Summary: Which Is Easier For Jesus?<br> Jesus had the power to forgive sins – Have you ever been impressed with the reality of Jesus’ power?<br> Jesus had the power to forgive sins. Have you ever noticed how easy it is for us to hold thoughts and opinions on the same subject that appear to be in total contradiction? We can be both confident and pessimistic about the same matter. We can feel both encouraged and discouraged about the same situation. We can look at circumstances and express a real sense of hope, and moments later declare feelings of profound hopelessness about the same circumstances. According to us, a situation may provide real opportunity and no opportunity at all, or real advantages and no advantages. Have you ever noticed others doing that? Have you ever noticed yourself doing that?<br> Consider a specific example. Think about Jesus’ amazing power. Have you ever been impressed with the reality of Jesus’ power? Have you witnessed or experienced things that unquestionably happened because of Jesus’<br> power? If you have been sensitive and observant, I have no doubt that you have been impressed in specific instances by Jesus’ power. How many times have you witnessed a Christian in a hard, lingering, demanding, exhausting, punishing crisis endure, continue to live, and continue to function in unbelievable ways? How many times have you witnessed a Christian suffer enormous tragedy, endure the tragedy, and come through the tragedy as a stronger, better, more thankful person? How many times have you witnessed someone with a terrible problem develop a relationship with Jesus that totally changed his/her life (the “before” and “after” person were in complete contrast)? Have you ever observed an insecure, ‘do nothing’ Christian build a relationship of faith with Jesus and become a powerful servant?<br> Jesus had the power to forgive sins – Now, honestly change your perspective.<br> I have seen all of that and more. I have been astounded, amazed, and said, “Lord, help me have more confidence!” It would surprise me if you have not had the same experiences.<br> Now, honestly change your perspective. Consider all the situations in which you thought there was nothing the Lord could do. Are there not problems in which you considered the Lord powerless? Are there not situations in which you wondered if it was appropriate to pray about the matter? You just felt certain nothing could improve the situation. You could see no way to improve the situation so you concluded the situation was beyond improvement. Have you ever felt that way about yourself or about someone else?<br> If we are honest with ourselves, I think we would admit that there are some things we consider easy for the Lord to do, and some things we consider difficult for the Lord to do. Quite often that is more a matter of our personal judgment than it is the Lord’s ability. <a href="http://godsmessageontheweb.com/index.php/2007/08/26/difficulty-requires-the-prayer-of-persistent-patience/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Difficulty Requires the Prayer of Persistent Patience</a><br> To help us develop a biblical perspective, consider an incident recorded in Jesus’ life recorded in Matthew 9:1-7.<br> Jesus had the power to forgive sins – Jesus Heals the Paralytic<br> Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city. And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”<br> And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Get up, and walk? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”- t...
