SOUTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST

''Which Is Easier To Say?,'' Sunday, 21 January 2001

Jan 20, 2001

Leland R. Ping

During the life of Jesus, he performed numerous miracles that illustrated tothe crowds who had gathered to witness these feats against nature his power to heal,
help and bring the dead to life. One instance where Jesus performed such a miracle is found in Luke?’s account of the gospel. The Bible tells us in Luke 5 that many had gathered to see Jesus and that they were present so that the Lord could heal them
(Luke 5:17). Because of the crowds that had gathered at one specific location, a
paralyzed man who desired to be healed of his infirmity had to be lowered through
the roof of the house. Jesus?’ reaction to this merits attention for two key reasons.
First, Jesus did not immediately seize this as an opportunity to perform a miracle so that all could witness his power to heal. Instead, he told that man that his sins had
been forgiven (Luke 5:20). The reaction of those "religious" individuals present was
without surprise. Jesus asked of these scribes and Pharisees, "Which is easier, to
say, ?‘Your sins are forgiven you?’ or to say, ?‘Rise up and walk?’?" (Luke 5:23).
Clearly, Jesus sought to make a point that saying one?’s sins are forgiven can not be
proven by what an audience would see. Healing a man so he could walk when he
was a paralytic was a different story ?– such healing had the nature of being able to
be seen. When he had performed the miracle, Jesus had succeeded, much to the
dismay of His critics that he was indeed the Christ.
The final point that deserves our attention is that, like numerous times throughout his life, Jesus here didn?’t pass up an opportunity to teach. It would have been quite
easy for Jesus to heal the man and the discussion about His being God would have
not occurred. Yet, Jesus saw a greater objective than one?’s physical needs and that was to aid someone in becoming more spiritually sound. Let us go forth with the
same determination to seek opportunities to help others, not only with their physical
needs, but more importantly with their own spiritual welfare.