11 Monday 03-09
Matthew 09:01-08
1 And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.
2 And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”
4 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said,
“Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5 For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, “Stand up and walk’?
6 But so that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—
he then said to the paralytic—”Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.”
7 And he stood up and went to his home.
8 When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe,
and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
The power to forgive is one of the outward signs Jesus used
to show the people that he was sent by God.
He gave that power to his apostles, so that they could do the same.
The thing many of us often forget is that we have that power as well.
To forgive someone can be the greatest, most liberating gift you can give,
or receive. Forgiveness is an act of healing oneself, and another, at the same time.
It is a power we should all try to use more often.