.

19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.

20 Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”

21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?

23 “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

24 “But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.”

25 Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.

26 They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

What do we learn about Jesus?

Jesus needed time away from the crowds and alone with the Father (15-16)

Jesus has the power to heal (17; Luke 8:43-48; Isaiah 53:4)

Jesus knows our heart (21-22)

Jesus has the authority to forgive sins (24; Luke 7:49-50; Isa 43:25; Isa 44:22; Psalm 51:1,9: Psalm 32; 2 Sam 12:13; Romans 3:22-26; 1 Peter 2:22-25; 1 John 1:9)

Jesus is the “Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13-14; 9:24-25; Matthew 26:64)

What do we learn about ourselves?

We need friends who will bring us to Jesus (18)

“When your level of desperation exceeds your level of embarrassment, you will come to Jesus” (19)

We are all in need of forgiveness (20)

What can we apply to our lives?

We need to trust in Jesus as the Son of Man who can forgive our sins (24a)

We need to come to Him with our weaknesses and infirmities (24b)

We need to let others know about Jesus, who can forgive sins. (25)

Point 2

Point 3

Conclusion