Page 445 - Bible History

418 CHRIST'S TEACHINGS, MIRA ES AND CHURCH
e house even to the door. Outside in the street there were many more, who strained their ears to hear the Savior's voice and tried to see Him over the heads of those in front of them.
Four men came along, carrying on a bed a man who was sick with the palsy. In vain did they try to push their way through the crowd and enter the house, but the people would not make way for them. Finally they thought of a plan. They climbed up to the roof of the house and lowered the bed with the sick man on it through an opening that they made by removing some of the tiles.
This act of faith pleased Jesus very much and He said to the man sick of the palsy, ''Be of good heart, son. Thy sins are forgiven thee."
Hearing this, some of the scribes who were sitting there were deeply scandalized and thought in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? He blas­ phemeth. Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
Seeing their thoughts, Jesus said, " Vhy do you think evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the man sick of the palsy, 'Thy sins are forgiven thee,' or to say to him, 'Arise, take up thy bed and walk'1 But that you may know that I h e the power on earth to forgive sins"-He now turned to the man sick of the palsy-"! say to thee, 'Arise, take up thy bed and go into thy house.' " Immediately he rose up, took up the bed upon which he had been lying, and car­ ried it away into his own house, glorifying God as he
walked along.
And the multitude, seeing it, were lled with wonder.