Matthew 9:5-6 “For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”
Jesus healed, among other reasons, to prove that He had power to forgive sins. Jesus’ hearers knew that only God can forgive sins (see Mark 2:7). No mere human can claim for himself that power. This means that we must go directly to God for forgiveness. We all need to be forgiven, and many of us long to know that our sins have been cleansed. If we but confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).