God’s Word tells us our greatest need is forgiveness. Jesus came into this world to die for our sins and rise again so we could receive forgiveness. Although other needs in life are necessary, such as water, food, and shelter, nothing compares to our spiritual needs.
Today you may have a significant burden because of the sin in your life. We can ask Jesus to forgive us and take our burden of sin to the cross and leave it there. In our story today, four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus, hoping that Jesus would heal him, but something greater happened!
Mark 2:4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” [1]
Why Did Jesus Forgive Him First and Then Heal Him?
Our story clearly shows that the four men were bringing their friend to Jesus for physical healing. What they did not realize was his greatest need was forgiveness. Our greatest need is also forgiveness. The text doesn’t name this man’s sins. No matter what the sins, they were forgiven. In God’s mercy, Jesus also healed him of his paralysis. The forgiveness and healing were great miracles and a time of teaching for this man and all who saw it. Our greatest need is forgiveness of sin.
Forgiveness Changes Our Lives
Nothing in life is more life-changing than being forgiven of our sins. I remember a man who was a great soldier. He had more medals than anyone I ever met personally, but he did not know the Lord. When he was about fifty years old, he developed cancer and had to have a caretaker help him each day. This Christian caretaker led him to Jesus. He asked Jesus to forgive his sins and come into his heart. He became a different person, and the countenance on his face changed after he came to faith.
God used him to tell many other people about Jesus. He would live almost a year after this, but he had hope of eternal life during his suffering. This happened all because Jesus died on the cross for our sins and calls people to faith. This is the same blessing the Lord wants to extend to us. As believers, we need to ask for forgiveness daily because we sin daily. If you don’t know Jesus, you can confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart. You, too, can have the hope of eternal life.
The Apostle Paul tells us of the kindness of Jesus, who forgives our sins. Ephesians 1:7He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.[2] Don’t delay. Take your sins to the cross and let Jesus forgive you! He is waiting now with open arms to receive you.
To hear how our greatest need is forgiveness, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-forgiveness-over-healing
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.