Now, some teachers of the law, who were sitting there, wondered within themselves, “How can he speak like this,
insulting God? Who can forgive sins except God?”
At once, Jesus knew in his spirit what they were thinking, and asked, “Why do you wonder?
Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your mat and walk?’
But now you shall know, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
And he said to the paralytic, “Stand up, take up your mat and go home.” The man rose and, in the sight of all those people,
he took up his mat and went out. All of them were astonished and praised God, saying, “Never have we seen anything like this!”

REFLECTION:
As growing children, my mother used to tell us, “You cannot hide anything from God.”
This was her way of teaching us honesty. The teachers of the law in the gospel were asking within
themselves the credibility of Jesus to forgive sins. But “Jesus knew in his spirit what they were thinking.”
This inspires me to all the more trust him: he knows my needs, what is best for me and what is not.
The teachers of the law were self-complacent, they know very well the law but they do not know the mind of God.
They follow human standards, not the divine law of forgiveness and love. They trust more on their knowledge of the law,
thus they do not recognize the Son of Man who has the divine authority to forgive sins.
Do I also have the attitude of the teachers of the law?

© Copyright Bible Diary 2020