Show Don't Tell: Matthew 9:1-8
Instead of saying "Jesus healed a paralytic and forgave his sins," watch the controversy erupt. They bring a paralyzed man on a mat—four friends carrying dead weight, hoping for healing. Jesus sees their faith and says something unexpected: "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Wait—they came for healing, not absolution. The teachers of the law mutter: "This fellow is blaspheming! Only God can forgive sins." They're right about that last part. Jesus knows their thoughts: "Which is easier: to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Get up and walk'?" Anyone can claim to forgive sins—it's invisible, unverifiable. "But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then to the paralytic: "Get up, take your mat and go home." He gets up. He walks. Visible proof of invisible authority.
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