Key Thought

Jesus has authority! All authority! Not just on the earth, but in heaven. While we may be amazed at the miracles of Jesus -- his power over nature, his power over disease, his power over death, and his power over sin are of ultimate importance to us. He can liberate us from sin's hold and set us free. We can be forgiven, cleansed and delivered from sin. While giving a paralytic back his ability to walk is amazing, giving us forgiveness of sin is saving!

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus got into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to Jesus a man that was paralyzed (crippled). The man was lying on a mat. Jesus saw that these people had much faith. So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Young man, you'll be glad to hear this! Your sins are forgiven." Some of the teachers of the law heard this. They said to themselves, "This man (Jesus) talks like he is God--that is blasphemy. " Jesus knew they were thinking this. So Jesus said, "Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say, 'Your sins are forgiven.' {No one could see if it really happened.} But what if I say to the man, 'Stand up and walk'? Then you will be able to see that I really have this power." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Stand up. Take your mat and go home." And the man stood up and went home. The people saw this and they were amazed. The people praised God for giving power like this to people. When Jesus was leaving, he saw a man named Matthew. Matthew was sitting at his place for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Then Matthew stood up and followed Jesus.

— Matthew 9:1-9 (ERV)

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