“And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
Mark 2:5
Prior to healing the paralytic man, our Lord said to him, “Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven,” (Matthew 9:2). This man’s physical disability moved those who took pity on him to bring him to Christ. But he also suffered from an inward malady that only Jesus could discern. This is evident from the Matthew account, because Jesus instructed him to “be of good cheer.” Before Christ, he was saddened with guilt for his sin inwardly and for his paralytic condition outwardly. But then he encountered Jesus, who not only healed his paralysis but, most importantly, forgave his sins… giving him more than ample reason to “be of good cheer!”
The psalmist affirms, “Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose iniquity is covered,” (Ps. 32:1). Whether poor, afflicted, diseased, neglected or despised, if the Lord has forgiven your sins, you are truly blessed. John Newton, the author of “Amazing Grace” said, “There is no situation in human life so deplorable, but a sense of the pardoning love of God can support and comfort the sufferer under it, compose his spirit, yes, make him exceedingly joyful in all his tribulations.”
At the same time, you may be enjoying all the good gifts of life – health and wealth and friends. But if you have never encountered Christ… if your sins have never been forgiven… then you are not truly blessed. For compared to eternity, this life is as brief as a vapor that appears for a moment and then is gone. If you don’t know Christ as Savior, all the good gifts you now enjoy will soon pass. And at that instant you will face an eternity of punishment in hell, forever separated from God and His peace and love and goodness.
No one – rich or poor, well or sick – deserves forgiveness, for salvation is wholly of grace (Eph. 2:5-10). Forgiveness is not only undeserved, it is also undesired by us, until God’s Spirit awakens us to a sense of our need of it. But when the blood of Jesus cleanses our guilty conscience from its burden of sin, we experience inexpressible joy! (1 Peter 1:8). Even amid sufferings, we have reason to rejoice because our sins have been forgiven and we have been given direct access to the throne of grace. And when we pray and wait before God our Father, submitting to His will, He floods our soul with a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7), a peace that the world can neither give nor take away.
Indeed, those who have experienced God’s forgiveness are truly blessed and should be in a state of continual joy for the same. So let us echo the prophet’s words, “Who is a God like You?” (Micah 7:18). Let us give praise and thanksgiving to Him for “His unspeakable gift” … of forgiveness! (2 Cor. 9:15).
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy! (Psalm 126:3)
- Lord, You are worthy in every way, and we are most blessed to have access to such a great, free, full, and sure salvation in Christ. Seeing our fallen state, You take pity on us and save us. I was a miserable sinner until You took hold of me through Christ in grace. What great salvation we have that enemies of God can be made friends! And how grand is it that those diseased souls can be made whole in You!
- You are a blessed God to choose to forgive sin and restore man and woman that You originally created in Your image back to an image that reflects Christ, Your Son. You bring us into Your favor, to immortal life and happiness. I do not deserve forgiveness! But You sent Your Son to suffer and die for my salvation, which you offer to me freely. The work that You perform in me is all of grace.
- Such a great salvation, Lord, is full, including every desirable blessing – pardon, peace, adoption, protection, and guidance through this world, and in the world to come eternal life and happiness. Thank you, Father, for forgiving me!
Further References for Mark 2:5
Matt. 9:2, 22; Mark 5:34, Mark 10:52; Luke 7:48; 2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 32:1
