GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 2:9
Easier Said Than Done
There is a common English phrase: “Easier said than done.” There is a story, probably fictitious, that someone asked the Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if the Corps could build a ladder to the moon, “Yes,” he replied, “We can build a ladder to the moon, but it may take a while.” Easier said than done.
Some critics heard Jesus pronounce the forgiveness of the sins of a paralytic brought to Jesus by four friends. The forgiveness of sins, they reasoned among themselves, can only be done by God. This man doesn’t have the right to pronounce the forgiveness of sins: that’s blasphemy. Anyone can pronounce the forgiveness of sins, but only God can do it. Discerning the reasoning of the critics, Jesus said, “What is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and take you mat and walk?’” (Mark 2:9) On the face of it, the pronouncement of the forgiveness of sins sounds easier than commanding a paralytic with shriveled, atrophied limbs to walk—easier said than done. Both would be manifestations of God’s presence.
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