Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or 'Arise and walk'?

So he got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own city.

Then behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This man blasphemes!" But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" - then he said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

- Matthew 9:1-8

Jesus' healing ministry continues around the Decapolis. Yesterday's reading concerned the healing of the two Gergesene demoniacs, in country to the east of the Sea of Galilee. Today Jesus travels to his "own city." This is Capernaum, which served as his headquarters (see Matt. 4:13).

My study bible has a note that focuses on this story, which I will reprint here: "As shown by the healing of the paralytic, faith is an indispensable condition for salvation (v.2). And faith is collective as well as personal, for the faith of the paralytic's friends is required for his healing, and the saving faith of the paralytic impresses the multitudes (v. 8). Three signs of Jesus' divinity are shown: (1) He knows the secrets of hearts (v. 4, see 1 Sam. 16:7; 2 Chr. 6:30); (2) He grants the forgiveness of sins (v.5), a power which belongs to God alone; and (3) this healing is performed merely by the power of his word (v.6)."

Then behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." What's important here is the collective nature of what is happening. We can be brought to health and healing through those around us who will care. In that sense, this picture in this scene is the opposite of that in yesterday's healing of the Gergesene demoniacs, whose community wanted Jesus to be gone after the healing. This community shows an entirely different spirit.

And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This man blasphemes!" But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'? Those whose job it is to know the scriptures understand the power of forgiveness of sins. But they fail to see or to perceive what is in Jesus, who is standing before them. They do not share the faith of the community. Here, in a sense, Jesus begins to display what will later manifest as his open confrontation with the religious authorities. He immediately challenges them to watch a greater feat. In this place of great faith, Jesus is free to use his power to heal.

But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" - then he said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." I think it's important to remember that affliction was frequently seen as punishment for sins. So, to link - in the eyes of the scribes - the forgiveness of sins with complete healing is a very powerful message, an unmistakable revelation not only of who Jesus is, but also of his salvific ministry of redemption and transformation in faith. My study bible elsewhere has noted the powerful symbolism of paralysis as representation of sinfulness. Often we are "stuck" - paralyzed - in a place we need help, through faith, from which to be released. In this sense, we can be "stuck" in a state of sinfulness. Something in us needs to change, we need repentance - which, in its original Greek form, metanoia, means "change of mind." So this healing which combines forgiveness of sins with release and healing from paralysis is a worthy teaching to us all about salvation, redemption, and forward movement. This is a process, through faith, that gives us a future we may have lost or have been unable to grasp, it gets us "unstuck" from sin and error, so that we may move forward into health and right-relatedness.

And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men. The paralytic, having been brought by his friends to Christ, is now able to return home on his own. This is a perfect analogy for the healing of emotional and mental disease, and the perfect contrast to yesterday's reading, in which we witnessed a community that was not willing to make room for the effects of the healing and restoration of two of its members, who had been consigned to living among the dead, among the tombs. In today's reading, not only do the afflicted man's friends bring him to Christ for healing, but he is freed from his paralysis - both in sin and in body - and so he can "return home." This is the way we "find ourselves" through salvation and healing as well. In yesterday's reading, I compared the healing to that of one of addiction or other emotional or mental disease. In today's reading, we can understand the importance of community in such issues of health and healing. The paralytic himself is restored to himself, he may return home on his own. But not only have his friends brought him to the help of Christ - his entire community now marvels and glorifies God. The healing has become truly complete, in that it is received by the entire community, with the appropriate recognition of the power by which it was achieved. Here we have the alternative contrasting reality of healing - especially that which involves social change through restoration of the afflicted to a state of health. Something has got to change: and this change and force for health must be welcomed by the community in order to be fully supportive of that transformation. And even more is here -- by virtue of the effects of change and restoration to health, an entire community can receive the "good news." Working with God's help, we are empowered to transform and change our lives, to become "unstuck" and restored to ourselves, to return home. This is the good news, the astonishment of the multitudes - who, in Capernaum, welcome this power (in contrast to the Gerasenes).

So, in the two readings of today and yesterday, we have an entire contradiction in the use and reception of Jesus' power. Healing the demoniacs is a spiritual miracle of transformation - yet all the community could think about was the loss of their swine, the material loss as opposed to the spiritual transformation and healing they witnessed. They did not "make room" for Christ and his effects. The healing of those who were ostracized and outcast - making them once again restored to their places in community - did not have an effect that outruled the loss of the material. But, in Capernaum, an entirely different effect is generated; not only is this man restored to health and to himself, unstuck and free of paralysis, but the entire community welcomes the change and - most especially - the power through which this happened, the help of the divine for men. Our restoration is complete in faith; and the support of community is essential to this particular story. Elsewhere, we will find that rejection by community sets the apostles off on a different road, or that rejection may mean the Word will go elsewhere. But we can see the analogy to healing and health and restoration, as in yesterday's story. Often, when we are "stuck" in a problem, such as an addiction, we need the help of others to heal, and we need the support of community to remain "restored." But we can find that support, power, and strength through faith. With God's help, we are never alone, and this power at which the multitudes marvel is always available and with us. We remember that love is always there in the spirit and power of faith for us. We call on it to become "unstuck." And we invite in our community - and bless it - when we share and show ourselves to be healed.