After much struggle, the four friends finally laid their paralyzed companion before Jesus. Now, it was up to Jesus to raise him to his feet. But to their surprise, instead of commanding the man to stand, Jesus declared that his sins were forgiven. Rather than addressing the visible problem, Jesus was confronting the deeper issue that has plagued humanity since the fall: sin.
The greatest problem you face today is not your exams, deadlines, competitors, or even your illness—it is your sin. Sin has separated you from a holy God. It carries serious consequences, some of them deadly (Romans 6:23). Even more troubling is the fact that we are powerless to free ourselves from its guilt and control. But the good news is this: Jesus can. Because of His finished work on the cross, He is fully able to forgive even your darkest sins – and to restore you to wholeness.