1. Take heart, son (1-2)

Some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. This man was living in deep despair and fatalism, and he was burdened by guilt. He depended on others for everything. But the friends who brought him to Jesus refused to give up. They believed in Jesus. Jesus blessed their faith. He loved this ugly, helpless man and called him 'son.' He encouraged him and said, 'Take heart.' Then he said, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Only God can forgive sins. Jesus is God. Fatalism and despair are sins.

2. The Son of Man has authority (3-8)

The teachers of the law were shocked by Jesus' words. They did not believe that he was Christ, the Son of God, so they condemned him for being presumptuous. He demonstrated the authority of God to heal and to forgive sins. He completely changed this man's life. The crowd saw it and praised God, for they saw that Jesus indeed had God's authority to forgive and heal.

Application: Lord, forgive my sins and make me whole. Help me to bring my friends to you for healing and forgiveness.
One Word: Jesus has authority to forgive