STAND UP AND WALK
STAND UP AND WALK
AUTHORITY
Jesus kept going from town to town. He did many miracles. And he healed people who were sick. The news about him spread to many places.
One day, Jesus was teaching in a house that was full of people. Some leaders of the Jews were there as well. As he was teaching, some men tried to get into the house. They had a man with them who could not walk. They were carrying him on a mat. But they could not get in because the house was too crowded.
So they took the man to the roof. They made an opening and lowered him down on his mat. They put him right in front of Jesus.
Jesus saw that these men had faith. So he said to the man on the mat, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’
As soon as he said that, some of the leaders of the Jews started to think, ‘Who does he think he is? Only God can forgive sin. What he is saying is an insult to God!’
But Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said, ‘What is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up and walk’? What I am about to do will show you that I have the authority to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus told the man on the mat, ‘Get up and walk.’
Immediately, the man got up. He rolled up his mat. Then he walked out through the middle of the crowd. And the man praised God. Then the people began praising God too. And everyone there was filled with wonder.