In Trouble? You’re forgiven

Matthew 9:2 (NIV) 
Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’

I've had a pair of running shoes for eight years. They’ve been well-loved and well-used. Over time, the grip has worn smooth, and on rainy days, I’ve slipped and fallen more times than I’d like to admit. Maybe it’s time for them to go. When facing trouble, I can feel weak and vulnerable or, like my shoes, just a bit worn down, and that is when I can slip and stumble on my Christian walk and fall short of God's perfect plan for me: this 'falling short' is what the Bible calls 'sin'. 

When trouble comes, we may feel we need to be on our best behaviour to earn God’s comfort and protection. But this, friends, is not how God's grace works. This passage reminds us that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins. All guilty stains - gone. In this, we can take comfort. It’s only his grace, not our attempts at moral perfection, that carries us through times of trouble.

Take note that Jesus calls the man ‘son’, or ‘my child’. We have a Father who sees us with all our mistakes, in all our shortcomings, and says ‘son/daughter, you are forgiven’. Do we live knowing that every mistake we have ever made and ever will make has been totally forgiven? If you are feeling guilty today, the invitation is to come to Jesus and be washed clean. Keep short accounts with God; come to him quickly and readily when you fall short: there is no benefit in avoiding the gaze of one who already knows everything. He has already purchased your forgiveness! Come to me, he says with great love. Now. Don't wait.

Today, hear the words of Jesus: tharseō ‘Take heart, your sins are forgiven’.

Prayer - Thank you for purchasing my freedom, Jesus. I come to you with all my mistakes and ask you to wash me clean. Give me joy today, knowing I am forgiven.