Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 86
86 range of possibility. Now let us see whether the New. Testament supports this view. . The New Testament relates that a cripple was once brought on his bed to the Messiah. The Messiah gave him. a look and said, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew, Ch. 9:2). . This amazed the people and they wondered that he forgave sins. Christianity says the same thing in this age. How can man forgive sin, it asks. But the New Testament says: "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, wherefore think you evil in your hearts. For whether is easier to say, thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say 'Arise, and walk'?” (Matthew,. Ch. 9:4-5). Which of the two things is easier, he enquires, for the cripple to get up or to tell the sinful that he is forgiven?. In the light of Christian teaching, it would be far easier to tell the cripple to be up and about than to tell the sinner that he has been forgiven. But the New Testament ascribes the following statement to the Messiah (peace be on him). "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then says he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house" (Matthew, Ch. 9:1-8). . First, the people registered surprise at the Messiah's declaration forgiving sins: they wondered how the son of Adam could forgive sin. The Messiah said: “But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then says he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed and go unto thine house. ". They were then surprised still more and "they marvelled and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. ". The above incident which is narrated in the New Testament proves that forgiveness of sin and ordering a cripple to