Retribution, justice and compensation. . . All big words laced with the idea that if you do wrong, you’re going to pay.  Yes, payment is as old as when Adam and Eve were punished for their sins by being cast out of the garden.   Even in our modern world, we may hear that someone had an accident or got sick and we silently think, “What did they do to deserve that?”  Maybe the last time you had troubles you may have even thought to yourself, “I deserved to be punished.”

This kind of thinking reminds me how the disciples saw a man who had been blind from birth so they asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2

All this retribution thinking leads us to the story of the paralytic who was lowered on his mat, through the roof, to be placed in front of Jesus.  When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20  

Imagine being this man, who undoubtedly believed that his paralysis was punishment for his sins.  “You’ll never walk again.”  “You’ll be a beggar for the rest of your life.”  Can you imagine the power of Jesus words!  

This man’s mind and heart were more important to Jesus than his legs.  Jesus addressed the core of his heart in the same way that Jesus addresses the core of our hearts today.

Your sins are forgiven.  

What remarkable words.  Jesus paid my debt.  He paid it in full.  More debt than I could ever possibly hope to repay.  Jesus took my punishment and I’m free to go.  My sins are forgiven.  

Your sins are forgiven.  Yes, through Jesus, your sins are forgiven.  

And when we first know this great, good news, we cannot help but to want to hear more words of Jesus, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” Luke 5:24NLT

It’s the same way that Jesus is calling you and me today – right now.  Because our sins are forgiven, we are called to stand up.  To be strong.  To be thankful.  To be our best.  To bless others and to share this incredible good news to all.