Memory Verse

"Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."  John 20:30-31

Lesson

Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project for Kids.  When was the last time someone cut a hole in the church roof while you were listening to your pastor?  In today's Bible story, Jesus was in Capernaum, a city of the Sea of Galilee.  The Pharisees and scribes  -  teachers of the law  -  came to listen to Jesus' teaching.  They were curious about His message and wanted to make sure He was teaching things that were true.  So many people came that they crowded the house; there was no more room.

That day, four friends came to see Jesus.  The four men carried their friend who was paralyzed.  The men believed Jesus came from God and that He could heal people.  Because the friends could not get through the crowd, they carried their friend to the roof and lowered him down to Jesus.

Jesus' words to the paralyzed man surprised the Pharisees and teachers of the law.  Rather than saying, "Get up and walk,"  Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." The religious leaders keep quiet, but Jesus knew their thoughts.  In their hearts, they accused Jesus of blasphemy, dishonoring God by claiming to do what only God can do.

Jesus asked them, "Which is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say "Get up and walk?"  Simply saying, "Your sins are forgiven," seems to be the easier thing, but to actually forgive sins is harder, something only God can do.  As God, Jesus has the power and authority to heal and forgive.  And Jesus would take the man's sins upon Himself on the cross.  The man who was paralyzed needed to be healed.  Jesus knew this and did something even greater; Jesus forgave his sins, and then He healed the man.  Because Jesus is God, He has the power and authority to heal and forgive.  Jesus offers forgiveness to those who trust in Him.