Luke 5:18-26
Just then some men showed up, carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and place him before Jesus.But since they found no way to carry him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down on the stretcher through the roof tiles right in front of Jesus.When Jesus saw their faith he said,“ Friend, your sins are forgiven.”Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves,“ Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”When Jesus perceived their hostile thoughts, he said to them,“ Why are you raising objections within yourselves?Which is easier, to say,‘ Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say,‘ Stand up and walk’?But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he said to the paralyzed man–“ I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher and go home.”Immediately he stood up before them, picked up the stretcher he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God.Then astonishment seized them all, and they glorified God. They were filled with awe, saying,“ We have seen incredible things today.”
Matthew 9:1-8
After getting into a boat he crossed to the other side and came to his own town.Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,“ Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.”Then some of the experts in the law said to themselves,“ This man is blaspheming!”When Jesus saw their reaction he said,“ Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?Which is easier, to say,‘ Your sins are forgiven’ or to say,‘ Stand up and walk’?But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– then he said to the paralytic–“ Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”And he stood up and went home.When the crowd saw this, they were afraid and honored God who had given such authority to men.
