"Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.... He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We have seen remarkable things today.'"
Star Trek was always one of my favorite shows growing up. I remember how the show would push the envelope as to the future. It would be great to have such a thing as a teleporter. One of the greatest things about the future is about the new technologies in medicine. However, one key rule they abide in (the prime directive) is to not interfere with lesser developed civilization to prevent any possible changes in their development of their future. This is a great idea. It would be mystifying for those who has very little medicinal expertise to encounter such technologies... it would be considered a miracle. In fact, the Native Americans and many other past civilizations had medicine men who were considered the miracle men. If we were to take our advances in medicine today and take it back in time, they would consider it miracles.
Wouldn't it be fair to say that many miracles do happen, even in the hands of men? Advancements in medicine has improved the lives of many. Miraculous cures are found on a regular basis. People are living longer and more people are cured due to the advancements of medicine.
When Jesus asked the question as to which is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or "Get up and walk," it left a thought to ponder on. It may be easier to say one's sins are forgiven, but the truth is to tell someone paralyzed to get up and walk is much more easily accomplishable. The Pharisees were indeed correct that only God can forgive sins. However, they were not able to reconcile the truth that Jesus Himself is God. Jesus understanding their difficulties healed the man to display His authority. People were also amazed and gave Him praise.
It is true that all of us needs miracles in our lives. We need to see His handiwork to recognize He is God at first. However, once we embrace Him as our God, we need to mature in our walk with Him as well. Unlike the Pharisees, we acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. We therefore should seek Him, and not His handiwork. Are we spending time with Him and developing a relationship with Him? Or do we continue to spend most of our time seeking His miracles? Is our prayer life about Him helping us in our situation? Or is about being more like Him? It is no longer about doing, but about being. And as we become more like Him, than then actions will easily follow.
Hurricane Katrina has been devastating. It has ruined many lives. The tragedy is astounding and unimaginable. It is unfortunate to see the finger pointing, but it is also great to see the number of people mobilizing to help the victims. Unfortunately, the sins of men has been even more devastating. The death rate is incomparable, and the ruined lives are far greater. What mobilization is taking place due to this natural disaster? Let us not only pray for the miracles needed for the devastated lives due to the hurricane, but let us also focus on the lives that need saving from sin.
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