When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Luke 5:20
If you grew up going to Sunday School, you will remember the story. The paralyzed man is lowered through the roof in hopes that Jesus would heal him. (I can just picture the flannel graph figures in my mind.) Jesus honored the faith of the man's friends, and He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." He didn't heal the man - He forgave him. Eventually, He healed the man in order to prove his authority over sin, but I wonder... the forgiveness should have been enough.
Jesus, so often I come to You for healing. My heart cries out, "Won't You just fix this broken part of me?!" But Your words are normally the same, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
What did the paralytic think when You forgave him rather than healing him? What did his friends think? Were they disappointed?
How foolish we are! Forgiveness gives us life eternal. Healing merely makes us more comfortable.
Father, help me to be content when healing doesn't seem to come. Help me choose to rejoice in Your redemption. Forgive my ingratitude for the most important gift of all - Your only Son.