Which is Easier, to Say to the Paralytic?

Which is Easier, to Say to the Paralytic?

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house” (Mark 2:9-11).

Jesus spoke the above words to those who doubted that He had the authority to forgive sins. The point of Jesus’ words was to show by miracle that He had authority. There is a secondary lesson to consider here: Jesus’ words were not like the words of many who say they will do something, but nothing happens. This reminds me of 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” It is easy to say, “I love you,” to someone, but much harder to follow up. Demonstrating love for another requires effort, commitment, and sacrifice.

In this sense, Christianity is not an “easy” religion. One must be a living sacrifice to have the kind of impact Christ wants us to have in the lives of others (Romans 12:1). It is not easy because we are required to sacrifice self that we may know Christ (Philippians 3:7-11). What is easier? – To say “I am a Christian,” or to go visit the person who is dying of cancer? What is easier? – To say “I love God,” or to volunteer your time at an orphan’s home taking care of children with no parents? What is easier? – To say, “Jesus is Lord,” or to walk away from your friends who have invited you to go partying? Jesus didn’t choose the easy path, and neither should we.