Three of the four gospel writers include a significant healing event during the earthly ministry of Jesus (Matt. 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26). When a paralyzed man was lowered into the crowd through the roof of the house where Jesus was ministering, He forgave the man of his sins. The religious elites took offense to the proclamation, thinking “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” To demonstrate His divine prerogative to forgive sins, Jesus set forth the challenge “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” With that, He commanded the paralytic to rise up and take his bed with him, and the once-paralyzed man did just that. Certainly, having his sins forgiven was of greater consequence than being able to walk, but the latter physical demonstration of divine power authenticated the unseen reality of the divine forgiveness.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a touchstone of Christian faith. By that demonstration of divine power, we realize the truth that Christ’s brutal death made atonement for our sins. Which is easier to say - that Jesus died for your sins or that He rose from the dead? People die every day, and indeed have done so for millennia. Jesus and the Scriptures foretold Jesus’ death and the purpose of it. That claim was authenticated by His (also foretold) resurrection. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Cor 15:17). Because Christ has indeed risen from the dead, you can know with certainty that if you put your trust in Him, your sins are forgiven.